OK, the penguin art idea made me have to take a break from swooning.

This is cute but to me it screams "chick's apartment." Pink? It's so girlie. Not really a place I see the dude kickin' back watching a Bears game in. The only element that looks manly is the dark walls and leather sofa.

love your home!

Ommmmahgawd. I LOVE it!

This is one of my favorite home tours! Does anyone know the source for the wall calendar?

Gorgeous. I especially love the colorful curtains.

I love this flat. It moves away from a rigid mcm or glam to a wonderful place in between. One of the most amazing things is that the owners have so many collections and yet their home seems spacious and uncluttered. The only think I dislike is the salmon paint and shades, but that's just a personal quirk: I see that it warms and brightens the room.

"the only THING"

Hi guys! Thanks for the kind words. I was nervous about doing this but I'm happy I did. Carolyn did an amazing job.

@mharrison42, I moved into this apartment as a single lady and had lived here for just over a year before Kevin moved in. Luckily, he's laid back and was okay with the salmon since he knew I loved it.

@rachbethnyc, it's called a Stendig calendar, and you can order one for 2013 here: http://www.stendigcalendar.com/Stendig_Calendar/Order.html

Most refreshing? Actually seeing a TRASH CAN somewhere in someone's house! (In this case, in the bathroom!) We all have them and we all use them. Loved the look of the entire house as well!

@mharrison42, it says "salmon walls", not pink.
Nothing wrong with salmon walls, I have them myself. :-)

Very nice house tour. My only objections are the valances above the living rm windows (because I don't like stiff valances, I prefer curtains) and the headboard (in the bedroom) blocking the window. But those are obviously personal choices.
I love the cute gazelle (?) statue next to the TV. Normally, I don't like to have TV in the open but in this cause, it goes well with the TV credenza (for lack of better word) and the lovely stripy rug (that I have loved for years).

Every time I read "Lincoln Park" I think "Lincoln Park After Dark" which I am sure Lauren will recognize as a name from the OPI nail polish collection.

Thanks for sharing your aparment, guys. I will swing buy one night to steal the rug in the bedroom and in the bathroom.

I loved this house tour so much! This is the first one I've actually felt the urge to post a comment on. So gorgeous. Love the Penguin book art.

I love the use of color throughout,its not in your face yet very much there.I LOVE that big,multi colored platter in the kitchen,as well as the furniture and accent pieces,I guess you could say I want to move in! Its so warm and personal,and I very much see his presence as well.Men enjoy beauty as much as the next person,Im betting he loves it too!

@medusa12120, the worst part for the poor guy is probably when I insist everyone in the house wears princess gowns and feather boas while playing Barbie with me. You know, 'cause pink!

:)

One of my favorite apartment tours in recent memory! Love the colors, the textures, the layered feel. Well done!

I like the bold choice of big patterns against salmon walls. Nice.

medusa - gads, chillout babe. I think she was just being funny, not defensive.

I DO really like this tour, mostly because of the fabric you used for your windows and doors. I have a bolt of fabric in a very similar pattern (but different color scheme) just waiting to turn into relaxed roman shades in my living/dining room. Also, your style seems to be very much my style. So, you get a big two thumbs up (three if I had an extra thumb). The only thing that really made me go "eek!" was the gorgeous rug that you have in the bathroom. My mind immdiately said, "OH NO! Too pretty for water damage!!" But it's YOUR rug, and if you wanna risk it in the bathroom, you're a braver soul than me! :)

Overall, love it.

Oops! Meant so say "the fabric you used for your windows and CHAIRS."

Your home rocks, LOVE IT and yes stop apologizing because it is artfully crafted. This is the kind of tour that got me hooked on Apartment Therapy.

Love the Black and Salmon Paint and all of the art. Happy Holidays in Chicago!

I'm a huge fan of eclectic style, and I love their house.... But I'm so tired of seeing those long antlers all over everyone's walls! No more antlers!!

You've done a beautiful job with your home. I love the mixture of modern and vintage, the pops of color with the base of black & white and the use of textiles and art throughout. It's very warm and personal feeling!

