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Southwest Finalist #1: Matthew's Cartoonist Corner

Name: Matthew
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Size & Type: 325 sq. ft. apartment rental
Original Entry: Click Here

Who was your favorite entry and why?

James and Emily's Vintage Modern Studio (Midwest #34). They have a Wonderfalls' wax lion, which wins my heart right there. Their layout is clean and open, they embraced the architecture, they've got lots of colors that all compliment each other and there's a bit of whimsey in the picture hangings and vintage accessories to keep things lively. It's got personality.

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What's your next improvement?
Currently, I'm gluing more magnets to vintage typewriter keys for my refrigerator (you can see the little bowl of them waiting their turn next to Kermit). I want to add to the black and white clutter walls in the bathroom and I want to find or commission a large painting for behind my front door, something by Jordan Piantedosi of "Perfect Stars" would be exciting. Outside my front window I'd like to remove the overgrown bushes and weeds and have a nice little garden.

Comments (34)

seeing your place again makes me incredibly happy.

posted by aad on 2008-05-12 18:30:48
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This is one of the most creative of all the entries. Great job!

posted by Deb on 2008-05-12 19:27:28
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didn't like it then, don't like it now. kermit phone? leg lamp? bike over the stove? Definitely Not My Bag. and as cutesy as those theater seats are, they certainly aren't practical, or comfortable. this place is yet another example of appealing to the just-out-of-college-crew. no way this should be considered
Good Design. I'm sure Matthew is a swell guy, and obviously a great cartoonist.

sorry, but it's the truth.

posted by voodoo child on 2008-05-12 19:57:04
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I really like this place. You can actually see the personality of who lives there. I think that is worth a lot more than how perfectly designed the place might be.

posted by ssstaton on 2008-05-12 21:05:06
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This looks happenstance, not designed.

posted by austinist on 2008-05-12 21:21:01
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This place is really sweet. As for the theater seats being uncomfortable--I've seen chairs at DWR that look way more painful. Those seats are party seats and Matthew seems like a likeable guy (if I can project from his sense of style) and therefore probably needs seats for the overflow crowd. I love the magnet/typewriter key idea. Ignore the cranks.

posted by judes on 2008-05-12 21:58:25
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Wow! sure there are cute pieces, but... Of all the cool stuff I saw, this makes finalist. It's not still April Fools Day is it?

posted by quiltmaster on 2008-05-12 22:03:49
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Hey! I have a great idea...how about a "pretentious A-hole" contest? There would be plenty of competition for THAT one!!

posted by Poet Helena on 2008-05-12 23:03:09
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Rofl!!!!!

Matthew, your "Major Award" speaks well for the place, it's all smiles from floor to ceiling.

posted by btoddster on 2008-05-12 23:10:20
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I was really excited when I saw that he included the step-by-step in his album! I also really like the subtle, yet engaging personality pieces here. I feel like if I came to visit, I'd be asking for stories about everything! Good luck Matthew!

posted by squidlette on 2008-05-13 01:47:36
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Way to go, Matthew! Your space looks like so much fun! It's a nice mix of new, old, innovative and quirky.

posted by Carol K on 2008-05-13 08:19:24
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i love kermit

posted by SD913 on 2008-05-13 08:54:17
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I want to date you for the wonderfalls reference *laughs*

I thought I was the only person who saw and thought that.

posted by ohokrachel on 2008-05-13 09:43:06
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Really like the use of theater seats!

posted by vbp on 2008-05-13 10:20:33
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Wow! I can't get over some of the harsh comments here! I really liked this entry...although I must admit..the bicycle over the stove made me nervous. This place is fun and quirky and it shows lots of personality.

posted by suzy8track on 2008-05-13 11:50:57
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Matthew:

it looks very nice. good luck in the contest.

posted by Mr. Dangerous on 2008-05-13 11:53:56
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I love this! I think it's a well-used, well-loved, and well-done little home, and it certainly doesn't look as small as 325 sq ft! It's fun and easy, comfortable, and easy on the eye. But be careful with that lamp--it looks fragile ... is that Italian?

posted by OneWallKitchen on 2008-05-13 12:10:30
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Cool video, Matthew!

posted by martita on 2008-05-13 12:58:46
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Thank you for the kind words everyone!

posted by thew on 2008-05-13 13:51:48
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Matthew, I hope when you win you give a big f**k you to the haters.

