apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I truly admire her for not having a lot of stuff . . . at the same time I'm not sure this place was really worth a house tour. There's no cohesiveness to this apartment. It's totally thrown together.

It looks much more like a college apartment than the home of a modern young adult.

And . . . cute dress but the sneakers and calf socks have got to go.

yeah i agree with griffin...and there are definitely much more interesting tables out there than the 3 IKEA Lack tables I counted.
And, it seems the living room needs a rug or something and all the art is hung too high.

Hmm, those bathroom shots? The crap on the refrigerator door? The tenant? Half of the photos should have been edited out to try to tell a cohesive visual story. And, if you had done that, you'd recognize that there isn't much of a visual story there. I don't mean to be harsh; my own first apartment was my pride and joy, too but, like this one, wasn't worth showcasing either.

I have to agree - why was this apt deserving of a tour?

On a positive note, I really like the unique posters the owner has chosen.

seriously? what is going on here? this apartment looks like a hodge-podge of thrift store items, there is nothing "stylish or interesting about it. the arrangment of furniture, the framed prints, nothing really stood out to be minimalist. rather it look plain, empty and dowdy. w/ the hello kitty toaster and print it makes me think of someone who is still in college and can't afford to decorate. but then again that's hard to believe since she could afford to get her own place. this is a major disappointment AT. please show us places that will inspire us and not churn our stomach.

cute & personal. the art is hung just fine. congratulations, ashley, on being brave enough to let people rip your apartment a new one, and even being photographed, so that your own appearance is up for critique.
it's really easy to sit in front of your computer and criticize other people without showing your face or your apartment! it's nice to see apartments that aren't straight out of the pages of the DWR catalog.

I don't think of this as Minimalism, I think of it as not having a lot of stuff...
Cute apartment as it may be, there is no style here.

Cute posters.

But I did not see a designed space. It looks like its thrown together by a college student. Nothing wrong with that...but not deserving of house tour.

I like it a lot. It´s simple, which is a good thing, and it´s very cohesive, I can see how the rooms relate to each other. I like the posters, and the vintage (?) bedspread a lot. I think I´ve seen few "worse" house tours here already.

Sheesh, judging by some of these responses why not change the title from "House Tour" to "Good Question"?

I'll agree that it seems kind of young and mishmashed, but everybody has to start somewhere. It's tough to decorate cohesively on a small budget, especially after only spending two months in an abode.

I can see why some people don't think this apartment was deserving of a house tour.

BUT, I DO like that AT recognized that not everyone is in a place where they can afford to decorate their homes perfectly. I would love to see more apartment tours from people on a budget who make do with what they have and do it creatively.

Really, I'd rather see tours of places like this than mansions.

I am not wanting to see mansions. And you dont have to be rich to be creative. But I just don't see the interiors as being creatively designed, thats all. There are elements that are themselves creative, but the interiors is just not creatively designed. But it is not personal or not even a negative thing. And yes, everyone has to start somewhere. And she seems like she is a creative person, so I bet in a year or 2 she will have a killer pad.

I just want to add that I agree about frugality and ingenuity and people having to start somewhere... I hate to sound like a snob! This site showcases plenty of home and objects that require tons of money, so it's great to see alternatives to that. However, I want to see something more creative and well put together than this particular home. I know that this is how tons of "normal people" live -- on AT, I want to see really impressive examples of that, not typical ones. Sorry, I expect more.

*stares at headline*



Minamalist?

spelling-nazi mode>

While I appreciate the gal's enthusiasm for her new home and the thrill of the decorating journey, the bottom line is that not every apartment or home decor setup is ready for prime time.

It's not about not being able to afford to decorate this home perfectly. This doesn't look like anyone is merely making do. Not having a lot of stuff is not the same as minimal, or "minamalist" (I thought it said "manimalist"!). Tchotchkes abound, but to what end? A stylish home? A personalized touch? Something somewhere that says, I don't merely have a space, this is not just my first apartment, this is not just a random arrangement of a little bit of furniture and some nice posters fun-tacked to the wall. Everyone has to start with something, and buying a sofa and replacing your magnet collection isn't the end of the line here. Making it look a little more something isn't about buying things and having to afford them.

