apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

peggy--
I can't speak for anyone else, but, um, on the DeColores thread, you said you thought the homeowners drank a lot, and you called the liquor display tacky. No mention of color, not so constructive of criticism.

I think that's *slightly* beyond snark, and starts to attack personally the homeowners themselves, not their decor. To me, there's a difference between that and "your colors clash" or "it's not what I would have done, personally" IF you even felt compelled to write something negative at all (but of course you are certainly entitled).

Plus, yours was literally the first comment posted, so it carried a lot of weight, and a lot of people read it.

Personally, I'm not complaining AT ALL about gushing. ALL these entrants deserve it. But as you yourself pointed out, sometimes the harshness seems to come randomly, as does the gushing (and for the reocrd, I was not the first person to cite this as "gushing").

I for one was simply intrigued by that disparity, and decided to dwell on the POSITIVE and ask the people who loved this entry exactly why, because I was seriously interested in other people's opinions. What's the problem with that?

Laura - what color is that on the bedroom walls?

Matt

I would love to see a house tour.

Ok I want your apt. really like the way the blue of the bedroom pops against the warmth of the floor and your bedding. and your "headboard" is fantastic, where did you get it? also like the fact that you went with a different tone for the living room. that taupe and the artwork gives a sophisticated feel but still the room is casual & comfortable.

I LOVE the bedroom here. The warm red tones and the cool blues go hand and hand. This looks like a cozy brownstone apartment, lived-in & homey, yet well designed and executed.

Very well done.

I am so jealous of you people with rentals that can paint. This is gorgeous.

love the royere-ish headboard. here's my pet peeve about this contest: the rules don't ask the names of the paint colors! I wanna know!

Can I move in? This is seriously lovely. I second the previous commenters - name of paint colours, please. Congratulations on a beautiful apartment.

I have commented on none - but I love this apt.
I love the play between the colors, and I particularly like the change between rooms. Seeing the living room I love the unexpected and brighter bedroom, not only the change in colors but styles. Great space.

Noisy: Paint your apartment any way. I live in a rental and we aren't "allowed" to paint but the maintenance guys tell me everyone does it. So what if they find out? You just paint over it when you move.

Leslie

Absolutely the best so far!

I love that ALL the walls are painted, not just one. The white moulding around the walls is beautiful. Great design, but it still looks warm and lived in, yet not cluttered.

And she took nice pictures, and both are a big enough "slice" of the room to judge.

This is the standard by which all others will be judged for me! (Finally....)

Laura,
I voted insta-finalist, I love it! When I decorated my place I started with pink, then almost did pink and brown. I settled on pink, orange and red. Then I saw #31 Maiysha's Urban Oasis and wished I had painted turquoise! The along comes Laura's layers and you actually pull off pink, brown, orange and turquoise! Wow.

You've really accomplished something here, because I actually don't like clutter at all. I don't like groupings of photos and I don't like small plants everywhere. I prefer one or two large plants, and one large painting - but I know taste is very subjective. I think your place is very beautiful and I would love to see all of it!

I love the Hella Jongerious vases! Can I have them please? I wish we had an Ikea in Cleveland (Ikea are you listening?)

Great work.

Best, best, best... This is what I gather when a color competition is called for. Lovely, just lovely. We'll need a house tour to inspire us!

Yes this is lovely! I love that paint color. My bedroom is a similar color (Benjamin Moore Bali). I would definitely use that tan in my living room if I had as much light as you have.

Lush, welcoming, interesting, well staged. Hella fine on a epic scale. This is just the color combo I have been dreaming of for my place.

A beautiful aesthetic; congratulations.

Laura:

I love your bedroom and your living room. Can you tell us the names of the paint colors, please? You have done a marvelous job!

Roxana

I love that you painted that thin molding line. I have a similar set up in Brooklyn and couldn't decide whether or not to paint that line... ;)


Grace

Hey this was a finalist in the "Come see my Artwork" contest a few years back! I was so bummed you didn't win--I thought your place was far superior to the winners. Anyway your apartment is till awesome. Insta!

sigh, your first picture makes me feel like i just walked into an anthropologie catalog. :)

this apartment is great. seriously. love all the angles in the living room. dig the door in the bedroom!

I love all of this room, I love the art and objects and the headboard-thing and the orange with the turquoise... and and and....
*sigh*

That headboard is so lovely.

I think the bedroom color combinations, texture is really nicely done and go so well with weathered, painted furniture, wrought iron accent.

