Small Cool 2009: Natalie's Storage-Filled Small Space Little Division #11

Small Cool 2009: Natalie's Storage-Filled Small Space
Little Division #11

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Who Lives There: Natalie and her roommate
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Size: 795 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? Along with my luxuriously long, deep, beautiful sofa, the storage! There is a walk-in pantry that houses dishware, cooking appliances, cleaning tools, table linens, the ironing board and the vacuum. Its spacious enough that we could probably rent it out for a little extra cash ;) There's also a shallow pantry with sliding doors (along the hallway, backing up to the pantry, not pictured) that we've converted into a shoe closet. There's a walk-in closet for clothes and an entryway space for coats (and more shoes). Pretty impressive for an early 20th century two-flat; it makes living in a small space entirely functional.

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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? Balancing the consistently bright front of the apartment with the mostly always dark kitchen is a strange challenge. Although the house has an east/west exposure, the kitchen window opens onto the back staircase, not the yard, so the kitchen only gets natural light for about 45 minutes every day when the sun coming through the porch windows line up with the kitchen window (I was able to catch it one day for the photo!) I have been inspired by the way Scandinavian homes have to deal with balancing light and dark--between summer and winter months--and think the key is simplicity, light walls, and great lighting. (Other key challenges include: organization, editing, consistency and a first-year-out-of-college budget!)

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Do you have a Small Cool Home? Enter Here by April 13th!

Comments (28)

I love your tree picture. I have a similar one that I took myself and photoshoped to look that way. Did you do the same? Very cute and laid back place.

posted by jesscon0202 on April 7th 2009 at 12:00pm
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Where is the coffe table from?

What is the lamp on top of?

Thanks,
Dave

posted by Merms on April 7th 2009 at 12:17pm
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is that the CB2 "movie sofa"?

posted by ^^pants on April 7th 2009 at 12:21pm
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yessss, i want to see more!!!

posted by yomingus on April 7th 2009 at 12:39pm
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Yes, where is that couch from? Beautiful!

posted by kellylc on April 7th 2009 at 12:39pm
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Couch?? Where is it from? Also, I love the laid back but stylish space you have created. Not pretentious, looks lived in, and put together at the same time.

posted by jmagnes on April 7th 2009 at 1:08pm
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I'm with Merms. Where's that coffee table from?

posted by happiness on April 7th 2009 at 1:17pm
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It is sad to hear that the lovely sunlight streaming in your kitchen window is such a brief visitor! I have a bedroom that is perfectly lovely at two in the afternoon. I have to remind myself to go in there and enjoy it when I happen to be home on a sunny day.

posted by Nancy_Claire on April 7th 2009 at 1:46pm
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lovely! its so cozy!

i too would like to know more about the sofa... it looks like the slipcovered cb2 movie sofa?

posted by erinpearce on April 7th 2009 at 3:20pm
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the paintings above the sofa are v.interesting, where are they from/who is the artist?

posted by a1 on April 7th 2009 at 6:26pm
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love that little pantry, the parsons desk and the bentwood chairs!!!!!!

posted by MCMCMC on April 7th 2009 at 6:48pm
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Nice crib. Hands down, my favorite of the entire bunch. You shoulda been a designer . . . you got a natural gift in that department. About the sofa: It's really outta hand. Simply groovy, and I'll bet there is something even more gorgeous hiding under that slip cover.

posted by The Swamp Fox on April 7th 2009 at 6:57pm
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for any interested parties:

www.nataliesmith.info

posted by nfsmith2 on April 7th 2009 at 7:02pm
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and thanks everyone!

posted by nfsmith2 on April 7th 2009 at 7:02pm
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beautiful!

posted by aad on April 7th 2009 at 7:08pm
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Wonderful! Delicious! But I really need that pear.

posted by MaeEast on April 7th 2009 at 8:02pm
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So elegant! Work it!

posted by rathbonecomelywad on April 7th 2009 at 8:02pm
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L.O.V.E.

posted by Jesse Lu on April 7th 2009 at 8:07pm
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your apt. looks great!

posted by dianenicole on April 7th 2009 at 8:26pm
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looks great, i wish i lived there!

posted by laurenlapkus on April 7th 2009 at 8:27pm
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and yes, its a real-life CB2 movie sofa

posted by nfsmith2 on April 7th 2009 at 10:55pm
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i can't put my finger on why, but I really like this space.... yes, maybe it's a wee bit cluttered but it looks very homely and loved.

posted by appleton on April 8th 2009 at 5:33am
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super delicious.

posted by hicandy on April 8th 2009 at 7:11am
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Are you an artist?

posted by rocky1 on April 8th 2009 at 9:58am
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yes!

posted by nfsmith2 on April 8th 2009 at 5:40pm
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your apartment looks fabulous!

posted by maryxbeth on April 8th 2009 at 9:40pm
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Great job on decorating!
I know it isn't always easy agreeing with a roommate on decorating. There are usually decorative sacrifices you have to make.

posted by rhianna on April 9th 2009 at 9:44am
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I love the coffee table and the wooden bench. Great Job! where did you get your inspiration from?

posted by sophiest on April 9th 2009 at 2:23pm
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