apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I like this house tour because many people faced with downsizing to studio apartments this gives inspiration and really how much space do we need.

Stehan you really utilized that long wall making it very interesting and your own. I think just having two pieces of art with a console which is what I might have done would be boring and would make the space feel closed in.

Love it!

I love the gallery wall, it is such an inspiration.

great job, Stefan.

Yay for a DC house tour that is local! Love the gallery wall and the bookcases.

It is a great job!
Do you remember where you got the bookcases?

I love your space Stephan...especially the gallery wall, the colorful rug and the great antique dining set. But the magic is really in how you have brought it all together. Bravo!

I have been struggling with how to create a gallery wall in my own small space. I bought some great prints, but haven't been able to make a decision about how to frame them. This post has reassured me that the frames do not all have to match in order for the wall to look cohesive.

Stephen, Did most of these works come framed, or did you choose the frames? If you chose them could you share your selection process? My local frame shop is choice overload for me, and I am feeling a bit intimidated.

Thanks for sharing your space!

Bravo Stefan!

I love that you took care to stay consistent with your wood tones. I think this is the easiest way to mess up an eclectic assemblage, especially since there are colors of wood that we associate with particular time periods or design movements.

Matching wood bridges the gap between era-specific furnishings- warming the angular modern and taming the ornate antique.

Great job-- excellent use of space. And is that the Martine sofa from Crate and Barrel? I covet that sofa so much!

What a beautiful apartment and elegant taste!
Probably one of the first AT tours I'd actually like to live in.
I especially love the Boullée engraving on that unusual neo-classic easel, the odea of a gallery wall, and the dining table.

argggg typo : read "idea" not odea.

it's wonderful! i second the need to know where you got those great book cases! and also did the cabinets come with the apartment or did you get the handles in a particular place? they're great too and work so well with the bookshelves!

thank you for sharing :)

Hey guys, this is Stefan, aka ArchitectDesign - the housetour 'host'! The bookshelves are AMAZING -they're from IKEA but they sadly no longer sell them -the 'docent' collection. Try looking on craigslist for them! They look really stylish and not cheap.
My art wall is really a hodgepodge -a lot of the pieces came to me already framed from family members and auction houses. I just bought plain black frames in standard sizes for the others at a local art store - black matches everything! The art easel is from restoration hardware outlet! I like to rotate pieces on that!
The dining table and chairs are vintage BAKER that I got on craigslist -i LOVE craigslist!

PS the sofa is the 'grace' sofa from crate and barrel -i've had it for 5 years now.

I love this! What really surprised me the most is the cool galley kitchen! I love that!!!! I hadn't seen it before like this - it's so high tech and efficient. And I love the picture wall in the entry.

There's a print above the drawers that I have my eye on!!!! What is that Stefan? It looks like some kind of antique architectural drawing.

Great story and great guy!!
Joni

WOW! I am totally blown away. I happen to know where you live (not in a creepy way- i just recognized the studio because I sell homes- and no, I am not plugging my business). I sold a place similar to yours and CANNOT believe how efficiently you put everything together in that small space. You even managed a dining area. It is a lovely and functional space. And i 'heart' your gallery wall. Gorge. Good job Stefan.

Splendid use of space; the kitchen is ingenious. I am deliriously pleased to see that Stephan did not arrange his books by color ;-)

Great dining set. Thank you for not "refreshing" it by hot pink paint.

i cannot believe the bookshelves are ikea! now going to check out architectdesign blog :)

There's a little black easel on top of the bookcase: it holds a framed print.

I'd like to know more about this object. Is it new?

It may be small but it looks great -- really sophisticated yet comfortable. Excellent job!

This is great. The classic wood furniture, especially the gorgeous dining set, really warms up a hard industrial space, as do the rugs. And of course the art is a treasure. I'd live here in a heartbeat and I'm off to check out the blog.

I love how you took an industrial space and made it a warm and comfortable home. The wall of artwork and the bookcases are just amazing! You did a wonderful job with the arrangement and choice of furniture, your home looks much larger than the 475 sf. Well done.

what an amazing job! It feels very warm and personal. The art collection is themed beautifully, the modern pieces are complemented by traditional rugs. I would not change a thing! Yes, you may feel that it's small, but you use every inch of this studio well. Off to check you blog now...

That's a very nice place you've got there. Sad to here that those bookshelves aren't being sold any more, but surprised to here they were Ikea. I want those now... Thanks for sharing!

The art easel is new -I got it at Restoration Hardware. Thanks for all of the lovely, flattering comments everyone!

Great House Tour!! You've got great personal style.

Thanks for sharing!!

Whoa! It's the ALTA! Man, I never thought those concrete boxes could look good. Well done! What a transformation.

I 'heart' this!

yes, it's a small space, but the smallest details that you've made in your studio apartment make the biggest impact. bravo!

fyi the little waiter man holding the tray with the remotes... CUTE!

great condo.

I've been returning to this post over and over the last 24 hours. I just moved into a studio myself and these photos are inspiration indeed. Respect to you, Stefan! Love it.

well done. great use of space

yeah, way to go on this one AT!

Looking at it again, I would probably use a Coco Chanel style of screen to separate the kitchen froom the sleeping area.

Stunning! I love the way your art is displayed. Very electic, in itself. But, like a completed puzzle----every piece fits together beautifully.

I want all the appliances in your kitchen and I LOVE your bathroom! And your decorating is great! I love what you have been able to do with such a small space. Beautiful work :)

I think the sofa is the only impressive item in this room. All else look a bit mushy...no real form.