apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Northwest #4: Noodle's Mood-Matching Colors


10-6-nw4.jpg
fallcolors4.jpgName: Noodle
Location: Portland, OR
Type of Home: 450 sf studio (rental)
What inspired you to use color? I can't even imagine being the type of person who is afraid to use color. I've painted almost every home I've lived in as an adult (around 20 homes over the last 12 years!), whether I had permission from the landlord or not. I'm willing to risk a security deposit to make my home the way I want it...

 
 

Color Tip: Each time I move into a new place I spend some time there before I move anything in, just sitting on the floor and looking around, watching the light, noting the colors of the wood on the floor, thinking about the mood I hope to create in my new home, and just feeling out the energy of the space. Maybe it sounds kind of woo-woo, but eventually the perfect color always comes to me.

Colors Used: Hawaiian Sky (E4-4) by Dutch Boy

Tags

Fall Colors Contest 2008 - Northwest

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Comments (48)

This is very beautiful.

posted by Zohreh on 2008-10-06 22:21:30
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nice colors. It always amazes me how well pale blue and a red like that go so well together.

posted by Pixie on 2008-10-06 22:45:23
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The blue and red look so pretty together. I love how clean and simple it feels, but it's still a comfy, fun place; not at all sterile.

posted by TrueTex on 2008-10-06 22:55:55
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I love that there are no rugs hiding the wood floors and no drapes blocking the natural light. It's light, airy and clean.

posted by H.B. on 2008-10-06 23:00:49
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I love the bed in the bay window! Usually that would freak me out, but it looks like you're at least on the second floor, so no one can stare at you while you sleep. Or, you know, kill you... Strange how quickly my mind wanders...

Anyways! In conclusion- best "headboard" ever.

posted by thirddegree on 2008-10-06 23:08:05
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Mmmm watermelon sofa

posted by bclynn on 2008-10-06 23:17:28
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i'm not usually a fan of blue so i'm surprised at how much i love this entry. it's very simple and feels calm. i like how you've carried red throughout the apartment (kitchen utensils, towels etc). probably one of my fave entries thus far.

posted by kiwi on 2008-10-06 23:27:01
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Love the commitment to the colour combination.
And am jealous of how little 'stuff' you have.

posted by jenny! on 2008-10-06 23:28:06
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this is so beautiful and calm. And very clean. that is impressive!

posted by mvbickers on 2008-10-06 23:45:18
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This is the best entry so far--clean, uncluttered, creative, colorful and comfortable. The other entries pale in comparison.

posted by SkippyB on 2008-10-06 23:54:56
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It's very beautiful!! Very serene. It's colorful without being overwhelming GREAT Balance!!

posted by funkylola on 2008-10-06 23:55:50
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I love the overall balance of color and furniture. Not too forced. Great pieces!

posted by racheloncegentry on 2008-10-07 00:02:51
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I seriously think you should go into interior design. Your apartments always look like magazine models.

posted by no_way_jose on 2008-10-07 00:23:24
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FINALLY someone posted a studio! i'll be posting mine this week. i have to say it is the scariest place to go bold w/ color. you did a great job.

posted by mariegael on 2008-10-07 00:33:19
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Noodle, your apartment is totally inspirational. On top of how awesome the place itself is, the pictures are really great too. You have a lovely eye and a keen sense of style. I am taking notes to make my house look better! xo

posted by Cathy dlc on 2008-10-07 04:40:10
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beautiful apartment and you have made it even more so.
repeating---inspirational!
and lovely kitty...

posted by sassydo on 2008-10-07 06:41:17
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Hi, Where did you buy the white tree-like lamp?
Love the apt. and use of color.

posted by bronxmaria on 2008-10-07 08:03:33
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wow, i am astonished your place is only 50 square feet larger than mine! your use of space makes your place look huge. i love it! and no, your color tip does not sound "woo-woo". :-)

posted by *heather leaf* on 2008-10-07 08:42:22
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love the bay window and the color on the walls is so soothing. Tabitha - http://www.fromsingletomarried.com

posted by Tabitha (From Single to Married) on 2008-10-07 08:57:57
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love the log lamp on the desk!

posted by ashbadger on 2008-10-07 10:16:12
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i love the colors, the bright space, the fabulous couch!

posted by Waleigh on 2008-10-07 10:29:44
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Very cool. I like how the pale blue soothes the popping red... it's more gentle than all-brights schemes. (Not that I don't like those, but this, I might be brave enough to do.)

posted by whytephoenix on 2008-10-07 10:35:55
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You've made this studio feel homey and warm without feeling TINY! This kind of small space is definitely an instance of less is more and your colors just make it feel so calm and happy.

