Like this Small Cool 2012 contest entry? Favorite it below!
- Name:
- Caroline
- Location:
- New York, NY
- Square Feet:
- 443
- Division:
- Tiny
- What I Love About My Small Home:
- My little studio apartment feels like sun splashed sanctuary, calm and cozy. I love how open and bright the space seems despite its mere 443 sq. ft. There is a simplicity to the space, an elegance that I believe comes from surmounting traditional obstacles associated with small space living like clutter or clarity around where to put a piece of furniture. Design duo Fawn Galli and Julio Salcedo helped me realize my small space by opening it up, lightening and masterfully maximizing every inch.
Their advising the wider kitchen archway and the switch of my sleeping and desk areas was especially transformational for me and the space.
- Biggest Challenge of Living in a Small Space
- In a small space every inch counts, so it forces you to become a disciplined person and a decision maker. And that's a benefit that transcends any size space — small or big! Sustaining a sense of order and simplicity within the confines of the square footage. There are so many times that I've said to myself, "Okay, you are living on a boat which means you have to streamline this studio so it can set sail. Otherwise you will sink in this small space." So, there is an ongoing challenge to create a sense of order and organization, lightness and freedom. These challenges are really an opportunity to simplify. And ultimately, I always feel victorious when I let go of anything that is weighing the space down, whether it is an old pillow or a book. De-clutter incentives? Donate items to local thrift stores like Housing Works so someone else can enjoy them!
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I absolutely love that office area! The fact that it is a few steps up makes it feel like a cozy little loft and keep it separate from the bedroom.
This is elegant, yet simple, and refined. Love everything from the couch, drapery and how you tied it in with the pillow. That mirror over the couch - where is that from? A favorite!
I love that huge ikat Roman shade!
This is one of my favorites. The use of pattern is very smart and sophisticated.
That is the most incredible use of 443 square feet. I love every single inch. Some day I hope to have such simple glamour!
What a beautiful way to live!
Great space! Your kitchen is a real beauty and love the steps up to the living area. I bet the kit likes to run one end to the other...bounding those steps!
This place is absolutely lovely! Where are your chairs in your living room from?
Incredible use of such a small space, making this 443 sq ft apt look quite spacious, cozy and elegant! What a nice place to come home to.
What a great use of space. It looks stylish, comfortable, and yet so efficient. Love the wallpaper you chose for the kitchen and I'm envious of the great office area you've created.
I cannot believe how clever this home/apt is..............! The stairs add another level, cozy bedroom area...........it's pretty amazing!
This is wonderful. It's only a fraction bigger than my apartment but seems to be at least three times the size! *Jealous* :)
wondering where the couch is from?
what a fantastic space! such restraint. perfectly elegant and comfortable. well done!
That red curtain really helps in bringing some depth into the living room. Nice touch.
Wow, what an elegantly comfortable, space savvy and beautiful space!! My favorite so far by a landslide!! Just BEAUTIFUL!
truly inspirational. love the quote about your apartment being a ship that will sink if you don't keep it light.
Absolutely stunning. That kitchen wallpaper -- I DIE!! LOVE the "mixed metals" in the bedroom. Utterly gorgeous.
love that couch! one question though - where is your dining area?
SO beautiful!
One question, where did you get that bed (or headboard)?
Wow, so elegant, great use of colors, materials, nice little surprises . This is definitely one of my very favorites.
caroline, this is beautiful! and i love how the apartment is on two floors! is it a pre war building?
Love it! Wish I could find this where I live.
Wow. When can I move in?
Fabulous space. I love everything about the way you have designed your space.
My god...so tidy and flawless!
would love to see a close-up of the wallpaper!
Love how elegant all your furniture is and it makes it look so much bigger than it is.
What a lovely little place you have got here! Great layout/floorplan, and full of smart compact living solutions. Really like the color scheme as well, definately a favourite!
need to know where the shade is from. is it custom?
Loving the office area. Tons of desk space, lots of storage. Its perfect!
I like the space, but I didn't vote for it because she had a decorater do it. I think the contest should be only for self-decorated apartments, otherwise it becomes a contest about who has money.
Gorgeous!
I also would love to know where the couch is from!
Fabulous aprtment! Wonderful flow! Can you provide the source for the fridge? Liebherr?
It's amazing how wonderfully you were able to fit everything and delineate the various functional areas in such a tiny space!
