apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

HOLY MOLY WOWZA WOWZA! I'd be proud to call a space like that home. I love the colors! Love the pattern on the back wall... love the painted tree. Just plain love it.

Well done!!!

Wow! I love how the ottoman also serves as "office" seating and the counter is used for working or dining. The hand painted murals add tons of character without taking up any space. I can't believe these were done by hand - what great professional-looking results!

While I do not believe this home needs, or will benefit from a kush DWR gift certificate I will nonetheless cast a positive vote for them as this apartment addresses the issue of living small with flair, thoughtfull design and innovative solutions to some spacial constraints. Well done.

Oh, and the documentation of the painting of that wall (seen on AT earlier) was enough to stand even the most neurotic of my hairs on end!!

So clean! I'd love to see what a [simple, no pattern] rug would look like, though... Or maybe small, simple details that don't compete with the walls to make it look more personal. But what a great, clean space.

I was looking forward to see you guys in the contest, ever since you mentioned it in your blog ... and because of you I decided not to enter the contest :-((

Your apt is so beautiful and so many things made & created by you, I do not think my thrift store & flea market finds could compete this year..

I am so inspired by your apt, in two months I am planning to do a wall mural in my apt.

Congrats...Hope you'll make it to the finals.

WOW. But where do you keep all of your stuff??? I don't see a dresser.

I love that Scrabble wall!

i want to like it...but to me it just feels like a hotel room. or like, a project room on that Top Design show. it just doesnt feel like anyone lives there!

What a beautiful studio! It's appears much larger than the actual size! You'r hard work and dedication shows - I especially love the large handpainted murals and the wall colors!

Love it.

I love the decorative aspect of this space. It's gorgeous. I don't love the layout. If I lived in a studio, I would really have to partition/separate the living area from the sleep area. By turning the bed so it runs parallel to the grid wall and introducing some type of screen or open shelving it would be possible to move the chair and side table out into the entertaining/living area. Just a thought.

Lovely! all the proportions feel great. Very small....Very cool! way to go.

Lovely and imaginative, but seriously, where's your stuff? Is this just a weekend pad? I know it's staged but it doesn't look lived in at all. Maybe more pics will help flesh it out.

Is this your only home? I can only see one closet and a couple cabinets throughout the whole place... where is your stuff?

Yeah, I'm not buying that everything two people own fits in that one closet. No books? No music? No nothing?

Without stuff, this looks like a very chic hotel room.

I cannot get over the wonderful colors in your space. I am absolutely jealous of that delicious chocolate wall. I don't think that I've ever seen such a glamorous workspace. I'll look forward to seeing you somewhere toward the top of the finalist list.

beautiful space....BUT ditto on etslee, azar's and holly's remarks. I only see one closet (approx 2'x5') on the floor plan, which is probably where everything is crammed?

Clean, cool, like the stencils, like the colors, like everything about it. Really nicely done.

Love the space but I agree with the comment above - it needs a rug.

love it.

(Maybe they don't have any $$ left for clothing - hence, no need for storage space. Kidding.)

What beautiful colors and space planning.

What I like most is the way the "scrabble" wall plays off of the chocolate wall with the nature pattern. Really, really interesting.

You've done an incredible job.

Amazing.

I'm discerning two different type of people in these comments -- those who like clean and uncluttered spaces and know where/how to store things and those who like to be surrounded a by all there possessions... Despite the sometimes snarky comments by both sides, both are vaild design approaches andit will be interesting to see which prevails at the end of the contest.

I love it.

But I do understand the comments about it not feeling lived it. I have to keep all of my things put away and uncluttered but I still get that feeling from your space. Maybe it's the lighting. It looks really good but not "homey" - more like a cool bar/lounge.

love love love.

i'm diggin' the retreat-like vibe. any more clutter would compete with the dramatic decorative elements. how'd you get your landlord to let you paint your apt in LA?

RE: goodnightdean
i want to like it...but to me it just feels like a hotel room. or like, a project room on that Top Design show. it just doesnt feel like anyone lives there!

