Name: Ky T.
Location: Washington, DC
Why I use color:
"I use different colors for different spaces and for different reasons. Color evokes a feeling in all of us. Small urban spaces in old buildings have great charm but can often look and feel a little depressing. Strong bold vibrant color is a good way to brings things to life. I wanted something fun but with an urban edge. Ive always loved the color orange but I didnt necessarily want an orange room."
"By using a strong vibrant color (Ben Moore Electric Orange in high gloss) in panels instead of painting entire walls, I was able to introduce a bold color into a small space without feeling cramped or like I was sitting in an orange box. The gloss paint reflects light differently and creates a nice contrast to the white wall space. Ironically, Im often more an organic zen kind of guy but I think the color texture combo works in this space."
Color Tips:
"1] Choose color that reflects the personality you want a space to have. Use bold fresh color for energy and a bit more playful feel, muted color for a more organic and often calming feel.
2] In a single small space limit color palettes to about 2 plus a neutral. Too many primary colors together (unless very carefully chosen) can create a coloring book effect.
3] Use color with a purpose as it can accentuate or decentuate (not sure if thats a word) certain architectural qualities of a space."
Color Resources:
"1] A color wheel or paint manufacturers fan deck
2] Look around, the room, the home, the world. For me its all out there."
yeah orange!
(hee hee)
Really nice place, and excellent restrained use of Ikea!
great job! really nice use of just enough color. and i love the couch! every time i see that couch i am amazed that it is ikea. have you found it to be comfortable?
Good idea on the panels to introduce bright color...I might use that in the future. Something seems unbalanced with the orange panel on the window wall, though....but that might be perspective with the photo...because I feel I might not be seeing the full picture as it would in real life.
are those real eggs?
egg sculptures?
i love eggs!
a fun little thing to look out for if you love eggs too, egglings
little ceramic eggs that look and feel COMPLETELY real, but when you crack them open, there's potting soil and seeds inside
water, place near a window and within about a week, et voila! you've got fresh herbs or flowers sprouting
they are SO cool!
love the asymetrical panels. gives lots of interest to the room. and although you do have architectural detail, that would be a great way to add something to a room that has none (like in my 1979 ranch house).
I actually like the asymmetry of the orange color behind the double windows very much.
The floor pillows also work very will with the colors.
That's an awesome way to store a bike--it looks almost like a sculpture. How did you get it there and is it hard to get down?
Your first photo looks like it would be right at home on the cover of Living, Etc. magazine or Metropolitan Home. I love the dark couch with the orange wall...
I was just wondering when you were going to finish painting the wall behind the couch? What purpose do the eggs serve on the coffee table, or is that "art?"
I like the color, but I don't like how it just ends in seemingly-random places. I'd continue it to the corner.
I think this is one of the most creative uses of color so far, and it really works in the room. In esence, it creates a white stripe that spans the one corner by the plant. What a great way to subtly shift the appearance of a rooms dimensions.
That orange on the window wall isn't random. If you squint at it -- Ky is using the orange as a panel on which the couch is centered, rather than centering the couch on the windows. I don't know how I'd feel about living with it, but the concept has a lot of potential.
Kudos to your restraint........I could see myself going too far with the orange. Dig the drapes and primo houseplant. What's the word on that sofa?? I tried it at Ikea and found it to be gorgeous but really shallow and uncomfortable. but then I'm only 5'2".
Thanks for the great comments and critique! I'm glad to see most of the design concepts convey correctly from the photos. The idea behind this space was to challenge myself to do things you "typically" shouldn't do and make it work--using large (and dark) pieces and saturated colors in a small space, hanging artwork way above eye level (not shown but will be if I make the final cut), cutting paint in what seems to be random places, etc. With the panels, no wall was to be painted to the edge or corner (there is a total of 4 panels + racing stripe). The asymmetrical window panel extends the same distance past the sofa (L + R) and goes floor to ceiling. It is intentional and incidental. My unit is actually 3 windows wide. The third one is sectioned off behind the grommet panels and is part of my storage/workspace area. With this division, the sofa can not be centered with the 2 windows as it would sit too close to the panels and create awkward traffic flow in and out of the workspace. It would also put it completely off center in relation to the room in which it sits. The farthest I could extend the panel is about 5" on each side. Anymore and the panel would come too close to the corner on the other side.
