Love this. How wonderful you saw the potential, planned it so thoughtfully, & executed it so well.

nice!

this is amazing! good job! how rewarding this must be

This amazing though I'm not sure where the bathroom is. Do you have a closet? I think I could live here. I want to live here!

(standing up) Bravo!

Wow, I think you've done an amazing job with your space. I think it needs a little more style before it becomes exceptional but your creativity is admirable.

I don't know about the plywood. It looks unfinished. It is sort of reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright's "Pope Leighy House", in the decor.

No stove?

Love that you thought out of the box. I do also, and my friends are always saying how great my ideas are...So nice job to you!

I didn't think spaces like this existed in Chicago

I want to see this space in person. So cool!

freaking amazing

'Normally' wouldn't look at 'woodish' type home...at alllll..BUT..this has so made me smile...you have created a very cool home, and I love what you've done..great ideas and kitchen ..yea!!

Kudos! I guess the stove is above the microwave and oven, right?

Hey I'ma be moving to Chicago in a few months. What part of town are you in and how much is rent. If you don't mind sharing

This is really, really cool! Fantastic use of space. Glad you included the "before" photo too - makes the 4 "after" pictures all the more impressive. :)

I second SneakyBuffalo - I'm a reformed Leasing Agent in Chicago and have seen a lot of this city & have never seen anything like this.

This is probably the best entry I've seen based on the amount of effort and creativity. I do agree about the plywood though. Maybe painting it a white would help.

Very cool use of space. The plywood isn't my up of tea but it flows with the rest of the place. That picture over the sofa haunts me though.

Favorited - A for effort, ideas, using your own two hands to literally make your small, cool home. Congrats!

This is totally brilliant. I love every bit of it!

Raw and wonderful! You are a genius!! Love what you've done..ok, I just don't like the black and white pic above the sofa. Sorry. Otherwise, I love everything about it!

This is amazing - an art installation! Love the creative spatial solutions and the use of solar technology.

The sunlight in all the photos was throwing me off a bit till I got to the third photo and could get some perspective. It's a really awesome space- very creative! Definitely favorited.

Talent, initiative, skill, vision -- it's all here.

Great use of plywood! Also your solar water heater in a northern clime city is impressive. I love your use of space, too. Thumbs up from a feng shui perspective :)

I feel like this encapsulates the essence of this contest - it's about creatively using small spaces and working to make them your home. I love the plywood look, and the fact that it's recycled. Awesome. Favorited.

This looks incredibly cool and interesting, and then I noticed there is NO BATHROOM???

This should win, no question. So much genius, so much vision, so well executed. There is a huge difference between decorating nicely, and creating something out of nothing.

Wow, magnific!

i love the plywood. it's the right choice for this aesthetic. well done!

HOPE YOU WIN ! !

Very innovative... but I'm confused as well... where is the bathroom? Everybody poops.

This is the first entry this year that I've really felt inspired by and excited about. Definitely my favorite so far.

This, my friend, is amazing...just look at those 'before' pictures!

such creative solutions to your space. nicely done.

Isn't there a requirement to blog about stuff like this? I want to see it all. Perfect for the simple mointain retreat of my dreams.

From the pictures, I think I like where you're going with this (and thanks for the before pics)! From the description, my thoughts were 1) at least it's indoors, and 2) does the building owner know someone is living in the space? ;)

I'll vote for this once there is an answer about the bathroom :)

I love the simplicity of the bare wood and the fact that you were able to get a sleeping area tucked away up in the corner like that. What great vision you have!

Can I be your neighbor? And your friend? Maybe your roommate or subletter? I love that the look of place reflects the spirit of the construction (also I happen to like plywood!) and that the space is designed to accommodate big projects! That's something I always think about when I'm looking at other Small Cool entries, on the rare occasion that there's a workspace or office, it's barely big enough to hold a sketchbook. I too am dead curious about the bathroom facilities, but my dream house at the moment is a Tumbleweed so I've seen some of the very creative workarounds people have managed. Also seconding the construction blog!

