apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Definitely has that latin vibe. I have traveled all over Mexico and South America and appreciate that use of color. Your place is very warm and fun. This works with LA architecture too.

OMG! this is my very very favorite of them all. Superb! Individualist! and above all, not out of a recent MCM flavored retail catalog. This is high drama, and yet not overwhelming. It's tasteful, it's fluid, it's natural. You go girl!!

I really like this! Very colorful, warm and inviting. Love the bullfighter pictures...reminds me of my childhood, my parents had one hanging in the basement or what they called the rumpus room.

Not at all my style but that's of no importance. Its your place and it is amazing!! I admire your daring.

*Really* like the nun painting though.

I absolutely adore the nun painting; it is so lovely.

wow, you're right. that view is amazing.

also, i love the pot rack. it's massive!

just rented the Frieda Kahlo movie again, and was lucky to see the show in San Francisco last summer. You've made a beautiful lair, so sumptuous.

Striking! Love the sensual, lush colors... especially the turquoise and black bar.

That pot rack is such a clever idea!

The large furniture makes the small place seem grand and super luxorious. My favorite so far, looks cozy and welcoming. : )

A bit too dark and "busy" for me, but as a guest, I´m sure I would never want to leave the place :-).

Passion all-round!
In colours, in paintings!
Let's salsa!!! :)

heh, alliteration in the title makes me happy:)

Gorgeous place and colors!!! I'm jealous:)

lori, tu apartamento es perfecto. i love latin art and colors, especially the wild and liberal use of beautiful blues and reds. they're the main colors in my wedding this december!

you have a great eye for displaying your cool art pieces, and i love all of your antique-looking furniture. this apartment looks like something out of my own imagination, but definitely has your flair and personality all over it.

what a great place, i hope you win.

With a lot of the entries I see I think, "its a good start, but it isn't quite there yet." I know the bulk of us are just amateurs (like me!) but many just look unfinished or in progress.

This one, however, felt fully realized. It really SINGS. Beautifully done.

This is the first entry (for this year's color contest) that compels me to comment!

Thank you for not being all minimalisty-MCM-DWR or even Pottery Barny. It feels like you have the right amount of stuff, not too much to be cluttery, not too barren to be boring.

I love this place. I love the dark, moody, vibrant colors. Some places have bright colors that just don't seem to work, but here it definitely does. It's got great personality. Fantastic job!

Bravo! I like that the bright colors are countered by deeper shades, so it doesn't look plastic-y. Especially love the kitchen.

I love - I am 100% latin and it's 1000% on the money!

fun home....not my style at all, but you must be smiling all the time living there

¡Me encanta! :)

Now THIS one is my favorite so far. The colors work very well together. If this were my home I would never leave!

i LOVE this place! Ms. Lori, do you contract your services??

What a fun place!!!

I love it! At first glance, I didn't think I would--it seemed too saturated. But then, when I looked at your displays of objects and art, and learned of your travels, the color fit the context. Your home pulls at my heart strings because it reminds me of my host family in Uruguay and their cozy home.

I also store all my food in Mason jars! I think it looks so organized yet interesting on the shelf.

Beautiful!

Talk about inspirational!
Start with a theme and a little bit of passion and look at the lovely lair outcome! I love the fact that you are an average person who just started with things you love. I seriously went out the next day and got some paint swatches. I'm working on pulling my house together with passion. Love that bedroom color....it's like you could just melt into it's luxury.

The fun turquoise color in the room with the red curtains and black lace is my favorite.
A close 2nd is the red velvet chair next to the amazing bar with all that vibrant color.

Hola everyone, this is Lori. Mil gracias for all of your lovely comments!! And a special shout-out to my wonderful daughter Alicia, who encouraged (insisted) that we enter my apartment; and then she took the fantastic photos.

The pan rack was my sister's idea. It started as a salvaged vintage door in the San Fran Bay Area. I used it as a coffee table in law school (my expensive law books functioned as the table "legs"). Thanks sis.

Even with the deep colors on the walls, my apartment is very bright during the day, becuz of the tall french windows which face the west = lots & lots of sunlight!

The nun painting was a steal at an antique store's moving sale. She is called Mater Dolorosa, probably from the 18th century, and I would love some help figuring out where she comes from. Anyone have suggestions?

And finally, to "butterflysfree" = I would love to contract my services but this is the ONLY style I know how to do! If hired to do french provincial, early modern, or shabby chic--somehow it would all turn out looking the same as my place. LOL :-)

I love your place! So creative and cozy at the same time!

OMG your apartment ROCKS!

My favorite so far! Very feminine yet such a daring spanish flair - use of color in saturated hues and sheen you do not see to often - I can feel the energy of the Magdelanas and the torriodor! Ariba!! Brilliant!

Lori: Congrats on fab. job. Looks like a book I want to crawl into and live in! (I wish I was born with inherent taste, darn it).

i love love love it!!!!! I wish I had your talent!

I need to see it in person please! With Jamaican Jerk Chicken on the side! :D

Every tim i look at these photos, i want to live there MORE!

I'm so impressed with your place! It looks very warm and inviting -- I'm sure your guests enjoy themselves. Somehow you've managed to make it so that there are several unique, eye-catching decorations in each room, yet it never seems too cluttered (just fun and fabulous). It's clearly a labor of love, and you've done a wonderful job. Very original.

Your place is very cute and very Latin!!! Your opponent on the other hand didn't get the memo about a little bit going a long way!!! Way too much green!!! Take my word for it, if you dont win people are crazy!!! I have be right because my sister Greta taught me everything I know ;)

It's so amazing! I love all of the colors and the decorating flair! Fabulous Latin lair, Lori!

Hey Lori,

I love your apartment because it shows your character and the combination of colors. The other house looks like it came from the Yankee workshop and it should stay there. You sure got my vote.

PS. The wall pictures are just awesome

This is breathtaking. I have never been in an apartment that feels so warm and inviting then such is this. I would love to live in such an inspirational and spiritual environment that would allow me to let my passion for life flair. The colors are calming but ignighting. Latin Lori you truly are an inspiration for all. If only I could meet the delicious specimen that can create such an environment.

I want to vote and I can't figure out how to. Frustrating!!!!

I love the colors. The look and theme that run through out inspiring me to want to change up my own place. Good Luck.

May the force be with you.

¡O mi bondad! Aye mamita your apartment is muy bonita! The perfect place para un partido loco! La Cucaracha!

Stunning,practical,and utter romantic. Brillant pallets of color and design. I like the use of the space simple but useful.

I think this is the absolute best room in the entire contest and I am so rooting for you. Do you have a blog reading about your inspiration would be so much nicer than seeing so many other people post inspiration rooms painted all white. White may be nice but not for me.

Lori, your place is lovely, but some of your day-of supporters...not so much. Perhaps comments like, "The other house looks like it came from the Yankee workshop and it should stay there" are what sent that other house to the next round. Time for a little heart-to-heart with the buddies. The brackets bring out a whole new side to this contest! Glad to have seen your place, though. The pot rack is a joy!

I can't see the "nun" painting very well but it appears to be a painting of Our Lady of Sorrows; Mater Dolorosa is the Latin for "mother of sorrows. It's a picture of the Blessed Mother not a nun. Many paintings of Mary depict her with a wimple; some nuns had a wimple as part of their veils. The painting may be from the Cuzco school: painters of traditional religious iconography from Peru.