I cant say how much I love this place! Everything speaks to your personality, your joie, and the kind of anal retentive commitment it takes to unfold and make your bed every night. (in a totally good way!)

The fact that you've repurposed apparently everything in your apartment is amazing, and - contrary to sniping VoodooChild & Quiltmaster - shows you can live vintage without it looking like a college dorm. Some people dont understand creating things from scratch - all they can do is go out and buy what they're told to buy.

(PS - if you DO win I hope you dont change a thing!)

posted by Modfan on 2008-05-13 13:54:51
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wowza. who knew a little decorating humor could cause such controversy? And no one's even mentioned the genius cereal wall. Now here's a guy who loves what he loves and is prepared for an earthquake.

You're my fave, thew.

posted by pudgy-girl on 2008-05-13 14:05:08
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I really like your studio, and anyone who likes both Wonderfalls and Shel Silverstein is pretty awesome, in my book. Great entry, Matthew!

posted by bluelittlegirl on 2008-05-13 14:37:14
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I was in his "corner" already, but he definitely gets my vote now that I know what he plans on doing with the prize if he wins.

posted by ridge_van_winkle on 2008-05-13 15:00:35
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very sweet, very personal, but not at all glamorous. Add an area rug and a few pieces from this century - other than your computer and games.

posted by oftherose on 2008-05-13 15:53:51
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Oh this is fantastic and what I love is the fact that the place itself is largely left original, I'm guessing 40's or perhaps early 50's. No matter, it's a charming place all it's own.

And what you've done to it is fantastic. I liked how you worked with the architecture in decorating the space.

Nice job!

BTW, I'm not too crazy w/ the bike over the stove, but then again, I cook and I'd be afraid to have it above it while I did so.

posted by ciddyguy on 2008-05-13 16:29:37
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Wow it was my favorite and still is. To the people who don't like the Kermit phone or the lamp leg... get a sense of humor. I love the kermit phone!

posted by marlamischief1 on 2008-05-13 16:55:52
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Trying to figure out how you use the printer on the bottom shelf of the teacart.

posted by lolax on 2008-05-13 22:40:51
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But jealous of your Kermit phone and that lamp next to it.

posted by lolax on 2008-05-13 22:43:40
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lolax: the printer fits just barely. There's enough room to open up the top paper tray for regular printing (the paper can't stand upright, but that doesn't effect the printing) and enough room to open the front/rear paper trays for poster printing.

posted by thew on 2008-05-14 01:30:57
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Hey I have the same exact kitchen sink, counters and backsplash. Great looking place!

Love the use of an eye soar color for the bathroom walls. Did you paint it that color so that people wont stay in the bathroom too long?

posted by rikstah on 2008-05-14 05:02:29
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I don't like the curtains, the bathroom color, or the fabric on the couch. This home looks neither comfortable, nor beautiful. And I have a sense of humor, and I don't like the frog phone or the leg lamp either. But I'm 30, not 12.

posted by gpatudor on 2008-05-14 09:53:23
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Hey Matthew, I think your place looks like fun--What do you think of Chuck Jones? I also love Shel Siverstein--(I'm a magic bean buyer myself). Where did you get the print (I've only ever seen his books)?

Good Luck!

love,
loulou nico

posted by Loulou on 2008-05-14 14:10:18
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Oh, that Kermit the Frog phone, and the leg lamp!

I love this apt. Very original, love the fold-out sofa (and that you make it up every day, I had a futon/bed and it was always in bed mode!), thanks for the photos showing how it works. Just enough bright, quirky touches that makes me want to be your friend.

posted by YakkoDot on 2008-05-16 11:58:51
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No thank you...This does not look like a comfortable
place at all. I see no warmth in this space.

posted by BonnieSchulte on 2008-05-17 20:02:21
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