ORANGE.LOVE.....

The couch, the coffee table, lamps around the house, orange shelf (power of spray paint).. to many things to list here... just beautiful....

points for the Goats Head Soup!

Very cute kid's apartment. I would get rid of those cement blocks though.

I like this tour a lot. Two things that should be removed from this space though, the giant vase of sticks in the living room and the ugly man painting in the bedroom.

People who can decorate like this on a budget are the most talented in my opinion. How many people could create a place like this with thrift store finds?

I like having a cool house tour with standard beige carpet. Flooring is not cheap or easy to replace for most of us. Thanks AT

I don't think this home is minimal, but I do think it is fabulous. Great job. I can only imagine the wonderful homes you will have as time passes. I adore the sofa and the lamp in your living room. I also really love the organic touches - but must agree with with dorispepsi about the gigantic vase. It bothers me that's is behind the door and doesn't look well thought out like the rest of your place does. These large vases with grasses are becoming a pet peeve for me. Every time I see them, I want to edit them.

All in all, though you've done a fine job. I dearly love the cord with exposed bulbs stapled to the wall. A great installation piece.

I think this place needs to "cook" a little longer in order to be AT-worthy. The style shown here still seems a little raw & undeveloped--the dirty beige carpet; the cement block shelves; the Keep Calm poster. I could also do without so many photographs of the people. Makes me wonder what, exactly, is being advertised.

I really like this house tour. While almost nothing about is my style, its so well put together that I wouldn't mind visiting. They have taken a style that I feel is almost always over done, and kept it clean and fresh. And, while it has mid century inspirations, it doesn't scream, I'm living in the 60s.

Meh. Sort of looks like they went to a thrift store and bought everything they saw. Not really AT worthy, but I could see the potential given a few years. Love the couch and the bathroom.

Thank you, AT, for featuring a real apartment with the standard rental 8ft ceilings and beige carpeting. :)

love the minimalist mid-century approach. the apartment itself has a really nice floorplan.

totally love the blue tile in the bathroom. everyone else probably thinks it's hideous, but it works so well with the furnishings you have.

Very nice!

And to aprilheartsaaron, I love the bathroom tile, too.

Why do they look so grumpy in the pics? :/

What's in the basket in the chair in the bathroom?

@roxy72, probably 'cause they are bracing themselves for the negative comments regarding their pad.

I love it! Of course I love the lamp and couch in the living room. I think cinder blocks have their place, but I don't think their place is in this apartment. I can understand them in an industrial loft (or redneck stick house in my dad's case in the early eighties), but this house looks too classy for them. Maybe they're place-holders. Painting them would help them blend...maybe plasti-dip! I think that actually would look really cool - the orangey plasti-dip.

I love the orang couch in the LR.

Are the "Keep Calm and Carry On" signs some kind of inside joke among AT readers? I don't get it. I give up. They are in EVERY home.

Lovely place, especially the couch and the bathroom.

Seconding the love for the couch and the bathroom! And in addition, raising some extra love to the ugly man painting in the bedroom. :)

I love that shade of gray in the living room. It's perfect with the orange couch. The orange in the kitchen too, makes a great statement. I think orange, cement gray, and blue might be my new favorite trio of colors.

In my opinion, there's nothing underdeveloped about their style. It might not be to your taste, but it's not like any level of design ingenuity is going to make rental carpet disappear. That would take something else, widely known as money, which some readers are known to confuse with style.

@Yvette: "That would take something else, widely known as money, which some readers are known to confuse with style." HA!!

@Yvette--I don't confuse money with style. My house is full of street finds with decayed finish & extreme patina. That said, I just don't like the dirty-looking carpet. They may not be able to replace it--but they could do something to break up the beige wasteland--maybe some bright & interesting scatter rugs...

i don't know if it is because the looked overcast in the pics, but the moody wall colors looked really beautiful. and that gray, with that orange sofa? fab. and yes, thank you for featuring standard beige carpet - this is the reality for many of us. great vibe in your home. congrats!

