apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I admire your dedication. and your kitchen chairs.

I just love it - so calm. Plus I feel the beach in the apartment. I'm so glad to have an entry from a place not so fashionable.
cfm

Refreshing! I love its simplicity, and overall minimalism. I like that your walls are white, your curtains are white and diaphanous, and your art reflects a lot of green. Nice job!

Cool Kitchen.

I think this is great. You have done a lot with very little. I think you DESERVE the DWR prize. Is there an honorable mention prize?!?!?

Ph.D in what? from where?

very nice space, by the way--very calm and spare, but still with a definite character.

Love the kitchen -- the green interacts with the light in a very appealing way.

Great photos.

pphillipp, what a nice, calming retreat-like space.

i thought of myself as a minimalist until this contest. . . but wow, your apartment is inspirational, spare yet stylish. it's time for me to do some more paring down of possessions. thanks for sharing your vision!

You are an inspiration!

I love the overhead lighting...the chairs in your kitchen... the overall feel of your place. Beautiful soaring ceilings. I like the art over your kitchen table. What a nice space! :)

Holly

I love this. The LR is perfect. In fact, the whole place is perfect. The space is almost ethereal without feeling austere. Less than $200.00 is amazing. If some spaces are aspirational, I aspire to be ppphillipp.

GOOD FOR YOU! Someone commented on another of these entries how this contest is turning into coolest stuff rather than coolest space and there's some truth to it. I commend you for living your talk and cutting way back and still creating something that makes you feel less deprived and enlivened. You could really use this prize and I hope you get it.

Nice space for one person. Like the table and chairs in your kitchen. However, I am so against the color white that it freaks me out when I see too much of it.

I applaud anybody that can keep their home that fresh and clean with white.

Love it! Love the white and green in the kitchen and the CD wall art!

where's the tv?

this has to be one of the best photographed entries i've seen in a while!

The apartment is airy without feeling bare. Too often cheap/free stuff means lots of it, which is where it all gets suffocating. You manage to avoid that pitfall. Great job, pphillipp. And I can never resist a man who knows how to keep plants alive ;p.

I love the story as much as I love the apartment.

Is this the first sofabed as primary bed entry we've seen?

What are the three framed drawings near the bookshelf in the hall?

Is the inflatable daybed at all practical?

I like so much about this apartment, but good God I do wonder about the fiberoptic lamp. : )

I really like it all, but

i like this apartment (great plants, nice lighting), but i'm sorry, that air mattress has got to go! i definitely prefer ivar's rumpled construction to this.

Oops. Please ignore that last little bit there. : )

pphillipp--

You GO, you swanky minimalist, you!!!! Way cool, AND lovely, which is a hard combo to hit.

And even though I love the space (and have become quite fond of you!!) I feel compelled to continue my tireless pro-rug campaign... where're your rugs, dude?!?

But congrats, and congrats on braving the fray!!!

This entry is a great example of the importance of quality photography. Sun lit goodness always brings on feelings of warmth & cleanliness.

My only beef is with the day bed (on floor). A set of fresh sheets + a tight hospital style tuck would have sealed the deal! I also would take it easy on the "multiple art" theme, gets a bit "one hit wonder". Death to symmetry!

a great place nonetheless- martha would be proud;)

*Love* how you've made the kitchen chairs not only work (no easy feat), but a focal point of the space.

Wow!. Very sparse, clean, and calming. I do admire the green also in the kitchen.. as well as the retro chairs.

Couldn't help but notice the multiples of art (not a bad thing).. over the bed, over the daybed, behind the work desk, above the stereo, in the kitchen, and in the hallway. . . nice way to unify the theme in all the rooms.

inspires me to pare down. the art to minimalist living (i've noticed) .... is to own nothing! :)how zen... if only i could get there!

one thing i've noticed with these entries... not many show their bathrooms... i'd love to see more pics of how people decorate in their bathrooms. and there have been some very sleek entries to make me think the bathrooms have GOT to be interesting as well.

i really like this one! it's minimalist, but in a livable/airy sort of way. i think the living things (plants, bowl of fruit) really help bring life and warmth to the place. nice work!

