The apartment is beautiful! Who did the painting in the bedroom?

homey and lovely and cozy and cool!

Lovely. Where is the blue Moorish runner from?

i really loved this tour. sometimes house tours can feel so stale, stylized, and impersonal. this place feels like the kind of home i'd love to visit or even call my own!

who painted the unframed picture in the bedroom and the similar one on the chest next to the blk/whte nude? Could you furnish the artist's name and where to view/purchase more of his/her work please and thk you.

Excellent job. You can tell filled with homey and fun touches.

Lovely, cozy and filled with love!

Love this! so many interesting pieces of furniture, accessories...and beautiful art and rugs.

love this apartment - so cozy and fun. great use of space. the bedroom should be in the bedroom retreat contest! :)

It's nice to see an apartment featured here that looks like people actually live in it.

I went through the same process a year ago, too. It's exhilarating putting together your own place and not having to compromise on design. You made a great space for you and your daughter. Really impressive, feels like the right combination of kid and adult.

Who is the "Lulu" referred to in the title? I thought her daughter's name is Ursula?

Sorry to hear about your unexpected event. It's such a blow when you can't trust what you used to anymore.

This place is just so wonderful and cheery, though! What a way to bounce back for you and your daughter! Would we expect any less from you? :) Great way to be able to capture the place before you leave...

And no fair. You have my dream clawfoot table! I've been obsessively checking Craigslist here in PA to no avail. Never the right feet or price or both.

Can't wait to see your new place, too. Thanks so much for sharing!

Im confused, is this your new place or the old one?

what a beautiful little sanctuary to heal in.

I LOVE those gray curtains. Where are they from??

Your apt is amazing! I can't believe you've been here only for a year.
It has so much characters and feels so cozy

Me too, I was kind of amazed to feel like people actually LIVE here, which just goes to show how much people normally clean up their spaces - to an unnatural degree - when they're gonna be on AT!

Super duper cute - the kid and the place. Can't wait to see the new apt.

I am guessing Lulu is Ursula's nick name. I love the apt and totally agree, it looks alive and healthy, a place of happiness. I love seeing your personal style!

May the joy you created in the "temporary" home be with you in your new home.

I'm loving your little butcher block table, what a great find for a small space. I like the look of art leaning on a wall or table but I'm always curious, is there a way to keep it from slipping and falling?

I'm so so sorry to hear about your divorce. I got divorced a few years ago and it is such a difficult thing to go through for anyone, no matter what the circumstances. Hugs and best wishes to you both and Lulu.

Very warm and comfortable. You have created the perfect imperfect space! Love it - and the pink rug.

Wishing you all the best in this new chapter.

Biggest Embarrassment: NONE
I LOVE this answer. Can't wait to see your next place.

Such a beautiful and cozy space Maxwell. Thank you so much for sharing & we have the exact same Boos butcher block! I can't wait to see your new home.

O, it's so nice - what a great job on cozying it up for the two of you. So sorry for the reason it came to be.
Good luck in the new apartment - can't wait to see it.

Beautiful. Maxwell we met when you were here in Richmond. You thought you recognized me from NYC which of course is entirely possible as I am from there! I am praying for you and your family. I've been there and it's not easy! I hope your new place will be your last so you and Ursula can feel settled!

Enfin, de quoi de "normal"!!! Une vraie de vraie famille normalement bordélique!!

Love your apartment - so cozy. I want to run out and knit that throw in your bedroom now!

I don't see why Maxwell could not make the comment about the divorce, it's his life. There were really no personal details so I don't think it was such a bad thing to do.

Maxwell, I am sure it will be hard to leave this place, you have turned it into a very cozy and inviting home. I have to admit that I really dislike the paintings with AT's logo (can't explain why - the amoeba-ish shape never gelled for me) but I do like them sprinkled with the twinkle lights from behind.
I love the moorish rug. I bet Ursula must have loved her little princess bed.
P.S. I, too, love the painting in the bedroom.

Nice and cosy. It does remind me of apartments I've seen in France, particularly the mix of old and new, white walls, colourful textiles, and unlined curtains (love how the light filters through).

I know this is our founding father and all, but I was expecting something a lot different. Kid and all. Something sophisticated, suave and stylish overall, with the 'kid' having her own space within the space. Certainly expected to have the toilet seat down in the pic. Expected the artwork on the fridge to be 'organized,' expected to see a 'landing strip, etc" You do have some nice pieces, the chair in the corner, the butcher block and curtains. Overall though, new bachelor, single father, founder of Apartment Therapy, Small Cool, etc., yeah, it's lived in but it's a mess. Love you to death Maxwell but what you stand for in this business and what you got is inconsistent to the message you preach.

