apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

What happened? This isn't the same place.

Ok, why is it that the original entries get 2 photos and the finalists get to have a house tour. This contest is about use of color and NOT overall house design. The judging should be done based on the ORIGINAL entries, not revised, expanded entries...

I have started to come to the conclusion that AT contests need SERIOUS overhaul with respect to protocall and following the rules.

Come on AT...this is a joke.

... Yeah I know the rules state that the submission of more photos is allowed but come on that's lame...

You put your best foot forward and that's that, no second chances to make a first impression.

"AT's editors tally the votes and select 10 finalists from around the country, who will be revealed 2 per day on each site. Finalists have until November 3rd to refine their profile and to send in 5 new and better pictures, and (optional) video/interview."

But who cares about fair? Pretty clearly, that's not the point of the contest. There are sooo many factors other than how nice your place is- the whole rent vs. own debate, how many friends you have and how hard you campaign for votes, allowing multiple votes for the same entry from the same computer, some really strange judging choices, disposable income disparity, photography skillz, etc. etc. etc. Seems more about getting some pictures up and having dialog, with prizes just to motivate content submission. Take it more like a random lottery than a "fair" competition, especially when you see a finalist you don't like. And the ones you think are ugly? Appreciated that they donated web content. (Be constructively critical, just not terribly mean.)

Like yer mom said, life's not fair, but try to enjoy it anyway.

WOW Could you at least mention the entry this post is about? Anyway...

Spon, I am so happy that you made it to the finals!!! I loved your entry and seeing your main living room you definitely deserve being here. Great use of color and I love how you staggered the panels in the drapes. Very original.

It's interesting, the room that this person presented for the color contest was definitely the best room of the house - the other rooms I find way too matchy-matchy and don't present a particular good color story.

But the judges picked the finalists based on only the orginal postings right, they couldn't reject someone they had picked as a finalist once they had seen the rest of their house?

I have never seen so many sour grapes. This contest is all in good fun! Enjoy it, it's fun!

I am depressed by how ...not good.... the finalists are. What the hell is going on? And the rest of the house displays a terrible use of color, as well.

The original entry strikes me as a better use of color than the rest of the house.

Here's what I think happens with AT contest rules... A lot of qualities in Maxwell's writing fit a personality that gets places through innovation, spontaneity, and experimentation, not through planning and rules. The best AT features exude, "Hey, let's check out this cool thing!" and the most disputed postings start with tossing us something a little too "out there" just 'cause he thought it was interesting.

This isn't a mindset that does well with setting and enforcing rules, especially when something new and cool comes along that seems worth trying. Once a project -- like the contests here -- get big enough that a large number of participants expect uniform enforcement of clear, unambiguous rules (which heaven knows, as scope-schedule-budget queen, I do!), frustrations rise.

I don't have a solution. Spontaneity and experimentation have traditionally been part of AT's charm, and it's usually futile to try to get people to be what they're not.

I have to say, I really enjoyed last year a lot more when the entries were, for the most part, relegated to one room, as opposed to the whole house. Using the 5 extra pictures as detail shots or shots of other parts of the room/perspectives of the space works much better in my opionion, as it gives you a better feel of that room. You really can't "see" a room through two photos.

So that would be my suggestion.

I have to agree with some of the comments above. I'm starting to realize that the finalists were chosen purely on the number of "insta-finalist" votes they received. And thus, throwing out some entries that were more deserving than others. For example, in my humble opinion, I think John's Harmonious Hues (#18 Southwest) should be in the running. What? He's JUST an Honorable Mention?!?! I was floored by this!
I agree that this entry does not show a completely skillful use of color.

Just to clarify, I don't think this one's particularly bad. I don't think it's a winner, but impressive that it has something like 3X total votes of the average entery. How? Campaining, which Maxwell explicitly encouraged. Why not? Virtually free advertising! The contest provides nearly free content and advertising for the site, great entertainment for the rest of us, and a little payback for the biggest campainers. Win win win all around- I've really enjoyed seeing all the entries, good, bad, and in between. Thank you to all the contestants!! And for those of you that are bitter about the results, now you know what it really takes to win next time (assuming the rules stay the same).

