thats all you could find?

definitely a contender. too soon in the survey to know if it's a winner, but it just could be. congratulations on being so energetic and imaginative with such a small space. just being able to live in it together says a lot.

Don't understand Bob's comment. Is he being funny, snide or just a jerk?

I think the apartment is great - a good use of the space with everything in its proper space.

I really hope this thread isn't going to evolve the way others seem to lately.

I really like the use of candles against the brick, its makes the space very cozy.

It is a very good use of space - looks like they have a lot more space than many studios - the recessed lighting is nice, as are the curtains which cover what look to be recessed spaces. Personally I would want a little more deliniation of space between the living/sleeping areas - perhaps with a screen of some kind. Out of curiosity is the apartment pretty dark usually or are those night pictures?

Nice unified space. I would like to see what kind of storage they have. Where are their things? (clothing, linens)

Definitely looks like a NYC apartment with the random pipe in the middle of the room. It looks very cozy and nicely styled space though I agree with Bonnie's comment on deliniation as well as the question on storage. Love the toy lizard on the wall.

A lot to compliment there, but I hate hate hate the dining chairs... maybe it's because I bought the same ones when I was in college - and even covered them in grey - but to my eyes they are 80's in a bad way.

Anyone who knows what a typical prewar walk up studio on the UES looks like (and I know many of you do so I'm preaching to the choir here) will know what a great job has been done here to really clean up the look. All the way down to clean look of the window sills or actually lack of wooden sills but a smoothed out surface.
There looks like there is a large closet (double height hanging looks probable with space below for shallow drawers or shelves) next to the couch.

I disagree with separating the sleeping and living space even with a screen. With 350 sqft you are going to close in the space so making it as open as possible is the best route with the separation done on the floor with the rug. I suspect that the pipe is not random but was inside a wall that someone took out to open up the space completely which again is the best route if you can make it look as clean and cohesive as this place.

Too early to tell but IMHO a good strong contender.

P.s. good lighting too and it looks like photos were taken at night.

Hmmm. I must be getting old, because although I don't hate this apartment, I really really dislike "funky." The toys, the candles in the fireplace, the wallhanging, the budda..... I'm having an early grad-student flashback now. *faint*
But, BIG BIG BIG thumbs up for being able to live in a tiny space and keep it clean. It's hard to live in that kind of space and not accumulate too many things, dust, and clutter.

I think they did a great job. These are obviously young people (good lord, I sound so elderly) and when I think back to my apartment and my friends' apartments when we were students and also just out of school--this is a thousand times better. I mean, they say they have a limited budget, and I think that has to be taken into consideration.

I personally would not divide it up more, because 350 square feet is already tiny. I think it's very cozy and Eric looks so happy in the pictures. Ahh, young love. ;)

jamie pup, while I agree that in a small space you don't want to close it in (everybody is on the open floor plan bandwagon these days) I found it odd with the sofa shoved right up to the edge of the bed. There is a nice hanging grid screen on the opposite side of the room that would seem more appropriate "screening" the bed (or some similar solution, maybe a sheer). Yeah, I figured the pipe was from a missing wall, but wonder how many people have walked into it! ;) Must wake up the neighbors with that! Thanks for pointing out the closet. I missed it. I agree, could be a contender.

I'm not too into the stark white walls contrasting with so much dark color (linens, rugs, etc) but the overall "feel" of the apartment is really quite nice. 'Cozy'. I am a young twenty something with a studio so to not see any clutter is really quite impressive. Can non-new yorkers enter this contest? Even just for kicks?

This apartment made me smile. It's warm and inviting and I really like the lighting. You get a sense of the people who live there. And I too am forced to live with my husbands guitars and stands. Nice job with making them look like a cluster of scuptures. If your relationship can withstand such close quarters, you have a real shot at a long life together!

As a young Thirtysomething -- I just realized while typing that I can no longer claim Twentysomething status -- who lives in a walkup studio on the Upper East Side, I've got to tip my hat to Eric and Chloe, although I am jealous of their space; mine is actually smaller, and not nearly as well decorated. I have the same exposed brick "fireplace" and surprisingly did enjoy their treatment of it. And I thought the metalicized grid screening was an interesting use of an everyday object, which could look even better on a grander scale if used in the right way. Loved the lizard on the wall. And think you made the right choice not to cordon off the bed. But perhaps some narrow solution between the bed and the couch would help differentiate the space. All in all, I would say definitely a contender and kudos for making a vanilla rental with a number of challenges so warm and lovely. Elements in the "con" column would be the penguin picture, the stuffed dalmation toy on the bed, and that entertainment center jumble.

