Name: Fernanda G. & Adam S.
Location: Buffalo,NY
Size & Type: 570sqft One Bedroom
Favorite resource: MDF and our brains!
Pitch: Storage is essential but, who wants to look at a bunch of milk crates... I know I don't. I think a fireplace is a perfect back drop for any living space especially in Buffalo. But when space and storage is low, all design elements need to have a certain amount of holding capacity as well; for all that stuff that you find yourself owning over the years...

Pitch Cont'd: With a little creativity and a Home Depot card, we created a fireplace that stores my vacuum and adds warmth and good looks to my home. But of course the storage ideas didn't stop there... With a moving wall that becomes a pantry and a dinning room bench that opens, this space only lacks rooms, not room!

Your favorite element: Unexpected Storage


Comments (66)
I love this! Looks very warm and cozy! Great job!
I don't really get it based on the layout, can't figure out where that dining room area fits in...
But, I do love it! I think everything looks so nice and you have great taste. It's very stylish down to your acessories. I would never guess it was in Buffalo!
hey is that TWO fireplaces I see? I miss Buffalo (went to school there) and the warm, cozy winter nights. Your place makes me want to curl up on the sofa and nap.
Get me a paper bag somebody, I'ma start hyperventilating.
The pictures look like they were taken with a cameraphone, but I can clearly tell this place is *beyond* gorgeous. The little fireplace - it's like something out David the Gnome, it's so cute and small and rustic, in the middle of all the shiny clean whiteness.
I guess I wish your living room wasn't such a shrine to the TV (or that you had a prettier TV), but I also wish MY living room wasn't such a shrine to the TV! Much as I wish it were a lovely sparkly conversation area, we're watching TV a lot more than chatting with friends :(
Still, someday, a flatscreen would look pretty in there.
Everything looks warm and cozy and the fireplace is something that is completely unexpected in such a small space. I love the diningroom and the warmth from the candles and lights. Well done!
Those fires don't look very safe to me, just sitting out there on a shelf without any screen. Please don't burn down your lovely home!
JoanneM
I love it! What is it?
It looks warm and inviting, and actually kind of *hot*. In a good way.
am i the only one who can't see the photos? i can see the images in every post on AT but this one! wah!
I like this apartment. A lot. It's fantastic, especially the dining room (the living room seems a little cluttered though... could just be the photo's perspective at work).
But, to contest organizers: where are the micro-apartments? By my count, the East Coast has had what, 2 out of more than 20 apartments that were under 350 sq ft? Full disclosure: I entered the contest and my apartment is under 300. This isn't just griping to get mine on here. That would be nice, but ultimately, that's not my point. Some of the most inspiring entries last year were by people with apartments that were under 350. Again, for New York, 580 sq. ft. is pretty decent size. It's just not as hard to work with 570 sq. ft. as it is with 300.
Gene,
Mine is under 350 (Southwest entry #1). I've seen a few tiny ones this year. I think actually more than last year.
For Gene. Maybe you should suggest to the people that organize this contest to have too, one for the shoebox size apartment (under 300 sqft) and one for the tiniest apartment - between 300 - 600 sqft. My guess, there will be few entries for the first one.
To Fernanda and Adam: Tres CHIC. lovely on the pictures and I am sure it is very warm and cozy in there. I get a warm feeling and personality from this space. Well DONE.
I, too, feel a little nervous about those fires being right out there in the open, so close to combustibles and without a screen. I'm hoping those floors are concrete, but they look like carpet to me. It's very picturesque, but can it possibly be up to code?
Laura, I was strictly speaking about the east coast apartments. I know that there have been some shoebox places in the other regions. Yours was really fantastic, btw.
Anusha, I believe the two-category idea had been suggested. In fact, I'm almost certain, I had this conversation with Maxwell at the SCC party in NYC last year. But for whatever reason, the organizers chose not to do it that way, which is fine, but then it seems odd that only 2 out of 20 entries are tiny apartments and many of the others are pushing the contest sq. ft. maximums. I don't know, perhaps the last 17 or so entries will be micro ones.
I know I tried to convince them to have a super small category as well!
It's just comparing apples to oranges with the 350 and under vs. 350 and over and rent vs. own. It's getting depressing for us tiny dwelling renters.
Isn't it called the SMALLEST coolest APARTMENT contest anyway?
It all looks really nice, but those fireplaces (how cool to have two - and storage!) make me nervous. I would think there would be codes that would require them to be enclosed in some way - no? If you are comfortable living with the open fire(s) then you are way braver than I am.
Where is that unexpected storage? Not on the photos, not on the plan...
Isn't it called the SMALLEST coolest APARTMENT contest anyway?</I>
Yes. Small has been defined as <650 sqft. Judges take into consideration size as well as other factors when determining a winner.
I can't believe how long it took me to work out it was a mirror in the bedroom. Combines cozy with glamour. Love it.
