apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

It looks like a boutique hotel.

Love the sectional. Where is it from?

P.S. I mean that as a compliment.

Very nice! I love the sofa, where from?

Someone obviously received several gift-certificates from West Elm as housewarming gifts and used them all at once...

...and what's the point of the 3 picture rails above the sofa that each hold up one picture that is exactly the size of the rail?

I bought the same sconces in your bedroom from Bed Bath & Beyond! They've been sitting on the floor of my living room for a month....... I should really get them up somewhere!

I think you did a very nice job! Love the lit up liquor shelves! :)

http://www.makemineeclectic.wordpress.com

Congratulations, lovely place. For the sake of interest: is anybody really more comfortable perching on a bar stool as opposed to having a normal height table and chairs with backrests where you can put your feet on the ground?
Also, I don't know how much you enjoy the additional two crowded barstools with their backs to the window, but I would rather put some shelves under the bar and use the space for storage.

Jeez bepsf, tough critic!

Honestly- it's not quite my style, but good for Sarah and Allen. They've picked out simple, clean pieces that they can grow with. And so what if it all looks West Elm? Consistency of style helps an apartment feel bigger, well-planned, and much less cluttered.

I heart your Anthropologie duvet cover. Great job on the place - it looks smashing.

>shockthebourgeois

well, good for bepsf for being honest - there aren't many critical comments on this site... if they are constructive, then it will bode the flat owner well... esp considering this is their first flat!

i mean if the owner wants pure praise for a house tour, he might as well write them himself...

which fridge is that, and how do you like it? Seems to fit the space quite well!

bepsf- Your negativity is really annoying. Why don't you open up your place for some criticism?

I think they've done a wonderful job with their space, it's not my style either, but it's well thought out and put together. It's a small space, so keeping it clean and simple was a smart move.

But, um, what exactly *was* constructive about bepsf's post?

Nice work so far! You could add some larger-scale art above the bar-height table next, if you were looking for suggestions. I thought it looked a bit bare compared to how thoughtfully you've laid everything else out. Congrats on the new place.

i agree, i LOVE that douvet! and the couch is pretty cool too, where's it from?

I also love the sectional - where is it from?

"I also love the sectional - where is it from?"

West Elm - Recently discontinued.

I'm sorry that some folks here are sensitive about others voicing their honest opinions. If you view my post history, you might notice that I make about as many positive and constructive comments as negative - I simply call it as I see it and encourage others do the same.

Re: BEPSF's House Tour - I hope to get there soon, but I'm in the process of a couple of projects that I'd like to see to completion before I open my doors to the world. Believe me when I say that I'm my own worst critic: I have spaces in my home that aren't "Just-Right", I have furniture in my hall that I've recently replaced and am waiting for a friend to pick up and a kitchen that needs repainting (again - it was last painted over 8 years ago and the cabinets are chipped up because I didn't know what I was doing at the time.)

i really love the duvet!

I think your apartment looks lovely and from the pics it looks bigger than a studio with alcove, so well done !

thanks for sharing!

Great job for a first place. I think it's easy for people to forget how much it costs to completely furnish an apartment/condo/whatever from scratch -- especially when you're young, fresh out of school and, if you're like many of us, loaded with loan debt and not raking in the big bucks just yet.

wow - why is everyone so sensitive - it's a friggin blog.

I am always thrilled when the opening shot is a west elm sofa. Ugh. The kitchen and dining area however look good. Just another apartment to me..Good enough I guess.

The whole thing is delicious. Uniformly executed, short on clutter and long on style. Some people chicken out but clearly not these two. It seems perfect for them, and isn't that what stylish living is all about?

Hi Everyone,
Thank you for all the positive and constructive comments.
The sofa is from West Elm. I got it last november, I think it's sold out already. It's super comfortable and we love it.

For bepssf's comment:
I have to admit, I did got two big furniture from West Elm. They're the bed and the sofa. Not all of them are from West Elm. Some of them are from CB2, Living Concept and Ikea. Accessories are from urban outfitter, Bed Bath & Beyond, TjMax and Irresistible Home.
Irresistible Home: http://www.e888decor.com/
Living Concept: http://perfectmatchfurniture.com/

As for the rail, the whole apartment is made of concrete wall, the rail was just used to make any easier decor change for us later on without drilling too many holes again and again. But Thank you for the comment, I'll try to play with different size frame when I change the artworks.

