apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Just wanted to post my thoughts on the Smallest Coolest Contest, or rather repost my rambling tangent to see what the fair folk of Chicago think.

I'm a Chicagoan and have rented many an apartment here and have spent quite a bit of time reading the lease riders that outline exaclty what I'm NOT allowed to do to my apartment during my tenure. To paraphrase said riders: don't mess with a damn thing or else...

In viewing the entries to the contest I noticed that many were designed/built by architects/designers and that many are condos. While I don't have such a gripe with the architect/designer bit as they have to live somewhere too I am rubbed the wrong way by the inclusion of condos and tenant-owned units.

There is a clear difference with a rental and owned unit. I rent and despite my every attempt to convince my landlady to allow me to knock out a wall to open the floorplan and vastly improve the design of the apartment I'm stuck with the structure. While we may all have the same access to materials, resources, creativity and talent those who own their units have a clear cut advantage in that they can modify the space to realize a design while the rest of us have to comprimise our design around the space.

I would love to see AT Chicago launch the Coolest Rental Contest. Rules: you must not own your unit! That would be one helluva contest.

Thoughts?

Julian,

I am *so* with you. I couldn't agree more, it's true... if you own a place, at least in my eyes, you have no real limits (except cash) in pimping your space.

However, the real challenge is decorating and designing a floor plan around uneven floors and ceilings, closet doors that are amazingly butt ugly that you can't just rip out, and finding a place to store things when your kitchen only has 4 cabinets and the refrigerator is clear on the other side of the room and cannot be moved. You can't update the 1970's yellow gas stove, and you must live with the floral wallpaper in the bathroom because you're not allowed to change it. Oh, and the horrible brown cabinets circa 1965.

Yes, I'd like to see a contest for rentals only. I think that would truly be inspiring - especially to the massloads of us that rent and cannot alter our space - we can only use what we bring with us - totally mobile room dividers, curtains, bedding, positioning our furnishings just so, etc.

I love the smallest coolest apartment contest because it's interesting to see people gut renovate tiny spaces creating a wonderful abode. It's inspring to see so many step up that did a lot of the work on their own, and even the many renters that stepped up to showcase their talents despite the fact that they couldn't really alter their space like some of the others.

I was thinking about something though, if an apartment owner performs a total gut renovation, chances are they've shelled out some cash to a designer or architect to assist them. In that case, it is more their designer or architect that helped them develop a design solution, and so to me, that's not really 100% to the credit of the apartment owner. I don't want to sound snobby by saying that though, and I'm not discrediting the value of the homeowners input into the process. However, as a designer myself, I know firsthand that I'm ultimately responsible for the overall design and not the client. If a person who spent $20,000 to renovate their apartment because they own it -- and they are up against someone else who simply rents a flat in which they cannot alter - both being in a contest together, somehow I don't think the renter stands a real chance unless the apartment they rent was already renovated and simply rocked to begin with. I do think the Smallest Coolest Contest has great value, and given that AT/DWR don't have to offer contests at all, I'm not complaining because I know what they are doing is helpful and enlighting to all AT readers. I've loved the entire contest from beginning to end. However, I do have to agree with you, I think a smallest coolest RENTAL contest would be a great one - or that, if combined like it is now, it would be nice to see two winners - one for the smallest coolest that is owned and the other for the smallest coolest that is leased.

Great topic that you've brought up!

Best,
Holly

When I look at the entries, what I love the most is finding ideas that I can apply to my own space. As a renter, the entries that are owned often don't have very many solutions that I can be inspired by. They are pretty to look at, and maybe one day when I own I'll find them more interesting, but right now they are very impractical.

But, AT serves two different audiences, and the judges should consider both when making their decisions.

I don't think you need two contests (that might take forever and not be very practical). Having a rental only contest wouldn't solve all the problems anyway, since a 4K a month 1 bedroom with lovely mouldings would automatically have an edge over a 1K square studio, a person with a permissive landlord (or a rogue like me that paints no matter what my lease says) would have an advantage over someone whose landlord won't let them do a thing. Maybe the solution would be to try not to take into account the bones of the apartment, and instead really just look at what was put in it and how - yes, I know that is difficult, maybe even impossible. But, if judges try to take into account the innovation shown with the resources available then it will work.