The reason I entered this contest wasnt because I think my place is anything spectacular in terms of unique pieces. After all, I am renting for now and in a 3rd floor walkup so Im pretty limited with what I can or should do or buy. I had to completely disassemble the "no assembly required" sofa to even get it up to my apt after hours of trying to squeeze it through the 180 turn of the building hallway. Boy was that a day I'd rather forget! But what I do like about my place is the harmony and use of space and color. For me its a cozy hideaway and at under 500 sf (there's a small bedroom down the hall), its extremely functional considering I have created completely separate work and living spaces.
RE: The sofa...i'm 5'9 and the seat is a tad deep for me as well but the rectangular toss pillows provide perfect support when sitting. The dark leather (vs grey) is much thicker and holds its shape extremely well and the cushions are nicely stuffed and firm (the way i like it). For the price and style you really can't beat it. One redeeming quality to the extra deep seat is it's great if you want to lay there and cuddle up with someone! (the LCD panel is directly across the table in the corner so perfect for cold rainy nights)
RE: The bike...yes it was meant to be functional as well as scultural with the racing stripe running behind back wheel. Incidentally that wall spans about 15' from stair landing to ceiling but is not as difficult as it seems to take down/put up.
RE: The eggs...they come in sets of 3 and are rechargeable. When on, the eggs slowly fade in and out through the different colors of the spectrum and are fun conversation pieces for friends who have to sit and wait for me to get ready as I am usually running late. And nah, I don't call it "art", but Jez, you're certainly welcome to.
I love the color composition. It's both energetic & elegant! This reminds me of my favorite 1969 residence in Germany. Congratulations for the good work!
AHA! i have one of those very eggs on my desk
the RULE
it was a tchochke, but easily one of the best ones i've ever received
eggs are awesome
I love the color, and I love the technique! Couldn't disagree more with the comment about why isn't the wall finished -- I think the color blocking approach is really exciting in small spaces. Bravo.
sorry -- where can I buy those egg lights?
thanks. beautiful apartment.
beautiful! i really love the toss pillows on your sofa, did you make them? i like the shape and the furry fabric--if store bought, where did you find them!
Ky, I love the curtains that you have in front of your storage area. Where did you get them, and how did you set them up?
Thanks!
thanks for sharing. Where are the white drapes from? Thank you
egg lights:
http://www.getoggz.com/GetOggz_Com/Order_Oggz/order_oggz.html
Color inspires, color communicates, color setting the moodthe blend of orange and rich brown a vivid and spicy combination. It sure is invigorated the senses and give life to the space. Thanks for not take your surrounding too seriously.
I love it want want to see more!
winner!
So interesting to read through the postings, thank you. I'm really glad there are sites like this one where creative minds can come together...we rock!!
RE Eggs: Thanks MJ didn't even know about that site. Interesting story, I actually first saw them at a high end furniture store here in DC for over $100 for a set of 3! About a month later I came across it online on clearance at target.com for around $20.
RE Pillows: I made those myself from leftover faux white fox I was using for another project. Each one has a different coordinated backing material...also leftover from another project. Not sure where you'd get them retail...Inhabit.com has that size but not that material. I'd do a search online.
RE Grommet Panels: I wanted something pretty heavy so they would hang in nice vertical lines and be opaque. The ones I have are from Ikea and they're cotton canvas with large silver grommets. They were very inexpensive and just need to be hemmed to the right length. I think 29 or 39 or a pair. I used 4 panels. The brackets are mounted on the ceiling and the rod spans wall to wall so finials were not required or desired...gives a much cleaner look.
I voted for T and CM's place, not because I love blue and brown (tho i don't hate it like some others) but because there's shows creativity, ingenuity (can you say budget?!) and most of all livability!
Ky obviously has serious design talent but his apartment is more well-styled than well-decorated, imho, a fact that would be apparent in real life rather than pictures.
On a related note: One of the flaws of AT's contests is that entries end up being judged by the quality of their photography... perhaps competition should make contestants submit (north/west/east/south) photographs of the room and then 1-2 detail shots.
Also, people, take the pics whenever the room is sunniest!
i enjoy how bold the ornage is...but i just don't think it's an interesting use of colour. the light grey just makes that strip appear like a reflector on a bike (good thing the bike is there eh?) the room seems cold. it's just not a space i would like to sit in for an extended amount of time, as much as i love leather couches...
that's great Leslie, you DO get it! the bike is there, the racing stripe is there..they're both there together for a reason.
yes, i do pay attention to lighting, composition and mechanics of photography and design. i do things with a purpose and intention. whether it's 1 color or 20, different spaces call for different things to achieve a desired look and function. since when did being a good photographer become a bad thing anyway? the space actually looks better in person tho, come and see! i'll make coffee....
absolutely stunning.
not sure if anyone checks this anymore, but just curious -- what species plant is that? it looks awesome
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