There are some of us who practice (and enjoy!) the Wabi-Sabi approach to things, I think that's what Maxwell is doing here :)

Gorgeous, warm, and real. I would expect nothing less. :)

I'm sorry to hear of this challenge, Maxwell. I've been there and it's really true what they say in the new Game of Thrones promos (heh) "Chaos is a ladder". Change will be good for all involved once the dust settles. I'm a bazillion times happier post-divorce and so is he. But it hurts like hell at the time.

What a nice nest. Lovely and lived-in. Refreshing.

Real life is often messy and often painful. Thank you for sharing your life and your home. Good luck and be well.

I assume that partitioning wall in the kitchen is load bearing? I don't have a problem with small kitchens, but that wall would be a deal breaker for me.

It's a cute place and very kid friendly, but I definitely hear what GIT is saying.

Wow! I'm always the next to last to know...life is certainly interesting! Best wishes.

Had to come back and post again after viewing the rental site. Who are these people that both would and could afford such rents?! I live in CA, and thought we were a little bit crazy, but I'd never pay over $1,000 for a studio. Holy cats!

Dear GIT - you're right, it is a bit messy, but it actually looks a lot better in person, and I've got so little time left, I wanted to just take a bunch of pics with the beautiful sunlight we had yesterday.

I'll photograph the new place really neatly for you. :)

I love your space - it's personal and very REAL! Thanks for letting us all be a little more so, by showing us your space in a not-so-perfect state. Let's be realistic - moving is crrrazzzzyyyyy - no matter when or how it comes about and chaos reigns.

It hurt me when I heard about your divorce. I'm so sorry.
You, Ursula and Kate too, are in my prayers. Be well.

Thank you for sharing with us, Maxwell. Creating a home in the midst of a major life event can transform us in so many ways. You made the best of an unexpected change by really digging in and keeping your focus on Lulu, giving her a lovely, warm place to adjust to her transition, as well. It shows. Best wishes in your new home!

Maxwell, I can tell you from experience that although it doesn't feel like it at the time, you will heal, grow, and thrive! Best wishes and enjoy your lovely-cool home!

I am grateful for this post as I am going through a sudden divorce myself. Unlike Maxwell, my ex chose to disappear almost completely from his child's life.

I don't care whether the apartment is "stylish" and has been straightened or no - what we see here is a cozy, comfortable nest a loving father has built for his child and himself. Kudos, Maxwell, and rock on.

Oh, I love it! The table is the heart... the pink rug, fairy lights, the flag bunting, the sofa...

I like that it is honest -- it hasn't been tidied for photos, but rather, is a true reflection of the lives of the people who live there.

will never think of apartment therapy the same way again.
pity.
seems that's all you're getting.

I like the new wood flooring. do you know what it's called or who the manufacturer is?
You have some nice, quality elements in your home. Charming.

In love with that pink rug, then cried a little when I looked it up and saw how far out of my student budget it was. Le sigh.

Happy Warm Home.

It's wonderful, Maxwell - lived in and loved. The best design is from the heart and fits whatever stage we're in at the time. I recently stopped worrying about "design" and happily settled for "the way it is," and I'm much more satisfied than previously. Our home will evolve to suit us and I won't be anxious any longer about how it impresses others. Best wishes to you and Lulu in your new digs.

Its lovely - warm, inviting and cozy. It reminds me of people and places with an effortless sense of style. The kind of style where you simply throw a bunch of things together and it still looks great. Looking forward to seeing your next home, Maxwell.

I love the painting in the bedroom. The home looks inviting and playful and I found it touching that you shared some personal details.

The clutter doesn't bother me (it makes it feel real) but I don't love seeing a toilet photographed with the lid up. Other than that, I loved this tour.

480 sq ft of love and cozy. I like the little spaces you created throughout the entire place for the both of you - no small feat for sure. I looked at the pics several times and had to smile because it reminded me of when I became a single parent with a full-time job and trying to maintain a semblance of neatness in a small space. What is most important is the happiness and love the two of you share.
I am looking forward to pics of your new digs.
Maxwell, I promise you, it gets better mentally, emotionally and physically.

Love it. Our former house was twice the size and a fraction as nice (and way messier!)

I wish I lived (or could live next) in this apt. It has been made very cozy for these two. Looks to me that a lot of the extra decor around in these specific pictures is happy stuff, white lights, crafts and artwork - to keep the surroundings fun. And, some of the rest -- that's why the move is imminent - the need for more room to create new days. I think this is where the more internal stuff that made me love this site, book, people -- comes in. Taking what you got and making it work (mainly for you, not necessarily the world), thrive and grow. Can't wait to see what you do with the new place, Max and Lulu!

Good luck Maxwell, I wish you joy and happiness....Ursula is beautiful!

feels great to start fresh and have new outlooks!!!!
the apartment looks great especially with the BIG challenge of being small. i completely disagree that it is messy. small, cozy places tend to have a little mess because of lack storage to hide all your belongings. but when you have nice things, why not just have them out in the open! btw, i love lulu's cozy little bed :) it looks perfect for a little girl! lulu is a beautiful!
i wish you the best of luck!! i can't wait to see your new place! i also look forward to seeing more post from you!

