apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

all of your pieces are stand out perfection. I know that keeping things simple is an art form in and of itself but I still wish there was a little originality - the eames chair, elson bench parsons table - I feel like everything came from one store.

droolll...

Please please tell me where you live and how much these places are going for. I live in Annapolis but dream of a place as cool as yours!

oh finally! This is an apartment that I can aspire to. I know others will say there's nothing special, blah blah blah... but this comes the closest to what I am trying (but failing) to achieve in my own studio. And something a normal, budget-challenged renter like myself could actually accomplish without having to knock down walls or even paint.

I love the light, airy feeling. I love the sofa! I like the separate spaces, and nothing feels cluttered. But it also feels like someone lives here, it still feels personal, and I like the placement of the art. Nice!

Very nicely done.

Is that tufted couch the one from DWR (Bantam or something)? I've been considering that one. Any dislikes about it if it's indeed the same one?

It's not the Bantam (which has a tufted back, not loose cushions, and a slightly different shape) but it's still quite a nice piece.

Otherwise, I agree with Kate: it's in good taste, but there's not much originality in the way it's put together. The elements are right, but the end result is just too superficial.

something about this place makes me feel like i can breathe better. like i would just walk in and feel at ease and relaxed. very nice.

Decently done. A "regular guy" apartment that's well laid out with affordable pieces. If I have any complaints, it's that the couch is a little dark for the rest of the apartment, and the bedding could stand to be less vanilla.

I appreciate the organization and lack of clutter, (here's the...) BUT I find it lacking in personality. Everything is too organized and sterile (in a bad unlived in way), down to the repetitive photos in the third picture.

The apartment looks like one had just recently moved in, placed all the furniture in its logical places and removed the boxes. It does not yet have the personal stamp that defines its owner and his or her time there.

Maybe its cozier in person, but the pictures left me with the feeling I got at my last corporate extended stay suite. Clean and neat, but not memorable.

What program did you use for the layout? Its awesome!

Lots of nice touches. I think the horse scuplture on the bar demonstrates the type of whimsy and inspiration that this apartment needs more of.

My main problem is that things are too spread out, which makes the place seem too cold and uninviting. The wooden eames chair looks like it's yards away from the couch, and there's no--forgive me--conversation grouping.

It's a good arrangement for a single person to woo that special someone, but it doesn't welcome friends.

DC Represent! Gorgeous apartment, and I hate to be the downer for a representative of my town, but it does feel hotel roomish. I love staying in hotels, so that's not necessarily negative. I guess perhaps, like a few of the other entries, the simplicity is something I know I could never achieve in my own life. So, it's probably "zen envy" I have. I'm relieved to see the bookcases, though! :)

Kimberly--I used to live in Annapolis. Two years too long...now I commute from DC to Annapolis for work. If I had to venture a guess for an apartment like that in Cleveland park, I'd say at LEAST $1300/mo rent, $300,000+ to buy...but I could be off. I pay $1000/mo for my 1 br in a, er, slightly "up and coming" neighborhood, and it's actually a deal. My apartment's nice, but not super duper nice like this...and my neighborhood's decent, but not super duper decent like Cleveland park.

Beautiful. I love everything about this, except.......and its just me....I'd like to see a small area rug somewhere. The thought of not putting my feet on wool or some other soft rug in the morning....or as I cook...gives me a feeling of coldness, since I walk around barefoot. Otherwise, really, really nice.

where did you buy those low shelves -- the blond wood ones that hold your books and your stereo (i think)?

Mike, let me guess. The Connecticut? I worked on the website for this condo so I don't think Mike did the layout but it was done in Illustrator. And Christine is correct, that studio would go for somewhere today around $325 - $350 without parking.

I think I just short circuited my keyboard. (drool, drool)

This place is minimalist bliss. It just feels good. You got a "Wow" vote from me.

My oh my. This is just awesome. I know others are naysaying but this is an appartment I can aspire to. Exactly what I would like my place to look like. You've nicely editted down the elements while still keeping it livable.

My favorite thus far.

