apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Hooray, another Portland entry!

Anna and Victor, your home looks fabulous. This may be my favorite entry so far. Very cheery and homey, + full of personality without looking cluttered or overdecorated. I love it.

Anna and Victor!

You have beautiful home! I'm very inspired by what you've done with your space. You must be artists....:>

Alexis

while i like the art and color of the tables, my view of this contest is that paint (and more than just white everywhere) needs to go into the equation. some walls or rooms can be white, but it is about the combination of colors to create impact that is the idea of the power of color. that said if i saw a place in all black and white, it could be a winner by the very force of the use of color (or non color). this place here, tho, while nice and attractive, isn't super innovative in its use of color.

Anna & Victor!

You manage to have a stylish AND cozy home. Hard to do! I love those pillows too...

I like the splashes of color all over the room on the furniture and accessories. I'm not a fan of white walls, but I like the color that's here. I especially love the red tables. Not everyone is willing to use color even in furniture and it's a different way to add color than most of the entries, not better, just different.

Chad: I'm afraid I have to disagree.

I think it is *very* valuable to show that you can be inspired in your use of color, even if you rent and your landlord doesn't let you paint the walls.

In fact, if *I* were running the contest I would probably have two categories of entries and winners: One for those who cannot paint their walls and must be creative in introducing color in other ways, and another for those who are able to use paint.

this is so much fun.

I think this is both irreverent & sophisticated - and a lot of fun. It's a good start, but it needs something on those walls - maybe a neutral graphic wallpaper would look cool.

What is it with the landlords not letting us paint the walls!?

I agree with Mama Chilanga: this is *Apartment* Therapy, yes?

Following Chad's line of reasoning, this couple could have prepared for us a medley of beige, cream, off-white, off-off white and sand and he might have been impressed by their use of color..but that would have been as depressing as a Ford Taurus and bland as plain oatmeal.

Good work, cozy and delightful Portland couple.

I love this! The colors are interesting and bright. I like the color combo especially against the white walls. The color is what you see because of the background.

I kinda liked the first picture, but then the second one showing the full space ruined it for me ... too much big open bland space with colors scattered about. At the very least you should paint the dining area in the back maybe one of the accent colors you're using in the living room.

You actually have a nice, warm sofa, but it needs to sit in front of some color (walls, painting) to make it pop ... as it sits here, it looks just as boring as the walls.

I saw nothing in the contest details saying you must use paint on your walls.

The use of color is the use of color, may it be on furniture, accessories, art, or fabric. I see this space as colorful, relaxing, and a bit funky because the color comes from the furniture.

Yippee! This place is fun and looks like a home. It doesn't look like a rental to me. Great job pulling it together and using color in other ways besides paint on the walls. Definitely In Contention.

OMG, i adore that 70s 'lookin teak 12" record holder meets table meets bench. what a fabby find! *sigh*

A Very Cute place! But if I may, some suggestions:

The couch is the only element that is an "off" note- it doesn't go with the attitude of everything else. Maybe try a cover or more pillows in the same great attitude of the other furnishings.

Also, the Dining Room Pendant Lamp is great! Here is my suggestion: Lower it at least 24". (I can tell you how if you need. This visually makes it a part of the table setting and really enhances the flower arrangements and dining too!

IMPORTANT- Enjoy yourself when you decortate.

Mood elevating colours, nicely organized. Still, that sofa is a complete disaster. But you know that. This is way too tastefully done to win. You're the winners here... you get to live in it.

Look, if I am really nice to you, is there anyway you will give me those little striped vases?

Anna and Victor,
I am in love! I thought I was the only one still with 100's of albums and not afraid to show them in a room. :)
Also, where on earth did those soda bottles come from? As a coke addict, classic not white, I would love to add a piece like that.

MADLY IN LOVE for your soda painting. damn flippin brilliant. I love when everyday items become art.

Everything seems really well chosen and well placed and at the same time it seems very undecorated in the best sense. More like a natural extension of your interests than some of the very designed apartments in this contest but, also, more disciplined and aesthetically deliberate than some of the sort of haphazard entries. It's a really nice balance.

i'm a big fan of tutti frutti, but as i've said before i'm not sure i'd want an enormous piece of "cute/kawaii" art aggressively dominating my space. i took hits for this idea, along the lines that i'm censoring others' taste in art. i don't want to do that. i just think there's a range of art that almost falls into the teenage bedroom poster category that should, well, stay in the teenage bedroom. and certain aspects of jokey hokey kawaii are one of them. i'm not an art snob, i adore art that really really matches the sofa or the curtains. again, i feel squicked in a room where cuteness -- AIN'T I KICKY????? --is so aggressive.

What are you talking about "cute/kawaii"?? What does that mean? And what does "Joeky Hokey" mean? Are those art terms I we should know about?
If you want art that matches the sofa and the curtains why don't you head to TJ MAXX and get your self some posters for $29.99.
Barf.
I want to steam clean myself after reading your comments.

D, get a dictionary.

Very bright and airy and welcoming - love it