apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Like seeing an old friend. I bought this apartment (in chelsea, but exact same layout/windows/"parquet") when I first moved to NY in the early 90s. I bought it for 60k and thought I was making a huge mistake from which I'd never recover.

I do miss all that light. Lovely job.

This is a really lovely apartment - I wish I could clean up my space like this. But seriously I have magazines, cds, albums, paperwork, books, photo albums, cooking implements, clothes and shoes - just stuff.

I try to do monthly and bi-annual cleanups to make sure I'm not holding on to too much junk. But how does a person actually live without any stuff?

I love the clean look especially in the bookeshelf and all the cool pottery - but tell me - where is your stuff? I am jealous and suspicious at the same time.

Lovely!! Very peaceful. Is that the Target coffee table? How is it holding up?

littledebbiet--If I was going to submit photos for this contest, I would clean my place up and it would look pretty neat and even austere - I know I can do that, because I've done it for parties and such. I would bet that some people clean up for the pix and others live like that all the time. Also, the pix don't include every square inch of the place. This place might have a TV facing the couch that we don't see, with various electronics, dvds, maybe a music box of some kind--who knows.

I do sometimes wonder if a place that looks neat in the photos has all the junk piled in the corner or in a closet that we just don't see. Again, I would do that to get a good photo or when company's coming. But, I know that some people's places also always look like this.

Little Debbie,

1) Throw away your magazines.
2) Download your CDs onto iTunes, then sell your CDs
3) Sell your albums
4) Throw away your paperwork
5) Give some books to Goodwill
6) Scan your photos into your computer
7) You away eat at restaurants anyway-- give some pots and pans to Goodwill
8) Only buy nice clothes and shoes that deserve the closet space - give the rest to Goodwill

Even IF "all the junk is piled in a closet or a corner", he has still pared down to a remarkable state... I mean, c'mon, there's not that much hiding space in 585 square feet...

And (although I am not one of them) there are some people (Jimmy obviously among them) who do not collect and hoard things.

Would love to hear from Jimmy about any systems he's devised for dealing with the daily paper influx... that continues to be one of my biggest problems.

i have over 300 vinyl albums, and i will never, ever part with them.

do YOU have a picture disc of Blondie's "Parallel Lines"?

Love the blue-walled sleeping alcove.

Mia, I like what you have posted. I try to live very closely like what you have said to' Little Debbie. When friends visit - they say your house looks "empty". Some say "clean". Some say, " you have no furniture" Why do you live like a pauper ?

((I stay in an apartment with downtown, midtown manhattan views - hudson river and all. I can even see the statue of liberty when I use a binocular.))

Some people really are just that neat. My college boyfriend and his roommates were insanely neat and tidy. I'm sure I would have driven him mad if we'd ever lived together, just because college was the pinnacle of my slovenliness. (My roommate was his feminine equivalent, but we managed to coexist because I confined it all--very precariously--to my closet.)

But yes, some people really just do not have clutter.

exactly, fiona.

i'm neat - and since i have few possessions in my apartment, it's easy to keep clean. the one often impacts upon the other, i think.

Hey, you took my handle! Oh, well, I guess it was bound to happen with me mostly lurking these days and the popularity of colour names on this blog.

Hmmmm... I could be "blue (the darker one)".

Funny, I picked that screen name less because of the colour itself and more because AT was doing a good job cheering me up round about this time last year.

OK, that gives me a decent thought for what I should be now.

(hey, in case anyone remembers, my super-budget hardwood flooring installation turned out great - happy to let anyone in on diy tips.)

Very soothing apartment - sorry to go so off-topic.

whoops - obviously the above comment was in response to the new blue. This is what you get for proofreading. No reward for the exacting.

btw, i like the sparseness of the apt, and some of it's lovely; i would only add/suggest that 1) i'm not quite digging the placement of that specific bookshelf next to the bed, and b) he might want to consider something over the bed, on the pretty, blue wall. the color, the square, seem to be just begging to "frame" or "highlight" something.

That is probably the ONLY time I've ever really liked that kind of bookshelf that's next to that bed. The lines and color of it seem to go pretty well with the bed, even though the "line weight" is lighter. I like how the top line of it is pretty even with the top of the bed frame, and that blue wall is really nice there.

