apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

OH! This is so happy! How can anyone be in this apartment and not be smiling?

so in love!

the colors are fab!

Let me just say how much I LOVE this space. Thank you than you for FINALLY making things really interesting. Great layers! Great use of color. The walls are electric! Yet it's inviting and lived in. By the way, the desk w/ the books embedded is fantastic. Super cool by leagues and leagues.

Super Cool and fabulous!

Oh and I forgot to mention your amazing command of SCALE. Thank you for having things in varying sizing and not killing your walls with lots of little small art. Take notes folks. This is how you do it.

Super cool! Love the style of your lamps (not too matchy) and the fact that you have several lamps in a given room - all the better to control lighting to suit your mood and needs. Please tell us where you purchased that fabulous duvet on your bed?

love the colors, artwork, and lighting. what is the fabric on your window seats? very nice job here.

You have great eye for colours, patterns and textures, but I do think that you overdid it (slightly) with the rug in the bedroom. Multi-functional furniture pieces like the one in your study are essential for small apartments - it a good use of space for a small library and desk area to work at. Certainly a worthy competitor!

Wow! What an awesome place, love the bed and the floor rug. It looks like a big bed, but it doesn't over power the space and fits so snug against that wall, the color choices and combinations are fantastic. What a great use of texture and pattern too!

I really like the clutterfree look of your place while still looking like someone lives there. By far, my favorite is the inviting couch and the black bookcase with a hint of attitude.

lovely artwork, great bathroom, but most of all i love your dinnertable annex bookcase :-) well done... creating such a happy studio space.

oh i want that desk....

I adore this entry. Totally.

Love it! Can I ask where that sofa is from?

I had to go back and look at the photos again because I honestly can't figure out where all this enthusiasm is coming from. Friends and family, I presume.

I know it's a small space and that's challenging, but I feel claustrophobic and bruised just looking at the photo. To me, almost everything looks too big for the space it's in. The bedspread is lovely, but it makes a padded bed look even larger and more dominating. The couch is perfect, but the tiered shelves next to it are too large and seem to loom over it. The desk/dining table feels far too bulky for the space it's in. I see corners and angles everywhere, there's nothing to soften it, e.g. window treatments of some kind. There's just no room for anything in the apartment to breathe. Honestly, I couldn't even visit long without feeling uncomfortable and wanting to leave. Sorry, I'm usually much more tactful and supportive...but that's my honest opinion.

Wow! I wish I lived there! Super cool!

WOW! Way to embrace the challenges of the Small Cool contest! Real-life, on-a-budget, lived-in, original style.

Super cool!

Ignore Joanna D. It makes no sense to put window treatments in a studio space w/ such great light exposure. They would weigh down the walls and play then up as opaque planes, which they are not. They are punctured masses that allow light into the space and make it feel large. And that whole business about small spaces needing small furniture is just absurd. This is gorgeous maximalist style. And no, I'm not realted to the entrant, by the way. I just know good design when I see it. You should try it sometime.

I like the desk. Where did you find it?

Love it!! Where is the shower curtain from?

I love everything about this place - colors, scale, furniture style, art. It all goes together very well. I think people can run through these pictures many times and pick out an interesting detail or inspiration each time. Well done.

This has to be one of the best, if not the best entry so far in this contest for reasons of, good economy of scale, large bold pieces that don't overwhelm the space along with less large pieces to fill in but not at all creating a scrunched in, cluttered look without leaving the space looking too sparse and unlived in.

Most of the entrants seem to either lack color, lack personal elements, too little furniture/items in the space or doing the exact opposite, filling the space within an inch of it's life with furniture and knick-knacks and too many small stuff on the walls and it just to me creates a cluttered agitated scene, not a restful, yet visually vibrant (but homey) space.

This one is nearly spot on IMO

LOVE the bed and the poster - i've been coveting that one for years.

Love all the color, and LOVE(!!) the bathroom but I feel like the main room has too much large furniture it. The beautiful bed, the sofa with the matching side chair and large ottoman and dresser - it feels overstuffed to me. The pieces are all lovely, but heavy for such a small space. I know I would forever be crashing into things. Maybe exchange the ottoman with something not upholstered?

I'm not related to her either, it just looks posh yet casual. I like real-sized furniture. There's no sense here that Lisette moderates her home with some of the slick efficiency that a lot of the entries have (although obviously not much margin for messy habits), it is maybe not big enough for a lot of people to come over, but it looks like a totally luxurious pod of cool. With skill, I might add.