Wonderful, and that Roman shade is just the perfect touch -- just the right amount of pattern and color to set everything else off. Unlike others, I'm afraid I m not a fan of the wallpaper, but maybe that's because I lived with such things earlier in my life and learned to hate them. Since it's not my home, that's kind of irrelevant, though!!
Oh, and I have no problem with professionally designed spaces -- this is a contest for cool inspirational design, and if that happens to come from pros, so be it!
I'm in love with the shades and the chandelier, what a lovely space!
I agree with all the comments above, but I do have one question. Why did you put the bedroom area in the middle versus where your office area is?
I absolutely adore this.
What a creative use of space this is! The office is wonderful, and I love how neat and tidy it all looks. You are so right when you say that living in a small space has benefits that reach far beyond the physical. It forces you to discipline your mind in other area's of life as well. I love your 'living on a boat' mentality. Bravo- job well done!
Simple and comfortable, which is what one needs for maximum New York City productivity. All else is vanity. The cat is a nice touch. Very well done.
This is my favorite one! Not crazy about the office though.
Just perfect! Excellent use of space and color. Beautiful.
Tres chic! From the splash of color in the Ikat Roman blind fabric, to the Saarinen table, to the graceful and elegant headboard, to the unexpected kitchen wallpaper, to the vintage inspired chandelier, this apartment is utterly fabulous.
Thank you everyone for the kind and encouraging words! This is really a treat. I want to address your questions.
@SHARONA021 - I found the CHAIRS in D.C. at a yard sale, $20 for the pair. Keep your eyes open, you never know where you will find a good treasure.
@ALAINNOTEBOOK and HILLARY M - I have had the couch for a long time and reupholstered it for this room. It came from Crate and Barrel, for a similar look check out their “Suffolk Settee”.
@JLD15 - Nope, the refrigerator is just a good old American GE, with sleek and diminutive apartment friendly lines and measurements.
@MONICAS - this is a modern building from the early 70s.
Beautiful!!
Elegant look....clean & functional.
Big living in a "tiny" apt!
Your home is great Caroline! @Wandering Star "A place without a dining table" IS home to many city dwellers that use folding tray tables, kitchen counters, desks, etc to enjoy meals. 90% of "dining tables" end up collecting junk mail anyway. Professional decorators, self-decorated... who cares?! It's a lovely, sophisticated space. I'm sure other entries were professionally done too. Caroline had a say in everything in this home. Glad she said "yes!" to it all.
A delightful confirmation of what ‘less is more’ can mean in small-scale decorative flourish. Good job Caroline.
De-clutter incentive indeed!
Hi Caroline... This is so very cute and elegant ... I love it !
Thank you!
@PIECES OF ANNA & @OWLGIRLO: Architect Julio Salcedo advised on how best to maximize every inch of the space; his insights were invaluable.He also designed the silver railing. Check out his book, Generic Specific Continuum on Amazon for his philosophy.
@KATHYKRIS and @ROSALEEN The headboard and shades are a Fawn Galli creation.
I want this room!!!
Thank you! @LORI CHEEK; @FUTUREKRAVITZ & @DUNNE10 & @WANDERING STAR Dining usually happens in lotus position at the center table. When friends come over we sit around the table,on cushions, Japanese style. Other cultures have been dining this way for centuries; it requires flexibility—both body and mind.
What a fab use of color and space. The office is small space perfection. I love the one wall in the bedroom painted blush pink--so chic. And that headboard! The bedroom is romantic and feminine, while the living area is smart, warm, and fresh. A new classic that works cohesively in a non- gimmicky way.
Very cool space, love it! Love the colors, and phenomenal use of space. I want my office to look like that!
Very efficient space. Its not as crowded as some of the other entries. What is the address and how quick can you evict the current tenant so I can move in? (but tell them they must leave all their furniture).
Thank you Milly!@MILLY ROBERTSON. Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan's book, Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces was a very helpful resource. If you are looking to surmount small space office issues you must check out the book; I studied it for ideas and inspiration.
The apartment has a wonderful flow to it, and I love the fabric choices!!
This is amazing! I love it! I lied in a tiny studio apartment for awhile and it was a disaster! The use of space here is fantastic and so crucial in a small space. This is somewhere I could live! The decor is fabulous!
This is lovely! I adore the fabric of the roman shade. Can you please tell me who makes it? Thanks!