apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Hey -- voting mechanism isn't working -- I keep getting "404 - file not found".

Anyway, about the apartment... the living room area doesn't quite come together for me. There's a few sparsely scattered things on the wall, and the TV area is similarly weak. Perhaps a nice armoire would be useful for putting the TV and related stuff in.

I LOVED the dining area -- the wall of art is beautifully arranged and the table/buffet are very cool.

Tell me all about that lamp thats over the sofa..

Is that a arm or a wire running to the lamp hung form the ceiling?

If it's a arm does it pivot freely?

I do believe this is the 1st murphy bed of the contest (I would have assumed there would have been more)

Before I forget...

The view...is amazing

I LOVE your dining area...the nice colors and design, and the kitchen area is cute. Your view is gorgeous too- lucky woman =)

Quick question though- are your walls white? (It might just be my monitor) but they almost seem green in some of the pictures. It confused me.

You have lots of great space and I hope you can keep us updated on it's progress as you work with it and make it your own. So many cool ideas are workable in there (esp since you're not renting), and it looks like you're off to a good start! Good luck!

I also wanted to ask about the color of the walls...the color doesn't seem to be coming through properly.

Your dining room is great and the view amazing. But it does have that 'work-in-progress' feeling.

You definitely have the coolest view in my book though;)

oh webmacher..it does that to you too? I thought it was just my internet failing. It seems to take my vote sometimes though- because when I return to the page to re-submit, the cookie is in place and the option dissapears.

Maybe it's due to high traffic that AT's been gaining?

congratulations on owning an apartment with that amazing view!

voting is not working for me either - i get sent to the Craigslist page!

I LOVE this view - and waking up to the sun is wonderful. You're also lucky to have that nice windowed dining area and (what looks to be)a pretty large kitchen in such a small space.

I really like the sofa/coffee table/lamp setup; perhaps later when you have the funds you can put a nice cover over the radiator unit near the chair to give that area a more finished look. Maybe also some sort of credenza or built-in piece that will hold the TV and also have desk space. But it looks like you're off to a good start!

p.s. i'm also curious about the wall color - on my monitor they're blue.

If this was a contest for best view, this would have my vote. But I don't see a lot of design in this space.

wow. i love this. what a view!

i'd love a little bit more color, but i think that's because i'm a color freak. but the look is calming and beautiful. not a bad place to home home to at all ;)

d*s

I like what I see of the colors (whether or not they're accurate), and I like a lot of your furniture. What's holding me back is your artwork. Except for that very nice arrangement in the dining area, it seems to be suffering from the too small/too high syndrome.

Good start. You made some nice CL purchases.

Are those actual Yoshitomo Nara paintings?

Thanks for the comments. The living room is gray with the wall behind the couch one shade darker. I don't understand it myself because at times it seems easter-egg blue. The "dark" gray wall is the same gray in my grid thing in the kitchen. I'm not sure about that grid but I wanted color and realized that all my art is tiny. I think something bold behind the TV area would look good but I don't know what to do there.

About the Prouvé lamp. You can check out the details on the vitra website. It's pretty much a big metal boom arm that pivots freely. That's my reading light when I'm in bed.

What a view. And the Dining area is my favorite part. I would agree with others that the living space seems too sparse. It needs something to tie it together.

I'm not sold on the color, though. It's a great employment of monochromatics, but...I dunno. It's actually the color I'm contemplating painting my bathroom, but I can't decide if it reminds me of an early 20th century hospital room or not.

This place has major potential--a funky layout, and it looks like you've got some great ideas about where to go with it. Still has that furniture hand-me-down look to it, though, suggesting that you need some more consistency (and time) to whip it into shape. I don't think it's a winner this year, but if they do this contest again next year, enter and I think that you'll have a good shot at it.

Also, is this the first entry with a Murphy bed? Very cool, though I'm not so hot on the mirrored doors. Too Don Johnson for me.

Don't like the mirrors on the Murphy bed, but otherwise a great work in progress -- like the art in the dining area. And those million dollar views! Wow!

