apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Kudos and thanks to ALL the entries for "inviting us in" to your personal, imaginative, creative bathrooms. All winners!

I think Jennifer's bathroom has an unfair advantage, since it matches the AT masthead so nicely. ;)

I love looking at other people's renovations, and I hate seeing my funky little bathroom represented on a bar graph (at least I got Orange)
In the spirit of patricio (el otro), I say 'We're All Pretty!'

A note on the entry titles -- AT did the naming of the bathrooms "Blue Heaven" etc

and, oddly enough, all those names were at one point under consideration as title options to the Merhchant/Ivory "Howard's End."

Yeah - I'd take the bar graphs away. I'd rather not be able to see the vote counts until the end.

It's making me less productive at work (keep coming back and hitting REFRESH on the browser).

I like the bar graphs (though my bathroom isn't up there).

I'm fascinated by the vote distribution and the lack of comments, until recently.

I definitely think that the vote bars skew the results. I mean, it motivates some people to vote until their favorite catches up.

yeah, i too kind of wish the vote tallies weren't visible until it was all over. seems like it would be more fair that way. i suppose having them available makes for more potential "drama", but is it really worth it?

F5

*refresh*

Now, get back to work!

I'm totally surprised at the voting results thus far. Totally.

And the bar graphs *do* influence voting - I'm waiting to see how this plays out a bit more...

The hardest part of this for me is that some of the bathroom's I love the most here involve a simple (relatively speaking) layering of personal style over an existing shell, while some were from-the-studs overhauls. Hmmmm.

whoops... improper use of apostrophe, deduct 5 points.

Actually, I just don't like losing! The graphic representation of it isn't really the problem...and you can't vote more than once, can you?

I'm rather curious if anyone is changing anything . . .
bring on the post-contest photos!

Okay, since this thread is pretty dead, maybe we (okay, I) should stir things up a bit...

First off, thanks to everyone who've commented on my entry. That was the main reason for entering it--to get some feedback because the overall look didn't feel completely finished to me and I wanted some 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinions. I also wanted to better resolve playing off of the yellow and white color-scheme (but keeping it masculine). Yes, people suggested getting a real shower curtain and ditching the little faux Persian rug. But it wasn't until jimkk commented that the vessel sink/cabinet combo looked like a modern update of an antique sink vanity, that it hit me... I needed to focus more on a juxtaposition of traditional and modern design cues (and not so much on the ethnic).

So, out went the too-small rug. In came a butter yellow Italian cotton rug in a much larger size (30"x50") and a goldenrod yellow and off-white striped cotton shower curtain (that mimics the look of mattress ticking). These 2 small changes had a huge impact, and really resolved the interplay of the yellow, white and travertine in the room. Plus, added bonus for me, it looks MORE like a, yes, HOTEL BATHROOM. The colors are now better balanced, and all the art feels more integrated into the space as pops of color and visual interest. So, thank you, for the feedback on my thread! I love my bathroom even more now that it's so swank-tastic.

On to voting. Of course, I voted for myself. But, if I wasn't in the competition, I would have voted for Curtis, with Guido (yes, you are pretty and so is your bathroom) as a close second. Why? Because of all the entries, these two had the most inventive and unique rooms. Whether it was for budgetary reasons or just because of their love of creating/designing/building, these two reinvented their full-of-character spaces themselves. They didn't take the easy way out by working with a designer/contractor or just making decisions from a Waterworks or Restoration Hardware catalog. They didn't point to a pretty picture in Met Home and say "I want that." They actually had these crazy visions for not just rooms, but entire environments that spoke volumes about themselves. And, that's why--for me--these two entries rocked. And rocked hard. (And this coming from someone who would love to have Jeremy's showstopper as my own!)

So, how about it, gang? Don't just click re-fresh and wait for the totals to change. How about posting some of your thoughts--hate it, love it, etc. This is the final stretch!

And, uh yeah, I still want your votes. And I'm not above pity or sucking up to get them... Love you. Mean it. Vote for me.

I'll say it again... while I love *most* of the final products of the entries, it's hard for me (as an example) to reward HH for bringing in one chair and picking a paint color (even though both are great choices) when others had much more input into (and should get much more credit for) how they actually molded the space. Hmmmmm.

