Name: Yvette
Location: Gold Coast, Chicago
Size & Type: 375 sq. ft. studio
Favorite resource: Hand-me-downs!
Pitch: I viewed all the hole-in-the-wall studios Chicago had to offer then this charming space opened up. If I was going to live in a single room, I was going to make it the most fabulous little room. The apartment burst with class within its closely spaced walls.








I really like the art above the futon.
view Sofia E's profile
Yarrr! Ye be needing a sofa upgrade but otherwise this be a bonny apartment, lassie!
view beamish's profile
I regret that even the Jolly Roger doesn't distract enough attention from the clutter on the bathroom sink and floor.
view Anne in Chicago's profile
awesome except for the pirate flag
view bluetoes's profile
Love the wall color, matey!
view BetsyFine's profile
It appears much larger than 375 feet with the windows & light color on the wall.
And I disagree, bluetoes--I think the Pirate flag is hilarious as contrasted with the sweet mint green walls & otherwise sort of soft-feeling living room. I like that it's not serious at all. Except that it really is serious. She's serious about pirates. But you know.
ARRRR!
view leahm's profile
there is nothing special about this space at all.
which makes me think maybe i should submit mine.
view any such name's profile
agreed -- nothing special.
view mrs's profile
love the wall color....cute. the pirate flag surprised me, though.
view greengelato's profile
Yarrrrr!!!!!
view Neujeramic's profile
One too many Urban Outfitters screen prints: ditch the middle one and bring them maybe 6-12 inches lower down.
view Iron Horse's profile
I think you have too many couches. I know you use one of them as a bed. I think it would work better with the futon and a one-seater.
view clumpydumpy's profile
Wasn't this place just up for rent on craigslist a month ago? I remember thinking it was really cute.
view Ecker's profile
Ahoy! You need some clutter management, lass, but the big, bright portholes are a sweet sight to my unpatched eye.
view Mlle Kate's profile
maybe its just me... but i'm not sure if "pirate flag" screams "classy".
view Meg's profile
just a suggestion... either shelves or a "space saver" over the toilet could really help with the bathroom storage issue.
view everythingistaken's profile
i do like the choice of mint green, but this seems just like a mix of stuff that needs to be edited... honestly, not so different from my apartment though. How I envy these gorgeous windows!
view saya*'s profile
man - people can be really mean here.
so what if *you* don't find it special - that's where there's a "not my thang" selection.
you don't have to be rude about it.
nothing special..... i think it's special...and i'm sure she does.
view elizabeth in AL's profile
Yeah, Im stuck on the art too. Instead of giving your money to some bland Urban Outfitters go to your nearest college art department.
view Modfan's profile
I love the pirate flag as shower curtain. You could even go more radical nautical in the bathroom. Your sofas could need a makeover and your foyer.
view pudgy-girl's profile
Looks like the pirate ship has been beached on the Gold Coast--I can smell the ailwives!
Seriously though, the walls are very pleasant and a good start. Otherwise it doesn't look like you had any sort of plan for your decorating scheme. Maybe put everything in the hallway, clean the place, then take a good look at the space and come up with some ideas. Maybe that means getting rid of some things so you can show off the crown molding that you really like or the foyer.
view art's profile
Just because we're judging these entries, doesn't give anyone the right to be rude. And unfortunatly I've been seeing increase in these kinds of coments throughout this contest.
And about the clutter around the sink, I honestly found it refreshing and honest. This place might not have the most cohesive design, but it's nice to see a place as it actualy is, and not some idealised version of reality where everything is sparking clean and hidden in invisible drawers. While it might not show of the apartment in its best light, a toothbrush by the sink only shows how people actualy live. How can we fault it for that?
view Xeno's profile
This apartment has gorgeous bones!
view KBinBC's profile
The first picture looks very sweet and cosy, but I'm not seeing any problem solving or innovative features. The pirate flag made me raise my eyebrows, then smile :)
view stringy's profile
Xeno's right. Didn't your mom teach you that if you don't have anything nice to say...keep yer yap shut?! Tactful, thoughtful, constructive criticism is good. One-liner put downs are not helpful or appropriate. No one who participates does so to be publicly shamed for their taste, economic level, shopping habits, or hygiene. It's a contest and you can vote or not vote, comment or not comment. If you do choose to comment, at least, be kind.
view redcloverstar's profile
Mean, rude, one-line putdowns? I don't think any of the comments thus far have been inappropriate. Anyone who puts their apartment in the contest knows that it's going to be scrutinized. If you don't want your furnishings/taste/hygiene publicly criticized, you shouldn't enter your living space in a design contest. I'm sure Yvette and all the other entrants were expecting some negative feedback.
That said, I don't see much innovation here but it does look very comfortable and livable!
view mollybb's profile
what is meant is that there is no reason to be down right negative - there can be constructive criticism without being negative.
scrutiny is one thing, but being down on someone because it's not your taste is another. this is not the place for one person to tell another that their stuff is crap - it's only that person's opinion and you can say "NOT MY THING" without bashing someone else's opinion.
my two cents.
view elizabeth in AL's profile
um, everybody chill out. i said it was nothing special. and there isn't - it's pretty bare, and nothing particularly stylish. one pirate flag - big whoop, i knew plenty of people in college with that flag.
i've been working on my place, but i still wouldn't submit it at this point because it's not much better than that.
so settle down.
view any such name's profile
this is a 'design' based website ,is it not....or did I miss something
view bball's profile
get over yourselves elizabeth in AL, Xeno and redcloverstar.
they're right. it's a ridiculous entry for a design competition,
and it does not deserve any more than a one-liner.
we're not here to write love letters, we're here to critique.
view slawterhaus's profile
hey bball--
You're a fellow contestant, no?
slawterhaus--
No, actually, we're here to vote. Submit your own home and see how it feels.
view patrick (the other one)'s profile
then why the comment box???
view slawterhaus's profile