apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


#19 - Laure's Sparkling Space

Name: Laure
Location: Venice, CA
Size & Type: 550 sq.ft. 1-bedroom

Favorite resource: Other people's houses! I love to see how other people have configured their spaces. I love visiting family in different parts of the country and the world to see their takes on space and color. Of course magazines and flea markets don't hurt either.

Pitch: This is my first apartment and when I moved in I couldn't figure out how I was going to fit everything in. After scaling all my furniture
down over time the rooms actually feel bigger than when it was empty. Painting each of the rooms made the biggest difference though. It helped open up the apartment making it more of a united space. It also motivated me to keep the space presentable, give away the things I don't love, and really enjoy the things I do.


07jolietatladiscoball.jpg

07jolietatlabedroom.jpg

Your favorite element:

I love that my apartment has original windows, moldings, and doorknobs. Plus there aren't any other 2 story buildings on the block so I have an unobstructed view of the neighborhood, a green hillside and a community filled with palm trees.

07jolietatlafloorplan.jpg

Comments (40)

I like the sparkling second photograph. I think it hypnotized me.

The couch and the coffee table are pretty cool too. Thumbs up to those bedroom lamps.

I like a lot of your stuff.

posted by Weasel Dearest on 2007-04-30 15:50:07
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So light and airy... awesome! I like the bookshelf and computer desk by the balcony, though I suppose that is more of an architectural benefit than something a renter would have done.

Does a dresser at the foot of the bed hold all your clothing? I don't see a closet in the floor plan.

posted by theninthcloud on 2007-04-30 15:52:07
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All things bright and beautiful... (:

posted by *Terramia* on 2007-04-30 16:02:25
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Very nice place! What lamp is that next to the couch?

posted by converge on 2007-04-30 16:06:01
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Love it!!!

posted by MA on 2007-04-30 16:07:52
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Is the paint green? And the light turns it into a short of "shade on a sunny day" effect? Fascinating use of color to set the mood...

posted by wende in phoenix on 2007-04-30 16:22:51
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love that you left the door open in the first picture-- seems to me like that says it all about the vibe of your place: it feels very open, fun, playful, and carefree.

posted by phoebe (silk felt soil) on 2007-04-30 16:27:03
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Is that a disco ball sitting on the floor ?

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posted by Hed Kandi on 2007-04-30 16:31:52
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fabulous.
the great photography tricks made the place really stand out (though it didnt really need the help!)

posted by goodnightdean on 2007-04-30 16:32:49
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I really like this place... light and airy. very california too. well done, really fun and comfy.

posted by -kellen on 2007-04-30 16:42:16
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I really enjoy that your bedside lamps are just slightly out of scale. Makes the bed feel cozy, somehow. Or maybe it that they give an Alice in Wonderland vibe. Perhaps it's the colorful stripes?

Ach, I don't know. But I think your place is great. Good job!

posted by moira on 2007-04-30 16:56:18
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Awesome! I love the brightness and openness. What the heck is on the floor?

I'm going to google for disco balls in a second because that sparkly thingy has inspired me.

Be sure not to invite people to your place--they're not going to want to leave.

posted by meltendo on 2007-04-30 16:58:33
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Your place is so calm and relaxing! The first picture really captured my attention. For a first place you've done a great job!
I love your dining room table and chairs where did you purchase them?

posted by E.I.F. on 2007-04-30 17:05:07
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This feels very California to me, and that's great (it makes me want to go visit my sister). The sense of geographic place is not something that I've thought about in voting on any entries up until now, because I guess none have really hit me as so place-specific.
I want to see that poster for like never again in my life. But that's my own issue, and it actually is in line with the feel of your place.

posted by eliz on 2007-04-30 17:05:18
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i'm loving the giant bedside lamps! beautiful.

posted by universal mod on 2007-04-30 18:48:02
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Wow - nice place! Great composition. This is your FIRST apartment and you already have all of this great furniture and artwork?! Good for you. I think my first apartment contained a futon and a butterfly chair and that was about it. I'm thoroughly impressed.

posted by Harley on 2007-04-30 19:05:18
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While it flows well and I LOVE that lamp above the table, your decorating items all seem readily available at IKEA or the like. What would be really cool is to design some of your own creations.

posted by torribug on 2007-04-30 19:07:52
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Although it looks sparse, something tells me that to actually sit in the space is homey and inviting. I absolutely adore the lamps in your bedroom. The light is there is gorgeous.

posted by elle1009 on 2007-04-30 19:26:56
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love everything about the place! great eye for color and use of white. i love the spareness but it does not at all feel empty or cold like some of the other clean white entires feel. just absolutley lovely. insta finalist for me!

posted by olivia on 2007-04-30 19:52:50
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like everyone else, I'm in love with your bedroom lamps and your cute, cozy, chic apartment.

posted by robinm on 2007-04-30 21:26:50
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don't.
ever.
paint.