"the worst part for the poor guy is probably when I insist everyone in the house wears princess gowns and feather boas while playing Barbie with me. You know, 'cause pink!"

This is probably the best comment I've ever read in AT. Before I just liked Lauren's style, now I kinda want to be her best friend.

And since when is pink (or salmon) ALWAYS girly?? And why does a "guys" apartment need to look like he can have a beer and watch football in it? I thought most of the commenters here were a bit above these types of gender norms.

I love how white the kitchen is and the low-hanging art is pretty inspiring.

Anyone who says guys can't like pink but instead must be beer-guzzling sports nuts are super lame, btw. My boyfriend doesn't care for sports OR alcohol and that's totally normal.

*is, not are.

Feel free to defend. Aren't we past the "pink is for girls" thing yet? All of you guys can cry me a river. Lauren- great home. You can tell a lot of love went into it.

Fantastic! I love seeing bookshelves full of books and not over styled. I actually thought that the apartment was quite masculine, or at least, very balanced. Maybe all the men I know have good taste ;)

killer chesterfield, btw.

Love the black walls which make me think of my late father who was an architect. He painted a room black many years ago. Also I love your Giselle print! I want one. How can you get one?

Really nice apartment. Except the Peach Wall (not pink) with black accents. Never, never, never use peach, ever.
Other than that, the accessories and art are wonderful.

Love the black chairs. Don't believe that the white plastic chairs can be sat in and dined in for more than twenty minutes. The dusting!!!!!!

I think pink is (primarily) for little girls but there is nothing wrong with anyone (man or woman) having a pink room. But the accent wall isn't pink! Salmon is more orange than pink to my eyes.

Nice place and I love your artwork. I don't think I could relax in a black bedroom but I appreciate the style.

You have such a lovely home! I think it's actually very balanced between masculine and feminine. The salmon isn't necessarily feminine but appears that way when contrasted with clean lines and lots of black and white. Which is a good thing! Your bedroom is DREAMY. I love the black walls and the rug and the headboard and bedding and bookshelves that actually have books on them (who knew?) and the Penguin art is amazing and and and... Well, before my grammar gets any worse, I'll just say that it's all grand. You have great taste, and I love that you're willing to say that it's all trial and error. The whole point is to learn and have fun, not have a 'perfect' house right off the bat. Thank you for sharing!

Oh wow. Can I move in? I love it. Now I want to buy a (fake) marble bust so I can hang pearls on it. Thanks for sharing. You two have a lovely place.

I hate pink, melon, salmon, etc. but it does warm up the room and looks cool and unexpected. I also love, love, love that Penguin book spine print. The wheels are turning in my mind to stack up some of my own books, snap a high-res photo, and have it.printed poster-size. It's an awesome place, even with the pink. :)

This is what I've been trying to accomplish with my home. High style with a lot of personality but it doesn't feel unattainable. I really love this place.

Very nice place, but it definitely feels very feminine.

Where did you get the curtains in the dining room, or are they custom made?

Gorgeous place! For all kinds of crazy, feng-shuish reasons of my own, I generally don't like tvs in the bedroom, but I love the way yours disappears into the beautiful black walls! Also, anyone who's lived through a midwest winter knows that richly colored paint and vivid green soaring plants inside are so welcome come about late February...

Adore the gold mirror in your bedroom. What a well loved home. And, I adore your sarcastic Barbie doll comment. Best ever.

I have a piece of that same marbled paper, except a different color, framed on one of my walls! I love the bedroom book art, even more after I read that you got it blown up yourselves -- smart idea, way to go. I really like the Drama of the bedroom overall -- the dark walls and the massive white headboard.
And why have I never gone to the Brown Elephant? That sideboard in your kitchen is to die.

Nice, original.

Sophisticated book people. Be still my heart. First tour ever featuring Strunk & White. I read the comments here before I looked at the tour photos. I can't believe, after all that fus,s only ONE FOCAL WALL is salmon?! Some of the dudes here need to seek help.

Two things I'd especially like to compliment. Your home looks so cozy but still bright; it must be a welcome shelter in the Chicago winters. Also, you have a very well-organized space without appearing as if an OCD sufferer lives there.

