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Small Cool 2009: Jenna and Scott's Multi-Function Room
Little Division #01

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Who Lives Here: Jenna and Scott
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Size: 765 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? The favorite element of our small home is the common living space. The majority of our home is one common room so we really wanted to maximize the functionality of it. We have a home office, music space, kitchen, dining room and living room in one! This makes the home very comfortable and easy to converse while cooking, studying and working.

Give Jenna and Scott 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? Our biggest challenge was BUDGET. We just got married and moved in together three months ago. Scott is in school so we are always looking for inexpensive ways to bring our home to life. We scoured some of our favorite design sites and magazines to get ideas and then built a lot of the furniture ourselves. Scott built the kitchen table from recycled wood and chairs from his grandfathers old workshop, we found the coffee table in an old dumpster and refurbished, built the headboard with directions found on Apartment Therapy, living room shelves are made out of $2 gutter trim, the bedroom curtains are plumbing pipe and fabric from a local shop. Our home is like one giant piece of artwork and we are always finding new projects... although now running out of space!


Give Jenna and Scott 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 (49)

This is very nice indeed. I like what you are doing and love how you have displayed your vintage pyrex colorware mixing bowls. I have a set, but mine has to stack and be in a lower cupboard for now.

If there is anything I can see that could be changed, the area run, while nice needs to be a tad larger and the front edge should be just under the front edge of the sofa and go out a bit beyond the ends of the couch to, again, take in the chairs on either side a little. I have the same situation but my rug is even smaller.

posted by ciddyguy on April 1st 2009 at 6:42pm
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It's nice to see fellow Kansas Citians in smallest coolest. Your place is definitely cool. I like all of the low budget improvisation.

Where did the sconces in bedroom come from?

posted by Midwestdiva on April 1st 2009 at 6:50pm
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LOVE LOVE this home!!!!

posted by summerlove on April 1st 2009 at 7:11pm
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It looks like you are doing your part to keep "everything up to date in Kansas City". I love that the industrial details are not chic things from catalogs, but actual DIY's which was the spirit of them in the beginning. Also bravo on having your curtains/blinds open, why have big windows if you are just going to shut the world out?

posted by Nancy_Claire on April 1st 2009 at 7:11pm
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Fabulous!!!!!! You did a great job utilizing the space that you have and creating a unique design. By being innovative and cost conscious you have a very inviting and trendy place to call home!

posted by donnaj on April 1st 2009 at 7:51pm
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You have done a fantastic job designing your home to fit both of your personalities. I love all the punches of color that bring life and excitement to the mood of the space. I can't wait for another visit!

posted by mehalvorson06 on April 1st 2009 at 7:59pm
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I also LOVE love LOVE your new addition of the records display!

posted by mehalvorson06 on April 1st 2009 at 8:02pm
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you found the coffee table?! so cute! i love all the colors in here... v. jealous of the kitchen. is that the convertible couch from uo? i wanted that...

posted by rlmesq on April 1st 2009 at 8:05pm
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The lighting and paint color add to the appeal of your home!
The stainless steel shelving in the kitchen is hip and functional. The rooms reflect a very creative, fun couple!

posted by nhalvorson on April 1st 2009 at 8:21pm
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The gutter trim shelves are a great idea -- I would have thought they were those pricey steel picture ledges. All of the DIY projects you listed really look like high-end design. Really nice job.

posted by palindrome on April 1st 2009 at 8:50pm
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Nice vinyl collection, I can only make out two... what are the rest?

And what did you use for shelves?

posted by hubiquitous on April 1st 2009 at 9:11pm
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Feist, Sufjan Stevens, Andrew Bird and She & Him, oh my! what are the last three?

posted by beric on April 1st 2009 at 9:53pm
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Awesome apartment! Loved how you used stuff from your grandfather's workshop for the kitchen table. Very creative!!

posted by research on April 1st 2009 at 10:24pm
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This is my favorite one so far! I love the paint color in the living room and the kitchen is amazing.

posted by groupie on April 1st 2009 at 11:09pm
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Great job and am so impressed with your ingenuity, recycling talent while working within a budget! You are inspiring.

posted by sassydo on April 2nd 2009 at 5:17am
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Stylish and cosy with lots of personality, really beautifully done.

posted by idontdobeige on April 2nd 2009 at 5:41am
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Really like the use of frosted glass to define an entryway.

posted by FJ!! on April 2nd 2009 at 6:10am
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I love it! Can you please tell me he paint color that you used in your living room? Thanks for sharing

posted by sunrise on April 2nd 2009 at 7:44am
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You have done a great job.

posted by bzogleman on April 2nd 2009 at 8:51am
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How did you hang the frosted glass?

posted by mjs7640 on April 2nd 2009 at 10:47am
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This is what your place looks like after only THREE months? Dang, I'm jealous. I've lived in my place for nearly a year and it's still not put together. Impressive.

I love the records above the couch.

