I wish I could see more - but from what I see here.... wow! Its efficient and beautiful.

just lovely!

Is it odd that I really wanna see a picture of the 20lb cat?...
I mean, awesome place! Love the window in the bathroom.

I don't see a place to vote!

yes, exactly what i thought. want to see more. but it is b-e-a-utiful.

I want to see the 20 # cat too.

wait is this not one we're voting on?

I really wish there was link to a photo album for all of these entries.

3 pictures is not enough.

Beautiful! A real home, not a museum to a color, idea or style. (Not to knock those entries that are, understand, but I'd rather live here any day.)

I'm especially enamoured with the way you warmed the place with wood and art (and those great orange cabinets!). I wouldn't have thought white walls could look so inviting.

Oh - and the wood trim around the loft! That's a thoughtful detail.

Can't wait to see more when you're a finalist.

I agree. Three pictures are not enough. But from what I can see, it is NICE!

I wanna see the cat too!!

Very nice, but I would like to have seen more of what you've done with the living room as well in terms of color, etc. Never a big fan of loft beds, but you've really made good use of the space. The bathroom "window" and the bright orange cabinets are terrific.

The first photo looks great, but it's difficult to tell much from the other two.

Damn the "three photos only" rule! What you have posted is appealing, but I want to see a lot more. Very inventive and creative; the fact that so much work was DIY is impressive. Really like the bathroom photo. It is hard to get a good grasp of all you've done with such limited viewing, but I like what I'm seeing.

I love how everything looks like it has a place.

What's impressing me is that you designed it, built it, as well as your furniture - OMG! Wow, this place is special it's got heart and soul and sweat and scars!!
Love your place!!!

Gorgeous! I like that you used not-fancy materials and still made this place feel rich.

We need a pic of the cat. Seriously don't tease us with cat talk and then not have a pic of the cat. I kid....but I think you owe us.

Gorgeous use of space. The frosted bathroom window is genius.

More pics would help. I voted that it's an instant finalist.

They have neat ideas, but I still don't know what the place looks like. They shouldn't be an instant finalist if they just took a picture of the window in the bathroom and latter up to the loft.

WOW! I'm in love. I want that window in my bathroom! The office space, the orange cabinets, everything . . . drool . . .

The fluorescent light in the bathroom doesn't thrill me...

At first glance, this isn't the most visually impactful place, but it is very much what I think this contest should be about. It's really great. I wish I could see more.

A 20LB CAT!?

I certainly hope you will share more photos with us in the future. I love the few design elements that you were able to show. The storage next to the refrigerator, the entertainment center, the simple yet sophisticated bathroom tile. While I don't think you necessarily used "fancy" materials I know that you used some expensive materials to execute your vision. But how expensive can it really be in the long run when working with such a small space?

This place is a winner. Extremely fantastic in my view.

Another vote for more photos! From the floor plan it seems that you've used the space incredibly efficiently. Bravo! This is the first space that screams Insta-finalist to me.

Wow, wish I was able to rent a place like this when I was in NYC living in Union. I love the orange cabinets and the wood accent trim around the place. Agree with Nick about that light in the bathroom. Such a warm inviting place needs some warm lighting in the bathroom.

They always say, if you want soemthing done right, you just have to do it yourself. Great work!

I am taken aback by all the gushing over this space. I am sure it's wonderful (the first picture is really fantastic) but other than that, it's so hard to see anything to even vote on. I think this entry might have benefitted from some wider angle shots. I would love to see the living or sleeping area...although the kitchen looks fabulous.

Great work! I wish I had the time/money to build in a speaker in the bathroom.

I like the first picture. I can't tell a lot from the other 2 pictures. I also want to see a picture of the 20lb cat. Maybe you could tell us what the cat's name is too. Put up a link to the cat!

Tony G

do you own or rent?

From what I can see, it looks like a great space... I just wish I could see some wider angle photos!

You have some really nice elements here. I like that the computer screen is "framed", I love the orange, the kitchen storage look fabulous.

We agree that 3 photos isn't enough.

We agree about the cat. So, to stay within contest rules, could we possibly convince you to post a separate photo of the 20 lb. cat? It could be unrelated to the contest. I'm sure they'd put it up. do it......for us......for the cat lovers.....

Congrats on the wonderful outcome of your obviously hard work. But, you didn't really make the furniture, did you? Someone said you did. I don't think that's what you meant but correct me if I'm wrong...

Really smart use of the space and lots of useable ideas perfect for AT, but I want a contest winner to make more of a statement with the decor part of the bargain.

Not that it isn't perfectly lovely!!!

I love this place.

And I love Loft beds.

:D I wish I could vote more than once for this place!

That is an amazing apartment -- the loft, the space beneath, the handbuilt furniture and other details (the narrow shelf in the second photo). Yeah, extra points for doing it yourself. Definitely one of the coolest apartments. Love it.

I don't need to see a picture of the cat.

