apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

yikes

wow, totally uninspiring and poorly planned. Terrible clutter, no innovative solutions or design elements. Why was this apartment even allowed to enter?

I think next year's contest should limit the number of participants. Looking back at last year's contest, the selection of apartments was much better, more innovative and each one looked distinctly different from one another.

This year there are too many entries and much of the decor displayed is too similar to really judge much of the creative criteria of this contest. Perhaps we can limit entries that use mid century modern as the main theme of their decor?? At this point, that design/interior style is tired!

If you have things you don't use, shouldn't you just get rid of them rather than figure out how to display them?

I've searched and searched these photos and I can't find a spec of anything from Target. The place looks like it was furnished from Kmart circa 1974.

As a scathing and humorous commentary on the other entries, though, this entry is pure art.

whoa, this better not be the last entry west of the miss.

Diane, if you're happy with your style, you should ignore us design groupies and go your merry way, content in having a home you love.

That said -- my fingers are itching to hang your pictures at a consistent height and to do some decluttering. While I'm not a huge fan of magazine-ready bare surfaces (where you just *know* people don't live like that!), there are some basics like crooked lampshades that should have been cleaned up for a contest entry.

You're also handicapped by the reality that, while your taste in furniture and art is probably shared with much of the American public, it's really not in line with what's defined as "good design." Obviously, that doesn't bother most people -- so there's no reason it should start bothering you -- but that's going to bite you in this forum.

Lord, save us!

Well, if you're happy, you're happy. So, good for you! I imagine you are a young undergrad?

Take a look at The Container Store Web site for additional inspiration. They show up on Mission: Organization all of the time.

P2 said a few days back that this year's entries aren't up to last year's, and I agree with him. Plus, there are too many entries. Competition fatigue.

I really think this must be a joke, and I don't mean that as an insult. There's just no way this could be a serious entry, especially so late in the game. The crooked lampshades pointed out by wende are just the first indication that someone's having a good laugh somewhere.

tuck - Right, there should be some kind of judging to determine who gets into the contest. Maybe visitors to the site could vote.

I don't think it is a joke. Look where New Ulm is on the map. As someone who lives in Minnesota, I can say there are plenty of people who have this sense of style. It's not my style, but I see couches like that all the time on the Minneapolis Craigslist. Unless you're right in Minneapolis/St. Paul, there's not a lot of pressure to get a tiny apartment, so a lot of people don't have experience making tiny spaces work. I could see how Diane would be proud of herself for figuring out how to arrange her stuff in that living room with no solid walls.

this entry made me smile and laugh and cry all at the same time. not the most innovative by far but at least it is a slice of what more and more Americans live with. especially with the description of how to "store things in the open". Brilliant!!!

i agree with Petunia, "pure art."

kudos to those who have bath products they don't use and don't know what DWR or ikea are! huzzah!

A startling contrast to the current entries so far, that's for sure!

No offense, but this "is" a joke, right.

Are you the same Diane who wondered where the stuffed animals were for an entry last year?

yuck

That was a Diana, looking for stuffed animals:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/040705/smallest-coolest-apartment-contest/apartment-2-brandons-chic-shoebox--002491

Interestingly, in other posts, ebrown admitted to having some, and p(too) was asked where he'd put his. Stuffed animals are apparently a more widespread secret than one might think.

Diane, you certainly do have a challenging layout- so good job in getting everything to fit in a way that pleases you. However, sometimes the simpler solution is not to try to make it all work but to unburden yourself of a few items. As someone who finds it very hard to throw things out, the advice mantras "declutter" and "simplify" are suggestions I struggle to follow in my own apartment, but I do believe a more sophisticated and refreshing atmosphere often can be created by paring down one's posessions. In addition to reducing clutter, you might consider getting rid of one of the sofas and replacing it with a chair. This would create a little more breathing room. Alternately, you might try to find smaller scale loveseats. Scale can make a big difference in whether a piece works well in a particular space, but it can be difficult to find things appropriately sized for a small room (especially outside of urban areas where apartment living is the standard). Enjoy your space and remember you are the best judge because you live there!

joke or no joke, thanks for the entry. it is sobering and an eye opener.

diane, your tip was hilarious. if you were serious- i'm sorry i laughed.

but really if you were serious, donate or throw away body products you don't use. it's wasteful. tear off all that wall paper border and get covers for those couches. Then go through all those books and magazines to weed out what's important to you. I would also throw out those bookshelves for lower ones or paint them white. if that's too much hard work, sell everything and make a new start. it seems like you "inherited" your furniture. Time to get your own style instead of "making do."

what wende said.

Sorry Diane, I wronged you. I'd forgotten just how...well, words fail me here...something, that post was until I clicked on the link provided by wende.

Gasp.

I'm trying to... but I don't... and maybe... well... I mean, uhm... er... it's just that I... don't... know how to... say... ahhh... well...

Words fail me at this point.

Turn this into a thousand square foot house, and I was once taken here at the end of a really bizarre date. (my name is linked to the story in case you're curious and need a laugh)

I used to buy weed from a chick who had an apartment like this.

Do Roseanne and Dan live here??

