Name: Kelly
Location: Santa Monica, California
Size: approx. 550 sq. ft, 1 Bedroom
Favorite resource:
Definitely eBay (where you can find those flea market finds with a simple search), and cheap knock-offs from websites like Target.com (free shipping!).
What inspired you?
The history and casual attitude of Los Angeles inspired me to create the mix-matched style of my 1930s one bedroom. I love the combined influence of Hollywood Glam with the funky bohemian style of Santa Monica… like mixing Prada with worn out Thrift Shop. I like spaces that tell a story.
With very little money (and space) I used hand-me-down furniture (like the black Noguchi table) and some cheaper new pieces to create a cohesive comfortable space that works together. I love entertaining friends, so the apartment had to be organized and comfortable (all the ugly stuff is concealed or disguised).
Design Tip:
A small space can feel cluttered FAST! Organize your things in groups (for example, neatly stacked books balance out a group of smaller accessories). Director’s chairs from Pier One are economical and ideal for small spaces… they fold up fast to create instant space!
I love the subdued color scheme, and the layout makes the apartment look much larger than 550 sq. ft. All you have to do is replace the hideous floral couch with a matching brown leather one and you're done.
Another kudos here for the color scheme. I really enjoy it. Especially the bedroom walls. Very soothing!
Love the bedroom, especially the bedding and the drawer pulls on the dresser. The splash of color from the green purse is nice, as is the red of the drawer pulls. Maybe you could get throw pillows to introduce more of those colors into the space?
Suddenly 550 square feet seems like so much for one person. Rooms! Such luxury! Where is the challenge?
THe bed looks so inviting!!
My only complaint is that the dining room just disappears in all this - the warm wall paint should be continued, I think.
It looks nice though, and bigger than 550 sq feet!
I think brown would be too dark for the dining room - but it would look great with some color - maybe green
I really like what you did with the place (also loved your floor plan - so cute). Love the bedroom. love the coral dresser knobs.
don't love floral couch, but would not do more brown leather - I would do something with a soft fabric like ultrasuede.
I love the caramel brown on the walls, Kelly. What's the name of the paint?
And, re. the art over the bed: are those fabric panels stretched over artists' canvases, or are they paper mounted on something? thanks.
LOVE the vintage travel poster over the computer...and great use of the directors chairs!
Plus I like the craftsman style undertones. Very L.A.!
Love the muted, soothing wall colors. Coral drawer pulls are so unique! Twin ottomans at extremely streamlined computer desk look like they also offer storage (very efficient use of space). Overall, a wonderful entry.
I love your apartment! It seems so comfortable and quaint... nice mix of styles. It's very inviting!
the bed seems high, is there storage underneath? good job!
A nice use of your space. I'm especially fond of the bedroom. It's modern and grown-up, yet feminine--without feeling too "girly".
I love that you have the same warm color scheme throughout, just in different values! What a great feeling for a beach location!
The drawer pulls are fun! Love the coral!
Fun inviting space!
This apartment is fabulous! I love everything. You are very talented! Kudos to Kelly!
Your place is adorable, very nice work.
Just bought the same drawer pulls this weekend.
I like it, but people need to learn to remove about 90% of their personal items before taking pictures. They just clutter up the space and are distracting from the overall design.
I like the personal items. It shows that it's a real space. It's not distracting at all.
I love those drawer pulls!
Your apartment feels very well thought-out; you have put together complete rooms without overwhelming the small spaces. A really nice entry.
I love the colors and the clean look.
Can Kelly come to my home in Indiana, and help me get her Santa Monica look?
Fabulous.
Maria
Is the headboard custom? I would love to know where you found it.
Very, very nice. Love the warm colors, and the bedroom looks soooooo luxurious.
Cluttered personal items? You've got to be kidding. This place has just enough to feel lived in and loved.
I'll put in the requisite criticism of the floral print sofa, but aside from that everything else hits the mark. Though the empty wine bottle rack in the dining room looks out of place.
And, I like the coral knobs, but don't you get caught on them? I'd either rip my clothes on them or break off the ends very easily, I'd imagine.
