apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Love the windows, love the cabinets. The light you must get is fabulous

2 suggestions: replace light fixtures in the kitchen...difficult to tell but they look like outdoor floodlights and the placing of where the light hits seems odd. Also, if you swap the oriental carpet for a male-porno sheepskin rug I think it will give a niftier look to the living room. I'm all for layering different looks but I think the oriental carpet doesn't work there.

Another picture showing the murphy bed would be good. It sounds like the perfect solution for this studio but right now all we can see is the living/kitchen area.

I'm a big fan of the red cabinets and chair... & would love to see the last two photos (maybe of the bed and bath?)

-Kellen-

talk about a clean, well-lighted space! i must know where you got those kitchen cabinets and the teeny space saving appliances!

Wow, I would kill to have a place with windows like that. Murphy beds are the coolest. People in small spaces should utilize them more. Is there no TV in the space? I'd like to see more pictures.

From the pics (I could be wrong) it seems you live in my old neighborhood. You apartment looks huge. Love your kitchen. Do you cook much? Where's your oven? I love murphy beds.

Finally, One from my home town, Chicago! And what a stunner! Love it.

But, only three pics? More Please! Ilove it!

The building looks very Mies... I am guessing, Lake Shore Drive in Streeterville or near Diversey.

this is so beautiful. I love all your furniture and decorative choices. Love the kitchen - my mom used to use those red pots back in the 70s. My only quibble is the rug. It is too small and not cool enough for the space. I think you need something big and plush.

Are those the same IKEA sliding doors that Vince used to make his wall? (I looked it up after seeing his -- I think they're the PAX STORDAL doors)

I'm jumping on the more-pictures bandwagon. I like this a lot, even though it's not my style. Very well done. I especially like the red. (The fact of it, and the specific color.)

Nice to see another from Chicago -- having lived in quite a few spaces in this city that were less than 650 s.f., I know there should be a fair number of eligible apartments here!

To echo what's already been said: please add a picture of the bed! I'm also curious about the bathroom.

But what I can see looks fantastic. Love the red accents and the use of the radiators as design elements rather than trying to make them go away I'm wondering if the photography washed out some of the color though, because the columns look dark gray rather than black. I imagine the red is even more stunning in person...

I tell ya, I never thought my apt sucked until this contest started.

Great windows, great use of IKEA with classic pieces. I have the same Microwave/Convection Combo in my place (it's GE for all interested).

Mies would be proud !

Hey Devin
Check out EAST entries #2 and #5
Wayne

The red cabinets are great and the rest of the apartment is very nice as well.

What is it like to have an undercounter refrigerator? Do find yourself running out of room in the refrigerator? I've been thinking about getting one to save spac.

My apt is 350 sq ft and the Murphy Bed really transforms the space from living to sleeping. It's almost like I have another room. It's well worth spending the extra money for it.

i can't tell, but are there any curtains??
with all that glass, i'd be seriously hesitant to let my freak flag fly in that aparrtment!

oh, and i love the cabinets in the kitchen.

freak flag?

Absolutely wonderful.

Nice bones. Agree about the rug, sticks out like a sore thumb. Go bigger and shaggier!

" can't tell, but are there any curtains??
with all that glass, i'd be seriously hesitant to let my freak flag fly in that apartment!"

I have lived in an apartment with wall to wall, floor to ceiling glass, and you get to where you just don't really care what people can see. If you are on a high floor, and they want to pick your window out of hundreds, let them have at it, because they really can't see much anyway.

Because of heat gain in the summer, I finally had to give in and have solar blinds made, but you could still see through them. I didn't have drapery because I couldn't bear to not have the view. Which, to me is the entire point of living in that kind of space.

Oh, and to Wayne... I forgot about #2 and #5 East, that was weeks ago...

The entrant says that there are translucent blinds for the windows. Look closely and you'll see them.

