There's something about that painting that makes me dislike it. Is it hung a bit crooked? Is it a little too small for the space? Both?

I like the golden puzzle piece rows on the wall, I thought they were golden stars at first. I think it would have been more visually pleasing for me if the whole wall was covered with them, and they formed a similar gradient as they are forming now.

Judging by the other area I'd say a lot of attention was paid to color, however perhaps it was too much attention. Too many similar colors, all of them very rich/deep, such as in the living room, make the space look flat and two dimensional to me. Introducing some white should help make the heavy colors pop more.

Khatam- I think the painting is both a little small and crooked, but I like the idea nonetheless. The puzzle pieces also reminded me of gold stars, like the sticker variety you get in kindergarten!

LOVE the dark walls and the golden puzzle pieces...also thought they were stars at first.

The painting is blech. It looks like someone painted it with blood. Sorry.

And though, I like the floral curtains, in that space, they feel out of place.

I like the gold things--like "The Falling Rocket", my favorite painting. But the art, the shabby bedspread and those curtains spoil the effect.

Eek! "Matallic??" Please spell-check!

But spelling aside, I like the metallic accents.

Oh man do not like.

I do love the wall color, though. It just seems like nothing is pulling the different aspects of the room together...

Never thought I'd say this here, but ick.

The painting looks like gore & blood. Yuck.

I wonder what this looks like in real life, if it's very different.

I really like the idea of using chairs as night tables. It looks really good here. Love the puzzle pieces used to double as stars. Love all the textures and patterns I'm seeing all over the place. This is lovely.

I like the puzzle pieces but more would have been better!

The Commerical Tavern in London did the same concept on their fire place, but in white and the puzzle pieces were adhered to the wall using small varying lengths of fishing line...It was AMAZING!

Suprised that there are so many negative comments. I think it is stunning. Talk about design on a dime! I love the cascading rows of puzzle pieces -- how did you EVER think of that? So creative -- big big bang for the buck. I don't think more are needed at all -- looks like my favorite fireworks, the ones that descend in a shower of golden sparkles. Love the paint job in the living room, love the flowered curtains. The time and TLC that went into this space is so obvious -- we should all treat ourselves (and our spaces) as well as this. Great job!!!

That wall is stunning!

I love the gold puzzle pieces cascading down the wall! Nice contrast, and very cool effect!

Fug.

Sorry to say it, because I think self expression is important in a home but, it's all wrong from painting on the wall to the clashing bedding.

But, hey, to each his own.

Oh, that's quite a surprise to see photos of my apt here! I am glad it was interesting enough for someone.

Thank you for all the comments - both the positive and the critique. My apt is still work in progress, as I work on very limited budget.

I am looking for a better bed covering (I am sorry for the photos without a bedspread - I generally always have the bedspread you can see in 4th photo) - I would love to get advice on what kind of bed covering would compliment the rest. I posted the photos mostly for my friends and family to show, didn't think of them as finished product just yet.

I know that I used very strong colors, it's not for everyone. But I love them,and my whole apt is set in the colors from red to blue with strong stop in purple. I don't like white, I don't like neutrals... I wanted to be cocooned in color.

I love the colours used and am inspired to try something similar with jigsaw pieces - wonderful!

The picture looks a little crooked to me, and too shiny because of the flash. But I think in person (and straightened :-) it would look lovely.

Well done! I also love your wall colour :-)

The golden jigsaw pieces are a work of genius - very inexpensive, easy to make, dramatic and effective. I'd prefer to see the "stripes" broken up a little more (think trailing willow branches rather than stripes), or perhaps as the shade for a pendant lamp?

However the painting is wretched, both in aesthetics and in placement. The space needs something prettier and more elegant.

I always get a good laugh when people preface comments with "No offense, but..." or "hate to say it, but..."

