apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Goodness. What would I like help with? A 2 BR rental apartment in Burbank, a new baby, and too much furniture!

A new apartment- hurray!
combining our stuff for the first time - eep!
he likes purple and orange and has old large furniture
i like green and blue and raided IKEA
HELP!

I have the classic small space issue; a 500sq ft studio in Los Angeles. What I would give to have someone come and give me new ideas on how to organize and section off my space more efficiently! Thank you!!

our new house will be done in two weeks....I need all the help I can get!

I just moved into a smaller house, and can't figure out how to arrange the furniture which fit into the larger house I previously lived in.

I have a very oddly shaped living and dining room space in our condo. Since we moved in a few months ago I've moved our couch and other seating around 4-5 times and have never figured out how to make it work! I want to be able to enjoy the view of our small patio and our fireplace, but also want to be able to enjoy conversations with visitors when they come in. Extra bonus for us would be to figure out how to occasionally watch our small t.v. we have down there as well. (I also wouldn't mind some suggestions for clever ways to hide that t.v.)

I could definitely use this!

would love help with my studio apt

We have a somewhat large living room but also serves as my sewing area. We also have not moved out of the dorm room furniture phase (dos futons) and the room needs to be painted badly in the worst way possible (it's a pale pink). help!

Sure could use it, got one awfully awkward living/dining/office space with paint issues!

I'm totally lost in my studio apartment in Santa Monica, I need direction! I don't even know where to start. A consultation would save me from years of consecutive cures, seriously, I need help.

My bedroom needs an overhaul! pick me!

Would love assistance in creating a consistent overall style for our home and tying together a contrasting collection of antique traditional, industrial, and mid-century modern furniture.

We're in a 900 sq ft apartment with a new baby and I need some help to get the most out of the space. The living room has a sort of den on one side (no wall or door) that could really benefit from a professional eye!

My living room has 4 doorways (including a the front door and a closet), 2 windows, and a fireplace. I would love some help in re-arranging. Also paint - the fireplace is painted not the right color.

My husband and I have a large collection of lowbrow art, but have no idea how to display them. Also, we have arched ceilings and would love some advice on how to paint them.

Moving to a new apartment in Calabasas. Selling EVERYTHING (almost) in order to move easily from San Diego. Keeping an ugly couch that we will get a slipcover for, a desk, and a few lamps. Other than that we are starting from scratch with our new place. This is the first time my boyfriend and I will be living alone (we've had other roommates for a couple of years) I'd love the place to feel like our own! And we need help to do that!

Oh, yes. I am overrun with interesting objects, and clearly need professional help.
eg

several of my rooms need a certain "polish," but my living room in particular since it's the first room upon entry in the house

my brother and sister in law's venice spanish revival bungalow rental.

"chatchkies" ?????

If you are going to use a non-English word, could you please take two seconds to look up the correct spelling?! I find this almost offensive.

The word you are groping for is spelled "tchotchke".

I am trying to make my bedroom feel minimalist and serene, but right now it feels like i haven't yet moved in. Would love some advice!

Small 1 BR apartment in Santa Monica, new baby on the way, and too much stuff!

Our condo is a small space (under 700 sq. feet) and has only 3 teeny tiny closets for storage. Since we both have lots of clothes & shoes and our professions and hobbies require that we keep large amounts of books, cds, and dvds, we really need storage. We are considering adding storage systems, etc. but are somewhat at a loss how to do this. Help!!

sending an s.o.s. for my cousin, who is a talented professional, but lives like he's still in college (only recently did he get his mattress off the floor)! he needs some major HELP. :)

Too much stuff-not enough room! HELP!

Where to began….Last year my boyfriend moved into my one bedroom apartment. He came with a huge growing DVD collection, rockband/guitar hero, and a flat screen TV. I need help with storage that looks good and is not an eye sore. I am doing my best to keep things neat but I feel like I am barely keeping my head above water. Please HELP!

