Quotes from the Judges on Marilyn and Peter's entry:
Jon:"It's a great example of bringing "color" through the pieces you place in the room, as opposed to painting the walls. They've chosen a family of colors that all compliment each other, and I love how it runs through and unifies each room. I could see them being able to switch pieces from room to room and having it all still look great together."
Stephanie:"Marilyn and Peter have welcomed color into their home but at an almost uniformly soft level which I think shows a keen and discriminating eye. In this style, even white very much becomes a color where it may not seem so elsewhere. This home is a perfect example to show those that fear color how the right amount and color palette can still create a soothing and calm effect."
The rest of the winning lineup is below the jump...
Quotes from the judges on Joel's entry:
Allison:"It’s damn near close to that Bronzino green I love so much. It is also clear that all the things (the pottery, the milk container collection, etc.) in Joel’s place are uniquely treasured and have a story to tell—that’s what makes a house a home in my opinion."
Stephanie:"I also like that Joel has balanced the lime green, which can be pretty overwhelming if used incorrectly, with more muted grays and browns in his furniture. There is an overall harmony here that really works to shed positive light on the lime green and to make the place feel personal and comforting."
Quotes from the judges on Geninne's entry:
Kyra and Robertson: "Geninne is fortunate enough to have great views and has thoughtfully chosen earthy colors and organic materials to complement her lush surroundings. Her use use of wood within the kitchen, as well as the living and dining rooms, creates a rustic modern sensibility, particularly when accented by the elements of pure, clean white."
Kate: "The balance of the chosen colors mixed with the natural landscape give this space a sense of joy of life."
Quotes from the judges on Becca's entry:
Vance:"What I like best about Becca's use of color is how she has considered the entire room, and has applied it with control. The green kitchen has just enough green to pop with those silver appliances, and doesn't feel like it is about to run amok and take over the entire space."
Kate:"Living in a space like a basement can be a challenge in multiple ways. Becca choose to use color to define living zones and create various moods throughout. Each area is unique but harmonious as a whole. Also major points given towards working on a budget."
Kyra and Robertson: "We first recognized her for her smart use of green in her kitchen, which was spirited, yet clean. She lived up to the big challenge of working with a windowless basement. The lack of any natural light forced her to select paint colors to define the space and give it life."
green is money.
Congrats to the winners! Not all would have been my choices, but thank heavens nothing horrid won.
Agree with Kellen - green was the color this year.
Congrats to the winners! I loved all of them! I really do agree with Jon's comment about Marilyn and Peter's home-you don't always have to paint the walls to bring color to your home. I know that's especially encouraging for people who can't paint their walls because of their lease agreement.
Congratulations winners!
Wow, every one of the winners has used green. But, they've all used different shades and in different ways. I've had green in my own home for years, so it's difficult for me to think of it as trendy, although it does seem to be very popular right now. Green happens to be my favorite color, so it's likely I will always use it to some extent wherever I live.
I'm looking forward to seeing what next year's "it" colors will be. I'm thinking varying shades of pink/purple - magenta, fuschia, neon pink, wine, aubergine, plum...
I'm even more impressed with the first place winner by the fact that it is designed in what appears to be a windowless basement. They've made it feel airy and light with their limited, but excellent, color choices.
Congrats to all the winners!
"They say geniuses pick green."
-Meet the Parents
;-)
"but you didn't pick it."
ha!
Sorry - except for the first place room, the "winners" are hideous.
I'm not alone in expressing my disappointment with some of the judges choices. (See the postings on ATSF's original announcement of the winners)
In my humble opinion the contest should have been decided between Joel, Tyler, Adam, Brooke, Elizabeth Ingrid, & Becca. Why? Because they all presented apartments that were in the spirit of the competition: "boldest, coolest, most colorful". All of them took risks and exhibited a flair for DIY styling and didn't concede their own personalities to an accepted "look".
Joel, Brooke, & Becca transformed raw spaces into really colorful, personal living areas. The glass panels in Beccas home, Joel's lightbulb chandelier, and Brooke's handpainted wall treatments are exactly the kind of thing AT viewers look to for inspiration.
Tyler, Adam, & Elizabeth Ingrid each showed how color can express personality and make a space bright and exciting. They used BOLD colors and didnt apologize. As Allison Arieff said: "If youÂ’re going to do it, you might as well DO it."
There is no question that the winners of the competition have beautiful homes. I have no doubt they could win any other design competition - but THIS competition was about color.