Alec-

Mean, just plain mean.

Diane, are you a regular reader of AT or did someone tell you about this contest? I think it might help you to look through the other entries and the entrants from last year. You might then understand why some people have made certain comments. Good luck on your apartment and I salute your bravery at entering this particular contest.

The more I think about it, I think it is not a joke at all.

More people than not, by far, have a place like this.

Diane - If this is in fact a bonafide entry, I am most curious about how you learned of this apartment therapy contest and if you follow this website for ideas and resources.

I agree with Christina!

Candidate for "Mission Organization"!

can we nominate for worst??? this person almost deserves a pity DWR award of some sort. she probably needs some new good furniture the most.

I feel the need to pipe in and say that since we did not say we would pick and chose from the entries (other than the east coast’s dilemma of editing down the large numbers) I felt it was only right to put up everyone who took the time to put something together. I’ll have to assume that anyone who enters understands that they are setting their homes up for dissection and critique, although my liberal/hippy-dippy upbringing makes me wish we could all just get along… ;-)

It is a great idea to let future contests have pre-judged first entries to edit down the incredible amount of contestants.

Also, while I’m here I have to say that, at least in terms of the west coast, I totally disagree about the lack of good entries. I think people are showing remarkable innovation with space.

That’s all. Carry on with the comments

Your (not so) humble west coast editor.

Alec- I love you. My basis for the allegations of mean are copy and pasted directly from the rules:

Detailed Rules?

Submissions will be posted March 6th through March 31st. There will be ongoing evaluation to determine which entries are posted to the site. In that we have a month to post, we can ONLY publish 120 entries online for public review (3 per day). The more entries we receive the more discerning we will have to be about what gets online.

I really appreciate the submission from Minnesota, NYC and LA have thier themes and it is nice to see some other areas. The space is certainly well lived in and loved by the owner. Thank you for sharing.

Seems like the East Coast version was so swamped that they DID decide that they had to pick and choose.

Anyway... this entry was really refreshing in that it really, truly cleanses the palette in kind of a very disconcerting way.

I'm neither liberal nor hippy-dippy, but I still wish people can get along. : )

Kudos to anyone who can open their most personal space to the anonymous comments of others.

(And Rob, I was sure you were going to say that the brother was killed hitting the cow. I'm glad the story had a happy ending.)

How could Apartment Therapy pick this, there must have not been a lot of entries lately, we go from The Pocket Knife to this? Ha, and who is the world picked finalist?

Bear in mind, though, hanifa, that Diane's place isn't Minnesota High Style. In the Twin Cities, "design" more usually means either Prairie/Arts & Crafts Revival or a version of industrial/modern that's compatible with the huge number of 1910-ish apartments and bungalows. There are a ton of good "modern" stores in the Twin Cities.

Megan's Bold 1915 Modern from the "I've Got Color!" contest is more typical of what a Twin Cities dweller would call stylish, despite being in Ohio.

I'm sorry, but this place has not only bad bones, it's got bad skin, bad teeth and a clubbed foot.

I feel really bad for Diane if she really put her apartment out there to be judged because she's taking a real beating. I'd say she had to expect it somewhat if she had seen any of the previous entrants from this year or last who make me feel my apartment's interior is an inferior shadow of what it could be, but still...

If you are a real person who wasn't trying to be funny, I'd echo some of the other advice to declutter somewhat. It makes life easier, too. You could probably eliminate some of those brown pieces that seem to be holding books by getting one larger bookcase. (Desk and files?) If they're file drawers, you could use file boxes on the bottom level of the shelves and put your books on the others. It would be great if you could fit 2 flush against the walls near the bathroom. Use the kitchen table as a desk--more room to spread out on anyway. This would clear up some floor space. Also, try something like a tall plant behind your sofa where the exercise ball is...the small plant you have hanging from the ceiling is dwarfed by your larger furniture pieces.

where did you get that eyor? i want one for my television!

i think this entry is awesome, and probably a joke.

This has to be a joke. Alec, you've either got comment-pokerface, or you've been had.

Look at the meticulous job done with the floor plan. Then look at the bedroom lamp shade. Favorite resource: Target. But there's nothing from Target in the entry. There's no way this is real.

No freaking way.

Like I said, look at a map. New Ulm is nearly 100 miles from the Twin Cities, which makes finding fashionable stores a challenge.

Click my name to see what I mean.

Maybe this is a "before" and tomorrow we will get to see the "after."

Very perceptive Hang On! about the meticulous floor plan vs. the lamp shade. Gotta make you wonder....and this entry sure has. It's actually really amusing, but hopefully not at Diane's? expense.

Oh, Elizabeth -- I agree with you. (Used to live in Mpls, have been to New Ulm more than once.) I just didn't want Hanifa (or anyone) thinking this entry was representative of Minnesota Style, in some kind of opposition to the coastal modernists. It's outstate, and there's a vast cultural schism between outstate and Twin Cities.

but what about the internet? if diane is really diane, she's obviously using the internet for AT, so shopping on the internet, or at least browsing, is just a click away.

when I lived in rural Iowa (yeah, yeah), Target was TOTALLY my favorite design source. Do you know how much better it feels to shop at Target after slogging through Walmart looking for home goods?