While the all glass is a little too much for me (that's just me), I think this is a winner. It's beautiful. I would just like to see some art on the walls, but there aren't any walls, that would personalize it a bit more. The bold color in the kitchen helps in that area though. I would love to peek in the bathroom area and bedroom area, since I'm only wanting a little something more personal and intimate. But overall, I think it's fab. Thank you.

Do I spy the same sliding doors as Vince - the glass Ikea ones?

new tenant
maybe my usage is incorrect, but i always thought it was a euphamism getting busy, doing the nasty, um, going at it, ummmm, having intimate relations....
that kinda thing
*blush*
if i'm wrong, i whole heartedly apologize in advance!

I dont vote yes for people who have no imagination. Anyone with money can buy / rent an expensive apartment then go fill it with DWR furninture (or in this case what looks like bad replicas of it) and have it look like this. Where are your pieces of flair?

LOVE IT! Windows are great, and flooring too.

I have a question about the blinds too. I live on the first floor so my windows are always closed for privacy. Where do you get these blinds and would they still work at night?

I HEART your red kitchen.

I do agree with NT's issue with the rug. Perhaps it has a secret past, like the doily made from parachute rope? Get something large and lush to contrast with all the hard angles and edges.

Oh, and did I say that I love your red kitchen? Sigh.

i heart your red kitchen too but this place looks amazingly spartan... i admire the monasticism but it also disturbs me a little.

I'm surprised no one has yet mentioned that this appears to be an architect-designed space and the architect appears to have submitted this entry for the residents.

Yeah, I noticed that too and was trying to look at the rules and could not find anything about professionally designed spaces.

But then again, how do you differentiate between spaces that were helped along by some design consultations here and there with a professional and spaces that were all out designed by a professional? How about a design professional submitting his/her own home? That would make the contest more complicated.

It seems to go against the spirit of the contest - "regular" people coming up with good designs.

This is one of those great apartments that doesn't owe quite as much to interior design as the architect. I bet a lot of the entrants would have wanted floor to ceiling glass windows with that view but you know, don't.

It's still gorgeous, though.

I am normally not a fan of the mid-century modern look, but in this case, you really stayed with the aesthetic of the building and the kitchen just has so much character.

I would still like to see the bathroom/bedroom area.

I was so impressed with the space. Being a realtor and knowing this building and some of the units the transformation was impressive. Keeping with the architecture of the building and the integrity made this a winner for me!

okay in the future would APARTMENT THERAPY please please please make the contest rules more strict??

No architecturally designed spaces. No secondary residences. This is supposed to be a contest for everyday people who live in small urban spaces. Can you make the contest more reality based??

Could the rules next year also differentiate between apartments people own and ones that are rented? If a space is owned, there are no limits, other than budget and imagination, to what you can do to it. But those of us that rent are greatly restricted. We can't take out walls and sometimes even painting is taboo.

hmmmm...i suddenly feel a little duped. i hadn't noticed this was submitted by the architect and now that i read tuck's, Alvin's, Sherry's and Dena Z.'s comments, and re-read the entrant's comments, i wish i could take my vote back. it's a beautiful place, but it's about the architecture more than anything and i agree that it is not in keeping with the spirit of this contest and the hard work that others have put into their small spaces to make them their own.

A jewel, a bit like a fish bowl, but I'd take it!

pgc- Those blinds may be from Hunter Douglas. I also live on the ground floor and those were the perfect solution for me. During the day I have them adjusted s I can see out but others can't see in. At night a simple twist closes them to a completely opaque state. Click on my name and look at picture #5.

The only drawback is that when I have the window open the blinds sort of block the breeze. And they can accumlate some of that fine black dust from passing cars. The fact that NYC was recently awarded "worst air" is no surprise.

Sleek and urban. Love the red throughout. I'd also like to see the bed down, but I can get a good picture from the floorplan. Looks like a great in-town or weekend getaway. Why is that considered a problem in this contest?!