Darlyn,

Wow, you've raised a very valid point there. I see what you mean, there are those expensive rentals to take into consideration, and when put up against rentals that are 2-3 times less expensive, that also would cause almost the same problem as a lease vs. own unit. Guess there's really no way around it - you have to lump everyone in together. So far, I think there has been many strong entries and some very clever design ideas - I loved many that I saw streaming in from the west coast, and it was fun to see some entries from Boston and places like Ohio, too.

Fingers crossed, AT will bring a site to Boston. I would like that very much, we need Maxwell in these parts.

Best,
Holly

I definitely agree with everyone on on all these things. Is this thought process not shared by the New Yorkers as well? Or is it just easier to get a word in edgewise here on the new Chicago open thread?

Anna,
I think there have been similar sentiments in soem fo the NY forums. I'm currently living in Chicago, which is the only reason I'm more likely to post on this side of the board for the moment. (That is, until I move to NY in September!)

OMIGOD. I really hoped I could get away from the whole pro/am, own/rent discussion over here! I couldn't disagree with Julian or Holly more...

"if you own a place, at least in my eyes, you have no real limits (except cash) in pimping your space."

First, not everyone who owns is also sitting on a pile of cash. Second, there are plenty of condos and co-ops in both NYC and Chicago that limits what can be done structurally. Heck, even single-family structures are limited in many places by homeowners associations or historical landmark designations. Third, restrictions can (and should) inspire more creativity, not less. I was far more creative when I rented than when I owned because I didn't want to invest much money into a rental but I still wanted a home.

"it is more their designer or architect that helped them develop a design solution, and so to me, that's not really 100% to the credit of the apartment owner."

Of course the home owner deserves credit for the design solution -- he or she is the person who has final say-so on what goes on in his or her home! A good designer designs for the CLIENT, not for him- or herself.

"I'm a Chicagoan and have rented many an apartment here and have spent quite a bit of time reading the lease riders that outline exaclty what I'm NOT allowed to do to my apartment during my tenure."

I'm a Chicagoan who has rented and owned. I've chosen apartments based on what I could or could not do -- if I wanted to paint, I made sure I could before I signed the lease. If I wanted to change the window treatments, I made sure I could before I signed the lease. There are plenty of apartments, at least in Chicago, that are flexible about decor -- you just need to make that a priority when apartment hunting.

"I rent and despite my every attempt to convince my landlady to allow me to knock out a wall to open the floorplan and vastly improve the design of the apartment I'm stuck with the structure."

There are so many apartments in Chicago, it really has been a renter's market for at least 5 years now. (That's beginning to change, but only *just* beginning.) If you don't like the floorplan, MOVE! I was picky when apartment hunting and I was picky when condo buying because honestly, I don't want to knock out walls -- I need a place to live and I don't want to live in a construction zone. Much of what's complained about on the renter-owner divide can be eliminated upfront when choosing your living space.

There seems to be an assumption that owners inherently have more money than renters. SO NOT TRUE! The first time I bought, all our moolah went into buying the darn place! I've decorated on the cheap and I've decorated with a sizable budget, both in rentals and in condos. No matter what, it still comes down to taste, innovation and resourcefulness. Because no matter if you own or rent, if you have money or not, there's always going to be budget and physical limitations.

What I love about the smallest, coolest contest is that you can see what people do with their limitations. The finalists are pretty spread out among renters, owners, pros and amateurs and the resulting apartments are an incredible set of homes.

* * *

Now, for something specific to Chicago: has anyone been tempted to start gardening? I've got a bunch of empty window boxes and now that the tulips and daffodils are blooming, I'm really itching to start. But I'm clueless as to when to start, as I'm a complete gardening neophyte...

Anna - I'm not sure if this has been a topic of discussion on the AT NY site - the site is jam packed with so many goodies I don't always have the time to read it so I hop on over Chicago AT where it seems to be a little quieter - and easier to chat with peeps like yourself. :)
Holly

Hi Virgina,

Thanks for your comments - great insights and I really appreciate hearing your thoughts on this. Many of your points make a lot of sense to me!