If this isn't a joke, and I'm not sure it isn't, I totally understand where Diane is coming from.

It's the midwest, baby. You know, that part of the country the coasts try to forget about?

jesse said it best. I'm sure there are tons of stylin people in Chicago and the coasts that come home to something like this when they visit their family.

Wende, I understand that there are modern, innovative, interesting spaces in Minnesota and other non costal locations. However, I commended this space because it represents another perespective that is not present in this contest but quite common in the USA. The coasts have been very consistent in their asthetic as far as this contest, but I did not mean to generalize. I think the common NYC apartment is more likely to look like some of the spaces submitted here than one in the middle of the USA, but certainly most spaces coastal or otherwise do not have the eames plywood chairs, west elm floating shelves, and orchids in so many of these spaces. I hope this makes sense...
In any case, I gather that most have submitted their spaces out of pride, a desire to win some new items for their space, and perhaps for some advice. I am open to any submission that genuinely falls along these lines. Cheers,

I would also like to add that while I respect and commend this person for entering the contest, I wouldn't want the contest to be overrun with the "average", if you will. I am not sure how to phrase it without sounding derogatory. My own immigrant parents have a space quite similar, although much more ogranized. So, I understand this type of living, although it is not my style.

It's not the Midwest so much, IMO, as basic working class rural/exurban/suburban Middle America.

I've been to an apartment or two in Chicago and LA that looked like this. I've been to houses in rural areas of the US that were furnished like DWR showrooms. I don't think place necessarily dictates design sensibility, especially with the advent of air travel, cable tv, the internet, etc.

Diane just needs a cat.

I dunno. The old Diane in the link smelled like a big time troll. THis one, hmmm.

So, pretending I believe, I'd say that getting less massive couches might be a remedy to the unbroken wall problem.
On the other hand, I can see Gloria and Meathead moving in.

Um, there are doors and a window in the living room.

Please rip that wall border off, take that hanging plant down, put some white sheets on your sofas, tapestries=old people, too many colors, the wood stain ? sooooo old people. Of course, if you like this, never mind. Question: How do you get laid in this place with the lights on? I hope you're really hot.

Christina, she actually needs 15 cats.

I can't fathom how this entry could be anything but a practical joke - a hysterical one at that. The type of person who enjoys the lifestyle we see in these pics is someone who wouldn't even read AT, let alone participate in a contest here - not to mention that there's no computer in those pics! I'm impressed there's actually a microwave in that early 80's time capsule.

What's that O magazine I see in her 'office'? This whole place gets more delicious the longer I look! Sisyphus was doomed to an eternity of endlessly pushing a rock up a steep hill. I imagine Maxwell's hell as an eternity living here.

I want to cry out "MY EYES! MY EYES!" And yet, I can't help myself. I keep looking for clues - like those pictures! And though the calendar says March, it doesn't say what year. The only sign of the times I see is that O magazine. Remove that, and, like I said, we've got a time capsule here. I can hear Casey Kasem counting 'em down on that stereo. Rising three spots this week to number one, it's The Go Gos!

Diane's got the beat, yeah, she's got the beat, yeah she's got the beat, yeah...

She's got it.

Err, by "those pictures" I meant the photos of people and such in her living room and office.

That O magazine cover is from July 2003

http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/omag_past_2003.jhtml

(you'll have to cut and past this link to see it).

Gotcha, hanifa.

Don't mind me -- I'm just innately defensive from having to explain Minneapolis to friends who have never lived anywhere but San Francisco.

It says something about all of us that we can't be certain about distinguishing real Middle America from ironic commentary on our own pretensions. I'm not sure what, just something.

Too cluttered, nothing matches, nothing attractive here at all.

AWSOME... reminds me of home in backwoods maine. joke or not, this is a great counterpoint to some of the other entries. i'd rather live here than some of the other antiseptic jobs i've seen prior.

at least diane has some belongings, which is (agreed, fin) reassuring in comparison to other contestants (whom, i suspect, have shoved many, many issues of "Nylon," - not to speak of "O" - into a great teetering pile behind the photographer, out of frame).

I can't believe how many snobs there are out there! Actually taking the time to point out what they perceive as poor design...anyone ever heard beauties in the eye of the beholder! I never read Diane asking for an opinion. What abunch of loser's!!!!

Patrick (the other one) O Patrick (the other one) wherefore art thou Patrick (the other one)? You usually have such thoughtful comments on every entry, no matter how different in style they are from your own. Please comment.

Holy smokes. I'm sorry but I find this dreadful.

Your design tip is priceless. The best laugh I had all day long.

Come on, people. Reread the Design Tip. It takes this whole entry over the top. This is SO a joke. But a good one.

I would donate a complimentary four-hour kick-off professional organizing session for this apartment if it were in Los Angeles.

C'mon...that design tip is incredible.
This entry is hilarious.

still cracking up. this is the best practical joke eva. i got to get me a birdhouse lamp. i keep my NyQuil by mu bed too.

*my*

Maybe it's Jonathan.