OK, now I'M going to give MY little stir to the pot. And after that, the moderator can banish me from AT forever.

I think part of the reason people are a bit reticent this go around is directly related to Roberto's thread. Yes, there were some chromosomally-challeneged idiots who made rude, pointless comments - but after that, it seemed that perhaps people were reluctant to express themselves for fear of being branded "snarky." In all honesty, I did not find the majority of comments on Roberto's bathroom rude or even unhelpful - although they were certainly not laudatory. But if, for example, 90% of the readers who respond say something as simple as, "your choice of tile was a mistake," isn't that actually helpful? It might not feel great to hear it (just as it never felt good to hear during a crit, albeit politely, that 90% of the class didn't like your project), but it doesn't mean that it's corrosively negative.

I think open, civil, straightforward discourse is always the most helpful. When things get too laudatory, then it does indeed verge on becoming(as one of the snarkier posters noted) a "gush-fest".

I may be way off base here; if anyone thinks I am, please tell me. Or, perhaps my take is so off-base, it doesn't even warrant a response!

Damn, now I don't even have time to write about the bathrooms.

So are people voting more than once? I hope not.

Okay, you want a fray? I liked most of the bathrooms, so I had to go with the ones I'd like to live with. That narrowed it down to Curtis, HH, Guido, and Jennifer. Among those, I had to go with the one that made me happiest, and that was HH. A purely emotional decision; personal preference ruled.

And to give HH more of her due, she knows when to leave a good thing the way it is.

Enrique, can we see more pics?

Enrique's changes sound great, but I don't think we should get to see any new pics while the voting is still open. Afterward, I'd love it.

Joan--
Not sure why that constitutes inciting a "fray" exactly...
For the record, I find many of the bathrooms highly liveable. Even the neatly minimalist ones you left off your list.

pphillipp--
I like that there has been no finger-pointing and hair-pulling on this contest. But it also ain't Wednesday yet. ;)

Hmmm... I thought I was responding to someone else's use of the word, but I must have dreamed it. So it's not a fray. That's what I get for dreaming about AT.

In my mind, there's a difference between "highly liveable" (which all the bathrooms would be to me--they would all be functional and comfortable) and "ones I'd like to live with" (which is a more emotional consideration for me).

I agree. So...
For the record, I find many of these to be bathrooms I'd like to live with. Even the neatly minimalist ones you left off your list. :)

For the record, :) .

No, no... my point in mentioning my the changes I've made was to say that the criticism was very helpful and much appreciated--not to tip the scales in my favor. (This contest is all in good fun, right? And I can see bar graph. I've got a snowball's chance in hell of winning.)The criticism that I read made me look at my space through others's eyes, which was very helpful indeed. I'll just continue to pander shamelessly for votes based on what's already been presented. (Joan--I'll email you a pic. You don't even have to vote for me.) Honestly, the bast part about these contests for me is the exchange of ideas and the different perspectives people bring to the table--which is a pretty cool thing.

And, pphillipp, you are right on. That negative snarky crap doesn't serve any purpose other than make the poster look like an idiot. But, if they offer something constructive or can back up their criticism with some sort of reasoning (as opposed to just saying "your bathroom sucks and so do your shoes"), then I say "bring it." But, the laudatory comments are nice to read--as anyone who's put their place up for scrutiny on this site can tell you.

Thanks, Enrique, I'd love to see it. I wasn't connecting the decor changes with the voting at all. Though Doug was right; posting new pics before 3 tomorrow probably would have affected the voting, anyway.

"pphillipp--
I like that there has been no finger-pointing and hair-pulling on this contest. "

OK, let's compromise with some hair-pointing and finger pulling. The latter will be almost like shaking hands if more than one person is involved, and the former can be a sort of retro-80s, new-wave nostalgia bash, a la Aimee Mann's 'Til Tuesday coiff.

re: concerns about showing running tallies.

The Science Times section of the NYT has an article today on how people's responses to questions are influenced by (incorrect) responses of others; see http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/28/science/28brai.html. Apparently, it's not just a conscious decision to conform under peer pressure, but instead, the human brain may actually process the information differently.