(I'd look, though. Just sayin'. Not clamorin'.)

outstanding! i'm much more impressed with entries that have taken a space and done really creative things to shape it than i am with someone who used a space exactly as it was handed to them but spend a ton of money on funishings.

Not everybody who *looks* like they spent a lot on furniture have.

And not everything DIY is cheap.

Just sayin'.

This three pictures thing is crazy. It's nowhere near enough.

Mark & Stephanie, that first photo is awesome!

has, sorry

Im down for seeing the cat as well

Also waiting on more photos before I vote

I just have to say, I have been a long LONG time lurker here and actually registered so i could vote on this entry.

I love it!! This to me is the quintessential NYC apt. I am actually looking for a new apt in the city presently and this is EXACTLY what I want. I prefer a smaller space.

FROM OWNER/DESIGNER:

happy to read all of these comments. thank you!
here are some questions, notes:

- bulb in bathroom is incandescent (i am not a fluorescent fan) - warm lighting is a must!
- admittedly, the photos are not "all that" - i have a simple point & shoot camera and would love to post more.
- here is a photo of the cat, samm.
- the whole renovation took me about a year: full gut.
- definitely did it all on tight budget (about 10K total). has been complete for about 4 years.
- bathroom speaker was $49.95 ;)
- built most of furniture too yes (shelves, hidden tv cradenza, desk, ladder, etc)
- own, not rent.
- orange cabinets are laminate
- wood is walnut (cabinets veneer, other solid boards)
- loft is cool too (cork flooring up there)
- decided to NOT use too many fancy materials (although tempted!) - ie, try to build a cool space on a small budget. very doable.
- i am not a loft bed lover either but this works and keeps the bed out of sight during the day - hard to do with such a small footprint.

would post more photos but might not be fair for contest?

thanks again for all of the kind words.
- mark

juicyorange post the photos on some place else. I want to see more so I can steal some ideas.

Awesome. Under 400sq.ft places are so much better with hidden beds. I like that the space has its own little angles in the walls, etc, to provide some visible division of space. Like the desk and kitchen seem quite separate and distinct from the living area even though they are both close to it.

Love it! Wish there were more pictures that we could look at.

Aw, you cat Samm looks like my Atari!

And don't be fooled, Atari is like 15 lbs... He's just HUGE overall.

Also, a 10k budget to do a renovation is tight and it doesn't show for this place.

Honestly, I think you can´t judge an apartment after seeing three pictures. I love what I see though.

definitely did it all on tight budget (about 10K total).

Wow. I'm really impressed! And I love the pic of Samm. He carries the weight well ;^)

I loooove it! The closet in the middle (double-decker, no less!) is such a great way to divide the space. Normally I couldn't imagine sharing a studio, but yours seems cozy instead of claustrophobic.

It looks like a wonderful space, but the pictures chosen don't give us a very good sense of the apartment. I don't think the three pictures requirement is unreasonable, it just means that those pictures have to work for you. Perhaps given the restrictions of the contest, a close-up photo of the corner of your bathroom isn't the best idea.

Thanks for posting the picture of your beastie. I hope you make the finals and get to post more pictures of your pad.

It is possible that Samm needs to go to a weight-loss spa. Too hard to diagnose from a picture, though, so please send him to me so I can evaluate!

As for your apartment, other than thinking the wall above the TV looks overloaded (much like Samm--but please don't send me your wall) I am truly impressed with your hard work and great use of space. And I am no loft-bed lover, either, so it takes a lot for me to say that.

Reminder: please send Samm to me ASAP.

hbl - sometimes you just can't alter the space.

for my money, i'm impressed with people who make places look great without spending tons and tons on furniture or reconstruction. ... but thats probably just because i'm poor :)

Alas, I really want to see more of the place. What I see looks very cool.

Wow! 10k budget! That seems almost impossible.

does the TV slide down into the console? it looks like its sitting in a drawer turned upside.

does the ladder fold up into the wall?

will you sell me your apt :)

i agree, POST MORE PICS.

I luv Samm.

And is that an Avanti 24" stove?

Oy am i OCD or what?

I like the pictures. the kitchen looks wonderful, would love to see more of that and the bathroom -- very intriguing.

Good luck, kudos on all the work. It ain't easy.

Samm is very cool (and alert). Give Samm a kiss for me.

Tony G.

this pad is hot! great work man. i wouldn't change a thing

that cat is more like 30 lbs.

you don't see it bc it never leaves the closet, where it's probably eating right now.

Looks very neat but the pictures really don't show enough. I would've loved to have seen the living room/main living area rather than the bathroom window or a shot of a ladder...

My favorite entry yet. Love your use of the space as well as the colors in the kitchen. Love love love your cat. Mine is pushing 18 pounds.

More pics!

I'm not feeling all that stuff on the and above the credenza. Have ever thought about painting it some outrageously bold color?

