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Small Cool 2009: Azaleasmoke's Happy Compromise
International Division #24

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Who Lives There: Azaleasmoke, "the eventual husband" and Gryffin (aka G, aka Gryffers McGee)
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Size: 800 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? Right now it would have to be our print/picture wall, because we worked on it together and it is a great representation of both of us. My partner works from home so that desk in the living room is where he spends most of his time. As you can see we're both very into North American politics (Obama is the most visible in the pics, but Tommy Douglas is also up there representing Canada).
I also really love the old bones. The high ceilings, the original (non-working) fireplace, the wainscoting in the kitchen, and the pillars leading to the living room. It just has tons of character.

Give Azaleasmoke a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
Thumbs Up Voting is only activated for 48 Hours — so don't delay!
 
 

What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? The fact that its a rental and we are NOT ALLOWED TO PAINT!! It drives me crazy, but I have done my best to work with the wall colour as it is. Cohabitation also affects a lot of design decisions. My partner has definite opinions about the decor, vetoing a lot of things I would otherwise bring in, and G’s little white hairs and dirty paws meant that we had to replace all of the light furniture and white linens. But I would prefer my partner care than not, and G makes us happier than any material possession ever could, so . . .


Give Azaleasmoke a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
Thumbs Up Voting is only activated for 48 Hours — so don't delay!

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Comments (34)

If every picture were of Gryffin none of the other small spaces would even have a shot =) Oh, and awesome home, by the way.

posted by AudreyinPDX on April 15th 2009 at 3:52pm
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fantastic bones! my gramma ripped out columns like that in her house.

posted by Lady J on April 15th 2009 at 3:58pm
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The picture wall looks amazing. I really like the final design

posted by acragg on April 15th 2009 at 4:03pm
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i think it's very fresh and modern but classic at the same time. It must have been hard not to be able to paint, but with what you've done with it, there's no need.

posted by meghanbell on April 15th 2009 at 4:19pm
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What a delightful condo. This is one of the best I've seen on this site in quite some time. The living room is simply to die for. Simple yet elegant; Two thumbs up!

posted by Crazy about Comm Ave. on April 15th 2009 at 4:25pm
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I love this place - and the fact that it's in Ottawa - wahoo! I got married there so it's a special place for me!

Question - where's the mirror from??

posted by linzerella on April 15th 2009 at 4:34pm
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Cute cute cute boston.

posted by brittanykate on April 15th 2009 at 4:39pm
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Hi Linzerella - the mirror is from a place in Ottawa called Zone Maison. It was a half price score or there's no way I could do it :)

FantasticMrFaux - It is a work in progress, especially the kitchen. We are hoping be able to do more in that room soon.

posted by azaleasmoke on April 15th 2009 at 5:01pm
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My favourite part is the mirror above the fireplace. It's a cool contrast of detailed design with classic, simple lines.

posted by emackinnon on April 15th 2009 at 5:05pm
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Hmm. I painted my living room that color by choice, so I like it! I also have the same "let them eat cake" print from sfgirlbybay, so you get my stamp of approval. Love all your little vases in groups.

posted by tequila red on April 15th 2009 at 5:13pm
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Thumbs up for the father of Canadian Medicare. Nice apartment, too.

posted by Mlle Kate on April 15th 2009 at 5:37pm
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Seems people are voting NOT for the awesome design but for the content of your pictures...I'm a Las Vegas republican and I still LOVE the light, fresh aura of what you've done...THUMBS UP!

posted by VinnyGlyde on April 15th 2009 at 5:39pm
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I love your picture wall and the sunbeam mirror above the fireplace and how you've grouped those vases!

posted by CatherineInLondon on April 15th 2009 at 5:47pm
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Aww, CatherineinLondon! I'm so happy you commented on my space because I love yours!

posted by azaleasmoke on April 15th 2009 at 6:08pm
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YAY Ottawa!!! You've definitively got my vote....especially when I saw Zone Maison mentionned (my fav). :)

posted by kim.desiretoinspire on April 15th 2009 at 6:29pm
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Yay Canada. Not only is the apartment cute, but it's in one of the cutest cities in North America.

posted by Lisa (Montreal) on April 15th 2009 at 6:50pm
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You lucked-out if that wall colour is what was given! Could have been MUCH worse. I think it's quite lovely! Beautiful bones.

posted by theserovingeyes on April 15th 2009 at 6:52pm
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What a great place! I love the architecture and your furniture looks great. Where did you get the bedside lamps?

posted by kabbie12 on April 15th 2009 at 7:18pm
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Hi Kabbie12:
I got the bedside lamps at a discount home store in Canada called Home Sense. I recovered the tacky lampshades in some white linen. Thanks for the sweet comment!

posted by azaleasmoke on April 15th 2009 at 7:37pm
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wish my place in Ottawa had looked like that one!!! (i was in that apt cluster at Lees/Queensway)

posted by rouquinne on April 15th 2009 at 8:47pm
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Love your fireplace!

posted by Krissy B on April 15th 2009 at 9:09pm
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Yes, you lucked out on the colors/colours but it was your hard work that makes this so pretty. Really warm and welcoming.

posted by jendavid1000 on April 16th 2009 at 6:51am
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Thank you so much jendavid99, what a sweet comment.
I had also forgotten about the difference in the way our countries spell colour / color :) Neat that you picked that up

posted by azaleasmoke on April 16th 2009 at 7:14am
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I like the layout - the living looks perfect.

posted by ChrisGal on April 16th 2009 at 8:00am
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Go Tommy Douglas! Love your place. My place in Ottawa was actually in Vanier (ugh!)

posted by Carder on April 16th 2009 at 8:44am
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I can't give a thumbs up to a political post. Sorry.

posted by FilthyMcNasty on April 16th 2009 at 10:21am
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Great layout...and you did a lovely job arranging the mantle. The dog is pretty awesome too.

posted by suzy8track on April 16th 2009 at 12:30pm
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Thank you for the lovely comment on my place. Yours is fantastic. I love your fireplace mantel.

posted by andrew1978 on April 17th 2009 at 12:29pm
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Love the shots. Interesting composition in the bottom of the picture in the bedroom, who is the artist?

posted by mlmclarnon on April 17th 2009 at 2:15pm
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I really like your desk area and mantle. Your place has so much architectural character. Well done!

posted by itskevin on April 17th 2009 at 2:49pm
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mlmclarnon - I actually have no idea who the artist is, as I won it at a charity auction. Sorry I can't help, but thanks for the sweet comment :)

posted by azaleasmoke on April 17th 2009 at 3:05pm
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woww!! this is reallyy prettyy! i likee it a lot i loovee the obama picture and the dog in your pictures! aha that's hilariouss! he's cuute! lovee thee housee! good luckk:]]

posted by mrgx3 on April 17th 2009 at 8:04pm
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Delightful! And pets make great accessories!!

posted by teapotrose on April 18th 2009 at 9:17pm
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Thank you so much for your kind comment on my flat. It cheered me up as I was very disappointed I didn't get to the next round, but I still love living in my flat and that's all the matters in the end! I will definitely be voting for your gorgeous home to go into the next round (and hopefully beyond!).

posted by CatherineInLondon on April 23rd 2009 at 12:04pm
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