apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Even more beautiful than before. It could take hours staring at these photos to discover everything you've done so well.

Am I the only, or does this look less gorgeous than with the original photographs?

Only!

j, i was thinking the same thing. i actually think that p's apartment looks smaller in these photos--which in a way makes me appreciate what he has done even more. they are helpful though that they provide another perspective and i now have a better idea of the layout of the space. i've really enjoyed strolling through the slideshows of both of these beautiful, inspirational spaces today. this is a tough competition!

I'm missing the little Egyptian figurine that I fell in love with in the first batch of photos, but I do love how much clearer the story is, about where we are in the space this go-round.

I loved being able to click through the apartment like 4 or 5 times, drinking in the whole space without being handed my jacket too quickly.

This time, although it makes perfect sense that we're not getting to see those "before" pictures, I do just want to remind us that this really was about a huge metamorphosis about conquering clutter and emerging with a very balanced, peaceful-looking space that still has a nice amount of visual interest in the general siluhouette of the landscape of the place and in the close-up "moments".

Using one excellent photographer for all of this round of the judging really seems to even out the playing field, and I do not envy the judges of this contest.

J- you're not the only one. The first time 'round was more moody, no? I still think this is a very nice apartment, though. I do have a few very minor objections (the blue lamps on the kitchen window thing, dizzying stripes in the bathroom, etc.) but they are all more about personla preference than design. Quite an accomplishment for what Pattoo started with! A very pretty apartment!

I said that Brendan's apartment was the homo-chic-iest, but maybe it's Patrick's. No, Brendan's. NO, Patrick's. Brendan's. PATRICK'S. BRENDAN'S. (*slap*)

The strategic use of the brown walls - beautiful. He puts his bed right near the entrance - a no-no? - so what, it looks great. Again, like Brendan's, the SPACE is so well-designed, which (for me) is maybe the most important marker of "good design." Add to that the fact that he had sooooo much stuff (witness the before pictures), and had the eye to EDIT (another marker of good design, imho) out the superfluous, and assemble those which really worked in the space. Every inch of the apartment is put to good use, both in terms of function and aesthetics (*hackneyed Bauhaus quote here*)

(And looking at the way he has his folded clothes on display makes me shudder at the thought of my own closets.)

(But I agree with seema - not a huge fan of the blue lights)

This is still a very impressively cool apartment to me. Although we could quibble about some of the details and personal choices. I didn't notice the blue lamps throughout the apartment and bath before and I'm personally not too fond of them, but embrace the zebra/stripes. I do like the way Patrick used subtle carpets to define various areas. And I see a lot of varied but not obtrusive storage used throughout as well that I didn't catch before.

It's very beautiful, but I think about half of the stuff could go and still leave an interesting space. I would also move the couch to the window so the room is easier to enter.

Stuff-phobically yours,
Anya

I'm usually stuff-phobic, too, but only because I don't have the ability to be as selective as PTOO is. I think the blue lamps are lively and help the apartment not look too decorated. I love the placement of the sofa. As someone who only has a view of a brick wall, I can appreciate the desire to sit on the sofa and watch the city.

And I agree with jmkk's statement about not catching the "varied but not obtrusive storage" before. That's exactly what I thought after looking at these newest photographs. It felt like a second date... when you get to learn a little more about what makes it tick.

i agree, the original photos were better. it took me a second to even realize it was the same place. the original set had more of a design statement.

nevertheless i still love this place.

Wow, the four finalists shown so far are all really strong! They each seemingly reflect the occupant's personalities and tastes in a strong and pronounced way. Each space seems as individual and unique as the dweller... and each really does tell a story. That being said, here are my reasons for liking Patrick's space best of the four. I think that it strikes a perfect balance between design and utility. It is modern but with a sense of humor. The space feels simultaneously aspirational and approachable. The story I get here is of an urban-dwelling man who has reached a point in his life where he's able to afford nice things but also has the good sense (and strong sense of self) to ground his aspirations--design or otherwise--in the real world. Ultimately, the space feels like an adult's apartment, and its story about the adult who lives both in it and in the real world. Seems like the best read of the bunch to me...