The square ottomans, the windows, the placement of room divider here, it all works quite nicely, I think. Good harmony.

This is a nice start. Great clean lines, but I think it could be filled in with some more personal/original items to warm up the space a bit. It seems a bit like a pottery barn/west elm catalogue right now. I really appreciate your sense of space though, nice job!

Kudos for the lovely blue wall in the alcove, it's my favorite thing about this apartment. But where is the reading lamp by the bed? The tissues? The wastepaper basket? The computer and/or TV? Signs of a life lived in this space? I think that is what makes this read like a catalog spread. Plus the floorplan and the pictures don't seem to jive--what is that doorway on the same wall as the entrance door?

This is a really nice apartment and I love the blue. Interesting posts. Some people really are that neat. I'm an artist, there is no way I could not have some intellectual and visual color, however, I continue to strive for organization and AT helps with that.

I would also like to know how Jimmy manages the daily paper clutter. I spend on average 30 minutes per day going through my mail and shredding or dumping and I still have paper in 2 piles.

What I'd like to see on AT: Small apartments where artists work and live. How do they handle their work space in relation to their living space and keep it all presentable for comfort and beauty and company.

pphillip: I don't have a picture disc of Parallel Lines (although I do have that and all their earlier albums on vinyl) but I do have the Dickies on yellow vinyl....do you???

Gosh, I do not envy the judges in this contest.

Not only are there many, many eye-popping entries, there are so many different TYPES of good entries (architecture v. furniture arrangement v. use of color, not to mention the whole "cold" v "cluttered" debate) that not only will apples need to be judged against oranges, but also plums and pomegranites.

I look forward to reading their analysis of the final contenders.

Gorgeous place. Where is the coffee table from?

Kea -- that's not an additional doorway on the same wall as the entry door, it's a mirror. Look a little closer and you'll see.

"2) Download your CDs onto iTunes, then sell your CDs"

Except that a.) the CDs have higher sound quality than MP3s and b.) many of the CDs come with great artwork, lyrics, etc. that I would not want to lose.

Am I the only one left on earth who isn't an iWhore? I'm 26, a young music-loving male, and still buy CDs. I view my MP-3 player and portable storage, nothing less, nothing more.

I think the space is great just the way it is. I certainly don't think anything needs to be added just to give it "personality". This is your space where you live and if you are comfortable and happy with minimal fluff. Go for it. I'm personally the same way, I don't like a lot of clutter, atleast not in public spaces or spaces that can be seen. Just don't open my drawers.

FLOR tiles in the entryway? Sweet.

(I have more Duran Duran 12" single picture discs than I can count/remember)

I'm jealous. My place is an apartment-like 2BR, 1000 sq feet in the 'burbs and I even have a 360 sq ft unfinished basement in which to store crap and I still can't get it together as well as these contest entrants.

Kudos to all!

Gosh, I am torn. I dig the place so much, but I can't shake the feeling that it's almost TOO put together. Almost like a show room. But I wouldn't mind living there! =)

"pphillip: I don't have a picture disc of Parallel Lines (although I do have that and all their earlier albums on vinyl) but I do have the Dickies on yellow vinyl....do you???"

i don't! i don't!

but do YOU have an ep-single of wendy wu, lead singer of the fotos, from HELSINKI??!

"(I have more Duran Duran 12" single picture discs than I can count/remember)"

I saw them at the Savoy in 1981. the bass player signed a $5.00 bill for me. i was broke one day, and bought food with it.

That's the Thomas O'Brien coffee table from Target. I have the same one, and love it to bits!

This apt. is so tranquil and calm -- very inspiring!

There is a nice looking piece of art leaned against the wall in the shot of the sleeping alcove. It would look great above the bed.

I have two swing-arm lamps attached to the wall above our bed - works great for reading as they can be re-positioned. That would work well in the alcove also.

I don't actually know
if I still have a picture disc of "Parallel Lines"
It was around here somewhere...

ha.

Jimmy, your place looks great. It doesn't suffer from IKEA obvious, even if it's your favorite source.

Do we have to start requiring a picture of people's shoe storage and laundry hamper? I think not.

that coffee table is not IKEA tho, is it?

