apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

While the light is fantastic and I like the bohemian atmosphere, I would have liked to see a less utilitarian and a more designer-conscious approach to this space. The furniture pieces do not seem to work very well together, although each taken alone has a lot of potential and some are gorgeous.

this place is CRAVING color

Yes, it's craving personality, wit ... ANYTHING unexpected! It's neat and organized, and the furnishings are chosen for function and simplicity (and they're obviously not street finds) ... but they don't add up to anything stylish. I get the "smallest" part ... but where's the "coolest"?

I like the clock.

Clean isn't really design, is it?
I see clean.

Small, but not cool.

i would love to see this artist perch featuring more of your (and friends) artwork. with that beautiful light and high ceilings, those walls are just begging for something big and colorful or black & white.

you have a couple of really cool pieces in here, i think i would like this space more if we saw more of your style and personality in it. love the shape of the doorway to the kitchen area, great detail. but i agree with the others, it's missing the cool and that's why i had to give it a "no way".

While I'm not giving this one the highest vote (that requires a knock-me-off-my-sofa WOW factor), I like it. At last we're seeing a space where a person *does* something other than curling up with a book and a cup of tea -- and does something that's space intensive and makes a lot of demands with for materials that can't be camouflaged.

My fingers are itching to paint that tiny kitchen a really zingy, loud color -- but I imagine it's a rental and you can't.

just curious - if you paint, where are the canvases, paints, brushes, etc? (i'm having trouble storing all of mine...)

Maybe painters make a point of living without color, the way fashion designers wear all-black?

I agree with Wende that at least we're seeing a space where someone does something. Finally, Thank you. As for the lack of paintings, I believe many are stored beneath the work space near the a/c.

Personally, my own struggle (between paintings and jewelry design) has been to have a neat, design friendly working space and I have found this to be a constant battle, so I can understand a somewhat utilitarian look and perhaps the need for neutral color.

However, I have my work all over the place on every wall and that, I am curious about. Is there a reason Chris doesn't show his/her work? And one more thing, the paintings I do see are small yet this particular easle if for LARGE canvases like a 36 X 48 so what's up with that?


I will personally help Wende paint the kitchen and even in a rental you can paint and return it to white when you leave. The place really does need some color.

One more thing (besides my typo):

I've never known a painter who was this neat. Ever. There isn't a drop cloth or a spot of paint on the floor anywhere. Hmmm.....I'm perplexed.

Yo! that bed looks like the one I had when I was in lock-down. And the walls! Darn, it so nostalgic. It reminds me so much of being in the pen, without really having to go back there. Cool!!!

Hey Jermaine,

Did you ever get busy on one of those, i.e., did your cellmate(s) take advantage of you on one those. Why the facination?

Hey every one -

my paintings are all out in a show right now. Thats why the walls are empty

thanks for your design tips!!!

Chris

Where is that fabulous desk from!!?? Yowza! I love it!

P.S. Jermaine - thanks for the laugh! HA!!!! That's hysterical.

I appreciate that you have a lot of doors and openings to work with as far as furniture placement goes, but something about it strikes me as akward.

It looks like you are really thinking about the space, and on your way, but it needs a little sumptin' sumptin'.

mmm. needs salt.

You know what this place needs? Rugs. Although the paint splattering might be an issue.

Maybe a canvas floor-cloth. Plain white. Then it could catch the paint splatters, and perhaps a footprint or three along the way. Once it's interesting enough, he could SELL it and start another one!

Yo Chris! This is so strange! I was reminiscing on how your apartment reminded me of my days of being caged-up when I read a lovely article about a jail in Brooklyn, where you live, that is being converted into residential units. Strange! I really like your apartment because it is so sterile, yet harsh, and exudes masculinity. Anyway, you should read that article. I am attaching the link. Living, really living, in a converted jail . . . sweet!

thanks you guys...

Desk is from DWR

Oh yeah - i were all black and travel only at night :)

yeah i heard about that jail - i think its next door

thanks you guys...

