apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Small Cool 2009: Casey Marie's All In One Room
Tiny Division #49

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Who Lives Here: Casey Marie + Rob + 3 small dogs
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Size: 565 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? I love how open the high ceilings and large windows make the space feel. Even with two people and three dogs prowling, I always feel like I can find my own space to breathe.

Give Casey Marie 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 lack of walls to define different areas was a challenge for me. Having one room function as a kitchen, bedroom, living room, and office without looking like a junk shop is something I continue to struggle with. I've grown to love the flexibility that an open space provides because I am able to change the entire apartment on a whim. The North Carolina state surplus store and various IKEA storage units have helped me with organizing and cataloging my collections.

Give Casey Marie 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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Want more Small Cool? Check out all the entries on our contest page.

Comments (84)

i really like the shape of that couch. where did you get it?

posted by tabithacat on April 16th 2009 at 1:25pm
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That couch...I'm in

posted by Foxylou2 on April 16th 2009 at 1:27pm
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I must it looks really airy and big....

posted by nerd2003 on April 16th 2009 at 1:27pm
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huge 1 room space and it looks great. uncluttered colorful.

posted by creative*type on April 16th 2009 at 1:28pm
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I really like how you've managed to divide the space into different areas. Plus, you have terrific light!

posted by ee2485 on April 16th 2009 at 1:29pm
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I'm very impressed.

posted by kdkaboom on April 16th 2009 at 1:30pm
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I LOVE your use of color! The blue and yellow with pops of color in the artwork is fantastic! Great layout, as well. I like how you used the bookshelf to divide the kitchen and bedroom areas. Along with the large pendant lights clustered above the desk. Very, very nice! Great floors, too! I agree-the couch is gorgeous!

Two thumbs up!

posted by AprilAries on April 16th 2009 at 1:31pm
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I love the nightstands.

posted by creativeneurosis on April 16th 2009 at 1:32pm
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i LOVE this.

posted by terka27 on April 16th 2009 at 1:34pm
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Beautifully done!!

posted by CupcakeZombie on April 16th 2009 at 1:35pm
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Wow. Way to take a box and make it your own. Fantastic. The couch is amazing.

posted by Juliet on April 16th 2009 at 1:37pm
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Adorable furbabies! Such a lovely home...I want your floors!

posted by Monica on April 16th 2009 at 1:46pm
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Wow - lean living! I am filled with admiration.

posted by JoanneM on April 16th 2009 at 1:54pm
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love it! feels very colorful and open. great job!

posted by joyfulgirl on April 16th 2009 at 2:04pm
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The Teeny-tiny & Tiny divisions of this contest are HANDS DOWN the most impressive and apartments like this are why. it amazes me how people can be so creative and inventive in such small spaces! This is very homey and welcoming. Love the colors and lighting!

posted by loveoldstuff on April 16th 2009 at 2:08pm
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GREAT space! So fresh and bright. And that couch...!

posted by boston brit on April 16th 2009 at 2:08pm
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No thank you.

posted by FilthyMcNasty on April 16th 2009 at 2:09pm
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You have a great home!

Can you please tell me who the artist is/where to find the two art pieces near your fridge? Thanks!

posted by ashes88 on April 16th 2009 at 2:11pm
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I adore that sofa!! And the whole place, really.

posted by mizK on April 16th 2009 at 2:11pm
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insta-finalist. great color, fixtures, floor and artwork/ arrangement.

posted by Lady J on April 16th 2009 at 2:20pm
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Great job. Love your toy collection and your propaganda poster. Can you please tell me about the three pieces of art in the last shot (gray background, black figure). Love them. Thanks.

posted by peggy on April 16th 2009 at 2:20pm
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Gorgeous Couch! (and NC home state pride!!!!)

posted by Luuci on April 16th 2009 at 2:24pm
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Holy crap, that couch is AWESOME! Your home is so cute, I think this might be one of my favorites so far.

posted by sparkle on April 16th 2009 at 2:25pm
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I want to vote multiples times for this place. It's amazing how this space clearly has its divisions without any dividers except for the shelving by the bed.

posted by claire_quilty on April 16th 2009 at 2:31pm
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Definitely one of my faves. How do keep it so open and free of clutter with so little space? Inspiring!

posted by BadJuJu77 on April 16th 2009 at 2:32pm
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LOVELY!!! Wow, too bad I didn't know about this apartment complex when I lived in Raleigh...LOL! Wonderful job!

posted by nycbound on April 16th 2009 at 2:35pm
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so airy! nice work!

posted by pier723 on April 16th 2009 at 2:47pm
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I love, love, love your TV cart, kitchen island, and desk. I'm looking for something similar for my own place. Where did you find them? Did you powdercoat the TV coat yourself or did it come in that color?
Very, very nice place.

