apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I've always loved the colors of the southwest! I like the artistic touch of the piano, also.

the piano is fantastic.

This is the best yet! I love it.

Wonderful--one of the best so far! You have a great art collection and I love the one-of-a-kind sofa.

I loooove the piano. I want to do that.

Truely 1 of a kind!!

It must fill her with joy every time she comes home. Love every jarring touch.

I love the vibrant colors of Arizona Lezlee..

I LOVE this! Beautiful color juxtapositions.

Amazing use of color and one of the most interesting homes I have ever seen!

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

WOW! WOW! WOW! Lo mas hermoso visto!!! VIDA VIVA!

Really love the use of textures along with the vibrant color. Beautiful room!

that. couch. is. wicked. cool.

the same trunk is in my lounge...love it,so solid,nostalgic and storage galore...love the green and red combo of rug,lampshade,drapes...

Did you do the sofa slipcover yourself? It's gorgeous!

Very nice!

who did the artwork in the photos? i love it all!!!!

I hope you win, what a great room. I just love the the whole feeling of the place.

This is very original and beautiful! I love it!!!

It's somehow very colorful and quite restful at the same time.

Very classy and happy at the same time! Love it!

Thanks for all the nice comments, I'm very happy to be in the running at all!

To answer a few questions:

I chose the fabric and had the idea for the design of the couch based on the colors in the rest of the room, but the actual work was done by Faith Upholstery here in Phoenix. They did a great job! It's fun because I can flip the pillows (and frequently do so) and the look changes a little.

As for the artwork:

The large painting over the sofa is called "The Wish" and the artist is Brian Boner. (you can find him at www.brianboner.com - and he is represented by the Wilde Meyer Gallery in Scottsdale AZ) The painting over the piano is also by Brian.

The smaller paintings on the wall behind the lamp are Christina Ramirez - she is represented at www.artonegalleryinc.com

There is an abstact on the wall by the hanging paint cans by Anthony Zeh - I do not know where he is currently represented.

Hanging paint cans are by Norm McDonald and he is represented by Van Gogh's Ear in Prescott Arizona.

The sculpture of the hand is by John Tuomisto-Bell and he represented by G2 gallery in Scottsdale.

The long outstretched arms are by my husband Kirk Hays and he is also represented by Art One Gallery in Scottsdale - (that painting is actually still for sale through the gallery and just hanging in our front room at the present time - we frequently switch the paintings around on that wall as they are visible from the street at night).

I LOVE THIS I HOPE IT WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweetio Cheerio DUDE!

Love it!

it shows personality

On of my friends pointed out that I should make it more clear how frugally this room was decorated.

The couch was bought second hand before re-covering. The piano was sold to me (for almost nothing) by a little old lady in the neighborhood who was moving and I then painted it to match the paint cans.

The red chair is Ikea. So is the rug. The trunk was free. The side tables are Target. Another table in the room was free as is a chair which is not shown in the photos.

The art work is the only thing that wasn't free - but most of it was bought through a gallery that represents emerging artists and was quite inexpensive, considering. Some of it is worth more now than when we originally bought it, just because the artists are now more established.

The idea was just to create a colorful space that felt warm and happy.

The couch is so cool, love the trunk and rug and the piano is neat!

Lezlee,

In response to a comment you left on my entry (Randolph in Salt Lake City): Thank you for your kind words -- that was so sweet of you and totally made my morning! But no worries. It has been thoroughly fun looking through the other entries, and I learned a lesson about strategy.

May I also say, though, that I love your entry and knew you'd be going on to the finals as soon as I saw it. While I'm not an artist, I come from a family of artists and seeing bold art displayed so prominently always makes me smile, deep on the inside. Plus, your piano is just too cool. Best of luck to you in the finals!

i have that rug in my dorm room! i love it!!! it's so comfortable and warm!!

I've always loved that painting. Beautiful.

Thanks to everyone who voted! Obviously I am not going to make it any further in the contest but it was fun while it lasted!

I hope you win! My brother is a missionary, and your husband is the ward mission leader. He told us all to vote for you! Good Luck!