Please tell me that's not a photo of himself hanging outside the bathroom. Barf.

Hey N, it's not. But thanks for joining late in the game to add some snark. It's a photo of a young Andy Warhol, if I recall correctly. Bye now.

I'm pretty sure that's not Warhol outside the bathroom. Inside, maybe.

I dislike this place more this time. His bed is too tiny. I must be a full or a twin. Its placement near the door would bring in noise pollution from the hallway and intrude on his privacy. He may not mind it, but I think he's in the minority here. The conversation seating near the view is nice but I see he doesn't have table to eat with guests just a pair of stools and the ledge of the pass-through to the kitchen. It seems like he made the conversation area a priority and to hell with dining and privacy in the bed area.

N,
In Patrick's defense if you check back at his original entry comments he stated it is a piece by photographer Christopher Makos a contemporary of Warhol.

Andy WARHOL? No. Can't be.
These new pictures give a new dimension to the place. The original ones were slightly staged, these give a better idea of the place and its functionality.

I hate these blue lamps. Miss the egyptian figurine. Love that statue on the dresser.

Still one of my very favorite entry.

And by the way Lane JOHNSON rocks!

Chucky

PS Pat(too), do you really reach in the middle of the night for that water bottle on your night stand?

Nice to look at, but a tad too magazine-y looking.

If that's a young Andy Warhol, karenw, then I'm Margaret Thatcher.

Overall, I approve of the apartment, and it definitely deserves a spot in the finals. I think his selective use of paint on the walls is tasteful and contemporary. That being said, this place is no 10 Downing Street. I agree, the blue lamps have got to go. I think another poster had a good point when they said that part of good design is knowing when to edit - you couldn't swing a dead cat in this space with out knocking over some bric-a-brac. Next time you find yourself struggling with insomnia, Patrick, turn off the QVC and pick up an issue of Dwell.

I love so many elements of this space..the use of many different fabrics and yet they don't clash, the different accents throughout the room that harmonize so well. And wow...a view! Didn't see that before in the old photographs.

I do think the lighting in these photos is a little different from the old slide show...plus we are not getting the extreme close-ups which gave you a different feeling as a viewer.

I bet this place looks amazing at night with that view and the lighting elements chosen.

N, a quote from p(too)'s answers to the questions put to him when his entry first posted--

"As for the picture in the hallway, to quote Tootsie… “Which answer will get me the audition?” No, it is not me! It is actually a photo taken by Christopher Makos, a contemporary and chronicler (?) of Andy Warhol. I purchased this one from Homer, and was lucky enough to buy another similar “young tough” portrait from the artist himself. It’s on the wall immediately inside the front door but not visible in any shots"

Perhaps I read this wrong-- perhaps the photo is not taken of Andy Warhol, but a contemporary of Andy Warhol's. There's more than one possible reading of his comment. Maybe Patrick can enlighten us.

But my original point was that it isn't Patrick, and that those of us who bothered to read before posting comments like yours already knew the answer to that, so I stand by my comment.

Although a quick google image search fails to reveal an image of AW that even remotely resembles the one in the hall... guess it isn't warhol.

You're right, karenw, I really should've read before commenting. How thoughtful of Patrick to channel Dustin Hoffman as a means of explicating the himbo hanging in his hallway.

I stand by my earlier assessment. Barf.

In defense to the of rude comments (and I don't know Patrick, nor even live in the same part of the country), but people should think before they make their comments.
JonathanD - my husband and I sleep in a full bed and I don't think it is too small, so why would a full bed be too small for a single (or even not) person's apartment? Also, Patrick mentioned in the original posting of the apartment that he's still working on making a place for entertaining more than one for dinner.
N - while you might think your edit comments are clever, if you saw Patrick's before photos, I don't think you would have made that comment. And if you did see them, then I reiterate my statement - please think before you write.

That being said, I would like to say to Patrick that I like your place even more now that I can see how it all flows and see it from so many different angles. At least now I know you have a place to eat with a friend and later you can work on dinner for four ;) Great job!

Note to N. God, you are nasty. (I left you some thoughts to ponder on the thread for Paul's apartment.)