Bottom line: running tallies influence the outcome.

pphillipp--
okay, you asked for it...
Pull my finger.

p2 -

ewwwww!

If Enrique can post a long thesis, I’ll post one, too. ;)

While I was planning my space out in my head and on paper, I was looking at tons of magazines. A good-looking and tasteful room seemed pretty easy to achieve if one had the tools of money and an almost-blank slate. I did have a list of “tasteful” choices selected but with all the availability of images/products out there – good design can seem a little impersonal because it can be easy to achieve (like Enrique said).

So, for the bathroom, I tried to push the boundaries of good taste.

For me, it would have been boring and too easy if I stayed within a tame palette. The developer’s existing bath design was the great unifier of the space but also a challenge for me. If you could see photos of other units in this bldg – you’d be amazed at how color really changes almost identical spaces

When I ventured out into the retail home-furnishings world this spring (prior to 2005 I lived for a year under a rock called work), I was astonished at how prevalent the beach-theme is for the bath and thought about changing my paint colors!

I was looking for a weird, vibrant but pleasing color combination that conveyed warmth and cheer. For some of you, it was a little too weird. For some, orange is your least favorite color. For some, you don’t like the Miami Dolphins (the association had never occurred to me, thankfully). For me, it was a fun experiment to see if I could be a little weird/zany but still create a room that was enjoyable to be in.

That was my approach (weird, vibrant, possibly in bad taste) and I achieved my goal - ha-ha! But I love ‘hotel-looking’ bathrooms and I love the DIY approach that Guido took. 99% of the fun is just dreaming and looking. The other 99% is being happy to make and enjoy your choices and a long hot soak in the tub. (No steam shower - *sniff*)
Cheers - Jennifer

Jennifer-
I like the sunny bathroom as a contrast to the Portland sky.

Jennifer--

re--"A good-looking and tasteful room seemed pretty easy to achieve if one had the tools of money and an almost-blank slate."
Um, you spent $10,000 and pretty much gutted the space, didn't you? Don't go getting all humble on us now!

The only thing I see truly non-traditional was your paint choices. Everything else (with possible exception of w/d placement) is really pretty classic/old school/retro. So, maybe not "hotel bathroom". But definitely "bed & breakfast." I don't say that as an insult at all, btw.

And I like the Miami Dolphins. Just not in my bathroom. Well, actually, perhaps in my steam shower. :)

I don't think Jennifer meant that she didn't spend a lot of money, or gut the space. I believe she just meant she felt she needed to push herself beyond the "easy" choices available to her.

Sorry, but I don't see how her choices (other than paint) are pushed beyond "easy" at all. And Joan, I don't want you to think I am arguing with everything you post tonight!

Jennifer--
I also did not mean for that to sound like I dislike your bathroom, because I DON'T dislike it at all.

But, Jennifer, I REALLY REALLY REALLY disagree with the statement "good design can seem a little impersonal because it can be easy to achieve".

If it ends up being impersonal, it's not really "good design". Don't confuse "not my style" with "impersonal." Plus, there is nothing "bad design" about your bathroom, so it's very weird to me you make that statement.

And good design is NOT easy to achieve.

re: Don't go getting all humble on us now!

Sorry - false modesty wasn't the intent. The renovation was part of the condo purchase. I can't say enough how lucky I was to have had the opportunity to work with the developer's plans and personalize my new home.

Changes to the plans cost me addt'l $ out of my pocket if my ideas were more expensive than the planned budget (which was inevitable). So, in a different way, I had to count my pennies - and spent most of those extra pennies in the kitchen and lighting changes.

The bathroom is more traditional in style than if I had designed it from scratch. But - I'm not a bathroom person - which is why I didn't change the plans too much and tried something a little crazier.

So, when balanced with the other priorities and decisions to make throughout my new home, I am pleased as punch with the overall end result. On time and under budget...really.

You definitely should be pleased. It's a great space.

Was re-reading what I wrote about 'impersonal design' that Patrick really really really disagreed with.

What I meant to say was that MY whole design experience (throughout the whole place) was becoming too impersonal by looking at too many magazines, catalogs, and watching HGTV waaay too much.

Which is why I no longer have cable t.v.

