apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Everything just looks blue on my computer monitor. It almost looks like you were shining a blue light in the room when you took the shot.
Wish I could see a better photo of it.

What's on the wall behind the cool green lamp in the first pic? This looks like a rug we saw in someone else's room, I think.

And wide, short windows are tricky. Personally, I never like the drapes that stop just below them ... (especially with such a dark color against a light wall.) You might've made long drapes to the ground, then put some sort of long, skinny console just under the window that runs the length. Or else try some shutters or roman blinds.

This might not be your taste, but my aunt had a long, short window like this in her shabby chic guest house that drove her nuts trying to find the right drape for, so we built an ornate picture frame around it, and used a roller blind set inside it ... when you opened it in the morning, voila! Nature's own work of art!

I agree with kk. My home computer seems to give a better view, so I'll withhold judgement until later. I do like the lamp in the first pic!

I love the boldness of colour choices, and the integration of different styles and mood. I think the design is successful in creating a welcoming and tranquil space. The pictures don't do it justice. And, yeah, that is a rug! Way to think outside the box! That's what creative design is (should be) all about!!! Yay Lula!

While it may just be the lighting in the photograph, I feel claustrophobic when I look at the first picture - too blue, too one color with nothing to anchor me. It reminds me of a restaurant in Seattle where the entire interior is painted in multiple shades of blue. I can't eat there anymore because I feel like I'm sitting in a fishbowl. It's seriously unnverving and I *love* blue.

Great design work translates the pleasantly unexpected into hospitable comfort. It seldom wins the contest. But no one ever lived comfortably (or beautifully) in a trophy case. Ever tour an AID house? Godawful... every time. This is a gorgeous space... artfully created... imminently inviting and livable. Brilliant.

I chose Insta Finalist mainly because of your living room. I've seen a lot of that blue and green used in this contest (I don't mind cuz they're my favorite colors), but it looks so cozy here. I like that there's some white on some of the walls, but it doesn't seem like it cuz there's so much color brought into it with art and curtains and all the accents all over the room. Speaking of, that lamp is incredible! The woods you have are really warm and look great in the space.

I'm not sure I like the bedroom as much just because the color combo isn't my style. But I like that you used a lot of color. I've been trying to figure out how to create some illusion of a headboard since I only have a frame and I like your idea, how did you hang the curtains on the wall?

I LOVE the living room, the colors are so cool and serene, and it does combine a touch of glamour with comfort. The bedroom seems very mismatched to me. The crisp boldness of the Marimekko panel and the ruffly throw pillow, drapey headboard, and the ruffly looking bedskirt are not jiving well.

Nothing to anchor you? The couch is white. I like this space. Loads of personality. I'd probably remove a few objects d'art, but that's because I like empty. I think the "2 good color tips" are excellent and should be mandatory reading for all of the contestants, many of whom seem to not understand the word "palette."

I quite enjoyed the living room photo. It is very inviting and comfortable. I really liked the color separation of the living room from the breakfast nook.

Appreciating the bedroom colors used on both the bed and the walls. Great idea to use a the curtains as the headboard. That is a clever idea.

I adore this. :) It's fabulous.

The living room is absolutely beautiful. It looks calm and soothing.
Is that a rug hanging on the wall behind the sofa? If yes, please tell me where you got it.

This one richly deserves its "insta finalist vote" -- unless... you are really a pro -- I thought this was for amateurs!!?? You're amazing really... love it. Wish I had that living room!!!! Finally an entry that inspires with color.

I definitely adore your color choices & the shapeliness of so many of your pieces. The parallels in shape between the lamp and the rug/wall-hangie-thing & the coffee table runner totally rock, especially with the similarity of the color palette. The only thing that distracts me is the color of the room divider. If you painted it to have a minimalist vertical schwoop (perhaps white with some simple blue wavey pattern?), that would complete the room for me. Great job!!!

I bet that flotaki rug feels AMAZING under your bare feet. I need one of those in Morocco. Winters can get surprisingly chilly here.

Thank you for all of your kind comments and creative suggestions. I hope the brighter photos helped you in making your votes. To answer some of your questions:

The lamp was a serendipitous find at a vintage store. It came without a shade so I researched the era, did some sketches and custom ordered it from Moon Shine Shades online.

The wall hanging is in fact a rug. I bought it at Target for the second bedroom but never got around to using it there. I wanted a rather large peice of graphic art for that wall but couldn't find one that fit my meager budget. One day I had a flash of inspiration, hung the rug on the wall, and voila! Visitors always comment about how cool it looks.

The headboard is made of curtain panels hung from a cafe rod. I want an upholstered white bed and headboard, but it is not in my budget right now so this solution will have to do in the mean time.

I agree about the screen being too dark and I'm still looking for other solutions. It's an odd space that's not in the dining room and not in the living room. I'm on the look out for a vintage bar or something for that space.

Those are matchstick blinds on the wall in the dining area. One of them covers the air conditioner unit in the upper part of the wall. I can roll that panel up when I need the AC and down when I don't.

I voted Insta-Finalist. The colors here are fabulous, especially in the bedroom.

The only thing I really want to reach into the photos and change is that blue throw over the back of the couch. It bugs me, for some reason--it's too dark and heavy-looking--but it's a minor quibble.

Using the Target rug as a wall hanging really works, though; I love how it brings the green from the dining room drapes forward into the living room.

Baby Strange - Good point about the blue throw. It is very dark and the photo would look better without it. Its to protect the sofa from the cats and I just didn't think about removing it. What we'll do to our homes for children and pets :o)

swingin' granny. sorry. too many dust-catching PVC fibers.

You have amazing taste! I just love this one... it demonstrates how talent can infinitely extend a limited budget. Fabulous entry... good luck!

LOVE this room!

Beautiful and serene. Feels happy yet elegant in a down to earth sort of way.

I really like your use of color. The greens and blues flow nicely. The hues are compatible and work nicely together. Love the green curtains and your wall art. I would for go the dark blue throw for perhaps, a soft green or a lighter blue.

Your room is my inspiration room for my new living room space.

Thank you! :)

I don't care for the bedroom, but the living room?

It reminds me of my aunt's Miami Shores home which I visited as a child. It's very 50's bungalow, Frank Sinatra. There are a few out of place elements but the overall effect is fun and kitschy.