apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Some suggestions: Large plant, a sculptural item, a side table/ unit (for storage--enclosed with doors or open), drinks table/ cabinet, or short bookshelf.

Maybe add some more shelves and make it a little library. Add a cozy chair with lighting and it would make a nice little reading nook.

Love the condo. I think I'd want to lower those shelves and mix them up with some framed art. Maybe a larger piece above the shelves and a row of smaller ones in between? I think anything on the floor would just intrude on the window.

Two ideas. A sideboard with the makings for a small bar, could be a great place for guest to refill their drinks. Or fill that wall with more shelves and create a reading nook. A modern chaise with a nice floor lamp.

Could you put a bench or chaise along the floor to ceiling window and use it as a reading nook?

I'd place an Eames DCM, LCM, LCW, or DCW with one of those little, low LTR side tables there. A skinny, tall vase with something tall in it that comes up the wall a little would look nice, but that furniture would be very unassuming.

Something like an Eames fiberglass armchair on a rocker base would be cool, too.

Sorry, on an Eames kick right now.

Plants.

maybe a different shelf system?
something you can use to display interesting sculptural and display pieces. It would also be nice to hang a mirror above the shelf.

-console with a large frame (lithograph, mirror) places on it
-pedestal with an interesting sculpture (your space is really beautiful, but a large very ornate or curvy sculpture would bring some contrast and stand out great there)
-a large plant (philodendron type) also to bring some contrast by color and irregular shapes)
-moving the living space in sort of an angle (once again to break the very rectilinear space and forms)
-VERY large frame placed on the floor

It may not be your taste but I think that something less modern would stand out beautifully (ornate baroque frame around a mirror, sculpture, floor lamp...)

I second the idea of a credenza/sidebar.. with a lovely plant, or vases, and maybe some cocktail accoutrements!

i vote something alive and green - a nice big plant.

a rubber plant would look great (not a plant made of rubber, but the actual rubber plant) :-)

definitely a nice luscious, large-leaf plant. With the urban, city surroundings it would be nice to bring some nature to the room

i instantly thought reading nook. It could use a tall plant too.

a harp.

::nods::

Looks like the perfect place for a nice, well stocked bar. :)

Honestly, I'd leave it alone and get rid of the 2 shelves LOL!!!

Sorry. Am a minimalist at heart.

Ahem.

Now for a real suggestion. How about a slim cabinet the width of the shelves (what do they call those things.. banquettes?) to slide up against the wall so that it's functional AND it matches the shelves above so it doesn't look like a mistake?

Or, put a picture there :)

as others have mentioned, a large sculptural plant (elephant ears perhaps) and a nice lounge chair with a pendant light to make a reading nook would be great. some chairs that come to mind: the Eames lounge chair, the egg chair, the pod chair, the Corbu lounger, or the barcelona daybed. also as recommended above, you may want to add something that is not so modern to add some interest to your overall space.

A large piece of artwork.

I would put a slim sideboard or console table there. Or a neat little table with plants on it.

reading corner

I'd leave it bare for now. I'm not exactly a minimalist, but the simplicity appeals to me.

Otherwise, I'd add a simple chair, so I could sit and have a glass of wine in the evening while watching the traffic build up, so I could celebrate that I was home in my cozy high rise and not stuck in the traffic jam. At least, that's what I did with a similar corner when I lived in a DC area high rise.

Yeah, reading nook was my first thought, too-- a chair, footstool, and small table with a lamp. And maybe a piece of art below the shelves/above the chair.

Or extend the shelving all the way down the wall.

Sparkle I was also thinking bar!

A big, leafy potted plant. You guys have a lot of light and need something green and organic to balance out all the sleek modern stuff.

How about Martha Stewart KINGSLAND CHINOISERIE SECRETARY

Overall Dimensions:
44 1/4in W 23 5/8in D 81 5/8in H
112cm W 60cm D 207cm

Hhttp://www.bernhardt.com/marthastewartfurniture/item.php?COL=Katonah&ITEM=1645&CAT=Office

I would put a sideboard along the wall to create a bar area as well.

Or, with all that great light, you could bring a lot of plants into the place.

I'd take down the shelves, they don't seem to belong there at all, and if anything, place a plant in front of the window, centered. Something tall with broad leaves as others have suggested.

Try adding a small cabinet. This will give you some closed storage for the future and a place to display a picture or vase. The cabinet should have clean lines to tie in with the clean and modern aesthetic of the space. Remove the shelves and lean a large picture and a few display items.

Depends what look you are going for, but I like an eclectic look - try this simple Asian furniture piece that can be used as a bar or for extra storage.

http://www.chinafurnitureonline.com/closeup.asp?cid=10&pid=2274&offset=3

What abc124 said. Doesn't have to be a jungle, just a green, fresh, live plant--I'd probably put a single tall, thick-stemmed one. By the way, I love your space.

leave it empty for a month or two and then figure out if there's anything you're missing. You might decide that you do in fact need a desk. Maybe you'll host a party and find that a bar or buffet is necessary.

I wouldn't rush into filling up space. Let the space tell you what it needs.

I would get rid of the shelves. The space calls for a a nice piece of art. Something vertical. Don't bother putting any furniture, since there is simply not enough space. Avoid a plant, that would just create clutter.

Window seat!!! Window seat!!! Book nook about the seat. So cute and comforting.

-Chair with good light to make as a nice reading nook - an ottoman added to this would help fill the space without crowding it

-Office area - you have the space, might as well use it and I'm sure the bar seating gets crowded if work is spread out -- be the envy of your friends

-Some plants if you have a green thumb

There is endless possibilities.


Sorry, I'm just not one to hop on the bar wagon since I'm not with the drinking crowds.

