apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Name: Alessa
Location: Miami, FL
Type of Home: Single family home
What inspired you to use color? Everybody in the house got to pick a color that made them happy. We ended up with a very colorful house....but we're happy!
Color Tip: Go ahead.....you can paint over it if you don't like it.

We love to see contestants from Apartment Therapy contests featured in more traditional shelter media. Our East Regional finalist and overall Third Place winner, Luca Andrisani (of East #3: Luca's Surplus of Storage & Light) is featured in November's issue of Metropolitan Home...

Name: Gina
Location: New York, NY
Type of Home: Sublet apartment in an old converted school building.
What inspired you to use color? When I was a kid, I didn’t draw a picture without a rainbow in it and the box of 64 Crayolas was always worn down to tiny little stubs. I’m always inspired to use color. The colors I’m most passionate about are generally in the blue and purple families, but I wouldn’t rule out anything. I think a great example of color inspiration is the photos on the kitchen wall. I was in a market in Sicily and I couldn’t stop taking photos of all of the different stands. The vegetables were so vibrant; more like art objects than food...

Name: paola
Location: italy
Type of Home: apartment
What inspired you to use color? my house started gray and white. than I tried to define space with colors. I like them a lot because they are amusing, they give me more chance to decorate my home, and give me energy particularly in winter foggy days!!!

Name: James
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
Type of Home: owned condo
What inspired you to use color? This place needed to be a total opposite of the rich, warm and deep palate of our house in Northern NJ, and we wanted to capture a beachy spirit without the cliches. Almost everything is hand-me-down. No money to refinish the kitchen, but $150 worth of paint went a long way (even covering mauve laminate countertops!)...

Where do I find the yellow sawhorse table legs that are in the Urban Outfitters? I love them. I would appreciate any help!!! karen

Yesterday's Home section of The New York Times, Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne showed off his one-of-a-kind home in Oklahoma City. A funky and eclectic mix of colors and materials the home captures the imagination...

Name: Firehousecat
Location: Boston, MA
Type of Home: Condo in restored firehouse
What inspired you to use color? I am an art teacher and a painter so color is my world. My inspiration comes from the beautiful world around me. Whether it's a simple leaf that fell at my feet, a tea bag wrapped in colorful paper, a shinny brightly colored car that passes me on the street or a color mixed by my 2nd grade students. Sometimes its more than just the color that inspired me, it's the intensity or the hue that whispers in my ear. Color fills me up like I am part of the canvas that is my home. I just wish I had more than 366 sqft to paint on...

Name: Randi in BK
Location: Brooklyn Heights, NY
Type of Home: 1 BR apt
What inspired you to use color? Life as a renter in New York City has made quite an impact on my color choices. Being stuck with white walls in most of my apartments has meant rethinking ways to inject a bit of life and energy without painting, which has led to bolder choices in furniture and accessories. Could I have imagined having a dusty rose couch and chartreuse chair in the same room five years ago? No way. But going with my gut instinct has led me to being more confident and embracing my personal style, quirks and all...

Dear AT folks, I guess I'm writing with a plea for help! I recently moved into an apartment with HUGE ceilings (14 feet+) and I have no idea what to do for my window/door treatment. Curtains that are the standard 108 inches are about 8 inches shy of floor length and I think it looks a bit...silly. I considered getting some custom made shades but even that will run over a thousand dollars. I don't want to spend that much and I really want to add some color into the room considering there is no way I have the stamina to paint (all my furniture is now moved in and the room is far too large for me to handle on my own). Any help from AT readers is appreciated. Thanks, Zak

Name: Marita and Jens
Location: Lund, Sweden
Type of Home: House
What inspired you to use color? Perhaps the lack of color during my childhood. My parents liked brown, beige and discreet patterns. I´m quite the opposite. Bright colors makes me happy :-)
Color Tip: The seventies bright colors and big wild patterns is perfect in childrens' rooms...