I'm really sorry. With some proper framing and some editing about some of the surfaces, and thinking over a few trivial purchases, it could look more like it says anything else about Ashley than that this is her first apartment.

I am a snob and I would like to see homes that are more "polished."

This house tour was premature.

I am not a snob and I would like to see *commenters* that are more "polished."

Give the girl a break. This is lovely, witty, light, airy and DEFINITELY pared down in a post-cure way.

In fact, had it been posted as "Ashley's Post Cure Minimalism" y'all would be high fiving and recommending finsihing touches from Etsy.

Ashley, thanks for sharing your lovely and uncommon home. You have a great eye and I'm sure you will always have a place to be proud of. In the meantime, get a cat-- er, "kitty"-- so more readers will have more to gush about. ;)

I like the ivory chair in the living room a lot. Get a rug when you can, and pull the ivory chair out from the wall a bit. Then put the wooden chair against a wall or in the bedroom.

You have great artwork!

Ashley...great start!! You've done a awesome job with what you've got. Don't stress over the comments. I see your pad really coming into its own over the next year or so, plus there are tons of cool (inexpensive) ways to upgrade a rental. Good on ya for sticking your neck out there.

I was thinking about the same while looking at the slideshow, before reading all the comments.
The apartment is a beginner's, it is a bit ordinary, but in a few years could have more personality. The photographs aren't helping either.

The poster collection is great, I love the Broodthaers poster!

patrick - I agree there are a lot of qualities to like in this space, and which to build on, but to say it looks in any way "post-cure," just because it's pretty empty is a reach. It needs arrangement. I'd like to see what the wall opposite the sofa looks like. I might take some of the posters and group them instead of dosing them out no more than one per wall per room. It's hard to see the layout, but I think there's not so much furniture that inviting a friend or two over for a rearrangement party might churn up some fascinating ideas about how things would look if they weren't shoved up in corners and against walls, move them back if nothing succeeds as well. Branch out from a little too much IKEA and Urban Outfitters. Pay attention to scale, like the light on the nightstand. Put a little more drama than randomness in some of the stuff as it lays out on the tables. Things look too small and too spread out; they're cute but they seem to wonder why they landed there instead of somewhere that would look more considered.

I think this is a wonderful foundation. I would have killed to have looked this put together in the first two months of a new home!

saltyc,

A comment like yours appears in almost every tour in which the featured apartment receives criticism.

I suspect that many ATers, if given the chance, would love to submit photos of their homes for this site. The only chance they have to do so, as far as I know, is during the "Smallest, Coolest" and "Fall Colors" contests. Otherwise, editors glean house tours from people they know and occasionally a user solicited via Flckr; this is often the case with the Spring Cure campaign, for example.

I for one would be happy to show my apartment along with my criticism. I guess I will have to wait for another contest to come along to do so.

Nice posters - You are off to a great start. They show you have an eye for interesting design. I applaud your effort to create a pared down space as you develop your taste (and budget). Don't fret - sometimes it can take a while to find pieces that you like and can afford and it seems that some of the best spaces are developed over time. I applaud your guts to place your space out for review. There is no way I would have shown my first place (complete with mauve touches here and there - it was the '80's.)

To the naysayers out there - relax, maybe? Instead of directing your comments toward the individual why not address the editors of the site who chose the space, and seem to be having a bit of trouble with their spellcheck (minamalist?)

I thought this was a nice place. I think the chairs flanking the sofa would look better situated opposite the sofa. And a rug, or flor tiles would help finish off living room space. Great posters. Right now, my walls are mostly blank as I try to figure out what I want on them.

I think this apartment needs nothing. For me, it´s pretty much perfect. Why get a rug? I don´t have one and I don´t miss it. The floor is beautiful, why cover it? I love that it´s so empty, it´s very airy. Everywhere we see overdone and crowded rooms. This is very relieving for the eye.

K T G--

Many of the post-tour homes need plenty o' arranging, in my opion. I just choose not to rain on the parade. People post here out of pride, and we should be decent enough to accept that, shortcomings and all.

In a contest, or in a "Good Question", fine, have at it.