I never knew that anyone held 10 Downing Street as a design example. That's the equivalent of making the Queen a fashion icon.

(I don't think "N" was held enough as an infant.)

(Three words -- "Object-relations therapy")

(Or does the hypen make "o-r" one word?)

I've just figured it out! "N" actually *IS* - gasp - Margaret Thatcher!!! Now it all fits, doesn't it??

Regarding rude commentary, I kind of think of it this way --
Yes, these people have opened up their homes and, to a large extent, themselves, to the peanut gallery. But try to think of yourself as a guest in your friend's home. If your friend invited you in, showed you around and asked "what do you think of my bath towels?" and you hated them, you'd probably find a tactful way of stating that fact instead of saying "Ugh! You should throw yourself off a bridge for picking out such horrible towels!" Unless you're five years old. It's a lot easier to be unnecessarily nasty if you've got the anonymity of the internet to hide behind, but what would you say to someone if you really *were* inside their home, looking them in the eye? I think you should treat the people who are letting us inside their homes as you would your own friends. Be honest, yes, but don't be a jerk about it.

perhaps the two console tables behind the couch move into the space between the passthru and couch, joined at the long sides, for dining? flexibility?!

perhaps the bed is plenty wide enough for two people and the building has been designed well enough to keep neighborly noises out (at least as well as other locations in the apt)?

perhaps the guy in the picture isn't warhol but is instead the guy who helped verify that two can in fact sleep comfortably (and oh my, happily!) in that bed?

(that'll keep you busy for a while)

Hello, I’m relatively new here. This apartment, as someone said, is very “adult,” and has balance and good taste in great abundance. But maybe a little too much, a little too anxiously tasteful. I would like to see this grown-up apartment loosen up a bit, and show some idiosyncracy. Otherwise, it’s quite handsome.

N,
Patrick is the LAST person in this community who needs to be told what to read, especially by the likes of you. Your remarks are like bursts of cigarette smoke.

ITA, Suss. Not that we should all be holding hands and singing kumbaya (though there's certainly nothing wrong with that, especially if you throw in a campfire and s'mores), but there's a tactful, graceful way to say that you don't like something. (Note - "Barf" would not be the tactful, graceful way.)

If people don't like something, fine. That's pretty much inevitable, and you don't have to love everything. Just try, at least TRY, to be nice about the way you share that.

I feel like a Cathy cartoon--I am becoming my mother, but at least she's got the best manners of anyone I know, and she can lecture like crazy.

Or...here's a thought. We all recognize a rude comment when we see it. Having 5 more people point it out and chastise the person only increases the negativity. one word-ignore!

PToo....great space! AT...love the contest!

Patrick (the other one), again, a really lovely apartment.

Lane, your photos are amazing!

N, I'm sure we'd all really enjoy seeing your apartment. Perhaps you could send in photos once this contest is over?

this is in response to the "rude" comments as well as the responses to the comments. geez, it's the internet, and it's anonymous. yes, it's easier to be surly, get over it. if you don't like someone's comments, toss them out of your head.

yes, yes, i understand that people are opening up their homes for us to see... but i hope they're not all up here for us to provide constant praise- i hope they want some praise, plus some criticism (constructive or not, but enough to make them think about their spaces). i dont' want commenters to censor themselves because they might hurt someone's feelings. i haven't really read anything that offensive or so inappropriate that they should be banned for life from at.

it's much more annoying, to me, to read all of the snarky responses to the comments they don't like than the original comments.

is it the nature of this design world to take everything much too personally?

i love this site and this contest, especially, but i just don't like reading how upset everyone is getting.

there's my few cents, hope i'm not adding fuel to the mean fires.

man, i just read my own post and am embarrassed by the grammatical errors. please forgive!

I think the bed is a twin or at most a full sized mattress. I know some might disagree but I don't think that is a useful size for an adults apartment. Never mind that there are two people in the world who may be able to sleep restfully there, those two are exceptional (there, a compliment!).

I agree it's nice that folks put their homes open to us in the this contest, and I agree that people shouldn't get too snarky. Folks, I said the conversation area was nice its the other aspects of the place I disagree about.