I'm not getting the connection (or same level of color assuredness) between the two rooms.

The first shot seems daring in a lovely, liveable way. The second seems monochromatic (not that there's anything wrong with that) but had it been the *only* room submitted, I think it would have gotten picked apart for lack of color or punch or color bravery by the AT audience that seems to be now lapping it up.

This is one instance (imo) where the second photo (while lovley) doesn't help make the contest case.

Laura,

I remember your apartment from the Art contest. I'm so happy to be able to see more of your home. You did not dissapoint. I still love your use of color and form. Good luck!

This is lovely, but I am a little concerned about the lack of snarky posts... is everyone feeling okay?

Patrick, I disagree. The first room, while stunning, is a bit much for me. I'm absolutely drooling over it, but I don't know that I'd want to live in it. The second room on the otherhand used mainly one color to be warm and soothing. This is exactly what I want my appartment to look like and as soon as Laura lets us know what the paint color is I'm picking up a few gallons. This room is well edited. And the touches of white, red and green keep the brown from being too much. I also think it balances out the first room.

Hey everybody, thanks for the nice comments. For those curious about the headboard it's part of an antique gate from France that I turned and attached to the wall. For those curious about the turquoise paint color it's by Martin Senour (code is: ECO844V 07671). And in regards to the monochromatic look comment, I would have to say that although it was my intention to go in that direction, the photo I supplied is poor quality. There are splashes of color in there (an interesting antique green chair and mustard colored Haywood Wakefield piece) but you can't really see them due to the poor lighting. The shot is over/underexposed, washed out and a bit blurry. My bad. Also the entire room incorporates a newly renovated/designed kitchen (blue) and an area that holds some very colorful and interesting pieces that stand out against the monochromatic background. I guess if I could do it over again I would incorporate a more expansive view of the room....

I love this. The colors and design are homey but not boring, interesting but livable, well styled but unique. I love how it seems like your life and history permeates the rooms. It's a very personal environment, depite being a rental.

Love it! But does the plant get singed on the radiator (or does mine just get really hot)?

I haven't been following this contest that closely, but i just had to comment on how much i love this place! I just love it!!! the colors, the casual nature...

And, it's sooooo Brooklyn, and i mean that as the absolute highest of compliments... even as a Manhattan dweller.

-kellen

Wow I love this.
I noticed you have a tree branch (or are those antlers?) stand for, it looks like, jewelry. I've been looking everywhere for one. Where did you get it?
Anyhow, I'm moving soon and these rooms are now my inspiration for my new place.

Laura: Awesome. Can you also give us the name of your living room color paint? It has just the right tone of taupe.
Can't wait to see pics of your kitchen!

Hmmm. Laura's getting a lot of credit for her accents in the brown room... credit a few other entrants didn't. Oh well.

I can't figure this crowd out on this contest at all.

I don't like it. The headboard and the empty space above it is throwing me off. The right-hand side of the bedroom is nice though.

The color of the living room is perfect. I think the plants help.

ps: I mean nothing against Laura, or her lovely apartment. I am just a little baffled by why everyone's so ecstatic about this, and so freakin' harsh on everyone else...

I totally agree with you Patrick (the other one). I'm confused too.

I love everything in the living room except the paint color. If the turquoise were also in that room, making all those accessories pop (esp. that corner screen and the beautiful coffee table) I might pack a bag and head to Laura's.

(Are these separate rooms? Or is this a studio? And did that brown door come with the place or did you install it in the doorway? 'Cause it is awesome!)

The colors and textures are inviting and relaxing, while the arrangement is artistic but not intimidating. It feels like someone lives here, instead of a staged space.

I'm so happy to see a musical instrument (guitar? violin?) instead of technology to make music.

I find this cool because I think you do the opposite of most folks, going bold in the bedroom and calmer in hte living space. I really like this.
Also, not trying to start anything with other posters, but for Patrick, I don't know why it's your concern what we think of the spaces. Just post your thoughts and keep it movin'. You don't set the bar for what we can think around here.

It's nice, and I would consider this a contender, but I don't find this to warrant all the gushing either. (Sorry, I couldn't think of a nicer way to say that.) Was this in another contest? The blue and some of the other stuff looks familiar. I like everything in the bedroom except the headboard, which I think basically ruins the room.

The living room is much more effective and much less cluttery. (All the clutter in the other room is very nice on its own, but all together, is overwhelming. I like where you were going with the art on the wall, but then you also have a ton going on at the base of the wall.)