In a house tour, if you don't have anything nice to say (and they DIDN'T ASK), then don't say anything at all. The silence will speak volumes to the AT editors without raking the previously proud homeowner over the coals.

greta...I couldn't have said it better myself! I think that she is off to a great start and the posters she has on the walls are great.

davidasposted--

AT editors are ALWAYS looking for House Tours (in fact, I think the NY House Tour post always end with "Know a house? Have a house?" kind of open call for entries).

And the FlickerFinds feature is another way to get your house posted.

Or post pics and link to them in your comments.

Plenty of ways to put your money where your mouth is.

*blinks*
A Marcel Broodthaers poster--now that's cool.

I love his work, too.

At least no one can say that the apartment leaves readers indifferent !
Posts like this one have the advantage of questioning our habits and expectations, whether the home is extraordinary or not.

I love that floor. But I've been coveting wood floors lately. *has cheap-ass ugly brown carpeting in her apartment*

You have some nice elements here (really like the sofa and coffee table) and I'm envious of the lack of clutter. I'd probably arrange things differently and swap out some of the accessories, and maybe dress up the walls just a little bit more, but that's just about personal preferences.

When I looked at the photos I was reminded of my own first apartment. You do the best you can with what you can afford. If I could turn back time, I'd edit and rearrange the space I thought was so perfect then. Live and learn. I'm a little surprised at how such a small, innocent little space could provoke such hostile comments. We can't all live in looks-like-an-ad $$$$$ showplaces, folks, some of us don't want to, and to me, sometimes it nice to see how the rest of us live.

Wow, I seriously need to stop reading the comments on this blog. Everyone is so incredibly critical, I can't even handle it. It just pisses me off. I'd love to see all your perfect homes.

And hey, you just have to love someone who is brave enough to admit "Biggest embarrassment: the mousetraps." Very real, pretty adorable, VERY relate-able!

Seriously, though, this place has a lot to like, Could it use some tweaks? Of course. But whose home couldn't??

And plus, starter home or not, she was smart enough to invest in a nice (gus modern) sofa!

You're right -- she is off to a great start with the posters and some of the other touches. It's completely not where it could be and, in my opinion, not a very compelling house tour per se. However, I wish that AT would give out gift cards on potential; she deserves one! Seriously, the Fall Colors contest was all about rewarding the home that's already deemed the best [not that I think that was exactly accomplished], but this home could use the boost of a gift card, and I can tell that this person could use it well. Doesn't that make sense?

It seems like most of the places featured on the site--and most of the commenters--are more established in their homes and their lives. It's inspiring to see homes in decorating transition that belong to people in life transitions. I can relate so much more.

And yes, awesome sofa.

As someone wrote above, if you don't like it, it's kinder not to comment. The silence will be noted. Aren't you aware that she is reading every single comment here? Do you really want to be part of her heartbreak?

I'm torn on this one. One the one hand I do agree with some of the posters that the place is a little sparse. On the other hand its nice to see a small space done within a budget featured on AT again. Lately it seems the site has started to focus more and more on million dollar houses and huge luxury condos/apartments. This space seems more in keeping with the spirit of the site than many of the more "ready for primetime" features I've seen lately. YMMV.

Whatevs, haters. You all sound like you're freakin' whiny twelve year olds!
Her apartment looks better than mine. And probably most of yours!

No, it's obviously not the best apartment, but it's UNIQUE! It's different! It's not the same ol' apartment tour you see on AT!
And while we all come here for inspiration or advice (or sometimes praise), those who post, comment, and are showcased here should get the same in return. Not your rude, snot-nosed comments! If you're going to be so critical, at least be CONSTRUCTIVE! There's no reason to tear down the home or the dweller just because you don't agree.

And with that said, Ashley your place is super! Your apartment definitely reflects your style, and that can be a difficult thing to accomplish. If it were my apartment, I have WAY more "things" in there, but you're obviously more restrained than I am when it comes to filling space... and I'm jealous of that. :)
But I will suggest just one addition. A large rug for the living room area.

After seeing this post and reading some of the comments, I wonder if it might be useful for AT to define minimalism or offer examples. That way the comments wouldn't focus excessively on debating whether the apartment fits that style or not as they'd know where AT draws the line.