So, Erica...
Are you saying that to reach the finals in this contest, it has nothing to do with color skill but rather it's just about how good of a campaigner you are? To be honest with you, I think that sucks.
I understand that increased traffic (no matter how), means increased advertising $$ to apartmenttherapy. OK, that's cool, but for those entrants who actually thought this contest was about color skill, it might not seem fair. I know what you're going to say..."Life's not fair, get over it" but frankly, I like to try and make life just a little more fair.

Sorry, but as far as I can see, yeah, pretty much. Look at total votes for any finalist: 3-4X total votes compared to other entries. Hey, I don't make the rules. Finalists are determined by voting. Voting is determined by campaining. (And early entries also have many more total votes than later entries, but not to the degree of heavily promoted entries.) Not saying it's right or "fair", but that's the way it is. My understanding is that judging will determine the ranking of the finalists (in addition to judges' choice honorable mentions), so that's where skill and all those other factors really come in. But sure, if I had entered I might be upset, especially if I entered under the assumption that it was all about skill. Maybe everyone should get their entry fees back? ;)

Anyway, it's really, really hard to make a "fair" open online voting system.

Uh, yeah.
It's not sour grapes, but when I first saw this room I thought "nice, ok" but could not understand how it had so many "insta-finalist" votes, other than the fact that the owner probably campaigned like mad. I realize that AT encourages the campaigning, but did say "The finals are voted on by our six judges, so anyone who gets in without real merit simply won't stand a chance." So, what you're telling me is that based on merit that this entry beat out 200+ enties? Come on now, any one of the honorable mentions (except for that red one) is more deserving of a place in the finals than this -- a politely decorated blue room with in an otherwise dully decorated condo. With all the inspiring entries to choose from, I am very disappointed with most of these finalists.

hey Amanda-
not disagreeing with your sentiments, but just wanted to say that I think the sentence "The finals are voted on by our six judges, so anyone who gets in without real merit simply won't stand a chance." means that even if someone gets in to the top ten based on sheer numbers of votes doesn't mean that the judges will like it. I think that the top ten are determined solely on votes but the winners are judged critically by the judges and so you'll see some (like this entry) way at the bottom of those top ten. It does stink, though, seeing the value of those prizes. I think that Wende had really great suggestions elsewhere on how to administer a contest like this in the future: a set period of time for entries, say two weeks or three weeks to submit your space, and THEN the best listed on the site for voting. I'd also really like one page from which a person could conceivably click through ALL entries instead of click on one, then back, then the next, then back as we had to do on this one. It got really overwhelming to keep up with all the entries on all the sites.
jeez, enough complaining on my (non-entrant) end

Everyone is talking about this contest as if we're competing for a million dollars.

IT'S A $2000 GIFT CERTIFICATE PEOPLE. Geesh, don't you guys have jobs?

Everyone is fighting about this contest as if we're competing for a million dollars.

IT'S A $2000 GIFT CERTIFICATE PEOPLE. Geesh, don't you guys have jobs? Are you really that upset about losing out on a gift certficate????

To the coments posted above by "enough/greed, greed, greed" for me, this is not about the gift certificate. It's about the wording of the contest: "What: We are seeking the most ingenious and beautiful submissions along with all the tips and resources we need to maximize our own homes.
Criteria: Readers and judges will evaluate each submission to find the boldest, coolest, most colorful room."
What is it about this submission or half of the other finalists or honorable mentions that says "bold, cool, ingenious or beautiful" to you? I am iritated because there were some real enteries that qualified in those areas and got completely overlooked because they didn't campaign hard enough to get hundreds of votes? What about those who had their submissions posted during the last week of voting, how can they possibly rack up the same number of votes as those contestants who had weeks for their friends, families, coworkers, and everyone they knew from blogs or online communities to vote for their entry?
Taste is subjective, yes, but the judges are going to have to come up with better wording then for the outline of this contest next year because personally I can't see how entries like Deana & Nadim's Daring Duplex, John's Harmonious Hues, or John & Anna's Old and New Rendezvous (btw, none of these are mine) get passed over for this?

Uhm - geez, looks like my contest entry has somehow caused quite a stir...

I didn't enter this contest because I thought that each and every corner of my house oozed with an ingenious use of color. However, I did work hard on the loft (my original entry, which I love), and I wanted to share my use of color in the hopes that other people would like it too. Yes, I agree, there are a number of other entries that could have been finalists along with or in place of my entry. But either way - I am flattered and excited to have made it this far in the contest. Maybe AT will take a different approach to next year's contest and require pics from a few different rooms in the first round.

