apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Southwest #4: Taylor's Best Things In Life Are Free

Name: Taylor
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Size: 700 sq. ft.
Rent/Own: Rent

What is the advantage of SMALL? Small has more impact. Even the most subtle details can make a huge statement. When you enter a small apartment you are forced to be intimate with all of the objects. It is inviting and when done well, a highly engaging experience.

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What's your favorite resource for your home?

The garbage. I've found some of my favorite treasures abandoned on the street or in the dumpster.


What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home?

The case study - esque sofa I rescued from the street. Best score EVER.


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Comments (30)

This would be good for the Guess The Decade? contest.

posted by Lisa Hunter (Montreal) on April 4th 2008 at 10:05am
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What a fun and cheerful place!

posted by bepsf on April 4th 2008 at 10:09am
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I really like the colors you used. Is that a Kime Buzzeli painting I spy?

posted by StudioStarter on April 4th 2008 at 10:11am
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I love the wall covering in the bedroom - is that paper? fabric?

posted by akostalas on April 4th 2008 at 10:14am
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I think I used the exact same greenish yellow paint on the back of my bookcase too!

posted by spaceagemouse on April 4th 2008 at 10:21am
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I love the bedding and the sputnik light.

posted by Ana on April 4th 2008 at 10:26am
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ok...talk about funky...I like it a lot. That wall color is so fun and funky! I like that covering in the bedroom too.

posted by kerri on April 4th 2008 at 10:37am
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unique

posted by 335ktt on April 4th 2008 at 10:40am
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love the pink couch on green wall. and all the pattern.

posted by Lady J on April 4th 2008 at 10:43am
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Not my own personal style at all but a really good job at creating a theme and style for the whole place and get thrifting find. would be great to see how it looks as you find more elements.

posted by TheoJ on April 4th 2008 at 10:44am
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If this apartment was a person, it would The Guy That Tries Too Hard. It seems too 'theme-y', and a bit harsh; I feel like if it was just dialed back a bit and warmed up a bit, that it would be awesome.

posted by Deeliscious on April 4th 2008 at 11:25am
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cool. bonus points for making treasure from other people's trash. this place might not be gorgeous or perfect, but it shows practical and creative commitment to REduce, REuse, REcycle. thanks for sharing!

posted by bridge on April 4th 2008 at 11:31am
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It seems very secluded and quiet--I chalk that up to your excellent lighting and color sensibility. However, it does seem like there are little clusters of life and interest separated by expanses of emptiness. For example, the corner in your first photo is great, but then the area around the sofa seems a little lifeless. I had a difficult time imagining everything together as a cohesive interior. From one renter to another, however, I know how difficult it can be to walk the fine line of improving the space without spending too much money on an apartment that you'll ultimately move out of. Great find on that sofa.

posted by treehouse on April 4th 2008 at 11:42am
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looove the little white bookcase with the green interior!

posted by lmk on April 4th 2008 at 12:38pm
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You go, dumpster-diver. Great use of color, pattern and texture. Feels very balanced and interesting at the same time. And loads of personality to boot... If this apartment was a person, I'd ask it out on a date.

posted by Enrique on April 4th 2008 at 1:22pm
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Score on the found sofa! And I love the mid-century theme.

posted by homebody on April 4th 2008 at 5:01pm
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I can't believe there weren't more "super cools"
I think this is funky and TERRIFIC!
I'm so tired of the predictable DWR boutique hotel look with two colors.

NICE use of color.

posted by elizabet on April 4th 2008 at 8:50pm
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love it

posted by L.A. on April 5th 2008 at 6:58am
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i like the art

posted by L.A. on April 5th 2008 at 6:58am
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the colors....

posted by L.A. on April 5th 2008 at 6:58am
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the layout....

posted by L.A. on April 5th 2008 at 6:58am
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genius!

posted by L.A. on April 5th 2008 at 6:58am
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what a cute sofa! good catch indeed.

posted by olya on April 5th 2008 at 9:11am
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Very funky and quite a stylish space. I love you've repurposed items and made them your own. Not quite my style but it definitely shows yours.

posted by bee.r on April 5th 2008 at 2:11pm
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I was also surprised by the lack of "super-cool"s. While it's perhaps not to everyone's taste, nor mine, I think that it has a lot of energy and flair. It takes quite a bit of ingenuity to pull all of that together and make something cohesive.

You've done a fabulous job, considering that you rent. Bravo!

posted by Eyllek on April 5th 2008 at 2:25pm
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I think this is potentially a super-cool in another 1-2 years. Taylor definitely has some big cojones, taste-wise, and there's wit and spirit in his home. It's just that some parts feel less than fleshed out still, but I bet in another year or so, he'll get there.

posted by lolax on April 5th 2008 at 2:50pm
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Baffled that there aren't more super-cools...yet. LOVE the table next to the couch!

posted by LJ on April 5th 2008 at 4:07pm
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Hi everyone!
My name is Taylor - it's an honor to share my home with you.

I'm a design student on a small budget, so it's nice to get such great feedback.

I just wanted to answer a couple questions:

Yes! Those are Kime Buzzelli paintings! I love her and I think you will too if you are a fan of amazing technicolor feminine dreamscapes:

http://themoldydoily.typepad.com/photos/pretty_things_i_made/478593385_6be2711a89.html

The wall with the circular print is actually a bedspread I nailed on the wall. They sell them at Urban Outfitters for around $20. Multi-purpose and affordable!

Thanks again!!

posted by modularheart on April 6th 2008 at 3:20pm
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It looks like you are a very resourceful and enthusiastic space-maker.
But having, and finding, a bunch of stuff doesn't mean you have to use it all.
(I do the same often.)
:)
That style of bedroom drapes and the over-the-top wall graphic are so unnecessary.
You could also revisit the composition of your 'groupings'.
Odd balance and choices.
You do have some great pieces, but they are a little down-market looking mixed with some of the other 'stuff' in the place.
When you're in the mood: reorganize and edit.

posted by paulmuscat on April 7th 2008 at 9:03pm
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Someone called my walls "snot" colored, and your walls are kinda similar. So to that I say, "Snot is beautiful!"

Cool artwork and furniture! Fun and interesting without being loud.

posted by . on April 9th 2008 at 6:11pm
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