apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I had dinner in Chinatown last night (Pho Cali on 10th @ Arch) and during my walk home (Old City, just North of BF Bridge), I thought it might be really cool to live in Chinatown. It's a very vibrant neighborhood and I think I could eat a noodle bowl for dinner every night! This apartment has it's own sense of vibrancy. A bedroom and a loft! So jealous I am! I'm especially fond of the widow treatments. Great place! (I'll be looking upward for those windows next time I venture out for my bubble tea fix!) I'm curious about the rent and/or purchase price range in that area of the city.

Nice to see Philly represented in the contest!

Is that a child's chair in the first photo?

Super Fantastic. Amazing use of colors!

I love the colors, but wish you had posted a pic of the kitchen or bedroom...

Great colors and very modern look! Love the brick and the minimalistic style...great for such a small space!

Three photos just don't do it for this contest. There's a loft bedroom in this entry, and we don't get to see it. With only three photos, it feels more like judging photography than an apartment because we see so little of it

OK - rant done.

As for this entry - I love so much of it. My god, that sexy clock! And the yellow! There's so much more of this entry I'd like to see. Big thumbs up from me!

I love your umm... livingroom! why not show at least one picture of another room? I'm so curious to see what's behiind those doors!

Is that the Cadman desk from West Elm I see?

Such creative and innovative use of limited space.

i'd love to know what color yellow that is. awesome apt!

Nice space. But why no photos of the bedroom or kitchen? And, what do you use the loft for? Is it for storage?

Agreed - the colors are amazing. Bold and yet not overpowering. Please share what the yellow is!

i like the shell of the place (the brick, the hardwood, the height, the windows), but your style of decorating isnt my thing i guess. i dont like the colors much at all...the bright yellow, red, and green with all the black furniture looks too...i dunno, mid-90's coffee shop?

I'm sorry, but I can't get past the mustard. And there's a LOT of mustard on those walls.

mid-90's coffeeshop...yeah - i can see where that would come from. I too am left wanting some pictures of the other rooms...3 of one room is too much.

i like the green on the windows!

Looks sort of like a Starbucks.

Very cool place! Captures the attraction of urban living. Hang on to it!

Looks like a fun space, but why did you take all the pictures of the same room? Do you only use the loft space for storage?

Wonderful space. I bet the accustics are wonderful (hope you have a good sound system) with no clutter to absorb the noise. The colors are compelling - warm, yet they make a statement - you must be comfortable with who you are.

The wood floors look good for dancing.

Like another post above - wish I could see what the bedroom looks like.

Great colors. Very interesting piece of art over the dining room table. I hope we get to see more pics of your place.

Love the hardwood floors and wall colors. The exposed brick tops it off!

yummy!

I really hate the command to "(explain)" if it's Not My Thang, and have to admit that I have several times voted Not My Thang without (explain)ing, because it just seems rude. But I'm feeling bold today, so I'll give it a shot. This seems dated to me. The colors are nice, but this style of colorblocking is now inextricably intertwined in my mind with 1990s Starbucks (as M alluded to above). Also, it's dark, and the furniture looks chilly and uncomfortable. I think that a simple change to fresher colors and the introduction of some textiles would make a world of difference.

Now I feel like a bum . . .

Get rid of that wine sculpture thing on your wall in the first photo.


Now.

It is really good to see Philadelphia in the contest. I just moved from Old City to Rittenhouse and I didn't even think about Chinatown. Now I am kicking myself!

So please tell where you found the window treatments.

More pictures definitely. Love the color!

Maybe they are only showing one room because thats all they've decorated so far...

Thanks for everyone's comments; both good and bad. Here are answers to the questions that have been posed:

-Only one room because of an error in judgment when submitting. I did have decent photo's of the kitchen and bedroom (yes, they are decorated) but am now regretting the decision not to put them up also.

-One Eyed Darma: Rent for a 1 bdrm is in the Chinatown area is between $800-$1500. Purchase range starts around $200,000. There are some new condos between 9th & 10th that are starting at $268,000. Next time you are in the neighborhood, you should try Sang Kee Peking Duck House on 9th and Vine. Great food!

-Rob in PDX: That sexy clock was purchased at Scarlett Alley (web link is in my entry)!

-Liz: The desk is not from West Elm but a store in the Balt/DC area. Can't remember the name of it or find the receipt. They also had a small shelf for the back of it that had about an 8" lift, which I didn't purchase but wish I did now.

-elizabeth in AL/Yona: The yellow color is Afternoon Tea from Lowes (American Tradition). Thanks for liking it!

-arza/pbgirl: Yes, the loft is used only for storage. A bit difficult to get to, as I need to bring a ladder from the bedroom (which you would have saw if I had used my head and posted a photo of it), swing the couch out and lay it against the wall to climb up into the loft area.

-buzzybee/mposter: Believe it or not, the window treatments are from Ikea.............

-palousian: Thanks for the comments/suggestions. Actually the space is not very cold if you could see it in person, with the exception of the leather couch (guess that piece is a guy thing). I have used fresher colors in the kitchen (orange) and bedroom (bright green).

-mposter: Chinatown is evolving into a nice place to live. I also moved from Old City and love how convenient it is to Center City, Old City and Washington Square.

Love the high ceiling and tall windows! Looks like you get great natural light during the day, and the accent lights really set off the sofa wall at night.

Where did you get the sofa? I love it.

Keefe1 - Love the apartment. Great Colors and pieces. Where did you get the fabulous small wooden bench/stool in front of your couch?

Out of curiosity... is this a rented or bought apartment? Did you buy it recently?

That's awesome that there's a Philly entry in here. In fact, I only live 3 blocks from you Craig! I live in the Old Shoe Factory Lofts and I'll be turning in my entry for next year's contest! Great loft!

-James C: Bought the sofa and love seat, which is in storage, at Mostly Sofa's in Roanoke VA but you can get buy the same product (Ekornes Stressless Seating) at many locations around the country. Here in Philly, Dane Decor carries the line.

-SFS: Dane Decor on those also. Not sure who made them but the lead time was over three months :-(. They work out great as I separate them and use as two small tables!

-Mela: I own the condo. Bought it just over 18 months ago.

-Ducanti1978: Your building is very cool! Looking forward to seeing your entry next year! Thanks for the comments.

great house....love the colors and the wine sculpture over the table. would love to see more pics of the rest of the house!!!

amazing house! wish i could come over for some lattes.


hope it gets amazing reviews.


would love more photographs.