apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Very nicely edited and put together!

Absolutely lovely. I love every room. Each has it's own feel that differs slightly from the next . . . but it's still all cohesive. Very nice job!

Very chic and masculine. I love your high-contrast sensibilities and the play on light and dark.

Just wonderful! I love the attention to lighting, very important.

Well done, love your colors and the space looks very expensive.

very nice place .. the place really looks very expensive

I really don't like those mirrors in the living room. Nothing against mirrors in general, just not into those, in that way. Maybe if the frame was matte white or a matte color.

Funny you should mention painting the mirrors.
I just got my color swatch out to see what I could do to update the look of those the other day. I placed a mid century grey chaise in the room, and of course now everything must change... They really look much better in person and add so much dimension so perhaps white is the best bet. Thank you for that comment. Thank you to everyone that said such nice things. AT is a wonderful site and a creative learning tool.

Now that's how a mirrored wall should be done!

One of my minor peeves...what I call "karate-chop" cushions. Remember back in the early 90's decorators told you to fluff up your pillows, then "karate-chop" them on top to give them pointy cat ears?

Very nice and a lot of effort put into it! *wagging tail* I like the shelving and it's color a lot. Only thing I could say outside of "oh yeah, baby!" might be a concern for what appears to be a lack of mood lighting possibilities in the sofa area... the white lights up high are good for reading, but I would like an option for a yellowish, romantic hugh. Also, maybe a little something here and another thing there that might add a color change... something red or purple purrhaps just to break up what almost looks like everything was purchased in the living room as a "set". Maybe dried pomegranates in the fruit bowel? Shake 'em and cats come running! :-)

Love your living room mirrors and headboard idea!

lol... Agree with the karate chop.... My friend made me....
The overhead lighting in the lower level family room is on a dimmer to help create a dim romantic mode if need be;) a few side mood lighting options where not shown in this shoot. Absolutly nothing of a "set" in this place. I pride my self on making things feel collected.
*Love the pomegranates and suggestion of purples. agree!
Thanks. This is the best! I love feed back. You have helped me think outside my "box" !

Francesco, I really like your palette and what you've done with materials that everyone can access. However, my understanding of the definition of "curating" within a decor context involves utilization of more unique pieces such as art, or furniture or textiles accumulated from family, travels, friends, etc. and displayed in interesting ways. I didnt see many unique pieces in your home that cant be found tomorrow at any of the stores you listed as rescources. Please dont misinterpret, I'm not insulting your taste or ability to put an appealing room together, I just wouldnt call that curating.

"Biggest embarassment: The kitchen"

WHAT?
Do you know what I wouldn't do for a kitchen that sweet?! Nothing! Nothing at ALL.

Those "karate chop" pillows look exactly like three little black scotties waiting expectantly for their dinner!

This just convinced me to buy that CB2 desk! Great job over all.

OK, I can't help it -- I must know more about that quirky little (vase?) that looks like a striped sock...

Lovely! Classy, yet very inviting. (And I have to agree, I love the kitchen, -just right).

Ghastly! Aims for rigid perfection, not my style or taste. A bit of exuberance would be appealing. Looks like a sales advertisement for a real estate company, not a home lived in by fallible humans.

@ Jane---3 Scotties waiting for dinner! Thank you for giving me a well-needed chuckle. That was too clever.

That desk looks sweet in your place. Can you tell us if the quality is good?

Michelle
http://cheeseloversinternational.blogspot.com/

Yes, the stripy vase! Please tell us more about the stripy vase!
OK, a little rant here - people who pay so much attention to the tiniest detail in their living spaces, why can't you pay any attention to the details of your spelling? Maxwell does it - in the intro to this apartment he writes "when it comes to designing his home (and his clients spaces)..." and we're left wondering - does F have many clients (clients') or just the one (client's)? Or if we look at the comment from Limeliteshines, who writes "I love every room. Each has it's own feel that differs slightly from the next . . . but it's still all cohesive." Do you see the difference in meaning between the two "it's"s that you used in the same sentence? I'm sure you've heard this before: if you can break it up into two words, as in "it is", and the phrase still makes sense, then you can use the "it's". If you can't (as in, "each has it is own feel", which clearly is not what you meant), it is one cohesive, yes, cohesive unit, and does not take the apostrophe: "its", in all its glory.

Can you tell me the name/color of the paint in the room with the desk?

Thanks!

i love that vase that looks like a striped knee sock. killer!

A little too much Z gallery.

Hello,

*The desk is of great quality from Cb2 .
I recommend having two people put it together.

*The striped sock vase was a sock form from an old department store. I just thought it would be fun to place a colorful sock over it.

*As for the Pillows that look like Scotties,that made me laugh . Since the "shoot" they have been replaced by a simple bolster. I didn't care for them either.

*The paint color in the office is Costa Mesa by Gliden.

*As for "rigid perfection" that made me laugh out loud.
I certainly wouldn't have my home photographed with stuff all over. I thought I would show some respect to the photographer, AT and it's wonderful followers by putting away my "everyday items" and clean/staging it a bit, no harm in that ;)
Viewed only by images online, it's hard to get a feel for anyones home let alone to judge it, oh well...