genius. absolute favorite so far.
Both of those fireplaces makes me VERY nervous....
Nice dining room, but I agree that the living room is a bit TV-centric. Of course, not everyone can afford a flat screen TV.
on the side subject, I count 8 apt's below 300sf - 4 in east coast, 2 in SW and 2 in NW.
But that should really be a seperate thread.
Can you explain how you built the fireplace? I'm assuming it's a nonventing gas unit. Thanks
I don't get why everyone's so nervous about the fires. Unless you're leaping around your living room doing an interpretive dance with flowing scarves, you should be ok. And I say this as one of the clumsiest people I know. I spill coffee on myself almost daily. But I grew up with a fireplace that was often unscreened and we never had a mishap. Also I'm sure Fernando and Adam have a screen but it's not gorgeous so they took it off for the pics.
This place is indeed gorgeous, with the fireplaces and storage what's not to love?
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who was confused for a while before figuring out there were A) two fireplaces and B) a mirror!
the best apt i've seen so far...love it
I loooooove the fireplaces!... such a great idea for storage!!!
Good lighting.
oh la la! very nice! but not sure where the fireplaces are on the floor plan
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Gorgeous! I definetly see this one as one of the top finalists!
The wall panelling, fire elements, and earth accent decor combine to create a near-perfect package.
My Vote: Stellar! Insta-Finalist!
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Photos look great, but I can't figure out floor plan with what I see.
Are there TWO fireplaces? One in bedroom and one in living room?
Yes, would be great to see the hidden storage you mentioned. When you make the finalist cut (as voting so far suggest you will) and get to post more pics, pls open a few drawers or cabinets to illustrate examples of the hidden storage.
That is the first apartment I've seen that invested in a serious lighting design. Just perfect!!
Mirrors are the best thing for small spaces... and those in the bedroom are absolutely gorgeous. Finalist!!!
I wish the pictures were better, but it is definitely a knock-out
warm, inviting, cozy! it is really a big accomplishment having one fireplace in a small space, even bigger when you have two and genious when they are storage units. I think this apartment is unique... your brains were the best resource I've seen in this contest!!!
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genious!
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Muito aconchegante!! Achei a iluminação maravilhosa, os detalhes muito requintados e a organização dentro do seu pequeno espaço perfeita! Parabéns Adam e Fernanda, seu apartamento é muito lindo!
I love it!
Gostaria de dizer que vocês estão de PARABÉNS, pois o apartamento ficou muito bem distribuido, limpo mas cor o ar aconchegante. PERFEITO!!!!
Sem esquecer de todo requinte e a preocupação com a iluminação que trz vida para a casa.
Parabéns!!!!
Stellar! Insta-Finalist!
nice choices, good taste
Parabens!
very creative, stylish, the best i've seen
WOW- props to my hometown, Buffalo! Are you downtown?
what shrine to the TV? This apartment is amaaaaaazing! I love everything -- the color scheme, the fireplaces, the accessories. It is beautiful!
sophistication which you can actually live in
Bertoia, Gray... classics!... well done
I'm curious... is anything behind those panels in the dinning room? I think I just found one of the "hidden storage" places
- Brilliant!!!
Can you build one of those fireplaces in my home? I LOVE IT
WOW
I also have one word...
SUPERB !!!!!!!!!!!
Have you guys ever thought to do this professionally? go for it!!!
I agree with Claudia. I would hire you guys. I'm wondering what your bathroom and kitchen look like
The fireplaces clearly seems to be SunJel ventless with fake logs. Real logs placed nearby help to push the illusion. I really want to try this out in my next place. The fire box can be custom made without all the masonry work of a real fire place. The ones in this apartment do look just a bit dodgy and out of proportion. Still it works well, and the apartment is very nice, though I could not vote it one of the best.
Fernanda
Muito bonito o seu aprtamento, vc soube usar muito bem o seu espaco...super cool, congratulation and I hope you win...
Claudia
"out of proportion"????... what are those people talking about?...
it is beautiful!!!!... ONE OF THE BEST!!!
FINALIST!
I loved the fireplaces, the furniture, the accessories and of course the lighting
nooossa, adorei tudo! eh lindo!!! to precisando de uma ajuda aqui em casa!! parabens
i agree that the living is a bit cluttered.
i do like the interesting built-ins, including the storage in the dining room, the headboard, and those dangerously cute fireplaces.
I think we have a winner!!!... so far...
very classy! congratssssssss
Fernanda and Adam you are totally right...I don't want to look at a bunch of milk crates...you guys are very creative with a touch of sophistication... gorgeous
Well, I had the opportunity to visit their house and it is even cooler than the pictures! It's ultra modern, sophisticated and cozy! And by the way, they made most of the things with their bare hands!
I think (and hope) you'll win... there're some "good" but yours are wonderful! Celebrate!!!
the table centerpiece is pretty in its simplicity. the rest of it reminds me of ron burgandy!