I saw the before pictures too but wasn't horrified. Sure he had piles of unpacked papers and stuff that needed organizing. Big deal. It wasn't like he was a missing Collier brother trapped in his mess or that he needed the Fire department and Psych EMT's to extricate him but heroically got out himself. Kudos for tidying away your packing after your move. Congrats.

My objection to this home is that it looks like he replaced his papers and stuff with an equal or greater amount of Tat from catalogs and mid range shops. To put it even more bluntly it looks like a catalog spread or a designer hotel room where you can buy anything you like in the room when you check out.

sjv and ali,
i felt bad for being pissy toward someone's foul remarks, for adding to the negativity, but sometimes a detailed response to a negative remark feels necessary, like ignoring them won't work, when they have barged in and dissed someone with a lot of style, who has been a major, gracious contributor to this site.
but i'll do it privately if necessary, next time.
("don't f--- w/ my friends!")

Now this chap has got some dough to play around with and no lack of time for shopping. He has managed to create a classic New York shiny and stifling apartment complete with tastefully tasteless bathroom and expensively uncomfortable leather couches.

Pottery Barn on steroids.

Those blue lamps are simply a bad choice. This "shopaholic" has a long way to go. As I look at these photos I want to gasp for air.

Helene-- Um, leather couches? Nope, sorry.
JonathanD-- Dear god, it's a double bed as I clarified to you in the first go-round. Fixate much? Let it go.
The photo is by Christopher Makos, subject unknown. Makos is famous for his photographic documentation of Warhol. And of un-named himbos.
N-- QVC? Nope, sorry. But, now that you mention it, you DO look like Margaret Thatcher. On steroids.

Anya-- The sofa is positioned to get the longest axis out of the long narrow apartment, and also to create two distinct areas in the main room. Also, when people are over, the sofa orients them in a way that keeps them from staring at my bed, and in doing so, the fact that this is a studio really disappears.
Ana-- You're right about the space at night, which is primarily what I designed the space for, since it the time of day I am here most.

(since IT'S, that is..)

What makes this website great is that it is, for the most part, visitied by real people seeking real advice for real - if not band aid sized - apartments here in NYC. What's disappointing is to see entries from people who go to GREAT lengths to rearrange their apartments, hire photographers, etc to make their places look at Metropolitan Home as possible.

Seriously, I log on to this website so I can see what people with less of a degree from RISD, Parsons, or Art Center and more of a thing called Ingenuity and Resourcefulness -- making do with whatever square footage we've got.

Lose the beauty shots - show us some apartments that are actually lived in!

Yeah, what is it with the fixation on the size of someone's "bed"?

Jimmkk wrote, "Yeah, what is it with the fixation on the size of someone's "bed"?

Jimmkk, I worry that the fellow might want to befriend a kitten or puppy and not have enough room for it to sleep beside him.

There's plenty of room for LOTS of warm fuzzy things in this bed.

I love that bathroom.

>

As I read your postings, I want to gasp at how poorly you were raised.

Sorry, I don't subscribe to the idea that the internet gives one carte blanche to say things they'd never have the balls to say in person.

pphillipp-- who are you talking to/about?

"As I look at these photos I want to gasp for air"

(the posting to which I was referring)

Ah, yes, that. ;)

Glad she finds the place so "breathtaking." ;)

Your place is amazing, and because you only rent, it makes it even more so.... I can see why the judges picked you... Anyways, where do you store your extra junk? Also, I find it intriguing that your apartment has generated so many comments and responses so quickly... (i think more than the other apts, i'm not a sitegeek so i won't count.) what do you do? are you an architect or designer of some sort?

Wow. I'm really disappointed at the comments here. Many, many people LOVED Patrick's apartment on its first go 'round, though admittedly it had some detractors. IMHO it IS beautiful. N, you are the worst. As for the other nasty grams, put up or shut up. Patrick's a class act who drew me in past an occassional visit to AT and made me want to be a regular part of the community. He deserves respect and tactful commentary, even if his style isn't yours.

