apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Midwest Semi-Finalist #1: Michael and Mindy's Urban Modern

Here is the first of our 4 semifinalists from the Midwest. There will be 16 semifinalist entries (4 from each region) in total, each showing off new photos for your perusal. Our 4 judges are making the final decisions, but your comments and support can help them out...

Name: Michael and Mindy
Location: Chicago, IL
Size & Type: 608 sq ft - 1 bedroom heavy timber loft in a 1920s shoe factory, rented

Original Entry: Click Here

1. Who was your favorite entry and why?

Our favorite entry is #19 - Bryan's Zones of Light from the East. The series of bookcases evenly filters the light throughout the volume and divides the space into intimate zones. This entry showed the most innovative and efficient use of space while easily allowing for manipulation.

 
 


What's your next improvement?

We would be thrilled to say that our next improvement would include installing hardwood floors, updating our 1987 white laminate kitchen/bath, replacing our dated track lighting, and installing Mechoshades. Unfortunately, we are encumbered by the realities of living in a rental apartment. However, we are pleased that our home has historic significance and unmatched architectural features. For now, we will continue to paint accent colors that reflect our changing moods and the seasons.

Two years ago we graduated, sold our car and moved from rural Kansas to downtown Chicago. Without the financial burden of car ownership, we will continue to invest in things we really care about furniture and accessories.

Tags

Small Cool 2007 - entries

Related Links

Share

Comments (30)

HOT DAMN!

posted by Julian on 2007-05-14 12:56:18
view Julian's profile

Winners in my book. really cool rendering -> reality transition in the video. Love your furniture choice but beware: you will get flak for having good taste!
regards,

joel maria pirela

posted by joel maria pirela on 2007-05-14 13:09:43
view joel maria pirela's profile

wow...major improvements over your original post. your video was fab. i have a feeling you will put your DWR winnings to very good use.

posted by greengelato on 2007-05-14 13:17:39
view greengelato's profile

Very very cool. Apartment is beautiful. Presentation does a great job of trasnlating spacial to visual. Great job all around.

posted by kateq on 2007-05-14 13:18:55
view kateq's profile

I see you also have a cat that must be included in everything that happens in his/her house.

posted by C* on 2007-05-14 13:42:11
view C*'s profile

Wow, you really lucked out. I really didn't like your original entry and now that I see the other photos, I'm thinking "what were they thinking with their original entry?!"

It looks so much different and much better than I originally thought. What great ceilings! Job well done!

posted by Laura on 2007-05-14 13:51:20
view Laura's profile

The new yellow accent colour works better than what you had before. It's brings some warmth into the space. Good choice there. However... I am still not drawn to this entry in any way. The whole thing feels to me like marketing for some new condo development aimed at young professionals. The soundtrack for the video doesn't help either. Yes, the windows are nice, as are some of your furniture choices, but anyone with enough cash can buy those - no great achievement there. I guess I just don't see what others do in this case.

posted by arza on 2007-05-14 15:01:14
view arza's profile

i love the exposed ceiling and the large windows. the layout is also nice, and the colors work. however the decor feels impersonal to me. i don't see a strong sense of personal style. i see only a generous furniture budget and DWR catalogue.

posted by ursamajor on 2007-05-14 16:09:01
view ursamajor's profile

i thought this was one of the most underwhelming entires... semi-finalist? oh well.

posted by saya* on 2007-05-14 16:14:37
view saya*'s profile

It's hard to find fault with this one, because your choices are so very impeccably stylish. But I can see what the previous comments are referring to - it could be seen as somewhat impersonal - I'm thinking top-end boutique hotel. Still very beautiful though. (And the yellow strip is definitely better than the green).

posted by TallulahBelle on 2007-05-14 16:18:47
view TallulahBelle's profile

this is a very nice space, but I don't really think this has any original thought to it. The pieces are lovely, the colors are o.k., but I have to wonder if this won the dwr gift certificate if there is anything left for you to buy there. This has a very strong showroom feel to it throughout. It feels very 'purchased'.

posted by dusty.meyers on 2007-05-14 16:21:22
view dusty.meyers's profile

gorgeous! i'd love to use that yellow in my bedroom. what paint did you use?