That is the best use of that Prouve lamp I've ever seen. It makes total sense of why it was ever designed to pivot. Jean would be tres proud!

I also love using that type of "mechanism revealed" aesthetic as continued inspiration. It will work BEAUTIFULLY with "that bridge" just outside your window... the ultimate and most enviable "apartment accessory" any of us could hope to have!!

ps-- that view also makes TOTAL sense of mirroring the Murphy bed doors...

Hi, Do you live in one of those Southbridge Tower buildings right across from the South St. Seaport?

Potential, but it is as you admit a work in progress. The lamp is nice drama, but the wall with your computer and TV/entertainment system needs a lot of work. Since your view is the focal point of the room (barring a new high-rise blocking it) maybe you should swing your sofa around (but clear of the bed) to face the window. Hard to tell how much space that gives you from the pix.

I love Murphy beds, and have one, and am also surprised that this is the first one.

I agree with Sean about future contests, so I hope that they don't disqualify you from entering next time. And I agree with with Patrick about the mirrors of the Murphy bed working to repeat that mondo boffo blockbuster sensational surreally fantastic view. And I second his motion of continuing on that "exposed" mechanism thing.

By the way, if you have a WHOLE lot of storage in those closets, you could retro-fit one of them to house your office area as well, except for how great that chair looks as it is.

You asked for suggestions, so here goes. If you wanted to reconcile the "clean-line" idea with industrial-chic idea, you might paint those closet doors a silvery pewtery metallic color and then faux treat that to look like whatever degree of rust you might be comfortable with. It would also be an interesting way to slightly aknowledge the shininess of the mirrors, while warming it up at the same time.

You could also hang white translucent corrugated fiberglass from a track on the ceiling, on the right side of the window in the dining room, which would provide the silhouette of a curtain treatment, and you could figure out whether you ever want to be able to cover the actual window with it or not -- probably not. The undulation of it would mimic very neatly starched pinch-pleat curtains, minus the pleat, which giving a wink to the bridge.

What you've already done with your dining room does give a hint of future good things from you, and congratulations on such majorly fantastic acquisition!

Just have to say that this is so cool that we have finally gotten to see the apartments of some of the AT regulars -- I'm still anxiously awaiting Paul's. . .

Blood has been shed over views like this.

I think you are incredibly lucky to have such an apartment. The view, which goes without saying, is fabulous!

Excellent bones for a work in progress.

I really connected with your space. I don't know why it got so many so-so's. For the SqFt it looks spacious. I love the colors. Thanks for showing your cool space.

People buy posters of your view and you have the real thing! Congrats on such a great purchase. It still looks like a work in progress but your place is oozing with potential. And you own it which means you can do so much more. Great place.

Hey - Congrats on landing a great space. It has a long going for it. The thing I like best so far is the view of the dining room that shows the wall with the red shapes on it. THAT'S looking very homey and cool.
As for suggestions - fabric! Obviously you don't want to cover those great views, but what about tailored floor-to-ceiling drapery on either the wall behind the TV or the wall behind the couch? It would warm the place a lot. Also, might I suggest your next purchase being a long, low-slung piece for the computer/TV wall? You could perhaps perch the monitor on one end, conceal the rest of the office and the TV within doors and drawers beneath. It would also echo the line of the couch, which I think is a GREAT find.
My other thought would be to move the mirror from over the couch to above the stove, which sounds a little strange but it would act like another window there and mirror the view from the dining room. Plus, the mirror is a bit small for the space it's in.
Overall, I'm excited for you. You've got a lot to work with and I think you've made great choices with the dining furniture and the couch. Keep on keepin' on.

I viewed the slideshow and was so excited for Robyn, because I could feel in a palpable way she was in the thick of designing the apartment, knew she had the bones down very well, and was getting ready to take the next step, as resources allowed, to take it to the next level. Very jealous, since where she's got bones, I've still got cartilage.

