apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Is that crown on the TV? That's both adorable and disturbing at the same time.
Now for my Fairy Godmother to transform me into a beautiful princess and whisk me off to the ball.

Wowie, it's Valentine's day!

Actually I really like the second photo - hanging the funky door beads against a white wall is a super idea.

This reminds me of the Austin Powers themed bedroom I had back in university. I hated it after about a month. Was too tacky. Hate to say it but this is giving me the same vibe, and it's very juvenile to me.

Perhaps a little bit of fear would have been beneficial here...

I'm liking the second photo much better than the first, and the reason is that the colors are broken up in patterns, so that they interact with one another rather than facing off as solid blocks of color.

Hello Arlington-Dweller!

If this apartment is "just for you" and really expresses your "personality and feelings", I'm guessing you want to stay boyfriend-free for a very, very long time.

I love red and pink together, especially with the white sofa. But overall the look is tacky to me. You're on the right track, you just need to edit a bit. Right now the look is juvenile and just needs to be a little more sophisticated. I think you can do this easily and achieve something very special.

Here are my suggestions for what they are worth: cut down on the clutter. Books, and the like should be brought below eye level. I love the door beads as art against the wall. This is a theme you can carry throughout. Ordinary objects as art.

But when your color is this bold, you must cut down on clutter. The objects in the room divider need to be more restrained and uniform. Perhaps some red glass vases in simple shapes at your local florist? The mirror tiles absolutely must go. Too predictable. And too competitive with your wonderful door-beads as art.

With so much explosion going on, do you really need to have so many pictures on the wall? Maybe just one cute painting, or even in keeping with a simpler motif, a canvas painted pink?

I think you get the idea. You're on the right track, just need a little refinement.

Sorry, one more comment. You definately have an understanding of negative space. When you have a divider shelf, it is a big mistake to pile each shelf with stuff. Objects need to breathe. You did a good job leaving some of the shelves empty. But since this piece is a room divider, it needs to be simpler. Vases should all be similar, mutiple objects of the same character adds impact.

I would love to go shopping with you and help you edit, upscale a little. Hope I'm not being too pretentious.

I'm fine with the color palette, I just wish there were less: less pillows, less objects d'art, less furniture. I'd take out at least half of the stuff. Maybe a Cure is in order.

There is nothing wrong with this room. It could stand to have a little less going on clutterwise (because it appears to be weighted toward the bottom: not enough on the walls in some places to balance out the amount of things on the floor/shelves), and I'm not sure you should have all your pink and red in one place and all of your orange and red in another, but that just means you could move some things around. You have everything you need to make this gorgeous- it's pretty much there already. Insta-finalist.

I hate it. The pieces are nice separately. But everything together makes me think of a child's horrible Valentines day memory or something. It's childish and way too busy. Plus, the mirrors on the second photo aren't straight. There's a lot of good ideas, but it's as if the renter or owner crammed everything together that she's ever- ever - seen on AT. It too busy and cluttered

it's spelled r-e-s-t-r-a-i-n-t. I suggest you look into it. so cluttery, and it looks like Cupid exploded in there. It's a shame, too, because those colors are fun together, just not so much of them. some creative (and extreme) editing would go a long way.

This apartment looks very juvenile, almost like something a teenage girl would like. I think you have some good elements, but taken together it is a bit much. I'd lay back on the color a bit and use it as punctuation; keep the light woods and maybe add some orange to balance the pink & red.

I also love pink and red together, but I think too much can look like it's a yr-long valentine's day. (Good luck finding guys who want to spend much time in this color scheme!). But what's important is if you like it!

That said, since it's your first apartment on your own--bravo! I agree with Kiminottawa that it does tend towards a "juvenile" dorm type of decor (i'm thinking pottery barn kids/teen catalog), but I think it's a great start and displays a bold statement.

My recommendation is to slowly replace some ikea items as you go along, with unique pieces from other stores, flea markets, antique shops, etc. to make it really individual and you.