Oh, and the Dance Theater of Harlem poster ... LOVE IT. Happy holidays!

I am not fond of the peach wall.......
a nice deep green instead?
(similar to what is in the curtains)
...or a deeper burnt orange+ Indian red?
I like the gray.
Thanks for sharing:)

What's so wrong with feminine, really? It's rather calm and comforting. Nurturing. Like a mother's womb.

Beautiful home, Lauren! Stealing a few ideas, if you don't mind..

@rynkeller hello from Minnesota! Yes plants are always good, I finally found some I can't kill. Haha. Loved the tour, a lot happening on some walls...but so much personality! I love it! So personalized and wonderful. Love the cb2 dining table and chairs and wall arrangement behind it-so glam. I'm inspired to paint now...off to dream in color.

I adore your home, so many aspects that I really like, the pipe print for one..The way it's put together, I find it incredibly stylish, comfortable & inviting....Very much love the salmon wall....It's a credit to you both....Thank you for sharing your space. I find it inspiring, motivating and somehow very comforting...Cheers from Down Under Oz...

Hello again! Thanks for taking the time to look and give feedback, everyone. Who knew the salmon wall would be such a lightning rod? Ha! Kevin wants to assure you all that he's just fine. When he was first moving in, integrating "masculine" elements was a big concern of mine... Since I'd lived here on my own and have a pretty strong sense of personal style, having the place not just be "me" was really challenging. Luckily, Kevin is laid back and we've worked together to make sure he feels comfortable here. Except for the living room which I already had pretty finished, we worked together to develop the remaining rooms (kitchen, bed, bath)... which basically means I scout things out and we both have to approve them before any purchases are made, colors are decided, etc.

@cairine, ooh! Green would be interesting! We'll probably only be here for another year, so I'm already thinking about how I'll change things up when we move to a new place :)

@eliz, I make a habit of stopping into the Brown Elephant (Andersonville location) about once a month. Sometimes their stuff gets unreasonably pricey, but over the last several years I've found a lot of gems that are easily improved/personalized once you get them home. I used Behr "Alligator Skin" paint & Anthro hardware on the sideboard.

@thorndale, glad you like the mirror! I nabbed it from my mom's house, but I've seen similar styles pop up at antique stores every now and then.

@cathgrl1, I made the window boxes in the living room using Jenny Komenda's tutorial on Little Green Notebook: http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/09/easy-pelmet-boxes.html
The fabric I used can be ordered here: http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/suzani-10
It's available in blue and beige colorways as well.

@ThereseZ, the chairs are okay, but you're right--they're not the most comfortable things ever. Eventually I'd like to replace them with upholstered chairs, but since we'll probably move in a year or so, I'd like to wait to see if I'll have room for a full dining set.

@Akilah, I've tried to track down more information about Giselle, but haven't had much luck. I do know that it's from 1984 and was illustrated by Hilary Knight (of "Eloise" fame!)

@Jessica ND, I'm glad you like the bathroom rug! It was an inexpensive ebay score, and we're careful not to get it wet (we have a thick terrycloth bathmat that gets laid out when we shower). I don't know if humidity will affect it, but we have a well ventilated bathroom and so far, so good!

@johncb, thanks! You're right-- he likes it, and the International Man Committee hasn't come to revoke his membership card yet :)

@michelleb, haha, thanks!

Happy holidays, everyone!

i've been waiting for salmon/coral to make a comeback. (with all that black it is not girly.) i still think about a room i visited in the late 1980s that belonged to a relatively conservative straight couple in their 40s-50s that had deep salmon/pink walls and medium to dark wood work and furniture and it was cozy and sophisticated and looked great.

i am in love with your bedroom - everything about it, esp. the black walls!!

For people who claim they are not designers, you both seem to have a very good eye (eyes). I like that everything is really personal and interesting.

Lovely home. The "chick pad" comment was offensive and ignorant, topped with an offensive follow-up - nice job!

It's a color, not a chromosome. Couldn't get this very masculine salmon bedroom out of my mind: http://www.houzz.com/photos/1113227/Steven-Gambrel-Time-and-Place-eclectic-bedroom-new-york

medusa - poster child for passive aggression. Says something offensive, then attacks the receiver for being 'defensive.' Sad.

