Such beautiful and interesting woodwork. You've definitely given the place a fresher look. Looks great!

Love it. You've really opened up the space. In the before shot, it looks cluttered and cramped. Now it looks huge!

wowza, what a huge difference! It was so drab and dated before, and now it's bright, airy, clean looking and a nice mix of modern and historic.

Amazing how much larger the room looks now. Really looks lovely. Love how kitty is staring straight at the camera.

I keep scanning back in forth because I'm practically in denial about what a big impact the decor changes made!

Wow! I love the difference. Also love your choice of paint color --- you just solved a huge question in my mind. We've been considering making an offer on an apartment with similar details on the walls and I've been trying to reconcile it with our more modern stuff. Your version is very inspiring!

"You've really opened up the space. In the before shot, it looks cluttered and cramped. Now it looks huge!"

I think that's because the "After" photo is taken from across the room (besides the fact that there's little artwork on the walls any longer) If the "Before" photo had been taken in the same place, it would undoubtedly have appeared more open as well.

From what I can see, I believe I prefer the furnishings and artwork from "Before" - but the wall colors of the after.

The "Before" photo is a hundred times more interesting.

Ah, this is SUCH a great transformation! And I'm in love with that pop of color behind the dining table.

the before photo is cluttered but has a nicer colour, but that is opinionated, good job!

While I appreciate the interest and art provided by the picture of the previous owner's version, it looks like what is now the dining room was wasted space, like it's just an extra room. His version looks cozy and I'm sure he loved it, but your version looks just as comfortable, less cluttered, and so cheerful. Also, his light fixture is a little, um, contradictory to the rest of his decor. It definitely doesn't fit in. Your light fixture, however, looks natural and wonderful. Great job!

I like the stuff in the first pic better, but wish it was arranged differently. I do like the dining room better in the second picture though. That painting back there looks gorgeous.

I like the paint colors in the second one too. Is it pale blue on the walls with white trim, or is it just a gloss difference?

Beautiful apartment. They both look like wonderful homes.

I automatically like anything styled 'with cat' best.

Do you have the previous owner's permission to post a photo of his home when it still contained all of his possessions?

It's interesting to see how the space has changed, but given that the photos reflect how two different people like to live, they don't really seem comparable.

I can appreciate the After (it's a lovely home), but I wish people didn't automatically assume that anything with antiques is "drab." That was SPECTACULAR hand-crafted furniture in the Before. All those rooms needed was a different paint color to show off the furnishings, and it would have looked like a Merchant Ivory movie.

The idea that MCM is the one-and-only correct way to decorate is really starting to grate.

I very much prefer the styling of the second picture, but I agree with Lisa - just because it's not what you would pick doesn't make the other drab or boring. Look at that lamp in the distance. It would meet with many of the MCM fans approval, I would think. I'd love to have it in my home!

Ha, my husband's always walking into my photographs too, God bless him!

I don't "automatically assume that anything with antiques is "drab"" - but I do think that what is shown in the first photo IS drab! Poor light and photography definitely contribute to that, but it's also the furniture arrangment. I would love to see the original furniture decluttered and with the new paint and opened windows - it probably would look lovely. But though I also don't think that "MCM is the one-and-only correct way to decorate", I would pick the furniture in the second photo too.

Love the bones of the room, and the after shows them off to far greater advantage.

Lisa (Montreal)--

Aside from the butterfly chairs and (possibly) the lantern, what in this new shot is MCM?

If you look at the After, and think "MCM," you need a refresher course.

A carefully chosen combination of the two versions would be more to my liking. I'm not a fan of one wall color for every room. Also, the rug and ceiling fixture in the first photo are more interesting, but the light needs to be lowered. But of all the accessories, the kitty is my favorite!

Much better! The paint and dark furniture combo in the before was so depressing. There were some nice pieces but they weren't done any justice. Anyway, I like the after. Light and airy is the way to go.

@Patrick -- I think MCM is clearly what they're going for here, with the butterfly chair, Danish Modern-inspired dining set, Noguchi-inspired light, color field painting, solid-color rugs, etc.

Yeah, the overstuffed sofa and storage cabinet don't fit into that aesthetic, but what style would you say this apartment is?

Mixed modern minimal.

That dining set is NOT Danish modern. Not even "inspired."

patrick(the other one) Good description! MMM. I like it. I was not going for MCM specifically but do like and admire it so I try to find cheaper versions of it or things that remind me of it. The fabric on the dining chairs is Serafina from Pottery Barn and very obviously "inspired" by a Josef Frank pattern so I think that may be the Scandinavian influence Lisa was referring to.
The color on the walls is Tundra by Benjamin Moore. (after shot)
I happen to love antiques and seriously coveted some of the previous owners pieces but just find out style and budget lean heavily in other ways. mainly affordable, comfortable, natural with other "labels" thrown in for some style.

Replacing husband with cat is an interesting space-saving technique.

I didn't think this was a "before and after" so much as an example of how much difference a few pieces of furniture makes in the feel of a space. At least, that's what I got from this post, and it's really interesting. These look like two entirely different homes, even though the actual space is the same. Both have some lovely details. I loved your house tour, but I am also a huge fan of the previous owner's antiques. And in both photos, the apartment itself looks beautiful and really shines through.

Now it looks like a real estate site photo. Not much personality.

Perhaps because she is confident hers and her husband's personalities are enough for the space.

I ♥ patrick (the other one)

Was that supposed to be a heart, or did you just give me the finger? ;)

yes usually I like a more modern look but have to agree with others that the 1st does have more personality - even though it's not my style, the owner's interests really come through. I hope you can adorn your walls/space with some personal items over time!

I like this because it's NOT meant to be a "before and after" shot, but rather an example of how different a space can be when decorated with two different design aesthetics. Both the first and second picture are obviously decorated with thought and style-- it's interesting how one plays up the older style of the apartment while the second uses the molding to bring a more eclectic look to modern style. I prefer the modern/eclectic look, but it's neat to see how two different people can imagine the same space!