If you mean no offense and you hate to say it, you wouldn't say it. Own your words and just say you don't like it. It's not like the preface softens the blow or makes you somehow look better.

wonderful room. when i first saw the wall i thought it was light shining through cut out stars. then thought it was star stickers, then saw the puzzle peices. SUPER cute. i am not usually a fan of the colors you used ( gold, purple and red) but these really work. I am a huge fan of dark cozy rooms. I think the painting is fine. art is a personal thing and I like it...bet it looks better with out the glare.

I have that Ikea lampshade, and I've always been a little self-conscious about it. I felt like it was intended for a little girl's room, but I just loved the birght colors and texture. Glad to see you have pulled off "dressing up" the shade.

Thank you again for all your kind words and interest :) It gives me motivation to continue and not to stop half-finished.

The painting's theme is kind of bloody and fire-y, maybe I should find something calmer for the bedroom and move that one to my office.

ebrit24 - this ikea lampshade I bought among the very first things to my apt (it was a different one then). I thought it was cute and nice... since then everything has changed and I have much more furniture (it wasn't that difficult - I started with two suitcases and dozen boxes with books!) and I am actually thinking of bringing something more ... serious, sexy, smoky... this one will go to the office/guest room :)

I think the colors are bold, the lampshade a great counterpoint and painting is interesting. If anything, I'd try to incorporate the headboard into the scheme with a unifying color.

I'd rather see the accented color choices rather than spin-the-color-wheel use of too many colors.

I've been following this site for a few months now and it seems that not only have the comments become increasingly negative, but also stem from those that deem themselves slightly more elite than the rest of us. I thought the purpose of this site was to be inspiring and fun. Instead, most post find themselves sacraficed by these self declared "design gods". What happened to the community aspect of this site? I think it's contributors are doing an amazing job covering spectacular spaces...regardless of my own personal taste. And let's not forget, the majority of us living on our own don't have the luxuary of being able to buy half of the West Elm catalog due to restrictive landlords and limited budgets.

Offtza...your place is pretty awesome. Period. The end.

Well said artcgirl312.
You rock haha

Hi Offtza,

Can you tell us what you used to adhere the pieces to the wall? And if it is easily removable?

Thank you!

Yes artcgirl312 you rock. Really do we need to out snob each other? I love everything but the painting...in that location. Yes I would move it out of the bedroom.

I looked at the photos here & also the ones on FLICKR. Some things I like & some I don't. I LOVE that you are not afraid of color. I think you are really creative & are able to see things not only as they are, but also as they could be. That creativity is a gift!

My favorite things: the puzzle pieces, the striped wall in your living room.

The bedroom window needs something more substantial I think. Also, the pictures on the wall in the bedroom need to be closer together.

Thank you all again for all the comments and advice. I really appreciate it! I have an idea for two paintings that would go over the bed. I will wait till it get properly ripe in my head and will play with it and exchange the paintings.

thank you artcgirl312 for that comment - not only because it's my apt this time that is commented upon, but in general I've noticed the same trend. I am pretty sure i would get better comments from some people if the chairs/bedside tables and bed were MCM and not ikea ;-)
I have noticed a lot of snobbish comments, looking down on big-box items, design on a dime etc. I prefer apts with spirit and soul, not show pieces of combined famous designers (which I recognize as easily as ikea... but somehow ikea is "omg not again", but I never see "not another Eames" ;-)

A8 - I used an ordinary white glue... I know that I will have to strip it all down, sand and repaint before leaving, so I didnt' care much... It's good I like it ;-) I was quite scared of the results when I was beginning :)

I think that the puzzle pieces are genius! Looks incredibly great against the dark wall. Don't fret over the negative comments, you did a fabulous job! Its great to see a lot of creativity and originality in a home.

Good for you for wanting to personalize your place and make it your own.

The puzzle pieces are ingenious-- I'll probably steal that idea at some point. :)

I think you could use some perspective on the overall effect of your designs, though. To each their own for taste, of course, but simplifying the design might have more impact. For example-- I think the painting and the curtains really detract from the overall effect. If you kept the colors/ textures consistent, it could have more impact.

Try craigslist and other internet sources for quality low-cost items. Some suppliers will give free samples, too; that might help to defray the costs of your work-in-progress.