For nyckrissy, Go hang it up. I'm sure you'll love it. It was so romantic for us when we lit it up.

For Bromella's comment:
My boyfriend really want a dinning table. But having a dinning table with 4 chair takes up so much space make it hard to walk pass. So we went with the high table, for a studio space.

The bar stools serve as two function, One is for eating quick breakfast in the morning. The second is when we have few guest over, we can move it to the high table and adjust to the height. We have fun chatting with friends without a big dinning table. I think for us, it's functional.

For catsf, it's a Summit Refrigerator Freezer - very slim and fit good.

For H LI, i like your suggestion, Do you think a canvas wrap art would look good instead of frame art?

Thank you for everyone's comment, I really appreciate your time.
; )

Re: "If you view my post history, you might notice that I make about as many positive and constructive comments as negative"

Um, okay.

As far as waiting til your space is "perfect" you should let US be the judge of that, as you always seem to be the judge of perfection (or lack thereof) in other people's homes...

We await your house tour with baited breath.

"having a dinning table with 4 chair takes up so much space make it hard to walk pass"
That is exactly why God created drop-leaf and expandable dining tables and folding chairs - most of the time, you have a small table with 2 chairs that's easy to walk past in a studio. When guests come - voici!

The place looks great except for the dining area. I'd kill for the sofa. On with the dining area, I agree with Bromelia...a simple drop leaf table that seats two when the leaves are down would have taken up less space than the bar table. Just keep around a couple more chairs for when you have company - either folding chairs, parson chairs, or honestly just buy two more chairs that go with the set and use them at your desk or off in a corner.

The rug with the coffee table and sectional could stand to be a little larger and that print goes with nothing you own.

"and what's the point of the 3 picture rails above the sofa that each hold up one picture that is exactly the size of the rail?"

"What's the point?"? Isn't it just that they chose to use the rails this way and liked it? I reckon the pictures look fine -- is there a rule that says one *must* use picture rails to house collections of variously sized frames? Sheez.

I think this is a great space, especially for a first apartment. I've seen some really awful first (second, third, fourth...) apartments. The difference between them and this isn't cash -- just care and effort and taste. Thanks for sharing!

i think the idea with a picture rail, however you choose to use it, is that you can change the pictures you are displaying easily, so once you are tired of a certain group, it is replaced in minutes. so what if the pictures are as wide as the rails?

this is a lovely, airy space, well done!

bepsf, i think the problem some people (myself included) have with a post like yours is not the criticism, but the tone of it. looks like you do not understand how to frame a comment without sunding condescending or nasty.

i like it

re: dining table

i got this same table after searching for a drop leaf table for quite a while. had i found a drop leaf table that i actually liked, i would still have to store extra chairs somewhere. the old buildings in my area have next to no closet/storage space. this table has been great for allowing me to store chairs underneath & it is actually great to sit and chat at (i opted for collapsable chairs with a small back & foot rest).

at the very least, what's wrong with having something different? i also like that it feels sleeker/more minimal in my space.

I think you've done a great job, it looks really pulled together and stylish and it leaves you room to grow, too.

I think the high table is unusual looking for a home, it's certainly a focal point that defines your dining area and if it gives a better flow to the space then it was good pick.

BTW, I like the cut-down picture ledges, I think it's an unusual feature and looks very bespoke.

And I fail to understand why people are criticising you for buying furniture from furniture shops. Do they expect you to hand-knit it from pet food or something?

hi iqtsarah,

i wish my first apartment was lovely as yours! you both kept your space airy making it feel spacious. your large pieces were well thought out and in time you'll probably change things. in the meantime everything suits both your needs and your company as well enjoys it.
enjoy your first apartment there's no better feeling having your first space together.

thanks for sharing!

Let me preface that the place looks great and really put-together. I'm a little confused though about this being a first apartment, especially a tiny studio in queens. The apartment must be dirt-cheap, but the furnishings look expensive! Different priorities than mine, I suppose. My first apartment (in Williamsburg, back when it was cheap too) was filled with craigslist cast-offs and ikea. Nice job though!

