apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Ralph Lauren has a great line of paints that I think you will appreciate. They have techniques and colors that imitate things like Suede, depending on how much time you're willing to invest in it. Check them out:

http://www.ralphlaurenhome.com/rlhome/products/paint/items.asp?haid=76

As far as the storage unit, contact paper and spray paints have come a long way in the past few years. The have lots of finishes like metallic and so on.

There are a ton of books out specifically for small space and modern design that you should able to find at you local bookstore. Also try Flickr, it's a good resource for inspiration.

Hope this helps and please share the results

Screw your security deposit and go for it, have some fun and the room you always wanted.

As for the industrial walls, I once painted my small bedroom a pewter color. It was metallic (not tacky, very subtle) and pretty much a medium-light grey, a little lighter than your blanket. It was my favorite paint choice ever. The metallic aspect allowed reflection and diffusion of light coming from the window and definitely had a modern industrial feel.

Try covering accoustic ceiling tiles in cotton batting and a dark, nubby fabric or black patent leather. Staple the fabric to the tiles and affix the tiles to your walls with strips of Velcro. This will add texture, color, depth, and a very tailored look to the room. You could even use a dark nubby silk fabric if you want to go all out.

As far as the rug, find either a flokati or a sheepskin rug; you want something deep and luxurious and not too precious....this is going to be a "Man's room," right?

Storage unit? I'd have a carpenter make three flush doors and turn it into a nifty cabinet. It could be used for an entertainment system and clothes storage. I'd hang a big, thick-framed mirror above it.

One more suggestion, if you're really daring: paint the ceiling using Ralph Lauren Regent Metallics paint in "parlor gold." It will be stunning.

Good luck and have fun!

1. First of all, don't "decorate." DESIGN. That means you take the structure of the room into account and work with that as well as the "stuff" you put into it. You already have a style and color palette in mind, as well as some furnishings. So then look for a way to make the structure pull it all together. Think of the space as a whole, not just the stuff you put into it.

2. I wouldn't worry about the storage unit being too dark at first. It seems that way now because it's against light colored walls. If you tone down the wall color (which you say you're inclined to do) it can become a strong focal point that fits comfortably within the color palette. Also consider adding a couple other items of that same color elsewhere in the room to balance the color palette in the space.

I wouldn't put a back on it though; the open back keeps it from feeling too massive and heavy in the small space, especially if you do keep it dark.

3. A medium value can help hold the color palette together without making the space too dark. There are lots of good suggestions for how to use gray here on AT:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/good-quotes/good-quote-the-color-gray-068195
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/good-questions/la-good-question-perfect-shade-of-grey-046263
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look-gray-bedrooms-043294

Also, adding more white or light-colored furnishings can help keep a dark wall color from making the whole space feel too dark.

I like the idea of giving one wall a different treatment (like the wallpaper), because it will break up the "box" feeling of the room (that's an example of using the "structure" in the design).

4. Google is your friend: http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=faux fur rugs&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

I gotta ask though; what's going on with that window that looks like it has blinds on the *outside*?

Hi guys! Wow thank you all for the comments and the help! I really appreciate it! :)

First of all, I need to say that I live in Greece! I have ordered most of the items you see through a mail forwarding service (yes, it costs!). The thing is that here most items are so overpriced or really rustic (bad)!!!!

I love, love the metallics and the suede paints from Ralph Lauren! I will be ordering their samples, but if I decide about a colour, I think it is going to be a problem in ordering online and have them shipped here. Anyway, lets not get into that yet.

The blinds are on the outside, like most apartments in Greece. I need to put some window panels, but the colour / fabric will depend on the rest of the decoration.

It is really important for me to have a masculine, warm and sensual (not Barry White) feel to it. I like the decoration (some parts) from Tom Ford's stores in Milan and New York.

I also like the industrial, lofty, ny-ish feel. Do you think those two are contradictory?

Thank you in advance for all your help! I am a deco noob looking for style :)

If you're a man, anything you like is masculine. Don't fall into the usual stereotypes. If you're comfortable in your own masculinity, a pink wall can be just as masculine as a blue one. If you're not secure in your masculinity, surrounding yourself with gray flannel won't hide that fact. Frankly, when you're trying that hard, it is more likely to indicate that you're over compensating for something. Just find a style or combination of styles you like, and get things that appeal to you. It's just that easy.