Desk is from DWR

Oh yeah - i wear all black and travel only at night :)

yeah i heard about that jail - i think its next door

I finally realized what bothers me the most: the giant chair tucked awkwardly into a corner behind the door is completely out of scale with the small room and the sleekness of the rest of the furnishings. I strongly suspect that the ottoman provides storage and is practical... but there are plenty of storage ottomans that aren't paired with something so massive.

Jerm,

Nice find! It is nice to see that the city really cares about historical preservation and stuff like that! Converting a jail into apartment, flipping genius!

YO Chris, I really like your work. Initially, I had you pegged as the soft, sensitive kind, but then I saw the shell casings. Cool! I really like the casings in the strawberry container. Brilliant! Keep up the good work.

Although I can't get excited about the decor -
except the monastic bed area which is GREAT
I hope everyone clicks over to Chris' site
to admire the still life of a RealLemon

v. cool

Oh my. Someone has talent. Chris, I'm quite impressed. I take back everything I said about never having known a neat painter and whatever idiot things fell from my large and prematurely opened mouth.

Nice...your work is really, really nice.

Oh, wow! Double wow! Triple wow! I want the painting of the quince! (And did you notice, guys, the painting of the very same casually nested, rectangular plastic baskets that are sitting on his desk??

Very, very, nice work. My apologies for comparing your apartment to a prison cell. You obviously have your priorities, and those priorities, supposedly your art, is very passionate.

I like your apt, love your paintings, would really like to know about *that bike*.

The bike is called a strida - it folds up

www.strida.com

thank you

Chris

This kind of reminds me of when I would go to open studios and the studio would be suspciously clean. It's different when it's in your home though. I really like the bedroom area. There is something soft feeling with the colors and the winsowshades.

This is truly a small space, and well appointed for its owner. Thank you for sharing.

Hey Chris,
It's true all your work is on exhibit.....including the one we purchased. I love your place because I love you. AV

the sleeping area is my favorite part

Cool bike and nightstand table/magazine rack.

Bed is so streamlined that I thought of bunks in youth camp.

Can't wait for your paintings to be back for a shot of color in the room.

You are one extremely neat guy.

Chris's apartment is the best example of how someone can live and work in a space as small as this. The style is simple, beautiful and functional. The red cushion adds a nice bit of color, the covered wagon is whimsical and nostalgic. As far as the chair is concerned, Grandma always said "a man needs a comfortable chair"!

I love the entryway to the kitchen but think it needs color (I know, I'm not the first) to punctuate that architectural feature. If a bright color will drain inspiration from the painting why not a slate gray or a blue?

Okay I just looked at your paintings. I love them! I also feel like I understand your space so much more. You can't paint that ephemera in a
"finished" space. I take back what I said and suggest everyone look at the paintings before posting.

your paintings are exquisite. you win.

WOW! Your paintings are fantastic!

Hi, Chris,

While your place could use a little, um, work, I really like your paintings. I will keep your link so I can 'check back often,' but should you ever have a show in Chicago, please let me know.

(Doing the URL thing again for email address ... sans 'http://')

As a painter, and living in a small space,
I really admire that how you maintain your
live/work space. Your management was wonderful!
I give you A+.
Especially your paintings and lights from windows
was great!!

Um, does a robot live here?

Okay, the apartment still looks like it's devoid of human occupation (hence the robot comment), but the soul that is lacking there can be found in Chris's paintings. Kind of a reverse Dorian Gray. Props to Chris.

I get a peaceful vibe, though it could use a little warmth in color. I think I have the same club chair, very comfy. Looove the paintings.

i love it.
the space is lovely with nice details.
your things are simple and look like they are good quality.
being an artist myself, i like to have my living space be serene with good light. i see what you are doing and i appreciate it.

Chris ~ You are also my 2nd favorite in this contest!! Love your space and the way you've made it work for you! I only have one wee-bit comment I think you could've used just a hint of color in the bedroom like you did in the living room adding just those two chair cushions in red gave the white walls a boost. Perhaps adding a colorful rug or curtains??