Who Lives Here: Kevin Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Size: 650 square feet
What is your favorite element of your Small & Cool home? The pink walls in the front room "salon." Finding a color that offset the dark furnishings and floor but didn't overpower the space was tricky. To get it just right, I tested it at different times of day and with a variety of lighting in the evening... I know it's not for everyone, but I really can't imagine it any other way at this point. (Oh and, my place is a rental, so I don't want to hear any nonsense about not being able to paint your walls, haha.)
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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your Small Cool home? I have a hoarding instinct and can't easily pass up a bargain. With a small space however, I really can only have a few favorite pieces around at any one time. Because of this, I have an eclectic assortment of unique items (ahem, the chandelier...) which when combined actually makes my space appear larger than it is.
As for resources, I mostly just page through magazines (Nest, World of Interiors especially) and go with what feels right for me. Above all else, I hope my apartment counters the idea that all homes need to have certain "standard" elements in order to be considered well designed. In my opinion, style and taste aren't about following a set of prescribed rules but rather about expressing yourself in the best way you can. Stand out and have fun, that's my motto.
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Who is this sofa by?
Generally, I'm not a fan of pink but you know how to work it. I love the iridescent pink chair and the coffee table. The chocolate brown sofa is definitely my style. The lighting is a bit too whimsy for my taste but it definitely works here. All in all good job.
I really like the way you've arranged the artwork on your walls, it enhances the sense of vertical space in the photos. Your bedroom looks so fantastically restful, too. Very nice. I just can't get over that shade of pepto-pink. You really rock it, but I can't handle it.
Love the drum stand side table!
love this! where is the rug in the bedroom from!?
i think if you could tear down the walls you get much more out of the spaces. however, great job (except the pink!hate the pink!sorry!)
Eclectic extremely well done!
Fantastic! Kevin, you are obviously a strange and wonderful man. and i love the pink
Kevin glad you entered. I would vote twice if I could. Love your apartment.
If anyone did not see the full house tour you should check it out to see more pictures and details.
Wow, thanks for all the great comments! For those asking, the sofa and rug are both by Ikea of all places (I KNOW!). Oh and, ck_arc1: my place is actually a rental, so the walls stay... But damn it's gonna be tough returning it to "original" condition, haha.
Thanks LoriSF too, you're so sweet... Shucks. :)
love the pink- that light fixture looks like a high powered magnet that sucked up everything in its radius.
Love that pink with the chocolate brown, that's one of my all time favourite colour combinations.. makes me think of ice cream every time :)
OH MY GOD.
KEVIN where did you get that mirror?!?
I love how you manage to work in one or two old pieces with more modern ones. Something to aspire to!
I'm going to go look for the house tour!
I guess artistic whimsy is the style that thrills me most.
I keep studying this entry and the individual parts would not attract me that much, but Kevin has created a collage of wonderfulness and this place really sings.
I give it thumbs up and pump my fist in the air shouting woo hoo.
Good taste!
I would use different shades of colors on the wall to keep the perspectives of the arc in the kitchen but overall is great.
Good luck!
i really like all your artwork. and your side chair, fabric is awesome.
Love a man that isn't afraid to decorate with pink! You have a wonderful design aesthetic and I only wish you had more space so we can see all of your wonderful pieces!
I hate pink. Hate. It. But this is okay. Really okay. I'm surprised by my reaction, actually. Thank you for making me rethink the color. What shade is it, exactly?
Thumbs up.
i don't necessarily like some of the furniture and decorations, but this place is unique and reflects personality which is all that really matters. kudos for being truly creative and doing things your way.
really fabulous apartment, I too love that mirror!
Fabulous. Your pink is neither insipid nor Pepto, which is a hard balance to strike. Could you share the color?
And I love that you have a lot of Ikea but your place looks anything but cookie-cutter. The mirror is swoonworthy.
I wish people wouldn't mention or direct to house tours though. It doesn't seem fair in a contest where most people have only five photos.
I love your artwork and your funky lamps. You definitely have great style.
I'm less convinced by the little teacups on stands - you must be the least clumsy person on earth, or have an endless supply of new teacups.
I love this home but I don't get the teacups.
I love the view to the kitchen, the simplicity of it really does something to me
Is the stand holding the teacups an minimalist side table? Or, is the whole thing a sculpture? Intriguing.
Hi everyone, thanks so much for taking a look at my place and for the great feedback. Thumbs Up's are great!
For those inquiring, the pink I ultimately chose is Sherwin Williams "Impatiens Petal" (SW6582). Just right for the (day)lighting and cooler-temped furnishings throughout. The mirror is a vintage find, of course, in a Philadelphia-treasure trove only few people really know. Cheap too.
Special thanks to mrsyow, bjf, Kate (NC), dmvaughan15 and Cassis. Y'all gave me a smile, shucks.
Not only am I so happy to see your beautiful home again, I love that you posted new pics! We get to see some different angles and details that were missing in the first round. Again, I'm such a fan of pink, especially pink done well. You rocked it. Also love the black and white (and silver) kitchen. You know you can't ever leave a cereal box out on the counter, right? (Unless, of course, it's black or white.)
Anyway, love, love, love.
i can't put my finger on it, but i love the vibe of the kitchen! love the bedroom rug too...source?
Wow. I'm ready to move to Philly for this.
Very well done! When I was looking at the pictures, I was stunned, I instantly felt like I was in a museum looking at art. Great job!
Beautiful use of color and proportion.
@catmama: HA! That's exactly what I was trying to come up with while reading the other comments. Funny girl (assuming based on moniker).