@Dutchman--Hack yes!! We lived for 18 months in a a rental with red-wine-stained gray carpet. (Full disclosure--the wine stains might have happened after we moved in....) Throw rugs do help to break up the monotony of the wall-to-wall & they also hide stains.

@Dutchman--Patchworks Castle sounds like fun. I want to go there. :>)

what a lovely melange

@MirandaJane - There are just two pics of the owners. Not exactly what I would call excessive.

I LOVE the set of map pictures above the couch. Probably not on trend but it appeals to my taste. And I'm liking that bathroom tile colour as well.

Wow, why are some here so mean? love your couch!!

Ah, the bathroom! Love it.

When I looked through the photos yesterday apparently all the pics didn't load so I only saw half of the flat.

I looked again today and saw all the pics.

This is a really nice place this young couple has created for their first home. In fact, it looks much better than my first apartment.

I like the warm orange color with the cooler color light blue. I also like that it doesn't appear cluttered. I even like the cohesiveness of the furniture color and style.

I can now see those are towels in the basket in the bathroom. There's nothing wrong with the beige carpet either.

Good job on your flat. Btw, I don't even mind the bricks as you have to do what you have to do to make your place work for you.

I think AT should show more apartments of people who live regular lives without having all the pretentiousness and debt that goes into making a house an over the top showcase.

What a great place! You both have a very good eye.
Nicely done.

Love the color palette! It's hard to cultivate style while being thrifty and dealing with existing tile/countertops/carpeting. This is where REAL people live!

Raybans? Check. Guy playing guitar? Check. Eames chairs? Check. Thrift shop coffee mugs? Check.

Iconic Hipster meets Ironic Thrifter. It works and I'm totally jealous.

This place is super cute for a young couple. I don't think that the carpet looks dirty, I think it may just look like that in pictures because of the way the light hits it. I do think that a couple of rugs in a cool geometric pattern may look good in the living room and dining room to break up the sea of beige.

I also agree that the tall sticks look a bit odd by the front door, or in general.

There also may be a touch of irony involved in using cement blocks. I think they may want it to look like they have a grown up apartment, but not too grown up.

How about if the brick were painted or covered with fabric or paper to make them look less obstentatious? I wonder if that would work.

Hey, has anyone seen Sophie or Isaac? Still waiting for them to weigh in on some of the comments.

I'm wondering were she got her inspiration to create her flat?

I do like that this is a tour that requires working around standard apartment features. I like the lamp, couch and map pictures. I think the brick shelves have potential. What if they were painted because I like the geometric look of them? Love the bathroom. Not a huge fan of most of the artwork, ie;pirate ships, bedroom painting, though I like the giant key. I don't like the corner stix or the suitcase decor. The carpet doesn't look dirty. That kind of carpet changes ton depending on which way the pile is brushed.

This is a couple that knows who they are and express their unique sensibility and style so beautifully. I love that they've fully embraced an approach consistent with the best ideas and values of the day. Such a nice balance of the past vs present, space for new activities/ideas vs comfort, bright vs neutral colors. This apartment really works.

Check this out, they live in an upper middle class neighborhood as well.

In 2009, the Los Angeles Times's "Mapping L.A." project supplied these Valley Village neighborhood statistics: population: 24,190; median household income: $85,470.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_Village,_Los_Angeles

some very cute details

some things are very cute... i feel like a lot of young design enthusiasts are attracted to that 70s kitsch... which only works in SMALL doses. I love the couch, but i think the space planning lacks.

I love everything. All of it. Probably my fav house tour so far. :)

I REALLY truly loved this tour. Id be so happy if my friends place (or mine) looked like this. Im surprised by the harsh comments.

I like that AT gave us a picture of the occupants. I like seeing what kind of people live in the spaces shown.

As for the Valley Village comment, it may be an upper middle class neighborhood or whatever but there are TONS of apartments in that area.

As others have said, once in a while its nice to see a standard apartment with people on a standard budget.

Do you need a roommate? I love this space! The touches that are throughout the house are so cool!

What is the paint color in the first photo with the turntable?

I love your place. I've been working on my apartment in Silverlake the past 6 months and now you've got me re-thinking my paint choices. Arggh.