I haven't voted yet because I'm trying to work out the philosophical ramifications of it all, i.e., what will my vote MEAN? Should I vote for the bathroom that conforms most closely to my own personal taste? The one that required the most hard work? That takes the most design risks? That has the most gracious owner?
Mulling, mulling...

My 2 cents--

I just looked at these bathrooms after a visit to the Home Depot where I started to look for things to make my own bathroom livable. It was a humbling experience; I'm usually fairly confident about making choices for my home but the bath is something else altogether!

Thus, I'm now seeing these bathrooms in a whole new light: one of unbridled awe at the guts it took everyone to do this. True, HH picked a paint color and added a chair, but they are perfect--truly good design! Guido's gut rehab is beyond anything I can imagine undertaking, and so inventive to boot! Would that I had his skills. And all of those who worked with contractors had a myriad of choices to make, none of them easy, in addition to dealing with the contractor (she said as she bit her nails to a quick). None of this is for the faint of heart.

This woman, shortly to begin a bathroom reno, feels that every single contestant is a big winner--and a hero.

A further 2 cents--

I'm very pleased (said the prim schoolteacher) that this discussion did not turn into the unseemly free-for-all that occurred when Roberto and Zaida's bath appeared. Suggestions might be acceptable at times if offered in a respectful manner; criticism is not warranted.

That said, in my real estate porn dreams, I want a huge bath with a two-person tub, a steam shower, a washer and dryer, the ability to pick just the right colors, the wherewithall to track down resources, the know-how to do the work myself, and the intestinal fortitude it takes to deal with a contractor. In short, I want every contestant's guts and imagination.

Kudos to all of you.

And to Curtis--

I want your talent.

Enrique--

If you have yet to decide on the shower curtain, I have a suggestion which I used in my own bath.

I went to the fabric store and picked out something I liked. Then a friend made me a floor-to-ceiling curtain (just three hems) which I hung on a tension pole. I usually leave this marvel partly open; behind it is a run-of -the mill sheer plastic shower curtain on a regular rod.

Shimmery fabric is tough--this may not be your taste but I'd consider a satin or satin blend.

Still don't get why exposure to decor on TV or in mags results in a compromise of personal style (unless you are outright copying somebody else's solution), and not sure how that all translates in to the final choices you made, but I'll just let it go.

I'm just pissy 'cuz I don't get the big gaps in the voting.

Can we please, please, please do away with the online tallies in the future? Maybe I'm just a cynic, but I definitely feel as though it leads to some people voting multiple times. I'm sure that would happen even without the vote tallies showing, but you wouldn't see exactly what needed to be done to alter the organic tallies.

P(too): What don't you get about the big gaps in the voting? (And why does it make you pissy?)

Because I think some really strong solutions are not getting a decent amount of votes.

And, although I like the two (way out in front) runners, I think they are not doubly/triply as cool or innovative as many of the others that lag considerably.

There is a weird anti-establishment, anti-modern vibe that kicks in here every now and then, and I just don't get it. Especially when pseudo Victorian and brand-new retro are running away with the lead.

OK, here's my deal:

I have three separate groups of winners:
1. Those who thought outside the box, showed tremendous skill, and resourcefulness - Guido and Curtis
2. Those who inhereted great bones, and tweaked them nicely - Enrique and HH
3. Those who put their input into a from-scratch construction - Jeremy

All these bathrooms are great. I apologize, but the other three did not do it for me; I'm particularly surprised why Jennifer's is resonating with the readers so deeply.

That being said - I *want* Jeremy's bath, but the winner of *this* contest - hands-down, without a doubt - is GUIDO. She took unusable space and designed it into a totally original, almost fantasy-like place. She tracked down what she wanted from numerous, disparate sources to bring her vision to fruition. She exhibited exceptional skill in implementing her designs with her own hands. And in thinking outside the box, she's given us (me, at least) fodder for thinking about our own projects.

Is her bathroom "perfect"? No - but I guarantee you, the basic bones - the beautiful dark wood with the gleaming white porcelain and the lovely hardware - will only evolve over the next few years into something even more beautiful. But Guido, I don't care how happy that shower curtain makes you - either you take it down, or I'm coming over and ripping it down myself.

Guido rocks! Vote for Guido!