Put some stuff in the storage unit and it will looks lighter.
If your really keen to lighten it and want some closed storage, go to the container store or similar and get baskets that will fit in, in a texture you like (I'm thinking a neutral linen would look great).

If your not aunt Cherlyn, real fur is a no-no. Especially if your hoping to impress some ladies one day with this masculine room of yours. W hotel store currently has some deals on fake fur throws, we like those.

Thanks!

When I say "masculine", I mean that I like the "traditional" mens fabrics and patterns, like pinstripes, tweed, herringbone, prince of wales, etc. I hope you get my drift. The thing is that it is somewhat hard to find such patterns and fabrics in homeware, or at least I have not been able to locate any.

So, I don't have any problems with colors that are feminine, like pink, etc, it is just that I like houses that are earthy, cozy and in the tones I mentioned (camel, brown, etc).

Ohmigod, you guys are KILLING me.. yet another project I'd LOVE to get my hands on, a mere three time zones away. Oy.

Norista--
Maybe some inspiration in my own "urban-masculine" rental here in Manhattan...

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/041805/smallest-coolest-apartment-contest/apartment-13-patricks-cosmourban-studio-rental--002580
and
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/050305/smallest-coolest-apartment-contest/finalist-4-patricks-cosmourban-studio-rental-002700

And by sensual I mean soft and smooth to the touch fabrics and items. Hence the fur inclination.

WHOOPS...

HARISTA! Sorry!

And LORD, not even West Coast, but Greece! Dang.

Patrick,

Thanks for the info! I really LOVE what you did with your apartment! Please handle my project!

I suggest arranging some quick holidays to sunny Greece?

Claire: I really like this! http://www.whotelsthestore.com/item.asp?curr_item_id=2359&cat_subcat_id=12

Be careful what you wish for... always wanted to get into a Greek man's bedroom! ;)

Hahaha!

I suggest the following: help me finish my apartment and you and your boyfriend can come and stay at my place! I have an extra room for guests, which I am sure you will decorate handsomely.

What say you?

where are those clocks from in the office picture?!

Matt M.--

I think those are Max Bill clocks...
http://www.nova68.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=nova68&Product_Code=MB6046&Category_Code=37
or possibly:
http://www.nova68.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=nova68&Product_Code=CT22&Category_Code=37

thanks patrick! but ouch, $400?

How is 'Tom Fordish' masculine?

Masculinity comes from within, never try to create it.

Phase:

Did you see the stores? And my perception / take on masculinity?

I might have said it wrong maybe. I needed to say "inspired from menswear". :)

check out habitat. there's a lot of great stuff there and you don't have to ship it all from the US.

Pictures from the stores will tell you all you need to know. Here are some suggestions based on the photos of the Tom Ford stores (I am not sure you have a preference as the Manhattan store has a very plush vibe and the Milan store is more Italian minimalist...)

1) The floor: Tom Ford is really about plush textures, so ideally you would go with wall to wall carpet in a suiting gray/silver or very dark brown. If you have access to Flor carpet tiles or something similar (flor.com), there are some solid texture styles that would work and they are great for an apartment as you can pull them up and take them with you when you move. Go with a simple solid color. Gray, brown, black, perhaps creating a border around the edge in a contrasting color or texture.

2)The bed: This is the most important piece in the room so this is where you should expend the effort and money. I would upholster a boxspring and mount a thick upholstered headboard on the wall. Very simple boxy shapes taking inspiration from sofas in the Milan store. In keeping with the Tom Ford direction, you might want to use a very plush mohair velvet or a leather (or polyurethane faux leather) for the upholstery. This piece is key to getting people to understand your intentions as far as the design of the room goes. It's the most important choice you will make. As I said earlier, it should probably reference the sofas at the store.

3) Window wall: Try making floor to ceiling drapes in a coordinating suiting fabric. You can make these yourself using fabric from a store that sells suit fabric and iron on fabric bonding and save a ton of money or you can commission the drapes from a seamstress using the fabric of your choice. I would go wall to wall along the window wall, ripplefold style (like the Milan store) from track mounted on the ceiling. Ikea sells track that would work.