Eliminate the shelves, and place a small bar cabinet/credenza w/ a lamp and piece of artwork above - Or just a large piece of artwork.

You also could use a sofa table/credenza behind that sofa w/ some table lamps - I see a significant lack of lighting in that room.

I agree with nothing and taking out the shelves. The windows are fantastic, nice condo! The only thing I might see is a beautiful sculpture with a small light behind it to back light it in the evening that would be very sexy with the city lights from the window.

That is a GREAT spot for a cluster picture arrangement. Especially because there's plenty of indirect light from both sides. A medium foliage plant would seal the job.

Also, why is the sofa in the middle of the room?
you could move back against the window and open up that room...just an idea...

its screaming for a bar! lol.
but perhaps ... a piano?

Do you have a hobby? If you regularly do something that needs a space, this'd be great for it! Even if it's a low cupboard with craft supplies, etc in it, and aworkspace on top - perhaps with a comfy chair too?

How the heck is a plant 'clutter'? Jeez.

I was thinking plant... but wow, those views are drool worthy! :)

I'd add a nice antique bar cabinet, lose the shelves and replace them with a beautiful piece of art, and then add in a lower-than-waist-height plant to complete it.

Then I'd watch some Mad Men DVDs while having a whiskey.

A large scale sculpture (and take down the shelves)

A plant! Definitely. The space needs something that will make it feel more like a home.

Add är large plant or get rid och the shelves and put up a lower shelf and put several smaller, stylish, plants on top, but definitely - you need to add som life to the room.

If your condo doesn't have a gym, that would be a good space for a piece of fitness equipment (treadmill, elliptical runner, bench with dumbells, pull up / dip bar, yoga mat with mirror on the wall...)

Daniel Poitiers has it right. Sculpture, please. It's unusual to have a room with such a perfect place for a sculpture, and such good lighting. I'd ditch those shelves, put in the sculpture, and then get the perfect light fixture to spotlight the sculpture. Spotlight, uplight, anything.

Good luck! Will we see the "after"? If so, may we please see both a "Daytime: After" and a "Nighttime: After?" Thanks!

I'm one of those who feels like every empty space doesn't necessarily need to be filled --- especially if there is no real functional purpose to whatever object you put there. That being said, if I were going to fill the space, I would do it with art. I would probably take down the shelves and either place a beautiful large vertical painting or sculpture in that space.

Agree with funstraw in adding reading nook. Add a nice comfy chair and a small table or lower the shelves and use as a table.

Get rid of the shelves, they are the wrong hight and seem out of place. I would hang a big picture instead and a big plant. Can't really see why anyone would call a plant cluttered: to me a space without a plant seems empty and lifeless.

I am with PaminBoston. Empty space never killed anyone. In fact, in this age of small space living, it is downright decadent. Whatever you do, don't fill it just to fill it.

The right piece will find you one day and you will have just the place for it. Until that day comes, let it be empty.

You should put a nice decorative screen in the empty corner. Screens add a sense of mystery to space: they invite the viewer to imagine what might lurk behind them. They also block out unwanted clutter, i.e., audio speakers. They also diminish the glare of the windows. Etc.

I also think get rid of the shelves and put in a plant. A really big one. I think a really big plant in an apartment is such a luxury, because often the space isn't available, and one would fit in here perfectly, especially as it would filter the light and give added bang for your buck. Not to mention that it will clean your air for you to earn it's keep :)

Large tree, fiddle leaf fig for example.

yes, a plant would bring in a much needed organic element to soften up the hard edged view.
and in one of these planters.
http://www.pastense.com/planter.html

Yes, a plant to soften the hard edged views.
In one of these bullet planters would be perfect!
http://www.pastense.com/planter.html

Plants plants plants.

Nothing at all. The beauty of this space lies in its simplicity, so why fill it up?

All of the above.

That's a great little nook for party guests to circulate to. Two or three people can "escape" to that area for quiet conversation without abandoning the party or feeling rude for wanting to step away from the larger group.

My first thought was a reeding nook, but now I agree that a big plant is a better option.

It can be a great YOGA or MEDITATION corner. I will place a ledge of wheat grass by the window side. And then will put a favorite foliage picture on the wall after taking the shelves off. And just a small rug. May add a cozy chair or leave the space bare.

This corner needs something interesting and unexpected.

I agree with the posts that suggest getting rid of the shelves. They interrupt the line of the window at an awkward point and are the wrong size and height.

I would suggest a piece of artwork on the wall. Depending on the size/complexity you could place an open legged console below it, or a low chest that continues the line of the window divide. A simple, antique asian piece might be interesting, in black or red.

Or you could do a tall cabinet: perhaps a vintage steel medical cabinet with doors, or something industrial with open shelves.

Or finally, lean something tall and sculpural against the wall like a huge piece of driftwood.

A colorful sculpture a la Nikki de St. Phalle. Your place already looks rich. Fine Art would make it look even richer. Something similar to Nikki's work, with its organic shapes and colors, would also counterbalance the steel structures outside your window.

try the luxury of something a bit old fashioned - a game table.

....for cards or board games -

mary,

beautiful apartment! i would add a chaise, lower the shelves and add a large painting/photo. the space needs warmth.

an elephant.


get it? ...ha.

Indoor herb garden.
Hammock.
Dog bed.
Sex swing.
Sunlight.
Inner peace.

Bring greeen into the room some green (grass or other short piece of verdence) with a cubeish planter measuring 18"wx18"dx20" high of galvanized steel or a pewter/metallic finish, butted up to a modern bench- say, chome legs to reflect outside so they disapper and leather (black?) to match chairs at table seam tuffted with a satin finish-set at a right angle measureing 36"x48" layuout would be something like:
BBBB
B
B
P
few pillow to bring in the other pieces of the room and POOF! What corner??