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Small Cool 2008: First Place

2008-05-16-first.jpgThe judges have spoken - their pick for the smallest, coolest home in the world...

Congratulations to our First Place winners, Tony and Hillary of the 3-in-1 Studio in Brooklyn!


Comments (38)

I thought this was a cool space, but I can't believe it won over some of the other ones in the contest.

posted by Erin K. on 2008-05-16 15:38:33
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i have to agree. Congrats to the winner, but I am surprised.

posted by amandadom on 2008-05-16 15:39:24
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shocked but pleased... congrats!

posted by Easyenough on 2008-05-16 15:39:50
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excellent use of a very small space.

posted by Seaside on 2008-05-16 15:45:54
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I figured this would win it and it is a marvel of packaging. I wouldn't consider it particularly beautiful, but it is certainly small and it is certainly cool.

posted by tallguylehigh on 2008-05-16 15:46:21
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Congratulations! I liked this much better on the second viewing. Excellent use of a small space! Still don't like ladders to get in and out of bed.

posted by jimkk on 2008-05-16 15:48:07
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i'm not surprised! i love it! i think it's a very savvy way of dealing with a studio.

video of the cat taking one step at a time? totally awesome.

posted by kdkaboom on 2008-05-16 15:48:51
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Congrats!!

posted by Hope on 2008-05-16 15:49:36
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Surprised that this was the winner over so many other fantastic spaces, but I do agree its a nice place, just surprised that this surpassed everything else.

posted by suzy8track on 2008-05-16 15:50:05
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Congrats guys! It's great to see the top prize go to a place rooted in functionality.

posted by patrick74 on 2008-05-16 15:51:06
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Congratulations! This place definitely defines small and cool and was one of my favorites : )

posted by kristineve on 2008-05-16 15:51:22
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where did you get that sweet print of london along the Themes?? I really want that!

posted by MFlick on 2008-05-16 15:52:16
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excuse me, Thames.

posted by MFlick on 2008-05-16 15:52:55
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Way to go, Ft. Greene. And I'm glad a renter won.

posted by amt230 on 2008-05-16 15:54:42
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I think this was a winner and deserves first place. Congratulations.

posted by Gallivant on 2008-05-16 15:55:02
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This was my absolute favorite! I can't wait to steal all their ideas! Congratulations.

posted by tlinell on 2008-05-16 15:58:36
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Congrats! I'm so happy you guys won!
The apartment is clean, simple, and very functional. I love it!
Was rooting for the apartment from day one!

posted by cojaclynsy on 2008-05-16 15:59:47
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Congratulations! Great functionality and use of space!

posted by timmy jr. on 2008-05-16 16:04:09
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Well deserved winner! Their place is fab.

posted by gryt on 2008-05-16 16:09:09
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Sweeeeet! This was my favorite all along. Congratulations!

posted by foxmo on 2008-05-16 16:13:20
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Congratulations!

posted by f.in.eur on 2008-05-16 16:14:16
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Totally Gorgeous! Congrats!

posted by KatieD on 2008-05-16 16:14:24
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I'm thrilled you guys won. My favorite all the way! Hazaa!

posted by Jordan Jennings on 2008-05-16 16:17:10
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meh. I liked it a lot, but after looking at it more and more it lost its luster some, Nicolas loft was hands down superior to anything this year. He did not even get 2nd, 3rd, or 4th. What gives this year man...Hopefully I am wrong, but by the statement coolest in the world, sounds like its done.

posted by michaelc on 2008-05-16 16:25:08
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michaelc:
Looking again at the contest page, it appears that the international finalists were not eligible for the actual prizes (it says that three international finalists will simply receive certficates of recognition from AT.) Sort of weird, I think, because some of those entries were fab. Anyways, I think Tony and Hillary's creative solutions for small space living and storage won the day. Congratulations to them!