posted by HollyinDC on April 16th 2009 at 2:48pm
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You had be at big turquoise couch!

posted by fledgling on April 16th 2009 at 2:55pm
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I'm utterly in love with your sofa.

posted by lmk on April 16th 2009 at 2:56pm
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must have sofa

posted by sunan on April 16th 2009 at 3:10pm
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is that a tool chest recessed into the wall?! i feel faint

posted by sunan on April 16th 2009 at 3:12pm
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some great art pieces and furniture. i like

posted by lab director on April 16th 2009 at 3:32pm
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Nice floorplan.

posted by Joan A. on April 16th 2009 at 4:01pm
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Nice apt.

Go heels.

posted by Jordan Jennings on April 16th 2009 at 4:04pm
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i also love that stainless steel kitchen table/island. how much was it?

posted by F. Rabbits on April 16th 2009 at 4:10pm
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Impressive arrangement...and I love your sofa!

posted by suzy8track on April 16th 2009 at 4:18pm
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Wow. You are not only the queen of color and collecting amazing pieces, but of making what is essentially a BOX into 4 distinct rooms. That couch/divider in heavenly blue doesn't hurt either. Well done!

http://fthats.wordpress.com

posted by misscorinne on April 16th 2009 at 4:23pm
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A laundry! A laundry!

posted by Usbek de Perse on April 16th 2009 at 4:42pm
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quite frankly, that is one of the greatest sofas i've ever seen.

posted by classicCars on April 16th 2009 at 4:49pm
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who did that awesome artwork on the wall? Is that a picture of George Bush riding a unicorn? Genius!

posted by Katie Watson on April 16th 2009 at 5:22pm
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I love it!

Where did you get your coffee table? I'm sure it's vintage and not something I can go buy right now!

posted by Ana on April 16th 2009 at 5:37pm
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Whoever took the photos did a fabulous job! Made a great apartment look aMAZING!

posted by hanapeele on April 16th 2009 at 6:20pm
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Jesus H... I LOVE this place... you have no idea how lucky you guys are!! Even your doggies are lucky!

posted by dunklekatze on April 16th 2009 at 6:43pm
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Article mentions cute dogs. Pictures include cute dogs! Someone is listening to my comments!

The couch is fantastic, too. You get a clicky.

posted by dtremit on April 16th 2009 at 7:45pm
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yeah Casey! so glad you posted your place! It looks amazing! :)
(P.S. Casey is also an amazing artist. Check out Artspace in Raleigh for more info about her!)

posted by durhamdeb on April 16th 2009 at 7:55pm
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No thank you, wha? Get real. YEAS PLEASE!!!

posted by meganmariesullivan on April 16th 2009 at 8:06pm
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Looks beautiful! Love the couch, colors, and lack of clutter!

posted by erin_elwell on April 16th 2009 at 8:11pm
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Where did you get the clock screensaver? if that's what it is? I've seen them in so many people's pictures and would LOVE one.

posted by pniccole on April 16th 2009 at 9:07pm
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That looks like the type of apartment I could LEAP into

posted by ScottBakula on April 16th 2009 at 9:46pm
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I'm gonna vote for you simply for having two people live there and no homicides.

posted by petethecat on April 16th 2009 at 9:59pm
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Those dogs are just too cute.

posted by KWorld on April 16th 2009 at 10:00pm
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beautiful! and extreme couch lust.

posted by lucica on April 16th 2009 at 10:14pm
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Sorry, but this looks like grandma's attic.
The living room corner where the windows meet is cluttered and the pieces don't work together in any way. besides, the open door to the bathroom and the mirror next to it open up more plans and add more clutter. The corner behind the sofa is just as messy, I'm afraid - way too many things trying to find a place there. The couch eats up the whole space w/o adding anything to it, except for the tacky color .

posted by defne on April 17th 2009 at 12:09am
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LOVE this!! Love the colors- love the artwork! Great job- Hope you win!!

posted by quilter1 on April 17th 2009 at 5:59am
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sup G - you almost did the quintuple...5 pictures, a dog in each picture.

posted by nellee37 on April 17th 2009 at 9:05am
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I wish my grandma had a couch like that!

posted by maprado on April 17th 2009 at 10:34am
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what is the red thing beside the fridge? repurposed tool chest?

i think this place is a lot of fun... nice colours!

posted by pinstripeprincess on April 17th 2009 at 11:50am
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Gorgeous!

