apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Stunning! Mid-century modern at its best!

mmmmm...this is yummy.

wow! the best so far. Polished look and well photographed, yet I still get a sense of personality and the feeling of "lived in" instead of the dreaded show room quality.
(drooling)

This is bold but artful use of color. Insta-Finalist!

Oh wow, this is really nice!
In addition to the color choices, I like the table lamp and the dining table.
Yeah, instafinalist.

Oh, I love this. Nice photography, too.

Love the color, the photographs, love it all! Insta-finalist!

Fabulous!

Insta-Fabulous-Finalist!

By FAR the best in this contest!!!

Great Job! I agree...Insta-Fabulous Finalist!

One word: fabulous.
Great use of variety, tone, and contrast...
Incredibly inspired selection of accessories, lighting fixtures, and mid-century style

Insta-finalist--NO DOUBT!

Simply inspiring! Glorious use of color makes a simple wall so bold and empowering. Combine that with the graphic design flare and only one word comes to mind…FABULOUS! John of “Bold, Bright, Day or Night” you certainly do color right!!!

Love it, but I'm trying hard to focus on the use of color and not be overly influenced by all that fabulous furniture. That dining room table...*sigh*.

Bright and bold! Color has totally transformed the space. You sir have taken us all on a color adventure, and a good one at that.

Can you tell us more about the black walls in the living room? They seem like a very bold choice, especially paired with the navy blue couches.

The photography skewed the colors a bit. The walls are a color called Griddle Grey and the couches are a medium grey. In person the wall color looks like a deep dark chocolate.

John's house is the best one of all these! I could live there! I would love it if the bathroom had a 3-D smiling poodle photo.

Very lovely, it feels so inviting.
Great work with the photography too.

This home looks like a lot of fun! A feast for the eyes.

love it... choice of color and mid century pieces. clean lines with an added flair and function. you got my vote!!
FABULOUS>>>>

The red kitchen is cool, but I don't think there's enough contrast in the dark room(s). I know someone with dark brown walls, and it looks great -- they're balanced with white bookshelves and lots of other color in the room. Too much dark can just be so overwhelming...especially at night.

I like the unusual color choices and how they flow. It's not matchy matchy which happens sometimes when people use color. Very sophisticated, but not pretentious.

If the contest is all about color, then John's got it all wrapped up. LOVE that red kithen!!

awesomeness!

mmm, where'd ya get the ottoman in the first pic? i heart it very much :)

fantastic!

You can definitely tell that you are a pro, and totally true about applying principles of graphic design.

1. great use of proportions of wall hangings. good large size pictures for occupying wall

2 great use of contrasting colors, light in front of dark, etc.. wow!

3. really like third photo, that shows living room close up, great use of that wall, with green cabinet, bright red framed pic above with contrast of pink against black wall, and green plant next to it. also an artfully designed photo!!

but, see my above comments which are great, although, can't say i like those floating shelves much. seem a little ikea-ish, especially white ones in kitchen.

eventually, maybe get new couch, and differing color armchair. since it is your home, if not rental, then eventually get some furniture upgrades, even if you want to focus on mid century.

I am beyond in love with the kitchen. Dear lord.

I'm sorry, I have to comment again. I'm so inspired by what you've done. The black walls? Wowser.

This is fabulous! I love how it is vibrant and colorful without being garish.

The colors are not my personal favorites, but the execution is crisp and really confident.

Oh man. Insta-finalist, for sure. I love how stylish yet liveable this place is. Love the red and the blue in the kitchen and the bright yellow in the living room. I don't necessarily agree with the person who told you to get "furniture upgrades" -- I love that this looks like a real home, not something created for a magaine.

This is fantastic! I've seen many lovely homes in this contest, but this is the best example yet of what color can add to a room.

I like it, but the rooms are a bit too dark for me. Everything goes together really well, not matched up but complimentary.

Mmm, love that red kitchen. And the little letters in random places. But are those wooden chairs across from the couch comfy at all or just for show?

Would you be able to give us some tips on taking good interior photos? These are the best I've seen in any of the contests on AT!

Gorgeous! You balanced the bold colors of the walls and furniture with natural lighting perfectly! I'm ready to move in!