Hate to say I told you so, but I told you so ... your entry was one of my favorites throughout the contest. Congratulations!! I would be interested in seeing a post of what you pick from the catalog.
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! I am so excited & flattered! Thanks to the judges and congrats to the other winners! And thanks to AT & CB2- this has been so much fun for me and I'm glad that I was able to share my home with everyone. And if anyone wants me to send them a resume, you just let me know!!!! ;-)
Since the contest is over, can we stop knocking it and just congratulate the winners? They're all beautiful and whoever said design is objective?
Congratulations to the winners. (Congratulations to all who had the guts to enter
My personal favorite was from the southwest, #34 Amy's Happy Texas Clapboard Shack.
The best part of the Super Bowl (or in my case, the Oscars) is second-guessing the judges (and knoking the gowns) the morning after. Let us have our fun!!!
Oops... "I'd like a 'C,' Pat...")
Although I often get upset during these contests by various posts insisting that certain entries don't fit "their" vision of what the contest is about, I must say that this year's judges just didn't get it.
While I think a lot of the ire is out of proportion to the spirit of the contest, I hope there will be some reflection by AT gurus before we begin the next competition cycle.
Obviously, there is a lot going on with life on and off the blog, but there didn't seem to be as much invested on the other side of the screen as in the past, and that involvement is a crucial part of what makes this site special, IMO.
Ugly dolls are IN!
I like all except third place (although I might've switched first and second).
Whereas I think Geninne's home is absolutely warm and gorgeous, I don't think there's anything original about the color choices/uses. There's nothing that makes me think "Wow ... I would've never expected that there!"
too bad the 1st place owners already bought out CB2
I am really disappointed by the results of the contest. While I like some of these entries, I feel most of the honorable mentions did a much better job of fulfilling the criteria.
I posted this in chicago, but the nyc area seems way more active....so ill paste my comment here as well:
It's good to see all the winners...but I guess in a way I'm a little disappointed.
While I definitely think all the winners did a great job and love the places....I would have liked to have seen someone place in the top entries with more of a "Rental" or "big design on a small budget" approach.
There were definitely a bunch of entries out of the finalists that seemed to fit this category that were great, but all the final winners seemed to be homeowners with fairly decent budgets for designer couches, custom kitchens, awesome home architecture, and the like.
Not that there is anything wrong with that, I definitely aspire to it...but not everyone is in that stage of their life yet, so it would have been nice to see someone win who's home and furniture budget could actually really benefit from the prizes.
Just my two cents.
AWESOME!!!!
Thanks everyone for all the comments, it sure has been an interesting ride! I'm absoolutely thrilled and excited!
Congrats to Marilyn and Peter, Genine and Becca, too! You all have wonderful homes. Thanks for sharing them with everyone! And thanks to everyone else for entering. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the spaces. Of I'm a self confessed interior voyeur... :) in fact, there's an event that happens in NY every year called Open House New York (www.ohny.org) where people open up their homes for everyone to see.. just for fun. You have to love that.
Anyway, thanks also to CB2 for being the generous sponsor!
I observe that the winning entries all seem very similar: they're all clean-lined, lean towards a modern aesthetic, look "decorated", and feature the currently "in" shade of avocado/lime green.
I guess it's not surprising that designers would favor rooms that look "decorated" and reflect current trends. All 4 choices are tasteful, lovely and skillfully done. Congrats to the winners!
I derived much enjoyment and spent tons of time on this contest. Personally, I think I have less tasteful (?), more "normal", certainly less modern, and definitely bluer-green taste than your judges. I enjoyed many entries that didn't make it to any round at all a lot more than some of the winners. (I also enjoyed the winning entries.) So I wanted to say thank you to all the entrants for being brave enough to put your photos out there, suffer the not-always-tactful comments from viewers, and give me a lot of pleasure and fun in these last few weeks. Even entries I didn't like were often a riot (and some ended up as finalists!). I bet for every single entrant, there was at least one viewer out there who liked yours the best or would have put it among the finalists.
So I'm personally finding the results of this contest rather liberating. Rather than assume there's some mysterious understanding of style out there which designers have and I don't, I'm starting to say, "It's all just taste. Their taste is certainly no better than mine -- just different."
(And I'd just like to mention that avocado green was scorned as the most tasteless color around for decades, in reaction to the last time it was super-popular in the '50s. The more things change . . .)
Rock on, everybody!
Congratulations to the winners! I'm especially in love with Marilyn and Peter's home. Great use of color to create a mood without it punching you in the face.