Good luck in this next chapter in your life, and thanks for sharing a glimpse into your personal realm. I love the light! My daughter has a very similar canopy where she spends hours reading and playing. A very special space.

That is the difference between a house and a home. Great pics.

Very cozy, warm *home*. And you have not 1, but 2 of my Holy Grail lamps, Arne Jacobsen's AJ lamps!!!
Someday I hope to own one myself.

I like the overall mix of a very personal collection. Feels like an individual's home, not like a professional stylist's or someone trying to keep up with the Joneses (or professional bloggers!).
Most of all, I like it whenever AT goes back to its roots. This reminds me of the homey studio that Maxwell's family lived in before.

A beautiful, thoughtful home. I hope it brings you and your daughter happiness the duration of your stay there.

It is great that you were able to make it look so homely in a short time it would have been easy to just unpack what you need. This way was better for your daughter. It does look European btw.

I think this is a real home, not some anal sterile capsule. I am amazed that people fuss so much over clutter, get real and enjoy your life folks, no neurotics please. Maxwell good luck in this new phase of life, You will get through and come out stronger too. Your little girl looks adorable. Look forward to seeing shots of your new place. I loved the European vibe of your place.

I love the layers of colour and texture in this apartment, especially in the rugs, blankets, pillows and curtains in the bedroom, and the bright rug and warm wood tones added in the kitchen/living room. Proof that a rental needn't be beige and boring; this looks bright, happy and lived-in. Great work in such a short space of time, hope your next home follows in this light, happy-causal vibe.

This is the old one. He refers to this post as a love letter to his old place.

Love, love, love this space and what you did to make it a home! Look forward to seeing your handiwork in the new space.

Btw, where does one find "Boho reproductions?" Google did not come up with anything? And, where is the cute little light on the small entry table from?

Thank you for sharing your space!

So beautiful!

This reminds me of the tiny one bedroom my daughter and I piled ourselves into after my marriage crumbled 16 years ago. Especially the twinkle lights and the tented cozy bed. And the warm, fuzzy clutter!

It's vibrating with warmth and quiet joy-the kind you can only express when your heart is broken and grateful, all at the same time.

Love it. This is much more inspirational to me than all the perfectly styled, clean, tidy apartment presentations frequently featured on this site. I love the apartment-- just as it's shown. It's warm, intimate, inviting, and honest. I hope to see more of the same when Maxwell shows the new place. And I disagree that it's a bad business decision to show the apartment this way-- I think it was quite smart. Seeing a sterile, perfect space would've made me yawn.

What a lovable space, fresh and intimate and completely personal. It is so much more engaging than show-offy primped rooms - this doesn't 'try' but it succeeds.

@ tinysqft:
Try looking for 'boBo reproductions' :-)

Cute and kid friendly. I love the organic elements!

Thanks for that reply Maxwell. I've been a fan of this website for so long and I've adopted and bought into so much of your first book "Apartment Therapy". I referred friends and family to the website and invited them to do the Home Cure. In fact, Apartment Therapy was the first book I bought from Amazon. I really do get what you're going through and I feel that so many folks have expressed "nice" comments but you know and they know you wouldn't win the Small Cool contest. They'd tell you to look at some of the entries and reapply next year. Nevertheless, I look forward to seeing the new space when you are ready.

@GIT: about the lack of AT-mandated accoutrements such as the requisite landing strip you mentioned earlier, what's kinda sweet about this place is that the whole apartment seems like it was a landing strip - a safe perch way up above the street for this 2/3 of a broken family to alight & get their feathers smooth again before moving on to something more long term.

I think maybe this apt. is lovely to some of us just because it had become so lovably livable in such a pinch. That gypsy tent was the clincher for me.

@leilanintexas: I couldn't agree more. You nailed it.

The source guide lists the painter. Mary Ryan.

Thank you for not staging your home! This is a real pace to live and love, not a showroom.

Love your home. It's warm,cozy and friendly with a touch European elements in the decor. Love it! Been a fan of the website for several years-love getting to see the decor of the person that started it. Love it- love the fact that its not staged-just goes to show a great decor looks good even in its lived in!

Please--who did the paintings everyone has commented about??????

Love it! Perfectly imperfect.

I adore the saw & hammer pillows.
Wonderfully written, Maxwell. You don't owe anyone an explanation of your personal situation, yet a good observer who's followed you & AT would have questions arise eventually if you didn't. I think you handled this with class, tastefully & tactfully.
And I'm blown away at what you accomplished with this place as a "temporary" home.
Ursula is lucky to have you, and lucky to have such an inspiring, comfortable & loving home.
I REALLY adore the saw & hammer pillows.