I lived in Jackson Heights for 7 years before moving back to my country, and I have to say you did an amazing job making your space looking so modern and stylish in such a traditional, plain, sometimes boring-looking community setting. I wish my apt was this nice!!

rstrtz - I honestly don't believe that's really the best you could do in a studio. They sell normal sized tables that are sleek and minimal too. I put bar stools in the same category for dining as benches - it's stupid, people will not enjoy being there, and no matter how good the food is the seat won't be comfy enough to want to sit there for more than ten mins.

I live in a studio as well - 400 square feet of first apartment goodness - and I know what it's like to try to find furniture that is 1. beautiful, 2. affordable, and also has the potential to be used as you grow (i.e. to another apartment).

I use a bar table and my bar chairs have backs and I find them very comfortable.

I enjoy the cohesiveness and think it looks lovely. :)

The dining room looks like something I would find in one of my friend's frat houses. Not impressed. Light up liquor shelves belong in a bar, not a dining room.

k ran -- amen! lol

I was going through the pictures thinking good good and then hit the bar table and wanted to just scream - either move all the way from college style or go back to it -- the mix looks like a mess.

I think this apartment is nicely laid out and furnished. It's actually very nice for your first apartment. The thing about apartments is that everyone has their own taste. I'm sure that you had to compromise with your boyfriend to get the right mix of stuff. I like how you took the time to add design elements to your walls. Not everything has to be functional. I believe that each visual element you add to your apartment makes it that much more unique or at least that much more homey. Some places feel too modern and cold but I sense a warmth in your place. I can tell you took your time to pick out furniture that suited your style. The bar shelves might seem like college-age shwag to some, but I'm sure you guys chose to put it there for a reason. The colored lights must look hot in the dark. As for the dining table, I think that it does offer it's own space by being elevated like that. Once again, it's all about your own personal taste. When you buy your own place for the first time, I think that you want to invest in some furniture that is going to last. It becomes more of an investment. If you can afford to buy a nice dining table, bed, sofa, coffee table, et cetera, et cetera, then why not? Who made the rule that you have to buy crappy furniture for your first apartment. You may have stretched your money somewhat but all that really matters is how you feel about your apartment. You must be proud of it and you should be. Congratulations on a great looking apartment. Cheers!

very smart use of small space. kudos
one note: is there any place other than in your dining area where you could store your trash receptacle - perhaps under sink ?

I really like this, i think you did an awesome job! I love the comforter/duvet on your bed, i know i have seen that, where is it from? Is it west elm also? and i love the pieces above the bed, are those tea light candles?

bepsf,

I think you have every right to comment as you see fit. There is nothing abusive about your critique. If you put yourself out there be prepared to go with the punches. It makes us stronger, smarter and more accepting.

To the post that wrote "I heart ...." please stop using that tacky expression from that terrible movie.

Thank you for the comments again!

Owning your first apartment is very special for us, with all the planning and budgeting. I'm sure I'll get a dinning table with 4 chair when we get a house later. As for now, it fits our need. My boyfriend's hobby is to mix drinks and we have friends over almost everyday to hangout around there and they like to sit around and chat or maybe even some drinks. I know someone mention move the bar shelves somewhere else, but what other better place to have it when it's a studio size apartment?

And for Gina, Thank you for the comment! Yea, the apartment had went through some remodeling, that's why it looks different now. And we spend a lot time decorating it, even adding some ikea stuff to the apt. But I really like the building itself too, It has a roof deck, and intercom that goes to your cellphone and friendly staffs.

For evany, I am glad you like it. I like the area a lot. Maybe you can tell me what are some nice place to eat in at.

Iviox, the duvet is from west elm. comforter and bedsheet and pillow are all from Bed Bath & Beyond.

ah2bthee, We have a small kitchen, the dish washer is under the sink. I'm still trying to figure out where to but the can too. Any other ideas you can think of? Thank you.

Thank you for viewing the photos. best!

Neighborhoodbuddy -- If you are in a studio apartment, every piece of furniture should be functional - hopefully for more than one way. You will need every square inch.

As for investing in furniture, if they can't afford a nice table they could have went the used route instead of buying a table they will ultimately need to give away in the end.