If you've ever perused homes for sale on such sites as Realtor.com, you see lots of rooms decorated this way. In a variety of locales. So, this could be a real entry -- perhaps someone who was just told about the contest and thought she'd enter, not knowing much about AT. But if it IS a joke entry, the images could easily have been gotten off any real estate site.

~dIANE (a different Diane in NYC)

Come on now people. Of course you'll see homes decorated like this. But it's nothing people ASPIRE to. This entry is a practical joke.

April 1st is just around the corner

You know, some of their stuff COULD be from Target.... Target 10 years ago.

Shoot, this place isn't so bad. There isn't a single stitch of brown wood paneling (circa 1970), no avocado or harvest gold appliances or macramé plant hangers. Plus, Diane's listed Target as her favorite design source, not Wal-Mart.

She definitely rates a free copy of the AT book (but then so would I).

so i checked back on comments and this thing has blown up! is there a prize for most comments? i know someone suggested a pity prize...

post on posters.

Hey all -- Alec is skipping town and won't be around for April Fools Day. I wonder....

I like this cozy apartment. I think you people are a bunch of snobs.

I keep coming back to this entry. It's definately the funniest. "Diane" you are a genius. I spy Glamour Shots in picture 2. And a yoga ball...

I love the Glamour Shots too!

This apartment is adorable. I am wondering where some of you live that think this is a joke? You absolutely have no taste in what is nice. Time to get your noses out of the air!!!

Whoa.

Debbie, you must be a friend of Diane's. It's not snobby to tell it like it is, and this entry is not very good! This might not be so bad if it weren't for all the clutter, stuffed animals, tapestry tacked to the wall instead of properly hung, wallpaper trim, and the design tip to display stuff one doesn't use rather than purging (give it away or toss it!). It's too busy and cutesy. Diane needs to get rid of stuff or find better storage that conceals (is that an exercise ball peeking out from behind the loveseat?). I don't mind the sofas so much, although they're really an outdated style - but they would be improved if the throw was something coordinated, rather than a white crocheted afghan which makes it look like it's temporary to cover a hole. I think the space would also benefit from being painted a soft, warm color. And no adult should have a My Little Pony bedside lamp - c'mon.

I did some (legal if faintly creepy) digging, and there's a real Diane with a real apartment in downtown New Ulm, a thoroughly outstate background, and job/hobbies that suggest a fairly earnest person, not a prankster.

If it's a joke, I doubt she was in on it.

I still believe it is a joke, but I also suspect there is a real Diane with this real apartment. I could be wrong, but I assume this is the equivalent to a fake myspace page.

I could be wrong of course.

oooooh wende - i'm a little creeped out by your "(legal if faintly creepy)digging". i think you are pushing the envelope a bit too far on this contest. while your zealousness in creating spreadsheets might be charming, "digging" into someone's identity like this is borderline sketchy. whoa, girl.

bb -- Under five minutes' work with public materials hardly qualifies as obsessive, unless one has a very short attention span. People were happy to accuse the entrant of being a prankster using photos not her own, which seems pretty mean-spirited to me, especially in the absence of facts.

If I posted specific identifying information, that *would* be out of line, which is why I didn't. I was also very careful not to reveal an address for Michael of the Cabin-in-the-Sky, even though we have acquaintances in common, so I happen to know it.

I did the same thing as Wende - very easy. She did give away her identity here (won't tell you how) and she can be googled. I wanted to see if this was a joke or not. So there is a real Diane ___ in New Ulm, MN who most probably really lives here and is proud of what she's done. Surely, she's reading all your comments. Least you can all do is offer your opinions and constructive criticism in a thoughtful, compassionate way. Some comments have been absolutely barbaric (not just to Diane, but to anyone who isn't decorating by the sleek, modern rulebook).

wende - i never used the word obsessive. i just suggested it might be pushing the envelope. you, yourrself, said it was faintly creepy.

I suspect that if we were *there*, it might feel nice, like being at Gramma's.

This is a joke. I'm sure someone cool has a friend that probably *does* sell weed, and when they were cat-sitting or something, they took a bunch of photos of their dealers house and posted it here to see what people would say. Listen, we all know people who have really bad design sense and/or furniture. I have friends that went overboard on orange, have secret unicorn collections, and of course, the ever-present dumb-guy apartment full of street finds in-between semesters, even though he's 40...just laugh!

Lila: OOOH, I see what you mean about giving away her full identity. Oopsies!.

It's not a joke. She's a nice, sincere, simple Midwestern churchgoing girl.

Wende's not nuts...I mean, has anyone out there NEVER just googled someone? Out of curiosity...or maybe I'm creepy too!

I think the comments are mean, too, joke or not. Not like they aren't often even on highly designed apartment's entry. I don't necessarily think this is prize winning, and if it were submitted as a wry commentary on our pretentiousness, it would be spot on, but in either case there's no need to go overboard on insults.

Petunia said it best. Its a scathing and I will add brilliant commentary on the other entries. Of course this is someone's house and yes you could find this decor all over America but this entry is a joke people. Its obvious and hilarious

If we knew how much a one bedroom rents for in New Ulm, MN, we'd probably all be jealous of Diane.

