apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

There is nothing "wrong" with the flat, but for some reason it just doesn't "do it" for me.

Sweet deck!!!

Gorgeous. My favourite, so far.

I am completely jealous. Absolutely love it.

Beautiful space, esp. the terrace, but too stark & very little cohesion--looks as if the person has just moved in. More wall-decor and color would warm the apt, seems cold at the moment.

Wow, a space that small and you get a fireplace? Lucky you!!!

Wow- I made it as an entry. Look forward to the response from this. Please consider with comments geared towards the stark'ness of the place that this is not the conventional apt and it is difficult to photo, so those areas of contrast and color may not be seen. If I make it past this round you will see much more colorful and detailed photos.

Plus I just ordered 2 mega large photos for the bedroom walls.

Also, please look at the apartment itself and not the items as many before me have photo'd. This is the smallest coolest APARTMENT contest..

Michael

The apartment has great bones -- and I envy your deck. But you have a long way to go to get it to reflect your personal style. This would be great to revisit in the future to see your progress.

Lots of light and I love the deck! I voted Cool.

great space, but i agree with the others - it doesn't look personalized yet.

i love this, very clean.

Love your space. You have so much great potential. I agree with others, I would love to see this space in a year to see how it develops. You are well on your way to a super fabulous place. I'm jealous ;)

IMO- I think you should have your rug in the living room anchered by the sofa not floating... just a little pet peave of mine.

I'm too confused to comment at the moment.

OMG! What a great space! I have this perfect HUGE Calder like mobile/sculpture to be hung on that gorgeous ceiling. Let me know if any unit open up in your building! Seriously.

I find the idea that we shouldn't be voting based on the contents of the apartment to be strange and absurd. This isn't an architecture contest, it's a decorating contest. I think your place has great bones, and leaving it stark is great, but you can't ask us to not judge the items in it.

^Yeah, that.

The space is totally kickass (fireplace, upstairs and a private deck!) but the (limited) decor just doesn't do it for me.

Also, Michael, I don't quite understand your reply above ... the contest isn't about the bones of your apartment, its about what you do with it. You might've benefitted from waiting until next year when you had everything ready.

Great elements, but a little undercooked, especially the bedroom. I second the motion to see more when you're further along. Both color and shapes are fairly neutral, so a little more oomph in either category would help you fully realize the spectacular potential of the place.

Very nice, I like this a lot. Love the deck; you must really enjoy that.

Are the two dinning room chairs the Wegman Wishbone chairs (Room and Board has them)? If so, do you like them? I've been thinking about ordering some.

I don't like it, but congratulations on allowing us to actually see your apartment rather than random objects.

The starkness and sense of uncluttered space is one of the things I really like about it. Deeliscious, it's not a decorating contest at all. It's a "use of space" contest. If you're just looking at the decorations, you're missing much of the point of the contest.

Ondrej- gets it..Thank you-

I will respond more later to answer any questions and fill in more details.

Michael

If this were the smallest coolest APARTMENT contest, then the award would go to the architect, no? I had thought we were meant to look at design and decor, the creative use of the space, as well as the space itself. Have I misunderstood?

In this case the apartment is spectacular, and the interiors look clean and functional, but I don't really see much that has been done with the space in terms of innovative, creative, or inspirational design.

It doesn't look like a train wreck. :)

I agree with amed, although this isn't 'just' a decorating contest, decoration, furniture placement, and personality ARE key elements to this contest. This apartment has beautiful bones, but that said, it doesnt have the personality of some of the little rectangles many submissions are working in. I think you will get there soon michaelc!

East village.. deck and fireplace.. I would hate to think how much rent you are paying for it in Manhattan!

Renter 7 years. Signed a lease at the end of 01. Let just say I likely pay 1/2 or less mkt.

For the ones who say it is a work in progress, you can make all checks payable to "cash" and I can provide my address later:)

For the others who say it lacks personality, well I could paint the entire place red and purple, and buy tons or little chochca's and put them on every available surface? But now, that;s not my thing.