I'd also say, you don't always have to imagine yourself living somewhere to accept its coolness. I love how Ana's Custom Fit works for Ana, so this is a contrast in look but the environment is a treat to see.

I really think that next year there should be two contests representing the two camps -- Small Cool and Small CLUTTERED. This would be a shoo in for that later.

I have to say that while each and every piece in this home is lovely on it's own, they just aren't working together for me. Everything seems really too big for the space and the layering of patterns in the bathroom just seems off.

Looks like a ell-loved, and nicely decorated space. The cover on the bed is too much, though. looks like a holdover from the 50's (40's?) Love the white shelves.

It totally works! one of my favorites in the contest thus far. Way to work with scale.

I'm not loving the color of the bathroom but I love the rest of your apartment.

How marvelous. And that bed is faboo.

I am dying to get a tufted(?) fabric bed like this. Could you please please share where you bought it? Thank you!!

please tell me more about the poster with the record as the face. please. please. please.

WINNER!!!! You should enter the color contest too.

Where have you been all this time??? I guess you were saving the best for last.

If you don't end up a finalist, I'm leaving this site.

You have a fabulous sense of of color and pattern. I envy your talents! The place feels lived in, lovely, and full of light. I would never know it was tiny. Great job! An instant finalist.

Beautiful! I haven't voted or commented on even one Small Cool entry until now. Great job!

I would love to know where you got the bed/bedding and cool dining table/ desk.

<---I love with this home!

I LOVE IT! Very unique and cozy.

I am ashamed of some people being rude here... Everyone doesn't have to love everything, but come ON people... Keep your crankiness to yourselves! There is nothing constructive about a few of these jabs.

I love this for its personal feel, it's lovely use of depth and surfaces, and the colour. Fantastic.

This is luxe and cohesive and it just looks like a really lovely space to come home to. I absolutely love your aunt's portraits. They're fantastic.

Word, barbidahll. "Honesty" does not justify rudeness, people!

I really like this entry, esp. the desk, the bathroom wall color, the window seat area, and the art.

i love it!

bright, smart, bold... i would be very happy/proud to live here.

love the extra large ottaman - i want that!

helloooo!!!!!! did i miss it? where can i get the record man poster you have beside the bed?

My favorite so far! Wonderful use of color and space. It's cozy, personal and happy. What color paint is on the main studio walls? I need that paint color for my bedroom!

Lois, I'm with you, but it's vintage and VERY hard to find ... she's a lucky gal! The last one I saw on ebay went for over $2000

Your home is beautiful -- and really impressive for being only 500 sq. ft. Super cool!

AT: please do a housetour! I want to see every inch of this great place ;-)

I second AndreaU.

Lisa...you ROCK and so does your place!
Well done!!!!!!!

I love this so much! Everything just works together so well. I am a huge fan of the bookcase desk, how creative!

Love the happy vibe this place radiates -- I'm on the Super Cool bandwagon! Thanks for letting us take a peek. ;)

Again, where is the bedspread from???

Love love love this place! It is "grown-up" while still fun and colorful!

I'm not getting where some people are saying this is cluttered. Just because it is not empty and minimalistic? It has a very interesting and well-executed mix of colors and patterns. I LOVE everything about it! I have looked at ALL entries to date, and this one gets me vote for the WINNER by a MILE!

I agree with some earlier comments - the scale of a lot of the furniture is off. Just a little too big in the space - like the long ottoman in front of the couch. The desk/bookshelf is great, but the chair next to it feels too big. There are also too many textures/patterns in the bedroom with the quilt and the cowhide etc. Good, but has some problems.

super cute and inspiring...can you tell me where you got your bed?
smm- the duvet is from anthropologie (cirrus series)

Very very nice, indeed! Where did you get your shower curtains?

One of the best ever in any AT contest!

I have not voted or commented yet, either, but with this one I had to!

Modfan = good example of how to tactfully critique an apartment.

Joanna D. = gratuitous nastiness in service of her own ego.

Well, you had me at the bed. I love this place and couldn't wait to get home from work to view it over and over again. Best of luck to you.

I love the colors, and the fact that the space feels stylized but comfortable. I personally prefer bold uses of scale and do not like itty bitty furniture that tries to make a small space feel bigger, so this is right up my alley.