I hope AT plans to list all the winners on the contest page. It's been sort of a drag to scroll though the multiple postings from all the regions on the main page and parse out who the regional and national winners are. To have everything in one place would be nice.

posted by J on 2008-05-16 16:36:24
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It's very cool, but the bed is not functional.
I prefer Luca, but Hillary & Tom deserve a premium too.

posted by Ziiip® on 2008-05-16 16:44:33
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I absolutely LOVED this from the very first entry! So amazing! Congrats to TONY and Hillary!

posted by AndreaU on 2008-05-16 17:07:35
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Thank you for all the great support! We were really happy to be chosen for the semi-finalist pool so we could have the opportunity to show everyone more photos. For us, our loft is a very personal experiment in living small and within a tight budget. It was never really intended to be seen by so many people, so we're excited to have gotten such positive feedback.

There were soooo many other great entries this year and we found a lot of inspiration from them, so winning first is a great honor for us. Thanks again for the wonderful feedback & constructive criticism - we were really happy to share our little home with everyone!

Tony & Hilary

posted by phdesign on 2008-05-16 17:11:10
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I'm not disappointed that this won, as it was easily one of my favorites. So congrats! Well done.

What does disappoint (and really surprise) me is that the Family of Four didn't even place in the top 5. While most of the entries accomodated one or two people, I was sure that the fact that these entrants were able to make a small space work for a family of four (and so stylishly) would guarantee them a spot.

posted by Jeremy In VA on 2008-05-16 17:27:00
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Tony & Hilary,

I LOVED your apartment! Congratulations!

posted by andromache on 2008-05-16 17:29:07
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While there were other finalists who's apartments were more akin to my own personal style, I am thoroughly glad that this particular entry won. It really was a great use of space. I also liked the mix of high, low, as well as diy.

Congrats!

posted by david on 2008-05-16 19:02:09
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Congrats. As you know, I love it!

posted by quiltmaster on 2008-05-16 20:05:48
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Ditto Jeremy In VA about the Family of Four entry not even placing. Inconceivable!

posted by hja on 2008-05-17 02:57:08
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Congrats Hillary and Tony!

Your place is wonderful. You or Stephanie's Life of Pie would have been fine with me for first place. I wish you the best.

posted by Mr. Dangerous on 2008-05-17 16:15:28
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Hey HJA and Jeremy in VA:

If the contest had been Best Claustrophobic Apartment I would say "family of four" should have won. If the contest is going to be about cramming as many people as possible into 500 square feet or less (and that determines the winner because of a "sympathy vote") than I think we should include apartments from China and Mexico and India and everyone can vote on HOW COOL IT IS to see 4 or 6 or 8 or 10 or 12 people living in 500 square feet.
Lots of people living in a small space is NOT cool. It's claustrophobic and kind of sad. And by the way, did you look at "family of fours" follow up photos? Not real stylish in my opinion.

Weasel Dearest is Mr. Dangerous

posted by Mr. Dangerous on 2008-05-17 16:34:52
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Ditto Mr.Dangerous. In fact, I think there are laws that are supposed to prevent this kind of cramming of humanity into a too-small space.
I understand the reception of the 3-in-one--Although I also don't see the bed as practically functional (who wants to climb up and down just for a glass of water, and not even be able to sit up in bed?) but what I really don't understand is the number 2 selection. There was just nothing there--NOTHING.
This contest was great a few years ago. It's been sliding ever since.

posted by voodoo child on 2008-05-19 09:00:54
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voodoo child - we can sit up in bed - we often read up there

MFlick - the London print is from a little map store I came across in Greenwich (just outside London) when I was living there in '95 - '96. Can't remember the exact location/name of the store for the life of me though - sorry. I like to collect prints of 17th Century maps when travelling - this was the first one I purchased (and the only one I've framed so far) - it's really cool - you can see the original St. Paul's before the Great Fire and a lot of detail in the other buildings including the Globe Theater.

posted by Hilary P on 2008-05-22 13:25:19
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MFlick - more info on the London print: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/188217/16210/Engraving-of-London-by-Claes-Jansz-Visscher-in-the-Guildhall

posted by phdesign on 2008-05-22 21:50:05
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