apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I like it very clean and simple and not a bunch of stuff. Nice colors and it does look very Scandinavian.

Nothing is over done here. I love the calm comfortable interior space. Nary a toy in sight. However, I would not overlap the two pictures on top of the cabinet. Hang them up for goodness sakes before the children knock them over.

What a beautiful and cozy home

Very interesting home architecturally and you really capitalized and complimented it with your great design choices.

Beautiful and serene without being boring! Great entry! I LOVE the kitchen! Do you remember where you get those backsplash tiles and what the color name is?

no bedroom?

i love the kitchen backsplash tile!

This is lovely. Very calm and comfortable.

I just moved into an apartment with stark white walls that I'm not allowed to paint (conservative landlord! bah.)...I thought my place would invariably look boring and cold. This house tour gave me hope! Mostly white walls with other pops of color. I am inspired!

Shoot, I'm kind of disappointed your watermelon theory didn't involve ample use of pink and green! :) It must be a really fun space for your kids--very colorful and at the same time soothing!

this is one of the most inviting entries I've seen yet.

PERFECT !!!

I really like this, but it looks like it was simplified even more for photos. Why no chairs at the long table?

Who makes those kid's chairs and where can I buy them?!?!?!?!?

wow...what is that over the toilet maybe...that awesome green plant thing?

I really like the look - but I believe the concept if hygge is uniquely Danish, not Swedish. Could be wrong - but I was told by Danes that that was what accounted for all the candle light in Copenhaggen restaurants. Regardless, the green plant thing is awesome.

I didn't think I would like this, but it's quite nice. More skillful than most of the entries I've seen so far.

Very nice - I like the thoughtful approach to color.

i really like it. my only issue is that it doesn't look like anyone lives there. it looks more like someone's weekend house or a showroom.

*what is that green thing in the first photo? it looks neat.

love the colors here: serene, restrained, warm and impacting. really effective

I love the kitchen. Was it DIY? If you had an architect or an ikea installer help, can you provide their info?

Love your home! Maybe because I am Scandinavian myself... "Hygge" is a Norwegian and Danish word and your home is "hyggelig", meaning kozy :), in Swedish you would say "mysig".

Very serene and refreshing use of color. Excellent job.

Very lovely and inviting. Ditto on wondering what is that green thing in the first photo.

I love the simplicity. I wish you would show more overall views. I want to see more of your space.

I love the watermelon theory and the beauty of how it's applied here! Sara clearly has a great sense of style & humor -- what IS that green thing?

Thanks for the clarification on hygge and apologies to all of Denmark and Norway! I think I actually read about it in my Marimekko history so maybe the Finns have a hygge as well?..

The green thing came from a great store here in DC called Home Rule. The kids chairs were on sale at Design Within Reach, but I don't think they have kids stuff anymore. The toys get swept into big boxes under the long bench in the living room. Fortunately or unfortunately my four-year-old only plays with trains, so they all get tossed in together for quick clean up. :)

We haven't bought chairs for the dining room yet. We kinda want to move on from Ikea but our budget hasn't caught up to our taste. So the Eames chairs from the kitchen that we splurged on migrate back and forth.

Regarding the kitchen, my husband is an architect and designed it and we assembled the Ikea cabinets ourselves. It wasn't that bad. The trick to an Ikea kitchen is lots and lots of measuring to make sure the cabinets fit perfectly and look built in.

Thanks for all the comments! Sara

oh, and the tile is from Heath Ceramics. www.heathceramics.com

I like it, but unless my eyes deceive me why not submit pics without the photo enhancements? In any case, one of the better entries I have seen in the East.

Very good and professional entry. I like the subtle use of color, which is how I use color myself.

nice bush

i am very impressed by Sara's Watermelon Theory. I think the concepts and the visuals are very intriguing, sophisticated, and urbane The other entries, although nice, are somewhat ordinary interiors. Sara's photos are a tease, but leave us wanting to see more! She deserves to win!

I love it because it's minimal - I disagree with the comment that it doesn't look lived in - I think it's just a example of good organization and storage space! Love the colors too.

I love the bright, but not overpowering colors. Some of the other entries would be hard to actually live with. I live in a similarly small townhouse, and Sara's simple watermelon color theory is a great idea for tying the rooms together without the overall look becoming tedious. I also appreciate the practical ideas for making the most of smaller spaces. Can we get your architect/husband's contact info?