Holly

Virginia-
You should really check out You Grow Girl, a website for people like us who really WANT to garden, but don't exactly know what we're doing or when to do it. Check AT's archives for April 11, when we had a post about it. Let us know what you come up with!

Oh, I'm staying away from rent/own debate! But I do have a decorating dilemma. I live in a 2 bd 6 flat and have one of those mini-dens off the living room. My MIL is coming to stay for a month and due to space issues, she will need to sleep in the mini-den. Does anyone have any ideas for cheap (less than $100) room dividers? The opening is approximately 12' wide by 8' tall. I would prefer something that isn't permanent as she's only here for a month and after she leaves, I want to partition off my sunroom from ,dining room in the back. Any suggestions? TIA!

Virginia-

Good points, good discourse we have going here.

Just for the record I love my apartment and love the impossible angles, sloping floors and bizarre appliance locations that call my creative muscle out. I do think that limitation can bring out the best in us.

Now here's a thought, at least for the Chicagoans here; seeing how we have all these porches, decks and large landings and after 11.5 months of winter we are just a'waitin' to explode out onto them I'd love to see some sort of thread/contest/challenge to find some of those beautiful outside spaces...

I know my deck is just screaming for attention!!

lulubird6-

Canvas dropcloth at Home Depot. Maybe $20... Install a screw eye at each end of the opening and then thread a length of airline cable (steel wound, plastic coated) through the canvas... you could put grommits in the canvas if you want it to look spify... and then pull the cable taught and presto a curtain room divider.

Ahhh, the ubiquitous canvas dropcloth. Yes...if only I could silkscreen, but anyway, I think that will totally fit the bill, thanks Julian.
Sarah, I've been wanting to venture down to 21st place for a while now but can't get anyone to go with me. Plus, the thought makes my allergies cringe, but still. I'm going to try to go tomorrow after I hit Chinatown in the afternoon.Total newbie here but how do you put breaks in these posts? html?

lulubird6-

There's a great fabric store called LZ Fabrics in Pilsen. It's a complete fire hazard to go in there, but it's a wonderland of fabric--two floors and a basement chock full.

If memory serves, the address is 2100 W. 21st? You'll have to double check.

Good luck!

Okay, apparently, I don't even know my html tags.Testing.onetwothree!

lulubird6-

If you're headed down that-a-way you ought to check out Fishman's Fabrics at 1101 S. Desplaines and Vogue Fabrics at Desplaines and Roosevelt. They both have a massive collection of nice fabric and a wall of overstock, leftovers etc... You could piece together a very nice curtian with the leftovers for very little cash... (you'll need a sewing machine or a friend who owes you a favor)

As for silkscreening- you can get the necessary materials at Pearl though for a one-off project it's a bit expensive- you might also consider stencils and (I know-yuck) spray paint. Though that will require a trip to Evanston (sigh)

OK, so I have a quick question. I grew up in Cincinnati (finally moving to Chicago at the end of this year). Recently I began watching Small Space Big Style. I always hear people refer to their places as an "apartment" yet they have done some major mod work to it. Where I came from, apartment meant a place you rented. I'm guessing that others use the term to describe any type of multi-unit dwelling whether you rent or buy?

I thought I was the only one who thought of that about apartments. I watch HGTV and those kind of shows like Small Space, Big Style, and I always wonder if the people buy their apartment or are they legally allowed to do all of those renovations because they be doing some serious stuff.

Where I live in the south we rent apartments and abide what's in the lease.

I think I heard or read somewhere that New Yorkers and other big city areas can buy their apartments like buying a condo or something and of course they can do whatever in the hell they want afterwards.

Anyway, just wanted to add in about that.

Technically, an apartment can either be owned (either through cooperative ownership or condominium ownership) or rented. Realtorspeak has changed this to mean that apartment is a rental term (i.e. an apartment is a rental) in most of the country. In NYC (and among some of us in Chicago) apartment is just an apartment or a flat irrespective of ownership.

As far as I understand:

Apartment: rental, no modifications unless landlord approves them. Lengthy lease riders explaining what is and isn't allowed.