There are many of you who get it. I thank you. This is not an intimate style apt, as Hollie suggested "personality of some of the little rectangles many submissions are working in" This is a NYC loft. No other way to explain it. If I had a conventional 12x20 floorplan with 8 foot ceilings sure it would be easy to paint a nice blue grey, etc, etc.

This space has amazing ventilation, cross breeze, more light than one needs. Also, odd as it is, but there is not 1 single solid wall in the apt. There are beams, dropped ceilings, raised ceilings, windows, skylights, etc everywhere.

Sydney, the chairs are amazing. Designed by one of the best, the arms provide perfect support, however, these dating back to the 60's are a but wobbley:)

K T G- was not sure if your misery was medically induced but I got a smile out of you:) thanks

michaelc,

I like your apartment very much. However, you seemed to be on the defensive right from your very first posted comment. ordering people how to judge your entry doesn't really work - this is a tough bunch.

despite having furniture in it, this apartment just seems... empty.

and michaelc - no one is knocking your lack of wall color or tchochkes. but there are only... 4 pieces of artwork that i can see there, and a patterened pillowcase on the couch. the rest is all black, white, and grey (and wood). it looks like you just moved in. i'm glad there are no vignette photos, but the place just looks so blank!

It definately is cool. But so cool, that it feels a bit cold and uninviting for me. As a home. Maybe when you get some more art... as a hotel room I would TOTALLY love this. I voted cool. Not super cool, because for some reason I'm just not feeling it, although I am a fan of white, minimal spaces with good design pieces.

I agree with Black Sheep way up top - nothing wrong with this place, just nothing particularly special. I'm a little sad that one photo was wasted on the deck - cause deck chairs ALWAYS look like deck chairs. To me the most interesting space is the first photo - where you can show a little ingenuity stashing two little stools under the table rather than having 4 chairs crammed in there. Otherwise it's nice, but not "wow" material. And more importantly than this being an APARTMENT contest it is smallest/COOLEST contest.

I get it now. No, really. It is a great apartment that he didn't f up loading a lot of excessive crap into it and call it decoration. I think what everyone else is saying, michaelc, you could stand to add just a wee bit more crap and make it look like you live there.

carpets typically warm up a space, but in this case they work the opposite way.

Not that you did anything terribly wrong, but I thought it needs some punch. Nice outdoor space!

Sorry Michael this is Wes and I'm going to reiterate some of your own language here-

"Is it just me or is this year straight out of college year?"

"This is a great home for these people but...Is there any style here? Creativity? The apartment is ok."

You definitely got a hold of a interesting space and layout but you haven't really done anything with it. I wouldn't do too much and don't think it needs any paint but you've been there 7 years and your books are just stacked on the mantle and the few pieces of art are leaning against the wall. There is minimal and there is unfinished and the very few things you have look temporary and I find it hard to believe you've lived there so long. You may be going for minimalist but that takes a lot more visual refinement (not money) to pull it off. It's a nice space but you did not design it.

I felt an obligation to be critical but would like to compliment you on your furniture collection.

DEF undercooked to me. You're well on your way though. You need to do something with the huge white wall over the couch. It's just barren. Maybe it becomes a colored feature wall or you use some amazing wall covering. Or maybe it's just a huge piece of art or sculpture. It defintiely needs something. The area under the stairs also looks really unresolved. Other posters are right. It's not about the bones of yourr space. If that were the case the prize would go to the person who was luckiest enough to score the best empty apartment. This contest is baout how you interpret your space and inspire others. I want to see your fingerprint on the amazing bones you have to work with. That's just my take.

Does it makes sense to put the rug under the sofa as some suggested? Never considered that.

As for the books. I like them right were they are. Had built in bookshelves, have had free standing bookcases, everything looked too finished.

Agreed the walls lack artwork but there is just sooo much wall space...I am working on that and if this makes it through I trust the new photos will be more intimate. I should have included Bedroom 1 photo with my paintings hanging on the wall.

Thanks for the comments. Tough crowd (as I already knew:)

Modfans comment "just nothing particularly special" concerns me..perhaps you should wait till you get home to open the bottle:)

I was expecting you wes...thnx

As for renting, this is the reason why I posted this year as, I likely will not renew the lease next year and felt there was a lack of unique SPACES this year, in fact I have not seen any. Well decorated spaces, but not cool spaces. I am hoping to close on something next Dec/Jan. Cool studio which in turn is more conventional to design.

it's really great, but i think it's the building itself. a place like that looks perfect w/o anything. maybe that's why you left it so minimal. if so, good choice.

