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Who Lives There: James V and his black pug named Floyd
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Size: 790 square feet
What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? I love the tremendous natural light that comes into my condo from the 10-foot tall floor to ceiling windows. These windows and the unobstructed 180-degree views of Chicago neighborhoods (from the Medical District, Little Italy, West and South Loop, Wicker Park, and the Loop) make the space feel so much larger than it really is. Coupled with the terrace, I am allowed to take advantage of a seamless indoor/outdoor living space during the warmer months. The cityscape as a backdrop provides an integral component of my design scheme—it gives me a sense of being integrated into the core of one of world’s greatest cities. While being physically removed from the city center, this feeling inspires openness; standing on my terrace and enjoying my morning breakfast makes me feel as if I am already contributing to the hustle and bustle of the city.
Give James V a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? As a first time homeowner I did not understand my personal living needs and behaviors and how my home was conducive to them, nor did I really understand my own style. I bought pieces of furniture simply because I liked them and failed to critically think about size, scale, proportion and color. As a result, I had many pieces of furniture and far too little space, (ex. owning a small dining table with four chairs but rarely eating dinner at home).
A close friend who is a designer and artist helped me think about my personal needs, and then drew up floor plans that reflected those needs. Even though I had a decent budget to work with, I ended up picking up many of pieces from second hand or thrift stores and not spending a whole lot (my side tables, coffee table, Room and Board sofa, lamps, Herman Miller chairs, art, kitchen appliances etc.)
I found inspiration from my designer friend, blogs, real estate staging photos, design magazines, architecture books, HGTV, and everyday items and materials. The stripes on the wall were inspired by the packaging of Every Man Jack Tea Tree body wash found at Target. I also used the Pilsen neighborhood and its public art as motivation. When working with small space, creativity is paramount as evidenced by my office space which is an IKEA Liden coffee table, Inreda drawer and Bravad cabinet hack.
Give James V a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
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Do you have a Small Cool Home? Enter Here by April 13th!
VERY COOL!!!!!
view shaunarama's profile
love the office and would love more details on how you hacked it all together!
view Joan in SB's profile
Worth it for the view.
view hrhprincessfiona's profile
Love the stripes - and that pink chair is fantastic.
view lucica's profile
Great space, great job. Inspiring!
view jewelrychick's profile
What a great space and so thoughtfully used. The space does look larger than the what the plans show. Well done! Lovely details.
view Lizzie Bee's profile
Looks gorgeous! I love this
view Cherim1609's profile
To Joan in SB: I am the designer friend that worked on this space with James. The office desk was inspired by a piece by "Mash" which cost a few thousand dollars. I "Hacked" the Ikea office by using the Liden coffee table body without the legs, painted it the same chocolate brown that is on the living room wall. I took two Inreda drawers to use in the "desk". I had to apply small strips of wood to the sides of the inside of the desk to attach the gliders to because the space was slightly wider than the drawers. We used the Bravad cabinets from the Ikea Kitchen collection above the desk for storage. We attached everything to the walls. James already had a metal file cabinet and we painted it in an off-white and put it under the desk on the left side. The whole thing cost about $300 plus paint. The Eames Shell chair was a thrift store find in orange. Please contact me for detailed pics of the whole process! and Thanks! I'm glad you liked it! Simone
view Simone Targo's profile
Where is Floyd?! I cannot vote for a small cool entry that mentions, but does not picture, a cute dog :(
view dtremit's profile
@ dtremit, I think you're missing the point of this site.
view shaunarama's profile
gosh! that view!
view sleeping spot's profile
I LOVE your place...amazing!!
view AngieCain's profile
Good Design ................................... :)
Roberto
view roberto2003's profile
Yeah, seriously, where is Floyd.
view jabbajabba's profile
Jameessss. So jealous.
=)
view neyra's profile
lol. floyd is under the bed.
view yoyoyo's profile
you are the Master of Style. I love all the colors!!
view chrissyd's profile
If we make the finals, they'll include all our pictures and Floyd will be in them!!! Tell your friends to keep voting!
view Simone Targo's profile
He's actually standing at the end of the hallway in the office pic....
view Simone Targo's profile
Corky! Hot-to-death!
view kibbles03's profile
Great digs Jimmy! I could see myself sitting at the bar with a mojito in one hand!!!!! Good luck . . . you got my vote!!!!
Love Aunt Gail
view gailvaladez4's profile
You should have put Floydy in the pics. Did you make Mom clean the place?
view dsorich101103's profile
Nice work, pal! Hope to be spending many more NYE's there. Good luck!
view Yalla5's profile
You need more Floyd! Lookin' cool man.
view cvaladez's profile
I agree with everyone else. We need to see Floyd!
Love layout and design in kitchen area.
view claudiagvera's profile
Awww, there's little Floyd! Really digging the neutral base with splashes of color in the accent paint, furniture and accessories. Love the simple lines to the furniture, too ... keeps a small space feeling clean and neat.
view npegues's profile
floyd is just as much a part of the decor as anything...
view beatrizana's profile
super cool!
view cindy101's profile
Love it!
view kwoods24's profile
Very cool!
view geralynjackman's profile