Point taken jimkk. I like that grid also but felt it was too small. A much larger version between the bed and sofa would work well I agree. A sheer is a good idea also.

WRT color, remember what Faith said in one thread about white balance settings on the cameras. It is also difficult to judge shades or even colors on a non calibrated monitor. Pic 10 appears to show a contrast between the white baseboard and the slightly darker walls. Unless the walls have yellowed with age or there is some shadow effect the walls may not be stark white.

CLEARLY THIS PLACE IS AMAZING...professional yet comfortable

I love this place even though I don't relate to all the decorating choices, because it feels so comfortable and liveable. For all its tininess it has the key - it feels like a place where life can happen.

From what I can tell, I don't like it. I wish there were more photos though. I'm not sure if I'm getting the complete picture.

Very nice! It's warm and cozy, and it looks like a home where I'd be happy to hang my hat. Good use of color and candlelight.

eric and chloe- you guys have such a great sense of style. I loved the campy fireplace-altar, the warm wood flooring, the exposed brick walls, the candlelight... there was this wall feature made up of red circles that i couldnt quite make out but that looked great. and what seems like a wire mesh divider(partition)- but again, is unclear from the photos looks really inventive as well.

It's tough to pull off modernity and quirkiness simultaneously without seeming cloying or overly-cutesy. I think Eric and Chloe have definitely done it. The story of their lives (in this space) seemed to unfold in the slideshow. My immediate reaction was "this seems like a happy place." (But, um, I'm not trying to be cloying or overly-cutesy here...)

It is a nice space, but I don't think pictures do your apartment justice. I had a hard time figuring out what is where and it seems very dark. I do agree that couch and bed seem too close together... or that the bed dominates the space...
Otherwise really good job on such a small space. And 2 people. Wow.
Question - do you have to bring your work home? If so, where do you work?

Mika, I was wondering that too. Maybe they use a laptop as it was intended - on their laps.

I totally missed that Slideshow link!

There are elements that I like-the usage of color, that lamp with the slats, the tealights on the brick wall, but still it doesn't all come together for me. It's just a lot of stuff that fits okay in a small space.

The apartment is so nice! Definately, the best studio I've ever seen. It's nicely decorated. I love how resourceful the owners are - coffe table from a garbage can?!?!? that's insane! Excellent work! YOU INSPIRE ME!!!

Eric and Chloe, you have done a fabulous job here. In fact, I have to ask - where did you get the tealight stands that you have one the brick wall (photo 20)? They're lovely! I haven't been able to find any that simple at a decent price.

Having lived a block off of Canal, I recognize SEVERAL things in your apartment, including the grid. Great use of the Plastics store! This place is full of creative ideas to take away.

One question I have is the dining room table. Does it hide away somewhere? I only saw it in one pic. I thought it was perfect for this small studio because the glass top takes up minimal visual space. I'll have to watch the slideshow again.

wow...if this place is a rental apartment, i'd say they did a real good job putting it all together. the emphasis on the linear rectangle space, the vibrant color palette, ambient lighting, and the un-readymade pieces add a great touch! take into consideration budget and stuff, this is awesome...is it really 350 sf? looks like it migt be even smaller.

Kick it up a notch! My favorite element here is the entertainment unit, the tv stacked on a makeshift guitare case and speakers?!?! COOOOOOLLLLL....great way to minimize space. This is sleek yet totally livable. Thumbs up!!

totally cool. Liked it. And,yes, where did you get the tealights in the wall?

I'd just like to make the comment that that pipe can be moved. I just helped my upstairs neighbor relocate a similarly inconvenient pipe to run up the wall(I was renovating and I paid for my plumber to move it in exchange for his forbearance on the renovation noises) and it was only a few hours' work & pretty cheap, actually. You could try pitching the idea to your landlord if you want to get rid of it.

I really like the decor. I like the combo between trendy and funky. And I envy your exposed brick. *drools*

Only constructive criticism I have is that it seems as if your bed and sofa are too close together. SOMETHING should be there to define living room from bedroom. If I was visiting your apartment I'd feel as if I was intruding on your bedroom. You could use a room divider like a floor screen (West Elm has a few great ones) just to set off that space as its own.

This place is really nice. Warm and cozy while kind of modern with touches of cool, shiny objects.

I would totally paint that pipe in the middle of the room to stand out more as a visual element. Since it looks like a column, you could paint it brown or maybe just a bright color. The exposed brick enhances just about anything you put on it.

I think overall the decor might be too "eclectic" to win. For example the rug on the floor doesn't appeal to me, and the overall arrangement doesn't seem aesthetically or functionally creative, i.e. a sofa next to a bed isn't a very effective design solution. On the other hand, the overall mood of the place seems very personal, friendly, and warm.