akritenbrink's Profile

Display Name: akritenbrink
Member Since: 6/6/10

Latest Comments...

With the existing furniture:

Put the desk in front of the window, facing out. (and next time you upgrade your computer, get a laptop so you can tidy up the desk sometimes.)
Switch the TV with the couch (and its side tables)
Put the two chairs on either side of the TV. If you need them for guests to watch TV or something, you can always move them.
Bookcase - could stay where it is but doesn't really go with the rest of the stuff aesthetically.

If you get new furniture:
The style of your furniture ranges from traditional (the chairs, lamps and desk) to modern (TV stand) to somewhere else completely (couch and side tables) and the colors are kind of stark against the light neutrals of the walls/floor/fireplace. It would be cozier if you have a range of colors that is more in line with each other and styled similarly, and you could also get a sort of traditional area rug to tie it all together if you are going for a more traditional look.


How Do I Arrange My Oddly-Shaped Living Room? Good Questions
5/23/13 1:03 AM

Love the lightness created by the white and transparent or translucent materials!


Sivan's Sense of Cohesiveness Small Cool Contest
5/23/13 12:45 AM

Outdoor curtains tend to be large and heavyweight.


Treatment Ideas for Huge Window? Good Questions
5/21/13 3:53 AM

Wowowow!! Every single detail is thought of. I am not super impressed with grand traditional homes, but for some reason when I see it recreated in a small apartment, I just love it. Ditto to everyone who says they want to see the sleeping lofts.


Jason's Luxe Factor Small Cool Contest
5/18/13 2:48 AM

At my house, they also serve a third purpose - cat bed!

I have either this one or something very similar from Target.com
Roma Tufted Storage Ottoman
I bought it during "Black Friday" online sales last fall for less than $100. It's not the finest fabric, kind of a cheaper upholstery, but when it serves as a cat bed and you actually vacuum it like once a week, that's not a bad thing. I have mine at the end of the bed and it was one of the best purchases I made in that whole room. They have matching headboards too (I don't have the headboard).

For those of you saving up for Target stuff, don't forget you can get their "Red Card" as a debit card and still get the 5% off and free shipping. 5% off adds up when you are buying furniture.


Small Space Solution: Double Duty
Storage Ottomans & Benches

5/18/13 2:43 AM

I have my living room decorated in all warm colors, and I love what you have done. These colors aren't trendy at all but I love living in a cozy space and you have done an awesome job!


Elaine & Adam's Cheerful & Cozy Small Cool Contest
5/18/13 2:09 AM

love it!!!


Stephanie's Best Year Yet Small Cool Contest
5/18/13 2:00 AM

Very cool!


Kin's Minimal Design Small Cool Contest
5/18/13 12:38 AM

Yep, keep a copy in two different places. And occasionally do a restore, just for practice. It will make you feel better. :)


3 Ways I'm Working Through My Biggest Tech Phobia
5/17/13 11:41 PM

Love it! I love when apartments are full of older, funkier things. Feels very homey.


Annette's View of the City Small Cool Contest
5/17/13 9:57 PM

Love it!


Leslie's Enchanting Sunlight Small Cool Contest
5/17/13 9:52 PM

Ashley, what is your style? People are giving you very modern stuff but the couch is not all that modern, so here are some other ideas. I was thinking of a metal/glass combo, a metal/tile combo, or a printed ottoman with a tray. Everything is so neutral so far. Maybe warm it up with a little color? And this time of year there is a lot of fun outdoor stuff.

West Elm has tiled outdoor coffee tables this summer: Mosaic Tiled Coffee Table

Here is a little milder option: Antigo Cocktail Table with Slate Tiles and Casters


Best Style Coffee Table To Suit Preston Sofa? Good Questions
5/12/13 5:28 PM

Very cute, and I disagree with those who say to section off spaces in studios . . . why pretend you have walls you don't have? I love how you use the space here.


Mallory's Icing on the Cake Small Cool Contest
5/10/13 5:56 AM

love


Laura's Big Ideas for a Small Home Small Cool Contest
5/10/13 5:49 AM

omg, I cannot stop voting in this contest . . .


Debra's Frog to Prince Place Small Cool Contest
5/10/13 5:46 AM

Oh wow, I love your place. Love the bedroom, the horse print, the Carine Roitfeld book.


Genevieve's Small Space in Montreal Small Cool Contest
5/10/13 5:35 AM

Love it. I agree with MishMashMom. I think people aren't realizing how great you did with your small space. I love the art - it's a great element to add a bit of intensity to the otherwise minimalist space.


Jenny & Sarah's Gracefully Aged Apartment Small Cool Contest
5/10/13 5:30 AM

I agree with all of the people who have said wait and learn your own style bit by bit. There is a practical reason to wait also, which is that you get to know the home, how it flows and how you use it.

The two main spaces in our apartment, the living room and bedroom, have been decorated with completely different approaches. The living room is a collection of things we have gathered over the years that just happen to be in the same general color palette, while the bedroom is the result of a big shopping spree I did at West Elm last fall after deciding on a theme and running with it. I love them both and I think both approaches worked, but I did think for a couple months about the bedroom stuff and didn't end up getting all the West Elm stuff from the matching collections because it would have been too much matching. And I still don't have enough art in there - I need to work on that.


Ideas Wanted for Decorating from Scratch with Nothing But Beige Walls Good Questions
5/10/13 5:21 AM

Very cozy!


Kacey's DIY Decor Small Cool Contest
5/8/13 10:33 PM

Very cute! I can't imagine living with my husband in such a small space!


Malissa's Hand-Built Home Small Cool Contest
5/8/13 10:31 PM