apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Had to hold myself back from an all-out yuck here... The only reason I didn't was because I do realize that the overall feminity was what I didn't like and I don't think judging should include a sexist bias... So I'm going to try and stay neutral on that... and say the room looks like it was decorated for 365 Valentine Days and year... one's more than a enough for a lot of New Yorkers (no, I wasn't a bitter pill last night).

The rigorous use of the red and white patterns on white, white, white walls makes it look like a militant Nurse Rachet Valentine went to Pier One or something... The red bows and the red picture frame on top of the closet... yes, they're excessive.

That green garland on the mirror makes me sad... I wish there were other shades of color here... Even China White... More ivy would be amazing...

There, I've said it.

I had to hold myself back from a yuck too, but hey, it's tidy.

Too tidy. The unremitting glare of the white walls does nothing for me. The rest is just kitschy--and not in a fun way.

The woods in the furniture and on the floor aren't complemented by the shade of white. The covering over the wardrobe is nice - I'd recommend getting a much lighter dresser - it seems so heavy and large - you imagine with this much feminity much lighter furniture; wrought iron would do well

Paul, with your strong opinions on these bedrooms, I think it's only fair that you should enter your sleeping abode in this contest. If you practice what you preach, why not show it off? I think you may have mentioned that you woudn't because of your studio/murphy bed setup, but why not? That's apartment living at its most interesting.

Does anyone else want to see Paul's bedroom?

Paul and Reed convey my reaction exactly. I wonder what women think about it. I think if the fabric was a toile in a blue shade I would connect more.

Actually, i am a girl ;-) Just not a frilly one.

I think its quite cute. I don't like the wooden dressers. I like the red and white. The Hemnes chest with 8 drawers would look cute there.
www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=12&productId=25928&langId=-1&parentCats=10120*10458

I suspect this is nicer in real life than in the photos. It's definitely a lot neater than mine, and I don't mind the colors. But I find myself wanting something bigger on the walls (maybe because that white is so white), and something a little jarring, like MS's turquoise chair or red bedside table.

I'd like to see Pauls bedroom posted

Yes, I want to see Paul's bedroom. C'mon Paul - let's see it!

Yeah Paul, you can dish it out. But can you take it????

Guys,

I'm being merciless I know... and I should certainly be taken to task for it. In my defense, the things I say are the same things I tell an interior designer friend of mine about what she does with her space... so I'm speaking from my true, honest, daily voice.

So my bedroom... it will have to wait until the most beautiful small apartment contest because i'm in a 300sf studio... I sleep with my head next to the oven (not IN the oven, but that could easily be arranged if things got really bad), so I'm aware of the bad juju there...

I sleep in a full sized murphy bed that partially blocks the bathroom door from opening when the bed is open, so when I'm sleeping (or entertaining) it's a little akward.

HOWEVER... the space is cozy, sexy, and interesting. I have three colors on the wall... one is an exposed brick, the other is a very pale chartreuse, the other a very pale blue. The murphy bedframe is light wood, the sheet colors are white or pale green, or... pale blue I think... the pillows ar two navy euro squares, two tan euro squares, and two king size brightly striped pillows with a matching comforter... very colorful. The lighting is generally low when the space is a bedroom, because the track lights above are too bright for comfort, so I usually have the light over the stovetop on at night for reading, or a few candles on the dining table nearby. I can see the 5 big bushy plants I keep by the 2 windows from bed.

That's the short of the bedroom area... so I promise to submit pics for the small apartment contest and you can all freely rip me apart. In the meantime, I'm going to continue giving my honest critiques of what I see.

I do want to thank Maxwell and everyone at AT for this contest opportunity and this great site, and all the people who did their submissions... I've said it before... it takes courage to put yourself out there.

Anyway... this thread is supposed to be about the red and white toile... so lets focus on the submission above!

Again a bedroom with one side of the bed jammed against the wall. It make me claustrophobic. I know space is often cramped in NYC but this room looks like there is space for a better furniture arrangement. If it's not a dorm or room you have to share with two beds, move it away from the wall. I don't really mind the "valentine's" colors, but I feel it still needs some better or stronger accents or focal point.

Submitter doesn't take their own #2 tip, unless they vault off the foot of the bed.

I also am not crazy about the bed jammed in a corner. Perhaps it's just bad flashbacks to dorm living.

I agree with Jimkk about the bed placement; I'd like to see it somewhere a little unconventional, like catty corner. And I didn't really understand tip #2 since the rug is not anywhere near the bed.

I'm interested by the number of bedrooms that don't look very New York-y. This one has a real country vibe. I don't mind country but I like modern country with a touch of wit and whimsy. I'd love to see something a little eclectic but still country in this room - a big old rescued sign on the wall or something.

I think it's funny that comments (except for Paul's!!) seemed to be tempered by the gender of the entrant... when it's frilly and girly, everybody sort of walks on eggshells around it. But when it seems to be a GUY'S apartment, jeez, the claws (of all gender) come out.

At any rate, I continue to salute the brave (and braver) souls who continue to enter.

And, without a doubt, Chad remains the high-style front runner, WAY ahead of the pack.

I thought I was the only one who hates the bed in the corner thing. I feel validated.

One common thing I have noticed in these rooms is the use of tiny, tiny knick knacks on the walls. I think maybe people are afraid to buy bigger items and so you end up with a ton of little-bitty items everywhere. I would love to see one big focal point on the wall.

Something like the previous poster said about a sign sounds cool for this room. I am imagining a big vintage farmer's market sign to continue the country theme in here.

I agree with Patrick (the other one) Chad's bedroom is the best one by far. It might not be my style but this is the room with real style and a certain degree of sophistication.