posted by michpc on 2008-10-07 10:44:56
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Very, very nice indeed.

posted by EAM on 2008-10-07 11:14:28
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Lovely place and lovely combination of colors.

posted by Nina79 on 2008-10-07 11:18:12
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I do love it, too.

posted by toniannette on 2008-10-07 11:38:38
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The blue looks so wonderful and welcoming with all that natural light! It feels like somehow the air is more clear. I love the map on your wall, where did you get that?

posted by CariJoyce on 2008-10-07 11:46:53
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I've been thinking about doing a room pale blue with red & white accents. It's great to see how well they work together!

posted by tbirdee on 2008-10-07 11:54:53
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I love this color combination....I have a blue/white/red theme in my bedroom and find it so refreshing...great job!

posted by hanako66 on 2008-10-07 12:04:30
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Your place is just lovely!!!!!

posted by danze on 2008-10-07 12:05:34
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LOVE this. I love everything about the first living room shot. The couch, the red & blue combo, the art and your lovely plant friend. I too am amazed how clean and uncluttereed you are able to live in 450 sf! We have a desk in our living space too and it just always seems to be a mess. Nicely done pulling together a simple, lovely, lively, comfy home!

posted by carlac on 2008-10-07 13:08:00
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Thanks everyone for the nice comments!

thirddegree: Having the bed in the bay windows did freak me out a little at first! But I'm on the 4th floor, so no one can see in except my next door neighbors (who also have a bay window). I generally don't like to close my shades at all, but I do close the one in that side window at night.

bronxmaria: The log lamp is from Urban Outfitters.

CariJoyce: The map is from a store in my neighborhood called Paper Source. But I've seen it in several paper stores before. I don't think it's a completely accurate map, as it's intended to be decoration or maybe gift wrap (???).

posted by AnnaPDX on 2008-10-07 15:31:26
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beautiful; one of the best entries so far!

posted by formosagirl on 2008-10-07 18:34:30
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Noodle-
Love your place. How about a cachpot for the plant in the living room?

posted by chartreuse on 2008-10-08 16:40:30
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your place really is my favorite so far. not too much of anything, just good taste. good luck in the competition.

posted by aad on 2008-10-08 16:55:06
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I agree with the folks above; an excellent submission and a damn shame if it doesn't get into the next round. I think its interesting that you and Brett (Brooklyn, East) have the two nicest homes in the contest thus far and they're both rather small. Proof that when you do not have much room to work with, you make wise decisions editing down your stuff. Good luck, Noodle!

posted by davidasposted on 2008-10-08 17:07:12
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Noodle, your place is stunning! I love the calm cool feel you've created.

posted by j-- on 2008-10-09 00:06:23
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woo woo works for you ;-)

posted by Sylvia K on 2008-10-09 00:43:58
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thriddegree you are my favorite!

posted by JesseRyan on 2008-10-09 20:02:12
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Lovely place! That light blue and red combo always knocks me out.

I'm curious about the framed christmas light thingamabob behind the blue chair in the living room - did you make it? I'm intrigued, and I would like to possibly copy it in some way.

posted by ace on 2008-10-10 08:32:32
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Yep I made the light thing. It's an old window that I bought for $2 at a building materials re-sale place (The Rebuilding Center in Portland). I frosted the back side of the glass with this spray-on stuff that I found in the craft section at the grocery store. I cut thick white cardboard to size and attached xmas lights (make sure you get the lights with a white cord), then nailed it to the back of the window.
I got the idea from here:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=46740.0

posted by AnnaPDX on 2008-10-10 10:43:44
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Noodle,

Great home! It looks much bigger than it is. Very open, airy, and calm, but not sterile or empty. I would totally hang out here!

Love the red couch and your deliberate choices of color with a few distinct pieces. The red/white drawers on that cabinet are great!

posted by amazonikon on 2008-10-10 18:20:30
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so lovely...would be happy to spend a week here.

posted by norah28 on 2008-10-16 13:22:13
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I like the using of the moulding to break the wall and ceiling. However, I would have liked to see different paint colors in the different rooms.

posted by kitimus prime on 2008-10-16 22:22:55
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P E R F E C T !!!
It looks much larger than it is considering that it is a studio!

Simply perfect!

posted by Danijela on 2008-10-17 05:35:31
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Kitimus Prime, it's a studio...so there's pretty much just the one room.

posted by AnnaPDX on 2008-10-17 23:25:28
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the 80's called. they want their TV back

posted by livealoneinpawtucket on 2008-10-18 23:14:01
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my living room walls are almost the same color with a red couch and white trim! i really like the color combo.

posted by asprettyaswehope on 2008-10-20 16:42:47
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