Here's a question I've been wanting to ask during this whole contest, but didn't know where to post it as the argument has been all over the place.
Is everyone who has been complaining about all the green (especially lime green) entries being the "in" color complaining about: a) the judges picking them for this reason or b) the homeowners painting them green for this reason?
Because I know hardly anyone (IF ANYone) who has painted their homes any sort of color that is "in" at the moment. Isn't that quite a hassle? I've had at least one room green in every single place I've ever lived (including my childhood bedroom), but just vary the shade with each new place for variety. (And incidentally, I too have part of a hallway in this supposedly "in" lime green color ... but I did it four years ago.)
So if you ARE condemning the homeowners because they painted a "trendy" green color, that seems just plain weird to me. Most people don't exactly change their decor like they change their seasonal clothes. Things like sheets and towels, maybe, but whole room colors??
Just asking.
I forgot to add... don't people just pick their favorite colors to paint a place and/or whatever color speaks to them when they look at the empty canvas?
Congratulations to all winners. They did achieve high levels of perfection with beautiful rooms. I think Veronica has a good point. I'd like to see future contests have a variety of award categories so the unexpected types are rewarded too. Though I guess actually they were in the honorable mentions and the winners are a nice variety of styles. It must have been a hard job to put them in order.
Hey Veronica. I replied to you in chicago but thought I'd copy it here, too.
In an attempt to restore a little faith for you, I thought I'd explain more about my place.
I do rent but am lucky that my landlord didn't care if I painted the walls. It's an industrial loft in brooklyn so the rent isn't that bad (for NYC standards). And I have roommates who are nice enough to let me do this to the space. So that helps a tremendous amount.
But I also did this on a very small budget. I was VERY lucky to have inherited the couch, dining table, bookshelf and display case (where the milk cartons are) from my grandmother when she passed away in the '90s and most of the other furniture that you see was either found on the street (the side tables, the orange chairs, and the bin that holds the moss and red berries) or made by me, my girlfriend and my roommates (the yellow chair, cork side lamp, chandelier, knitted bowls, pillows...). The only big item that was purchased was the noguchi table and I got that at a STEEP discount because it was a sample / floor model used in an interior design company in Iowa. He's my favorite sculptor so I'm a bit of a sucker...
Except for the table, my girlfriend and I spent less than $600 on almost all of what you're seeing in the pics... That includes paint and supplies and vases and plants, the table runner and plate, the white hanging textile, etc. etc. It even includes the ceiling light fixture. Of course it has taken us many, and sometimes laborious, hours to do it but I happen to enjoy it :)
Anyway, I hope you find this interesting and that it helps!
Green is my least favorite colors.
I think non of the winners did anything that is surprising or unique.
I would like to see more unexpected decors.
Ah thank you joel (and yours actually was my fave of the top 4 final winners ;)
Good to hear the story behind your thinking...i guess i just assumed from the structure of your place it wasnt a rental...sorry to be presumptious.
carry on!
I agree with Bob's Kittens *prrrrrr*
I am dissapointed with the selections of winners and finalists, as I thought some of the other entries were more inspirational and motivated--particularly the entries by Rich and Brooke.
I love the AT site, but felt this contest not very well done. It was a flood of entries, too many, and not well picked in my opinion. I also wish it was not based on user votes, as it becomes simply a popularity contest. Yes, involvement makes this site special, but also good taste and expertise...
I absolutely love Geninne's place. I might be willing to kill for that kitchen. Joel's loft is nice, too.
Otherwise, though, blech.
This is a response to Ridge asking the question about "in" colors. I'm not sure if you were talking to me or not, but I do have something to say.
Personally, when looking at the contest entries, I found it hard to separate my liking of the colors used in a particular room from my ability to judge the room's "use of color." So, when people used colors I liked, I almost always liked the room, and when people used colors I didn't like, I tended not to like the room, regardless of any other variable. I don't think I'm able to evaluate decorating skill very well as separate from simply liking the colors, and I would have been interested to get some guidance on how to do that. Perhaps some people are able to do it, but I am not.
Green is my favorite color too, but I like true greens (emerald), sage greens (light, silvery greens) or blue-greens. I don't particularly like yellow-greens, although I'm willing to be convinced. So, if a room featured greens on the yellow side (which all 4 winners did), I tended not to like that room very much. Or if I did, I liked it in spite of the color, not because of it. Conversely, I tended to like rooms that featured turquoise or aqua simply because I love that color, even if there was nothing else particularly striking about the room. Probably that's why I was underwhelmed by the winners. Although I respect what they accomplished (and I do, in all cases), I didn't love any of their rooms on a first look (or second, or third). None truly appealed to me.