We just moved into a new home and have no idea what to do with the space we call "the front room". Is it a sitting area? A play room for the baby? A dining room? We don't know!
We also need to redo our master bathroom completely, so help there would be much appreciated.
AND our living room needs some thinking as well... Our old furniture is too big for the new space.

Please! I purchased my first home last summer which was (and still is, just a bit less so) a complete fixer . . . yellow tile, blue carpet, popcorn ceiling, bad 80s wallpaper (ala back to the future), grime and dirt everywhere . . . I had no furniture. I'm slowly trying to update and make the house a home, which has become overwhelming. Apart from the updating, design choices have completely stumped me and I would love a professional opinion . . . furniture placement for living room, window treatments, affordable furniture choices and advice on what in the world to do with a guest bathroom that is absolutely horrible (aside from shutting the door and pretending it doesnt exist, which has been my tact so far).

hand me down "chic" is what its called..i call it awful.

I have a few thousand t spend on re=doing the room, but i dont know what to do! i'm embarrassed to have people over now..im in my first post college job and want it to look like an adult. i ahve the same posters from my college house and frames. I have the same paint color from when i moved in and a hello kitty toaster.

i really need some help with how to turn my individuality into a grown up space...my turn to host friday our happy hour at home with my friends is coming up!!!!!!!!!!!

I am about to move into an apartment that has the following - A royal blue living room - it's almost black, a lemon yellow kitchen and lime green dining room that gives me head aches and a super red bedroom. Im starting fresh, with NO FURNITURE and a tiny budget. Im looking for either a nice and EASY color pallet for the entire apartment, or tips on making the large living room less dark and dank.

I could definitely use some help as we just moved and are trying to put together a new space. We sold our last place pretty much fully-furnished so we've started from scratch which is fun but overwhelming!

I would gift the prize to my starving artist friend who's apartment is in need of a talented professional to help give her ecelectic style (full of hand me downs and great street finds) some much needed cohesion and refinement. She does so much for other people I'd like to do something for her.....and since she is always low on funds I know she would really appreciate it.

not trying to double enter, but Kathryn: "Tchotchke (originally from Yiddish טשאַטשקע tshatshke [often spelled in a variety of other ways (such as tshotshke, tshatshke, tchatchke, chachke, or chochke) because there is no standardized transliteration] trinket)." How about you take a few seconds to look up a word before you get all high and mighty offended. Laure spelled it correctly because there is no standard spelling.

Oh yes please! I was just reading about Designers Call and thought about how much I need them!

I could use advice on what to do with a living room that's dominated by a grand piano (used frequently). We're in the process of having some walls fixed (water damage) and now would be the perfect time to make some changes.

What a perfect time for Designer's Call! My place is full of interesting hand-me-downs that I have no idea what to do with. They just don't look quite right the way I've used them! I will be moving upstairs in a few months to an identical apartment layout -- what better time to re-arrange everything? Good luck to everyone. :)

I have a ridiculously random-angled home, with high ceilings and uncomplimentary pot shelves. In my living area alone, there are at minimum 3 angles on each wall, 2 opposing pot shelves and a southwestern theme (not the good kind) on the architecture. I, also, am on a very limited budget and have no concept of complimentary styles (I love the Hollywood Regency look as well as the Danish modern), creating a challenge on the cohesion front.

I am not sure there is a greater challenge or a more challenging person in dire need of help. Plus, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you!

oh my god, yes please! we have a long space and a grand piano to fit in here...clearly we didn't think this through beforehand...

this would be great.. i've never been able to figure out how to arrange/design my living room

Need help with our office, which is really meant to be the dining room.

Would LOVE this.

cheers

Two issues:
(1) The living room has some nice pieces -- all influenced by AP. I have the corona couch, celeste shag rug, lcw eames chair, and modernica tv stand. The place has nice wood floors and gets lots of light. The only problem is that the room has no real soul. Would love your help on adding some personality and warmth to the room.
(2) The bedroom. I would love to create a peaceful and beautiful sanctuary, but don't know where to start. I have a queen bed (w/no frame yet) and a beautiful tulip table. I'm open to any suggestions (except no electronics in the room =).