To me, this is not what I'd consider minimalist, but that's not a bad thing. I don't think minimalism is somehow to be aspired to or the apex of taste and style. It's just a different sense of style. To me, this is just sparely furnished. It's like the elements are fun punctuations to a relatively bare space. This makes it clean, clear and uncluttered, but not minimalist as some of the decorative elements are more ornate than one would expect in a minimalist setting.

I love the framed posters, the kitchen table and benches(?), and the yellow owl. I'm seriously not a fan though of "hello kitty" stuff in an adult apartment setting, though that's just me. The only negative comment I have is that the table seems too close to the sofa. It looks like you'd bang your knees on it getting up, but that might be an illusion from the camera angle.

I LOVE this place ,simple ..no expensive pieces ..and very clean ,I love it as is .Well done !

What a bunch of funky snobs! I love that Ashley has opened her space for us to see "as is". She has dust on her coffee table and starter items and looks very happy and comfy in her space. I personally love how open her place is and the posters truly ROCK with originality.

How many of you style-bots have the KEEP CALM CARRY ON or FOR LIKE EVER POSTER?

I bet any number of you right now have laundry piled up on your sofas and litter boxes that need to be cleaned out. Grow up and stop expecting everybody's home to look like something out of House Beautiful. You're all worse than a Jr. High School lunch room!

I agree with greta

One of my favorite saying is "if you can't be nice, at least have the decency to be vague." It appears that decency isn't much valued by some AT readers.

Ashley, I love the posters. Congratulations on your first apartment and thanks for letting all us AT readers see how you live.

Hi Ashley, Bravo to you for having the guts to show your apartment to the public. I, who live in a very elegant and well coordinated apartment, admire you. At 41 years, I've lived in many dumps/palaces so I think I've learned a thing or two, and although my home is admired by many, I prefer to keep it private.
Instead of berating you because you have been misrepresented by AT, I can offer you some 'big sister' advice. Take it or leave it:
1. Take down your GREAT unframed posters and protect them until you have money to frame - Trust me, they will get destroyed and you will be sad.
2. Trust me again, it's always far better to sit in an empty room with one beautiful piece of furniture (ie, your couch) than a room full of 'stuff'. Excess results in yelling, screaming and wimpering, resulting in headaches and bad memories.
3. Group the dark and red furniture (including Joze) in the bedroom. Take the bed from the wall and place a table between.
4. Hang Larsen in the sitting room.
5. Group white furniture in sitting room (with tv).
6. Hang Marcel in the kitchen.
7. Sell Danish (style) chair & yellow stool.
8. Learn that gizmos on small, low tables don't appear at their best. Better to have them at eye or chest level.
9. Welcome healthy, leafy plants that is, if you have green thumbs. Keep in proper containers - not gardening tubs.
10. And finally, PLEASE don't get a kitty if you (a) don't have outdoor access and (b) are still spritely enough to travel a lot. Cats are beautiful animals who deserve attention to their needs; one which is to explore in the fresh air.
Wishing you well.

Oooops. 41 years of age and can't spell 'sprightly'...

This is getting AT the hits they need, so they bumped it.

Hi Sponsors!

Minimalist is not the word I would use....I was thinking...bare. It's not terrible, but i don't know if it's house tour worthy. Also, the hello kitty stuff has GOT to go.

I like this place a lot and it says to me that someone of intelligence lives there who actually has a life and interests beyond styling her place to imitate shelter magazines. This is the kind of place that reflects confidence and the life of the mind, rather than showy interiors and conspicuous consumption.
Walk into any young writer's or musician's home and it will reflect this attitude. Have you ever seen photos of James Dean's apartment in New York before he moved to L.A.? It looked a lot like this. Mainly because he had a wildly full life outside of obsessing over throw pillows and potpourri.
I would much rather see places like this than overdecorated trophy homes.
(Extra points for avoiding girly cliches.)

This apartment is one big yawn. How about some paint?

I like the uncluttured, airy feel of the apartment. I would simply scrape the white glue or grout on the top of your bathroom tile (photo #11). You can use a razor blade. It's a 5 minutes job!