Anita-- I have two closets, and all the other storage is in furniture (the stacked dressers, the mirrored cabinet, the console, the open clothes storage, and a California Closets install in my main clothes closet). The line-up of leather boxes actually houses my bill-paying cr@p, and as shown in the original photos, there are galvanized bins above the upper cabinets holding kitchen/tabletop stuff (and life-paraphernalia like extra lightbulbs and batteries). My magazine addiction has been corralled to a point where they can now "hide in plain sight", which definitely wasn't always the case.
I am a graphic designer by training at (as Munkee will be delighted to hear) RISD.

Beautiful! Again, just beautiful! I am especially impressed with the set-up in the bathroom. What is the console thingy over the toilet and where did you get the medicine cabinet? It adds so much visual space and looks as though it holds oodles of storage. (Poor grammar, sorry.) The medicine cabinet seems to be a very ample storage piece which nevertheless takes up very little space and, because of its combination of mirror and white door, adds to the feeling of space in the bathroom. I really would love to know where you got it.

Best of luck!

When did Metropolitan Home become a bad thing? I personally like the table arrangements a great deal, because I'll tell you what "lived in" looks like in the worst case scenario...I cast a despairing eye on my nightstand this morning, and saw tissues, hand lotion, and vaseline (for my cuticles, people!) Granted, I just moved, but it was a pretty ugly sight. Nothing wrong with a little artful arrangement, in my opinion.

There's so much I like about this apartment, but probably my favorite ingenious thing is the handling of the bathroom. As I struggle now with black tile and a black sink, I need all the inspiration I can get, let me tell you.

I think everyone in this contest did a fantastic job, and I really enjoyed Patrick's entry--as well as I enjoy his insightful comments on the site in general.

Oops, "as much as"

Munkee--
Sorry to hear you are finding no inspiration from mine or some of the other "cleaned up" entries. But, yes, I do *actually live* here. Yes, the entries are "camera-ready" (especially in this second round), but I consider that the proper thing to do when "company is coming". And I consider anyone viewing this link to be "company in my home."

And not all solutions to space issues are hit-you-over-the-head blatant. One of the things they DID teach us at RISD was to look at things closer.

Ah, Terry-- I see you have changed your screen name from TG since the false-accusation scandal. Good call!
The metal shelf thing in the bathroom was made for the space back when Ad Hoc Softwares was still around. They would make them (inexpensively) to any size.

I like it. The colors do it for me. I dig the bathroom--they're meant to have fun with.

I agree on the blue lights. But I think they're mainly just a tad too big. And the bedding is ennhhh.

Complaining about the bed size in a small/cool contest? Come on.

And I'm not a big fan or parquet floors.

And for the people complaining about negative comments? Deal with it. It will only get worse as AT and these other sites get more popular. That's just the way the internet works--trust me.

I agree with Cuse. How big is the internet? It's amazing that this site feels so cozy, because cyberspace is pretty big. So, really rude comments? Please-just a reminder that this is open to all. And it's anonymous. As others have said, maybe the solution is to ignore and carry on as if they didn't happen. I think some just like to get a rise out of everyone.

As with all the final photos, I see a lot more here than in the original entry. Yes, the living room area looks smaller, but I think that's just a difference in angle of the shot. I like seeing how it all fits together from these shots. Overall, I still really like and am extremely impressed with what Patrick has done. I especially like the storage solutions he's come up with, which is the name of the game in a small space. Also, the full exploitation of the biggest plus of the space, the windows and the view, which it also seems as if would be completely and nicely visible from the bed.

I think that I too, as others have mentioned, would want to do something to make the bed area more private; perhaps a curtain on a hospital track, which I believe has already been used above the bed. Although I realize that Patrick has arranged the furniture to face away from the bed to minimize its presence.

Cuse--
Parquet came with the place (it's a rental) and I agree those lamps look GINORMOUS in these new pics.

One of the things Max said to me when I met him was that he wanted AT to become a community of ppl sharing ideas and helping each other. We have already seen that happening. If the regulars here want to take ppl to task about their comments to maintain this community then let us do so.

What many ppl seem to have missed is that I don't think any one has said disagreeing or voicing a contrary opinion is a bad thing. We simply ask for common decency when voicing those opinions. There are better ways of disagreeing than we have seen here.

