apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

The space looks awesome.

If you are lucky enough to do it all at once, and are sort of at a loss, I'd really say hire a designer (Pick me! Pick me!)

I think "arty" is easy to get in that space. But "dark and arty" might be just a tad trickier.

But try not to fight the space too much.

Once again - a floorplan would be most helpful...

What a great space! But, I know what you mean that it's too light, if you've always imagined your perfect space darker/artier...

With such a blank canvas, it all depends on your budget and your priorities. I agree with patrick (the other one). Hire a designer. They can work within your budget and help you make better choices for your end result. Heck! Hire patrick (the other one). I think he won for Small Cool one year, and he really knows how to pull a room together!

Good luck!

Sophisticated and eclectic? Hmmm... I would try light upholstery with dark-medium wood frames to anchor the space (otherwise everything might look to floaty). If you want to maintain the light-ness, keep the color on pillows, throw blankets, carpets, chairs and window treatments. But there are so many things you could do! It is gorgeous. Congrats on your purchase!

If you want to acheive a dark and artsy feeling I think you might want to do a tin ceiling! I would love to do this in my space - but living in a studio I need to maximize my space as much as possible.

While you may be getting a lot of outdoor light streaming in through large windows, that should not deter you from achieving what you want for to get that look to me, anyway, works best after dark anyhow but to achieve this, go for a darker paint on the walls, such in the brown/tan range say and use medium to dark woods, perhaps black as an accent and pops of color, brightish to keep the place alive and from being too somber. Gray might work too, but I think sticking in the brown family may achieve more of what you are looking for, along with perhaps some gold/copper/brass to help things along, also yellows, veering towards the Ochers may well work as well.

For that eclictic mix, don't be afraid to mix styles, but bear in mind that color and texture will help unify the pieces so it does not end up looking like a room full of hand me downs. A way to achieve this is say, several of the pieces in a similar style, from one source, say IKEA, then add in other elements in say in an Asian flair, but with a similar color palette and perhaps some thrift/antique store finds to help keep it personal are just some of the suggestions you could do.

And of course, artwork, both paintings/photos on the wall, but 3D items like scuptures bowls etc to help round out the space, but if you still aren't sure, go with what Patrick (the other one) suggests. hire a designer to help you get started at the very least.

Good luck

It looks like you have spectacularly large windows... how great. I'm with the previous poster, dark paint will darken up the area... don't let all the ambient light deter you. If you need to dampen the window light you could consider tinting, or perhaps solar shades for a less permanent solution. Both of these options are great unless you're near the ground floor and need more privacy, then maybe you should consider very simple roller or roman shades of some sort. I wouldn't do anything too dramatic on the windows though, they're great and you shouldn't detract from them.

Good luck!

BlindFINDER.com
"All you could ever want to know about window treatments"

I think you could get a really "edgy organic" look here, too, without having it go dark (you'd need a lot of charcoal paint to counter those light kitchen cabinets!). But I think shape and texture are going to be what makes it that way. I also think keeping it all crazy-monochromatic will give you the arty edginess you are looking for.

If your bedroom is closed off, perhaps limit the darkness to there. Wait... that didn't sound quite right!

Moving from (what I would call) a dark and arty place into my new clean, white and bright place has been so freeing for me. I imagine the opposite would have the same effect on you. I would say just go for it and select the colors, art and furniture that you like. I wouldn't let the space dictate enough of your design decisions to let it change your previous goal (of dark and dramatic). The switch in your design style will most likely be a little bit of a headache though (as it was for me) but I'm certain that you'll enjoy 95% of it. If it seems to daunting then maybe hiring a designer is the way to go.

Apologies in advance for the blatant self-promo, but this empty space has had my head reeling all day, so here is a link to my Craigslist ad if you are interested in my services...

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/crs/669524972.html

I just think your space is so different from what I envision your comments to be, that there may be a lot missing. A project can be an exhorberent expense(as my partner and I are going through our own) so though you may be willing to buy all new... Things can get out of hand real quick. As a designer myself, and not given enough information about your situation and personality, it seems in vain to give you general advice that you already know.

If you're serious about making this place a place to really call your home, I think hiring a designer would be the very best thing for you.

Otherwise, Paint your walls a dark color and at least get custom drapes.

I love your space. And, I hate to sound all "get a designer" on you, but I really think you will be happy if you have someone that you can work with one on one who really understands you.

Best of luck!

hey patrick (the other one)--coming to new orleans anytime soon?

hey loislane--

I do remotes (via email and FedEx) all the time! :)