apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

So much potential. The living room doesn't look quite yet warm to me - so much black and white and barely any textiles. Maybe a rug and some curtains? Then again, maybe the photos are deceiving me.

The washer/dryer combo unit sandwiched between the sink and stove is pretty much telling design convention to SUCK IT. It looks so craZy right there! If it's seriously your favorite thing in the apt, that's cool.

But have you ever accidentally washed a pie and baked a load of dirty socks?

Ok, ok, I'll leave it alone now.

pic of the bedroom would've been better than another kitchen shot.

there's a lot of stuff on that mantle.

i just don't see 'cohesive' here. well, yeah, the dog theme. Cute dog.

Why is your partial wall braced at the ceiling? I find it very distracting. You need to take more advantage of your amazing windows and view. Don't be afraid to paint, even if it's just one wall. A little color would make a dramatic impact on this space.

I actually love all the white and find it very serene. It lets the piano take center stage and I can imagine sitting there and playing and enjoying the great view.
As for the washer/dryer instead of a dishwasher - if I could choose I would much rather hand wash my dishes and have the luxury of doing laundry at home!

P.S. I am thinking of stealing that scruffly precious little dog :)

I love the strategic use of pets in these entries.

Have you considered turning the sofa to face the windows rather than the fireplace? That would make the living room feel more like it's own "zone," rather than a walkway. I'd put a chair where the dog bed is, move the bed into your bedroom and ditch the second TV.

Btw - I can't believe that amazing walk-in closet isn't your favorite element.

I appreciate the effort, and admire your bravery for subjecting yourself to AT Readers (including myself). The first shot was promising. I think the kitchen looks nice, but would have probably found a way to incorporate your washer/dryer into the bathroom. You could borrow just enough space from the walk-in closet (or make your linen closet larger), and use the same plumbing access as the bathroom sink. That way you could have the dishwasher too.

It would be nice to see some color. All white is very difficult to pull off and make it look anything other than landlord paint from Menards.

While I am certainly not completely against electric fireplaces, this one seems a bit odd being placed on a wall that does not reach the ceiling. By placing it on that wall, it only emphasizes that the fireplace isn't real because a real fireplace would have a flue. Fireplaces of any kind always seem a bit weird in a high-rise.

How nice that you managed to have a baby grand and fireplace in such a confined space! I like your dog bowl. Now...all you need is a Great Dane! Life is ruff!

Maybe one of the prizes could be a weeklong intensive on how to take and edit good photos. That comment isnt intended solely at this entry, but I feel like this is a good example of a decent place killed by poor images.

i love my dog, but its a pet peeve (no pun intended) when people have their pets as the focus of their place...who wants to look at a dog bed?? you have a gorgeous piano, but i didnt even notice til i read through the comments, cause all i saw was a dog bed in the middle of the room...and the entire floorspace in front of your sink is occupied by a dog bowl/tray thing...

I really like the layout of your apartment, because I'm assuming your bed is tucked away in a nook to the left of the piano, which would be great. I agree with the statements about the dog bed, though; you're fortunate enough to have a fireplace and THAT should be a focal point. Lots of light and windows, but as someone who's spent most of her Chicago life looking for an apartment with a dishwasher (why is that so rare here?!?), I have to wonder if there wasn't somewhere else to put a washer/dryer. Bathroom? Kudos to you for putting in a combo: they save water, energy, and space. Very green!

I really like the idea of replacing the dishwasher with the washer dryer. I don't believe there would be much dishes to do for a single person, however, there would be weekly laundry. Just think about the time saved by doing them at home, and at any hour of the day. Excelllent use of space. You got my vote!

I like this so much. I disagree with those who don't like the placement of your washer/dryer; in my book, anyone clever enough to find a place for one of these is living well. I also like (and hanker for) an electric fireplace. Can you comment on this? Does it work well? Expensive? How difficult is the installation?

I like the open window area and like the sofa facing the fireplace so much. Kudos.

I don't care about the washer/dryer thing (I can't imagine the day when I don't have to save quarters), but the fake fireplace is ridiculous. It's so fake!!! There is nothing warm and cozy about this apartment.

Hi Debbie, the kitchen looks great. yes it takes getting used to-- seeing a w/d in the kitchen but guess what my "hookups" are in my kitchen. I have been considering a w/d combo can you tell us what the disadvantages are? Like is this self venting.
As far as doggie design goes- obviously this shows you love your dog. (I love mine too thats why he has a kids sponge bob couch to sleep on)

A mini-grand belongs in your mini space!! Love it!! I like the practicality of having a washer/dryer instead of a dishwasher; especially if you don't cook a lot ..which perhaps was your reasoning? However, there is ALWAYS laundry! If you gave up even an inch(!) of your closet space, you'd probably regret it, as any woman would. Your living space seems to have been thought out sensibly to suit YOU! Good job!!

P.S. You must loooove that dog!

Awesome design!!!
Love how you were so creative with such a small space.

Ernie the dog is soooo cute!!!

It is quite common in the UK & Europe to have a washer and *separate* dryer in the kitchen right next to the sink and dishwasher. And very very small fridges - had to have it pointed out to me. People also bathed in the kitchen because that was where the water could be heated on the stove.

Traitionally in many UK homes washing was done in the kitchen sink and then a tin (or plastic) bowl was put into the sink for doing the dishes. There's a famous picture of Margaret Thatcher proving she's a 'regular housewife' and doing her dishes in just this way.

In Sydney there used to be a rule forbidding the washing done in the kitchen - for hygienic reasons separate area required. In old homes, the kitchen, laundry & bathroom are right next to each other (cost of plumbing). First thing people do is separate kit & bath even if they have to lose a bedroom to do it.

All that said, ingenious but needs colour IMHO. Also bedroom wall may not go to ceiling because of fire regs.

She had to put the washer/dryer where it is because that is where the existing water hook-ups are.

I have one of these same washer/dryers and I'd rather have it, than a dishwasher any day! I first saw them 11 years ago when I was in Ireland. I've also been to the UK many times and people usually have them in the kitchen. (Most people I know in England and Scotland don't even have a dishwasher)

Love the fact that you have a baby grand piano too.

awesome apt! i love your layout and style! I dont care what other people say, this apt is an automatic winner!

Needs color?-- nope, i like the white and think that it leaves alot of options for the room.

dogs always the main focus??-- Thats great! i am also a fellow animal lover and so i think its great that you think of your dog in this competition.

Fuzzy photos?--- Hey, you can still see that pictures well and i think that its just the time of day and light that did that.


AUTOMATIC WINNER!!!! YES!