Why are all the pictures on the walls of that bedroom clustered together like they are scard to be separated with the rest of the walls near-empty - looks really weird!

I understand your comment 'loveit', but I think I have to agree with Patrick here. I too am very perplexed by all the "gushing" as another person stated.

The rooms look nice. They are clean and pretty. Everything looks very 'nice' together .. I was wondering if there was another picture I just wasn't seeing with all the people talking about how they LOVE it, want to live there are how FANTASTIC it is. I see two nicely coordinated rooms, but nothing truly spectacular or so unique in color use. My apologies.

I don't think he's "starting stuff" per se as much as he actually took the time to write out precisely what he was thinking (and I didn't).

That being said, good job Laura and good luck!

loveit--

Not trying to "set the bar"... just curious.

Which, I believe, I *am* allowed to be.

Jeez.

And for the record, I think the living room wall color is gorgeous. But I thought that about some other mostly monochromatic entires and I seemed to be alone in my thinking. Just trying to understand what sways this for so many others, is all.

this is an ultra-bland / nothing-special apartment. the headboard, for the record, is strange, at best. the bedding clashes with the wall color. the stuff on the wall is cluttered and poorly executed. the living room is harmless, but bland. the plants are generic. the sofa is okay. although i don't at all like the coffee table, i suppose it is vaguely interesting.

I guess it's all open to interpretation, Patrick. When I read your posts, that's the way I feel-that you think your opinion is more important and that your views on other posters views matter to the contest. I just wanted to let you know that they don't and it isn't for you to decide when we "gush". Different strokes.

I've been VERY quiet in this contest in general (and on th site of late, fyi, compared to what I used to), and no, I don't feel like my opinion matters any more than yours or anyone here. Which is PRECISELY why I was asking the opinions of others who were obvisouly seeing more here than I am.

Reread my comment... I seriously wanted someone who loved this explain why, the same way I try to do when *I* gush.

Jeeee-eeeez.

I think the thing that sways this for so many is that it is such a personal expression of Laura. All the objects hint at a story about Laura's life, not about a decision of what to buy something because it matches or contrasts or whatever. It looks like the comfortable home of a unique individual.

I think the lack of Patrick comments has been a loss in this contest. His credentials as a former winner entitle him to some respect for his opinions, in my opinion.

but kate(NC), how does that make it a contender in a color contest?

ps: Thanks, kate, for the vote 'o confidence.

And my question to you was not meant to be argumentative, in case loveit is policing me again!!

Everything is some color or other, unless it's clear lucite or glass. Laura choose to paint with blue and pair it with orange in her photo. She balanced those touches of white harmoniously throughout her living room. I like the wide scope of this contest and the random visual treats it offers up to all different tastes.

Yes, I really like how she's treated th emoldings weaves the two (otherwise dissimilar, but not in a bad way!) spaces together.

Really beautiful use of colour here.

I voted "Insta-Finalist!" since it is my favorite I’ve seen on all the sites so far. The 2 photos stand on their own, but are still cohesive. I tend to put more subdued tones in the bedroom and brighter colors everywhere else, but this is how I want my house to look! Warm and eclectic yet modern... great job, laura!

This is an attempt to answer Patrick's question about the colors in this entry, which seems like a reasonable question.

I like this submission so much, because I like the use of color and I like the way the rooms are styled.

I like the warm red, orange, and pick accents against the cool calm blue walls. Also, I like how the white trim helps keep the blue form becoming overwhelming. The earthy colors of the floors, artwork, and cabinets are nice contrast to rest of the color in the room and create a flow between the bedroom and the living room.

The more monochromatic palette of the living room is very earthy and comfortable. I like the subtlety of this room, especially in contrast with the bedrrom.
I do think that neutral tones like these are color. While I enjoy bold saturated colors, I don't think that they are they only or necessarily always the best way to use color. Sometimes picking just the right taupe is much more difficult that picking out the right shade of acid green.

As for the "styling" of the apartment, it really seems like a natural extension of the person who lives there. It's not just a replica of what a decorator or magazine or store thinks a home should look like.

Mary, I *totally* agree that neutrals are colors, and also totally agree that the winner for this (calm down, loveit, in *my* humble opinion only) need not be a hit-you-over-the-head color acid trip.

Interesting that sometimes that registers (as it apparently has here) and sometimes it doesn't (on several other one- or two- color entries).

I guess seeing two rooms really helps the interpretation.

Patrick,

I think your comment about it "registering" is really on the money.

