A light-filled, inspirational apartment - and it's real! No designer, no professional photographer!

I was checking out the new Style Room (still in Beta), and discovered this lovely, lovely flat in Oxford. It's rented, and decorated on the cheap (amen for Ikea), but that doesn't take away from it's undeniable charm!

My fav. look - a predominately white foundation with bright accents...

Love the lucite side table..

What a lovely sunny spot to work



Plants are the best aren't they? Too bad I live ground level and get no light!

This place is pretty small looking I'm guessing, based on the multi-purpose dining room/home office - but it's pulled off really well!



look guys...real homes have power chords...who'd a thunk?


Vanina's apartment via Style Room
Also check out her blog, Dash of Milk.

A house tour from me!

Last year I conducted a house tour for Apartment Therapy. By lucky coincidence I went to pick up a desk I found on craigslist from the very congenial Leona and Kay, and I was instantly struck by the clean design of their top floor, Park Slope apartment. Around the same time, I was asked to conduct a house tour for Apartment Therapy. I instantly thought of their home, and they were kind enough to allow me to present it. Nice place isn't it?

Their apartment had great light!


This shower curtain was a hit - they acquired it at a local hardware store





This 50's dinette set is their prized possession

The headboard is actually an inexpensive Ikea mattress!






A day bed for guests. The curtain behind it acts as camouflage for storage



These sliding screens from Ikea make for pretty closet doors




Here was my original post:
I was shocked when Kay and Leona told me they had moved into their beautiful top-floor apartment only a month ago. They've hung art, curtains as partitions, and even come up with an attractive and functional closet system. The couple's furniture and décor comes from a wide variety of sources, such as flea markets, antique stores, Ikea, Art de vivre in France, Christie's, and Lumas. I was really impressed when they revealed that the headboard for the bed is actually an Ikea mattress. I thought it was a real upholstered headboard! The apartment has a surprising loft-like feel, as they've chosen to embrace a more open layout, including using what most would consider the bedroom as a living room, and the living room as a bedroom. They spend the most time in the living room, so they designated the larger room with better light to serve the purpose. Kay and Leona also enjoy the almost exclusive (nobody else ventures up there) rooftop with a great view of the Statue of Liberty!

Their survey for Apartment Therapy:

Your Style?

Although we like modern design, we wanted to give this brown stone (pre-renovation) apartment a special touch and combined modern and vintage elements. Because our lease is limited to one year, we couldn't structurally change anything in the apartment.

Favorite Element?

The open bedroom with fireplace, the kitchen that opens to the dining room. The almost exclusive rooftop.

Biggest Challenge?

The open bedroom without a door to the dining room and the lack of storage / closet space.

What do friends say?

Love it

Biggest Embarrassment?

He: The old IKEA sofa and the cheap lamps;
She: the 1995 Baywatch centerfold in the office

Proudest DIY?

The classy (we think) but inexpensive and easily removable walk-in closet.

Biggest Indulgence?

The art (photo art mainly). We love our custom-made walnut dining table from France, which combines a modern shape and warm wood color combined with chairs from the mid 19th century. And the 50ies modernist bar and all the photo art for the walls that is yet to come

Dream Source?

Christie's (they actually have very interesting stuff at their furniture auctions)

Furniture: Custom made dining table from Art de vivre with 19th century chairs
50ies Formica diner table and chairs for the kitchen
Chest of drawers, daybed and sofa from IKEA
Walk in closet a combination of Home depot & IKEA
Vintage and antique furniture shops in Brooklyn
Glassware and chandeliers from flea markets
Beds: Standard spring box and mattress with a twin mattress (our guest mattress) used as a headboard
Artwork: several galleries, Lumas

via Apartment Therapy via ashleywhitedesign.com -- me ;)

Spend more time in your living room

I spend most of my time in either the kitchen cleaning and working, or in my bedroom sleeping. But recently I've noticed I'm most relaxed in my living room - probably because I'm not often doing work there, but simply relaxing with a book or magazine. It's a real luxury that we could all use more of, and I hope these living rooms encourage you to spend a little more time in the living room!


so jealous of the great light in this room!






...love what they've done with the mantle here






I'd love an old rolling palette on wheels as a coffee table

All images via Marie Claire Maison

What color should I paint my bedroom?

So, sadly I have to move out of my adorable brownstone parlor floor studio. I'm moving in with my friend and her fiance, and they were kind enough to give me the big bedroom. I'm already trying to figure out how I want to decorate! I've already begun saving for a lovely white upholstered headboard, as I've just been sleeping on a plain old mattress for a bed the last two years. I also plan on getting a charming white secretary style desk. The only thing I'm undecided on is what needs to come first--what color should I paint the walls? I only have one window, and we're on the ground floor, so I don't get the best light. I'm also going to be doing my work in the bedroom from time to time-- so I need to keep that in mind. Do you guys have a favorite bedroom color? Should I go for cool or warm? I'm leaning towards a light greyish-blue...

calming grey-blue





bright happy blues...




cozy neutral

the palest pink...

green and blue


or a gorgeous white bedroom...