apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Well, to start, I would remove all the stuff on the shelves and bookcases out of the room and then have a look around. You are consumed by objects, and everything is piled on that one wall as if a hurricane blew it there. I'm not saying you can't put stuff back; you can. But you need to apply some graphic design sensibilities to your space. Edit, edit, edit.

The other thing I noticed (and why I suggested temporarily removing everything that's cluttering up the room) is that you have really two colors working in that space, and that's all--the warm tans/browns of the daybed, wood furniture, and parquet floors, and the red in the painting and other accents. And those two colors are not the most harmonious. (Look at the wood of the credenza against the red of the painting.) So I think you need to build a palette that maybe includes those two colors if you can't get them away from each other, but that minimizes them. Recovering the daybeds is a good start. Adding a rug with a third (or more) color will help. I'll leave it to the rest of the posters to suggest ways to rearrange your furniture, but that's my two cents. Good luck, though--you have a great space and it will come together well.

I think your home is really beautiful-- you have a great eye, so your things themselves are pretty beautiful.

The only thing I would recommend (and this comes after a weekend of watching tivoed episodes of Hoarders on A&E, so grain of salt, maybe) is to pare down some of the things on your shelves. You seem to have a lot (are those shot glasses under the lowercase d in the last photo?) of things, so much so that it takes away the visual impact of many of them.

Before you try to reupholster, etc, maybe go through the house and make sure that everything in it is either something with a purpose (and that purpose can be visual!), or something you love.

Good luck! Can't wait to see "After" pictures!

I love your furniture! The large red artwork is interesting too, but it is sooo distracting. You may have too much furniture as well.

i really like your place too, esp. that wonderful painting! if you're going to reupholster those magnificent daybeds, why not in a color that complements the painting & the other large objects in the room? also as the above posters say removing and editing the many objects would help to enhance some of the great shapes & designs you've got going in your apt. also, is that your kitty? s/he's beautiful.

Those are 1965 NY World's Fair glasses. I only know because I just sold the last 5 of my collection at a recent yard sale.

I like alot of the elements of this room, but there is just too much. I love the floor lamp, but you'd hardly notice the second one, jammed up as it is, against the credenza.

I know the thought of getting rid of books makes some people shiver, me included, but they are just everywhere? Books are my design nemesis, too. Maybe you can pare down to just the floating shelves (which I like) and the glass-door cabinet in the corner? (I know, that about halves your collection!)
ok....and the few that fit decoratively in the credenza.

btw, I love the red lockers....if you think about divesting yourself of those, I'd be interested.

Oh.... I am not a cat person, but if I were, I'd go for a sphynx, too. nice kitty.

I agree with sally305, the space needs some thorough editing... and to broaden your range of colours.

Make a bigger effort to hang collected art instead of just leaning it all, and don't be afraid to store some collectables, books and other pieces that don't work right now. Your shelves and cabinets are very full, try to give yourself some visual breaks.

Also, TEXTILES!! You need to bring in new textures, because the existing finishes are all flat.
Can you exchange the two small day bed cushions for something with more contrast to the furniture? You don't need a couch-full, but maybe 4 total in your room would be nice.

I think looking for non-printed textiles is key for this room since you already have a lot of visual information. Try working with just whites/creams, making sure the cushion covers are removable and washable.

Plants will keep your space from looking like a "stuff" locker, and bring in a new range of colours with low commitment. A couple big plants for corners, and one or two small ones for your tables or windows.


I think you can do this all for well under your budget, good luck!

I actually find your room to be a fabulous assemblage of unique and personal things. When I first looked through the pictures, I did not even realize that they were posted in order to illicit help. Believe me, you do not need help with this space. Embrace it, keep adding things that you love over time, and it will get better and better.
For a rug, find a wonderful and folksy 5 x 7 Afghan or Persian rug with a warm color field (a Shiraz would be perfect, or a Turkomen rug).

I'm in no way qualified to make statements as to what you can do. I do love the things you have, though.

Also, someone robbed your cat of its fur.

Emily

I have no great ideas that haven't been spoken already, but you might want to remove Dahlia's number from the chalkboard pic if you don't want everyone calling her :)

I think your space is pretty great as-is. Maybe some rugs and a coat of paint would be nice, but really, you have a great space filled with great stuff, and contrary to what some AT users would have you believe, "stuff" is not evil, in fact it is part of what makes your space great.

Oh yeah, plants are also a great idea.

My goodness that is a large Twist piece. Love it.

You're home is filled with big pieces of (beautiful) furniture stuffed with things. I know, it happens!
My big lesson was learning to start with the bones of my place and to build from there - whereas before I had fixated on details, then found myself drowning in things.
It took me a while to not be held hostage by objects. Once I decided that the cost (in dollars and cents to rent or mortgage) outweighed their presence in my life, I started placing my belongings with a different purpose, because what I really wanted was a comfortable home.
With a tight budget I'd go for a fresh coat of paint, then seriously edit what went back.

