I'm pretty sure this apartment was featured on an episode of Small Spaces, Big Style. I remember admiring the fearless approach to decorating a small space, but also worrying after how dangerous that bookcase-stairway looks!

Oops -- about, not after

i look at that wall of framed art and itch to go over and straighten all of those frames. And the stacks of books on the dining table - where do they eat?? My own pet peeves aside, I love the bold color and as SCHOLAR2011 says, "the fearless approach to decorating..." Bravo!

I love this!! The living room is a little larger than mine, but the bed is upstairs and the tiny kitchen and bath to the side. Perfect for the beach too! A work in progress, but it will be what I want within six months.
Thanks for sharing.
Btw- my sturdy ladder looks more dangerous, lol.
Teresa
xoxo

Love the mustard! the patterned rug is killer too. Also, am I the only one who finds it hilarious (in a good way) that they've managed to squeeze in what looks like an antique harpsichord?

For anyone who's ever feared a move to the suburbs because they couldn't part with their harpsichord -- here's their answer!

Wowza! Bold.Those windows really illuminate--which is key. Yeah, no excuses for my sprawly clutter--as they have artfully crammed in a million books and a harpsichord.

@dtremit lack of harpsichord space has me awake nights,so glad I don't have to worry about that any more!

I LOVE IT! It's got alot going on for my taste, but that's why it's not my house, it's Bill and Richard's... and I am here loving it!

Can you repost the pics from the design student that had the spice tins in his kitchen even though he did not cook...?

I signed up just to comment about this space. I love everything about it! The sofa, pops of turquoise, walls, windows, loft (wish they showed the bed area) and kitchen. I would move in here an a second. Thank you for sharing.

Perfect for an old lady!

I love everything here, especially the kitchen cupboards! I also think it's the first yellow space I've ever really liked. (By the way, there seems to be a stray white cursor in the third pic, top left.)

Wow, I LOVE it...it's traditional yet so different and interesting.

I've always loved the salon look, and being a fan of all shades of yellow/gold/mustard, I'm in awe. I wonder how they get up to the sleeping loft. What I thought were stairs look, on closer inspection, like stepped bookcases.

That's an awful lot of dusting to keep on on.

what color is that yellow? Love it!

The design gods are very happy.

I absolutely love this! Since I live in a 650 sq. ft. apartment, this is inspirational, but how I wish my place had fantastic high ceilings, built-in bookshelf stairs & pocket doors revealing a stylish kitchen. Swoon... This made my day.

I love that there's a closet on the right hand side of the living area pic and you can't even tell at first glance. I agree that the space is fantastic to look at but I'd never be able to keep up with the dusting!

I love the overall look. But as an ordinary person- what is up with all the books on the dining room is that it "styled" or is that everyday?

Love your wallpaper!!!

" ... and a harpsichord."

Seriously, seriously awesome. I love how the rug, in an unusual color combination, is perfect for the room!

Not my taste but it's a nice space. I'd hate to try to climb up those bookshelf stairs after a few cocktails or try to come down while half asleep. Eek, maybe Bill and Richard are not as klutzy as I am.

This post is how Apartment Therapy should be. It's annoying scrolling through expansive house tours, where some homes even took on an addition.

Richard and Bill's place shows that a lot of creativity and good taste can turn small, urban dwellings into magnificent homes.

Love it but those spears leaning on the stairs/bookcase are in just the right position to make klutz kebabs.

What a beautiful place! I love the color! I would never be able to keep everything so neatly piled, but I'm completely disorganized.

This makes me so happy! I love it all.

I love it! I love the clean clutter and the stuff everywhere and the colours! It's freaking awesome, and no it isn't white and minimal, but I hate white and minimal! I love THIS!!!!

Stacks of books do not make good placemats. Time for some culling.

This is by far my favorite feature ever on Apt. Therapy and I'm a die hard minimalist! This is simply fantastic to look at! I'll be purchasing a copy of House Beautiful to see more, more, more and to meet Bill and Richard!

This is my second look -- I could study this place for hours! Or just drool over the sofa ...