There were many things I really liked a lot about the apartment... the couch, the murphy bed, the chairs, the grid on the kitchen wall, the kitchen/dining area layout, the terrace and view of the bridge. I thought the wall arrangements in the kitchen/dining area showed real promise for the rest of the apartment and a design sensibility I would relate well to when the whole apartment was done.

But when it came to voting, I voted "so-so," for no reason other than that, though it's well on its way, there's still a lot of work to be done. That said, if this competition were a college essay, and I had to take an incomplete with an outline based on this strong a thesis, I'd do so proudly. There are more talented people out there to suggest how to wordsmith your way to where you are going, but for my part I will say well done!

What a cool place you've got. If it were mine, I'd wallpaper the inside wall of the murphy bed with a strong shot of colour and pattern.

Please keep the mirrors, i'll second that, to reflect the Incrediblly great view, and the light. I love the grey walls that look blue.

I'd suggest clearing away under the window.
Maybe just a knife plant, with its thick vertical leaves the shape of the bridge arches, or other simple plants.
If it's not just the shade making the balcony railing dark, so it competes less with the view, maybe paint it a lighter color?

Armoire the tv stuff, as webmacher said, i'd second that too. Sharon's ideas are good i think. Or something really simple, narrow, vertical, i wondered, b4 i read her post; or in time, when your budget allows, maybe a unit or units which conceal the desk, and the tv stuff behind doors

Just maybe a round rug, or in time, a chair or something
with subtle curves which echo the bridge arches might be good.

Congratulations on such a fantastic, romantic space, so glamorous, you lucky duck!!

oops, nevermind about concealing the desk, it would be too obtrusive, sorry.
i'd love to see your place in winter full of white pointsettia plants.

Not so into the apartment. BUT THAT VIEW!

(Having some trouble with the site--other people's comments won't load on the page.)

Wowowowowow, that view is spectacular. A window-framed work of art. That adds a lot of potential to your space, which already has a lot of it. It's hard to tell what you're into from the pictures, although it looks like you prefer tailored things and not a lot of furniture taking up your space, which is totally cool.

I'd give each area some color...you don't have to paint, you could try hanging colored panels made of lightweight fabric from floor to ceiling--try a fabric store or ABC Home store. Kitchen could have prints on the walls.

The bed linens at heals.com look amazing.

The couch area looks nicely arranged, but a bit spartan--maybe a big print on the back wall?

If there is a wall opposite the view of the bridge, perhaps a big mirror to reflect the view?

I gave it a so-so 'cause the design scheme isn't apparent yet, but there are some nice pieces and I do like the color scheme that is emerging. I think it helps to complement the view. I too am interested in the artwork. Funny how a tiny Yoshitomo Nara painting can get my heart racing...

Regarding the Yoshitomo Nara painting--I found this artist here in NYC who paints "bootlegs" (copies of comtemporary art) and I bought it from him. It was 60 bucks and he delivered it personally to my office, which I thought was pretty cool. ericdoeringer-dot-com. The only bummer is that it is only 10 inches square.

I had to look at the slideshow several times and think about this before I finally gave it a "cool." While I agree with the comments about the desk, TV, and the stuff in front of the window (detracting from the view)--all looking kind of random and piecemeal--I still am captivated by the overall look and feel of the place. I like the wall color - it comes across as dreamy, romantic, mediterranean. I also like the things you've culled (amazingly) from Craig's List -- the lamp (wow!), the couch. The bed is great. It is, as you say, a work in progress, but I like so much the more finished parts that they finally outweigh for me the random furniture and the small art. BTW, what about grouping all the small art together somewhere? Then the shapes themselves would create an overall pattern, even if you can't see the detail from a distance.