The other thing I would like to point out is that ppl from this site have met up in the past with Max for a social event and if the derogaroty ppl want to do this in the future then they might want to consider that they may meet their subjects face to face one day. If they don't care then nevermind.

However, I will say that there are plenty of on-line communitities that thrive on thousands of members showing respect to each other in their postings. Trollish behaviour is quickly extinguished. I don't see why AT has to be any different.

Hi Patrick,

Yes, using my real name again. Sorry to have been the Dan Rather of this contest with the false accusation scandal. It was a careless mistake and I have apologized several times.

Well, the console over the toilet is fab! What about the medicine cabinet? It's so original.

Best of luck!

The fact that you have the Tom Ford book out for all to see, makes you a winner in my book!

Oh yeah, I still love the stripes in the bath and how the stripes are carried over to the item next to the bed.

Thank you, Jamie Pup (or, since I don't know you, Mr. Pup), for your last posting. I hope people read it.

Would you be open to decorating a dorm room??

Wow! There is just something about this space. It is substantial feeling without being claustrophobic. The black leather chair beside the huge window is quintessentially urban. This place is bold and homey.

Hey 'N' - I didn't know swinging dead cats was so popular!

Don't get upset people, 'N' is just trying to get yer goat... er cat...

BTW, ptoo - Now that someone has reminded me with the Tom Ford reference, don't you just love that aerial photo book of NYC? As good as google maps is, it is still based on satellite shots which are not as high rez as the plane shots for this book.

well done, i would like to stay sometimes and enjoy the colour and layout you choose, no conventions, someone who only stays at the soho house in nyc.

reinhard michaels

Not loving the place. (The parquet floor gets me every time--I hate this kind of flooring sooo much and it's used sooo often. But Patrick has no control over that.) I concur that it is a bit overstuffed. It doesn't really speak of having much soul to me, it just sort of...tries a little too hard. The furniture arrangement is unwieldly, the note of symmetry--the blue lamps--doesn't really work. They're too big for where they are.

I like individual features and color choices, especially the earth tones used throughout, but they don't resonate together. The zebra chairs are charming, but they're settled together against the wall, cramping the walkspace by the couch. The space doesn't flow, it doesn't show the dweller's true taste, just a jumble of stuff. Cool stuff, though. Beautiful shelves in the hallway, but they take up a lot of the hallway's width. I'm also not a fan of open storage. Those linens and towels shouldn't show, imho.

I guess I'm more of a fan of minimalism.

I love these pro photos - I couldn't figure out the floorplan before - now it all makes sense. I *adore* this space - although I was a little thrown by the blue lamps as others have already said - but that's exactly why I like them.

I think putting the bed right by the front door is cool - I doubt I would have been that creative. I would have ended up with a little sitting area and a large bedroom. (insert shudder here)

I thought, while going through the photos the second (and third!) time; This guy has it together.

Patrick's space has a great chic feel. The decor and the colors are in keeping with the NY edge.

it's just way too homosexual.

yawn, ls.

i feel another lecture re what not to respond to approaching.
sorry, all (but gay vs. queer in fighting feels more old to me than edgy provocative, even if coming from a pretty fabulous website's producer).
salud everyone.

Does that "N" stand for "Negative" or "Nasty"? just curious.

"and that's part of why i like it" is all i should have said, so i'm off to ingest massive amounts of elle decor, met home, arch. digest, judy garland, antony and the johnsons and pet shop boy's 'very' album, nonstop, in my proudly too homo (which has never looked as good as Patrick's reflection of true tastes) apartment.
congratulations to Patrick, Robert, and i have to say my other favorite, Hillary (making the top 5, woo-hoo!)
;-)

ls--
an ironic (and just plain sad) comment, given the fact your name links to a site that professes to be anti-bigotry and all-inclusive.

To ppl who don't like parquet floors - I know you can't do this in a rental but have you ever seen a parquet floor stained very dark brown? Close to black? If you do own, don't like parquet floors, and don't want to spend moolah on hardwood strips then this is a great way to improve the look immensely.