Any help you could provide would be totally appreciated. Thanks!

My partner and I just moved into a loft Downtown. With such a huge open square space I feel completely lost with placement of things. There is a random desk against a wall, 2 fake leather black fold down couches and 2 black vintage tufted circle chairs. I have a vintage long rectangle dresser lacquered with black paint and brass handles that houses DVD's and the flat screen TV. I also have a black 4' bookcase that for now is merely a place for my cats to sit and lounge in. I'm trying to go simple and chic. Key word, trying.

Our theme is ultimately Black. We haven't even hung our artwork as we really just don't know where to begin. It's turning out to be a hassle and mess instead of a funky, pseudo gothic pad to come home to.

Please help!!!

I have collected beautiful treasures from nature and times past- locally and internationally but I have so many lovely things and too much furniture. I would like to have some help arranging the furniture in a beautiful but challenging Edwardian. The living room basically has one wall, one wall of built ins, a wall with a fireplace and a window and a no wall side that transitions into a space that I can't decide whether it should be a mind /body room or my bedroom. Some of the furniture elements include a turquoise french provencial couch, a 1930s armoire, an elegant indian elephant table where the trunks come down to form the legs, Hamadan rugs, marble and alabaster lamps, a beautiful Italian gilt and iron Candelabra wall sconce out .
Also, I spend a lot of time resting and would love help in creating a sanctuary in my bedroom. It needs help not just in terms of location but which of 4 tables I should use as nightstands- a vintage hospital table, an italian florentine style jewelry chest from the 30s, a 1920s secretary with tons of little drawers,or a shabby chic Pierre Table.
Lots of potential -and I would so love your help in bringing it all together.
many thanks

We just offered to buy a condo...a design consultation would be nice before we move in. That's if we get the house!

Oh crap! im not from LA!

This design dilemma belongs to my sister who resides in the LA area. She is trying to integrate her living/ dining space while maintaining a relaxed focal point for sociability. She could use a quick consult to get over some of her hurdles.

the darling boy and i are taking the plunge and moving in together. one spanish art-deco apartment, two beautiful but different colored couches, and three loving but insane cats are the essence of our impending union. we would love some help in making the leap into cohabitation an esthetically beautiful one...and we'll fill it with beautiful moments.

I would definitely like help with my living room. I want to add more seating, paint on the walls, a console for electronics, and more original artwork. Between built in shelves/cupboards on one wall, a large, low, and long window opposite the shelves, and an awkward walkthrough space from the front door to the hallway, I feel stuck! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I've been saving and planning for a kitchen remodel and would love some professional advice on space planning/layout and materials. It's a huge investment and the choices are overwhelming.

Would they wait until I get a house....I'm currently house hunting. It would probably be for storage solutions. Probably the boys room.

Sorry to possibly hijack the subject of this post, but could someone tell us about the coffee table in the first post? It is GOR-geous

OH I could have some help. I am for the first time in my life (65) able to fix a nice home my way. I want a very calm living room no TV , just some music and my Buddhist alter blending into the dining area. The bedroom will be marked off for sleeping, reading and tv and crafts. OH please pick me kissy kiss ...majeral512

I have design paralysis. I admit it. I read this blog and many others, get tons of home magazines, and browse stores endlessly and yet I am "afraid" to do anything to my house! It drives me nuts!! I created an entry hall by building a wall at the entrance of my house and now I have a long hallway that I need help with what to do. It is too dark and it needs something... I had a friend help with the purchase of some furniture but am stuck on what new dining room chairs to get(been looking for a year). I also need an ottoman and window treatments for my family room (also been considering for a year). In short, I have some nice elements but need to "pull it all together" so that my house feels like a lived-in, loved home (which it is!).