Wow, I think once I finally get my place the way I want it, I'll be keeping the pictures to myself...

I think people take the anonymity of the internet waaaay too far. People feel that once someone has the guts to put up pictures of their place on this site, then it's our right to ridicule them when we don't like what we see. Free speech is one thing, nasty comments are another.

Of course, I come across house tours on this site that do absolutely nothing for me. When I do, and I can find nothing constructive to write in a comment, I say nothing at all. Look at it this way - if you were sitting in the person's living room would you really tell them how ugly you think their sofa is?

Not meaning to preach but instead of saying how awful you think someone's house is, tell them how much better you think it could be.

This site is called Apartment Therapy, right?

I can't even believe that I'm part of this community half the time...these comments are a disgrace. Obviously Ashley is just starting out- I'd like to see what all of your apartments looked like when you moved into them. Give her an effing break. I'm sure it's MUCH better than most people in her age group- many people don't even care what their apt. looks like. She apparently does. And about the paint comment- HELLO, it's an apartment. Not everybody is as lucky as you are to be able to paint. Get off your damn pedestal and get a life.

Anyway, Ashley- thanks for sharing your apartment! By now you probably don't even read these comments in fear of even more nasty remarks being thrown at you. But if you are still reading, here is what I've got-
I really think that the smaller items you have on the tables would look even better at eye level! Do you have a shelf somewhere that you could put some of them on? I think a nice big lamp would look great on one of the tables (i know finding the right lamp can take forever!) and I also think that a nice warm solid or 2-color blanket thrown on the couch would make the room feel a little cozier. I also think that bringing the artwork down a few inches would make things better too. I really like the patterns strewn about your apartment! Good luck with everything and try not to get too upset over all the lame comments.

yes, it's hard to decorate on a budget but ahhhh....hm.
minimalist and fun? the only thing that's fun are her posters and her outfit.

Well it is indeed great to see the different living styles of people but this apartment really did make me wonder
why is it that AT never posted my wonderful friend Elfya's space?

Her space is super inspiring and has so many stories to tell - it's all based on flea market finds, refurbished pieces mixed with"mass merchandise retailer" stuff but it looks super unique! I am really surprised it never showed on AT.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28489000@N03/sets/72157606109094816/

Maybe I am just a bad judge about what looks good or not.

Well done Ashley!

I think it's a great place and when it gets super hot during a DC summer it will have a great cool feeling. It clearly shows personality and individuality. The only thing I would do is hang the posters lower on the walls - centered on the 66" (or thereabouts) eye level.

[And to put things into perspective: my first apt consisted of a kitchen counter/table I made (and 2 cheapo stools); a freebie single futon for the couch; a 12" TV on a trunk; and in the bedroom a queen-size futon on the floor. Literally - that's all and I thought I was living pretty swank. Lucky for me, that was before the internet.]

The balance between space and stuff is definitely important in a 570 square foot apartment in Adams Morgan, an awesome area for a young woman. Location definitely impacts decorating budget. Domino Mag (October 2008) did a decorating makeover called "Help! My Apartment Looks Like a Dorm Room" which featured a small space with a lot of stuff. The biggest part of the makeover was editing the owner's belongings. Your space doesn't have a lot of clutter. It's already been edited. It doesn't have milk crates as coffee tables or Christmas lights. It's a far cry from a college dorm. I think you are off to a good start in furnishing your first grown-up apartment.

This place looks way better than my first apartment did!

I disagree with the idea that it's better to wait until you can afford something great before furnishing your place. In many cases, we're talking years before someone can afford a fabulous table or whatever. In the meantime, you need a place to set your damn coffee cup! That's where places like IKEA come in; you can get a cheap table and not feel bad about dumping it in a few years when you can afford something from DWR.

love the socks and shoes btw...go Ashley!

I think this house tour is great and it presents a great opportunity for AT to have a new catergory of house tours. How about "Just Starting Out" House Tours? I would love to see more of these!

Ashley's place reminds me of my first apartment when I was 25. I thought that place was more fabulous than the Queen's palace and to me, it was.

I like to see the lifestyles of normal people rather than super rich designers for a change!

