apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Who is your designer?

LOVE the bathroom! Love that walk in shower and the tile. And the dark color behind the tv is super too - so elegant.
d

Actually, what else might be kind of swell near just such a TV, is instead of painting the wall black, just go ahead and use a big 4' x 8' sheet of black opaque plexiglas with a hole cut into it for the TV to fit into it!

Question: What is meant by "bathroom independently accessible"??? Surely outsiders can't get to it without entering the rest of the apt!!!

I would totally reverse the fridge/freezer handles. It looks as though one would totally graze one's knuckles on the wall when opening the doors.

Interesting textures and finishes! I was particularly fond of the doorhandles on the new double-door closet.

if the fridge handles were reversed, the fridge wouldn't open all the way, problematic if you have drawers that open. the handles are currently correctly installed.

I realize that these photos depict a work in progress and I should reserve judgment until the final product is displayed. But I am not seeing a designer's influence in this apartment, or anything particularly noteworthy about it.

You picked a lovely shade for your colored wall. Can you tell us what it is?

I wondered about that bathroom also, but concluded it meant not going thru the bedroom to access it as in a masterbedroom/bathroom suite.

Although this is a work in progress I'm a little disturbed to see all the octopus extension cords in the bathroom and bed area. There should be a better solution. Off to a great start though.

funny i noticed the fridge handles as well and thought they were on backwards, but for a different reason- i was always told (by my mom) that a fridge is supposed to open "into" the kitchen. i never thought that made sense, but the handles on my fridge now face the wall and it does make life more difficult.. (ok, not *that* difficult really.)

The fridge handles are on the wrong side. The fridge itself really ought to be on the other side of the stove--the left side--rather than crammed into that wedge.

Such a nice space, such a lot of money, and such a mess.

About the fridge handles... That was the first thing that stood out to me.

The direction that the fridge doors need to open should have been taken into consideration during the design phase, and enough space should have been incorporated into the design to allow for the correct opening direction. Even if it is only an inch or two. I would be pi**ed at my designer.

Speaking of the fridge....who puts one next to a range? I, too would have something to say to my designer.

Bobby

That tile is crazy cool. Would you be willing to share the source? Also, is the bed custom made? I'm still on the quest to find the simple modern platform bed that's not $3000

Also, I had the same door handle issue with my kitchen cabinet that's to the right of the fridge. The designer didn't take into consideration the projection of the handle, making the pull out shelves impossible to pull out. Ultimately my dad discretely notched out the wall and painted it to accept the handle when the door is open.

I'm curious about having the windows replaced. Supposedly, first thing that was done. Isn't that the responsibility of the co-op? I suppose one can change anything that is attached to one's apt, in keeping with the bylaws, etc., but why spend money on perhaps the only thing that the building is actually responsible for providing?

I think I'm about to answer my own question. Because then you get to buy fabulous windows. Sigh ... I'd love to get different new windows. But there are so many more pressing matters. Like, a kitchen.

Oooh, I envy people who can afford a designer AND replace the windows.

ps, replacing the main door knob is a fantastic thing to do, too. Really sets your place apart.

It's hard to tell without furniture, but this really doesn't speak to me. It doesn't have much personality, although furnishings may change that. Also, the outside door handle seems kind of jarringly out of character to me.
Not that this really has anything to do with the merits of the apartment, but I can't imagine not wanting to be more involved in the design of a place where I was going to be living. Possibly if I was absolutely IN LOVE with the work the designer had previously done... Oh, who knows. I couldn't afford a designer anyway!
Congrats on being adventurous enough to post, and I'll be interested in seeing the place once it's done.

Please help those of us who like to look at this site from work, by not putting swears in big bold letters. It is not tasteful. Thanks

It's a great space but I agree with previous posters, what kind of designer would put a fridge next to a stove? There appears to be an island so perhaps placing a stovetop there would have been a good idea, although it would create extra expense. I am also disturbed by the plethora of electrical implements atop the sink! It is a lovely space though.

Does it strike anyone else as odd that Eric seems to have an extremely high maintenence hair styling routine?

I would have added some much needed storage in the bathroom. All I see is a medicine cabinet above the sink. Am I missing something? Perhaps a cabinet flush to the wall opposite the sink would have been handy, or perhaps a different sink with storage beneath? I still love it, I just think the designer and client didn't discuss their needs enough.

Two questions:

1. Andy, why do you say that the fridge door would not open all the way if the fridge doors are reversed? Is it because of the handles hitting a wall as others seem to assume or is it due to the thickness of the door itself needing room to be accomodated? If it is the former then there is no problem because the stud wall is so shallow. If it is the latter, then you have a point. Enough space should have been made to the right of the fridge to accomodate the thickness of the door.

2. Why do ppl say that a fridge next to a stove is a bad idea? Is it because of heat issues? Or because you need a counter space to set things down when you take them out (that is actually recommended by most kitchen designers)?

I want to see this finished.
Or, more precisely, I would love to help this space GET finished.

High maintenance hair or not.

FYI: The fridge door can't be reversed because the angle of the wall would prevent the door from opening even half-way. The solution I neglected to mention in the slide show is that the door buzzer mechanism is going to be removed and replaced with something that is flush with the wall. The fridge is going to be pulled away from the wall a couple of inches so that the door can swing all the way open and not crush the stove. (I have my fridge next to my stove and am happy as can be. I believe long ago people worried about heat from a stove affecting a fridge. No longer an issue.)

Moving on, Eric has 3 guests this weekend who do use a lot of hair related products and appliances. He is to be congratulated for accommodating guests in the midst of a construction site.

I am most curious about the sliding wall/door that I see. How did you do that? Did you buy, have it built for you or build it yourself? I am buying a true loft in Chicago and I need a solution for a movalbe wall between the bedroom and living room that let's light in. Yours looks perfect!! please give me more information.