That was my first thought --someone from Top Design made a room and no one has moved in to personalize it. (And I've never even seen an episode of the show!) Feels kind of cold. :(

It's the lighting that bothers me.. I don't really want to sit in bed or in that chair and read with a spotlight on my head.

Just warm it up a bit, bring in some life.

Otherwise, its beautifully executed.

This is both artistic and sexy - well done!
So many complementary and comfortable things happening here I don't know where to start. If I can make one pick, I'd add a bit more depth to your bedding choice - but other than that, I like it alot!

I don't know, for me it *does* look warm and alive. I'm admittedly a clean lines guy, not one to want to live in an antique store, mind you. With an apt the size of a postage stamp, some compromises inevitably need to be made. What they've done is to place *fewer* pieces in the apt so it doesn't look cluttered. I say, "Bravi!" Very inviting, accomodating.

I see a lot of comments along the lines of:

"Where is all the stuff?"

"Two people can't possibly live here"

I am over at this apartment roughly three times a week and every time I go over there I find an Eric and an Ammo inside.

They live here. The trick really is organization and and a very minimalistic attitude.

The only books that are in the apartment are the occasional coffee table books. These two kids have library cards. DVDs = blockbuster online.

You already pay for those books once in taxes, no need to pay again just to clutter your space.

Oh, and kitchen cabinets can store more than kitchenware.

So can the oven... =)

"...most things in the apartment we make from scratch."

Wow, that's funny because there is nothing in your apartment. A few murals...big deal. Unless you made the furniture, then I'd be impressed. I too know were Home Depot is.

But don't get too down, you could always start a career, working as hotel decorator...just a thought. Good luck.

To everyone,

Thank you so far for the amazing comments I feel like that churning feeling in my stomach can finally stop now.

To answer some of the questions:

There is a plain brown rug that sits beside the piano. You can see a small part of it in the second photo at the bottom. It is a 5x7 so it fills a large amount of space.

We keep all of our "stuff" in that closet (she has one side, I have the other) and basically every single cabinet in the apartment. We do have a so called "junk drawer". The key has just been to stay organized, don't keep things that aren't necessary for living, and spend a little time tidying up each day. It would blow your mind how well Ammo can organize a closet.

We do live here! Yes seriously we do, come to our next party!

"No books? No music? No nothing?" I knew this one would come up. I have a library card and a blockbuster pass. Music is stored on an iPod or we listen to satellite radio. If I do buy a book, I almost always give them away to friends. We do not have a TV we just watch movies on our laptops. We have 4 skateboards and 2 snowboards. The two snowboards are under the bed, and the skateboards usually sit at the front door or in the back of the car.

The lighting is very warm and although the pictures represent a very dramatic lighting we built two very large floating light panels that provide very warm ambient light.

Ali, not only did we paint the walls, we built the light panels (see picture 2 hallway), made the curtains and valances from scratch, and many other DIY projects that made this unit what it is.

Again, thanks for the feedback! I love it! This is so much fun already.

I just wanted to say thanks to all for commenting on our space. I love it!!! I can understand how its difficult to see ALL of the work Eric and I have done in just 3 pictures.

Sunhaven is right by saying "With an apt the size of a postage stamp, some compromises inevitably need to be made." Eric and I decided that with our space being so small we wanted to maximize every inch, and we have. Most of our belongings are able to be stored in our closet, which is excessable from two sides and is about 5'wide,4' deep, and 6' tall. It is a major blessing. Being a girl, Im blessed for all the storage for my clothes and shoes. Our
bathroom also has alot of storage space. Thanks LuxuryLA for pointing out my secret storage spot! :)

The main thing to remember is if you dont NEED something why have it. I love coming home and knowing that there is so much stuff that we have that isnt visable. If only you could see under the bed (ha)!

Thank you thebit by saying "I don't love the layout. If I lived in a studio, I would really have to partition/separate the living area from the sleep area." This is a great point! We live in a "rented studio." We felt that by separating our space we would be making it more coffin-like, if you will. We think by leaving it open it gives us more to work with.

I wish that we were allowed more pictures. Then you could see how we have space for a piano even. Also you would be able to view two of our DIY light boxes. One being 4'x4' and the other 8'x3'.