So at this point, let me just stick up for myself a bit and say that my house is a work in progress, BUT - with every single room that I tackle, the colors that go into the room are my first thought! I love color and I want to use it everywhere in my home. And when I entered this contest, I naively thought that this is what the contest was all about... Admittedly, I wasn't as prepared to show-off the other rooms in my house, because they aren't as finished as the loft is at this point. But hey, I'm a biologist - so I maybe I'm a little out of my league here in the contest. Nonetheless, doesn't *everyone* (artist/designer or not) deserve some credit for trying?

Thanks for "listening".

To "annoyed":

Hold your own color contest if you don't like this one. Apartmenttherapy.com is a subjective entity, and they can choose to run THEIR competition anyway they like. They don't OWE you anything.

This isn't a public service here. This is a PRIVATELY own & run PROMOTIONAL contest. They aren't handing out diplomas or food stamps... there's no "social responsibility" here.. geesh get over it.

SIC: "I am iritated because there were some real enteries that qualified in those areas and got completely overlooked because they didn't campaign hard enough to get hundreds of votes? What about those who had their submissions posted during the last week of voting, how can they possibly rack up the same number of votes as those contestants who had weeks for their friends, families, coworkers, and everyone they knew from blogs or online communities to vote for their entry?"

Have you ever applied for a job, participated or helped in an election, applied to college?? HELLO... that's how life works. Obviously things must come easy as pie to you, or you've never challenged yourself. In every field there is politics (yes, finding support by campaigning, ie:connections, etc), you're sheltered if this is a revelation to you for the first time during apartmenttherapy's "Color Contest".

So here's your lesson of the day, oh little one: "Qualifications" don't always make a winner. OH, and also "Life's not always fair".

SNAP!

"Life's not always fair," yeah but you have to admit this is a rather boring entry, especially taking in the other photo.

"alexis"-

I personally don't find this apartment boring. But that's my opinion. Perhaps if you have an opinion it might be good to elaborate on what you find boring. Describe your criticisms instead of posting broad, general, negative comments. How's it boring? Why do you think it's boring? How does it compare against the other entries?

Sorry, I went to art school and sat through many, many crit classes (8 years worth- BFA & MFA). Don't be so simplistic is all.

LIFE 101 -

SIC: "Have you ever applied for a job, participated or helped in an election, applied to college?? HELLO... that's how life works. Obviously things must come easy as pie to you, or you've never challenged yourself. In every field there is politics (yes, finding support by campaigning, ie:connections, etc), you're sheltered if this is a revelation to you for the first time during apartmenttherapy's "Color Contest". So here's your lesson of the day, oh little one: "Qualifications" don't always make a winner. OH, and also "Life's not always fair"...

Sorry, I went to art school and sat through many, many crit classes (8 years worth- BFA & MFA). Don't be so simplistic is all."

It's a shame that you seem to want to bring your education into this as if all your degrees make your opinion more valuable. For the record, over the years I have applied for several jobs, helped out in local elections, applied to both undergrad schools as well as graduate (and have both my BA and MLIS, thank you very much). No, things haven't always come easy for me, but this contest isn't about me, it's about color. If you took time to read my original response and respond to it instead of going on the attack you could've answered what you thought made this room "bold, cool, ingenious or beautiful" according to the original AT contest rules. My beef was with the judges and how the voting was set up.

While I can't answer for "alexis," my critique of this room is that while it does offer color and that the blues and greens are very complimentary to each other and give the room a calming feel, I don't see the owner going out on a ledge to do anything bold or out of the box. This room reminds me of the common room I had in my college dorm - friendly, relaxing, but when viewing it from an interior design prespective, it's rather safe and uninspiring. While this room could be seen in an Ikea catalogue, I don't think it would be featured in rags like Metropolitan Home, House Beautiful, etc. because it doesn't really offer up anything new.