Brava! What a beautiful Santa Monica gem!! Love the warm bed room, the space-saving ottomans (or is it ottomen, jk jk) and that stunning Noguchi table. Lovely Kelly, Brava!!
This aparment is amazing! I'm just waiting for Oprah to pop out of a room and say "Now this has style!"
great job!!!Your bedroom looks fabulous. Surely one of the best apartments in this contest.
What a cozy apartment! You say you entertain?? I would love to attend a party here.
The color scheme is very inviting and transitions well into each room. I actually like the floral printed couch. It makes the room unique and not so predictable.
I love the idea of the director's chairs to save space! The accent of oranges on the table make the dining area complete.
I want to go yachting in Greece now! Great job Kelly!
Wow, everything you need in a apartment and it all fits in 550 sqft. This apartment is perfect! I like the layout and the couch is unique, great idea, like the fabric. I like your style.
great use of space, warm colors, and a casual chic vibe. kelly's clearly got great taste and a designer's eye. bravo.
Yes, we must know that paint color in the bedroom.
The tops of my surfaces (dresser and table tops, armoire, etc.) never look quite right no matter what I do. I think Kelly's are perfect and beautiful. I will use them for inspiration.
Thank you for all the insightful comments! I am so appreciative. To answer some of your questions...
paint schedule is as follows:
living room- Ralph Lauren, Country Cork
hallway- Ralph Lauren, Devonshire
bedroom- Behr, Pepperspice
Like I said in the description, I had very little money to furnish this apartment, so I had to work with what I had...
I made the bedroom headboard myself with a fantastic horizontal stripe fabric i found at F&S in Los Angeles.
I did the art above the bed myself. I found a Japanese floral that I really loved and painted my own version of it on two large canvases (I actually used the left over paint from the bedroom walls and mixed it with white paint to get the right color... very easy and economical).
Because the closets in this apartment are so pathetically small, i had to create storage under the bed (for shoes and other things!). I raised the bed and bought lots of the Rubbermaid extradeep storage containers from Target. They are cheap and perfect for a double bed, extending almost the entire width of the bed.
Thank you for the input!
kelly
love it yet I wonder if you use your computer very much -- I'd need more desk space even if I wasn't in school and a chair with a back to it. the current comp. arrangement is adorable just I think it would be comfortable only for low amounts of use.
Kelly, I love that you painted the art above the bed youself. I've seen a lot of self-made art hanging in apartments on this site, and this is so much more successful than most -- I think because you picked a very graphic, simple design and didn't overthink it.
Kelly, wonderful use of colors. I will borrow some of the details and uses of the space. I enjoy it!
clean, functional decorating...! You have my vote
Jan
Kelly,
Your apartment is classy and comfortable!
You are talented.
The head board you designed gives a nice finished look and ties together with the bedding.
I totally agree with the calm, warm color scheme.
Well Done Kelly,
*Denise*
Nice and cozy without being boring. Looks like a male and female would be equally as comfortable living here. I like the warm wall colors and wish I had the nerve to paint mine!
The Greek travel poster is very nice too.
Good job overall!
That desk does look a wee bit small but I love the complimenting framed poster above--it adds a touch of something exoctic in a clean lines apartment. You did a fantastic job!!
I love the use of the leather cubes and the leather chair and ottoman. -t
I love this cozy santa monica apt which you have beautifully turned into a luxurious home! The color shcemes you used are so warm and inviting. I like that it looks lived in, but clean as well. You so beautifully adapted your ideas into this small space, making it cozy, functional, and livable all at the same time, while under a budjet! It seems practical for all occasions(entertaining, working, playing, relaxing, etc...) I think it is absolutely fabulous and wonder if you are looking to move out soon in the hopes that I may move in!
Kelly! What a fabulous apartment, it looks so inviting and professional, yet at the same time I can see all the personal touches you have added! I can't wait to come and visit!
--Caitlin--
Where did you get the coral drawer pulls? I love them!
thanks! the drawer pulls are from anthropolgie...
