Name: Kelli
Location: Colorado Front Range
Size: 512 Sq/ft 1 Bedroom
Favorite resource:
www.modlivin.com, but the website doesn't do justice to the delicious assortment of mostly-affordable vintage items found in store.
What inspired you?
I've been deeply interested in trying to morph the ubiquitous Colorado look of sprawl, fake lofts, and all-catalog- designed rooms into something a little more sentient and affordable. My condo was an ideal candidate: sad 1980's-style with a humble yet clever floor plan, in a lively small town, creek and trails literally just out the back door.
I now have a more versatile work/eat area, more durable wood and tile floors, and a lot of self-made decor (end table lampshades, a magnetic suspended map, one-of-a-kind entertainment storage center, etc.). It's a casual, cabin-like space that better reflects the energetic outdoor lifestyle here.
Design Tip:
When in doubt, wear your favorite colors while shopping for specific design elements. You'll save time matching paint and fabric swatches to what you're wearing--if it's a match in the store lighting, it will nearly always match elsewhere. Plus, you'll look and feel extra swell in your apartment because you'll always be surrounded by colors that are great for you.
While it isn't my personal style, it looks like it works for you.
Could you detail the magnetically suspended map?
That's too bad people have judged this one so harshly. While your space doesn't have the ultra-hip modernistic look that seems to dominate the submissions, I like how you've customized it with a few handmade goodies. Particularly the dark-funky-lounge style of the lampshades and the entertainment thing.
Then again, I'm from Idaho, so maybe I don't get it, either.
T
what a clever design tip! i also really like your floorplan illustration in that it really highlighted things you were proud of.
Laughing as I read your comment, Elizabeth. I would be very surprised (maybe even a little disappointed?) if the Roy-Rogers-meets-Jim Henson thing going on here was precisely anyone elses personal style. ;-) My submission was based more on sharing technical ideas, so Im glad you asked about the map.
I got the ceiling fasteners, cabling, and panel supports from Nova Display (www.novadisplay.com), about $70 for all pieces. Den-Col (www.dencol.com) cut me a 52" x 32" sheet of 22-gauge steel for $20 (though I would go with a thicker gauge if I were hanging something more substantial than my paper map on it). The steel sheet is held in place on the cables with the panel supports; the map is held against the steel sheet with magnets. I was excited about this easily scalable scheme for AT, since people are frequently looking for flexible ways to organize paper, photos, art and/or sleek dividers for open areas.
Tim in Idaho, your kind words are really appreciated. The lampshades and the entertainment thing are among my favorites as well, mostly because of all the fun I had while working on them. Silliness is way underrated.
Waxing philosophical for a moment while anyone living in a small space is forced to pose as a designer more often than most-and the AT crowd certainly seems to have as saavy an eye as youll ever find-theres nothing that gives you quite the same respect for what the more popular classics have accomplished than the process of making something functional yourself. It also helps to clarify the use of design to express who you really are from whom you wish you were or think you should be-something that is harder to do when purchasing furnishings. Its a fascinating process, and Im really happy to see the number of entries where this has been done. I hope everyone who reads AT gives it a try at least once!
Anyway, cheers to those of us who dont get it. ;-)
Hey, thanks, sparky.
Wow, a first, someone that actually has sporting equipment and has included a note about it (see the patio on the drawing). I am constantly vexed that while viewing this contest, people do not seem to have sporting gear located in their homes. Are these all people that do not participate in outdoor activities? Do they have a storage facility no one has ever seen? Between my wife and I there is, Camping, Bikes(4), climbing, hockey, and more. Just one of these sports take up space in a home (also no game systems are visible either!) I'm just fascinated that there seems to be a penchant for either hiding these trappings of everyday life, (as I know it) or simply not afforded space for those endeavours. Any explanations would be welcome.
Definitely way too much Boulder influence here.
Looks like a great apartment, but the furnishings are not good. A framed map on the wall?????? Floors and kitchen are awesome.
that puppet theater cum entertainment center is a nightmare. I would suggest that you take it down immediately if not sooner.
Also the kitchen is a hodgepodge of modern appliances and old cabinetry with the aluminum swivel chairs and its not even trying to be ironic.
And the couch is horrid. I know this sounds harsh but the truth should be told
Kelli
Kudos! I see the Colorado influence. :) I love your lighting in the kitchen, and what a grat way to incorporate the mountain atmosphere into the space - it's not perfect and stylized, I almost feel like I know you (do you know Marianne??)
Anyway, thanks for the magnetic map details _ i've been thinking of a metal panel in my office for proofing pictures on. Great idea!!
I say this is an instafinalist, because it is a small space, but doesn't look it. It feels spacious. And I *love* the green wall in your kitchen. :) Good job!
Good job! I can always appreciate the Colorado influence in any design scheme. I have to ask, where did you get the coathooks? I love them and Ive been trying to find something similar for my place.
How fun to peek back a few weeks later and find some more entertaining comments-and especially to get some really nice notes from here in Colorado. :-)
Rachel, I cant say I know a Marianne, although I seem to remember seeing an AT poster awhile back by that name wouldnt be the same person, would it?
Heather, I got the coat hook at Posh (www.poshdenver.com/). It was surprisingly heavy and there are no studs in the wall behind where I wanted to mount it; hence the wooden bracket.