I love your couch Ashley! Where is it from? Great tweed blue color. I never had my own place....went straight from roommates to marriage. What must it be like? Congrats!

tinnie,

I LOVE the idea for "Just Starting Out" house tours. How about it, AT?

It's a nice start...

I admire everyone to show his/her pad at AT, as living space is really personal. I would not dare to show my place.
But I found this place quite uninspiring. It has potential, but there are some things (Hello Kitty stuff, LACK) I would not like in my place.

'Just Starting Out' tours

Now, there's a good idea!

I live around the corner and wouldn't mind chilling out, having a glass of wine and talking about the recent election partying on nearby U st. in this calm and collected apartment.

I bet a a lot of cleaning and scraping has already gone into this place. Especially for being a rental, where bigger changes like paint and built-ins (which would help) are verboten, this space is both real and comfortable. Which is more than I can say for a lot of my friends in that neighborhood. I agree that the couch is stunning.

I also agree with the sentiment of the haters. What's the take home here for the rest of us? Maybe a before and after would give us a sense of what happened here.

ps. editors, an absolute negative litmus test for "minimalism" is the presence of decorative refrigerator magnets (minimalism != refrigerator magnets)

What saradc said!

Tinnie-- I love your idea for a "just starting out" feature. Genius.

And while the editors are at it, how about they institute a rule that anyone who posts a negative comment about someone's place has to link to a flikr site of his/her own home. Seriously. I want to know how these judgmental design prodigies live so I, too, can benefit from their superior vision.

Ashley-- ignore the haters. Your place is cute, fun, and personal. Which is all a home ever really needs to be.

Nthing the "Just Starting Out" tours idea.

Having just moved into a studio in Woodley Park a couple of months ago, I can attest to the fact that pulling a sophisticated apartment together is a huge challenge, esp if one is young and (presumably) not swimming in cash.
Given her choice of sofa, it's clear that A has a good eye for clean, modern design. Her artwork is similarly interesting. I would suggest hanging the posters a little lower. I have found that a good rule of thumb for hanging art is "average eye level". Her's look a tad high. A, might I suggest that your next investment be a few rugs? They'll help warm up the space and absorb sound which may be an issue in Adams Morgan on weekend nights.

I can definitely second the motion that starting out is difficult, especially in a rental where you can't do much. I think Ashley is doing a good job, and expressing her style, which is important to remember. I moved not too long ago out of my first real apartment, also in Adams Morgan, and was inspired to do a "house tour" of my own on my own blog. I must admit, it was a little embarrassing to look at some the of pictures that I was so formally proud of, but it was good to see the progress of my own style.
http://someoneelsehaslmcwethy.blogspot.com/2008/11/house-tour.html

Hi. Great apartment Ashley!
I especially love the coffee table... where is that from?

You mean Austria, right?

Cute place. Lots of potential. Frame those posters-- the previous poster is right!!! Get them done in a nice frame with a well chosen mat and they'll last forever. I've done it (I used Aaron Bros. and it was a little over $100, and they put it in a UV protected and dust free frame, etc.) and it really brings a cool poster to a whole new level of awesomeness.

It's just awful. I mean, really, people. This isn't snobbery talking. It's aesthetically pleasing or it isn't. And this is not.

Medusa 12120, you've ragged on this apartment at least twice now. You don't like it. We get it. Move on.

Oh P2

I'm glad you're allowed to post again.

Next time I need some advice though...

I prefer to get it from a YOUNG HOT GUY and not a senior citizen.

Love and Kisses.

Severely lame. I think her plant is dead.

Mr. Dangerous--

I was never banned. You need better sources. Or less of an imagination.

Wasn't advice, btw. It was an opinion.

And anyhow I'm guessing you know LOTS about "premature" already.

Pity.

HUGS!

And ps: At least I have the balls to use my real name and show my face.

Although I think "weasel dearest" suits you better.

Big kiss. With tongue.