Thanks for the info about the paintings,Robyn. I feel a little better now. When I thought you had those paintings AND that view, I was about to die of envy. ;)

I'm going to disagree with some of the previous posts and say that I like the cool blue color used throughout the apartment. It really sets off the deep warm wood tones and textures for me. I'm sure the blue color was washed out in the photographs. Robyn, is it more robin's egg or cornflower in hue? I like that there are older/rustic pieces in the mix. As a work-in-progress, it looks damn good. I definitely agree that the home electronics should be housed to give that area a cleaner look, but think an armoire might have too much presence--possibly a low console cabinet. Whichever way you go, definitely stick with something more rustic/primitive looking. When I was at Pier 1 over the weekend, one of the salespeople showed me a picture of a soon-to-arrive low console that was very Asian looking but large enough to house all your electronics--about $400, if I remember correctly. (If you lived in LA, I'd recommend you check out this place on La Brea Ave called Buddha Vibe. They specialize in inexpensive Thai teak furniture, most of them in dark stains. The smaller armoires--the size of which wouldn't overpower your space--are priced at around $200. Not heirloom quality, but great prices for a rustic look. They get about 2 crates a week or merch and pieces sell out within days of uncrating. Perhaps you have a similar place in NY?) Another thing that would be fun to address is the wall that's revealed once the murphy bed is pulled down. Maybe another contrasting color, art, fabric wall, etc? It would be nice if whole 'nother vibe was introduced once the bed was lowered... And don't get me started on THAT VIEW!

With a view like that, you really should flaunt it!
Do I see a balcony? (the pics aren't clear) Bright, easy to look after plants or small boxy lights would really highlight the windows.
I also love what you have done to the walls in the dinning room, with the bits of art and random squares of colour... would be awesome if you can do that to all the other walls too.

No personality - nice view though.

Love the view; love the kitchen. Jealous ;-) good luck

Melone Cucumbre

Keni Kikket

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Fabulous view, and a lot more style than I could come up with! The Murphy bed is great... although I'm partial to anything that goes by a fine name like that!

Ok, you asked for advice, here goes.

1. Paint:
I think it may be lightish green blue aqua on walls, but maybe white, can't tell from computer photo. Try painting the walls, make sure to cover your beautiful wood floors though. Paint ceiling flat white. And, walls, some off white, like light tan or something, to warm the place up a little. I'm not a fan of super bright trendy colors.

2. ADD TABLE IN KITCHEN:
Yes, kitchen, and bathroom look a little 80's but a big renovation probably costs a bunch of money. So, just keep it, and spark it up a bit. For kitchen, think about if you cook a lot. If not, how about getting a small modern clear glass small table that seats about 3, in a triangle shape or something, with 2 small chairs and place that in the middle of the kitchen. I know it is a pain, but if you are only one person living there and don't cook, you don't need all that kitchen space and a whole dining room to seat 4. Maybe the wood table would work in the kitchen, but maybe something more modern, glass, and clear, and lighter would leave it feeling more open. something smaller too a bit.
I know that maybe you just bought table on craigslist, sorry.


3. TAKE DINING ROOM TABLE OUT OF DINING ROOM:
Once the table is in the kitchen, then you can use the dining room as a living room. Can't tell the size from the photos. How about placing the couch in there and the television and a chair. Just something to really warm it up a bit.


I know you are just starting out. Couch and coffee table look cool. That white ikea chair is kinda too cheap looking next to your big leather couch, but may be good next to bed.

4. LIVING ROOM WALL MUST BE CHANGED:
All that small furniture of living room wall is too little for that wall. Pictures are too small, desk is too small, tv table is too small. these things might work in another spot though. Mirror above couch is too small. Get a big framed picture instead, but wait to find a cheap one. Or get two matching framed pictures in black frames and place next to each other for modern look.

Are in front of window in living room needs to be changed too. Kitchen needs some color.

LIVING ROOM TO BEDROOM:
If your dining room becomes your living room, your living room can become your bedroom. I know you already have a murphy bed and they are expensive and convenient. is it comfortable, do you like it? you could just keep that door closed and then stick a real bed with headboard in your living room. as for silver doors, yes they look 80's ish.

Your view is amazing-balcony is so cool-great choice!!! i live downtown and have same view! my studio is 325 sqare feet, but i have more kitchen space. your place seems bigger than mine.

hope my advice helps.