Aaron this is such a cool space. I hope you enter it into other contests. Something green and eco-friendly? I think the plywood texture, accompanied by your other wares is gorgeous wabi-sabi.
Bravo!

-Suzi

I have to say OMG! Aaron, you have created such an amazing space and from scratch too, incredible! I'd tread water to live in your home!!! AT, any chance of seeing a full-scale tour of this place? Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please........?

Hey all,
Thanks for all of the very kind remarks!
Here are some answers to your questions.
There is a community bathroom down the hall, but my shower and sink are connected to the rain barrels in my space.
I have an induction cooktop above the oven and microwave.
The Garden Table is now in full bloom with tomato plants 4' tall.
I have many more photos and detailed shots.
The Home Tour is coming soon!
Thanks,
Aaron

awesome!

Aaron! This is absolutely amazing.

Overall it's definitely cool (especially the Amy Winehouse-esque artwork!) but having to leave the apartment to go to the toilet is very definitely uncool.

The kitchen would be improved 100% if Aaron scaled back the shelves over the counters so that they didn't need those obtrusive supports. The vertical lines are distracting and they must be a nuisance when cooking.

Incredible. This apartment is a cocktail made with equal parts functionality, sustainability, frugality, and hard work. Kudos.

Genius..just plain genius..

Love it. I have to agree with some of the others on the bathroom point and the kitchen MAY be a little short for me but AWESOME job!

JAETEA, I can see why you're frustrated by the kitchen, or the lack thereof. I am of the thinking that what he did to the space allt he renovation work is supposed to make up for that. I think it's a great space. I do agree with you in that more should have gone into the kitchen, but maybe he isn't finished just yet. Maybe he has a bigger plan in mind but this is where it is at the moment. Aaron I'm thinking a stove right next to the mini fridge would work just fine. You gotta eat. I also wonder Aaron, is something like this expensive?? I know money/cost is relative, but I don't think we're big ballin here. I love the idea of suspending the bedroom.

(afterthought) Maybe he didn't want to risk burning his bedroom down, thats why he doesn't have a stove!?

am I right?? Either way it's cool.

Wonderful! Very Andrea Zittel!

So cool and different. Has my vote.

amazing! yay chicago! (glad i didn't enter this year, bc this one is the winner in my book)

I love the creativity involved here but as someone who is currently dealing with an infestation of powderpost beetles all that unfinished wood kinda freaks me out. I would at least paint it.

Hi Aaron I am a real estate agent and show lofts all the time. Based on the window size alone I calculate your place measures over 450 sq. ft! before I vote, what does the unit measure in length and width? Thanks cauz It's not disclosed on your floorplan...

So creative! I never really liked plywood before this...it is cool looking here!! Love the eco friendliness...kudos!

By far the most innovative, from start to finish.
Great use of space and such creativity.
Well done, Aaron!

JGoode, The room width is 15' and the length is 30'.

Love how the loft is suspended from the ceiling.. and didn't realize that it (the loft) was so large.

What a great transformation! Excellent.

Impressive - creative - great.

Unique! -- your Dad will let me know if you win -- I play golf with him.
Dennis Hoekstra

bit industrial for me but your handiwork greatly impresses me! that's amazing!

Wow. My dad would have loved this (and asked a million questions). Well done!!

looks like a wild dream meticulously executed! and the solar water heater?! really?? confirmed my account just to favorite and vote for you. can't find the bathroom... i'm guessing that it's in that box with the TV, but hoping for a larger shower for you... you're an artist and an engineer, keep up the amazing!

Marvelous space! I love the concept, the execution, the whole aesthetic.

Blandwagon, I'm guessing those supports along the kitchen counter are weight-bearing for the bed loft.

Hi
Love your design. Can you tell me how tall are the ceilings in the kitchen area and above the loft. thanks