I think you've pulled this look together really really well. The blue wall, the Flor squares...nice.

You have the finest of taste and a true sense of space, light, color, and beauty......

Whoo-hoo! Long live Parallel Lines picture disc!!!

I live really tidy, but i ain't about to give up good vinyl.

alphaville! bow wow wow! kajagoogoo! orange juice! the tourists! wide boy awake! haircut 100! heaven 17!!!

danceteria!!!!

woo-hoo!

It looks like an IKEA ad. Which is to say, I'm in love, but I'm not sure I could really LIVE there, but, the style is just as inspiring as my favorite catalog, even if just a bit sterile.

I love the open, airy feeling you get from this space. It's definitely a contender. IKEA, Target and West Elm (plus Flor) all co-habitating nicely!

pphilipp/guido/marianne/Jennifer: After having over 2,500 pieces of vinyl (predominantly early '70s thru early '90s, many "collectible" and tons of imports) sit in my storage locker for 4+ years, it's time for me to sell my collection. Hopefully, Amoeba in L.A. will give me top dollar. I'm also looking forward to giving up the storage space and pocketing the $65/month spent on the space. The downside is a good percentage of the collection is not available on CD or MP3... Next up: transferring my entire CD collection onto MP3 and selling MOST of the 2,000+ CDs. (I'm about 30% there.)

Hi everyone. Thanks for the comments! There seems to be a bit of discussion about the lack of clutter in my apt. I'm lucky to have tons of closet space (at least for a studio) to store clothes, books, CDs, etc., but in the end, I'm just not someone who collects a lot of stuff. As for paper, I don't work at home, so the only paper that comes in is from mail, which isn't a whole lot, and I try to file it away quickly. Most of my mail is from bills/statements, but you could eliminate that if you went electronic instead.

The coffee table is from Target. I love the look of it, but the top isn't secured down, so if you put your feet on it, the other side will lift up slightly. However, it was a great deal. I bought it on sale in NJ for $37! (The Brooklyn Target had it on sale too, but for over $100.)

Jimmy, the coffee table comes with suction cups that screw into the base and secure the top in place... maybe yours was on deep discount because they were missing from the box?

I'm curious -- lately I've been noticing some negative comments about bookcases in bedrooms. Just wondering about why that would be frowned upon, style or design-wise -- I'd love to hear some opinions!

very nice and tranquil. great use of color. excellent furnishings.

Enrique
and the rest of you vinyl junkies
NOT that I'm trying to convince you
to get rid of anything or shop for anything else
but
there's a turntable floating around in the world
with a USB output

It was at Urban Outfitters this Xmas, but since
I (Rick Santorum) them
I didn't know about it 'til it was gone

In June, someone else is selling them
around $100,
a direct vinyl to 'puter connection!

Jimmy, sorry we derailed your thread
except we haven't really

Mia-

I constantly try to pair down...but if I follow all your instructions then my apartment is just an apartment, not a home.

For me, having a home means cooking for my friends and family, and being surrounded by photos of those I love and playing vinyl for them. Being an adult means doing taxes and having paperwork. Also I'm a designer so good luck convincing me to throw away my artwork or cds ;)

Anyhow thanks for the suggestions...Guess I'll have to stay jealous of Jimmy's place and slowly try to get rid of stuff I don't use as much as I should.

PS I love the Pod but will always be a vinyl junkie-represent!

For those who like vinyl and who like neat-looking, how about hanging some of them in their jackets in those chrome or black frames they sell at Restoration Hardware? I've said this before, but you can work a whole wall of them as if they're tiles, or something, but as you know, the artwork on those old LP's are very colorful and gorgeous and retro and kicky.

Just a thought.

Can you share info about the blue paint in your bed alcove? Specific color name and maker.
Thanks.

I like this space. Love the Flor.

I have stuff...I pare down, but I still have stuff. And, I can't trust ALL my music to my ipod or computer. I'm no technophobe, but after having my hard drive crash and desperately trying to rescue my music and photos, I've realized that when Apple suggests you "back up your music," they mean it!

Ellen--
In response to your books in the bedroom question, personally, I'm not a fan of open storage of any kind in sight of the bedroom, since I don't want a lot of visual distraction. And, egads, I've never liked the look of open bookcases. I know, that makes me a heathen by some standards.

