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Southwest Finalist #2: Loulou and Nico's Duplex Deluxe

Name: Loulou and Nico
Location: Venice, CA
Size & Type: 585 sq. ft. duplex, own
Original Entry: Click Here

Who was your favorite entry and why?

Kim's Tree Top Nest--We love the warm feeling, cohesive design, and the location...Makes us want to go there and hang out.

finalslideshowbutton.gif

What's your next improvement?
Easy fix: New sofa and outdoor furniture. Hard fix: find a way to add a second bedroom/bathroom (we'd still be under 850 square feet!).

Comments (35)

I think I'm the only one who does NOT like that orangey-red. I hate it, actually.

posted by ridge_van_winkle on 2008-05-13 15:03:02
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You had me at "Himalayan cat on white Barcelona stool." That combination is more powerful than nuclear fission.

Lovely duplex!!!

posted by kuroneko on 2008-05-13 15:20:13
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This is my favorite. I am so happy that it made it to the finals, so we could see a few more pictures. It feels much larger than 585 sq ft. . . and it achieves this without being sparse. I like that there is a good mix of styles and the owners individuality shows through (I bet through a lot of do-it yourself hard work). I also like that there is saturated color, but the space still feels airy and light. And I still love that Lois chair that got a wonderful makeover.

The downside ~ I want a Barcelona chair and ottoman 100x more now. I was hoping the longing would pass. Maybe, someday . . .

posted by 4ddh on 2008-05-13 15:25:22
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meant Louis chair

posted by 4ddh on 2008-05-13 15:26:05
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Nice to see the rest of the place.

posted by danze on 2008-05-13 15:33:14
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Nice job. Living room looks like it is out of elle decor. I noticed a little bit of Cary Grant in the bedroom to complete the look!

posted by rymon[][] on 2008-05-13 15:35:48
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I LOVE this space! Absolutely my favorite!

Loulou & Nico your space is a melange of great style, artful space planning and a bit of whimsy.

Bravo!

posted by artfemme on 2008-05-13 15:47:50
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I love this house! Everything seems so well thought out and executed. It seems like a much bigger place than it actually is. Each room has its own identity, yet everything flows together as well!

posted by Foxylou2 on 2008-05-13 15:50:46
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Where did you get that rug? I love it! Anyone know where to find it?

posted by amybell74 on 2008-05-13 16:02:21
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I still love it! 'nuff said!

posted by quiltmaster on 2008-05-13 16:04:58
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Even better the second time around...plus kitty is super cute!

posted by suzy8track on 2008-05-13 16:07:10
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LOVE it. What great flow, and the colors are gorgeous.

posted by Cassidy06 on 2008-05-13 16:08:09
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I'm not a "hater". I just know the difference between good design, and crap.

This is Good Design.

See. I can be nice.

posted by voodoo child on 2008-05-13 16:20:31
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Hands down, the best of all the finalists.

posted by Seaside on 2008-05-13 16:34:59
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Wow, still loving this place! And this slide show in particular really showed a lot more of just how awesome it is -- there was so much more to see compared to the first slide show!

posted by robotropolis on 2008-05-13 16:59:56
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North by Northwest gotta love Cary!

Also, gotta love this pad!

4ddh, someone should totally make a Lois chair...

posted by Carol K on 2008-05-13 17:03:48
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This entry really makes use of the small space in a way that is "cool," smart, and well designed. Good luck!

posted by heps on 2008-05-13 17:07:16
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Where did you get the pink cat lamp in the hallway? And is that a cel of Bugs I see behind the bedroom chair? I also noticed you added a mirror to the fireplace--me likes.
Thanks for the video showing the hideaways--Are there any more?

posted by pepper59 on 2008-05-13 19:17:21
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Like it even more now that I've seen these pics!