I love this! It's great that you surrounded yourself with things that make you happy. I could only wish my home could look this put together as this. You have some lovely pieces of furniture and artwork...I'm a little jealous!

wow you have a lot of stuff this would be the first thing to work on, yes edit big time.
Maybe do more groupings example books on one bookcase. You have some really nice pieces but everything looks so cramped with stuff, I just do not understand how one enjoys their things when there is so much of it. The wood furniture looks like it could use some replenishing, take a good orange oil and polish up some.

Bring the furniture off the walls right now it does not look comfortable for sitting.

Fresh coat of paint and polish up the floors, some rugs and throwing out stuff will make a big difference.

Lucky you great rent control apartment!

ooooh, is that a Barry McGee??

http://mylittleapartment.blogspot.com/

i love it as is.

I could adopt your stuff. I have similar stuff, so your stuff and my stuff would get along easily. Then you could come visit you stuff in Boston any time you'd like.

This is a wonderful place! In my opinion, what you really need is better basics, so that your fun stuff has a good foundation and is given its proper stage.

I agree with the other posters that the main things to tackle are color and storage. I would pick a complementary color for the red and tan. A good inspirational game is to go to a fabric site and select pairs of colors and see what pops up. If you put in red and aqua, you don't necessarily get a hit-you-over-the-head print, but you might get something that really broadens the spectrum (like http://www.duralee.com/fabrics/product.php?pattern_id=467). If I were you, I'd go with one simple print to tie things together on either the daybeds or the curtains, and use that as the jumping off point for everything else, for which you probably want solids. I'd also paint the walls a subtle but not too neutral color.

I don't have any problem with your books and collections everywhere, but it does seem like in some cases there's stuff just crammed where it fits (what is that pile under the sofa?)

Have fun with it--I can't wait to see what you do!

Hi Debbie,
I attended the meetup in NYC. I know that a couple of things you wanted to take care of was new fabric for the sofas and curtains for the windows. I have two cats with nails, so I understand the upholstery conundrum.
One person at the meetup suggested nubby fabric (and it would go with the mid century pieces). But I always think that if the threads or fibers are partially loose or out, it's just going to get pulled more. My best luck in the past has been velvet. Velvet is already pulled/cut, so therefore can't get pulled out. Others on this site also say that higher grade microfiber or micro suede also works, but I don't love microfiber. I say buy a sample of some fabric you like, attach it to where your cat normally scratches and see what happens.

For the windows, I think you something white or neutral, light weight fabric (semi sheers?) to give some texture and not be too distracting, as there is already a lot going on.
A rug would be good too, to bring in some texture.

That said, I don't think you have too much stuff. Seriously. It is a lot of stuff, but nicely curated.
If you feel overwhelmed by your stuff, then edit.
Stuff is a personal thing. Either you like stuff or you don't.
Find a new place for the stuff under the floating sofa, but that is about it. (well, ok, I'll admit I'm not loving the floating shelves). I like your mid-century furniture. I'm not sure why people are telling you to replace them.

Tackle one project at a time and see how things evolve.

Good luck!

I really love all of your items as well. My idea would definitely be to try and refine your display choices somewhat. I think you should take a step back and think simplictically like a resume using white space as your guide. Which brings me to my next tip....keep the walls white! White is so popular right now for walls especially on AT and it just makes bright items pop so nice!! Anyway I would try and create a boarder around each wall of white and show as much white space as you can. Then I would take tips from other posts here like add some fun pillows to your daybeds using the same concept. I would not do super busy pillows but not solid either. Try something like Athropologie bohemian style that are white in the background with pops of color. For another color to add, I think teal would be awesome!! My last tip is regarding plants. I agree that they add life and color but they also add busyness to a room so if you think they are going to add more clutter I would stay away from them in the living room and perhaps add them to the window sill, kitchen or bath instead.

and your kitty is adorable!!! Can't wait to see the outcome ;o)

Sorry a couple more tips:
curtains would be nice and add texture but I would stick with white again or maybe tan.
I would remove the items from the top of the red lockers to create less cluttered look.
Same for all of the shelving, remove some of the clutter, especially on the top. Maybe you could add a really special piece to your table which looks empty.
I dont think you need to recover the daybeds. To save on budget and to keep things less busy, I would just leave them as is and stick with pillows for color. It will be less expensive when you want a change later!

Great stuff! I totally get it, you have lots of great stuff and you live in NYC. You keep finding great stuff and you live in NYC, your apartment isn't getting any bigger. Those of us in the same situation should have a support group!

This is what I do. No reason to get rid of anything you love. Edit schmedit.

Curate!

You don't have to put everything out, but you do need to secure some storage space, either in your building or else where.

Then when the urge strikes you, perhaps seasonally, put some things away, take some things out. It's like getting all new stuff and you already love it!!!

This has worked great for me, I hope it helps.

Get rid of the multiple, small storage containers under your furniture and on top of your tall book shelves. these clutter more than your collections do.

Then I'd suggest getting rid of the old fashioned drapery rods and do a very minimal/clean window treatment- maybe some kind of roman shade- and have the shades be the same color as your walls (whether white as is, or if you change the color ala other ATers advice)

Then, get some new lighting- i think you lighting is lacking (the cool cone shaped) and the little orange ball are both the wrong size for their location- wrong height next to all your funiture behind couch and that orange ball is way too small.


So yes, minimal window treatments and new, better proportioned lighting...