What a fun, lovely apartment! I am dying to know where you got the Breathless print (behind the dining table) from though... details?!

What a beautiful apartment! Everything is so detailed and full of personality! Love your color choices, too. I think the salmon wall is a great color choice!

I just adore a lot of the artwork hanging in the home. So stunning.
I have to agree with another commenter that I do not like the valances, but I do LOVE the material.

Awesome bedroom.

Salmon got a bad rap because it was so over used in the 80s,but that bedroom Wally posted is seriously gorgeous!

Love the black bedroom. So sophisticated. And all the artwork. I love tons of artwork on walls. Plus I think I have some blush that's the same color as the accent wall in the living room. :-) Looks great with the marbled paper and it is a warm cozy color. Thanks for sharing.

Lovely home with lots of personality.... Good job Lauren & Kevin. Your response to the rude posters was right on; who needs or appreciates sexist,heteronormative nonsense.

I love the salmon and am thinking of using it in my bedroom. I swear I don't have room for one more piece of art but the Penguin book piece is going to nag at me 'til I do something similar. It is so clever and literary.

@wally3, that bedroom is beautiful. Miles Redd has a similar (though decidedly pinker) shade in his living room: http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/NYSDhouse/milesredd.php
The first time I saw the spread of his place, I thought "Hey, that's an awesome, expensive designer version of my living room!"

@MsScrabble, I got the print as a gift years ago, so I don't have a source, but I found a similar one here: http://www.movieposter.com/poster/MPW-63312/Breathless_A_bout_de_souffle_.html

I didn't know pink was a man's kryptonite. Any man scared off by pink isn't worth a good woman's time.

Well I don't understand all the fuss, let alone feeling sorry for Kevin. I'm a guy, and I wouldn't mind living with a woman who could decorate our place like this. First off, the salmon wall. As Ross Geller knows, it's a perfectly okay color for a straight man to embrace. I myself like pink, I have a pink wall, an idea I got after visiting several cities in Mexico. I see it as a happy color, not a feminine or an unmanly color. Second, the art and decor. Granted, a lot of them I wouldn't have, and a lot of them are feminine, but there are many that are gender neutral as well, and that's good enough for me. Honestly, if I were living with a woman, she could put anything she likes up on our walls if that's what would make her happy. Now if Kevin isn't allowed to eat or drink in the sofa...oh but let's not get into that.

Great apartment, by the way, but that swirly artwork above the TV has to go somewhere where it would pop. Right now it just kind of melts in the background since most of its colors are as muted as the salmon wall.

Great job on this apartment. I disagree with the person who said your apt. was too girlie. hey a woman lives there. It's the right balance of masculine and feminine

So chic without a bit of pretension! And the idea that is somehow overly feminine seems like a very narrow perspective. Not all men require sports memorabilia and beer can art to feel at home.

Wowie zowie! This is one amazing collaboration! As for those "unfinished" projects you mention? Don't even bother, it's perfect the way it is! Kudos to the max.

Love the place! Where did you get your gold rimmed storage boxes in the living room?

Love love love it. Eclectic and fabulous. Wonderful job to you both.

gorgeous! did I miss it-entry way and television shelving source?

Delicious symmetry.

Wow. This is stunning and by far my favorite house tour on AT. As a graduate student working on an art history dissertation, I appreciate a house that actually deals elegantly with the problem of book storage, and I am taking notes here. My bedroom is a very similar color, and I even have nearly identical dried yellow flowers hanging on the wall from our wedding. Regarding the art over the TV, did someone blow up a detail of Munch's The Scream and frame it? Again, the art geek loves it.

I could plop down on the chesterfield with stacks of your books by my side and be in happy heaven! I love how real your place feels. My favorite - the community chest card:)

i liked the bedroom the best. i liked the peach wall and it goes well with black. i also liked al the artwork displayed. what i didnt like was all the clutter. perhaps that's why the bedroom looked better, it was a bit more edited with the tchotchkes... too many "vignettes" and groupings looked a bit like flea market.