But I'm sure this is actually larger than 500 sq. feet and thus has to be disqualified. Each of those sofas looks like it takes up 500 sq feet.

FYI - The maximum sq. ft. allowed is 650 this year.

Ahhhhh...Wende is right. Her identity is given away. Interesting.

I'm still waiting for the APRIL FOOLS!!! confession to come out.

I finally get it: More IS the new Less!

I am the "real" Diane and this entry wasn't a joke. I'd never been to this website before reading about the contest in Newsweek and since I personally love my apartment, I was really excited about entering the contest. Not until after I had sent my entry in did I realize that this contest should have had one more rule. Only shallow, arrogant snobs should be allowed to enter.

I would like to respond to all my completely ignorant critics out there.

- I am not an undergrad - I am simply someone who doesn't make much money - does the fact that I can't afford spendy furniture make me a fair target for criticism?
- I much prefer shopping at Target to shopping on the internet and if you would know what you're looking at, then you would see plenty of things that I have purchased at both Target and Kmart. All purchased recently, not years ago.
- I happen to like my couches and all the rest of my furniture. I think that the fact that I could work with what I had instead of throwing everything out and then buying what would fit is more impressive than what some of you have done.
- It really freaks me out that people have been tracking me down. I know where you found my name but you'd have to look pretty hard to see it and the fact that you did that is very creepy.

I have to say that while I knew that people would be commenting on the entries and even though of course I didn't expect everyone to agree with my design style or like my apartment and taste - I did not expect the petty, rude, obnoxious, and downright cruel comments that I received. This is my home and I was incredibly hurt. However, if everyone who is truly "apartment fashionable" is like that, than I am completely satisfied to be the way that I am.

Bravo, Diane!!!

Diane, the Internet is full of people who like to pump up their fragile egos by crapping on others. Screw them. Hope you enjoy this cartoon:

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19

Looks like the IKEA Noresund bedside table between the loveseats.

I have found that when you don't have much of a sense of humor, you can sometimes fail to find jokes sitting right in plain sight.

I think someone succeeded.

pitiful just pitiful.

Diane, I for one belive you meant to say you place on display items you do not use ON A DAILY BASIS.

That last part makes a huge difference in how people will precive your statement.

What do I like about your place? The table between the couches and the lamp on it. How you placed a plant in the corner, trying to bring a little life into the space.

What are the main disctractors in your home? How about the pink hanger on the curtain rod? The inch of dust on the purple orb over the bed with a rumpled blanket tossed on top and the box of tissues beside your bed. Some things, like personal hygeine should be kept out of site when offering to have people look into your personal life.

If you want your tapestry hanging to look nice, go to Jo-Ann's or any fabric store, buy a pice of twill tape the length of your hanging and a thin dowl. If you can't sew, ask the help at the store for ideas. Once you have this simple pocket on the back of your tapestry, it will hang straighter on the wall, place less stress on the fabric and just look nicer.

Target, I too have a few peice from them because there is good design to be found there. But there is also good design to be found at K-mart (Martha Stewart), simple clean lines without being overly expensive and classic looking.

I am glad you are proud of your home, but when you invite the world into your home, you will recive coments you may not like.

This reminds me of American Idol for home decorating.

Diane, I would hope that someone who entered a contest like this would have thicker skin than the comments above seem to indicate.

Oh honey....

Part of me wants to say, okay, that was a knee-slapper, now show us your real apartment.

But if this truly is someone's home, it is possible she didn't realize what she was getting herself into. As far as telling her to have a thicker skin, she took quite a lot of abuse before finally responding. Give the girl a break.

Seriously unbelievable. Diane, did you even bother to look at other entries before you submitted yours? I understand you may find your apartment very comfortable and homey, but it is far from "coolest" - it's not even clean! Not making much money is no excuse; I made $15,000 last year and my apartment could almost compete in this contest (except that to save money I share a two bedroom with a roommate and therefor exceed the size limit by 100 square feet). There's no shame in enjoying your home, but I can't believe you could honestly take offense to these rather astute critiques. As to your comment about "shallow, arrogant snobs," this is a website and contest devoted to cool, functional design - your apartment satisfies neither of these requirements. I find it hard to believe you've even seen a Target commercial if you truly have so little appreciation of design. Target's fantastic - but you obviously don't subscribe to their "Design for All" motto.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I read about this contest in Newsweek and no, I did not check out the Apartment Therapy website or the 6 other entries that had been posted at the time I entered the contest. I didn't think it was necessary to see if I was "worthy" enough. My apartment fit the smallest criteria (being under 650 sq ft) and as far as I am concerned, it is a cool apartment. I never tried to say that I knew anything about functional design.

I don't take offense to people's comments - I take offense to the way that they were made. I think even astute comments can be made in a tactful way. The comments that I received seemed to be deliberately meant to hurt me and make me feel horrible about myself and my home.

Even if my apartment isn't the coolest, most beautiful, most ingeniously designed, which I most readily agree it's not - I still think it's very shallow and arrogant to insult me because of it.