This is the first time in 3 years that I can remember an entrant telling commenters how we should judge their space.

That's a little controlling!

I liked the place a lot more before the entrant started commenting.

Wish the apt had as much as attitude as the owner. Maybe in his next entry.

LOL Mr. Dangerous. However, I feel with the limited photos that can be entered that the owner of the space should and could defend their choices BUT also be open to suggestions and criticism. I feel that not only is this contest about getting inspired by the entrants but the entrants also be inspired by the commentors.

omg - now that i've all these back and forth comments from the owner - i really regret that i voted "super cool"... :(

good potential, but it's missing that certain je ne sais quoi factor.

you have TOO MUCH? where?

Thanks BrookeinBoston.

Sorry to disappoint you absolutmarie.

I find this space really cold with no homey factor. It feels like its been staged for a catalogue or for an open house. There is nothing that tells me someone really lives here. I think with more thought and more personality this could be quite cute- even though this is not really my style.

absolutmarie, I hear ya. I only voted cool, but would've refrained from voting altogether if I'd read the comments first.

Maybe instead of just being critical, people could offer specific concrete suggestions for how to improve? This is a knowledgeable crowd with much to offer. The criticisms/attacks of the "I don't like it" variety just get to me.

I voted cool, but I wish I could change my vote due to michael's controlling attitude and the fact that although he's been there 7 years, he started off with a bunch of "I'm just about to put this artwork up, etc" type of excuses.

i actually really like this place, voted cool, though the decorating misses finesse. must be the first without a tv? unfortunately the artwork looks like borrowed for a day from the neighbors. i don't mind pieces standing on the floor or desk when of considerable size, but the one next to the bed is way to small to not get completely lost. same on the desk. the decorating has scale issues.

and i agree... telling us how to view and interprete the entry is not really cool, but manipulative.

Exactly, Zephy. Phase2phase was helpful with an idea as well as a few others. In no way do I feel I have been controlling, just protecting my interests, in which a place I live in many years.

Many years of wow's in person has not prepared me well for this. The internet proves to be different.

I apologize to the ones that may have been offended by my defensive nature however, I am in a business where I see many homes and I am a bit skeptical on how some of the people that comment live. Please consider I am one of the ONLY brave 18 people to date to entered (eastcoast)

ridge_van_winkle - sorry but I am not entirely sure I said "i'm just about to put this artwork up, etc" I did say however that I ordered 2 mega photos for the bedroom which is different. I am allowed to change my personal style around? now I am confused. ugh..wish maybe I had not tried to be part of the AT community.

"and I am a bit skeptical on how some of the people that comment live"

... now that's the spirit! offence is the best defense. let your inner rodeo cowboy out, and stop crying.

There is a tv -aad. Sorry it did become a highlight of one of the photos. thnx.

The deck is my favorite....nice retreat at the end of the day with a glass of wine or two. :)

Michael, to answer your question directed at me ... you absolutely CAN evolve your style. 7 years is a long time to live in a place without making any changes. I too have been in the same place (albeit on-and-off) since 2001 and I've changed each room in it at least 2 or 3 times depending on art, furniture, etc. that I've cycled in and out or whatever. But that is precisely why I haven't entered any of these contests yet ... because each time they roll around (color contest, etc.) I always seem to have one room or another in a state of transition and I didn't feel like it would be a cohesive entry. So if you have artwork on the way or whatever, you have to accept comments that may point out the place looking unfinished ... especially if as someone else pointed out ... you are quick to make the same criticisms of other entries.

I like minimalist style (although I don't like to live in it myself) and have voted super cool on many of those places. Yours, I'm sorry, just looks unfinished. I do, however, like the bones of the place which is why I initially voted cool.

The apartment has a lot going for it on its own even though the decor is a little spare. The stairway is great, as well as the loft. I also like the beamed ceiling and fireplace! Maybe you could add a little color and personalize it more....but still a great place!