Can anyone tell me where the wall sconce above the paintin by the stacksof books is from, or where I can get something similar? Also, the pendant lamp over the kitchen table?

posted by idea chick on 2008-05-13 21:22:21
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WOW. Just WOW. All this style AND small space solutions. This is so far the winner, it almost doesn't seem fair. These people are obviously professionals. AT really needs two categories.

posted by louisQ on 2008-05-13 21:45:36
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gorgeous

posted by hdtex on 2008-05-13 21:47:22
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zebra rug looks like the one i got from overstock.com. love it.

posted by babymomma on 2008-05-13 21:54:03
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My son is name Nikko so your a winner in my book

posted by luvdecor on 2008-05-13 22:31:43
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I didn't really like the original entry and I'm still not a fan of the overly decorated, kinda staid living room.
However, I adore your kitchen with the hidden desk/workspace. Also love the cat light on top of the silver dresser.
And I like the stack of books next to the door.
Funny, how they seem to be from a different home than the living room.

posted by lolax on 2008-05-13 23:09:52
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"kinda staid living room" ???
What universe do you live in lolax? I much prefer this to those movie set entries that look like something out of a dated magazine from the 1950's. If anything about this place is "staid" I would say it's the kitchen--but basically it just looks practical.
This place has style and sophistication. I keep coming back just to revel in its loveliness.

posted by voodoo child on 2008-05-13 23:27:55
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You just moved up to first place on my list. Every room was beautiful!!! WINNER!!!!!!!!

posted by rikstah on 2008-05-14 05:05:47
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Small. Cool. Beautiful. Winner.

posted by gpatudor on 2008-05-14 09:46:36
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This is a very cool pad--but it looks like a lot of bucks were spent to make it this way.

posted by jcoll on 2008-05-14 10:08:39
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I think all the mirrors and those clear parsons tables make this place seem much larger than it is. I like that last shot because you really see how it all fits together. I recognize many of the pieces--That silver lamp is from Target (I have one myself) and the rug is from overstock.com. I love the bedroom chair, and the cello in the corner. It looks to me like the books aren't just stacked, it's one of those DWR Sapien bookcases.
I like how the drapes in the bedroom are the same as the livingroom, and the way the hall color is in both the bedroom and living room, just in smaller amounts.
All in all, this a a beautiful, well designed space, and deserves to win. Congratulations.

posted by pinkpiggyboy on 2008-05-14 10:31:17
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love the pictures on the red wall. so sweet.

posted by saya* on 2008-05-14 13:07:19
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the new photos really show alot more and this place really stands out.

posted by atlas on 2008-05-14 13:09:00
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A big thank you to everyone for taking the time to look and comment--

amybell74, the rug is from West Elm--I think on sale we paid less than $229 which was a big reason we chose it over other zebra pattern rugs.

pepper59, I love that lamp too! It's from Offi http://www.allmodernfurniture.com/asp/show_collection.asp?XnID=12680
and yes it is indeed a cel of bugs, given to me by a dear friend who knew people at Warner Bros. I am a big Chuck Jones fan.

idea chick, the sconces are from Home Depot, the pendant is a hack from a table lamp at ZGallerie http://www.zgallerie.com/pc-4328-39-coco-stick-table-lamp.aspx

pinkpiggyboy, you're right, the lamp is from Target, but it is a double bass in the corner (nico's instrument), and the bookcase is from craig's list--but it's not the one from DWR (size is different).

saya* thanks for noticing the family gallery. The wall in real life is actually hot pink--I tried to match our bougainvillea that we see outside the kitchen windows. My mom and dad have both passed away (that's them in the top right corner) so old family photos are really important to me. I wanted to give them their own room.

posted by Loulou on 2008-05-14 13:56:13
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The completed presentation (i.e. the original photos the expanded entry the video) of your apartment is as beautifully conceived and executed as your home itself. I love the way the video shows all the neat behind-the-scenes tricks. There's a choice or two that I'd make differently, but that's no reason to deny that you've done an outstanding job. To my mind, you've already won!

posted by kushkush on 2008-05-15 14:39:01
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I agree--I think this place shows just what can be done with ingenuity. Loulou & Nico, you have done an outstanding job with your small space. Thanks for sharing!

posted by willyjdog on 2008-05-15 15:10:04
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you guys were robbed. your apt. is much cooler than anything else I saw--I think this wasn't a fair contest.

posted by sbarker on 2008-05-19 08:48:58
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