apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Hi, Maria. Great space!
Can you tell me where you purchased the frames above your bed?

Thanks!

I think I like this apartment, but either the photos are blurry, or my eyesight is going. Sheesh...

I like your colors, but I can't get a good sense of how your space looks overall.

The photos are too blurry.

That is very nice although although it makes me wonder when someone might be moving in.

The photos are really blurry. I find it awkwardly sparse. It is minimal, but positioning of accessories, decorations and furniture seem a little off for my tastes. I don't know... Sorry!

Photos are too blurry and I want to vote on the entire small space. Take a shot of at least the kitchen when you resend the pics. It looks good from what I could stand to see.

I never realized what great photography/focusing does to sway my opinion on a place. I almost want to judge this place by the quality of the pictures. Looks nice but I can't tell for sure.

I liked it a lot. You have a great taste of colors and furniture selections. However, I was hoping to see some creative twist. Comparing with some other contestants who put in a great amount of work to creat their living area out of a small space this looks more effortless (just throw in nice furnitures and art into a small space).
And the pictures are blurry.

Oh man, every picture is blurry... it makes it hard to vote.

yeah. I mean, I hate to be a bitch but if you're going to enter a contest like this...shouldn't your pictures be as great as possible?

presentation is everything...... and these pictures do not do your space justice, and for that reason "not my bag"

It's not ringing my bell. The poor quality of the photographs is really detrimental, but what I can't decipher through the haze isn't all that interesting.

this is the first time i'm voting "not my bag" because of the poor quality of the photos...it made it hard to focus on the apartment...sorry!

I like this space. Calming, tasteful, and simple.

Looks nice but poor photography really affected my opinion. I had to vote "not my bag".

Sorry, this didn't really appeal to me. It seemed tidy to the point of being sterile and artificial (staged?).

Also, the quality of the photos do not help at all. A wise word to future contestants, the quality of the photos are almost as important as what they are photographing, if you have a "crappy" camera, we live in an age where one of your friends should have a decent camera you can borrow.

I love the shot of your bed. Where are those frames from?

Yes, resubmit clear photos -- recruit a friend if you have to! Otherwise though this is the first place I've seen that I've liked everything in it, and regardless, for that I gave it a super-cool. Can't help it -- her sense of style is really appealing to me. But please do take better photos! I'm surprised this was allowed in this way; it's going to mess up her chances for winning. : /

Hard to judge due to quality of the photographs...

The frames over the bed are from CB2. They're called "Oxide" and are incredibly light weight METAL. They take an 8" x10" photo/drawing, etc... and can easily be hung vertically or horizontally.

The pics look like they've been taken with a cameraphone...

Regarding Photos, quality or lack-thereof:

I purposely didn't include shots of the kitchen or bath. They're not ugly rooms and in fact were remodeled by the management corporation overseeing the property a couple of years back but it's all standard stock, low-end cabinets and vinyl flooring - not interesting (IMO).

Management had a bit of a "fit" when they saw that I'd switched-out the ceiling fans and fixtures - I'm laying low (for now) on the kitchen and bath.

Thanks for all the comments and putting up with the photos. They were taken with my cell phone as I don't own a camera and looked much different on the smaller screen. I'll try to get better ones this weekend.

That is one *austere* apartment.

First of all, as a self-employed fine artist, I must express my thanks to you for buying original art. Patrons like you keep me in Ramen. You have an eye for design and composition.

That said, I echo the sentiments of those who urge you to get better photographs. If you have enough money to buy a great piece of art, you have enough money to buy a decent camera.

Nice furniture pieces.

Lower the art above the bed. A bit closer too.
It is kind of the headboard in a sense.

The full length mirror reflects outside.
I'm curious to see your patio.

The print above the sofa is off too.
Center it and get rid of that other thing beside it.

Err on the side of a larger ( or closer) piece of art;
or a more substantial ensemble if it's a collection.

I'm holding off on voting, so please get better photos!

I think you've decorated the apt well but I thought this contest was about creative living in small spaces. This just looks like a nicely decorated apt that happens to be small.

I think this is one of the best yet, especially for a rental. It is well edited and laid out -- goes to show what a sense of style and restraint can do for a place.

It seems as some people think that being creative about how much stuff one can jam into a small space -- to me, editing down to the essentials is one of the most creative processes you can employ in small spaces.

I just hope that the photos don't sink your chances.