It is indisputable that colors run in popularity cycles, like baby names and skirt lengths and lots of other things. Turquoise/aqua (my favorite colors since I was 6) are also "in" right now, and I'm trying to take advantage of that fact by buying turquoise items before the color vanishes! There were plenty of decades when you couldn't buy things (clothes, sheets, towels, notebooks) in this color, because they didn't make them.
I do think it's quite striking that all 4 winning entries featured the same color, which is a trendy color right now. I assume this influenced the judges as much as the skills of the decorators -- they must have a positive reaction to this color, just as I have a negative reaction to it. I am not 'complaining' about this, just commenting. I'm curious to know if anyone here had the experience of finding a room they loved featuring a color they genuinely don't like. Did you? I actually did have one -- a neutral room that I thought was smashing, and I don't usually like neutrals. (Naturally, it didn't even make semi-finalist!)
So here's my challenge -- can the judges or anyone explain how to separate "skill in using color" from simply "choosing a color I really love"? Are they two different things?
Tricia here from Tricia's Dressed Up Palette. I just wanted to thank AT and all of the readers for viewing and commenting on my entry. I'm sure each of us has spent a lot of time working on our places and this is a nice forum to post photos of those spaces and get feedback. Although I would have loved to have won a gift card, I think I've liked the experience much more (even with the "snarky" comments).
I've learned so much from seeing all the entries and from the comments readers have dropped. I've been wondering what in the world to do with my TV nook and I received some great feedback that I'm moving forward with. Also, a few people commented on my artwork and although I studied photography in school I haven't really done much in years. I'm now tremendously inspired to go out and start photographing again.
I know this probably sounds a little like a Miss America losing speech, but I've seen a lot of people down on the contest and I just wanted to mention how valuable it was to me. So, thanks!
Praxilla ... that was a well thought-out reply and thanks. I was actually just shooting that question out into the air in response to tons of complaints that were on individual entries, even, not singling you out. (And for that matter ... not just about greens, but also complaints about how everyone is using orange, teal, etc.)
I have worked in product development for home dec, etc. and have sat in (and sometimes led) lots of meetings on color trends, etc. and to that I do agree with much of what you're saying ... I think items that are available definitely do play a role in stuff like that ... for example, I already had my green room in this place (my '50s mint kitchen ... which actually I'd been planning since I was a kid), but after buying a gorgeous (very yellowy)green shower curtain from Crate and Barrel a couple of years ago, I decided to add a matching green to the multi-stripe pattern I was painting on the walls outside the bathroom in the little alcove that led into it. The color scheme I originally had looked something just like the logo for this year's color contest, actually, and my changing it entirely depended on me having found and bought that shower curtain (which I hadn't planned.) I do also understand what you say about taking advantage of it ... I have loved loved LOVED black-and-white houndstooth since I was a kid (always seemed so Audrey Hepburn to me) and even tried sneaking it (subtly) into some products I was working on for my old employer 6 years ago (as lining to tote bags, journals) since often I design stuff I'd like to buy myself ;-) Unfortunately, they didn't go for it, but a couple of years later, when it hit everywhere, I was thrilled and bought some for my house while it was out on the street everywhere. Yes it's going back out (if it hasn't totally already) but I will keep and always love my houndstooth.
Anyway ... my response to yours and my 2cents. Also, yes, I did actually see some places that I voted yes to even though they used colors I don't like. I can't think of specific ones, though, because I haven't looked at the entries in a while. I think there was one with navy, though.
hm, i'm reposting my comment here from last night since this is where the discussion seems to be. please don't delete me! hehe.
wow, how do i shake off this sinking feeling? i want, so badly, to be happy for the winners, but i really don't understand how this contest ended in the way that it did. i *loved* last year's finalists and winners and felt like each person deserved their recognition...i still daydream about jon's retro room.
this year's winners entries are all gorgeous places, no doubt, but their being champions of color leaves much to be desired.
maybe i'm just missing something b/c i don't come from an art or design background. i didn't necessarily root for the rooms that screamed saturation or visual cacophony but i *did* love the ones that were "bold, cool, and colorful" as your contest rules indicate. and yes, i know that white is a color. :)
it should also be said that a contest based upon viewer votes gives an advantage to those whose entries are shown earlier in the contest. all the finalists entered (or were showcased) in the first half of the contest. it seems like they just had more time to garner votes and some of the later entries definitely missed out. not everyone follows this contest as religiously as i do. :D
well, those are my 2 cents. i enjoyed following the contest- it got me hooked on AT and it has inspired me to live a more colorful sheltered life. i can't wait to enter next year!
