Recently I started getting HOME magazine (it was only $5 for a years subscription) and was rather disappointed with last month's issue; basically it felt like the 'home' part of 'better homes and gardens'. However, this past issue was pretty fantastic. As I live in a studio, I'm always fascinated by articles about small-space living and the August issue of HOME had this great apt. of Chris Menrad from NYC. 
I think the issue with studios is making them feel like a home and a great place for guests without it feeling like a bedroom or college dorm room. I think Chris has dealt with this very successfully. Here is another angle of the living room so you can get an idea of the main space (14'x19'). There is room for a bed area, dining area, office area and main seating area. Now who needs a whole house when it all fits so nicely here! It helps that he doesn't seem to have a lot of 'stuff'.
The bed is probably the most interesting feature to me. While it is a murphy bed (which I detest) I love that he put it sideways (queen sized mattress). The storage above is a good idea as well. I think with the cushions along the back wall it almost looks like a daybed. I would have not done the murphy mechanism and put storage under the bed as it is shown here. Every square inch is used, as shown here by the cubbies alongside the bed below. (hey, you need someplace for your china collection!)
The kitchen has been stylishly but modestly laid out. There is only an under-counter fridge and the stove is efficiency width. Shelving instead of cabinets were used to make the kitchen feel larger.
The bathroom has been completely redone but keeps the vintage styling. I love that sink! Pedestals make a bathroom feel larger and more spacious than a vanity. Interesting shower curtain too. I love a white bathroom with black accents!All images from the article in HOME magazine.
This past weekend I headed down to the National Mall to see a new exhibit about Jim Henson and his creations (muppets, fraggle rock, seasame street, etc). Photography wasn't allowed in the exhibit but I thought I would share a few of my other photos as it was a beautiful day!
exotic palms surrounding an urn near the smithsonian castle.
these roses were so fragrant you could smell them from 20 feet away!
one of the castle's towers (rear entrance)
an exhibit in the castle of some of their random 'treasures'.
a great quote from Jim Henson that summed up the exhibit - it reads
After posting about converted spaces -I came across the apartment of Cynthia Lufkin in NY in the old New York Cancer Hospital. Her living and dining room and also her den are in the old chapel - AMAZING space! Check out more of the apartment at 
I've always been fascinated by people who live in converted spaces. I'm not talking about the boring 'indstrial loft' fad either. Old stores, churches, banks, libraries, schools; Something a little more gracious than a factory with exposed ugliness (admit it, thats what it is). I think it started as a child with the BF Jones library that I mentioned in an earlier post 
interior from domino - looks like a converted schoolroom to me
the possibilities of an amazing space.....like here at the ringling museum of art entrance
it's lofty -but not INDUSTRIAL 
an old store perhaps? 
just make yourself at home!
So are you as excited as I am that the new Brideshead Revisited opens in theaters in 2 weeks? I can't wait simply for the fabulous sets and costumes! The original series from 1981 was so great in itself that I can't imagine how they can improve on it other than shorten it to fit into one movie; but I'm going in with an open mind. Plus Emma Thompson (one of my favorite current actresses) is in it, you can't lose! To wet your appetite, I've included a few pictures from 
Visit the 
I found these images on apartment therapy a few years ago and always thought they were so clever. Everyone has had one of those rentals with a god-awful gold-colored colonial-esque chandelier in the dining room. This person's solution was to wrap the entire thing with christmas lights! Sure it's a little hokey, but what a great idea and look how fantastic the results are! If you are really smart you get a screw in plug so you can plug the lights into one of the sockets. This is the poor man's version of turning lemons into lemonade!
One of my favorite modern architects is Richard Meier. He is known for his distinctive modernist style; he is one of the 'IT' architects in museum design (forget Gehry, Meier is a master!).
While in Barcelona earlier this year, I visited the Museum of contemporary Art (Richard Meier, 1995). Here his masterful use of white magnifies the play of light and shadows across the surfaces. It also allows the eye to focus in on the many different forms of the building; I especially love this play of curves vs. the linear. He uses the curves to mark different aspects of the building whether they be entrances or other special features -they occur with purpose. I love this rationality!!!
He's been around for awhile, in 1984 he was awarded the Pritzker prize (a sort of nobel peace price for architecture!). His signatures are the white metal square panels, expansive uses of glass rather than punched windows and the curves/linearity that I mentioned before. I hope you enjoy my photos!
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