I love when I vote opposite of most people, purely by chance, since I voted before seeing any other votes or reading the comments. I voted super cool. I like this place a lot and am amazed that the photo quality is as good as it is having been taken with a cellphone! (Of course I agree the pics submitted should be better.) I wonder if this place really looks something like this most of the time, because, as someone else mentioned, it does look staged, as if for a photo shoot.

I really like what I can see of the space, but I'm not sure how to vote on this because the photos are all so blurry (as others have pointed out).

All Moved In:

I honestly enjoy the feedback. This is a lot of fun and I'll answer some of the recent posts/questions now.

*laugh* Yes, I'm completely moved in. As the title suggests, I believe in Simple Living. However, Simple and Simplistic are not the same thing. For me it boils down to knowing what I need as well as what I want... and the difference between the two.

This is why there isn't a TV in the photos. I don't own one and most anything I'm interested in seeing is either at the theater or can be found on DVD and viewed via laptop.

*laughs harder* No, I didn't "stage it" and Yes, it looks like this all the time - Why wouldn't it? It's small and I don't own a lot of stuff.

That's good to hear, runninggreenlights!
Where is your table in the first pic from?

I like your apt very much! I am also holding off voting until I see clearer pics, but it looks like it has great potential. I have to agree with paulmuscat, your art is off-kilter; it'll showcase the artwork a whole lot more (you're so proud of them, do them justice!) *Proportion* is key in decorating!
(One route to achieve this: "rule of thirds")

The table and chairs are great, in great light. I love the bedroom. The fireplace is ignored. Its the living room that needs attention. Still, what potential!

I'm finding it all very bland (beige/brown) and boring.

I do like the green chair though, and the art in your dining area!

like this. minimal but not austere. and i don't find it bland or boring.....but i like open space.

that said i have to agree with some of the posters on your art hanging. the over the bed pieces should be closer/tighter.
the sofa piece is too far to the left. and a little more color might be nice in lieu of "things".

this place will rock when you find a few more things of meaning to fill it....a little more. great start.

Send me a note and I'll come over and take some better pictures for you. It's funny, 'cause the first picture of the table is (almost) absolutely captivating. I'm curious about the art. Are they artists local to Austin?

The photo quality is really impeding any assessment of this place.

Did you take these pictures underwater?

Hey everybody! Chill with the blurry photo comments! If it got posted, then obviously AT isn't too concerned about it, right? Maybe? Possibly? OK!

That being said, I always like to see more color, but I do like all of your art and the frames as well.

Hello all. Maria here w/an update. I did write to the editor(s) of my region requesting how to and if I would allowed to re-shoot the photos and re-submit.

Alas, it's one entry per person...final! I understand their ruling and respect it.

I'm writing here as an FYI.

Again, thanks for the feedback ( / -). This has been a fun event to participate in.

Sources: Since folks are asking here's a list of what came from where.

In general:
Wall-to-wall carpeting came with the apartment (I can't get away with a covert mission to pull it up - maybe a letter from an allergist would convince my apt mgmt company? *wink*

Dining Room:
Table from Crate and Barrel
Bamboo dish/bowl and candles from Crate and Barrel
Chairs are Eames Molded Plywood Dining Chair (DCM) in walnut from Design Within Reach
Floor Lamp is by Santa and Cole
Framed Lithograph is by Robert Mangold

Living Room:
Couch is the "Clyde" from Blu Dot through IF D
Floor Mirror (left of couch) from CB2
Pendant Lamp by Jefdesigns via Design Public
Throw from Bed Bath Beyond
Coffee Table from CB2
Cowhide rug from Ikea
Green chair from Eurway
Framed photo over fireplace by Shawn Linehan
Cast aluminum and steel sculpture on mantel by Carl Billingsley
Wire sculpture on floor (right of fireplace) by Lou Ann Hicks
3-drawer dresser from West Elm
Small sculpture on 3-drawer dresser by T. Brett Mullinix
Oil painting over couch by Doug Bohr
Ceiling fan from Lumens Lighting

Bedroom:
Low platform bed from West Elm
Frames over bed from CB2
Photos above bed by Shawn Linehan
Tolomeo lamps from Y-Lighting
Bedside tables "I-Beam" by Gus Design Group via IF D
Bedding from Dwell

Note:
All art by American artists, but none by an Austin (or Texas) artist.