Also, can you set that ladder back into the wall to make it flush when not in use? If so, then wow! great use of space.

Great space (apart from a few minor quibbles). To me, this is what this contest is all about -- creative uses of space and materials.

This space is charming and feels warm and inviting. I'd come over for a dinner party any time.

Mark, you did a very good creative job there. One space-planning note:
if you'd rotated the closet-under-the-loft orientation (door opening into the entry foyer), you'd have a space in the back for another closet, may be even a walk-in. There'll be no space waste to that passage towards the desk.
If you'd wanted to have access to the loft from both sides, you could have installed another ladder, from the desk side.

You packed a whole lot of living into less than 400 square feet. Fabulous. Is the cat really 20 pounds? Looks really sleek.

Amazing looking space I think.

I think next time more photos are definately needed.

love what you did with the space!

Fantastic, from what I can see. But the photos are a tease. Can you post more?

I think a decent amount can be shown in three pictures if they are well-selected. I'm just wondering why you chose the photos you did??? It seems like you maybe wasted two opportunities to show more. By choosing the bamboo plant and the ladder/shelf, I'm thinking, yikes, are these really the best parts of the apt?

The first picture is awesome and fortunately it shows a lot. I'm not a loft person but I think this is a great solution here. It's also awesome that you did all the work yourself.

Does anyone else notice the floor plan does not match what is in the apt? If you look at the photo which shows the kitchen you can see a desk inside the cooradoor below the loft. The floor plan shows it sitting outside.

I have a feeling that the plan was not drawn to scale, making us all think there is a lot more room in here then really.

I think your bathroom window is brilliant. I've thought about the same thing for my place. Even though it's in a hallway there's enough natural light to create a nice ambient feeling. What kind of material did you use? And are those wall panels above the upper cabinets?

Dude, your cat is awesome!

And your apartment is...okay, I guess.

Ha! Kidding. This looks like an ingenius use of the space, and it's very warm and livable. Love how you've utilized nooks and crannies. And that you did it all yourself and for so little money is amazing.

Like everyone else, I want to see more pictures. I'd particularly like to see how the bathroom window looks from the living room, because my inner prude is kind of cringing at the thought of people being able to tell, well, you know.

If for some reason this doesn't make the finals (it should, but the competition is *fierce*), I hope that you and AT do a house tour at some point.

very creative and unique...like it a lot! well done...

This one seems to be quite popular, but I'm not feeling it. I kind of like the subway tile in the bathroom, but the rest seems a bit cluttered and not really having a design direction. Also I'm a little suspicious of the idea of turning the studs. I'm no engineer, so my doubts could be easily unfounded. It just seems like the load distribution would change in a bad way.

i like what i see but i agree i wish the pictures you are allowed to provide showed a little more. too close up
love the orange cabinets in the kitchen

the picture of your cat made me laugh though, hahaha.

Your place is BRILLIANT! Love, love, love :)

Dear Mark and Stephanie,

Good for you for taking design and construction into your own hands! Your apartment is beautiful and it is a wonderful use of space.

If it were up to me you would win this contest. The fact that you designed AND constructed this space on your own counts for so much!!!

Thanks for letting us see your home!

:) Vanessa

more photos. last year I got a much better idea of the space and the style of the inhabitants.

This is really really nice! I like that it's modern and kind of "sleek" but still has some older things and looks like real people live there. I like that built in tv (that's a tv, right?). And the orange cabinets are cool, too!

It's hard to tell what the rest of the apartment is like - I think with a limit of three photos it might have been more interesting to see something other than the bath window.

More pictures, please!

Also, don't mention something as intriguing as a 20# cat and then no pics!

Looks like a great use of space from the limited pictures. Def. need to see the living room.

the first picture is awesome!

I really like this entry - it should be a finalist, if not the winner. While not the flashiest in terms of materials or furniture, it makes excellent use of the available space. None of the areas seem cramped at the expense of others. The loft bed with the pass-throughs and the frosted bathroom window allow natural light to penetrate the more enclosed areas. Finally, unlike some of the more design-conscious entries, the layout doesn't sacrifice livability for style. It doesn't seem like you'd have to donate 3/4 of your possessions to live here.

Great use of space. It feels cozy but neat and clean.

the apt looks great!! such a cute and cozy home!! where's "little" sam??? best of luck, you guys should definitely win!!!

Samm is absolutely adorable!

I mean, what kind of cat sits like that? A very confident and well-loved cat. I laughed so hard when his photo came on the screen. : )

Love your apt., and esp. the fact that you designed and built it yourself. Amazing.

The first pic is just beautiful, love the laminate cabinets and the wood shelves... if I ever have a kitchen to renovate and the money to hire someone to renovate it for me...

Have to agree the other two pics are nowhere as intriguing as the first, though I may have to install some shelves next to my fridge now (why didn't I think of that?) ...

> ^..^ <

just give me Samm and nobody gets hurt.

How much did it cost to install the bathroom speaker?