Everything is there, it just needs to be pulled together. You do have some decent pieces of furniture, but nothing looks like they work together. Throwing pink and red around doesn't quite unify the room. But I will say, its clear you have an idea of what you want, but I think you should get some help getting it together.

Thanks for all the comments and advices, that will really help me improve. I know the room is very cluttered because what you see is all the space I have for both living and sleeping.

maybe this is an indication of how crazy I'VE become, but was no else bugged by the assumption that she's only bringing home men? :P

Alisa-- you've got a good sense of colour already: decluttering (not in the sense you have too much stuff-- just too much decorative stuff) and thinking more about composition would improve this room a lot.

You can demarcate the separate living areas by how the furniture is grouped (everything is shoved up against the walls!),
a third color that isn't so saturated,
and with less on the walls.

Is there a running count of how many of those square-cube IKEA (or look-a-like) bookcases have show up in this contest?

Kind of like how everyone in the smallest coolest contest had the same DWR chair!

Saya, good point about this contestant only bringing home men. I'm not a fan of pink, but I wonder if people are saying the room looks "juvenile" only because of the pink. OK, I know there's that pink heart pillow in her shelves, but I think once she declutters, the place will look quite nice. It's a good reinterpretation of how pinks and reds can be mixed in an adult space.

I admire the color choices, but there is just too much visual activity for me.

No restraint, coordnation or variation with color.

she said she had a boyfriend in her comments, you pc nazis.

At first I was confused because I thought this was one of those Japanese toys stores that you sometimes see in malls until I realized that this is really someone's apartment. I'll pass.

perhaps her newfound sense of decorating freedom has opened up her choice of nighttime/daytime companions as well

perhaps renaming "comments" to "assumathon!"

Woah.

I like the hanging capiz shells in the second photo- but them being reflected in the mirrors on the adjacent wall makes me sorta nauseous.

This is wayyyy too much pink and orange- while a beautiful colour combination- not done the right way here.

This all seems a bit expected.....and the trends involved are dated.

Hey, I can forgive someone for missing a detail in the blurb. But calling someone who argues against jumping to conclusions a "PC Nazi" is, well, a pretty Nazi thing to do.

Alisa, I live in a studio, too, and it is a challenge to combine living and sleeping in the same space without the space seeming cluttered. It can be done, though. Check out the Apartment Therapy book if you haven't: lots of good stuff about less being more. To me, clutter isn't a problem unless it really bugs the person who lives with it, so if it isn't bugging you, don't worry about.

Wow! This place looks a lot like my first apartment. It brings back some fun memories. I think everyone should have a chance to live alone at least once when they're young and make their space completely their own. You've got plenty of time to edit and refine your decorating style. This room has some decent basics to play with. If you get sick of the pink and red, they can be switched out with minimal difficulty. You can pick up new, interesting furniture as you come across it. Just make sure to get rid of things you don't need, or store them so everything is not all in your face all the time.

Good grief. I'm quite hesitant to post pics of my home after the barrage of insults flying around here.
But if you are looking for suggestions, mine is: go big or go home. If you love the pink and red together - embrace it! But all those little tiny pictures on the wall above the computer aren't working. I can't see exactly what is above your couch, but you get the idea somewhat. Replace all those little framed pics with couple of really great large paintings - neutral colors to break up the pink and red a bit. A bigger clock not hung so high. Some big lamps. The room also could do with some dark brown or black to anchor the eye.

It looks like your college dorm room threw up blood on itself. Awful.

I picked in contention. I like the colors, actually it kinda reminds me of Valentine's Day, but in a good way. There's a lot of color, so you don't feel the white on the walls. The whole place is really cheery. I like how you hung those decorative room separator things (I don't know what they're called) to bring some color to the walls, very creative. What is the pink area on the wall behind the couch? It doesn't really look like paint, but I can't figure out what it is.

Alissa, I think you should win a prize just for spurring such interesing discussion. I have enjoyed reading the blogs as much as I have enjoyed critiquing your place.

Even though I really want you to edit, that's my personal preference.