Proof that less is more! Thanks for doing spendthrift in style.

And as Mela said above, the multiples really create a motif, rhythm throughout.

I LOVE how the small pieces of artwork are grouped together. It doesn't feel like a bunch of little things, rather it reads as a whole. Also by leaving so much white space around the art, it makes the walls and space feel bigger.

I just love this place, the kitchen in particular.

I *am* proud. (although I doubt you meant me.) The introductory shot is really lovely. Is that really an air mattress, as suggested above? or a futon? Do you really unfold the couch every night? If what you have there is actually a futon, I suggest getting a memory-foam topper for it--I have one, and my futon, for guests, is now as comfortable as my bed. Could save the hassle of unfolding the couch every night. Also, I like your cd array on the wall. do you take them down and play them, ar has the contents all been converted to mp3s? And great kitchen!

Very nice - I agree that you can feel the beach. Usually I don't like white walls, but it works here. Even the bare floors work (although maybe a rattan/grass rug would enhance the feeling of the place).

I recommend adding a sheepskin cover or something to the aerobed. I have one that I used for 3 months while I was waiting for my couch to be delivered, and I remember how loud and crunchy and uncomfortable it was to sit on that plastic.

I especially like the kitchen. You get a lot of nice light in that apartment, which shows that even the far-flung areas of Brooklyn have a lot to offer!

I like this entry, but it's not favorite. I do love the kitchen, though...and for art, did you use paint color samples and frame them? That's pretty ingenious! If you can't find art that matches your color scheme, just frame some color samples. :-) Props to you!

bravo, for showing the beauty in
self-imposed asceticism

I sooooo want you to get the big prize!

yeah pphillipp!

Efficiency? Beauty? Problem-Solving? Methinx we've found a pretty serious trifecta winner here. I mean, talk about makin' something from nuttin'!

I do NOT think that having a lack of resources automatically makes a person "deserving" of a prize. I think that doing the very best you can with what you have is really the point.

Seriously this one and the Wedge entry that was among the first handful of entries -- even though they're miles apart in budget, are some of the best examples of doing the best with what they have.

This person has less, and makes the most of it; that person has more and makes the most of it. In my opinion those two make the point that someone else made at some point that it really doesn't matter that much about whether one has a lot or a little money for this contest. Moreoever, this person probably rents; and that other one owns, and I think they're both very, very resourceful in what they've done.

I love it! And there are lots of books!

well, you certainly accomplished what you set out to do. lovely job. and i love your kitchen chairs too!

Doesn't look like $200. Excellent job with the plants and the coordinated wall art. A thicker throw on the air mattress would help disguise the fact that it's an air mattress.

i'm feeling your proclivity towards art multiples. i also suffer from this affliction. and it's nice to see a musical instrument in a space. musicians unite!

I love it, love it, and love it more! I love the “pops” of color, the chairs, and the fact that with area still available in the rooms that they have only the most important items within. Of course, as a struggling student myself, I also love that you have your priorities in order and where MY apartment always stresses me out, yours has such a calming atmosphere. Bravo, insta-finalist!

Oh, please tell me about the light fixture in the living room. Did you construct that? They look like snow globes, are they?

I grew up in Sheepshead Bay. Nice to see the old neighborhood represented so stylishly.

pphilipp! LOVE it. I'm super-impressed by your dollar-stretching prowess. I'm especially digging the art and wall decor.

I love your apartment. Fabulous!

What a wonderful little oasis.

I love this space and I admire your dedication to your studies and isn't it amazing how very little we really need? What I like about your apartment is that while it looks like you could pack up and move in an hour if you needed to, it still has such character and personality.

I feel like I could get so much done here.

It feels very soft & airy to me. A good place to relax after working on your dissertation i would think. Like others I covet your kitchen chairs. love your plants! you accomplished your goal & then some. wow!

LOVE it. Cool, airy, consumption-free!

BTW, do entries get points for being THRIFTY? Everyone keeps noting their street finds and frugal behavior -- I understand being proud, but am I missing something? Does that mean people get points OFF for paying retail (or buying the umpteenth Nelson lamp or FLOR tiles?) I hope so.