4) Enclosed storage: Rather than use the West Elm open shelving, use enclosed storage. My low cost solution would be to use Ikea Akurum tall kitchen cabinets finished in Applad satin black doors and side covers. Or you could use the Nexus brown/black doors and covers. The benefit of the enclosed storage is that it allows you to keep your non-"Tom Ford" possessions close at hand without having them visible to counteract your decorating efforts.

5)Replace the ceiling fixture with a 70's era chandelier. Make sure you add a dimmer.

6) Bedside table: Try stacking a few of these drawers from West Elm one on top of another to make a side table. I would probably go with the brown:

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODf809&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1FRNMED&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1FRNMED

Top the sidetable with a custom cut piece of scrap marble or granite from a counter store or a back painted piece of black or smoked glass.

Basically, if you are following the store, your color scheme should be gray, brown, black, silver, with ivory or pale gray paint on the walls.

Well, I love Tom Ford's Paris apartment, so I hope a have a sense for what you are looking for...

First off, why not go with some real strawcloth wallpaper? There was a beautiful one featured on AT this week; there were even metallics, as well as an amazing one called Talisman:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/wallpaper-graphics/color-inspiration-roomsets-from-elitis-068175

http://www.elitis.fr/

The colours Tom Ford used (in his Paris apartment at least), are white on the walls except for the den/media room which is very dark (black I think). He used a black long-haired goatskin rug in that room (maybe something that can be found in Greece?). The vintage modernist-style sofa (I think he designed it himself though) was upholstered in a sagey coloured strawcloth-like fabric. There was a vintage sidetable made of horns with hair (something from a Parisian flee market). It was paired with vintage armchairs in a light wood.

The bedroom had a custom made king-sized natural oak bedframe, with the boxspring covered in natural linen. Yes, there was a beaver-fur blanket covering the bed.

Floors were stained very dark, almost black, and walls were shades of white and off-whites (cream, ivory).

I think therefore, that adding texture would be key, especially that strawcloth; colours should be very minimal, almost non-colours (even sage is almost as neutral as white and back in this context); natural wood furniture, as opposed to stained or lacquered (that is probably why you are reacting to your West Elm piece).

The lamp you have on the left of your storage unit is very similar to the ones in Tom Ford's bedroom, albeit his is oversized.

Very much a feeling of quiet luxury (well, like his clothes).

Good luck! Sounds like a fun project!

Richard:

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it :)

1) The floor.

I like your suggestion and have already found some nice grey texture patterns that look great. I need to decide first on the colour of the walls, correct?

2)The bed.

Point taken. I agree with you here as well! Any suggestions on where to look for mohair fabrics? Also, how easy would they stain? And another thing that worries me...I live in Greece...weather gets hot...will the headboard look to winterish? (Although i love fabrics like mohair).

3) Window wall.

I could go to a seamstress...but are all fabrics suitable for drapery? So your suggestion is to have the curtains wall to wall, reaching behind the storage unit?

4) Enclosed storage.

Sounds interesting. But I am not sure. I wanted an open storage unit as it would allow me to be playful (boxes, books, etc) and also it would give more "air" to the room. It is 3m x 3m by the way. On the wall that you can not see is a wall to wall closet.

5)Replace the ceiling fixture with a 70's era chandelier.
I will try and look...what i had in mind was an Artemide metallic pendant...too modern? I dont mind if it gets a more urban feel that tom ford's seventies. Although when I saw pictures of Halston's apartment...i was amazed.


6) Bedside table. Will consider.


"Basically, if you are following the store, your color scheme should be gray, brown, black, silver, with ivory or pale gray paint on the walls."

I love gray, brown, camel, ivory, white, silver.

just found the article on Tom Ford's apartment -- which I could send it to you to give you a clearer idea of what I am talking about (a picture is worth a thousand words), but here goes...

...the furniture (sofa and armchair) is inspired by Jean Michel Frank..