While I'm not sure it's "minimal" I think they've done a great job with their apartment. I can't imagine scattered rugs improving the room, unless perhaps they're planning to house a harem?

I too like that it's an actual apartment.

@nicerack said: As for the Valley Village comment, it may be an upper middle class neighborhood or whatever but there are TONS of apartments in that area.

Daylight says: My comment of those statistics regarding median income for the area did not imply people with incomes of over $85,000 don't rent apartments or that there wouldn't be apartments available for rent in this area.

So many wonderful things in this apartment. Great selection of paint colors. Some favorites (besides the orange couch, of course) are those fantastic metal/bronze (?) branches on the wall and the painting above the bed. But plenty of stuff to love throughout. Comfy, stylish and completely unpretentious.

@ daylight, perhaps I misunderstood the point of your comment. Valley Village is a large area (I live a minute away, so its familiar to me) and what *I* meant, was that there are tons of apartments that house regular ol struggling actors, musicians, and dancers who are no where near the $85,000 mark.

Then again, 85,000 doenst get you much in LA. :) Obviously I cant speak for the couple featured, though.

I've been a follower of AT for quite some time now, but I've never signed up to make a comment until now. GORGEOUS. The Carpenters did an overall wonderful job of creating such a well balanced, beautiful and functional home. I love their appreciation for ordinary things as expressed through the graceful birch branches and sculptural driftwood. I absolutely love the made nightstands. The textures of cement and wood work really well. It's wonderful seeing people truly take the time to create an environment they love. As a young designer I understand all too well the constraints of a tight budget. However that's not such a bad thing... just another challenge that forces you to be more creative. Sure if you have a lot of money you could have an Architectural Digest worthy home, but that's so easy. Creativity grows stronger when confronted by adversity. Great job Sophie and Isaac.

And by driftwood I mean antler, haha. Still lovely nonetheless.

Cute place. Loving your orange sofa! Its not exactly minimalist as the title would lead you to believe, but its very neat and orderly and is really well put together. I would seriously, get rid of the cinder blocks though! Seeing that makes me think dorm room!

I realized that the turntable is in the dining room, so the color is Hint Of Mint.

I think it has inspired me to change a couple wall colors.

I don't know what but something seems missing from this space. It just leaves me cold. It has nice bones but needs work.

I love this place... especially that orange couch! And your wall colors are awesome. Don't notice the carpet (seriously, are people that picky about a rental?) and still think that if YOU like the KCCO, who cares what a few rude people online think? It's your house. Decorate as you like.

When I read where they live I thought for a second it said Value Village not Valley Village.
I agree the cement blocks are just wrong for any home and the Keep Calm poster has lost it's impact having seen it in too many homes. Love the windows.

Goats Head Soup. The best

scoobydubious
"Uh...I guess I give AT points for showing a realistic apartment, but by the same token this is one of millions of thrift-store apartments. I fail to see anything here worth the time it took to photograph it." comments such as this are not really educational, kind or helpful. One of our missions as writers for the site is to share ideas and share peoples homes. Instead of telling us it's not worth being photographed why don't you educate us and tell us what you'd do differently. ??

kushkush
"Is it Janel or is it the blogger in L.A. that is causing all these posts with the residents looking posed and pretentious? I really dislike them; they distract from the homes. I certainly don't aspire to be anything like them, and it makes it harder to appreciate the design/decor."
I'm sorry you feel that the images are posed or pretentious. We just try to show as much detail of the home, and often it's nice to put a face to the homeowners, no?

Nice apartment but not my style....dislike orange in any house/apartment. Loved the bathroom.....one question? Who can affored Eames chairs on a thrift store budget, not me.

I like the wall o' maps.

i really love the photo of the couch and maps. great color combos in this area as well as placement of objects. lovely!

Ouch ouch ouch!!!! Some of you people are so harsh.

I love that this place is really done on a budget and with the difficulties of rental carpet. Love the metal leaves feature on the wall. Where did you pick that up???

Re the Keep Calm and Carry On...I too am a bit over them in the middle of a lounge room etc. That said, I love that it's right above the stove. A much needed antidote when one is in a flap whilst cooking. Super cute! May need one in my kitchen.