Where in Raleigh are you? I'm off Horne street in a 650 square foot apartment, but it's not nearly as beautiful as yours is!

posted by mishamc on April 17th 2009 at 1:23pm
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favourite so far! not cluttered, but totally lived in and comfortable :)

posted by gridpaper on April 17th 2009 at 2:11pm
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Very well laid out plan. Nice work!

posted by itskevin on April 17th 2009 at 2:34pm
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OMG! Thanks to everyone for the positive comments! We are thrilled to be in the company of so many awesome homes. Some answers to general questions:

The couch is from Father and Son Antiques in downtown Raleigh. They rule.

The desk and kitchen island are both standard work tables from Sam's Club, purchased for about $199 each. We cut the legs short on the desk and added the casters.

The tv cart, coffee table, red tool chest, and red chair are NC state surplus finds...purchased for a combined total of less than $50.

The large art piece by the fridge is by Katy Meehan, and the smaller piece by Beth Tacular...The triptych by the bed is by Casey Robertson...all RAD NC based artists...google them! The Obama poster is a screenprint by Chicago based artist, Ray Noland.

The screen saver is something we copied off of every other apartment on the internet, and is by fliqlo.

Thanks for all the thumbs up!

posted by casey marie on April 17th 2009 at 5:50pm
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Great place, but.... you're puppies steal the show, soooo cute!

posted by Jesse Lu on April 17th 2009 at 6:21pm
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Love your space! It looks much bigger than 565 sq ft - your layout makes it seem so spacious. Love your floors! Love your blue sofa! You get a thumbs up!

posted by dykelly625 on April 17th 2009 at 9:16pm
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The art is fantastic- and the dogs are the ultimate decoratorative elements.

posted by duwanna50 on April 17th 2009 at 10:56pm
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very cute! and your little dog too! I just want to hug him!

posted by petal21 on April 17th 2009 at 11:03pm
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That dog could use 1 less meal and 1 more session of running outside.

posted by cisopen on April 18th 2009 at 10:22am
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Correction: both dogs.

posted by cisopen on April 18th 2009 at 10:22am
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OMG, my inlaws had that couch in lavender in the 60s. It all comes back around if you just wait long enough.

posted by dkzody on April 18th 2009 at 2:21pm
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Casey rocks :)

posted by adrienneats on April 26th 2009 at 9:29am
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Yay Casey! I love it!

posted by Kabes on April 27th 2009 at 12:45pm
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Love the "bedroom" area, especially those cute nightstands!

posted by hooraydesign on April 27th 2009 at 5:04pm
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casey porn! gorgeous home, not that i would have expected anything less. i especially love your desk area.

posted by melodie-nelson on April 28th 2009 at 1:20pm
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I live in Raleigh and can tell you that Casey and Rob are not only creative with their interior but also with the exterior of their apartment. During the past presidential election, they draped a HUGE Obama banner just outside of their window, (and even rigged it to light up at night). The clever part: their residence is right next door to North Carolina Republican Headquarters. Best political publicity stunt I have ever witnessed!! Good luck you two.

posted by stoftey on April 28th 2009 at 3:16pm
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Stoftey, I love that you've got the inside scoopage! The lit Obama banner is BRILLIANT. And I love that Casey and Rob are so politically-minded. Oh, and I love the space. And the dogs. And that kitchen cart/table.

posted by darcidoodle on April 29th 2009 at 1:45pm
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Love it!

posted by Jennafleur on April 29th 2009 at 1:57pm
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I think your place is really fascinating. So intricate and so much to look at. Great work! Good luck!

posted by itskevin on April 29th 2009 at 7:42pm
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Thanks to everyone for your special comments! Make sure you vote for itskevin in the teeny tiny division! We love his place too!

posted by casey marie on April 29th 2009 at 10:08pm
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did you create that magnificent 'I Love that Sasquatch' art?! Its so great, I'd love to know where I could get one (if possible?) :)

your space is so creative and fun!

posted by hystericalconfessions on April 29th 2009 at 11:29pm
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I TRIED to thumb you up, but they said thumb upping was closed. I'm sorry.

posted by gazzy on April 30th 2009 at 8:36am
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love this, its great, colors, setting, making sure there is enough room for people to visit. not too much not to little just right.

posted by artbybabz on April 30th 2009 at 10:03am
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hystericalconfessions: Thanks! The sasquatch art is a chalkboard that I change regularly with seasonal, holiday, and special occasion themes. This one is supposed to be "our family" in springtime, but I'm not good at drawing dudes, so rob is a sasquatch... and of course, I love him!

posted by casey marie on April 30th 2009 at 2:20pm
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Casey Marie: oh my gosh that is such a great idea I absolutely love the concept of it :) If you were ever to make one in print I'd totally want one because i just love it ha ha Thanks for sharing!

posted by hystericalconfessions on May 2nd 2009 at 12:12am
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cute place

posted by hima_vasu on August 13th 2009 at 7:52pm
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