(other than white)
The natural light in your place is amazing.

posted by Iron Horse on 2007-04-30 21:59:05
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I totally need a disco ball. That is exactly what my life is missing. Must. Search. eBay.

Your bedroom lamps are to die for.

I love the blue door leading into your dining room from the patio space. And that natural light is gorgeous.

I cast my vote for you to make it into the finals. Good luck!

posted by decor8Holly on 2007-04-30 22:01:44
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That poster is the same as that sfgirl blogger.

posted by Marbargarbo on 2007-04-30 23:52:44
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wowww I want to live here

posted by alicia on 2007-05-01 00:00:07
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Love the mid-century vibe. Not a fan of the bedside lamps...

Add another apartment to the uncluttered yet livable column.

posted by phaedrus on 2007-05-01 00:23:28
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You've pulled off a really cute look here. Cute and peaceful at the same time. I love your George Nelson (?) lamp over your dining table. I also really love the large lamps in the bedroom. What a great idea to use them the way you have. They add just the right amount of interest and because your place is uncluttered don't feel overdone. Not easy to accomplish with large lamps.

I hope you make it to the finalists so I can see more of your place!

posted by peggy on 2007-05-01 09:41:16
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really beautiful!!

posted by jodi on 2007-05-01 10:23:13
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great use of light. and like others said, i can;t believe this is your first apartment! what was your budget?

posted by mei on 2007-05-01 12:11:24
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love you place! i've always wanted the sparkly thingy, how did you do it?

posted by sharki on 2007-05-01 12:24:54
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SUPER!!

posted by mint julep on 2007-05-01 12:55:35
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this place is rad. light and pretty but not too overdone. nicely edited, but still personal. perfect place to live a real life. yay!

posted by aquarabbit on 2007-05-01 14:28:57
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Agreed - very livable and modest. All that sun makes me jealous (or at least wishing I lived in Venice).

posted by Christopher on 2007-05-01 18:29:15
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Cool place. The little disco ball is too much and makes it feel staged, or maybe it is just always sitting on the floor there? Not a big fan of all mid-century stuff, but kinda unique.

posted by urbanwannabe on 2007-05-01 20:23:37
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need.longer.duvet

posted by BeachBoy on 2007-05-01 20:28:38
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i love the lamps.

posted by ange_lune on 2007-05-02 12:10:55
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It is SO freakin' lovely. Makes me very happy. Well done!

posted by Madame Mao on 2007-05-02 14:17:28
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Your apartment has beautiful bones, and your furniture is lovely too!

posted by mollybb on 2007-05-02 16:42:00
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There's lots of elements I like here... The 50's furniture, the bed side lamps are lovely! :)

http://kittyrenovates.blogspot.com/

posted by Kitty Von Bang on 2007-05-03 16:39:15
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Thanks everyone for your responses! I never in a million years expected so much positive feedback. I'll try to answer as many questions as possible (and I'll be posting more pictures since I made it as a semifinalist).

The furniture I have been accruing for a while since I love mentally dressing a room. I have been collecting from flea markets, garage sales, and I inherited some of the midcentury stuff from my gramma -- ultimately I would like to have more variations in style...

-The bedside lamps were a garage sale purchase.
-Lamp next to the couch is a target eiffel tower lamp.
-The living room and bedroom are both a pale shade of green
-The mirrorball was a made for me by an old boyfriend (it has bud vases built into it to hold flowers and the whole thing is remote controllable on wheels)
-Dining room table is: top from ikea (I would like to change this) and legs from room and board.
-chairs are off craigslist

Thanks again everyone.
laure

posted by laure on 2007-05-09 20:35:47
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i like the mirrorball!

posted by SD913 on 2007-09-18 10:41:55
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