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! I'm always being told that I need to get rid of my books, so it always makes me so happy to see how other bibliophiles live and incorporate their libraries into their decor. Just beautiful!

the classiest house I've seen on AT. Truly elegant

maybe they don't need much more space. AT says they pratically don't cook. they probably don't dwell in their home for most of the time. different people have different lifestyles, don't go all judgy. meant to add, genius combination of unusual colors

It's not my style, but I love it anyway.

Love the mustard color and overall decoration but ... those steps look treacherous. Uneven treads, uneven risers, no rails. And with things on them to get in the way.

Do they meet code?

Geez Louise, I love books but there are far too many stacks of books everywhere. It gives me the feeling that it is all going to come crashing down around me.

yep it was on tv, manhattan, hell's kitchen neighborhood.

Except for the books on the table (which just seems affected) - it's amazing! And I'm not usually a fan of this kind of design..

Intriguing use of color and space. I'll look forward to seeing it in HB. Let's see.... the issue hits the newstands next week. That means that I, as a subscriber, should get it in my mailbox in about two weeks! (grrrrr....)

@ERICAUERBACH Even men lived in the "old English lady" style. Certainly there are men in Downton Abbey? (Rhetorical, of course.)

@JARICHTIG I'm a 20 something guy and I love this design. It's perfect for more than old ladies.

@Both, why would something like MCM/minimalism/whatever style be more appropriate for a specific sex/age group?

Love the overall feel, but I could not live like that.

Books stacked everywhere! Gah! Time for a storage unit — or a yard sale.

Also, yes, stairs seem treacherous.

I guess thát's what you do when you have many many things in a small space...display them gracefully. Really nice.

I'm in the minority here, but I think there is too much art on the wall (even on the doors) just to achieve the effect of a "Stately Wayne Manor." To high and too much (do the paintings ever fall off the doors if you open them to forcefully?) You must be very gentle to live in that space...and Masculine men can be gentle. I can't argue with the way the space is used - I would also love a hand railing on the stairs though, and a piano instead of a harpsichord and a home office instead of a wet bar. Maybe I don't like this as much as I thought...I am grateful it is shown here to display what passion and imagination can wrought.

@ERICAUERBACH I know that not all 19th century interiors and earlier are "old English lady," my point is that even men enjoyed and lived in "old English lady" or "feminine" styles by choice. To draw from varying periods, Leighton House, Strawberry Hill House, Sanssouci, Napoleon's apartments in the Louvre, Versailles (and Herrenchiemsee), Brighton Pavilion, etc. were all designed for/by men. You would be hard pressed to classify much of these spaces as "masculine" by today's standards.

My point is that although this doesn't have the somber mood or gravitas of a more restrained interior, it doesn't make it more "feminine"...in my always humble opinion of course. (Geez, even I think my comments are PC overload. I DO see where you're coming from, however. Did I just nullify my own rant?)

Wow. Imaginative use of space and colour.

I LOVE this room! The color, the comfy sofa and chairs, the stuff!

Love this space. It feels elegant, yet cozy. Wish I had this kind of talent <sigh>.

really interesting use of space. though not my style at all - i love the bold colors!

A wonderful folly of an apartment. But not for me. There's just too, too much stuff and no place for the eye to rest. I'd break my neck tripping over something, so I hope Bill and Richard are fleet of foot and as graceful as felines.

And, then there's the issue of how to clean, dust and tidy up, but I'll leave that to the happy homeowners.

wow this is so not me, but so cool...

Though not a fan of some of the colors on the walls; I love this place!!! I would move in in a heartbeat!

Love the whole Bloomsbury feel of the place and the books make it a winner for me. Really dramatic, rich use of a small space.I even found my password to comment on it.

If the household is "mostly non-cooking", the table might as well be used for storage until actually needed.

I love the colorway, even thought I wouldn't use it myself. The blue chandelier and the rug make everything work together.

I think I'd like to have these guys as friends! Their home has such personality!

This is the antithesis of modern living. Cloyingly stuffy. However, I know a lot of work went into it.

And some one told me I didn't have room for a baby grand...I'm going for it. And my dining room table looks pretty much like that everyday, too. Another "non-cooking" household.

I will be stealing this look for sure. How inspiring!

I absolutely love it - so much style in such a small place.

Gosh - I love it! What impeccably good taste...Divine.