HGTV are repeating "what you get for the money" that originally showed on the fine living channel so check out the one on the $900K or $1MM homes for Darren Sukenik's (Elliman broker) place in Chelsea for exactly that look.

Let me know ptoo if you have ever seen this.

I'm shocked that people on a NYC decorating website (which I love btw) are offended by language like "homosexual" in 2005. I apologize.

In more detail, I think the apt is a kitchy pastiche of gay signifiers - the man-art, the leather, the animal prints... it looks like a set built for a nathan lane minstrel flick. I agree with Munkee that it looks too artificial. As for criticism on the web... the strength of the medium is that it creates a space for honesty. If you're going to quibble and defend any comment, what's the point?

I am not offended by the word, although I prefer "Gay."

I AM offended when ANY gender stereotype is presented or maintained. ESPECIALLY, as I already noted, by someone whose site is supposed to be anti-bigotry. Attack/critique my (or anyone's) TASTE all you want. But as far as attaching specifics to any one group, I think you are the one with the cliche problem. And besides, you are sooooo not up on your gay-cliche references. And DEAR GOD, did you say "minstrel"?!?
Finally-- It's spelled KITSCH.

on a MUCH happier note...
jamie pup, while I've not seen the ubiquitous parquet stained dark, I am currently a huge fan of dark, dark floors. I saw that HGTV show on the roster last night, but was afraid it would be too depressing. Besides, it would have gotten in the way of my hitting the "refresh" button. ;)

Patrick--No worries. I have parquet, too. Just meant that maybe they might look at little better with some trickery.

Jamie--There are plenty of on-line communities that are respectful. However, the majority are either a) fairly small to the point where trolls get ignored/ganged up on (like here, for now), or b) censored.

Censored forums lose their edge and become quite boring. I've seen plenty of nazi forum admins that police so strictly that users honestly can't say anything negative ... at all.

As long as there's no comment spam, and racist/sexist/etc. messages, then I think the mods are doing a good job.

A minstrel show? Good lord. I won't comment further.

As for leather, animal prints, and a photograph of a man--I don't know why those are in any way gender-oriented or sexuality-oriented. I've seen WAY too much black leather and (believe it or not) animal prints (esp. rugs for some reason), in straight bachelors' apartments in my dating days.

fiona--
So have I! ;)

I love the site, so I apologize to the group for posting critical opinions, abrasive language and a misspelled word.

(Now I'm worried that my having called Brandon's and Patrick's digs the "homo-chic-iest" was offensive, though certainly not intended to be so. Was it?)

pphillipp--
I wasn't offended by that at all, no. Flattered, actually. And it made me laugh.

ls--
No need to apologize... for the critical opinions.

so pphillipp wasn't offensive because he was complimentary?

He had a sense of humor about it, especially if you reread his comment in context.

AND, more importantly, he doesn't (that I'm aware of) run a website *seemingly* dedicated to reversing those kinds of stereotypes.

ls, this is a decorating site, but just pointing out that a couple weeks ago, the NY Times had that ridiculous "man date" article. If you missed it, it's about straight men in New York City in their 20s and 30s who are basically afraid to go out to eat together because people might think they are gay. (It was a ridiculous article, imo.) Just saying that things may not be as progressive, even in NYC, as we may tend to think they are. Plus, I had to rant about that article. ;)

patrick - My blog is more "dedicated" to making fun of idiots than reversing stereotypes. But I don't want to argue with you on AT. My email and url are below if you want to continue in a more appropriate way.

No thanks. Nothing more to say to you. And I find nothing IN-appropriate about having continued this thread here, btw.

Patrick,
Your apartment is absolutely fantastic! It belongs in Architectural Digest. You have done amazing things with an antiseptic square box. I love your style, it is sophiticated and understated. You have some great pieces - where did you find that wonderful side table with the glass top? I shall be very disappointed if you receive anything but first place. Sorry that some of the orginal pictures didn't make the final postings. KL

Fortunately the "man date" article was slammed in the letters to the editor.
It's not that critical opinions shouldn't be expressed but allow us to take issue with their content if they invoke personal issues which we've long seen people argue or bleed over.
We're beyond the gay and staight label fest, we like to think, then it pops up again. (Queer Eye maybe set things forward and back; would have been fresher ten years ago. But it's fun.) I fully agree with Patrick re gender stereotypes, but will defend, contradictionally perhaps, blatantly gay things, like Margaret Cho, a hero of the "ls" website, who's spoken about her soft spot for the old school homo-chic she was raised in.
I'm sorry for assuming "ls" had a bias for queer vs. gay, a tiny old squabble, fallen by the wayside.