Joanna D. = gratuitous nastiness in service of her own ego. Li

My own ego has nothing to do with it. I'm obviously blind to what so many people are raving about, and I've never had such a total "disconnect" experience on here before. Hence my initial sense that the early comments must be from biased sources. Even if something is not to my particular preference, I can usually SEE what people are finding charming and usually find something supportive or complimentary to say. This one remains a mystery to me, even now Absolutely fabulous use of color and pattern - I'll agree with that, but I still say the scale of the furniture makes it feel very cramped. I can't see one place where you can take even two steps without bumping into something - usually something with sharp corners, and I see a few places I wouild feel like I need to turn sideways to walk by, e.g. between the ottoman and the bed. Top marks on color, but I can't rate the scale nearly as highly as most people seem to be doing.

*sigh* Some days... Only Li's name was meant to be in bold, but I obviously screwed up the tags. Sorry about that.

thanks, lagirl538!

Hi All! Lisette here...
Thanks for writing such nice comments, I really appreciate your feedback on my place and am glad you're enjoying it. I'd like to have you all over for some vino! :) To answer your questions on a few items: the desk/bookshelves came from Pottery Barn, duvet and shower curtain are from Anthropologie, bed is Homelegance.com (but got it at a discount via a Craigslist middleman dealer), the wall color in the main room is "Salisbury Green" from B. Moore, and the French poster is called "Disques Radio-Tele." I'm happy to answer any more questions...

I have to agree with Joanna that something smells fishy about the comments. It's a nice enough place but the fawning tone to the comments feels really suspect. Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

Hey All, Lisette again...
Just for the record -- not one of the above comments has been posted by anyone I know. I just a few minutes ago sent out an email alerting my friends and family to the contest. Thanks.

Wow Lisette, what a beautiful apartment you have fashioned for yourself. I have just moved into an apartment of my own and can't wait to start decorating. Your space has perfectly summed up the look and feel I want from my home - cosy, personal and welcoming. I think some of the comments may be from people who don't find appeal in the snuggly asthetic, but for those of us who like a home to feel like home, your place definately does the job! Fantastic work!!

Hey Lisa! Or, should I say, Lisette? I absolutely LOVE your new place! I showed your pictures to all of my friends here at school, and they loved it as well. I am going to email my sorority and ask them to vote for you, because you definitely deserve to win this contest. I especially loved how you incorporated my mom's paintings from the 80's and 90's and your jewelry as well. You should seriously consider going into interior design on the side! I will personally hire you to decorate my first place. No matter what happens, you're a winner in my book! Love and miss you tons.

Love,
cousin Emily

Love this! Looks comfortable, stylish, great storage solutions and use of space. Very nice!

I love it! It's funny that someone commented they didn't care for the color in the bathroom, as I saw the pic of your bathroom and thought "What an awesome color, I should paint my bathroom like that!" Ha!

Wow I really like it! (and i can safely say I doubt I've ever met lisette since I am in NY) thanks for the source on the record head art. its wicked. I like the big scale in the the small place, though based on the debate its clearly a love it or leave it thing!

Your place and your style is amazing. Nice work! It looks like a very inviting cozy place to hang out. I know someone already asked...but where did you find your bed? It is awesome. I would love to own one my self! I have the same bed spread. ~Brett

Beautiful! And perfect greens in my estimation. Just what I've been looking for. Please indicate the paint color in the bathroom.

Brett, thanks! The bed is from Homelegance.com...
And itsTis: the bathroom paint color is Jalapeno from Ben Moore (I love it too, thanks!). -- Lisette

but pleeeease do tell us where you got the bedspread!!

or if anyone else knows . . . ?

The very first commenter said this space is happy, and I agree. And that desk is superb!

wow, there's not much I don't like about this place. you managed to get a lot of furniture and areas in this place and it still looks very spacious. I like the window seats, the bathroom and not being afraid to have your bed being so prominent.

The duvet is Anthropologie....

For the record: I'm not a friend nor a family member and I left an early positive comment. I just really like the style of Lisa's apartment.

Fabulous! I don't know much about design, but I think I would find solace in such a happy haven. I think you've found your calling...cheers to you!

Hi Lisette - I like the mirror over your couch - where did you get it? Is that a clear frame?

The mirror over the couch is Kartell, and can be found on many online shopping sites...

This sounds silly, but I want your toilet.

It is Kohler :)

I could dive directly into this apartment and be in no hurry to leave. I think it's delicious. If I'm at all related to Lisette, I'm certainly not aware of it.