Diane, What I love about this site is that it is the antithesis of snobish. It's real life. We love high end design and yet we admittidly love the likes of Target and Ikea. While some of your other points may be valid, being snobs we are not. But you would not have known that b/c, like you said, you had not read the site before.

I am sorry you took a beating - it's kind of like you are a tourist and took a turn onto the wrong street. My (unsolicted) advice to you is to please continue to read this wnderful site and crack open some home decor magazines like Elle Decor and Domino to garner a better appreciation of what we're talking about -then translate that into some solid choices at Target. Hey, this should be fun!

tippy - good commentary - I liked your comparison of her to a tourist who took a wrong turn! What a mistake. I was convinced this was a joke until she responded.

Is it possible that only one person in middle america had the balls to enter a contest they read about in newsweek without checking the other contestants first to gauge the watermark?

I'm originally from texas, now living in Boston- and all those comments about middle ameria having bad taste... that's not true --it's more like anyone/anywhere can have bad taste; there is just more in the heartland because of simple lack of communication with the rest of the world, and fervent evangelical interests usually presuppose any taste at all - the local 7-Eleven wouldn't know a Domino magazine if it hit them in their toothless faces. (I couldn't resist. Minnesota generally sucks.)

Some of us love clutter. Some of us love the hemstitched fingertip towels and embroidered pillowcases and lace tablecloths we inherited from our grandmothers. And sachets tucked into drawers and everywhere else. We don't mind dusting and airing out (even if we don't dust quite often enough). We like piling texture on texture and colour on colour. We are thrilled when we accidentally find two patterned fabrics that look great together. And a lot of the tips (like how to make the wall hanging look better) were great. But I agree that there is no need to be mean -- and a lot of the comments were downright nasty.
And I think you were a genius to find a way to fit your sofas in.
But now that you've looked at the photos of your place, Diane, I'm sure there are some changes that you will want to make. (Like, who cares if the sofas aren't trendy, they are your style and you love them, and I bet they feel cozy for lounging on to read, watch TV, or pet a cat. Now that you've looked around at the site (I discovered it through a piece in my local newspaper) you might want to take a course in reupholstering, buy some gorgeous fabric at a sale, enlist a friend to help and make new covers for the sofas.) Even now, without a course, you can get rid of your dead throw cushions and whip up some gorgeous new ones after rummaging through some remnant bins for rich fabrics (or use a dead silk shirt). With patience, you can hand stitch them without a sewing machine, but you do need to make them look finished to be attractive.
I hope you continue to enjoy your cozy nest. I myself, though I continue to fall for adding more STUFF to my living space, am starting to clear some floor space and limiting myself to how many pieces of decoration I can have on any one surface, and find I am enjoying less (not no) clutter. So I can only suggest you ignore the mean comments and think about the constructive, helpful ones.

frankly I am still not convinced that this isn't a joke despite Diane's protestations to the contrary.
this apartment is a nightmare and I don't care if you live in Lake Ronkonkomo(if such a place exists) or SOHO its bad anywhere you turn.
And Diane, if this isn't a joke the fact that its yours and you like it doesn't make it cool or even remotely habitable. And pleading poverty doesn't help. You could cover those nightmare couches with some fresh sheets from your local bargain bin and declutter both would go a long way to improving your space. and the fact that you like something doesn't mean you shouldn't throw it away after it has outlived its useful life.
Personally, my apartment looks a gazillion times better than yours and I still don't have the arrogance to enter it into a coolest apartment contest.
And I don't believe you when you say you shop at Target. Any discriminating shopper could tastefully furnish their small apartment on a song at Target and it wouldnt look like this disaster. Get real.

screw you, Edina Monsoon!

nothing in my aparment could possibly be as awful as your personality

actually, I feel sorry for you

It must be hard to go through life being such a horrific bitch

This thread makes my stomach turn! What is wrong with people! And Alec - for letting it go on and on and on...

Diane was right - people have been awful six ways to Sunday to her. It's beyond unforgivable if you don't know the difference between friendly suggestions and brutality!

I'm pretty design confident and thick-skinned and I can assure you, having gone through this myself, it's surprisingly emotionally intense to have people commenting about who you are based on your space. It's intense! You have no idea when you're entering on a lark.

This, and the response to Christine being a finalist make me never want to visit this sight again.

I'm just bummed I didn't win b/c I would give you my prize to you, Diane.

If you love your place and enjoy decorating, don't let this experience break your heart (it would mine).

I'm so sorry you had to deal with this. I wish the best.

Just remember not everyone who loves design is an ass.

Diane, I'm sooo sorry that people were cruel to you, and it's made me cry. I can't believe that such people exist in this world.

It bothers me the most that they posted your entry. You entered with a good heart, good intentions. You didn't know they were into a certain kind of decor. And this site is definitely into a certain kind of decor. All they would have had to do is kindly send you a link to some of the entries from last years contest.

Hey, I'm not stupid. I could have sent in my place too, but if they'd sent a link to the previous entrants and winners, I'd realize that my apartment wasn't that style at all. And I would then ask that my apartment not be entered.

I would have thought, "Hey, might as well enter, what's the worst that could happen, I might not win a prize, that's all." Not winning a prize isn't the worst that can happen, as we've seen here.