I hope some of my responses shed a little light on our home. I look forward to reading many more comments. Best of luck to all the people who entered. I know how much time and effort everyone has put in. Also thank you to the people who and taking time out to vote and post comments.

I remember paging through the photos from the grid wall paintjob - I could vote you into the semifinals just for having the gumption to finish that behemoth. The entire space is absolutely outstanding. Love it.

Really cool pad. Personally, I like the CLEAN look. Keeps one from tripping over stuff as one stumbles the SHORT distance to the "facilities"

Straight lines, well lit, just the right mix of taste in artwork and furniture. Great!

I like the colors but I agree that it needs to be warmed up. Different lighting perhaps? It feels a bit uninviting.

On a positive note, the walls look amazing.

Wonderful alignment of sleek forms in this fabulous space. I think this is the best home of any that have been accepted so far across the country this year.
It is so nice to see someone take the initiative to develop an idea into a well-conceived plan to accentuate with colors and hues to embody their living space with such interesting appeal. It is certainly a space that would merit entertainment and leave the guests feeling comfortable and at ease concurrently.
I can't wait for this apartment to be selected as a national finalist so that we will be able to see additional photos and read enhanced commentary from the occupant.
Love the chocolate colored wall and the fabulous design of the large wall with all the details. The colors are incredible and reflective of the dwellers great taste.

It's a great space. Good design from great restraint. Yes people can live without clutter. Nice furniture pieces. Nice space for the his/hers Macbooks, kinda plays on a bathroom with double his/her sinks.

The only weak point is the bed. It's too intrusive on the living space. Could it be disguised as extra seating?

OMG! i heart your space soo friggin much! can't wait to see it 1st hand!! xoxo

My *only* criticism of the space is how "bed" the bed looks...

LOVE the ottoman in the niche. Love the warmth of the lighting. (Who said this space is cold? Yikes!)

Ali--
Meeeee.OW.

Wow! Time well spent! Amazing job on both of those walls, they compliment each other very well! Great photos.

So when are you coming to help decorate my place?

I'm glad the entrants explained their lack of "stuff", not because they have to justify anything to anyone, but because it was inspiring to me: more stuff does not equal more life. I love the flowery mural, and look forward to seeing more photos either as a finalist entry or a house tour!

Love it.

I've seen the uncluttered thing done (lived it with a roommate in the LES, New York, in a tiny, tiny 2-BR (ha!) apartment), and it takes the right mindset and intention and overall not letting down your guard against clutter encroachment. And you do it, cos the alternative is chaos.

I'm saying it is totally within the realm of possibility.

This apartment is fabulous. I love it.

it's ok but not that great

Nice job with the decorating, but as for designing the interior to make the most of the space, I think it falls well below the mark. I'm not seeing creative uses of furniture placement, etc. The layout screams for having the sofa and bed basically glued to each other, with the former "hiding" the latter. As it is, there's no mystery to the place. You can see the bedroom from the kitchen (from everywhere really).

I'd rotate the bed 90-degrees so that the headboard is up against the wall, then place the sofa right up against the bed, running the length of it, facing the kitchen, and also being close to the window to get lots of light. That also prevents the sofa from being right up against he wall, and will make the area around it seem more spacious. I see no cons to that plan - only pros.

This is a gorgeous studio. I am impressed with the hanging hallway light panels; can you provide more details on how you made them?

Also, I admire your lack of clutter and ability to hide things away so nicely.

About the only thing that I would say isn't ideal might be the bed, like others have said. It sort of pops out due to its color and location -- I assume it's intentional because the color ties in to the colored grid you have on the wall. Still, seems slightly out of place compared to the other colors you are using in your home.

One more thing -- are you tv-less and watching dvds on your laptops, or have you somehow hidden the tv underneath your bed as well? (or in the oven!) ;)

Nice job. I see that you've got your own genius bar there.

I am always amazed when I see a square white box turned into a cozy warm space. I love the wall graphic! It adds flavor without taking up space. I love your lighting. I have lived in too many apartments with an overhead bulb or a few cheezy lamps. Nice work:-)

This is a lovely space, beautiful to look at, but as several commenters already mentionned, it feels more like a designy hotel room than a everyday-home.
Even taking into account that all "personal" stuff has been put away for the photos, i find it hard to believe that two people live here on a regular basis. i mean, having a look at Maxwell's and Sar Kate's appartment, which already contains a very reduced amount of personal belongings, but even there you can see some storage ( around, beneath the bed, books near the ceiling).