As far as the bringing home men thing, omigosh, how ridiculous. It's your place. I never thought, when I painted my place pink, oh would a man like it? I like it. Funny, I think when a person comes to visit me, it is me they are coming to see. If they enjoy my place that's great too.

Your style is really going to sizzle once you get it refined, you clearly know what you want. But who cares what a man wants?

I also live in a very, very small studio. And I moved there from a big place which meant downsizing, downsizing, downsizing. There are special considerations in a studio, because you can see everything you own all at once. It is clearly a lesson in restraint, but it's such a fun lesson.

Enjoy your place and your emmancipation!

After going back and reading everyone's comments, I wanted to add a few things. First of all, I'm amazed at how rude some people are. Just because this is a contest, doesn't mean people need to lose all sense of etiquette. If it's not to your taste, that's fine, find a polite way to say it or don't say anything at all. Sheesh.

Second, I disagree about it looking juvenile. Only kids are allowed to like pink? I like the colors. I always like seeing the red, pink and white around Valentine's Day, it makes me happy and this apartment has that happy feel year round. Are you not allowed to use red and green b/c those are Christmas colors? And so what if it doesn't look like a showroom like some of the others, it looks like someone lives there. I love the big shelf, I think it's a great room separator. I want one of those every time I see it and if there have been a lot of them in the contest, that's because it's a great design. And I don't get all the comments about guys not wanting to spend time there. I don't like beer signs and swimsuit posters, but I still hung out at guys' houses in college. Who hangs out with people based on their decor?

I agree with Peggy about bringing some different color vases to the book shelf. Most of the stuff on top is clear, I'd buy buy some clear red and pink vases, keep a couple of the plain clear ones and alternate them on the shelf. Also, I'd take down those mirrors right above the chairs in the second picture, because it's pretty busy over there with the mirrors, door beads on the wall, the art by the chairs and all the pillows. If you took down the mirrors and moved up the art over the chairs it would look a little less crowded. I can see the need for the pillows as cushions for extra seating, so I'm ok w/ that.

But most of all, I think you should just go w/ what you like. I don't see anything wrong w/ the colors and if you like them, go for it! If you get married one day, I doubt your husband will want to decorate in red and pink, so enjoy it while you can!

C'mon, perspective! This is a first apartment, and it obviously makes her happy, since she's submitting it. It's far more pulled together than my first apartment ever was!

I just find the comments suggesting things she could buy to improve a little insensitive. She should be enjoying having a space of her own (which she seems to be), and saving up for the next one.

This is a cozy place and looks very welcoming--to all sexes and genders.

While I'm a firm believer in etiquette and proper manners, I'm a die-hard believer in free speech, which is one of the greatest things about living in this country. To all you rude opinionated people: keep posting as you have been and please ignore the rude names you are being called. I don't get why anyone would be offended by what a complete stranger writes, especially when you can just scroll past. Everybody needs two kinds of good friends in this world; one that says, "You have sh*t in your front left tooth." And the other that asks, "Umm, would you like to borrow my compact for a touch-up?" I love both, but often prefer the first because I don't like wasting time trying to find what's on my face when someone could just tell me. SO, this place needs to borrow a compact and take a good look around. My first place was very similar, and I loved it, but when I look at old pictures I cringe trying to figure out what I was thinking and at the same time, remember how much I loved it because it was "sooo totally me". Alisa, this isn't tacky, it's just a liberated fusion of pink, red and shiny. A lot of good advice is in this post, I think people really want to see this look refined. Some future editing and addition of nicer objects (when you can afford or want to get them) would help a lot. It is Ikea heavy, but you picked cohesive and not-too-cheap-looking items. It looks like this space is very functional - all your work and play areas well defined. And it also looks like a very happy place to be.

Of course no man would want to be in this apartment; no one over the age of seven would. All that is missing is a shelf of My Little Ponies. I'm sure this place rocks Alissa's world (which is really all that matters), but it would give everyone else extreme sugar shock.

I'm a fan of pink and of Valentine's Day decor in particulr :p But I can't stand clutter.