One comment (slightly nerdy geeky) and then I've got to get back to doing some real work. Lives are at stake.

Most websites can track unique visitors that come to the site. So, just because I hit *refresh* 20 times yesterday, doesn't impact the APT Therapy unique visitor count.

Is it possible that the survey application being used only takes one vote per IP address?

I joked with my neighbor about stuffing the ballot box so I could get a baseball cap. But personally, that would seem stupid - because if there is a core of diehard AptTherapy readers whose opinions and ideas you find interesting and valuable - why wouldn't you honestly want to see where the chips fall?

And besides, could an Apt Therapy baseball cap really look better than my red DC Nationals baseball cap???

Oh, and by the way - just imagine how GORGEOUS Guido's place would look if photographed by the person (forgive me, I've forgotten his name!) who did the shots for the smallest, coolest apartment contest (after, of course, he ripped down the shower curtain).

Vote for GUIDO!

Guido is a SHE! The audioblog gave me a lisp - which I don't have - but I don't think I sound like a guy.

Anyway, I don't have any special skills, just mad thriftiness and a willingness to "go dark" and deep woods/victorian in my bathroom. I did hire people to do work that I couldn't do myself, as explained in the narrative. But something like wainscotting is not a big deal and is available at Home Depot. Staining and varnishing is just like painting a wall, just a little more time consuming. But then you never have to touch it again!

Then of course you have to really like wood, which I obviously do.

On to Fantasy Bathroom:
The one thing I REALLY wanted that I just couldn't fit was an old style 6 ft. 2 person tub - the kind with the faucet in the middle. Come to think of it, they kind of look like huge vessel sinks . . . ha!
Looking back on that, it sounds kind of tacky to me now.

P(too), that's interesting. Unless people really are voting more than once, maybe many people, like me, are just voting what they like, rather than what they approve of, or for the entrant's involvement in the process, or what they think this site should be about. This is not a criticism of your thought process, of course, and I understand your feeling, though I don't share it.

O MY pphillipp
THANK YOU!
I was so busy writing my coming out post (prompted by Terry's comments today) that I missed all that until . . .

"I'm very pleased (said the prim schoolteacher) that this discussion did not turn into the unseemly free-for-all that occurred when Roberto and Zaida's bath appeared."

Terry (and others), I *still* don't see that Roberto's thread was as hate-filled as people are saying. A few lone jerks, but in general there were just many negative comments. That's all.

joan--
I am not implying any wrong-doing or ballot-box stuffing. I just don't agree with the popular vote. But that would NOT be the first time THAT happened...

pphillipp--
I agree things did not get as intense as in the past, but I think Roberto has a different perspective on how "hate filled" the comments seemed, to him.

p2 -
you're probably right. i don't know how it feels to be standing naked in the middle of the street, so to speak.

I bet you do.

I think it's awful to have people looking at something you love and find out THEY ALL HATE IT (see my poll results, no pretty thing either) so I was feeling Roberto's pain. But I don't think the comments were terrible. It's just what people thought, expressed pretty respectfully.

Any of you Kiki and Herb fans? I can just hear Kiki saying
"Ain't no accounting for taste"

I do not think (some) people were respectful to Roberto at all in the original thread.

this is a good thread. i've laughed, pondered, re-looked at some of the bathrooms... and now i have a few comments. i'm not a computer guru at all, but i do know that it is possible to vote more than once. i don't know if anyone is doing this, but it's pretty simple to do, if one wanted to. so there's that. i agree with everyone about the tallies, it totally influences decisions, and i'd rather it be a suprise.

pphillip, you're right on about the roberto bathroom comments, etc. i think what made that thread uncomfortable, and possibly held back some people, was roberto's reactions- not the actual comments.

it was hard to decide what my voted "meant." i decided to just vote for my favorite bathroom, the one i'd like to have, spend the most time in, etc.

and one more thing. patrick, you are extremely funny.

Guido--
Don't confuse "they hate it" with "they like something else, better."

Guido. You see that? I told you people appreciated your bathroom! Just because you and I are not Prom Queen and King, doesn't mean we don't get to have fun at the dance. (Patrick, I'm leaving that comment wide open for you, my friend. Enjoy.) Sift through the comments regarding your place, digest what you find useful and move on. Now, let's go spike the eggnog and back that azz up on the dancefloor.