Patrick's apartment has a handsome chic, a product of some one who has seen and loved a lot of design. His groupings! Try to visit "De Vera" a new store from SF in NYC if you like them. The man pic makes some think it's gay, other-wise they might say metro, cosmo.
(Forgive me if i've lectured, harped the obvious, or furthered any labels and prejudices here. I couldn't stay away, but will shut up in future forums.)
Obviously...as his place is a winner!

oh, jamiepup, you said it well.
somehow i missed your paragraphs above until now.

Hey, Patrick(too), thanks for explaining the sofa. Now it makes more sense!

I do agree with the posters who feel that the place feels a bit like a catalogue in that everything is tasteful and comes from nice shops, but it... feels like a nice shop. Just my 2 cents, and the reason I would give the final prize to Hillary or Paul or Robert - theirs are more unique and personal. They also show greater ingenuity in their use of resources, both square footage-wise and in terms of budget finagling.

But overall, fantastic work in putting all the things and colours together. It's not my taste, but it looks really good.

Anya--
Thanks for the follow-up. No worries! Yes, it's all about perosnal taste.
But I'm assuming you mean their spaces are more personal to *you*. Mine is pretty personal to me! ;)
And there is also more than a far share of budget ingenuity here, too! But I realize that is very relative, to everyone's stage in life and where they place their priorities. I do admit to being much more of a "minimalist" first out of college. But I think it was perhaps more due to personal circumstance (i.e., being flat broke) than my "inner zen." ;)

Dear Patrick,
I love all your stuff. I rearrange my furniture all the time, so maybe you do,too. Try the couch in the corner where the TV is. Put the TV on the
space between the window. Get a small round dining table near the kitchen. I would screen off the kitchen completely, maybe with a Design Research laminated plywood curvy screen. Straighten up that rug! My friends mock me for being too symmetrical. By the way, I think being too homosexual is like being too good looking, or too rich, or too much fun. Is this a bad thing? Respectfully, Hiram

I also liked the dark color wall accents, esepcially the wise use of brown to offset the black and white theme. Gutsy choice to put bed in dining nook so as to avoid sofa-bed option. Lack of table, less for dining, than simpply doing something like writing or paying bills seems a great sacrifice nonetheless. Really liked the bath room and the much lauded entry. Also curious about the b&w framed print-photo.

Tom--
Which photo were you asking about?

It looks like he killed and skinned a dozen cows to outfit this place. Revolting.

looks like a generic modernist hotel.

Ari Moore--
There actually isn't a whole lot of leather going on here, but sorry if it offends. Just hope you are not wearing leather shoes way up there on your high horse.

anon Bon--
I'll take that as a compliment. But I like my space better than any modernist hotel I've had the "pleasure" of staying in.

I like how all the zebra striping and off-white manages to make this place look dated *immediately*, instead of having to wait around for a few years to achieve the sort of dowdiness that this place pulls off.

Great combination of boring and over-busy!

Although I must say that the mounted subway roller, were it genuine, would be a great piece in an *attractive* apartment.

Crack Monkey-

It's the destination sign/roller from bus/trolley, and it is indeed genuine.

Thanks for all the helpful other tips though. When do we get to see you very own trendsetting, ahead-of-its-time abode?

My homes have always evolved, so I am comfortable that this one will too, but thanks so much for your concern about its being dated and dowdy. I'll make an attempt to improve it. Oh, wait, no I won't, since I don't give a rat's ass what somebody named Crack Monkey thinks.

However well the name seems to suit you.

Patrick can you tell me where I would be able to obtain one of the destination signs. Are they hard to get?

Thanks and I think your home looks fantastic.