Condo: tenant owned and all interior modifications are allowed. Exterior modifications must pass the condo board

Co-Op: doesn't exist in Chicago as far as I know...

On many of those TV shows the producers get permission from the owner of the unit to modify it.

Actually, Co-ops are not that rare in Chicago. Hyde Park is chock full of vintage high-rise and six-flat co-ops (most six-flats have converted to condo, once that became legal - before the condominium act the only way one could own in multi-family was via cooperative ownership) and many of the nicer vintage lakefront buildings are co-ops (Edgewater Beach Apts for instance). There are also a few limited equity (income controlled) cooperative projects and a few hidden gem mid-century co-op developments tucked away all around Chicago.

lulubird6,

It's worth the trip! Though I do recommend going with a friend since you could easily get lost in there or toppled by the bolts of fabric...Lots of SAIC and fashion students, I noticed last time I was there.

And, everyone, the Kitchen and Bath show is here at McCormick Place...I don't know how one would sneak in without a badge, but think of the possibilities!

Oh my gosh, I'm a posting maniac. Last one.

Recycle your old computer on Earth Day.

On Saturday, April 22, residents can recycle old computers when they drop them off at 1150 N. North Branch. The Computer Reuse and Recycle Coalition will refurbish the computers and donate them to schools, non for profit organizations and homes of at risk children. The goal is to collect 100,000 computers nationwide. Computers will be accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

lulubird6,

There are FREE Silkscreening classes at the Uptown Multi-Cultural Art Center, all materials included!

You have to at least pretend to be somewhat of an artist, and it seems geared mostly towards T-shirts, but they teach you how to build your own frame so you could probably apply what you learn to canvas drapes.

See link at my name.

PS to make line breaks you don't need html, just hit enter. But now I know you can bold text, too!

re: Co-ops -- there are oodles along Lake Shore Drive as well... monthly assessments are killer though. There was a brief discussion at yochicago.com as to whether Astor was more prestigous than East Lake Shore Drive, and a good argument was made that ELSD was because of the co-op boards you'd have to pass in order to get in. Well, that and there are fewer buildings on ELSD than on Astor.

Heather: I did check out You Grow Girl briefly, but it didn't seem to be Chicago-centric. I'm also mildly addicted to Gardenweb's forums, but there isn't much there on Chicago either. I'm tempted to just throw caution into the wind and start my garden this weekend!

Try the Garfield Park Conservatory's Demonstration Garden Events.

Again, free!

Again, link at my name.

To tempt you to actually click on the link:

"Visit this city-lot sized flower and vegetable garden and learn to grow organically in small urban spaces. You can stop by for a quick tour or join a demonstration. Ask us about the ritual feeding of our composting worms. The Demonstration Garden is open during regular conservatory hours for self-guided visits. Gardeners are available to answer questions May to October on Tuesdays, 9 a.m. –noon, Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m."

Let me know what you find out about the ritual feeding of the composting worms

hi virginia:

i believe that You Grow Girl is based in Toronto, with the hope to enlighten urban gardeners everywhere...but sounds like you need more specifics, like climate-related issues, Chicago resources, etc. I have a hunch that the people at Gethsemane Garden Center could help with your questions. their website is all christmased-out and not comprehensive at all. so it's best to go in person they're at 5739 N. Clark (if you don't already know), and I've found their staff to be really helpful in the past, and i've done very little gardening. plus the place is enormous and has everything imaginable.

if you start your garden this weekend, keep us posted!

anna:
great idea about the garfield park conservatory...

I'm going to the Kitchen and Bath show tomorrow and the Kohler and Boffi parties tonight -- thanks to a generous friend! Can't wait to see all the new stuff.

Thanks so much Heather and Anne! I've passed by the Garfield Conservatory on the Green Line, but I've never checked it out -- fantastic website!

I was posting about gardening over the past few days on my blog. I love You Grow Girl, it's a great site.

If you guys love gardening, check out Martha's new blog, Homegrown. It's a new favorite of mine.

http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/homegrown/

And being that it's earth day, here's a hip eco-friendly site. It's great!

http://idealbite.blogs.com

Happy EARTHday!

Holly