Holy cow! I had to dive back into the pictures to process that this is ONE ROOM! Amazing. Lisette, you must be one heck of an organizer to stow your life in such a small, elegant great-looking space. Wow. Adore your desk/bookcase/table, and I want you to come over and help me pick out colors for my place!

Curious--how long did it take to get it into this shape, and were you living there at the time?

Brava!

It took about 2 months to get everything together - thanks for the compliments!

http://estore.websitepros.com/1550231/Detail.bok?no=355

a huge version for only $285? it's a copy I assume but how can I tell if it's a high quality copy?

"our galerie features giclée prints of classic advertising posters from around the world"

so, that means it's just a high quality ink jet right? what were the original posters done on?

I want to see the kitchen... not because I don't think you conveyed enough in the photos, but because I can't get enough. The colors are fantastic... refreshing and bright but not overwhelming.

mscot - I would go to a vintage poster dealer and get the scoop. That's where I got my original (they usually run 1K).
-- Lisette

bedspread. anthropologie?

I've never been moved enough to actually login and comment before, but I love this one. LOVE. Looks put together, well considered, lived in! This is insanely inspiring to me--finally, someone who has "addressed the bed problem" of one room living by playing it up instead of trying to shove it in a likely closet! Yay!

Thanks Sid!
SD913 - the bedspread is Anthro...
-- Lisette

I found a canvas reprint online for $299 or $499 depending on how big you want it. Yay technology. (I can't afford the OGs which are going for $2k)

I couldn't agree with joAnna D more. I'm sorry. but my thoughts after viewing were that it gives off the feeling of having enough in it to fill an apt. 4 x's it's size. Lots of lovely modern pieces, styles and colors, just not all together or in such a small space. I can't put my finger on it but it seems theres some flow missing. Or maybe it's the fact that despite the fact that it actually is not overly cluttered, the amount of noise it all makes gives the feeling as if it were. Just my opinion.

Yes, it is crowded.
But it is even more warm and inviting.
Nice work.

it looks cute... but, i'm sorry - the pillows on the couch are painful.

Hi Lisette:

Could you tell me about the cushions on the radiators? Were those made? Did you buy them. Thanks alot!

p.s.--I haven't left the site yet.

best so far.

Great place. Wonderful use of color, space and furniture.

Living in a studio can be tricky ... I'm still trying to figure out ways to make the most of my space, so the more examples on here, the better off I will be with my space. : )

I would love to know where you got those beautiful lamps on your black dresser. I love them! Also, did you mention in an earlier post the name of the color you painted the living room area? If not, please do tell. Did you get the coverlet recently from Anthropologie? THANKS.

Ooops. I forgot two more questions for you ...
Where did you get that black etagere-type (not sure of the silly French spelling of this word) piece next to your sofa and was it pricey? I really like that and it would be great for displaying my photos, etc. that I haven't space for in my studio. Also, where is the couch from? Does it open up into a bed?

I did see the name of the paint in an earlier post, so I'm goof with that info.

Again, I love your place.

I absolutely love your pieces and your taste. Your use of color is great but I also (tactfully I hope!) agree with the comments that it feels a little "close." When I look at this I am reminded of the old advice to remove one accessory from your outfit before you leave the house. It seems that every area could be improved by editing out one focal piece, as someone else mentioned the rug in the bedroom. Otherwise, it's gorgeous, great job!

JMBnewsgirl and DemureProductions: Thanks for writing!
The cushions I had made (3-inches thick) and the fabric is black "Del Mar" from Calico Corners.
The etagere is from Pier 1 and was $100.
The couch set and chair were from Dania.com - the couch does not pull out and the ottoman unfortunately does not have storage in it.
I actually found the glass lamps at Marshall's and they were a steal.. no brand name that I know of..
Bye -- Lisette

Really groovy and original. Can I come over? I wanna lounge on the window seats.

Found the duvet!

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=9155819801022675062&id=69300&parentid=SLEEP_BEDDING_DUVETS&pushId=SLEEP_BEDDING_DUVETS&popId=SLEEP_BEDDING&sortProperties=&navCount=198&navAction=poppushpush&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=moc

I don't know how I missed this one. Congrats on the finals. I love it

Love that bedspread, it's so romantic, and makes it obvious a girl lives there, which I adore! I actually like to pack my home with beautiful things, I think it makes it more plush and cozy. I think small empty places seem cold, this is warm and inviting.

I love your parsons table that double as shelves. Can I ask where you got it? :)