One thing that helps me in my living space is to purge and not every buy knicknacks or items, other than art, that aren't functional. Those little mirrors, for example, to me at least don't seem like they do as well a job as a large, simple mirror would do. I know you're an IKEA fan, and IKEA has large relatively inexpensive mirrors, and really, I think larger more simple pieces would work with your space better than a whole bunch of little ones. To me that just seems cluttered, and it's a shame because I can't enjoy the colors, which really are very nice.

I'd rather see that room-dividing IKEA shelf filled with things you use or with those solid colored canvas IKEA boxes in pink and red that are made for those shelves to store all of those little things.

And instead of those curtains with the little discs hanging off the wall I'd rather see a large swatch of IKEA fabric there. They're pretty in the window but they do look dorm roomy hanging on the wall to me.

And do you use all of those pillows? :p heh heh...that's just me. I'm generally anti-throw pillow because they get thrown on my floor. I'm all about function.

oops! Wanted to add that I ador your floor cushions and I use and own plenty of those, I just don't find myself using excessive little throw pillows often.

Hey, I liked it! I think using the bookcase to seperate the room is a good way to create "room" without being able to put up an actual wall.

Firstly, good effort Alisa. I like a lot of the concepts here. And of course, kudos for being my Metro neighbor

But I also wanted to add something regarding the range of comments/criticism that has created so much discussion in this thread. I think that a lot of contestants probably DO appreciate the frank, "you-have-sh!t-in-your-teeth" type comments - because they're constructive and because this whole forum is kind of anonymous anyway so it's easy to let it roll off your back. But I find some of the bitterly sarcastic comments to be simply about showing off how clever your wit can be. Not that I think there should be censoring in these forums, but there's a significant difference between the jerky, sarcastic comments and the frank critical opinions. I bet few of the people that have posted the most scathing comments would dare to put their homes on display for others to pick apart - nor would they act that way if it weren't anonymous. This whole competition is sometimes most interesting when people let loose while safely tucked behind their anonymity.

Im baffled. Does design have to be neutered/ nutral? My first thought was that she is probabley a great entertainer. I see a personality here- not a list of rules- and that is by far more interesting than vase placement. It's totally hello kitty and thats fine with me.

Jane, I don't know know who you are but saying "it looks like a happy place to be" makes me want to retch my dinner. What the hell is wrong with you? What is wrong with anyone who would say that?

This string makes me depressed. I think I am suicidal.

I also think that it looks like someone took a generous handful of deer guts and intestines, glued them around a grenade and then tossed it into this room. The room looks like a deer-guts-crusted grenade exploded.

just horrid.

I'm really confused about the comments of me bringing men home. The insult actually hurt me quite a bit. When I decorated this place, men was the furthest thing on my mine. I was going through some difficult time with myself and my relationship then. Decorating this place did helped me took my mind of a lot of stressful things in my life, like I said, it shows my mood (in that particular time, I guess). I know this is definitely not a place that I can live in forever and it is over the top. I wanted it to be, I wanted to be daring and confident to boost my self-esteem. For me it was like "once in a life time" thing. After all these comments I think it is time to refine my place. I see a lot of good advices, thank you. All I wanted was just to share this will you all and have fun. After all, the theme is "I've got color" right?

Hey Alisa,

Don't let any of it get you down. If you love your place, that's all that matters. And I personally love it, too, as it looks like a wonderful space for entertaining--warm, friendly, fun, lively.

To be honest, I didn't even understand the mean comments about men...all the men I know are happy to see any place that's actually a home! Because so many of their own places aren't!

Alisa, this is really cute, and looks ten times better than my first solo place did. I like the colours and especially the orange mixed in, which is unexpected. I'd like to see you get more orange in there, mix the colours up a bit more so they flow. I'd also love to see you "bold" up the wall stuff a bit...it would look great if you hung those room divider/wall hangings closer together, so they are like one solid work of art. Ditto on the mirrors - if you hung them all together in a rectangle shape, with no space in between them, that would be pretty great, too! Your room divider is great, and so are those big floor pillows...it looks like a place that's fun to hang out in!

