apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Where did you purchase the wooden stool beside the couch. I am looking for one to place in my bathroom to reach that shelf way up there...

If you can't replace the dishwasher right away, you can get a thin sheet of steel to cover the front panel--one of the HGTV designers from "Designed to Sell" mentioned it as a tip, I think.

Also, do you rent or own? I once lived in a place with gross (new) pre-fab oak kitchen cabinets that didn't suit my style at all. I was about to paint them when friends warned me how I might lose part of my deposit. So instead I found a paint color (dark brown) for the walls that actually worked with the cabinets.

I say you convert that closet into a custom murphey bed! I've even seen ones where they incorporate a bench at the base when closed. Then you can swap out that bistro table for a dining table on casters and seat four to six at dinner! you've already got the folding chairs you keep stored (I've even seen them artfully hung them on the wall).

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/good-questions-looking-for-a-modern-wall-bed-004350

http://dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=1181

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/seating-stacking-folding/isis-by-jake-phipps-for-thonet-029048

where did you get the bistro table? i have been looking for one like that for a while. thanks!

luvdecor, I purchased the stool from a small little store in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria. I believe it is called "Seven Hands".

colin, i actually own. i've painted the kitchen a great color called mega greige. It actually makes the cabinets look 1000% better.

lafera, i purchased the little bistro table from west elm. I believe they are on sale right now for $99. It fits 2 people perfectly.

thank you, your apt is amazing :0)

thank you lafera! very kind of you to say.

The place looks great! Love the colors you've chosen.

Thank you donald! I have so much more to do and look forward to sending updated pictures.

Hmm. I purposely chose a black dishwasher to go with a stainless steel stove and fridge. We have restaurant-quality appliances for food storage and preparation, but to wash the dishes? It seemed like overkill.

good point lisa. i hadn't thought about the stainless steel overkill possibility.

i forgot to say thank you for the suggestions colin. i have considered a murphy bed but had not thought about incorporating a bench at the base when closed.

what is the name/mfr. of the grey paint in the featured pic (around the white door)? lovely.
rlm

like a chic hotel

Rim, the paint color around the white door in the featured picture is Chocolate brown from Restoration Hardware. I love their paints! The other wall that is behind the couch is painted Sycamore green also from Restoration Hardware. The green appears more gray next to the chocolate brown and more green when the light hits it. I love Restoration Hardware paints and have been using them since I first discovered my love of interior design.

LaDonnaNicole, Thank you for your compliment. As I continue to work on my space (I have a journal filled with ideas), one of my many inspirations is hotel chic...hence the search for the new linens for my bed. My goal is to have the classy level of hotel chic with a nice balance of personality.

really love the sofa and how u arranged the 3 stacked pillows.

You've made a great little home. Thanks for the tour.

thank you sd913! i rearrange the IKEA pillows everyday. Sometimes I stack and other times I separate/karate chop (like this morning).

thank you hrhprincessfiona. this has been great. I never expected so much positive feedback.

Thomas, I admire your courage in painting a small-ish space a rich, dark color. It looks really nice and inviting and so much better than the off-white walls you probably started with.
Personally I don't think the dishwasher looks bad the way it is (it sort of matches the counters).
Your idea of painting the kitchen cupboards white is interesting, I think it could look cool.
I'm renting (also in DC) and my kitchen, unfortunately, is totally Home Depot-1980s. The only thing missing is Mrs. Garrett holding a cup of coffee and dispensing wisdom to Tootie.

Hello BrooklynRob-fellow Washingtonian!

Thank you for your comments/feedback.

You are correct-the studio started off all white. The funny thing is I love white. At the same time, my desire for warmth in the space pushed me to choose more bold colors. While I have always loved painting, this is my first place where I really used bold colors.

You are the second person who said I should keep the black dishwasher :) To be honest, I think I might scratch the idea of getting a stainless steel replacement. The dishwasher is new and works well. I guess it sits far enough away from the stove and fridge that is doesn't look out of place. Thanks!

This past Monday, I painted the kitchen walls a great "Mega Greige" color from Sherwin Williams. My cabinets look 1000% times better. For right now, I am scratching the idea of painting them white. I am hoping that I can submit pictures of all the updates to AT.

Thanks again and I am sure your place looks great BrooklynRob.

I applaud the results of all your hard work! i live in a 450 sq ft apt in manhattan and so am ALWAYS eager to see how others deal with storage and design issues. well done!

you're so cute for being shocked that the closet doors were picked up within 24 hours. i can tell ya that if you did the same here, they'd be gone within 24 minutes! :-D

and oh, how i envy the fact that you have a washer and dryer in your unit! argh!

..and you have a window in that closet/bedroom nook??? awesome!!

heather leaf,
thank you for your expressions. I just loved reading your message.
yes, i have put a lot of hard work into my place over the last three months. it has been so much fun. the funny thing is this is not my first place.
yes, i love my washer and dryer. i wash clothes once a week now instead of twice a month ;)
thank you for looking at my house tour and paying attention to all of the little details.

This studio, overall, looks very well appointed. I have windows similar to yours in my Georgetown living room (mine are a little wider with the original framing painted white) and have recently thought about replacing or augmenting the red Pottery Barn shades that came with the rental with a full window treatment with drapes and curtains as you have suggested, but I am still unsure. What purpose would such a window treatment serve in either of our cases?

Thank you Herringbone for your comment. Great to meet another Washingtonian on AT and one that lives so close to me;)

I have made so many changes to my studio since this was posted. I hope that the updated pictures will be posted to the AT site as I have sent them to Maxwell (hint, hint, hint).
I think I have taken my studio to "another level". As you say, it is well appointed but to me it lacked a direction. The updated pictures will show my improvements.

To answer your question: I think window treatments (for us) will add a great detail that is often missed.

Since my studio is so small, I am able to focus on details. Last week, I painted my closet door, bathroom door and laundry door a high gloss black and changed the door knobs.

I think window treatments can be included as one of those important details. It separates the amateurs from the pros. Window treatments done right can bring a room together. Just like paint can transform a room...great window treatments can do the same thing. Right now, I have the standard blinds which functions well but visually is unappealing.

Right now, I am thinking of going with a linen fabric in the khaki family. I was actually in your neighborhood (Georgetown Pottery Barn) yesterday doing a little window shopping.

I love the artwork on the wall, above the sofa!

thank you. i made it myself.

This is beautifully done. Neat, clean and the decor makes it seem a lot more spacious than it is. I LOVE the black and red surrounding the white sofa.

This apartment really shows that white walls don't have to be boring.

zazzu.

thank you for your positive feedback.

When you get a chance, check out updated pictures of my bedroom area :) do a search for my name and you should find. i'd love to hear your feedback!