You've got a beautiful home, well done.

posted by amazonikon on April 2nd 2009 at 11:55am
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Congratulations! Your home is beautifully put together. It amazes me when others can do such a stellar job in such a short period of time. Kudos to you.

The last record on the top is Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, 100 Days 100 Nights...good stuff!

posted by STYLeyes on April 2nd 2009 at 12:48pm
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Wow, I'm not normally into the modernish, bright colours, etc. style but I just love this place. I think the darker kitchen gives it some sophistication and the neutral walls as well help balance out the colourful accents so it doesn't end up having that teenage girl's/college girl's dorm room look if you know what I mean. Great job, any place that gets me to like a style I normally am not into gets an easy thumbs up.

posted by sauceykat on April 2nd 2009 at 2:42pm
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Paint is Behr - Garden Wall

posted by smhalvorson on April 2nd 2009 at 3:16pm
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wow - great work!

posted by egay on April 2nd 2009 at 5:03pm
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I love the kitchen. It's so perfect. If I had more than a modified hallway for a kitchen I would want it to look like yours. Can you please tell me where you're rug came from? It's exactly what I'm looking for.

posted by my_tigerlily on April 2nd 2009 at 11:42pm
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rug is from urban outfitters last year but they always have a great and inexpensive selection!!

posted by carrj on April 3rd 2009 at 8:44am
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Beautiful home!

Where is the coffee table from?

posted by Auburn on April 3rd 2009 at 1:01pm
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I think this place uses the most creative ways of decorating. Love the gutter trim shelves...I would have never thought of that. For barely being married 3 months I am in awe of how well you both utilized your skills to make this a wonderful cozy place and it looks as though you have lived in this place for years. Good job!

posted by desertflower on April 3rd 2009 at 1:36pm
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Love the apartment! Great decorating with fun colors! Good use of space! Like your wall record display! Very creative!

posted by pmelby on April 3rd 2009 at 4:15pm
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It looks like someone has some talent of using a small space in an efficient but interesting way. Looks like a fun place to come home to.

posted by neighbor60 on April 3rd 2009 at 5:45pm
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I *love* the coffee table!

posted by happiness on April 3rd 2009 at 6:44pm
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That is a really funky kitchen table. Do the stools roll out at all? Or are they fixed in place?

posted by Elizcrtv on April 4th 2009 at 10:03am
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Is that a tweed hard guitar case under the sofa!?! RETRO! I love the xylophone in the corner by the entry! Perfect for musical guests, they won't have to go far to get in a quick jam!! I also really enjoy you collection of vinyls... orange vinyl stools that is!! Excellent job at hanging that frosted glass, you guys are really talented!

posted by spencerniebuhr on April 5th 2009 at 9:49pm
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luvin' the space! my vote 4 u X a million!!! ;):)

posted by megsoli on April 5th 2009 at 9:58pm
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This place would look even better with a Herman Miller Aeron in True Black, but that Paong still looks super comfortable!

posted by spencerniebuhr on April 5th 2009 at 9:59pm
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Beautiful apartment. I actually love the dining table.

posted by knoi on April 6th 2009 at 7:45am
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Beautiful! My favorite is the kitchen. Love it.

posted by sunny on April 6th 2009 at 1:06pm
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Anyone who can make a Paong chair that good deserves props

posted by brocktontriangle on April 6th 2009 at 7:45pm
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This is my absolute favorite so far. Lots of quirky design elements and so much personality. It's really fun and looks like a great apartment to live in.

posted by ooh_food on April 7th 2009 at 10:00am
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Love to hear someone else who has to decorate on a budget! It is beautiful and the colors make the rooms so happy!

posted by letteretcher on April 7th 2009 at 7:49pm
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Beautiful kitchen - love the table and stools. What is the material on the big black backsplash?

posted by luna on April 16th 2009 at 12:25pm
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What a great apartment Jenna! Sorrt that I missed the voting deadline - hope you're in the finals!

posted by ktgolfs on April 16th 2009 at 1:42pm
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Why are we able to vote for this one again? The deadline should have passed?

posted by fineur on April 20th 2009 at 6:41am
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Scott and Jenna, your space is spectacooler!!!! I love the warm and inviting atmosphere and the mellow uplift! Blessings to you!

posted by pmstb on April 21st 2009 at 10:48am
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very cool!

posted by sararamaker on April 21st 2009 at 1:30pm
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Hopefully we'll see a DIY post soon about how to recreate your gutter trim rail shelves??? Hint Hint, AT!

posted by marthag on April 24th 2009 at 7:46pm
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Hi, I'm a reporter for ink magazine in Kansas City and I'm working on a story about small, cool lofts/apartments here in KC. I'm trying to get in touch with Jenna and Scott. If you're interested in being in ink, please shoot me an e-mail at sarah@inkkc.com. Thanks! Love the apartment by the way. I too am a fan of Pyrex bowls :)

posted by sarah benson on April 29th 2009 at 12:48pm
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I love the kitchen table... DIY?

posted by audhilly on July 25th 2009 at 9:20am
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