Name: Sara
Location: UWS
Size: 500 sqft. one bedroom rental
Favorite Element: High ceilings and the artwork

Last year, Sara left a small studio along with everything inside of it. This one bedroom represents her clean slate and an opportunity to furnish it with determination and choice as opposed to default belongings. Sara has always liked Scandinavian design, but now she is making an active effort to act on her tastes. She is a tough negotiator and applies her skills to furniture acquisition. Some of her best deals came from pier shows, sample sales, and craigslist. She knows what she is looking for, preferring original designs to copies, so when she finds it on sale, she jumps at the chance. The result is a growing mix of old and new pieces...
There are a number of plans yet to be acted upon. Sara wants to get one streamlined, enclosed wall unit to put her TV, books, and files in the far corner of the living room; she is still working on the right arrangement of sleeping versus office elements in the bedroom; and she will be putting up two new wax based square art pieces in the living room on either side of the fireplace. She also hopes to find a large piece of art to hang over the dining room table. The white walls and simple lines of Sara's furniture serve as a wonderful backdrop for her growing collection of photography and contemporary art.
AT Survey:
Years lived in: 1.25
Inspiration: Scandinavian Design
Favorite Room: Living Room
Most Talked About Element: Jacobsen Egg Chair
Reality Source: Retromodern.com, Conran's, DWR
Comments (12)
Hi Sara,
I think you have a lovely place and I appreciate that you are designing it from scratch on a budget. I was wondering, could tell me who makes the dining chairs? I have seen similar ones assigned to Arne Jacobson, but am not sure.
-Figs
where the hell did this come from?
Love the windows and the fireplace but I agree with the other people who say this place has no soul.
I'm always amazed at people who read AT and submit their apartments online but cram all of their furniture up against the walls or into corners.
She has some nice pieces but a coat of paint on at least one of the walls, some table lamps, colorful sofa pillows would make a huge difference. And PLEASE- move that table away from the wall!!
I really like this place - somewhat reminds of my own place, in the sense that it is strongly mid-c. However, there seems to be a lack of cohesiveness to it all, despite the great furnishings. The art seems to blend into the walls. Also, I would pull the furniture away from the walls - I did that in my place, and it makes a world of difference.
Also, I normally like white walls and neutral palate, but there's something not working here for me with these white walls. Yet, I can't seem to explain why I feel this way.
remind me again why we are looking at a tour from 2006????
it does not appear that we are looking at any "after" pics so what is the purpose?
will no one offer a tour this year?
Cold. Boring. Unlived-in.
i recommend a rug from www.chandrarugs.com
great looking stuff!
chandra rugs www.chandrarugs.com</a href>
thanks for showing us your home-in progress. it seems to have great bones, and i hope you post more as you make headway. best of luck!
I really like it. Yes there are certain things that might work better (like the table away from the wall) but I like it's simple, clean look. Not everyone likes orange, green, purple walls!
The only thing I really miss is some life, as in a plant, flowers or herbs. And maybe curtains. i lived for a long time without any but have just come to understand how much impact they can make on a room, especially soften a bed room.
But really a very nice place. Thank you.
I think this apartment looks like a bachelor with no taste lives there. It's cold, cluttered and dated. All in all, I think it's pretty bad.
This is a perfect example of how lighting can make or break a room. Some one please turn off the overhead light. How can something so vital be over looked? It would change everything to enhance the lightening of the room. It has a nice clean look and some great pieces, just needs light to warm it up and give it character.