I hate when people fight over how nice other people should be. Ashley has a nice, clean place to live and sleep, good taste, a good start, and moxie and a lesson learned. This is not a tragedy to say it looks a little unfinished and let's see you put things together with a little more conscientiousness. A dead or dormant plant, you set things like that aside when you're photographing your apartment for the public. Using some of your teen bedroom random hodgepodge of furniture or whatever? Look at some of the ideas on this site and others to facilitate the transformation of those pieces to something relevant to the style you're trying to build, and/or scour the sidewalks, thrift stores and craigslist for inexpensive but stylish replacements. Ever since sarahrae's series on using old tires and scrap metal things to expend undue energy to make odd industrial composites resembling but not quite becoming actual furniture, I have been looking at the free listings on craigslist, and you know what? I don't see all the scrappy dumpy shit, I see actually nice nice things. For free! I wish I had a truck.

I wish people commenting on this topic wouldn't make it seem like you have to have a pile of $$$dough to look better than this house tour, 'cause you don't. And I don't see anything wrong with constructive criticism. Ashley didn't ask for help from any designers and armchair copycat know-it-alls, but she got some. The etiquette police and the ensuing catfights (really?) bring a weird element to this topic. I guess this is not really a high design site more than it is concerned with high traffic. AT put Ashley in the middle of this, and even bumped the topic when it fell too far down. Sort of arbitrary? No, they love it when we hate things.

I really want to know where she got that coffee table.
it's awesome.

I think the direction her taste is moving in is very evident in her choice of 1. the apartment itself 2. furniture and 3. artwork.

with money and time she'll build an amazing space. as it stands it's knocking the socks off anything I lived in before i turned 28.

K T G--

I don't mind constructive criticism, either,

Not all of what was posted above was constructive. Far from it.

Post your place on here and see how much you like it.

I don't have any comments for Ashley--except that her posters would look better framed and hung all on one wall, as an element, than sprinkled all over.

But why did AT post this place? What's the point? There's no takeaway, no ideas, no inspiration. Couldn't you have suggested to her that she ditch the dead plant and take another photo? Don't you guys help these people out at all?
Can't you edit or crop the photos?

I have to agree with others who have said this apartment is better suited for something like a "Just Starting Out" House Tour -- the apartment is perfectly fine, but I didn't see anything that stood out to me as being particularly creative. The lack of clutter is nice, but it doesn't look very homey to me (that's strictly my opinion). She's only been living there for two months, is she even done decorating yet?

Wow. I've never read AT comments before. Think I'll go back to ignoring them.

there really are some pretentious wankers who post on here.

the yellow owl made me smile. congrats on your new apartment, ashley

C'mon, folks. Even if you DO think it's awful (which I don't -- there's a BIG difference between "in progress" and "didn't even try"), please remember that this is someone's home. If you want perfectly designed in an ideal space and an unlimited budget, there are lots of professional book and TV shows that abound with glossy photos of those kinds of living spaces. I love looking at those kinds of resources and getting great ideas of things I'd love to do, but I always end up discouraged because I'm not likely to ever be able to do them. The whole reason I love AT is that it's real people's homes, and the reality is, very few of our homes are the finished products we'd like them to be. Ever notice how many of the house tours that get rave reviews still have "Biggest Embarrassments"? Most people have more inspiration for what they'd like to do when they're able than they have been actually able to do yet. I have some beautiful pieces in my home and overall I like it, but I also have a mile-long "when I win the lottery" list, and those things that aren't done yet would make me afraid to post pictures of my own home. What would some of these critics say about the 70s orange loveseat that I still have because it's comfy and I can't afford to replace it? Or the original-to-the-house linoleum or the exposed pipes under the bathroom sink? AT only works if REAL people are willing to share their REAL living spaces, and if we criticize their efforts (and be sure that they HAVE tried; no one on this site WANTS to make their home look awful), then even people who have a lot of inspiration to offer us will eventually be afraid to post photos. If you don't like something you see, why not offer Ashley some suggestions - realistic to her financial situation - for how to improve it?

Momma always said, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Sometimes Momma knows best.

thanks for sharing your space with us! Although some posted very opinioniated views of your place. I can see that you spent time selecting affordabe things that you love. That's what really matters. You have a great down to earth place!
Enjoy the good comments and ignore the rest.

i love the bare bones of this place, especially for such a new apartment. with a few months of being lived in i bet this place will be awesome.