Again, I'm just looking it through the contest outline of "bold, cool, or ingenious uses of color"

I was anticipating "Life's not always fair." You're right, Life 101, life isn't always fair, but why not try and make it just a little more fair? No harm in trying. I think those people who are raising a stink (like myself) is not because we're being cry-babies over a gift certificate (although who wouldn't love winning a $2,500 shopping spree?) but rather because of the principle.
Perhaps, this contest should have been called "Best Campaign for Color Contest" rather than "Fall Colors Contest" with the prize going to the most "skillful use of color." I think if the rules were more clearly explained we wouldn't be having this debate.
Oh, and would you please elaborate on why/how you DON'T find this apartment boring. It's too broad and general a comment...Just kidding!

OK:
I agree, the first two pics of the front entrance are a tad "boring", there is nothing really to look at and the tan color is lost against the dark purple/maroon color. Using a very light yellow instead of that tan would have punched it up a bit.

The loft- with the blue walls- is gorgeous & the color use is bold because it's such a dark color to use on an interior wall. It surprises me to see this (and the red color also) used in the apartment, since everything else is so neutral & safe. I enjoy the fact that the owner took some risks. Also, using the dark, heavy color against the cement creates this dismal cold feeling which I sort of enjoy- especially because the apartment is in such a warm climate (atleast warmer than East Coast), so it's cold and almost waterproof inside.. ready for someone to come from the beach- still wet from swimming- to cool off and relax without worrying about getting sand on any carpet.

What gets me everytime I look at the picture of the blue loft is the "starburst" design on the pillows in relation to the shadows and sunbursts in the picture above (with two feet in a sunny location). I'm hoping that's a real photo from a memorable vacation, it has a nice casual hinging-out feeling!

I am not a fan of the coffee table (how's that for specific?). Spon, love the color choices so far, but think you need to expand with some tertiary accent colors now. Maybe something simple like some deep brown (furniture, at least) in the living room?

Congrats on your finalist status. Don't let the snobs get you down.

K

*yawn* This room makes me want to take a nap because it looks comfortable, but also is a tad bit boring, if we're going to be honest here.

I'm so silly, here I thought this was a colors contest and it's a popularity contest. Next year I'll just remember to tell my grandma to vote 90 times and make posts on craigslist and myspace. Here's to the Color Contest of '07!

For all of you who are so disappointed- you had a good time looking at them, right? and the price for the entertainment can't be beat? And I do hope the contestants got mostly useful feedback.

Agreed, new format (or maybe just a more accurate description of how to win the contest- would people participate if they were knew how it worked?)

my suggestion- 80% of the fun is checking the website for new eye candy, so maybe keep the system of posting new entrants each day/other day, then have a designated voting period at the end of all of it, with a single ballot all on one page. On the ballot, each entry could have two pictures, a link to all their supporting words and bigger versions of the pictures, and three radio buttons. Maybe or maybe not insist that a voter make a judgement on each entrant to reduce ballot stuffing. 60 is a lot of things to vote on at once, but I'm sure most people can look at a list of 60 things, such as on ebay, and make yes/no/maybe decisions quickly.

Other suggestions?

I think anyone who knew the ins and outs of a computer and the internet knew how to win this contest.

C'mon, don't be upset because you couldn't think of how to get more votes. Do you really think Britney Spears is the best singer in the country? No, but she sure as H@ll is the most well known.

What next, do you want to regulate the education level too? Or organize it according to social class, ideologies, religion, etc? How can they make this contest MORE FAIR FOR YOU?

This is the internet world, and there is no way around ballot box stuffing. But, with that said, there are ways to at least make the voting a bit more fair. For example, rather than just taking the "insta-finalist" voting numbers at face value, how about taking a percentage of total votes that the particular entry received? That way it takes into account those who voted "in-contention" or "no way, jose." The way the finalists were chosen, there was no reason to have the "in-contention" or "no way, jose" option. Know what I mean? Not a perfect system and I don't claim it to be, but a step closer to making it a bit more fair, I think.

Like I said before, it is a matter of AT explaining the rules better.

As for rumplestiltskin's banter about "What next, do you want to regulate the education level too? Or organize it according to social class, ideologies, religion, etc?" Um, yeah! I DO want to regulate the education level because I think that this country doesn't spend enough on our children's education and hence their futures. And NO, I do NOT want to organize it according to social class, ideologies and religion, but this is what happens when our politicians stuff the ballot box and do not listed to THE PEOPLE. Humph...that's my 2 cents.