Cynthia,
It's a problem because some people don't have multiple residences, and if you have a place as a second residence, even if both places are only 500 sf, that's like having a 1000 sf place in which to store your stuff. It's less impressive to make 500 sf or whatever work if you're living the majority of your life somewhere else--all the files, books, personal memorabilia, clothes...all that stuff. I'm more impressed when people either have eliminated a lot of it, cleverly hidden it in their space, or cleverly displayed it.

That said, I don't think this place is a second home--and I do think it's the architect who submitted it, but there have been many entries belonging to architects or interior design professionals. And, really, I don't think it matters. Are we going to only allow people who DIY? No professionals at all--the contest rules would have to get really strict. What about people who can't demo and renovate? Should those be separate categories? Perhaps next year there will be...since there have been so many submitted this year. But, I don't see a problem with that. I don't see a problem with the second homes being submitted--the masses will say whether they like them or not. And, as can be seen from those types of entries, the people have spoken!

As far as this place goes, gorgeous--ditto the need for additional photos and more personalization here and there.

Pixie, I adore you today. I was wondering if I'd misinterpreted the pitch when I assumed the entrant was the architect *and* that we're seeing the "portfolio photos" rather than what the place looks like with the owners fully moved-in.

Personally, I have nothing against architect-designed spaces, but the difference between portfolio photos and a lived-in space is huge.

I'd love to see a separate renter's division. I'm so tired of being told that any landlord will let renters paint if we agree to paint it back to white when we move out. Our neighborhood is "transitional," with the result that rules for what we can and can't do are much stricter than what they'd be in a more middle-class neighborhood. I promise, the minute we buy, I'm painting!

WIEDER is a surprise - in spite of its minimalist looks it offers excellent comfort, thanks to high quality filling and wooden slats in the seat. Roomy and comfortable while not taking up too much space. Even more surprising is the ease with which the sofa converts into a double bed.

WOW !!! Absolutely fab !!! Love the red !!!

I would really like to go back to the blinds issue. First thing is that I cannot see any there. Second thing, I would really like to understand. Is it possible to have a shade that is translucent(almost see through) during the day, but at night, the people can't see into your apartment? Anyone know?

I... am... soooooo... jealous... right... now... Great space to party in! Congratulations!

You live in the most beautiful city in the world (CHICAGO) and you have this great space to live in. I'm rarely envious but I am this time.
Great job with a small space.

I would love next year if we could have separate contests. Even though I love #15 (with 823 votes!) as much as everyone else does for their ingenious design, they do own their 535 square feet and have had extensive construction done to the space.

In this contest we have had renters do some AMAZING things with less than 400 (even 300) sq ft using less income and resources (such as #5, #25, #35 and of course anyone that was contacted by "Small Space, Big Style".) When I hear Smallest, Coolest Apartment, I think first of the smallest and then the coolest part. However, in this contest they do not really have a fair chance competing with the larger ones, especially in cities like New York, where bigger usually does means more income in which to buy what you truly want, instead of making do with what you have.

In the cases of the professionally designed homes like this one, how do we know what percentage of the tenant's own personality or taste had to do with the finished product?

I know that it is too late in the game for this year. However, in the future, I would love to see the tenants with only one residence, a limited budget, and no professionally purchased help have a chance to show us what is truly possible from their hard work, without coming off badly in comparison.

Why do we have to care about the "spirit of the contest"? There is only one reason I visit sites like this, buy shelter magazines or wander the Merchandise Mart here in Chicago, on my days off: the ideas. That's it. I've never used an interior designer, or a kitchen designer or an architect. Instead, I collect my thoughts through articles and photos of other people's homes...it's a way to zero in on one's likes and dislikes, and then translate them or reproduce them for one's own space. So whether or not this was designed by an architect or a designer or whatever...I still like it.
Although, I agree on the need for a more modern rug.

Lorrie-
Yes. These are the blinds I have. They do exactly what you mentioned:
http://www.hunterdouglas.com/hdg_product_detail.jsp?id=1

Who is michael - and why is he spamming this site for Wieder sofas - which, by the way, look like crap to me?