Love to the inconspicuous non-consumer!

I'd love to hear the stories on some of your scrounges. Did you paint the kitchen table? Did you manage to scrounge those shelves?

Really nice feel. I'd love to see pictures of the whole thing.

Great place. Love the artwork and bedspread. You need the money the most. I hope you win.

This is really a beautiful space, clean, simple and elegant not depending on a lot of large flashy "designer" elements. Thanks for showing us your home.

I adore that kitchen, and love the plants all around. Not only does all that greenery breathe life into the space, it also accents the beautifully austere, elegant design/curating choices you've made.

Bravo!

The thing that is beginning to determine a winner for me is this: Can I live here? Is this more a showpad than an actual living space that speaks to me and my life? Your place pphillipp says to me, toast crumbs on the table after breakfast with my husband. Making love on a sunny afternoon on the white daybed. Rediscovering an old copy of the Alchemist on the book shelf that had my hand written notes in it. This place really spoke to me. Thank you for sharing your home. You are my winner.

I love this entry. Clean, simple, crisp.
Love the green in the kitchen.
Apart from the bed on the floor, I think this is one of the best minimalist entries yet. This is not depressing at all.

I also like the fact that you did not just select junk because it was free. Yes there is a lot of free stuff on the street and most of it should stay there.

Nice apartment, but even better photography.
Good job there.

Framed. Paint. Samples.

framed paint samples
framed paint samples
framed paint samples

I'm shaking. I'm giddy.
What is this that I'm feeling?

You are true artist, pphillipp.

This space is truly fresh and unique. I hope not too many people copy the paint sample idea. But I'm sure you'll renew yourself if they do.

You are a zen master. I love it. It makes me happy. I hope you are happy, too. What a wonderful way to be.

I love it! You did a great job for $200. Livable, clean, fresh with great style.

good call, anna, i was thinking those were paint chips ut wasn't too sure.

I think this is the smallest, coolest apartment 2006! Do you agree with me?

I have almost the same chairs in my kitchen (also free) and I hate them.

I admire how you've made them work. Absolutely stunning that you can make the worlds ugliest chairs beautiful and serene!

I love how you pulled it all together.

OK.

I am dying over the framed paint samples and wondering how the hell I have not thought of it before.

I love love love the kitchen, everything about it. I am digging the cd wall art.

I like that there is no TV, and a gazillion books on display. I don't trust people who have no books out. It's weird.

Wow. Pphillip, were kinda neighbors! Is your phD going to be in something related to music--I notice that despite no TV you do have a stereo and you often comment on audiology(?). This is one person who already seems "cured."

Thanks for your brilliant pictures it helps to see the direction your taking your space . The grouping of threes and the simple use of color verses light . This is not exactly minimalist its pefect space that flows without frills!!!!!!! Thanks for keeping it real.....................

Lovely, comfy, simple. I'm impressed!

Re: the ongoing discussion about cost--I like to think of it as an extra challenge. A small space is automatically a challenge, but some folks have even more restrictions to their possible solutions...such as a peculiarly-shaped apartment, or not enough windows, or a super-tight budget. I love seeing how people take on these additional challenges.

This is a great solution.

Thanks for reminding all of us that creating cool digs is more about the eye and the hand than about the budget, and that a bowl of apples can be elegant and attractive, Pphillipp!

I see philosophy books on the shelf, and yet there's a keyboard on the desk, as if used as often as the computer... What is the man writing about, or composing about?

I am SO happy that you entered! I too am living in ABD poverty and hoping to finish before medicare no longer exists. Way to represent!!

Also, love that you live with both books and plants. Two things that I think every home needs. Give this guy the DWR booty!

Wow. Thanks, EVERYONE, for those extremely nice comments.

Questions/Answers:
Yes, it’s an air mattress, actually rather comfortable, but in general I sleep on the sofabed (which I usually close in the morning – only takes 2 minutes). You’re all correct, it would look so much better with a throw/pad of some sort, but I almost feel it would be like putting lipstick on a pig.