..there is a woven seagrass carpet on the floor, he uses a small Eames wire base coffee table
http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/Product/1,1592,a10-c440-p56,00.html

next to an Eames designed armchair, with a wood frame and loose cushions (looks Danish to me) -- similar to this:

http://bydesignmodern.com/main_pics/teakchair.jpg

The bed is large and low -- the head board is low and just a simple rectuangle, covered in a straw of natural coloured linen (as the box spring which sits on the natural oak frame). Flanking the bed are night tables topped with a thick neat rectangular slab of what looks to be travertine, a drawing by Jean Cocteau on a simple oak frame that matches the bedframe, and square lamps from Aero (Thomas O'Brien). White sheets, and the dark brown/ black sheared beaver throw.

mschatelaine


"First off, why not go with some real strawcloth wallpaper?"

I checked elitis.gr, the grey one looks amazing. Shall i opt for the Osborne & little in my original post or the one you recommend? I like them both!


"There was a vintage sidetable made of horns with hair (something from a Parisian flee market). It was paired with vintage armchairs in a light wood".

I am not a big fan of horns, etc. They add atmosphere but the freak me out!

"The bedroom had a custom made king-sized natural oak bedframe, with the boxspring covered in natural linen."

Interesting.

"Yes, there was a beaver-fur blanket covering the bed."

I knew Tom liked beaver after all!

"Floors were stained very dark, almost black, and walls were shades of white and off-whites (cream, ivory)".

I am a little bit afraid of too dark walls...

"I think therefore, that adding texture would be key, especially that strawcloth; colours should be very minimal, almost non-colours (even sage is almost as neutral as white and back in this context); natural wood furniture, as opposed to stained or lacquered (that is probably why you are reacting to your West Elm piece)."

I love texture. Love. And natural wood. Indeed the dark espresso colour of my west elm gave me a feeling of suffocation. I like some dark tones and lux feeling in my bedroom but...this is not what i wanted...


"The lamp you have on the left of your storage unit is very similar to the ones in Tom Ford's bedroom, albeit his is oversized."

It is from Ralph Lauren, modern rosewood. I love it. I dont know where to put it yet. Haha!


"Very much a feeling of quiet luxury (well, like his clothes)."

Yes :)

"Good luck! Sounds like a fun project!"

Thank you so much!!!

Just say NO to ugly black fake wood furniture and leather couch combinations. Just say NO to ugly black lamps!

P2, do it! Go!

I wish you could do my place!

Harista --

go with the elitis Japanese strawcloth, for sure! It is actually a strawcloth, whereas the Osborne & Little is a vinyl texture.

The strawcloth will immediately introduce a natural texture (which is part of the Tom Ford "look" in his apartment), as well as depth. The shimmery version creates another bit of depth, whereas Talisman creates an amazing depth of colour and texture. Just don't see vinyl doing that.

And you can't go wrong with any of their colours!

p.s. -- your Ralph Lauren rosewood lamp -- now you know -- your night table!

oh, and I was just reading, he installed "industrial sisal" on the floors of the bedroom -- almost wall-to-wall (just a little of the dark wood floor showing) , with a border tape around the edges.

You need a huge black and white (close up) picture of someone above your bed.

Hi!

Is possible for you to send me the pictures of his apartment please?

My email is xesalonika@hotmail.com

If you have msn, please add me, it would be great to chat there as well.

Also, anyone reading this, feel free to add me :)

I will get back to the replies asap!

mschatelaine

Do you know where I could find the elitis wallpaper online? So far, i did not have any luck...

try these to see what sort of a quote you get:

http://www.thefabricshop.com/index.php?elitis

And in Greece the distributor is:

Mediterranean Trading 4-6 Democratias Ae N Psychico 15451 Athenes
Tel: 00302 10 67 44 133

I'll try to scan the article when I get a chance, and email it to you. It is from an old issue of HG.

Thanks!

I am going to contact them and see the stores they work with.

As for the fabric store, they say in their inquiry form that the minimum order is 5 rolls, which is quite a lot...

Let's see :)

I will be waiting for the HG article, thank you!

I am also going to post some items I consider buying for yes / no if you don't mind?

I've seen so many good ideas already that I don't have much to add, however, Harista, I'm so jealous of you! I lived in Thessaloniki for 7 months and I would move back there... tomorrow? Ok, not in winter, for that I'll rather stay in Spain but in Summer... (sighs with nostalgic jealousy)

Thanks :)

mschatelaine

Do you have any news on the article? :)