apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Well done! Much more interesting than a lot of the high-end stuff we've had in this contest.

Are your glow-y bedroom dividers from IKEA?

Thanks for your kind words, Sydney! I know my space is not the most high-end or designery, but I do think I made good use of the space and met the criteria of the challenge well!

And yes, the dividers are from IKEA. I debated about putting them up, as the room looks quite good without them, but they are incredibly calming and soft at the end of the day and really do serve a nice purpose to divide the room.

Real stuff by real people. I can actually visualize real breathing human beings living in this space. Kudos - I think it kicks the ass of some of the high-end designer spaces.

Great job, the bedroom is fantastic!

Incredible space! It's hard to believe that you've only been living here for two months! I love the wall in your bedroom and that divider looks great!
This surely goes to show you don't need high-end stuff as Sydney stated - it's inspiring, stylish, and well thought out!

Very warm and cozy! My set up is almost exactly like yours and you did such a great job with the limited space you have. I live with the Bf so it's even harder for us to allocate space. Since it's only been 3 months we're still in the process of putting things together. Kudos to you!

Is that gateleg table from Ikea also? It's great!

Wow! Would love to see more of the hand-painted wall. What are those dividers called? Ikea just keeps 'em coming. Is that a collage of photos on your living room wall?

Thanks, all.

Lizz- Yes, it's the gateleg from IKEA. (I definitely don't like to think of myself as having an "IKEA apartment," but they do have some great pieces tucked away.) I had been searching for it for some time, saw a floor model in Schaumburg, and ended up convincing several staff members to give me the floor model, and for about 50% off (have to work with the budget!)

And thanks, Art. I've actually had the Bedroom wall and the polaroid wall featured on AT earlier this year. Just search for "olivia leigh" and the walls are the first and third results.

A Fantastic, it is nice to see a place that wasn't taken from a DWR catalog. Resourcefulness and ingenuity should be leading these contests, not how much you spent on all the Eames furniture.

I love the chandelier in the kitchen! Unexpected fabulousness!

Very cute, and I am guessing the photos do not do the space true justice.

I love the advice about the sleeping area, keeping it clear for sleep and dreams. I think that's a great tip.

And add me to the list of those who love your use of those Ikea light panels. It makes your bed a little island. Lovely.

I remember those beautiful painted vines from another post and they are very inspiring. The best example of that typet decoration I've seen yet. The whole apartment conveys artistry and restraint. Lovely. Would like to peer closely at the collection of what looks like polaroids. Best of luck to get a prize!

Dang it! I thought we'd be able to fix typos after the post with this new system. Type of decoration. not typet.

Lovely space. Nice job on the bedroom.

well this is certainly a far cry from that itsy bitsy Olivet room isn't it now... :)

I love so much about your space...the chandelier in the kitchen, the 2 dark accent walls, the painted vines, the tree coat hook. Fabulous!!!

I too love those dividers, i used them in the same exact way and absolutely love them. Ikea became a good friend of mine as you could see in my entry.

How did you paint the branches on the wall- were they hand done or did you use a stencil? I've been wanting to do something similar on some canvases, but don't have the steady hand to do them freehand . . .

Could you tell us more of your photowall? i love it! And I'd love to have one like that in my own home... Thank you!

**********************************************

Your bed looks comfortable. I need a nap right about now!

Style-wise, great place. It's missing something. At the moment I can't what though...

My Vote: Cool. Has potential.

**********************************************

Great apartment, great job!

Great job -- love the accent wall in the living room and the screen in the bedroom.

When I saw the picture of your bedroom, I stared at it for like five minutes. It looks absolutely calming and looks luxurious with just those few choice pieces. Wonderful job!

Nice apartment, and yes, i've seen your bedroom already on AT earlier.

Thanks again, everyone.

MCNicole- The wall was, for the most part, done freehand. I used a little circle stencil to attempt to do some of the circles, although that ended up being a bit of a hassle. Truth be told, I have a very unsteady hand myself, but doing this is fairly easy, and also quite easy to correct (just paint over or adjust your design).

Mhls- The photowall was based on a Polaroid wall that I saw in Blueprint magazine that was from a photographer's home. I used some archival sticky dots generally used in scrapbooking to stick them up to the wall. I tested a few, and they seemed to hold well, while also removing easily without damage or residue on the Polaroid or the wall.

Chandelier was another floor model, this time from Urban Outfitters, that I got for about 65% off. I have saved loads of money by buying floor models; I'd definitely recommend trying that tactic if you're on a budget.

Wow...I love it. I have had a hard time feeling like I could live in any of the other entries, and yours is just amazing. I love everything. I loved your bedroom when I saw it the first time...I love the glowing effect in the bedroom. I'm a big fan of hanging lights. The dark wall is so dramatic. Fabulous. I love the chandelier in the kitchen too...so great. I'm gushing now...what I'm trying to say is...great job!

Your bedroom looks so calm and peaceful. I love that little night stand, too.

Very effective use of space; doesn't feel cluttered at all. Also, the colors are very warm and inviting. I really enjoy the contrast on the walls to set off the art from the wall.

Love the lit room divider by your bed but it's unnecessary if you actually have a bedroom. You don't need to divide the room into separate spaces and it makes the room feel smaller.

Love your bedroom-especially the vines. Could you share the brown paint color you used for the bedroom wall?

First of all-let's discuss the floorplan. That is the most organized, detailed floor-plan that I've seen entered. That speaks volumes to why your apartment is so organized, I think. I love the bedroom, too, thought I think it's a bit dangerous. That looks like such a cozy sanctuary-how do you get up on rainy/snowy mornings? I'd probably just lay there. I think you've done a great job with 555 sq ft!

Good job with the handpainted walls.

FYI, the light-up floor lamp / room divider is the ORGEL:
http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/30103916