I think dining table is fine especially if they're happy with it. Like I said it depends on your own personal taste. I agree that functionality is important in a small space, but aesthetically speaking I think that a mixture of form with function is better than to eschew style all together. I don't see any piece of furniture in this space that doesn't serve a purpose. A dining table, a coffee table, some bar stools, a nice sofa, side table, etc. Pretty standard stuff except maybe the bar stools. I've lived in many small studio apartments, so I know that space is limited but you can still add many design elements to it. Wall decorations are not really supposed to be functional except if you're putting up shelves. As for the dining table, I'll buy it. They don't need to give it away. haha

That garbage can beside your dining area is killing me!
Would you consider concealing it somehow?

Otherwise, great first apartment!
You're clearly happy with the result or you wouldn't have opened your doors to critics on the internet. Just remember, if it works for you, then it's good design.

Sarah and Allen,
Your place is really cute. Well done for your first place. It looks better than some of these places I've seen that have been occupied for years. As for bepsf. Get your s_ _ t together before you comment on someone else's. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Nice place, but I don't see anything novel, imaginative, or remarkable in any way. To me, it kind of looks like a shopping spree at some nice stores, where one couldn't really go too far afield. Of course, no offense intended toward the occupants but I don't visit this web site for the mundane.

Thanks for everyone's more thoughtful comments.
As a designer, I agree with neighborhoodbuddy that we're happy with the high table's function and style. I'd say we totally love it.

It's an old apt. The kitchen used to be closed off with a door. but we opened it up to connect it to the rest of the apartment and add to the sense of openness. I also have some before and after image I'd like to share.
Before: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/2462022451_61d0a6b274.jpg?v=0
After: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/2942799325_22f50bf6d7.jpg?v=0

I hope you all like the tour!

Simply perfect!

Love the wall sconces! It def adds element to the room. I've been looking for something like this for my bedroom.

Nice place.

We have tall bar-type chairs as well and have yet to find a tall-yet-small table to go with them.

Your home looks airy and spacious.

Evany, I think you'll find the neighborhood has changed a lot in just 7 years (fellow JHer here, late to the party). Glad to see the 'hood represented so well! I think most of the apartments in the historical district are all really nice. Perhaps outside of it, they aren't as nice.

Hi Monalmm,
Thanks for the comments. The candle wall sconces are form bed &bath beyond. The lighting fixture are from Ikea. They are pretty easy to install!

Fiona, Yea I like jackson heights alot too. I agree that alot of the building look older from outside, but inside can be very charming.

I think the apartment is smart and sexy and functional. One of the things I am having problems with is merging my style to my boyfriend's lack of style. Using neutral colors is a good way to get the job done. And the duvet cover is gorgeous!!!

I'm in love with your white love seat set. Ive never seen it in white, no one is ever brave enough to get it everyone always tells me to get dark colors.

Your apartment looks great, colors are beautiful, and the sofa is fab.

Great function, scale and style. A impressive first place. My sugestion is find something with history (ideally yours)and some nature(living or sculptural). Your place could use some things that says, this is me! Not just what I liked when I went into 5 stores.
For historical items- Your childhood artwork, items from
travel, a symbol of your religious beliefs or something that belonged to your grandma, just something personal.
Thanks for posting and taking all the responses so well.

I agree Shann...nice open plan though. Art is too high! Pet Peeve (sorry)

"I just call it like I see it and encourage others to do the same." It's more probable that, like many others who provide harsh critiques, you are simply emboldened by the anonymity of the blogosphere.

iqtsarah...thanks for sharing your space. I just moved into a studio and it's inspiring to see how others set up their places.

Best,
Asha

I love the backlit shelves that make the bar, but I agree the trash can kills me.
Congratulations in general my first apartment which was a Loft looked like an artist storage box. Great Job, I love the sectional still be carefull with the rug, I think I got the same from Urban Outfitters and the black stains.
How did you make the bar shelves? just with a light tube behind?

I love the flow of color and design in your apartment. It is well thought out, creating an atmosphere to relax in.
I too have just bought a studio in JH and hope to submit my application for a house tour next week.
Cheers from your neighbor in JH!