Congrats to all winners! I'd like to chime in on the running of future contests; I felt like this one went on much longer than the "smallest/coolest" contest. Also, as a NYer, I have to admit that no matter what great color ideas there may be out there, I simply can't relate to a 2 BR new construction condo in Chicago or Portland. We have funky way-old plaster walls, "shaft" windows, clunky under-window heaters, tiny kitchens, non-existant foyers and so much more to deal with. I'm entirely interested in how others in small spaces deal with this (with color, with whatever). If it would be possible to have the NY site feature NY entries, with access, of course, to the other areas, it would be a lot more relevant. Or, simply categorize according to apt. size. That would do it! Thanks for listening!
Tricia, what a lovely post. Thank you!
I'd also add that the shift from the Call for Entry's original "one room" and the ultimate ending of entire house tours made this a real jumble at the finish line, too.
How 'bout a Judges' pick AND a People's Choice Award for the next one?
Good one, Patrick. I like that idea!!!
Hands up, for that suggestion!
Marilyn here, from the "Home Studio Harmony" entry:
Peter and I wanted to say thanks to all the gracious and supportive people on AT who could appreciate the hard work, thought and design that went into creating a space that has been a source of calm, inspiration and fun for us for the last 4 years. When we first started working on this studio in 2002, we were working on a budget that only allowed us to work on painting the walls and installing a new floor by ourselves. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done (sometimes you can't forsee how much should go into something in order to get it 'right'). But it had to be done and it was a labor of love.
Very strong opinions here...some useful, some not. There’s only one comment I’d like to address and that’s one that stated our space seemed ‘curated.’ Of course it’s curated. All of our spaces are curated to a certain extent: we add and subtract elements, move things around, arrange, fix, contemplate, and make more changes. Or not...and even the decision ‘not to’ is curating because you’ve decided that you like things as they are.
But we thought that’s what would make this contest so much fun—the inspiration from others to improve our surroundings and enjoy the results, and maybe do more inspired 'curating' of our own. We’ve been inspired by all that we’ve seen. There are People behind these entries and Good People at that—so we just wanted to say *thanks* for all of it!
I could SWEAR that "curated" comment came first as a complement from one of the judges, but for the life of me I can not now find it.
It was intended as a complement.
First - thanks to Apartment Therapy for having this contest. Thanks to CB2 for sponsoring. Mostly, thanks to everyone who participated. Interaction makes this way more interesting than just looking at a website.
I think the suggestions most helpful from this current discussion are those directed to Apartment Therapy in how to better upcoming contests. AT certainly cannot retract the prizes for the winners (hello Canadian pairs skating!). We can only look to future contests. I think its very nice that, amongst varying opinions of who had more or better color, that most people agree: the winners have very beautiful homes. And I still like Joels best! ;D
To put yourself into this kind of competition requires a certain amount of either foolishness or courage. It can get REALLY personal. (poor Diane from Small/Cool) I think it behooves the folks at AT to put in place the best system for running a contest that they can, be it: email registration to prevent fraudulent votes amd scary stalker trash talk, a concise yet clear set of rules, a transparent system on which the entries are to be judged, etc. (all of these I've seen posted elsewhere - just compiling them here)
Thanks again to everyone who has posted a home or a comment thus far! And keep doing it in the future!
Joel-I like your place very well. I'm especially intrigued by the light fixture over the table: are all the light bulbs functional? Or is there a central light source and the remaining bulbs act as a diffuser?
Tyler was robbed, btw. Imho.
Definitely echo all of the comments about a need for a tune-up on the rules and judging. It was disappointing to hear that several really good entries couldn't be posted because the limit had already been reached; so much dreck managed to make it in. Perhaps instead insist that all entries be in by a certain date and then select the strongest candidates for the contest. As Adam mentioned, Diane was really eviscerated on her entry; why allow that kind of thing to continue? It was pretty obvious to most of us what should never have been allowed in in the first place.
All I can say is that I'm a bit disappointed, with the exception of Becca and Joel.
I wonder how pleasant those lime green walls will seem in three years.
I've had lime green walls for FOUR years, and they're quite pleasant still, thanks. ;-)
Congrats to the winners, particularly Marilyn and Peter. Go Skokie! Brave and bold design for a flood zone.
