apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I think it's swell. Beautiful soft guava colors of the curtains and the rug give the room a lovely warm feel. The chrome lamp and the bright paintings give a nice 'edge' to the softness. I like! I might lower the paintings a bit (they don't seem organic to the room, currently), and add a bookcase or some vertical element on the other side of the couch to balance the high windows.

I think it is lovely. It may be nice to line the curtains or find something a bit more substantial (still in that great red). I think it would make it feel really finished off and elegant.
good job.

Your place looks great! I'd love to know where you got your floor lamp!

Looks lovely. Check that the art isn't too high (the center should be around 57 inches from the floor).

And don't be afraid to add a few personal touches as you go along.

This is a very nice looking room, but it doesn't really give me a sense of who *you* are. If I had to guess what kind of person lives there, I'd be hard-pressed to come up with an answer. It might pass for one of the most nicely-appointed furnished corporate apartments or hotel suites I've seen in a long time... but you want it to look like it is *your* home, no one else's.

Hope that didn't sound too harsh. I think you're off to a wonderful start. Wish my place looked as nice!

It's a lovely start, and I'm sure more personal touches will be added in time to really make it your own. Did you make your own artwork?

I believe the floor lamp is IKEA.

Hi, Im MN's spouse. I lived in the empty apartment (see "before picture) till MN moved in.

- The art is actually centered 58 inches off the ground, but probably looks too high because the couch is not.

- Yes, we painted the oil paintings on the wall ourselves. MN's idea.

- The walls are still white!! its the sunlight reflecting off the curtains and the rug that gives them a darker hue.

Thanks for the kind words, all of you.

-AM

i think it looks great! i actually don't think it necessarily lacks personal touches - some people accumulate more stuff than others, but i don't think that if you lack that stuff it means that you haven't personalized your space. The artwork is very individual and personal, as is the color-scheme...i LOVE red, very relaxing....nice job!

This is the nicest-looking room I have ever seen on apartmenttherapy.com. The lines, colors, and proportions come together well. Are you in the interior design industry? If not, congratulations on a sophisticated concept and polished execution.

You did a good job of lighting the room for the photo, too.

Good job! Your furnished version looks so much warmer and cozier than the original.

When you have the energy for it, can you expand your suite of three paintings to six? Six panels together would not only balance the wall better, but would take care of the entire "personality" issue without changing your interests or priorities. It's just a stronger focus for the room.

The one other thing I'd consider is adding a vase for flowers to get a tiny touch of green as balance to all the red -- but I live in the desert and am therefore very concerned with adding watery touches.

I love your room -- particularly the occasional chair. Would you care to share your source for the chair -- it's exactly what I've been desperately searching for.

Hi Donna,
The plantation chair was from Pier1 Imports. I think they don't carry it anymore.
Anyway, thank all of you for the great comments and suggestions. I would love to make more paintings, but I think I have run out of creative ideas for now :) Maybe I should frame these once they completely dry so they will look nicer.

MN

the floor lamp is from Crate and Barrel. i have it too.

I think the room looks fantastic.....I would have chose a different window treatment.....Maybe something like shutters or something heavier.....I would not have noticed the artwork being too high or too low until it was mentioned....What great feedback you can get on this site.

love the rug - care to share your source?

Beautiful. I love the paintings over the sofa, they add just the right amount of graphic punch to the overall softness of the room. Curtains are wonderful too. Great job.

I agree. The rug is gorgeous. I especially like your use of floor pillows. The room is beautiful.

I looked at the table version of that floor lamp. Very nice space. Congrats. Keep is tidy like this. Don't listen to the people that want you to clutter it up!

cheers

Hi everyone,
Thank you for the comments and suggestions. I have posted some more pictures of the apartment on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/93184253@N00/?saved=1

Since it's a tiny apartment, we had to set up a work place in the living room which can be seen in the pictures. Your suggestions are welcome, as usual! :)

URL! :)

The floor lamp is from Ikea and the rug is from the Company Store

I like the idea that wendeinphoenix proposed about adding greenery to your space. Sometimes one doesn't just need the temporary touch of a flower-in-a-vase to add more interest to a space, but how about the permanent feel of a couple of plants with really neat architectural detail. That would look great in your room, especially if you used really striking pottery planters. If you have a "James Brown thumb", I think some green clear glass bowls or vases would look nice on your coffee table with the idea of warm natural light reflecting through them.
I think adding another complimentary color would help anchor the room a bit more. As an idea, add other toss cushions to the sofa/chairs (unique shape perhaps, or introduce a new pattern, or use a different texture) to add oomph to the space. (Mind me, I just adore color!) Otherwise, I love it!
Would have been a popular candidate in the Color Contest for sure! Warm, earthy, and very inviting... kudos to you both!

Oh, I see the flickr photos now... nice. I like the vertical height of the desk, and your decorative accents. Is that a touch of something light blue I see there? That is a great color range to play with as an accent perhaps. I would lower your pics over the television (feels like they are floating on the wall) and the ones above the sofa a tad. Also, I would add something with vertical interest on the side table adjacent to the two beige chairs. A plant perhaps, and/or another lamp?
Ok just me, the insomniac, brainstorming...
*Enjoy* your space, *love* your space, *LIVE* in your space. Tis lovely.
(:

ps I noticed other suggestions on the AT:NY site.

Hi Susan,
Thanks for the suggestions. The pictures above the Television and the sofa are hung with their centers 57 inches from the ground. But since the furniture under them is short, I need to either hang more pictures or lower these, I guess. Also, I totally agree with your suggestion of a lamp or something on the side table. I just can't seem to find the right one and I am a wee bit tired of looking for things !! :) If you have any suggestions for colorful table lamps, please let me know!
Thanks a ton!