There’s no TV visible because I don’t have one.

P2 is right, rugs would be great, but it’s a $$ question – and picking up rugs from the curb is a little *too* real, even for me.

By now, everyone knows I framed paint samples! The drawings in the hallway are my nephew’s (and are totally brilliant). The photos over the sofabed were taken by my talented BF, and he later ran them off in different colors at his job. I took the photos of my place between 6:30-7:30AM – great light, even then.

The lighting fixture in the bedroom (not the living room) is just the fixture that was already there, from which I hung three mini disco balls (from the 99-cent store).

The chairs I found in Brighton Beach on trash night (no comments, P2), and they’re in great shape; the IKEA table (Ingo) was thrown out by an old neighbor, and after some sanding and about 8 coats of enamel, looks great. Rescuing someone’s second-hand IKEA from the trash – it doesn’t get much sadder than that!

I’m an ethnomusicologist and (ex)musician; club heads from the 80s may have seen me perform, but that’s as far as I’m going… ;)

Thanks again to all! Jeez, this is the most writing I’ve done in two days…

I love this for its style, its simplicity, its serenity, but mostly for your resourcefulness in creating such a beautiful space with such limited means. This is really a personal vision come to life.

PS Can I live there?

I think its too late for me too vote, but I hope you win. I love your story and love what you have done to ensure that you don't feel depressed and poor. You probably feel poor, but atleast not depressed. Dude, uou rock!

That's the kind of kitchen I love: great use of old furniture mixed with modern elements, colour.

Nice wall art. Unfortunately, rest of it is not so hot.

i didn't notice this before (and maybe someone has already mentioned it), but i love how the low table in the lr can double as a nightstand when the sofa bed is pulled out. great planning. and...you're budget has just been doubled! congrats.

I really like your place, but I wanted to say that I also really admire your dedication to your dissertation. Congratulations on your honorable mention!

Wow. I think this deserves more than an honorable mention. It's so very lovely.

Anybody see Moby's place on Cribs a few years back?

Nothing but impressive Mr. double consonants. It makes me feel good just looking at it. Talk about Design on a Dime! Resourceful meets taste.

LOVE IT, ITS BLOODY FANTASTIC

BUT! PLEASE TAKE THE "CD ART" DOWN FROM ABOVE THE STEREO.

PLEASE

PLEASE

AND YOU MAY JUST HAVE A CHANCE OF WINNING!!!!!!

THANKS MATEY!!!

This is my favourite.

There is a nice feeling to this place. Very calm. I'm wondering what your PhD is in, because I see that you like to group things..three things on the windowsill, three things on the wall ... repetition and order. Psychology? Going on to psychiatry? Great job overall, though. This adds to my opinion that most of the entries are IKEA buyers who only aspire to DWR or AT.

...and the paint chips are tremendous! Please go and put thing on the walls of all those other timid entrants who are "artless."

...I just read that you are an ethnomusicologist. Makes sense, then. You like rhythm. Hence repetition..repetition..repetition.

i would rather be



ARTLESS

than have those cd's on the wall

as if I could love you more . . .
an ethnomusicologist?

p.s.
if you had anything to do with Konk,
let Enrique know immediately

and have you ever heard Slavic Soul Party?
Live every Tuesday at Barbes in Brooklyn

link on my name

Does anyone know where to find the wall-mounted bookshelves (need to be sturdy) shown in this apartment?

Wow! super chairs in the kitchen! Love all the green, balanced with the white walls. I also think you struck the balance of making space for what you love, and putting it out front. Also, the photos do it justice-- they are vignettes in themselves. Win, win, win, oh win!

guido, thanks! no, i hadn't heard of the slavic soul party, but thanks - i'll have to check it out. but at the risk of sounding ignorant (my favorite passtime) - what is konk??!

sorry for the late response (if you even see this) - haven't been here for a few days...

I love this place. I'd want to live there myself.

Hi phillip
My name is Gabriela, I'm Brasilian
I've got one question, How do you fixed the CD's on the wall?

Thanks