Wow! Kelly, you are fabulously talented! The few nay-sayers must just be jealous because they don't share your amazing creativity. You made the headboard yourself??? WOW! Pics look great. BTW, I think the color may be "county" cork rather than "countRy" cork -- just picked up a few gallons myself, because I want my place to look as good as yours!
I love your drawer pulls.. But I HATE your drawer pulls! How do you not hurt yourself on them? LOL
This apartment is the embodiment of Santa Monica. I love how you fused chic with cozy. Wonderful ideas, great use of such a small space, and I just love the personalized touches such as the artwork and headboard (fabulous fabric btw.) Great color scheme and love the punch of color from the coral pulls. I wish my place could look as good as yours! You have great style!
The bedroom is awesome. And your use of personal accessories is outstanding.
I think the bedroom is my favorite room in your place. The wall color is so delicious, the bed looks heavenly and I adore the coral hardware on the dresser. I also really like the living room with the gorgeous tv/storage cabinet. The dining room is nice (you've given me some ideas for my own space as far as the table and chairs). I think some bright colors in there on the walls and curtains would look great - I'm thinking orange. Beautiful home!
There should be a rescue league for good furniture in bad rooms. Someone save that 'Noguchi' table from that armoire and that hideous floral couch!
Cute, restrained, and good use of color -- especially on the walls. The blue-brown thing is a little trendy, though. I get a flavor of Restoration Hardware.
The bedroom is relaxing without being dull, with just a spark of color from the coral drawer pulls. How about even a slipcover to inexpensively solve the couch problem?
OMG! All entries should be this put together. Love the layout, color choices, and DETAILS.
One caveat, treat yourself to some dining chairs with substance, the directors chairs you have are the only stand out negative in your beautifully furnished home.
Upon further reflection, the lighting, and draperies also give me pause. You can obviously do better!
I love the rest of your apartment though, especially the bedroom.
I got inspired by the drawer pulls and bought those this weekend too-- ( they are half off at anthropologie. Yeay! I first saw the silver ones on designsponge...and they do make my dresser look so much better:)
oooh, noguchi table (i almost missed it in the pic)! great colr scheme in the bedroom. and that computer table is might up my style!
I LOVE this space.
Great personality, and functional use of space. Just wonderful!
Good luck!
Love the whole look, Kelly!
Your tastefulness is inspiring!!
Clearly Kelly knows how to live in a small apartment. Neatly organized with nice use of space and the bedroom is especially put together.
It was clever to crop most of that floral sofa from the living room photo. Kelly, treat yourself to a new slipcover, preferably a solid one with some texture. They're inexpensive and you've earned it!
I'm new to this site and I just love your decor! If you don't mind me asking, what japanese floral did you base your prints in the bedroom on? I'm in love with their simplicity and would love to find something similar.
Thank you!
What an adorable, warm, and inviting apartment! I LOVE the coral knobs on your dresser! Where did you find them??? I have been looking for coral knobs for my bathroom cabinets and have not been able to find anything like it.
Love, love, love it. Your space is so calm yet happy - a hard balanace to create! I know I'm repeating what everyone else has already said, but it looks so much bigger than it is. WOW! Where did you find that awesome glossy white dresser?!
I fail to see the touches of Hollywood glamour other than the somewhat trite use of director's chairs. To make the most of your small space, you may want to consider integrating your computer with your entertainment system or replace it with a laptop and/or a large, mounted flat-panel television. Combining functionalities within a small space, while it can be expensive, can make the space seems less thrown together. It can combine the office space and living space into a single coherent space. The floral couch seems to be a hand me down from a Grandma in the Deep South, and completely disrupts the rest of the room. Ugly is not always funky or Bohemian.
Random note here *sorry*. I am trying to do a whole kitchen in the red coral knobs you used. I am short though. If you have any interest in redoing your dresser (I love your style!) I would gladly pay you top dollar for your knobs. The red has been discontinued and I have 47 but I need 53 for my kitchen! Maybe you're tired of them after a year!?!?! Anyway, your place is gorgeous....I love your taste and I would gladly pay you well for your knobs. Random request, I know, but would LOVE it if you are interested. Contact me at 415-297-4311 or blythelang@yahoo.com. Thanks.