BTW, I DO enjoy looking at all the entries and voting. I DO enjoy visiting this website. I also DO enjoy reading all the comments made by everyone ...the anonymity of the internet sure does make people less inhibited. OK, I'll shut up now before someone else tells me to. zzzzzzippppp!

I've got to say it.

I can just imagine how this contestant told everyone at work how she's a finalist in a decor contest. And what they must then think of AT.

These rooms are awful. One photo just happened to get it right. The furniture, wall arrangement, and the color in every other room is horrid. You really have to stretch to say something good here.

Dear Around the Corner -

"Horrid"??!! And I suppose YOUR house is the epitome of beauty and balance? And if it is, do you honestly think you take all the right pictures to show it off *just right* if you only had 3 days notice and had 3 full days of a "day-job" to deal with as well? If so, then congratulations - you get my award for "meanest super hero".

If not - then sit back and enjoy the other finalist that got it just right. That's right, I said the "other" finalists. I know my entry isn't perfect, but I love that room and how it fits into my house, so can't you just let me peacefully enjoy my 15 seconds of internet fame before I lose to the other entries later this week?

Bruised, but not broken -
-Spon

Spon, it's lovely, as many of the comments on your original posting pointed out. Seems like a lot of people got really unnecessarily hateful comments; it's not just you.

I worry that these mean-spirited comments will mean the demise or restriction of the comments section of the contests, which can be the most interesting and useful part!

While it's reasonable to be surprised, or say something less than positive, would you really tell someone to their face that their home was horrid, awful, and a disgrace to AT? What do people hope to show by saying such things, when a simple, "I don't like it" would register your dissent just as well without being rude? Seriously, those of you that say the most inflammatory things- why so harsh?

This might be old news but maybe this link might help.

http://la.apartmenttherapy.com/la/fall-colors-2006-main/fall-colors-contest-enforcer-013983

Erica and wende have good suggestions for future contests. Also, the number of contenders needs to be narrowed down. This suggestion is self-interested since it's criminal, for instance, how much time I squandered obsessing over the cast of thousands in the last Smallest, Coolest. I must say, however, that in the end the judges did a very good job.

Also, erica, I have heard forever the lament that oh dear all this negativity will destroy AT. Don't worry about it. Dissent can be good, and web sites need hits. An innocuous comments section is more likely to sink the ship than a bit of mudslinging.

(Speaking of, where's jonathan?)

sorry, I'm going to add to the bitterness here. I would much rather have Spon's imperfect, regular person entry get into the finals, and win at that, rather than a showcase like our dear finalist #5 who, it seems, has a prior relationship with AT and has appeared on TV! check out http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/fall-colors-2006-main/fall-colors-2006-finalist-5-014608
for more details on that front

I think a lot of the negative comments are less about this particular entry and more about the surprises we've seen in the honorable mentions and finalists thus far. I think this is why there should be more controls in place. Allowing contestants to ballot stuff through campaigning is clearly destroying trust in the process. This was fine when there weren't actual prizes at stake. But things are different now. The ante is upped! It's time to decide: is this a serious design contest or a popularity contest?

And by the way, for whoever didn't think it was much, I think $2000 is a considerable amount of money.

Spon, I know it's late and the conest has been over for a little while now, but I must say I admire your courage for entering your home, the "work in progress," and opening up something so intimate to criticism (some constructive, some not so much) from complete strangers hiding behind their computers. I hope you find comfort in the fact that the overwhelming majority of the negative feedback was not directed at your home, but toward AT.

I heard of this website when one of my best friends entered her basement in good fun - as was, I'm sure, the intent of most of the contestants (Eastern entry #9 "Amy's Entertaining Basement"). She, too, was disappointed by how nasty some of these people can be.

Anyways, I'm not an interior decorator nor do I have any kind of art education.. but I really like the colors you've chosen so far. I love the contrast of the red wall vs. the cement (?) in your bedroom, as well as your bedding. I visit this site, as I'm sure many people do, to get ideas for my own home - it's a great place for inspiration that isn't cookie-cutter/catalog-ish. I just wanted to let you know, for what it's worth, that I (and the others in my office I shared your pictures with) like the direction your going with your home! Had I not been so late, I would have voted for you :)

Let's all work on being nicer for next year's contest!!