posted by fifi on 2007-05-14 16:21:49
view fifi's profile

I mean, the photo is very great, but i mean how many kitsch pieces of furniture can you throw in one shot? nelson, noguchi, eames, jacobsen. If i didn't know better, i'd say you photographed a DWR showroom......

posted by matthew w on 2007-05-14 16:23:26
view matthew w's profile

I graduated two years ago also and am wondering how you can afford all of that DWR furniture. I guess I picked the wrong major!

posted by Laura on 2007-05-14 16:36:05
view Laura's profile

Impressive-looking. Hurray for spending car money on pretty things! And for cats!

posted by tin_angel on 2007-05-14 16:51:25
view tin_angel's profile

There is a good amount of Room & Board furniture in this space, which is a fantastic source for reasonably-priced pieces. All put to great use here.

Great job!

posted by Bill on 2007-05-14 17:09:46
view Bill's profile

I love your place!

If you wouldn't mind...where is that fantastic pendant lamp over the dining table from?

Thanks

posted by AlmostAD on 2007-05-14 19:04:10
view AlmostAD's profile

I agree with arza. It's a lovely space but it's not moving me. The foul stench of gentrification hangs in the air. I'd be interested to see the spaces of the boys and artists who pioneered that neighborhood.

posted by goofybuddha on 2007-05-14 19:31:36
view goofybuddha's profile

Your windows are amazing, and I'm so envious of your closet space! Nice place. I can' believe that people are judging on "gentrification," which is 1) hypothetical anyway and 2) we are supposed to be judging on interiors. How the heck do we know about any of the 'hoods these apartments are in?

posted by fiona on 2007-05-14 19:35:15
view fiona's profile

Cool apt, coolest video!

posted by etslee on 2007-05-14 20:56:37
view etslee's profile

Thanks for all the great comments and constructive criticism.

AlmostAD - The pendant over the dining table is from Crate & Barrell. It was actually one of our first newly-wed purchases two years ago.

GoofyBuddha - your remarks are unsettling. You cannot comment on gentrification without knowing our neighborhood and the history of our building. If you knew our neighborhood, you would realize that it is one of the least gentrified in the vicinity of downtown Chicago. Sure, there has been some development within the past few years [as seen through our windows], but it is nothing like Wicker Park, Bucktown, South Loop, West Loop, River North, or Lincoln Park. Our building sat vacant and dilapidated for years. Would you prefer demolition, or 'gentrification' [using the term loosely].

posted by mviamontes on 2007-05-14 21:58:51
view mviamontes's profile

i'm printing a copy of your yellow wall so i can match my bedroom paint :) please let me know the name if you have a chance.

posted by fifi on 2007-05-14 22:52:24
view fifi's profile

Fifi - The yellow TV wall is 'Buttercream' #B25-5 from Ace Hardware brand in satin finish. The darker yellow behind the bookcases is one shade darker on the same swatch. It is called 'Golden Straw' #B25-6. Good luck with the painting. It will definietly brighten your space!

posted by mviamontes on 2007-05-14 23:20:17
view mviamontes's profile

the couch in your living room...is it comfortable?

this isn't my style per se but it looks very sleek and modern. although it seems bigger than some of the other small apts we've seen here.

posted by kat156 on 2007-05-15 01:47:23
view kat156's profile

I think its a wonderful apartment, and I hope that in 2 years I'll be able to have our basement to this awesome state. ;)

posted by olya on 2007-05-15 01:57:31
view olya's profile

i love grey wall to wall (especially here)!

posted by orangered on 2007-05-15 04:17:38
view orangered's profile

kitty seems to like it too

posted by orangered on 2007-05-15 04:23:49
view orangered's profile

It is truly stylish and makes me want to go urban.

Mindy and Michael have captured the essence of the space and made it very personal.

posted by ellisconc on 2007-05-15 05:49:26
view ellisconc's profile

thank you :)

posted by fifi on 2007-05-15 10:23:15
view fifi's profile

It's very nice looking, no doubt about that, but I feel like I've seen this apartment too many times before. There's not much original here. I'd agree with others' comments about it looking "showroom-y" - maybe because there weren't that many sources used? Honestly I think there were a lot of more worthy contestants, and I'm kind of disappointed this is a semi-finalist.

posted by Graham on 2007-05-16 21:27:12
view Graham's profile