apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

was there an error in transcribing Ky's comments? Or was his synopsis of his own space meant to be identical to his synopsis of Turquoise's?

If it wasn't accidental - no criticism intended - it must feel a little like signing high-school yearbooks.

BFF! Have a good summer!

what is that brown shade-like thing in the top left corner of the first picture (above the tv)? Does it serve some kind of purpose?

Gosh Ky...I continue to be dumbstruck at the gorgeus beauty of that orange. Really, the greatest shade I have ever seen, and it's inspiring me to find a similar shade for my home office.

lame commenting if it says the same as his own and the other persons room. makes me wish i didnt vote for him.

Interesting...

The similar statements are not accidental and not in any way meant to come across at short or apathetic.

The point I was (unsuccessfully) trying to make is that I judge a space not based on my personal likes and dislikes but on how all the elements within that space work together as a whole. Turquoise's room is not necessarily how I would want MY bedroom to look but I think it is one of the best entries because of the qualities I mentioned. I have great respect for her ability and thought process. I guess what it boils down to is this--the reason why I like her space is the same reason why I think I should win. After all this a design contest and I think the winner should be judged on the content of the work and not because of how much new stuff I'd like to buy if I won.

Design like art is very subjective and in order to truely appreciate all types of art and design I feel we must learn to appreciate the work within its context and not discount something just because it's not our preference or not something we would want in our own homes.

Exactly! Well said Ky.

I think the whole "tell us why you should win" is a slightly weird format, putting the contestants in sort of a no-win situation...

It is, nevertheles, rather revealing. But, like Ky said, it's all about the content of the work...

ps: The only part of Ky's write-up I find hard to swallow is the "most personal of all entries" part.

Um, I'm guessing all contestants could make that claim.

I don't think there's anything wrong with a contestant saying why they'd like to win is the prize. I mean, that's just being honest. The question is simply "Why I should be the champ," and the reasons for that are open to whatever interpretation.

I don't think that contestants should be commenting on other contestants' answers. Just my opinion...

Perhaps it would be less of a strain on contestants' modesty if the question were phrased as something like: "What am I most proud of in my room?" or "Why is my room special?"

I'll admit, when it comes at me as "Here's why I should win," my first impulse is to snap, "Here's why you shouldn't!" But one can't fault the contestants for answering the question that was posed to them. (I'll admit -- I didn't initially read the answers. I just looked at the pretty pictures and voted for *my* reasons.)

Given the tight space you seem to have, I really like the textures that complement the colors. Equally nice. I love the boldness in the way you used the color, but I almost wish there were just a little more mixture between the colors and textures.... meaning I wish the bright orange wasn't just on a glossy finish alone.

But who am I kidding... very nice, I repeat.

I love everything about this entry. I both like to look at it and would like to live in it. The additional pics have made me like it even more.

The aquarium is a great visual addition, not so much in pics but in real time. This entry has made me want to edit my space more. I feel it is distilled down to just what is beautiful and/or functional. It gets my vote!

I understand what Ky is saying about design. I absolutely love Ky's space and could see myself living in it. However, I really could not see myself spending more than 5 seconds in Turqouise's room. With that said, if I were to be objective and not subjective, I think the design of both rooms is equally great. Both rooms are unique, have well thought-out palettes, furniture and accent pieces, and make really smart use of limited space.
Good luck Ky!

I'm feeling the space. It's the hotness as the youngins' say these days. Love the contrast b/w the hardwood floors, and the plant against the orange. Love it.

I voted for Ky's seemingly simple but actually, intellectual approach this time around because the color panels, including the white on white areas, that he carefully created really do "work" to transform the place.

I would never think to paint four equal areas in that way, but it does pull the room together and balances it. The addition of the racing stripe color and the color of the egg lights add a subtle yet sophisticated glow. Also the addition of the fish-tank green adds life to the white-on-whiteness.

Great inspiring job, Ky!

Kate, Turquoise is not in this competition, though in my opinion, she should be and should be the winner.

However, I think that the confusion about voting, who is actually in the contest, and other factors show that there were way too many entries in this competition. (Plus, results seem even more suspect than usual since there are prizes to be won.)

Love it Ky! Great work in balance: on color - its application,from vibrant hues to calming ones and on different materials. Definitely speaks of a strong but relaxed character. Hints of cold steel balanced with the warmth of a wooden floor, leather upholstery juxtaposed with natural greens...perfect. And great division of space I must say!
Good Luck Ky!

i think it's very upstanding not too busy like the others

Lola,
I understand that Turquoise is not in the competition. I was simply stating that subjectively I dislike her bedroom, but objectively, her bedroom is a great example of design.
I do agree with you that the voting process has been pretty confusing.
Kate

I hope there's orange clown fish in that aquarium to tie the room together.

as before thank you for the support, well wishes and great comments. i really do appreciate them very much.

even though the prizes are sweet, it wasn't the primary reason i entered this contest. i've always been a big fan of AT. the breadth and depth of information shared, the ability to leverage an entire design community to solve problems, the act of bringing together virtual strangers with a common bond; all done with wit, intelligence and style is quite amazing. my hat's off to you AT! my entry into this contest was an attempt to share something personal with those i felt would appreciate it and to learn from others. in a way opening up my home to anyone who would like to enter and my intention was never to make anyone feel unwelcomed or disrespected. if my comment made anyone feel this way it was truely not my intention. the statement in question was/is not directed at anyone in particular but more so used as an example of something i felt was not a valid reason for "why" so and so should win. to me there is a big difference between why i "should" win and why i "want" to win. obviously we all know which question was asked.

i think i'm pretty good at expressing myself and talking about design but when it comes to promoting myself i am obviously less than graceful. i am, however, confident in what i do and perhaps my attempt to not talk about myself, be brief and make a statement came across as arrogant. anyone who remotely knows me at all knows i am not.

i had a very hard time answering "why i should win". at first i was going to go into detail about this, that and the other but in the end felt i had said enough already in my thread (but obviously not everyone read that) from the semifinals and just really didn't feel like "justifying" my entry. rather i just stated what any competitor would say in any contest when asked why you should win.

in any case, i feel i've accomplised what i set out to do and the wonderful comments are reward enough for me. someone emailed me today and said "Best of luck! (but the gift box looks great anyway, so you are already a winner!)..." and i agree!

i wish the best of luck to the other contestants and as before--may the best room win!


ky

this is a beautiful entry and has totally earned its place in the final round, if not the final 2 *glaring personal opinion*. unfortunately, i think the creativity in this contest has come down to where one might find a couple thousand votes.

This is not a fair contest. These numbers are unrealistic. Someone must of done something with it.

I love this space, it's inspiring. Also as a fellow fish-enthusiast it definitely gets my vote!

I love ur creativity