Perfect! Look forward to seeing it more in depth if/when you reach the next round.

so great. and, wow, you have outdoor space... jealous!

The space itself is fantastic, the decor not nearly so much... I think I'd love it just as much if it was utterly empty. It's the space and light and staircase and deck that makes this apartment, but I'm more impressed when I see an unpromising space brought to life by the way it's decorated.

Michael C,

If I were you, I wouldn't care too much what other says, regardless it's a compliment or criticism.

Simply because I am truly obsessed with your apt layout, I kept replaying the slideshow and picturing how I would arrange with my furniture in that fantastic space.

If this is true "... I likely will not renew the lease next year ..." Please let me know, keithc94117 at yahoo dot com.

Many many thanks in advance!

Thanks phase2phase- I will be in touch for sure. Perhaps you can suggest your thoughts in person, once the competition is over.

I have had another idea recently, that I may try, even if short term and it involves losing the R&B table, picking up a Mies daybed and using these extrememly long ikea (white) curtains.

Thanks to the other recent commentors.

I think if the rug were larger and just a more upbeat shade of gray, paint your bedroom wall a slightly darker white than the other wall, enlarge the size of your art 50% and reduce your surly to match the restraint of decor, you'd win, fo' sho'. Thanks for putting your apt. on the line for the contest and see how the shoe feels on the other foot.

nice place, terrible attitude.

I like it but what a bummer that all the claws are out on both sides.

I think there should be more investigation of this phenomenon. Some people like order, architectural beauty and serenity in their homes. Others like reflections of personality, color, coziness and warmth. It's usually the same sorts of people who like the same sorts apartments and complain that the other style is "too cluttered" and "too busy" on one side and "too sterile" and "needs some color/personality" on the other. The balance of the traffic here has swung towards the latter over the past few years and I think the entries into this years contest reflect that to a large extent.

K T G: I have to ask: What is a more upbeat shade of gray?

hear, hear zephy. At first blush I liked this apartment because I interpreted the minimalism as a choice because the bones are so amazing. I like the entry because it has a different point of view from other entries as being more about the actual space and it makes me feel sort of Zen. Like sometimes it's best not to do anything at all, grasshopper. The only constructive criticism I have on your choices is to echo what someone else said about the sofa - I would prefer it to be pulled out from the wall a bit. Thanks for sharing!

michaelc's reaction about splashing bright colors all over and filling the space with tons of junk (to please the tastes of the voters) was unnecessarily extreme... he seems to know what he likes, and I think it's important to respect that, so there's no reason to infer from anyone's suggestions that he should go overboard.

I think a larger rug, in a warmer and lighter shade wouldn't be that far to go to improve the room. It doesn't need to be red and purple shag in the shape of an amoeba to give the room a little more of what it needs. Only subtle pressure is needed. Some things a little larger and warmer wouldn't be so crowding, would it?

I don't how I missed this first time around, but your place is absolutely gorgeous. LOVE your light grey sofa and and dark rug. I can't tell if the rug is genuinely black or very dark charcoal, but it looks stunning on the wood floor. (How do you live without a coffee table? Not a criticism... more of a lament, since I can't imagine being without one.)

I'm not missing color, I like the white walls because I would imagine the changing light probably alters the feel of the place through the day. The whole place has a sophisticated, airy, calm, welcoming feel to it, and your gorgeous outdoor space - which you've set up beautifully - is the cherry on top. You've pretty much got the apartment of my dreams here. LOVE it!

Wonderful, and helpful criticism Ondrej and HopeK. Makes entering the competition all the more worth it. I respect all views and I appreciate that there are those, that acknowledge certain principals that we choose to live by.

That has been the "challenge point" for the competition this year it seems, ways to live vs. ways to decorate and of course and most importantly having an actual cool space architecturally, that what makes a space ultimately cool correct? (AT may have done a little justice on providing better clarification on these points for the community)

Inspiration, in my opinion should come from the space itself, energy, I was never one to see a shade of blue paint or a fabric, etc and say, I could do this. Because for some reason the finished product is never what you expect. I have seen 300sf studios with a nook and an exposed brick wall with original 12 foot high tin ceilings and saying "wow, I could do this, this and that" A townhouse, with original 10 foot doors on the parlor level from the early 1900's and planning from that, or a loft with 15 foot casement windows. When combined in a certain way you get something like Tony & Hilarys Ft. Greene Space (amazing) and I truly feel they grasp a lot of what this comp is about, and secured a "cool space" and they are certain to be a finalist, if not a winner should none other better, be posted in the next week.

