apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

seeing your place again makes me incredibly happy.

This is one of the most creative of all the entries. Great job!

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.

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.

This looks happenstance, not designed.

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.

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?

Hey! I have a great idea...how about a "pretentious A-hole" contest? There would be plenty of competition for THAT one!!

Rofl!!!!!

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

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!

Way to go, Matthew! Your space looks like so much fun! It's a nice mix of new, old, innovative and quirky.

i love kermit

I want to date you for the wonderfalls reference *laughs*

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

Really like the use of theater seats!

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.

Matthew:

it looks very nice. good luck in the contest.

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?

Cool video, Matthew!

Thank you for the kind words everyone!

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!)

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.

I really like your studio, and anyone who likes both Wonderfalls and Shel Silverstein is pretty awesome, in my book. Great entry, Matthew!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Trying to figure out how you use the printer on the bottom shelf of the teacart.

But jealous of your Kermit phone and that lamp next to it.

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.

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?

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.

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

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.

No thank you...This does not look like a comfortable
place at all. I see no warmth in this space.

wondered where you got your sleeper sofa and if you would recommend it? In the process of finding one for my own 300 sq ft studio.
thanks

I love how fun your apartment is.
You're surrounded by images you like (are those cartoon strips in the bathroom?), you have creative design ideas everywhere (the cereal jars are cool), and although the colors don't really match, they come together in such a warm mash up. I think your space is great and cozy. (^_^)

What I like the best is that your space doesn't fall under the so called "rules" of high end furniture and design. It's more about your personality.

i love your place....it's perfect....are you single ?

ms b:
the sleeper sofa was a vintage find on craigslist. i haven't seen anything like it and there's no tags or labels to say who made it or where it came from. if you ever find any like it though i definitely recommend it. it basically just opens up as a queen sized platform and what you roll out on it (featherbed, foam mattress, air mattress, etc) is up to you. i use a featherbed and it's pretty comfortable.

thank you for the kind words kyoki & jarbo!