In response specifically to the comments about *this* bookcase in question, I'd have to agree with those who don't like it... it seems the only "non grown-up" piece of furniture here, although chances are good it cost more than the $37 table...!

And I also think anything bedside should be able to be pressed into service as nightstand.

All said, though, I still like what he's done here.

I have all of Blotto's albums on vinyl.

Does anyone remember that some albums from the 70s had messages inscribed around the center hole (instead of just numbers)? One of my Led Zeppelins says, "It's nice to see your face in the place." I also have all my mother's 45's from the 1950s, including a pressing of my mother singing "My Prayer" at about age 15 or 16 - which was made at a booth on the boardwalk at Atlantis City. I also inherited a huge box of 78s from the 1930s & 1940s. My great-grand uncle's in there singing opera.

My husband doesn't understand, but I would find it extremely difficult to part with any of these!

Oh,a nd by the way, I like this apartment!

I have bookcase built-ins on one wall across from the bed,
'cause that's how cosy I feel about my books.

And it keeps them out of the living room.

betsy - The blue paint in the alcove is Benjamin Moore's HC-153 Marlboro Blue. It's one of their color samples, so you can test it on your wall before committing.

P(2) It doesn't make you a heathen, just a philistine!

Whoops.

1) I understand how you can have some special records, but once you have so many they become a design decision in your home, then they become clutter.

2)I ran a small business, and have done my own taxes for the past twenty years, and all my files fit in a two-drawer file cabinet.

3) I understand your feelings about wanting an apartment to feel like a home with all your things. I think maybe your problem isn't clutter -- maybe it's that you need a bigger apartment.

whatever you say, hatrick



hee hee hee

Glad I could make you laugh, "lawgirl."

gak!

Did you purposely place a red/pink object in each area? If you did, how clever! I also like the fact that everything has a "square" box-like theme except for your two tables.

Love it!

As to bookcases in the bedroom, I think it's a personal preference. Do the books make you feel good? Go for it!

Very nice, warm and inviting with great light. And I like the fact that it's uncluttered without being sterile.
The spot of color on the bedroom wall is a big plus! I think all of us should be able to tour each others cool pads.

your apartment looks great. i think everyone in the scc has the ikea EXPEDIT bookshelf.

I obsessively read about decluttering. Not doing, unfortunately.

Books next to the bed are essential - I'm usually reading in a few different genres. And as a small-hours waker, I want to be able to grab something to read (if my eyes focus).

The first photo is great, what a great view and light. There's a good balance of subtly different furniture and colors (the calm green of the sofa against the neutrals of the Thomas O'Brien coffee table (Target!) and the rug and the warmer tone of the wooden floor.

Second favorite is the bedroom area. I like how you echo the shape of the bed's headboard with the pretty standard fold-out bookshelf against the nice blue color. And the blue makes the sofa color pop in a subtle way.

You have a nice arrangement, but the furniture in the dining area is very been-there, done-that. How many times have I seen that type of console table with those square ottomans below, and I'm getting tired of seeing that grid shelf (though it does make a nice room divider). Maybe it wouldn't look so tired, if it were in a lighter maple/birch color, though I understand you wanted to use that dark wenge wood color in the bed and shelf as well.
The dining set is a snooze, looks like suburban home trying to be modern.

If you upgrade the dining room, I think the space might become a home run.

The apt is lurvely. Where is your big dog?

Veddy nicely done Jimmy. (But that wasn't my vote.) I do like the spartan feel, maybe a tad too catalog-esque, but it works extremely well. You've made great use of the space and it's airy, light and soothing. Very feng sui! Having looked in Jimmy's closets (oops, now you know who this is), I can attest, they're as neat and organized and the outside. But where are those magazines??? I also noted the wrapped electric cord next to the dining room table. Now that is extreme! Well, I've blathered on enough. Jimmy, you done good. Now, I'm off to neaten my own place and wrap my electrical cords.

Nice job Jimmy! Looks like a very comfortable living space.

One question: where did you get the cubes under the console table. I'm looking for something similar for my entryway.

Thanks.