KTG thanks..Lets put it to bed:) As you see I am very literal and I think people read me wrong but hopefully, this is a bit clearer now. Let's hope that some of the other entrants are cool!!

Thanks again. Michael

If only the rest of the place looked as GORGEOUS as the living area...

Oh Michael,

I just dreamt living-in your apartment...(nutty, right?)

I can't help to ask how much is the rent and what area is it in dwntwn NYC? near any subway?

Please email me keithc94117 at yahoo dot com

Thanks you so very much!

michael
We're playing by AT's rules here along with some comments, including constructive criticism.
Okay?
:)
You have some great pieces.
Maybe these suggestions will make it 'work' and feel better:
Move the 'dining/work' table out into the center of the room, but way back towards the kitchen. Closer to where it should be.
Float it.
Now, something similar with that great sofa.
Center it along that back (window wall), pulled out from the wall providing room to 'walk' behind it , if you can.

The rest will follow.

(unless it's huge, hang the art)
I would really like to see it all again with your newly arriving art, you mentioned.
Cheers.

Thanks Paul. Thanks Joanna D.

Have not written in a day or two. But I just want to say again, that there is something terribly wrong this year with the comp. The young man with the ss ship or boat or what you call it got nearly 300 "super cool" votes. That right there says enough where I know that I am in the wrong place, targeting the wrong group of people for the most part. I am so utterly confused that I lack words right now...*&^&*^ I just saw that place. There were a few girls that may have even offered to birth that guys child. Again, I do not need to win, I would like to, but if I get 97 votes and him 300, that's a wrap for me and AT for a while. Maybe a long while.

Michael, you're letting it bother you way too much. The "decorator" types way outnumber the "spatial/architectural" types on AT and in meatspace, particularly considering that the majority of the posters on AT seem to be female (and tend towards the decorator type). Check out the reactions to "Melissa's Pod" and "Gary's Concrete Cell" for some more perspective.

Thanks again Ondrej,

I am looking forward to the international posts as I feel they maybe more established looking, or perhaps convey the dynamic I personally seek architectually. That website marie-clair-maison that was on AT last week is a prime example of what I expect to see.

Eduardo's space and Tony and Hilary's space are fantastic and for many reasons.

fyi. going to re-configure my living room. Fortunately, and through my disappointment with this I have gotten inspired to do something new. It will be a bit warmer and it does involve a repo mies daybed.

Cheer's..Michael

hey all,

guess who? the captain of the s.s. waverly here.

I'm not really going to add any comments here, but lets just say that the old adage rings especially true:

"More flies are taken with a drop of honey than a jar of vinegar."

Cheers!

Oh, and the rest of you all are welcome aboard the SS Waverly any day!

I'm just glad nobody's gloating or anything. That's always unpleasant for all concerned.

lol...well said s.s. waverly person..still fact remains there is some bizarre voting going on this year..Many have said this regardless of my 2cents!

ugh! bickering! so unattractive :)

To abandon that...here are my opinions! (if you care:))

I think it is a lovely place...a tad..."safe" is the best word I can think of. There is some room for some riskier choices I think. I do have to agree with DesignGod that the space above the couch would benefit from a large piece of art. I would go with sculpture, something metal and wirey! I keep thinking of "Rebecca and Roger's Wabi-Sabi" house tour on ATSF where they have this ancient mattress spring up as art! Something a little wacko like that would go well with the "clean-ness" of what you already have going. I just think the place could use some unusual touches to balance out the clean lines. (I'm not sure if any of that makes sense)

Anyways, to address the state of this commenter's home...MILES to go before it is in the league of yours :)

Now that I have overused the smiley, I'm gonna go.

With the great architectural bones there is so much opportunity here to do so much more.