* AT did a wonderful job thanks again.
This site is a fantastic inspiration community thanks to everyone for your kind words and sugestions on improving my space.

p.s. I only have two things from Z gallery that I repainted and repurposed.

OMG. Where did you find the dining room table?

I agree with whoever said it was cohesive and I love the bathroom. I think the reason I don't love everything is the shade of grey on the walls, so I tried to re-envision with a more blueish tone and I am so glad I did b/c I liked it a whole lot better. To each one's own, eh?

I do think I would like it more if there were, amongst the many things there, one representation of a human face. The buddha (or is it a bodhisatva? I didn't look to closely) doesn't cut it because it is so iconic. In such a large apartment, I think that's why I feel a little... not quite that it's a done staged a realtor, but is little off balance.

Beddy Bee says "However, my understanding of the definition of "curating" within a decor context involves utilization of more unique pieces such as art, or furniture or textiles accumulated from family, travels, friends, etc."

Ouch! I totally disagree with this BB. For me, "curator", in a domestic setting, spells selecting objects that *matter* - no matter their origin or style. I think what you're actually commenting on is that you don't feel anything in this space has value (eg, there's little that's vintage or "global") rather, has been gathered from newer places and is therefore worthless.

I don't particularly like this look and feel, I prefer a bit of "vintage" (I just call it "old" though, tee hee hee) but I don't discount the space being curated just because it's not my style.

Of all the apts I've looked at on this site, this one is the most beautifully "curated" I've seen. It's elegant, tasteful with clean lines without feeling cold---I absolutely love it.

Thanks ocd2

The dinning room table was found at my secret spot the Room Place on Elston in Chicago... Most of my home was collected through a small budget and big dreams. Thanks, Francesco

Hello - I think everything is absolutely lovely and you really do not need to change a thing. I love the striped sock and really did not see it until I read the person who asked about it's comment and of course I had to go back and look at it, but enjoyed looking at the whole thing again. You are a decorator neoplus ultra. Great job.

Hello - I think that everything is absolutely lovely and so well co-ordinated. I love the striped sock, just a little bit of schtick that goes a long way. I am busy trying to figure out how I could put those mirrors in my condo - where there is a will there is a way. Great job - it is a very peaceful looking palate. Great job.

Hi, Francesco( again) ...
Thank you Betty 14, the striped sock vase in the office reminds me not take myself so seriously,I love it too.
Good luck configuring a "mirror wall" in your condo.

Beautiful! I love the quilt/covering on the bed.. Where is tht from?

Hi eastone777 -the bed covering is a purchase I made two years ago , at one of those "homegoods" type stores, I think Marshalls Chicago. I just checked to see if it still had a tag or brand of any kind, but nope:(
It resembles one that I wanted form the Calvin Klein bedding collection, needless to say I didn't spend the $$$ on it. You could achieve a similar look with a new grey (or what ever color) moving quilt used to wrap glass and mirrors. mine has the same amount of weight and texture. Just a thought.
Thanks for the compliment.

Interesting maneuver with the mirrors. Mirroring walls was a definitely 60s/70s trend, but they were done seamlesssly. I always felt they looked tacky. Nice update. It doesn't look tacky at all!

Bad kitchens happen to good people. I know. I'm one of them. Courage! You'll find a way to update.

I think the rooms could use a little more color -- just small accents here and there.

AustinSarah,
Agree, I have added some color "moments" if you will, since viewing the tour on line. Thank you for the compliments.
Any idea for that Kitchen?

Fresh flowers are nice, but it looks like the containers, flower selections, & designs are from the 80's - especially the one in the bathroom.

I can't beilive someone would login and post a comment to insult a person who participated in a tour.
Check your trends and style sites before you speak again,the 80's have been back for a while.

Great place, looks super clean.

I want 3 little black scottie pillows, too!

... and the striped socks just rock!

The media room is a snooze. The office is great because it has personality. The living room mirrors are scary. Imagine trying to relax thereto sit there. I could live with the top three mirrors but the low ones no-way...too night club-ish.

Simply gorgeous.

Does anyone know the color of the wall color of the dining room? I love it.

PS I love Z Gallery look.

i love the attention you pay to lighting and reflection...very fun, simple and sparkling!

glad to hear you visit Nebraska too :)

I was also wondering, what is the color of the dining room... i love it!

I love the living room -- brave move with the mirrors. It's not my own personal style but I think you've pulled off the Parisian Flat look beautifully!

Can you share the wall color in the living room? Is that a grey or a taupe? I'm looking for the right taupe, and it's shockingly hard...

what a lovely home---I have the same sock form that you do but never thought about putting a sock on it for some reason. Thanks for sharing!

What a fabulous place! I love the masculine/feminine mix in each room. Beautiful colors, nice accents. The dining room chairs are awesome!

I can feel the serenity of this home. It reminds me of one of my favorite rooms in a previous home tht I had.

I too love the paint of the living room and would like to know what it is if you are in a sharing mood. I would feel comfortably at home walking into your apartment.

Great job!