Debby, IKEA makes the PALLBO footstool (cube ottoman) with several covers available, $29.00.

west elm makes the Raw Edge Cube, $129.00, doesn't appear to have feet.

Pottery Barn has the Lewis Storage Cube, available with slipcovers, $199.00, ideal for those who like the cube look AND need a place to hide their *STUFF*

CB2 has the BLOK cube ottoman, with lovely textured material, $119.00

And at Target, Cubes have their own area, in Accent Furniture.

Be sure to read the sizes of each one, they vary greatly.

One more tip, regarding paint and paint color...
The color of the wonderful blue wall is seen through a variety of "filters..."

What I see on MY monitor is not what you see on YOUR monitor. I go over this time and time again on the BHG Decorating boards.

Can you vary your brightness and contrast? Does the wall color change? Yes.

Can you play with your white point, or calibrate your monitor to different specs? Yes, so that means the color you see will change too.

Is it possible to adjust settings on cameras? That will affect the color seen. How the picture is uploaded will affect the color seen. A good example is at the Pallbo footstool at IKEA...some of the pictures were uploaded in thousands of colors, others in millions, leaving a chunky appearance on SOME of the cover option pictures.

Last, does YOUR room that you want to paint face the same direction, with the same amount of light as does Jimmy's room? That affects how color is seen. You can try it at home. Go stand in your closet and close the door. What color are the walls in the dark? LOL!

So what you really want is a color that LOOKS like that color on the walls in your room. If you have a dark room, it may need to be a brighter or lighter color. If you have a bright room, it may have to be altered too.

Many people paint their walls with a color mentioned in a magazine, without considering all the factors that influence THAT color in the picture, and how it will affect it in their own room.

DO THE SAMPLE BOARD. Get yourself an artist's canvas. And use the sample, as Jimmy mentioned. Paint the canvas (hey, grab one already painted at the thrift store and just paint over it) with the sample. You can now move the sample paint all over the room. You can see how it appears dark against the window wall, and screamingly bright in the sun, and just right, on the wall in between. LOL!

You can reuse that canvas again and again. And just hang it up as "art" when you're done experimenting or until you need it to try out another color in another room.

A postmodern American Psycho could be set here and feel right at home. Interpret as you will.

JIMMY! tell me where you got that cube bookshelf unit. i have the rickity terrible particleboard verison. i want this one instead! TELL!

Andree - appreciate all the tips. Thanks so much!

BTW good tip regarding the sample board. I've used that technique before in my home. Also, I put tape behind the color swatch that I want to use and place it in different sections of the wall of the room. I leave it there for a few days and observe how natural and/or artificial light effect the color. If I still like the paint color, I go for it.

i LOVE the shelving unit in the entry way! can you tell me where you got it? great apartment!

Jimmy, being the wealthy guy that he must be, it looks like he got the cool 3x4 unit at west elm:
http://ww1.westelm.com/cat/pip.cfm?template=8grid&pkey=cfrnsto&gids=p008&cid=frnsto&area=shp

Ahhh, then there's the EXPEDIT bookcase/room divider, from IKEA, click my name for the page at IKEA. Two sizes,
about 58 5/8"x58 5/8" with a 4x4 design, $99.00. And the larger 72 7/8"x 72 7/8" size with a 5x5 design, $149.00. I LOVE THAT BOOKSHELF. I've loved it for a long time. An unrequited love, however.

And, there are items that will fit right in those cubbies, like this LEKMAN box, available in clear or translucent red:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15561&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=52068&langId=-1&parentCats=15561*16296*15646

I think it defeats the purpose of storage if everyone can see through the nifty box and see all the crap I have accumulated. Although, it sure would be handy to use for clothing, towels, etc, to see exactly what is where and not have to dig for it.

Andree

Love the dining set and the shelf separator thing.

@ Patrick (the other)

Re:
And I also think anything bedside should be able to be pressed into service as nightstand.



For sitting your cocktail on, perhaps? :P :D

do pray tell where you got that oh-so-cool sofa.
Thanks.

A perfect blend of simplicity and elegance. Ilove the clean lines. This will serve as inspiration for my future home. LOVE IT!

looks like a west elm advertisement. I dont get a sense of any individuality