So what i want to say is, it's a lovely eye-candy but not routine-proof in my eyes: therefore only "cool, has potential".

Wow! I can only hope that my son can do this good of a job when he is on his own! Way to go!
C. Folse

What an awesome place! Would you consider coming to Texas to decorate mine??? Love the colors you used!

Beautiful space, love the scrabble board wall...

I find myself distracted by the color of the bedspread though, and like was mentioned before, the bed looks too much like a bed. It would be nice if it looked more lounge like.

Beautiful!! I need you to design and decorate my house!

Love the colors and I'm impressed with all the little tricks to make it more functional.

Just because this place looks several flavors of sensational in one big bite, doesn't mean the inhabitants of this space don't have dreams of improving it even further with that gift certificate. Maybe they've got their eye on a rug or something.

I just think this is gorgeous, and as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't bother me one bit that it looks like it belongs in a magazine.

I think you did a great job making such a small studio feel like home to you. Best of luck in winning the contest!

Great place! I really like all the interesting light fixtures.

I'd love to see more pictures... really looking great!!!

Best entry i've seen yet! Your computer area is to die for!

Warm and inviting. Great personal touches. I'm imagining this with people living in it (newpapers, a coffee mug, spare change on a dresser) and like it even better.

agreed on the hotel room comment above. gives me the boutique hotel feel.

Superb, I really like the DIY part as it makes a great design afforable for the "normal" of us.

I've seen all your DIY posts and even referred to some of them in my blog, but the finished product is gorgeous.

i really think this is my favorite so far, your living/bed room is absolutely gorgeous. i love the colors the tile wall, the mural, the lights everything!
so impressed !!

absolutely amazing. i LOVE it.

love how organized it is and the diy painting....however id say everything is so exactly coordinated in color that it puts me off a bit and loses its effect

Superfabolicious! This designer is a bonified genius!

Looks very nice. I would have liked to see a creative sleeping solution though. It must seem a little strange to have guests sit on a traditional bed.

wait..did you just invite us to your next party? hehe.

where do you guys eat? i always wonder this of studio people.

my favorite! awesome colors and ideas.

You guys have some really interesting pieces... and I've had apts just as small in Chicago, so I understand how you have to just live with the "intrusive bed". But even the color of the spread complements all the tones, from the wall colors to the floors. And I really find the mirror against the computer station to be an understated gem. That has to really OPEN up the space alot. I'm also curious, what kind of view is there out that drawn window? Absolutely Fabulous!!! Oprah's designer couldn't do it any better, and he's pretty damn good!

Ammo, we never did replace that window in my last apt, but I still want to "apprentice" with you someday on a project!

Good Luck!!!!!

The apartment looks great! You really made good use of the small space. I approve of the colors...especially the brown, kinda looks familiar? Anyway you now can help me with my first venture into studio living.

The contest is all yours.

Mar,

We usually eat where the laptops are, we just push the laptops back and eat sitting on the ottoman.

Oh, and sure, come on out to our next party. Although last time we got a noise complaint :(

Others,

So far the bed has not been an issue. Many people just sit on the edge of it like it is just another couch or something. I can't imagine sectioning it off, becase the space is SO small it would really hurt the size of the space. I guess that is just one of the downfalls of a studio.

Again, thanks for all the feedback. Keep it coming!

This is an absolutely beautiful space. I am still baffled about the space for clothing (I did read about the closet) but I guess in CA, you don't need much that is bulky.

It does have a botique hotel feel, but I love that.

Fantastic!! I love the computer station. It is all so neat. I love painting of the leaves on the wall. Very cool!!! Best one of all.

this is so beautiful and so well lit. where is your stuff?

I Love it! Very creative! :)

Impressive dedication to thoughtful design. Yes, cool - way cool. The dramatic sprig could use an aqua ceramic urn or half pot sitting at its base. Bravo on your implementation.

