Name: Ali
Location: Rochester, NY
Type of Home: 2-bedroom apartment
What inspired you to use color? My love for color came from my grandma, who always just "knew" how to combine different colors and textures in a variety of spaces to make a big splash. This, coupled with my intense dislike of bare white walls and my love for art and books led me to look for thrift store/flea market furnishings (in my grad student budget!) to make the most of my place in Rochester, which fortunately already had a lot of character coming in (it's an old mansion converted into apartments). I have always aimed to make my place reflect me while welcoming my friends; I like to think I've succeeded!...
Color Tip: Don't be afraid to throw things together — as a student, I've had to bring in a lot of furniture that most people would be hesitant to match. I've found that everything works together pretty nicely, though, as long as I don't make things too wild. I love hand-woven rugs, especially tribal prints, and I find that their patterns and colors are great inspiration for designing a room — most of my favorites use many colors and design elements in a harmonious and creative way. Using color schemes and design elements from your favorite paintings or photographs is also another way to find things that work and look great!
Fall Colors Introduction -------------------------------
Welcome, everyone, to our Fourth Annual Fall Colors Sharing & Contest. We're looking for the most beautiful & colorful home in the world and sharing all of the great ideas we get with our readers. This year we're amping things up and hoping to do things better than ever. There are two basic phases, the Sharing Phase and the Voting Phase...
1. Sharing Phase - you comment, judges decide
The 40 best, completed entries will be posted on a daily basis for three weeks. You can view them all at anytime via our new, improved contest pages under ALL ENTRIES. During this time your comments are VERY IMPORTANT as our six judges will be choosing 16 finalists from each region based on comments and their own colorful opinion.
2. Voting Phase - you vote till you drop
Starting October 20th, finalist voting will begin on a daily basis through our new bracketed voting system, which will pit our 16 finalists against one another until only one remains. Sound exciting? We hope so.
Best, Maxwell
I like this a LOT.
view Joan A.'s profile
i like everything except for the xmass lights. in any case, this is how antique should be done, niiice.
view elinka189's profile
btw, love the wine cabinet ;)
view elinka189's profile
Nice!
That fireplace! (drool)
view whytephoenix's profile
I LOVE this. I wish there was a bigger picture of the wallpaper(?) behind the bed, it's gorgeous! Ali, if you're reading this, what is that and where's it from??
view michpc's profile
Beautiful - very warm and serene.
view Erin K.'s profile
I love Ali's style! I love the way she arranges everything, and I love everything in it. Lovely antiques. This looks more like a big comfy house rather than a 2 bedrm. apt. I'd love to live here. Great originality too.. I like this entry the best so far. (Love the kitties too ;^ ) ).
view Margiefriend's profile
Michpc, the wallpaper is actually a large tapestry I got from a shop in my hometown of Asheville, NC (big hippie haven) a few years ago. It would be great as wallpaper, though!
view alimcghee's profile
I LOVE this entry! I think Ali's done a great job on a grad school budget (and I know, because I'm in the same boat). This home is lived-in and loved and not as sterile/showroom as some of the other entries. I wonder how long Ali has lived here because it has the feel of someplace where the tenant has been around forever.
I love the rugs and the big comfy chairs. It reminds me of my grandparent's house, and I mean that in the best way! I would love to know someone with a house like this...I'd be over there all the time.
view amazonikon's profile
Very warm and textured. Rich and cozy without being fussy or pretentious. I agree with Elinka about the X-mas lights...
view Modfan's profile
Well, wallpaper or no, I love it (I'm a sucker for all things autumnal). I have a much smaller leaf pattern tapestry that I'm hoping to use for headboard fabric. Maybe I can get inspired to actually do it by your room.
view michpc's profile
can I move in? I'm litter trained.
view brdwred's profile
nice place to have a cup of tea on a rainy day.
view mariegael's profile
Cozy home and cute kitty.
view GirlInATower's profile
I love your place, Ali. I especially adore the honey wine bottle on your coffee table - I bet I know where that came from! I have a bottle from the Ethiopian restaurant on display in my kitchen, too - it makes a lovely vase.
Gorgeous photos!!
view Scraggle18's profile
Bar in the fireplace! That's hilarious.
view Jezebella's profile
I love this place! Especially the exotic pieces, they give the home a 'one of a kind' feel.
view vanessamarie's profile
I love your sense of color, Ali! This apartment looks so cozy. I'd love to curl up on that green chair and have a cup of tea and watch an old audrey hepburn movie. Love the fireplace and that giant bookcase. By far, the best entry I've seen so far!
view pidgepidge's profile
Really like the use of rich warm colours that unify all the patterns and textures.
view TheoJ's profile
warm and quaint and welcoming. lovely
view formosagirl's profile
VERY nice. This place epitomizes boho funky chic - it looks like a movie set. Amazing color sense. It's also refreshing to see a space on this blog that isnt filled with mid century everything.
view beddybee's profile
what a wonderful place to come home to. Everything is magical and peaceful. The colors are beautiful and the patterns blending in almost hypnotically. It is truly a designer's dream for a small space, utilizing every area with great character and warmth. As someone who has designed many areas, I can attest to the uniqueness of this one.
An A plus for decorating on a budget and doing so brilliantly. Great pieces mixed in with great finds!
view debrasimons's profile
Very homey and old world sensibility. The colors are lovely, rich and worn in. There are wonderful layers of color here. Not only in wall paint but in furniture, wall art and knick knacks.
view Trumystique's profile
Thanks for these wonderful, thoughtful comments. I'm really enjoying all of the Fall Colors entries and what people are saying about them. To answer amazonikon's question from way back when, I've lived here since August 2006. I was lucky to find a space that already had so much charm, but still allowed me to make it my own.
view alimcghee's profile