I want to know, do I get anything for the most "No way Jose" votes?
Sarah, did you get the most??? I don't understand why. I loved your room.
I think despite the dubious nature of some of the finalists and honorable mentions, the right choice was made even though it wasn't my number 1 personal favorite. I think there's no question that things will be a little different next year, but I'll be curous to see if the results end up being any different.
Sorry to disappoint you, Sarah, but Beth's Technicolor got way more "No way, Jose" votes than your entry did.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/fall-colors-2006-east/3-beths-technicolor-013070
I'm totally baffled by why yours would be so disliked -- it looks lovely, and it's certainly pulled together around dramatic color without doing anything out-there scary, plus the red-pink-orange combo has some trendiness to it. I would have expected the bulge to be "in contention" votes.
Delightful. So pleased at the results of the contest. I cannot imagine the number of special paint orders that will be flying around--all in LIME GREEN (my favourite colour).
Anyways, great job all around
I agree wholeheartedly with the above comments above major modifications needed to dramatically improve future contests at AT.
I especially think that there should be clarification regarding entries which have already had exposure/publicity/recognition... it really isn't fair to the regular DIY folk who enter the contests. They have had their time in the spotlight, and hence it is time for someone else to have a pat on the back for a job well done! I think that is the philosophy behind this site, right?
Post-contest = fair, but pre-contest = unfair. (;
I also think that deleting comments was really far-fetched. Have a sign-up registration next time to diminish, and possibly eliminate, multiple posting and voting. Moreover, I agree with P(too) about a People's Choice Award in the very least. We should be more hands on in the judging finale... in a fair and equitable configuration. And, SHOW the voting results to clear up any skepticisms and conspiracy theories.
I believe that we all enjoy the contests, but there just needs to be serious ironing out of wrinkles.
Just my two cents... (AT would be rich if they totalled all the pennies worth here... heehee)
Enjoy the upcoming holiday season! (:
Sarah:
Your entry is a classic example of "block voting". Your space did NOT deserve such negative votes. Shows how slanted this contest was! All crookedness and cheating aside, your space is great. Take it as an odd compliment that you got "blocked"! Be proud! :)
Oh, dear. Green is a very difficult color to get right because it is not a primary but rather a mixture. I like looking at it in other people's places but would never consider it for my own. Why? because it can "ruin" a girl's complexion. I'm also somewhat puzzled by the fact that "muddy" colors are in vogue again. Makes me think of Georgia O'Keeffe and her put down of those colors.
oy vey, ebrown, you used the muddiest colors of them all--brown and beige--for your own blog! georgia would turn over in her grave.
the first time i saw this entry i knew that the owners were some of the most deserving contestants on this sit and i'm very pleased that they won!! this entry was one of my 3 favorites, in addition to being the most. i can't help but think that those who bad-mouthed this contest win are just bitter since everything about the rooms shown above are flawless yet comfortable and all express excellent uses of color. excellent pick for winner!!
Hi -- I was so curious about who got the most "No way, Jose!" votes that I went back and looked up Sarah's and Beth's technicolor entries. Boy, I sure don't get the voting. Sarah, yours is gorgeous. Beth's is not at all my taste but should get some prize in the "She really went for it" category (although those don't seem to go over very well in this group!). I could see why Beth's would evoke negative responses, but not Sarah's. It's just baffling.
I kinda think we should move away from contemplating who won prizes and who didn't and turn back to just enjoying all the homes people were brave enough to publicize. Taste is clearly so personal, perhaps there shouldn't be any awards. (I'll see if I can come up with any more platitudes for my next post.)
Anyway, thanks also to Ridge for a nice and thoughtful response to mine, above. I appreciate it. And yes, b/w houndstooth is really in at the moment, isn't it!
Yes, reading all the negative comments, boo-hoo-ing and bellyaching here has been astounding. Why focus negativity on who won, instead of focusing on the great work all the entrants have done? This contest has been really fun to follow--but it's not the Olympics, World Championship Ice Skating, World-Class Boxing, or even American Idol! It's *Apartment Therapy* people. Pull yourselves together and enjoy it for what it is! Congratulations to all the winners--especially Marilyn and Peter--I knew you would win from the second I saw your initial entry, and every room in your home just reinforces the great talent you both have. Be proud of your vision and what you've accomplished.
Kudos!!!
Color contest ? Where is the color? Lime green, white, black, brown....
I´m not saying I don't like these winner places, but where is the real use of color ?
Anyway, congratulations to the winners.