I need to get the finishing touches that I can't quite manage on my living room, which I've been working on for four years. I want it to be an attractive, comfortable room that I want to spend time in.

we are slow... and very, very particular... it has to be natural, functional, neat-o, but most importantly super, super comfy. I find a lot of things that I like, but something always seems to be off. I need someone who can see it all together. If it helps, I've been cutting pictures out of what I like for years. I'd be happy if you could advise me on some nightstands, side tables, entertainment table...are you noticing a pattern.

i'd love to win a room consult! our extra bedroom / office needs help in a big way.

My boyfriend and I just moved in together - a first "move in with the significant other" step for both of us. The apartment is a score in a lot of regards - except for one pivotal detail. CLOSET SPACE. Our railroad-esque edwardian is narrow and has no room for our personal items. While at the moment this is fine I can foresee a bit of a dilemma as we will soon inevitably be living in an apartment surrounded by heaps of.. stuff. We are desperately seeking advice for how we can live harmoniously, clutter-free, and how to maximize the most space out of a lovely yet tightly-quartered place.

I have a very small second bedroom which offers a huge challenge to have it serve as a bedroom when my daughter comes home from college to being a study for my husband and I when she is at school. i need advice!

We have a livingroom built for two but three people live here.

guest bedroom, treadmill holding, art gallery hanging overcrowded room....

My parents could really use some help in their living room in Culver City. The place has great bones, but they need help with what furniture would fit best in the space...Please help!

The bf & I are having issues combining our stuff & we have TOO MUCH of it to boot!

The room that we spend most of our time in our apartment is our living room, play room, piano room, dining room all in one. We have really high ceilings that are great but too daunting for me to figure out how to decorate. (Ten years and yet to the hang something that looks right!). Plus I got several kids. Help!

This is EXACTLY what I need! I've been wanting to turn my extra bedroom into a cleanly, redesigned office. I could certainly use some professional counsel. Thanks.

Okay I really really need this. Really! I'm moving into an 820 sq foot condo (apt conversion) and don't have any furniture. None! Just a bed. I don't know what size to buy or where to put it. I'm clueless and don't want to mess it up. Please don't let me mess it up.

I look at all the perfectly designed spaces on this website and think I will never be able to do this on my own and can't afford an expensive decorator. I'd really like a plan for the living/dining room and over the next year acquire the things I need. I need a road map on how to get there.

Before I move in I need to choose a new carpet and find a color theme. Curtains or shades? Round dining table or square? I have ideas of what I want but I don't know how to bring them to life. Please random drawing designer Gods pick me...

My boyfriend and I will be moving to a new loft downtown and we need help dividing the space so we can coexist in a wall-less environment with (my) cats.

We just ditched every stick of living room and dining room furniture we own to move into a mid-century bungalow. If someone could help us fill in this clean slate, we'd be very appreciative!!

How do I make my hole in the wall apartment with no natural sunlight more bright and cheery? Even if I don't win this, any tips you can throw my way would be great. Thanks!

Wow! what a fantastic prize! I have a couple of rooms that could use a professional opinion. I think every person who leaves a comment should get a consultation. What do you think?

Terrible old paint on walls, tile (not beautiful) which covers major part of kitchen walls, wood cabinets which have been painted over many times, and vinyl tiles from the dollar store it would appear. HELP!

Our bedroom has only a bed, and suitcases full of clothes. We don't know what to do with the room. The bed is a lot bigger in our bedroom than it was in the store, I'm sure of it!

:)

Ooh, I would gift this to my sister, who's still working through the college-to-real-life transition!

I have a shockingly small bathroom with very little storage space. I'd love to demolish and remodel the whole thing, but it's not in my budget, so I'd love help with what I can do myself with the space that I have. Thanks!

I have a large long living room, that I can't seem to figure out how to make into two cozy sitting areas - despite frequent furniture re-arranging. I am also ready to buy some new pieces, but need guidance. I love the rooms you've shown. And I'm easy to work with too. :)