Diane, NONE of these people were born with the knowledge or ability to put their spaces together in the way they have now, and their preferences for their furnishings changed over time.

I'm going to hope that most are no longer sucking on a bottle or crapping in their pants, because they moved on.

Your apartment has a lovely huge kitchen. Much larger than most of the apartments and way larger than mine.

You have a ceiling fan that must be heavenly for hot weather as well as for circulating the heat.

You have sofas that actually look comfortable and squishy and I bet you wouldn't panic if I wanted to sit down. They look great to take a nap or lie back and read a book. I can just imagine the window drapes open, light coming in on my book, the ceiling fan going, Ahhhhhh!

You have a lot of cluttery things. So do I. So do a lot of other people. Books and magazines and paperwork. At least I don't see in your apartment what I see in mine...a mountain of laundry, that I'm now considering to be "decorative soft-sculpture".

The people that couldn't believe that this was real, shame on them. Shame on them for thinking it was a joke too. I've seen homes like this, many times over. I've seen folks come over to the BHG boards asking for assistance and advice.

One of the gals who is a regular over on the BHG boards (I am too) had sent me an email, saying that she was always amazed at my outlook. She says that she'd see pictures posted of homes, and think they were total crap. Diane, I'm talking doors falling off hinges, warped flooring, etc. Fixer-upper homes.

I don't see doors off hinges, or warped flooring. I see the possibilities and the potential. I KNOW that a door can be rehung. I KNOW that a floor can be fixed. So that doesn't bother me in the slightest, it's the space I want to work with, and try to make it WORK for the individual who lives there.

I don't really care what others might think about a space or a style or a budget, because it's NOT THEIR HOME. that was one of my problems here during this contest, and I noticed other folks doing it too. Some people asked "Where's the dining table?" in some of the entries. I don't have one either. I don't use it. That's not important to me.

In addition, you may have noticed that in Wayne's pictures, all the furniture and art was changed and anything vaguely cluttery was removed. I mean to the minute detail of removing the "cluttery pencil holder". hahahah

Now, if we removed absolutely everything that wasn't nailed down in your place and put in all new things, it would look completely different. Right? I don't think that's fair, though.

Anyway, if you don't mind, I'd like to play with your room photos.

And I'd like to invite you to come over to where folks are real nice, the Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Boards.

You can use the online tool called Arrange A Room to try out new furniture layouts.

Read this for some helpful tips on furniture layout:
http://tinyurl.com/jlrhe

Nope, doesn't matter what KIND of furniture you have, they're all overhead shots. The goal is to arrange the furniture in a way that makes sense and provides YOU with what you NEED it to be.

It doesn't matter if it's bean bag chairs, a log and boulder combo in a cave, or gilded antiques...all that stuff can be swapped out later.

What we want to do first is make sure you're getting what you need out of your space.

You got the book too, right, the Cure? I'm not able to keep up with everyone else, I got the book late, and what takes able-bodied people eight weeks will take me with my back and nerve pain eight MONTHS.

That's okay too. Just a step at a time.

I don't have a lot of money either. And everytime I manage to save a bit, something goes wrong, that needs to be fixed, and thwarts my attempts. But that's okay too. I do have a chair that keeps my butt off the floor, and that's a step higher than floor sitting. I can't make the leaps folks here do with their decor. I may NEVER be able to have what they have. And that's okay too.

So, if you want to work on it a bit, or need support, we can support each other. A little less clutter, and a little more organization. Slowly but surely, we'll get there. Wherever "there" is for us.

Fondly, Andree

Okay, here are some things I'd like to do. Yeah, I'll have you moving things around all day. But you can do that in the Arrange A Room without having to actually drag anything, and see if it FITS where I think it might fit.

There's a cool niche behind the loveseat. What is that area? Is that your entry? Is there a door behind the curtain? Or do you enter via the kitchen? I'm pretty sure you aren't coming in via the bathroom or bedroom, so there has got to be a door somewhere.

I think you have one extra piece of furniture. Sofa or loveseat may have to go. Most folks seem to have an extra piece of furniture. I do. It's a big trunk that takes up too much floor space.

If the cool niche is the entry, we can't make it into an office area, unless you want to climb over the desk.

Sofas are harder to work with than loveseats. The sheer size of them limits their positioning. So I'd consider losing the sofa (making sure it goes to a good home) and working with the loveseat and the office, and creating two spaces in the living area. Office and seating for television, reading, etc.

You have a lot of...uh...wall bumps. Parts that stick out into the room so you don't have flat walls to work with, and that DOES make a serious challenge.

TV and loveseat will be going near the bath area. Yeah, it's kind of weird. I'm still thinking about that.

All the bookshelves and office stuff, it would work best if it's all together. Gives you access to all items in one spot. To reduce the cluttered appearance that all bookshelves end up with, you can always do fabric across the front. It will also help keep the books from getting sun-faded or dusty.

Any of this sounding good so far? Here I go, butting in where I wasn't invited again. Just wait until I push you in the bathroom while I redo everything else. I'm worse than Trading Spaces. At least those people volunteered.