As for the fridge, all good reasons, but for my personal preference having to walk around the door with your arms full of food is a pain.

Wow, people seem obssessed with the fridge doors. I too like the fridge to open into the kitchen but have lived (and thrived) with the opposite arrangement.

I love the apartment, love the bed, love the bath, and love the closet. I assume you'll build in specialized storage hooks, nooks, crannies and shelves.

It's obvious you're putting a lot of energy, money, creativity and soul into your place. Kudos!

What is the shower tile?

I'm curious why 40 pictures of a half-finished, untidy space. I'm sure it will be lovely and all, but it seems like overkill at this point. And if you can't write a caption on why you're including a photo, why include it?

Where'd you get that bed?

Why are we seeing this again?

Hard to get a good sense of the place with the work still going on, but I do love the bathroom.

Question about the TV though, something I've noticed in a number of other apartment tours and have been meaning to ask: Why do people mount their flat panel televisions so high on the wall? It seems like voluntarily sitting in the front row of a movie theatre. Manufacturers say the optimal viewing height is with the TV centered at eye level, and I actually prefer mine even lower, with the top of the screen at eye level. Aside from being more comfortable, it also helps to visually integrate the TV into the room. Most people seem to mount flat panels as if they're planning on watching TV standing up -- what's the reason?

Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

This is wreck.
Does not look designer-quality at all.
The kitchen is a disaster - would rip it all out and start from scratch. The bathroom is not good, either. Horrible choice in a sink.

Although I think some of the criticisms of this place are rather unfair, there is a coldness to the design so far that I don't quite like. The big blank surfaces and brushed steel accents also don't match the few pieces of furniture shown. I'll be very curious to see how this looks pulled together.

Agree with mmm. A disaster with zero personality.

Love it. Does the hard and cold thing really well, the bathroom tiles are FANTASTIC. Also like the electronic components hidden behind the wall in the closet.

With such harsh criticism, I'm afraid of putting up photos when my renovation is done. But I guess the more knowledge, the better (especially for future projects).

I loved the blue metal fridge, but was disappointed to realize it was just the removable coating makeing it blue - don't remove it! I have an all stainless kitchen and it's so boring -was thinking of getting some kind of decal to give it some color.

am I missing something? Where are the pictures of the finished apartment?

Fascinating... people loved it in February (except the fridge handles) and hate it in December. Did something about this design fall out of style awfully quickly? The hard edges?

I would sooooo do a metallic blue refrigerator...

Best plasma tv solution I've ever seen. The lighting looks very well designed, especially the wall behind the bed lit from above. (What is that fixture and where can I get one?) I'm not quite getting the tone of the comments here. A lot of them seem pretty, uh, seventh grade. Too many pictures? Train wreck? No personality? Either you see something here that would be helpful to you - or you see something you could add to - umm, try sub-zero refrigerator drawers to get around the space problem in the kitchen - or you don't - but attacks on the owners point of view are really strange. Some of you don't like sleek minimalism? Well, some of us can't stand lime green, which seems to have gotten a lot of good press from this group. But when I see yet another variation on acid green, I don't attack the owners. I just figure, some people want this, and the question is, did they execute the concept well or not? And if they did, good for them.

It's difficult to judge a space when it's under construction or in the midst of redecorating...
...but I agree with the comments about the fridge - This is one place that needed a side-by-side or one of those new French-Door refrigerators.

Love the bathroom and the wardrobe closet tho - can't wait to see more!

"I believe long ago people worried about heat from a stove affecting a fridge. No longer an issue." - NOT true.

No matter how well insulated your refrigerator, the oven (if you use it) will produce heat which WILL require your refrigerator condenser to work that much harder (AND use that much more electricity - real GREEN and energy conscious)

PLUS, any designer should, if at all possible, provide space on both sides of the stove to better facilitate cooking.

And since the refrigerator doors can't open in the opposite direction because of the wall condition, the design layout should have been revamped to allow the door opening to be adjacent to a counter. Again, any designer should, if at all possible, provide space on that side of the refrigerator to allow for a "put down" space.

As it is, this kitchen will work great for those who don't actually cook.

If I was buying this just remodeled coop, first thing I'd do is completely gut and rework the kitchen to make it actually usable.

Now this is a serious bachelor pad. It says "I work in investment banking and come home to sleep and change clothes." I suspect this is the finished product right here. I want to find him a date and hire him a maid. (We can move into colors and shapes next week.)

Also I'm getting "F--- it, I don't need a niche" silkscreened on a T-shirt.

How is the microwave mounted on the kitchen wall?

Call me baffled. Why repost this from 2 1/2 years ago?

"How is the microwave mounted on the kitchen wall?"

Haven't you ever seen microwave/range hoods? They're pretty common...

"Originally Posted on February 15th, 2006" back when February was the month NY bankers could count on that bonus check coming through - "Carte Blanche" indeed. How's this working out these days?

So where's the finished pictures!?

I can't imagine why this is posted at all and again I gather from the comments. I looked at the comments to see if I was not the only crazy person out there - who cares about this apartment? Most of the pictures are terrible and distorted. This is why I am getting tired of this blog.

This really doesn't look designer-influenced. The point of having a designer is to come up with all sorts of user-friendly concepts and interesting ideas to make a place everything it could be. The kitchen is unattractive and awkward. The door handle is OBSCENE...it looks like an antique door and needs an appropriate handle...that silver office door handle is jarringly out of place. The speakers shoved in the wall next to the tv is an inappropriate and distracting solution...putting all electrical components in the closet is awkward...you have to go in the closet to put in a DVD?? I would want my money back from that 'designer'. Either he/she is incompetent or just didn't care.