It really is a cute apartment albeit not my color scheme. I love the Keep Calm and Carry ON poster, I had never seen the poster before becoming a newbie @ AT.
I also love the idea of it being an apartment decorated on a budget. Sorry if I sounded harsh earlier.

I really really like the the red cord with exposed bulbs stapled to the wall. Could you pleease let me know where your got that the red cord or if it comes as a whole piece including the bulb holder, where did you get the whole piece.

I'm going to be honest here: meh.

It's as if they looked at AT one too many times and adopted the "grey with a splash of colour" or "keep calm" poster or "antlers" trend without really thinking about it. 70s kitsch is cute, it just needs to be in small doses and mixed with modern.

Plus, the living room space is just poorly managed.

It was a nice attempt, I would just like to see more of what you guys actually like and less of what the hipsters have deemed cool this month. Plus, I do hope one of you wears the actual pairs of glasses in the photos, and they have prescriptions attached, otherwise it just reeks of disingenuousness and no one likes that.

If the naysayers who posted here want really posh, beautiful design that the average person cannot afford they should visit San Francisco's current house tour...it's beautiful. But this site has always been an accessible nest of ideas for people of all walks of life. So if you don't like it go visit another city. It's all here.

Isaac and Sophie here.

Thank you so much to those who left positive, constructive or helpful comments! We loved reading them. This is our first place and we feel so lucky to live here.

Instead of getting bummed out on certain negative comments we decided to do something fun together and respond to a few of them individually and a few others.

@dorispepsi: The ugly man painting is awesome.

@mirandajane: The carpet being dirty is not the problem... It is as clean as we can keep it. The problem is that the carpet IS CARPET and carpet just doesn't look that cool.

@roxy72: We look cool.

@DrTheopolis: You like records man?

@Yvette: True dat.

@daylight: Thanks daylight, we ARE debt free (for real) and love our cinderblock night stands for now.

@jlweamer: Thanks mom.

@Kitt'n: I like what you have said.

@H.B.: It is SO cozy though.

@kushkush: Why don't you aspire to be like us? We are really fun people.

@S.J.P.: We like Sex and The City too!!!! They aren't real Eames.

@lexid: We found the gold wall flowers at an estate sale for 5 dollars!

@rogerm09: The sockets are IKEA and the bulbs are from CB2.

@merichan: And you were the rudest. I hope that it keeps you up at night to know that we DON'T EVER WEAR THOSE GLASSES. We bought them and wore them on Halloween 2 years ago... SO disingenuous:)

Thank you to Bethany and Apartment Therapy for having us!

Isaac & Sophie,

Love your place! And I especially love you shared it here on A.T. That's because in the REAL world, the majority of us can't afford to move into a hip/mod apartment... We do with what we have and make the best of - by using our creative juices!
Love the wall colors and adore that sofa! Nice work, lovely home!

I'm usually not in the minimalist style, but this apartment just feels like home to me. I love the idea that you can create a beautiful space without spending a fortune!

I think the orange really adds a pop to the room without being overpowering. I'm not sure I'd choose it myself, but it really suits their space.

Apartment therapy is such an awesome website, looking at these awesome home tours makes me want to start one myself. If anyone has a decorating site they want to sell message me! krista-k at live dot ca

I feel like I need to clarify something important... Apartment Therapy began a few years ago by a man and his wife who were trying to figure out design solutions for a small space on a budget. Therefore, I think it's necessary and also pleasing to see a range of homes that cover the whole gamut of thrift store budget to over the top pricey. Not every homeowner or renter can afford a home that looks like Elle Decor. Also I agree with one of the comments that stated, it's more of a challenge when you have limited space and budget.... it's also quite impressive. Just recently I shot a home that is 275 Square feet and most of it is thrift, second hand and Ikea.... and though Ikea is accessable to anyone, the thought and planning that went into the space was quite original and well executed. I give props to anyone who will rise to the challenge!
Go Sophie and Isaac!!!