P.S. - also...I don't know if you can paint, but if you can get one of the colours up on a wall, maybe an orange or a red, that would help pull it all together quite a bit. If you painted the wall with the windows, in particular, I think it would draw your eye in and sort of pull everything together without having to do anything else but paint.

If you can't paint, you could try "wallpapering a solid orange fabric onto the wall - there are recipes on the internet for making a cornstarch "glue" that you can wash away when you need to peel the fabric off later.

"I'm a die-hard believer in free speech, which is one of the greatest things about living in this country."

I'm a die-hard believer in good manners. Surprise: They do co-exist with free speech in civilised societies.

I've been enjoying this contest but those of you who get a charge out of tearing down someone's taste really need to get a life -- or please post your own places for the masses to consume and rip apart. There's constructive criticism and then there's just being rude for the sake of being rude, which is so small-minded. Sorry that not all of us are apparently the design savants you are.

Alisa, the first thing I did when I saw your pictures was smile, because your place seems so sweet and so YOU, and I don't even know you. I would agree with the posters who suggest some editing is in order. I think these pictures will be helpful to you in that process -- I know that sometimes it takes seeing a photograph of one's living space to really get a clear idea of where the clutter is...when you're living in it day to day, you get used to the way things are, and the photos give you an additional, useful perspective. I think I'm going to take some photos of my own living space so that I can do some of my own editing -- I sure as hell am not brave as you to post them here, though.

Good luck to you, neighbor! (I'm in DC)

The second photo is darling.

Okay, so now because the owner of this candy store starts playing the violine and yapping about self esteem, we should all flagellate ourselves because psycho-babble, politically correct mumbo-jumbo has entered the equation. Well guess what. I'm not bending over on this.

jesus, jonathan, suicidal? kill yourself then.

or, you can just stop being such a dick.

the place IS bright, it IS red and pink, and hell, it may not be my personal taste, but it's a happy space, it's COLORFUL (that's the point), and it's someone's vision. not everyone is as big a snob as some of these posters are, Alisa.

and for those of you who are... see a shrink, it's a fucking website.

j., "stop being such a dick" was almost exactly what I'd come back to post in response to Jonathan...except mine would have read "dickhead." *sigh*

Alisa, for the record, I genuinely meant everything I wrote in my last posts, despite what Jonathan would have everyone think.

I guess Alisa totally overlooked the words "skillful application of color" in the contest description when she sent in these photos.

Jonathan is right to the degree that political correctness shouldn't come into this. I know, I know, not everyone is a trained designer, but doesn't common sense ever come into play? If you send in something horrible don't be shocked and cry when people criticize it.

I don't know when being constructive in criticism became equated with "political correctness"...perhaps it's because some people want dispensation to say any assholish thing that comes to their minds and not be called on their shit.

Maybe the original poster didn't actually think it was "horrible" when she sent it in; there is still an element of subjectivity to home decorating, unless we're all supposed to march in lockstep to some arbiter's idea of taste? And of course no one has to say a place is great if you don't think so. I think there are other options besides talking about grenades and deer guts, though. That seems to be taking the whole thing WAY too seriously. It's not like she's making you redo your place in this style.

exactly, Alicia - this really has nothing to do with being "politically correct" - there's a difference between criticism (and, even more, CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, which the majority of the less bitter folks have been posting), and nasty, catty cheap-shots. would you walk into a person's home and say something like that? doubtful, but it's funny how the anonymity of the internet allows people to act like complete assholes without consequence. way to go, you must feel like a genius!

I'll bet Jonathan does A LOT of "bending over"

hehe

I like the red and pink on white, and I think you have the courage of your convictions -- you went for a look. Good for you.

For my taste, I think there might be too many things all over, especially little things -- if the room were edited severely, it would be stunning. (Of course, it would be hard to keep it looking like that for long -- this seems to be my new theme song.) I think the hanging beads repeated in the mirrors and echoed in the dot pictures is nifty -- it's a bit busy and bitsy for my taste, but it's coherent and a repeated theme, which is impressive.