Wow. It is not easy to pull off black walls effectively- but this is how to do it! Between the white, the light, and all thos punches of color, this space somehow works out perfectly.

Well done.

I love it! Excellent use of color, definitely a winner!

hi there - was wondering who did the print above your mini credenza (love them both!!!).

Very cool!

These rooms look terrific!

Very clearly the winner. The furniture is perfection.

Anne in Reno - the little wooden chairs are Eames LCWs (Lounge Chair Wood) They are SO comfortable! I've got one at home - not for show at all.

This is....um.... B O L D. I wasnt loving the first picture but the subsequent photos just bowled me over. Exactly what the contest called for - someone with enough knowledge of color to make this work, enough guts to do it, and enough restraint to keep it from looking like a Pantone swatchbook exploded. Brilliant.

Hey everyone. Thanks for the nice comments. You are all too kind.

Here are some of the answers to your questions.

clarkbar9: The picture above the vintage Paul McCobb unit is a Andy Warhol glicee print that was bought online.

kdkaboom: The ottoman was bought at an antique store and recovered in vintage barkcloth.

As Modfan points out the wooden chairs are Eames and totally comfortable.

Holy crap! If I lived here I'd wake up happy every day! Bold, Bright and sophisticated!

Sophisticated and retro-chic!! John's use of color is beautifully executed and clearly separates him from the pack.

Fantastic use of color--your house looks amazing. You should be a professional decorator and get paid for your talent!!

This place is growing on me more and more. #1 contender?

nicely done! where did you get the planter/stand next to the mccobb cabinet?

The whole place is very colorful, but the colors are fighting each other. There is no flow from the wall colors to the carpet, to the accessories. If it works for you Im all for it, but I think it would work a lot better if you paired down by 30%

You and your apartment ROCK!

I'm forever hearing people voice their concern over using dark paint colors because they think their rooms will turn out gloomy to which I invariably respond:

"Heck, you can paint your room black as long as you have proper lighting."

And you've just proven my point.

Excellent job!

Fantastic. I love your use of patterns. I love the very bold black paint. Exceptional choice of furniture with a mix of iconic classics and subdued midcentury offerings.

does anyone happen to know the name of that warhol print? i can't seem to figure that out. thanks, any help is appreciated!!

I was looking and expecting to find some design faux pas but didn't find one. It must be nice (and a heavey burden) to have flawless taste.

I especially like the fiberglass planter with the "mother-in-law tongue," the dinning room set and the blue, ribbed lamp. That living room is pretty spectactular too.

Baby, your place looks good!

Is that a fiberglass planter? It looks like wood to me. Where can I pick one like that up? Nice job on everything. I'm green with envy.

Not exact planter, but.... http://www.hiphaven.com/Pages/A_Retro_Bullet_Planter.html

Yes, the planter is an original fiberglass planter found at a second hand store. It still has the label on the inside.

Gretchen is correct in finding the website for the models they make today. I believe this is the only place that makes them now. I don’t think they have the woodgrain ones but have lots of colors to pick from. I want them all!

The Warhol print is entitled Flash: November 22, 1963 JFK Assassination c. 1968 (Red and Pink) It is available at www.allposters.com

Bold, innovative, fresh, fun, classy, stunning...their aren't enough adjectives. Just perfect in every way, from the paint colors, to the furniture placement, to the accessories. Wow.

This is well-edited. I see many objects I recognize, and they all fit together beautifully.

Thanks for posting that link to the bullet planters!

LOVE your space, your color philosophy and especially your vintage furniture.

Wait ... actually more than that I love that your screenname is Hotpants Explosion ... I use that phrase ALL the time (but won't say in which screwy context) ;-) and didn't think anyone else knew that song. ;-)

note to ridge_van_winkle...

...the B-52’s are my God.

... as they are mine ;-)

I was waiting for Royal Oak to show up! Great! Thanks for putting us on the apt therapy map! The ranch is very well done. Love the kitchen..green and orange are my favorites!

If I see one more stick of Haywood Wakefield....

Love the furniture, love the colors............awesome!
You certainly have talent. I love the retro wooden lamp in your living room.

The best so far!

No. 1 winner...........!

is that a hanging string of lights in the corner of the living room (black room)? awesome!