I LOVE this apartment. Framed photos on the bookshelves, live plants and flowers, cushy but not squishy sofa and positively glowing photos (where did you get those!) -- I don't think it's cold at all. Obviously this guy's no slob, but his place seems accessible and livable to me. Top of the entries so far.

you know what's funny? people are saying it's too bare, too cold - and if i were in there, i'd edit out even MORE stuff!

i think it's kind of sexy.

very guy indeed
I like it, but I keep painting those living room walls
like one of those color programs for Benjamin Moore
what color?

The low bookshelves make the ceiling seem so high - The focus is low which makes the space more expansive. I'd agree with jackie and add some kind of rug with a hint of warm colour. Love the shelves and how there spaced in the corners -I'd also like to know where they are from.

where does that couch come from?? I love it. I think it looks good in there.

Come on over to Foggy Bottom and help me with my place. Those low shelves would fit perfectly under my window.

Hi Mike,
I'm a big fan of Mid-centry as well! Good job on your apartment. I just feel the placement of items are a little seperated for me. Although, I know it's a small space, there is always a way to make the items connect to have balance. Sorry, I am an artist and its all about acheiveing balance and unity. Good luck to you and thank you for representing DC!

D.C.!

how come you have plants in front of the tv?

Safe safe safe!

cold collection of design items.

As a Dupont Circle resident, I'm glad to see this is in DC. But I wish it had some more variety of shape or color to it. You probably do need more than one source.

Love the furniture - love Daniel Donnelly - one of the great stores in DC. BUT..... this is hard for me to consider a contender. This is just a brand new apartment with developer selected finishes in the kitchen (maybe upgraded but still) - Mike just moved in, bought some really nice furniture and took some pictures. It would be a great model unit for the apartment -- I'd be surprised if it was as they are usually so tasteless in design - but damn if I am going to vote for nothing more than a good shopping trip.

i really like those blonde shelves...they fit so well in there, i wonder if they're custom? also, i think it's nice that he thought to place some plants near the tv to make it less of a focal point.

the color scheme is a little too neutral but a nice job nonetheless.

I like this whole place. Those chairs and that laptop and those photographs look fantastic together. This is clearly a case where the chairs' relationship with their surroundings elevates them. They're nice enough chairs, but they get along so well with their playmates that it's really, really nice.

This apartment is great! Nice use of space and the furniture is stylish. It has a very light and airy feel to it.

not so much a hotel feel as the nice lobby of an office.

Very nice. The first place I've seen where I could do an apartment exchange and feel right at home wihout changing a thing!
And a full size bath too? An added bonus. Crack open that bottle of champagne!

I've been in this apartment and it is much cosier than it looks. The photos actually make the space seem much larger. The throw pillows on the sofa are red silk and were a housewarming gift and all of the art objects, photos, etc. are very personal - family, trip photos, etc. Also someone suggested a rug which I think is an excellent idea except that if you have a rug you need a vacuum cleaner and then you have to think about where you are going to store it.

WOW! This apartment is cool; someone cool has to live there, too! Such a great use of what seems like a smaller space.

luv it..feels so tranquil there

totally dig it. judging by the floorplan that room is way small yet it seems to feel quite spacious. i'd tend to agree about a certain predictability but that said, if you can only work a few pieces in a really small space, why NOT rock it out with icons?

So it's a bit safe, it's done well... however, you should invest in some art.

BTW- You really went to town on that plan drawing there, buddy.

Nice place.
Can you tell me where you got your sofa?
Thanks.

Very Cool. Nice, efficient use of space. I love the Minimalist attitude and mid century period pieces. Reminds me of NYC lofts. Good job!

Ignore what everyone else says, this place is perfect.

I like it in general, but I dislike the dining table execution. It looks a little ghetto, for lack of a better word, all crammed up against that half-dividing wall to the kitchen with the bookcase RIGHT next to it. I think it would be better to rotate the bookcase 90-degrees against that adjacent wall (where the frames are hung), move the 2nd dining room chair (the one facing the kitchen) to a position opposite the 1st dining room chair (i.e. put it where the bookcase is now) so that the chairs face each other, then put the framed pictures in-line, horizontally, above the dining table. That would make that area flow more, and also open up both dining room chairs to the living room to create more dialogue between the two spaces.

And the taste police should come and confiscate your Nelson Platform Bench for sticking a TV on it. I'm sure you're very nice and all, but you don't deserve that bench. Try the bookcase/chair swap and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Then move the TV somewhere else!