Also, for the people who say they are tired of the Keep Calm Carry On posters, it's kind of a moot point don't ya think? I mean we all have things we find attractive, fun or that we just plain love... and maybe you're over them... it's what the homeowner chose for their home so be it. Perhaps we should tell those who own Prius', Eames chairs, chandeliers or even hardwood floors- that they are too trendy and that we're sick of seeing them??

@ Isaac & Sophie : excellent response! I feel a certain kinship to you, being a fellow young LA resident, living with a boyfriend who WEARS fake glasses (and not even for Halloween) in an apartment with a Keep Calm & Carry On poster (which is accompanied with a Keep Calm & Drink Martinis piece). Love the place, especially the couch.

@ Bethany : I appreciate your commitment to honoring the true mission of AT & showing a range of homes/budgets/styles. However, I disagree that Ikea is accessible to "anyone" (although it should be... if I have to krazy glue my Malm dresser back together one more time, I will lose it). I work in the nonprofit sector on a nonprofit salary & live in the 'hood, and my richest (but cheapest) finds have been from digging through family closets or scouring the multiple yard sales that abound in South Central LA on Saturday afternoons. Though a limited budget feels incredibly restrictive at times, knowing that my apartment reflects ME (with my many complexities and contradictions) & not some design magazine turns this house into a home :)

@Bethany, your effort to defend the indefensible is quite a noble and admirable undertaking. However, I think each and everyone here knows AT reserves the right to put on this site whatever content the editors deem worthy.

For those who may not like the content it, simple get your own site.

IsaacHeath:
Oh no! I've insulted you, what ever will I do???

The mere fact that posted photos of yourself and responded to those who commented on that fact about how great/cool/fun you are tells me that you yearn for acceptance.

I get it. You're a happy, hip couple in LA. Mazel tov.

Owning/regularly wearing glasses without prescriptions is like getting around in a wheelchair when you are able-bodied.

Look. You posted your flat on here. People will attack it - it's the name of the game. In reality, who the hell am I? No one. Don't worry about it. It just gets under my skin when people consume trends without giving much thought to them. I'm fairly certain I do things that get under your skin. Tit for tat - no drama.

One last question though, those maps on the wall... do you have a connection to the places? Have you lived there or anything?

(I do love the wall colours and that you are into vinyl. The cinder block tables I might steal, too)

merichan=drama queen

You're welcome my sweethearts.

I don't understand why anyone has an issue with the Keep Calm and Carry On poster. If you're sick of seeing it stop looking at AT, and you'll probably never have to set eyes on it again....

I did an experiment. I stopped reading the comments on this blog for awhile because I was, like many, getting annoyed with the pretentious negative nancies populating this space. The only thing I can say to people who are sick of these holier-than-thou sentiments is to stop reading the comments. It has helped tremendously. I really don't care what someone else has to say about this space and I'm not going to waste my time finding out how much you hate hipsters. Reading these unhappy people's thoughts just adds to the useless bandwith wasteland of the internet. So to you a**hole commenters and the comments section in general, I say good day.

dig it.

@merichan
I can't understand why you are so upset about the glasses. I wear prescription spectacles all day and I'm not offended by the idea of spectacles being used purely as decoration. In fact, I hadn't even noticed them until you brought it up. What's the big deal? It's not as if Sophie and Isaac are mocking people with poor eyesight.

cute...not minimalist by far.....but cute. I love it.
Love his skinny jeans too...lol...(not being a smartA$$ just saying)

Loved it! The kitchen corner with all the orange, the cinderblocks with the warm wood (why didn't I think of that!). It's all good!

Nice digs & fabulous taste you two! I am so impressed with everything.. from the colors on your walls to the old furniture pieces~ LOVE that orange sectional too and am hoping to find one as well one day. Also love the charcoal gray cushioned chair.

You guys are great~ well done!

Great apartment!Sophie and Isaac,you did a fine job:your place looks amazing!....

This looks like the apartment to two very happy, positive people. I love it!

@merichan - Are you really critiquing over maps of all things? I have a ton of old maps. My father left them to me before he passed away. You don't necessarily need to have traveled to somewhere to enjoy having them up.

This apartment looks amazing, to me. Absolutely as cozy as can be and just wonderfully inviting.