PS This thread FINALLY got a little more interesting!

"Any of you Kiki and Herb fans? I can just hear Kiki saying
"Ain't no accounting for taste"."

OMG, I f*cking LOVE Kiki and Herb - their renditions of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" and Tori Amos's (who is, basically, Kate Bush part 2) "Crucify" - brilliant.

You see, another reason to vote for Guido - she likes K&H! Folks, what are you waiting for??! Vote for Guido!

I don't hate any of the eight bathrooms, and I only voted for one. Each of them made me think, dream, or at the very least react in some way with a sense of appreciation. And kudos to all the participants who put themselves out there!

Guido, I really like your good cheap gut rehab, clawfoot tubs, and wood. Think you've done a great job. Though, I did end up voting for another bathroom. I tried to imagine which bathroom came the closest to what I'd like to have in my dream apartment. Probably not the best way to judge, I admit, but it is hard for me to base my decision on any other criteria.

I think people should vote for whatever moves them, and I don't mind a bit if it's not my handiwork. My tastes are my own (triple voting rights to whoever can correctly peg that to a Simpson's episode)

SO I'm not boo-hooing over here in my luxurious woodlined whimsy -- what I was refering to was the number of Left Cold apartment therapy patients I attracted in the first round of viewing . . .

It's OK! Really! I got over it!
Vota aqui! Vota para mi!

Enrique, the only prom I ever enjoyed was the one I ditched out of to go to a rockabilly band, followed by a leather club so my date could meet up with his boyfriend . . .
which only tells us . . .
to be 17 and in Catholic school was fun!

[Stevie? Do you read AT?]

Ding ding ding! Homer as food critic?

Thank you for playing Joan, but sorry your answer is incorrect.

"My reasons are my own." is the actual line, and it was uttered by a guest star . . .

Ding, ding, ding!

Eleanor Roosevelt??!

(She did a gues spot, right??!)

(gues = guest)

thank you pphillip, but that is incorrect
[i believe at present she only speaks to hillary clinton]

For my part I say nothing--nothing--but
This I will say--my reasons are my own--
That if I had an only son to put
To school (as God be praised that I have none),
'Tis not with Donna Inez I would shut
Him up to learn his catechism alone,
No--no--I'd send him out betimes to college,
For there it was I pick'd up my own knowledge.

WELL, can't argue with Don Juan
especially when he is quoted by Harvey Fierstein guesting on the Simpsons as Carl, the wunderkind male secretary who comes to Homer's rescue after Homer briefly grows hair and is bumped up to managment. Carl takes care of everything. Homer naturally falls in love with him.

Of course Homer has his doubts - why would Carl do all this for him, lowly Homer? Carl, opening up that extra deep tank of Harvey voice, utters
"My reasons are my own." and walks into the sunset
(or rainy parking lot. music swells)

Enjoyed playing with you all!

Glad I was out of the office for a couple of days so I didn't have to continually hit refresh and watch the spanking my bathroom received! Just kidding.

Following-up on Enrique's post on what will change based on the contest:
Nothing yet. I really like the niche idea and am seriously considering that. I am thinking of either 3 large horizontal niches on the wall with the length of the tub or else 3 smaller vertical ones at the head of the tub. The other idea I really liked was the stone architectural artifact. This combined with 3 niches at the head of the tub seems like a good combination. I have always been fascinated by Mayan architecture and other early cultures so this might be a good way to tie that into the space. We will also definitely be checking on those dimmers (thanks enrique!).

In all it was good fun. It would be interesting to do a do-over without the running totals available to see if similar results would occur. I don't think people vote multiple times, but I do think the voting is influenced and people change their votes to one of the top two to try to push one over the top. Not complaining here at all about the final counts, just my geeky math and analytical side coming out!

PS. got your message patrick, thanks.

I am also thinking of doing nothing with that large wall. Something about the absence of things and the possibilities that are always present because it is blank makes me feel good inside.

Or maybe we are just indecisive and dull!

Niches in that bathroom, which is already so incredible.

I'm off to seethe in hatred and jealousy.