I'm betting the dresser and night table are hand-me-downs. they've got to go, soonest. also, try the kitty-corner bed idea.

I have the hand-me-down problem in my place with antiques my mother has given me that although they are nice, are no longer what I want. I don't dare dispose of them. I'me waiting for my nieces and nephews to get old enough that I can foist the stuff on them.

martha

I think this contest overall is giving a real idea of reader/contributor demographics, and let's just say that I'm kind of scared - I really like this site, and I thought the sensibility was geared more towards people who actually have some level of taste. This is like decorating/design equivalient American Idol.

Yikes.

I really admire the entrants' bravery. It's clear that they love their bedrooms and are comfortable in them, and that's what's most important. On the other hand, if they were asking for advice on how to improve their bedrooms, I could say "back away from the frou frou" or "move your bed away from the wall" or "skip the bed-in-a-bag from Burlington Coat Factory". . . in the meantime, just thanks, everyone, for showing us how everyone really does have different tastes.

Which brings up an interesting point. Aside from this contest, would there be any interest in people's posting pictures of bedrooms (or whatever rooms), not to claim that they're great, but to get feedback and suggestions? I still wouldn't be able to post my bedroom at the moment, but maybe in a couple months I'd be interested in suggestions.

Did anyone notice that this is her first apartment? Developing a decorating style takes time. That said, I think Heather would do well to take other posters' advice about larger wall decor and moving the bed out of the corner.

I love Joan's idea. This could be an excellent and useful feature. 4 pics, one lay out plan posted for a week. I'm sure the owner will get a zillion of suggestions. And then if they decide to apply some of the suggestions post the "after" pictures.

What do you say Max?

I know this is off topic from this room- - - but if something like Joan's idea gets started up, would it only be for people in the NY area? I don't live up there but would love suggestions on how to make my place better. Eh, I guess I'll wait and see what Max comes up with- and the rules that go with it.

Now with the room- it's a really cozy looking place. I love the hardwood floors and the white furniture looks nice with it- only thing is that the wall decor is too small. The flowery print stuff is a good theme but what if you incorperated some nice solid colors into the room as well? (kind of like what you did with the rug)- it would set it off the flowers better and make it seem less, as me posted, "frou frou"....Maybe paint an accent wall...or like people have been suggesting, a large vintage sign? Anyway- nice start and congrats on the new apt.

aaaaand I can't spell this morning...incorporated not incorperated.

Here's a confession--I don't live in NY, either; I'm in CT (not even within commuting distance). But I did live there for many years, in some small apartments. Anyway, my fingers are crossed that Maxwell and readers would be open to a broader application of "Therapy."

I think this is much nicer than most first apartments, and what's important is that she loves it. Not to be a Pollyanna, but good for her for being proud of what she's done!

It's not exactly my taste, but probably nicer than my room when I first lived on my own.

Let me just begin by saying that I love this site and the idea that Joan has brought forth. I've recently moved in to (what I think is) my dream NYC apt and I haven't a clue on how to arrange and effectively use the space. I know this particular comment reel isn't a sounding board for the harried apartment dweller, but can ANYONE suggest an inexpensive professional organizer in the NYC area. Inexpensive is the key word her! Signed on the brink of insanity!

Oh yeah...and the bedroom above is very cute. Focusing on style is always nice but comfort, which this room exhibits in spades, is the ultimate goal for a quint bedroom. Just my opinion.

The fact that the room is obviously "girly" is not the problem. It's the scale of the furniture as well as the style. We have another case of weirdly mixed wood types with the CD shelf next to the dresser. The bed in the corner could have been treated like a daybed and it might have worked. I've always hated that kind of blocky brown furniture. I bet if all the furniture were painted white, it could work. But I feel uncompromising today. So, I gave it a big fat Yuck! By the way, the draped fake ivy is really a problem to me. Why do people like fake flowers?

Joan/PAS--
Er, um, regarding getting help with one's apartment and/or clutter, via an organizer with a great eye and who practices what he preaches... I think there is a guy in New York named Maxwell who could help you out... now, where to find him?!

Of course. Does he travel to CT?

On the other hand, I am enjoying all the different opinions, and I really enjoy looking at other people's spaces. This would be a way to see more, without people's having to claim that theirs is the most beautiful space.

I'm casting my opinion in with Joan's and Charles'. I'm in Dallas and would love to see a "Meet my room" feature that doesn't necessarily focus on New York, even as much as I (heart) New York.

Thoughful style and design are EVERYWHERE.

I've had to rely on a lot of improvisation and creativity since I don't have the same resources as New Yorkers. (For example, IKEA finally opens here in June. This is huge news since most any retail outlet for modern furnishings here is hella expensive.)

So Maxwell, how are you reacting to this? Does the idea seem like an intrusion on your business? (That was of course not the intention.)

It looks much more comfortable and cosy than my first apartment, but there's nothing in the place that's really fabulous and beautiful. It's starting to be shabby chic, but it needs a few more interesting pieces and a good wall color. I've only seen a handful of interiors that had white-white walls and were really beautiful.

Ha ha! Fiona is right....MY first apartment bedroom (a hundred and fifty years ago) had white walls and two twin foam mattresses thrown down side-by-side on the floor (filled up the whole width of the bedroom, too). Said bed was covered in pale blue sheets and a cream and blue flowered comforter. This first apt. bedroom wins hands down over mine! Heh.

You need a softer white for the walls. If you love white, yoou should consider painting the wooden furniture white as well; the dark woods do not go with your decor. But go for different shades of white and add different textures.

Not my style, but it is consistent, neat, and--with soft lighting to lessen the glare of the white walls--I imagine it is quite a peaceful space.

Thanks Patrick (the other one) and Joan for your indulgence! I'll be checking further into this Maxwell.