The blinds (which I didn't see before) are hidden in that tiny valance at the top of each window. The windows go all the way to the ceiling, but by using these blinds, she is only giving up about three inches of space.

I still don't see anything wrong with an architect submitting his or her own space, or his or her own client's space. Just factor how you feel about it into your voting.

I actually think in this year's contest, "amateurs" having been giving the pros a real run for the money.

And I once again hold up esteemed jamie pup as an example... no professional, he, but lord that boy can pull an interior together.

But I do agree with Barbara, saying this space owes much to the architecture itself. But, um, I'm guessing those floor to ceiling windows existed pre-reno... so I don't think we should automatically penalize entrants who got lucky with a killer shell to begin with. They still could have ruined it, and these folks did not.

But a primary residence with a Murphy bed is a contest dealbreaker for me. Just can't fathom it, though I know people (who I love and respect) who have them and swaer by them.

Do agree with future contest entries being limiting to primary residences, though. "The stuff of life" is too much the challenge with mall spaces you live in day in and day out.

But as far as renters versus owners, and owners having an advantage, um, renters took the one/two slots last year... :)

oy...
swaer = swear
mall spaces = small spaces

That second one, the Freudian slip of a shopaholic.

I lived in this building in an identical unit for 2 years (I was lucky and had a view East looking over the park). Mine still had the wall seperating the bedroom from the rest of the place. It was always my understanding that this floorplan is about 720 sq ft. Oh well, with a bit of fudging I guess you can squeeze it into the contest guidlines......but, just by looking at the architect supplied drawing you can see 36.5 x 16.5 = 602.25 AND another 9 x 5 = 45 (for the entry way hall)....for a grand total of 647.25 sq ft. I'm glad they didn't figure in another 18 sq ft for the nice big 9 x 2 entry way closet these places have. Anyway, I think the face lift this place was given is o.k., but the real credit should go to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for his brilliant design and innovation in the glass curtain construction technique.

Perfect. I love it. It's functional, beautiful, and has just the right amount of stuff in it. I would live here in a second and am green with envy.

Terry--
Didn't you say on another post you didn't vote for it because it was the architect who made the space what it was?

What changed your mind here?

fun kitchen

Wow! I love it and would love to live in it. What a huge space it appears to be. very clever

Wow! I love it and would love to live in it. What a huge space it appears to be. very clever

Hurrah for NT!

yeah that's what i was thinking: wow, it seems huge! well, it is. most entries include the closet space, no? i think the rules are quite clear that closets must be included.

i'd like to enter the contest too, but my space is 900 sq ft. so, you know. i didn't.

Dear All,

This is our appartment. It just happens that my wife is an architect. We lived there as our primary residence for years. Just wanted to clarify for some of you. Thaks for the many nice comments.

wow how jealous i am - this is what i would expect from what appears to be downtown chicago.

the windows are wonderful...the kitchen cabinets color is unexpected and welcome...and i love that you did not feel a need to fill the place with with too many knicks and knacks

Wow. Love the color and clever use of space. Hav often been in Mies condos that are so "dated." This is hip and currant.

If the owner is an architect then it would have been nice to have a furniture plan.
Is the interior partitioning the original?
It really needs a bigger rug in the living area and tables to set a drink on and a reading light by the chair or sofa.
Looks like a kartel table lamp on what I suppose is the dining table/slash desk. I hope the owner made a great find on used Barcelona ottomans. I picked up a Knoll Barcelona table on a loading dock for $150 once. I guess my bottom line is great space, but overall not very creative.

i have dreamed of windows like that since i was a small child. janet, you are a lucky woman. i love it.

tHIS rOCKS:)

The space is beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, and I absolutely understand why most people love the kitchen, but the main room confuses me. What ties all of the furniture together other than the color red? How about a colorful pillow with some red and brown in it for the sofa, and a more modern rug? I'd like to see everything tied together.

I know this is a bit tangential.... but, Chicago is not west of the Mississippi.

Uh, duh. I'm sorry, thought I was reading the other section. Please ignore my stupid comment on geography. You're right and I can't read.