Obviously, color and style are very subjective things. I think color is also very emotional. Somethings and some colors just register or resonate differently with different people. For me, this one hits the all the right buttons.

Also, thanks for being open to discussion and asking why people like something. So many people who hav been commenting in the contest seem so negative and not at all constructive.

Mary--

Any time!

Thanks for taking my comments in the spirit in which they were truly intended.

subdued with flashes of exuberance. Staged so nicely...nice.

this is one of those rare photos of somebody's room where you want to jump in the picture and want to fall asleep on the bed! I love it!

I Love the colors in these rooms and the layers.

All the moldings are beautiful, framing the rooms so nicely.

Can you please supply the paint color for the living room? I've been looking for a neutral for the master bedroom of our new "old" house-and this color is what I see in my mind's eye.

Thanks Laura and best of luck.

Laura, I think you're very consistent in your design scheme - you've created a warm, welcoming and what appears to be a comfortable home. Your choices in paint colors and objects and their colors reflects a person - you - a unique individual not a sourced interior spread. Many entries to this contest are two photos of the same room. Kudos to you for providing 2 rooms. The entries of just one room may look good but if a shot of another room was submitted most of those would be criticised for the two rooms not having the same feel, or too matchy or disconnect or blah blah blah. You have my vote!
So, while we wait for the paint name of the living room walls, could you also answer this - where did you get that great bedspread??!!

Thanks again for the comments. To answer some questions the living room paint is by Ralph Lauren. I can't seem to find the swatch but I'm pretty sure it's called "haystack" (matte) and in the "vintage masters" group. The bedspread is from Urban bought years ago and it's as comfy as it looks. The tree that I use to hold jewelry was purchased at "swallow" on smith street in carroll gardens (love that place!).

I wonder why everyone is so concerned about other's comments. Everyone was so upset at me for being "snarky" at the DeColores entry. Now everyone is criticizing for gushing.

I gushed about this place because I love it. Taste is subjective.

For a very interesting snark vs. gush comparison look at these two entries under the East heading:
#17 Elizabeth Ingrid where everyone gushed which mystified me, although she has great furniture and #35 Alisa's Pink where people were downright cruel.

I really like this entry... I do think that Laura's use of color makes the space feel warm and inviting.

Separate from that though... I, as I often do, totally see Patrick's point. I think that since we see 2 rooms here, (and the first happens to be quite bold) that is why the livingroom isn't being criticized for not being "colorful" enough (since most people seem to be gung-ho LOUD/BRIGHT colors and don't respect neutrals as colors). The criticism of Helene's Dark and Elegant (which I also really liked) demonstrates my point...

Kate, I have enjoyed Patrick's absence in this contest and don't agree at all that his former win should gain him any extra respect from other posters. He is a poster like anyone else. Should certainly be respected, because he is a human being, but not placed on a pedestal.

God, what did I ever do to you? Sooooo bitter. And not very respectful.

I think that Patrick's win does garner a certain amount of respect for his comments. He has been successful in what this site is supposed to be about and he has revealed his home to public scrutiny here. I like him better for knowing what he started with and what he finished with in his apartment and feel inspired that should I ever make a priority of doing the same, there is hope, even for me. Therefore, when he makes a comment, it comes with extra meaning for me, as a long time reader of this site, because I know something about his personal taste and enjoy his sense of humor. Many posters are talented and interesting people who link me to new discoveries, and that's one of the reasons I keep reading this. and Even if some unnamed posters are bitter and bothersome people, I wonder about them, and hope that somehow by being included in meaningful exchanges, they will gain something beneficial. I am older than most posters here and some of this "snarkiness" seems epidemic of the times and age group represented. I lke the range: the snarky and the nice, the tacky and the tasteful.

I like how the color in the living room is natural and inviting, a nice fall brown. The colors in the bedroom are equally as fall. The wall color is very uniqure and goes well with the burnt orange/red of the bedspread. I like that laura's rooms are well put together, nothing is left unfinished from plants to furniture, walls, decorative art etc... It's all very cohesive and fleshed out.

-mia

I heart the bedroom wall color. Yum. Great ceiling height, too. Fab little jewelry tree. Great art gallery in your bedroom - I could spend lots of time in there looking at your walls alone.

High five - great entry!

Holly

I love this. Only wonder why not balance the bedroom wall decor a bit, and hang one of the bigger prints/paintings over the bed? Seems an easy fix for a slightly more polished room. The LR decor nicely (almost perfectly) arrange. The color in both rooms are decorating favorites of mine: warm, elegant, classic but not conventional. You have good taste.