Name: Andy K
Location: Chicago
Size & Type: 522 sq. ft. 1 bedroom rental
Favorite resource: I’ve made a trip or two to Ikea and CB2.
Pitch: My small is cool because it’s a garden apartment that never feels like one, and no one ever see’s it coming. With its entrance around the side of the house and down a narrow walkway, through a door which could just as easily be for the storage room, the warmth of this space always comes as a big surprise.
Pitch Cont'd: It’s a kind of hidden place, unexpected from the outside and realized only after entering. I enjoy seeing the different reactions people have when they first walk into the space.
Your favorite element: The exposed brick and the oven/stove (original) which the landlord chose to leave in when renovating the unit.
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Comments (12)
I love that the apartment is half kitchen!
What a strange floor plan. That bedroom is so long and so narrow!
I really like the architectural elements like the brick chimney lookin thing in the kitchen but overall I'm not seeing a cohesive style.
Garden units seem to have a bad reputation, but as you have showed, they can sometimes have alot of potential.
I'm not sure if you chose the white becasue its a rental, but it seems to help in keeping the space from looking cave-like (as many gardens do). I think this place looks cozy and I really like how the kitchen has almost a wine-cellar look to it.
One suggestion- If possible, I would hang the picture that is next to your windows behind the couch on the brick, and hang a mirror where the picture is now, but lower so it "mirrors" where the windows are next to it.
I agree with Lacey B. The art in the living room is hung way too high. My only other quarrel with the space is the furniture arrangement in the living room--there is really no comfortable way for people to face each other and talk.
I do love the warmth of this space and you've done a great job keeping the color palette subtle but not washed out. Very very nice.
Great job overall! Couple of suggestions - I agree w/ Lacey B - if you can have a mirror or similar that mimics the windows that could work really well. You could take the art that is currently there and hang it (attached from the ceiling so you don't have to drill into the brick) over the couch on the brick wall.
Ooh, nice wood on the cabinets. I like that brick elements are integrated into the design. I assume that's an old chimney in the kitchen with a covered hole that used to accomodate the pipe of a wood-burning stove? Old buildings are cool. Love the glass block in the bathroom. Great use of a long narrow space.
I had that same oven, from what I can tell of the photo, in the first apt. my husband and I lived in together. We received it, free, from someone updating their kitchen and we BOTH miss it even after having brand new appliances. I agree with the above suggestions about art and mirror, but I totally see swinging that side chair around to wherever in order to have a face to face. The narrowness of the space prevents the chair from living across from the couch, unless of course, you had a nice flat panel hanging! But still, it's important to have traffic flow, so I think you've done a really terrific job with a potentially awkward lay out. My only tiny idea for you: brighter color or patterned window shades or blinds would tie it all together.
The quirky architectural elements are great! I'd like to see the rest of the place too.
Good Luck
Good job with an awkward layout. I'd switch the positions of the green chair and the cabinet with the glasses, and the suggestions about putting the art/a mirror to match the window height is good too. Love the huge kitchen/dining area!
I'm not feeling the space, but I gotta say that is the nicest kitchen I've ever seen in a rental. You must have a nice landlord.
BEAUTIFUL!!
I do agree with using a mirror by the windows, or at least lowering that picture. Switch the bar and the chair. Take down the clock over the windows, please. Add more green throughout the apartment. And can you adjust that light over the sofa? It's aimed at the ceiling where there is nothing to see. Can you turn it to shine across the brick?? That would make a nice illuminated backdrop for the sofa.
Definitely the greatest basement apartment (LOVE THE KITCHEN!!)
I had that same oven, from what I can tell of the photo, in the first apt. my husband and I lived in together. We received it, free, from someone updating their kitchen and we BOTH miss it even after having brand new appliances. I agree with the above suggestions about art and mirror, but I totally see swinging that side chair around to wherever in order to have a face to face. The narrowness of the space prevents the chair from living across from the couch, unless of course, you had a nice flat panel hanging! But still, it's important to have traffic flow, so I think you've done a really terrific job with a potentially awkward lay out. My only tiny idea for you: brighter color or patterned window shades or blinds would tie it all together.
chimney pipe