Love the complimentary colors, the painted tree, and especially the lighting. As a photographer, my mantra has been "lighting is everything." You've done a spectacular job of blending overhead, task and mood lighting to create a wonderful ambiance. WELL DONE!

If this contest was only a matter of color schemes, this entry would win, hands down. The walls work really well with the light sources. I'd like to see how this space looks in natural light, though. As amazing as the colors are, I wonder whether they look as good with the lamps off and the curtain back.

It's interesting that you've forsaken the usual clutter (books, CDs, TV), but have opted to keep a piano!

I missed the voting. The color scheme is great and really keeps everything cohesive. The bedspread that would look horrible in the store looks great in your space. Good eye!

I am enjoying reviewing the apartments around the country and do admire many of them. There are some great entries. It is nice to know that so many folks appreciate and develop the appearance of their small homes. Your tree and tiled pattern wall are the best examples of paint work yet across the country. I have noticed in many of the comments that the eames chairs are huge draws and should YOU become the overall winner I imagine from your style that you would consider that line of chairs as something to purchase with the contest award, as we all know they are wonderful!!!!

However, your taste in wall decor is well acknowledged, and I am now waiting for others to acknowledge your furniture. You've got the only MONKEY POD table to be seen yet in this contest. It is a fabulous piece of furniture and I'm sure carries significant history. I'd like to know what others think of that fine table. It's beautiful and adds an additional touch of classic design to your small abode. Contined good luck in the contest, you are a sure bet to be the national winner.

Wow! Very Impressive. Definitely love the artistic contributions especially the abstract plant on the wall! Terrific Job.

your scrabble wall is awesome! I can only imagine how many times you measured, leveled, checked the angles of the corners, and the miles of painters tape you must have gone through, but anyhoo, it rocks :D the colors are great too, they remind me of the "Audrey" dishes I've been eyeing at Crate & Barrel!

I've seen a lot of comments on how your place looks like a hotel, and how the bed is too much of a bed...well...yeah...it's a bed...people need sleep! but, if you can't escape the hotel comparisons, play it up! y'know those old school round...ummm...couch things(?) that used to be found in hotel lobbies circa 1940's-ish? the ones that look like round ottomans with a cylinder of a backrest in the middle? why not borrow that concept for your bed? if you move it away from the wall a couple feet you can put a (DIY) long backrest pillow in the middle so people can sit on either side without feeling like their sitting on some person's bed...and it'll up the swank lounge factor!

oops...I meant "they're"...I know the difference, really! it was late

I too, think it looks like a hotel--A really chic, $500.00 a night hotel--What's wrong with that??

Some of the best designed/decorated small spaces I've ever been in are great hotels--

Let's see, even if we got it for a bargain, say $350.00 a night, that equates to $10,500.00 a month---I'll bet they pay a lot less than that in rent!!

If I could live in a super swanky hotel for the cost of monthly rent, I would never live anywhere else...

Unfortunately, even a Motel 6 in a bad area of town is more than what I pay, so I'm stuck :)

I say it rocks.

i'd love it...if i wanted to live in an uncomfortable hotel room.

I'm really impressed that #32 on the East has a baby grand piano. I believe you are the only other apartment to mention a piano, and we can't see any of your piano in the photos. When you are a finalist, please do show off that piano of yours. The sense of musicality with the pianos is wonderful in small apartments, showing you (and also #32 East) have style, taste and class. One or two folks mentioned your space was too neat and tidy for them, but I bet they will be impressed that you got the piano in there in the small space you have. And I do believe you are one of the smaller apartments in terms of square footage in the entire contest. I'm looking forward to additional photos of your eye-catching abode that will depict more of your taste and style. Monkey Pod table, wonderful walls, colors of chocolate and teal and a sleek piano. Your place rocks. I can just hear some great music now as I envision your pad with folks relaxing at a gathering while you play for them! Great.

Cool place. Really creative use of colors and paint! May I ask where you got your chairs from?

You probably got the chairs from Loja Designs ( www.lojadesigns.com ) ....I got a pair from there, but, you definitely made look much nicer!
Well done....you probably should think of starting your own Interior Design business for small scale houses.

FS