I made you some pictures of your living room. In all, I made a beige/khaki/tan wall where the arch is...er...was. I'm loving the flat panels at IKEA, and keep trying to put them in everyone's home (whether they like it or not), so that's what that wall is supposed to be...layered panels, which you can open in the center, or create a new "doorway" within the arch...thereby giving your living room more "wall".

I know how to use maybe a half percent of this old paint program, so I just figured out how to flip things. In picture diIKEA1, I didn't do that, and the curtains for the window are on the wall where the arch used to be.

I used a round paper lantern, like the one you have in your bedroom, except in white, for where the plant was hanging. I used the beige checked cover (oh, geez, I think it was the EKTORP loveseat?). I added in three pillow covers. Those are just the covers, and you can put them over your existing pillows, if they are the same sizes. I thought the orange colors were kind of lively but not TOO lively, and would go nicely with the beige wall of panels, sofa cover, and your carpeting.

diIKEA2 has the same sofa, this time with a flaming red cover. Three of the same pillow covers this time. And I had learned how to flip the curtains, so they're over the window. There's a nifty adjustable lamp, that you can move around to read or provide general light or to poke yourself in the eye as needed.

digreensofa has the sofa that's on the front page here at AT, with a reddish orange throw. Same beige and reddish/orange pillow covers. I forgot the curtains. And a different light hanging down.

NONE of those items are expensive. Well, all together they would add up. And we're not buying a new sofa, what would work is a loveseat cover.

Target has a lot of covers, and they are pretty good prices at regular retail...but their clearance prices are even better. Since they seem to do a major clearance twice a year, one just before the spring/summer merchandise and one just before the fall/winter merchandise, watch the store like a hawk for the first inkling of clearance.

They had just about every cover on sale when they were clearing out the fall/winter stuff, and the prices were incredible. I just don't have anything to cover. I don't even have a sofa.

I'm thinking about getting one of the lamps to poke myself in the eye, because the lamps I have are not adequate for the purposes I need them for.

It says there's an IKEA in Twin Cities, is that near where you are?

Oh, here's the link to your new living rooms.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/96179754@N00/

I didn't put in any art or anything.

I did some bedroom ones too. All IKEA stuff, except the fake table in one picture. And I colorized the lamp, I'm sure we could find lots of colors...uh...somewhere.

Everyone run...bitter bitter Edina Monsoon (if thats her real name)is coming!!! Batten down the hatches...put up the shutters..cause she's gonna rip your apartment a new asshole! Quick run to Target and buy some Isaac!

Just in case Shauna and Andree ever come back to this entry, I want to give both of you an enormous hug and a thank you for your kind words. They are appreciated more than you know.

Diane, I am SOOO glad you came back. Manys the night I wondered about you. My mum was over today and I was showing her your pictures, the pictures I'd made of your place, as well as the posts here, and she was flabbergasted at the unkind remarks. We were talking about all the SPACE you have (I have a studio).

I don't know if you ever saw the pictures I made. I left them up for awhile. I still have one of my favorites up, because now I really want a red sofa! And that red/dog poster. I'm in beige land here, and that RED really perks up the area.

But I don't even have a sofa, I have two POANG chairs from IKEA...so I'm thinking about getting the RED cover/cushions and the red/dog poster myself.

I still have the pictures I made somewhere, so if you want them, let me know. Feel free to email.

And I did send an email to Alec giving him a bit of my opinion. Maybe his job is just to post whatever he's supposed to post, and not have an opinion. I disagreed. I said sometimes you have to disregard a "job" because it's not nearly as important as a human being's feelings.

Unfortunately, none of my prior employers felt the same. LOL!

Big hugs back to you.

This is the funniest thing I've ever seen. "Diane" is a comic genius. As for all of the rest of you who wasted countless hours debating about her clutter problem and how best to address the overstuffed couches, get a clue! I just wish I'd thought of this 'prank' first.

Although the last entry here was back in May, I am nevertheless compelled to add my thoughts to this bunch of so called "experts".

I discovered this site just yesterday, and was thoroughly enjoying looking at contest entries. That is, I was enjoying them until I read the comments on Diane's apartment. No, it wasn't my style, but then so few of any of the entries were. Never have I seen so many rude, obnoxious, self-important snobs gathered together in one place. Yes, I'm from the Midwest (any of you people from NYC, LA, or SF ever heard of a small town named Chicago? Probably not, you're not smart enough to know any place but your own narrow, boring lives). The world does not begin or end, contrary to your opinions, at either the left or right coast...you're merely the bookends, and at times not very good ones. And because of your lack of at the very least good manners (which apparently, with a few obvious exceptions that I read, none of you were taught), I will not read any of the comments. These comments about Diane and her home cannot in any way be considered constructive, bu only hateful, mean-spirited, and just plain cruel.

Diane, the definition of a home is a place where we feel safe and comfortable, and which is filled with things we love. It is NOT a sterile environment with hard, uncomfortable chairs and "sofas" that people can't stand to sit on for more than 2 minutes. So enjoy your home, and forget about what other people think. They probably wouldn't like my apartment, either, but that's okay...I probably wouldn't like theirs, either.