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Small Cool 2009: Joanna's Live / Work Space
Tiny Division #06

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Who Lives Here: Joanna Steege & rabbit Bruno
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Size: 550 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? I love the island that separates the kitchen and the living room. Having this there triples the amount of available counter space. I've lived in larger apartments before that technically had larger kitchens, but the counter space was always lacking. In this apartment I feel I haven't lost anything by having less space.

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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? I work as an illustrator so it is very important that I have ample studio space in order to complete my work. To accomplish this, I purchased a full size IKEA Tromso loft bed and fit my large drafting table beneath it. In doing this I've been able to utilize about a quarter of my apartment specifically for business.

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Small Cool 2009, Atlanta, Tiny, Georgia

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Comments (27)

I like this one.

posted by Joan A. on April 6th 2009 at 8:55am
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Ooh, I think I have a favorite. Great colors!

posted by whytephoenix on April 6th 2009 at 9:55am
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Awesome place. You fit a lot into 550 ft.

posted by iptadpole on April 6th 2009 at 10:17am
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I like the kitchen.

posted by dkzody on April 6th 2009 at 10:40am
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Joanna,
WOW! My husband lived in your apartment complex during design school and I've got a friend who lives there now...and I have to say I am really impressed. I know that kitchen layout anywhere! I remember how not so cozy they looked...have you seen any of the new "renovated" units theyre touting now? I used to live right on the corner of deering and mecaslin.

posted by jamiewamie on April 6th 2009 at 10:43am
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I think the above comment is totally unfair. this is a lived-in home not museum piece. Everyone has clutter; it's about how you manage it. And I think this entry is perfect.

This apartment is amazing. The end.

posted by eeeeeeeee on April 6th 2009 at 10:56am
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I've lived there for about a year and a half, so I moved in right before they started all of the renovations. I haven't seen a model of them yet but I am very curious about how they turned out. Honestly though, one of the things I liked about it was that it wasn't totally renovated and I could have a little more fun with it. The older appliances actually started to look like they fit in with the apartment when I went with more mid-century modern colors. Had everything been stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops, I don't think I would have taken nearly as many risks in decorating the place.

posted by stoojie on April 6th 2009 at 10:56am
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This is soooo cute. It makes me want to get my own little space so that I could "get away" and escape the wild days with 3 kids going in 100 different directions. I want an apartment for myself, just like this!!! What fun!
Enjoy these days...this is a darling apartment!

posted by Elf Magic on April 6th 2009 at 11:05am
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I don't know what the offensive comment was, but one of the things I love most about AT is seeing real homes that real people live in. Lots of people have food in their kitchen, and artwork on the fridge. Seeing stuff like that makes me feel more inspired because it's not completely curated. I have to admit I was pretty disappointed in the gray apartment submitted by the Anthropologie designer. not because it looked immacculate, but because I already saw it on another design blog a week before. I'd like to see original stuff on here when it's self-submitted.

posted by pedalpowered on April 6th 2009 at 11:32am
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I really think this is the most inspiring small cool home yet! I really love the color scheme you've got, AND it doesn't look like you've spent a bazillion dollars on all new furniture and remodeling your kitchen, etc. Not that those homes aren't very beautiful, but they don't make me say to myself, "Hey, I could do something like that with my home on my budget" like this one does.

Also, I love how you have the small frames around the mirror - too cool!

posted by LovelyDarkandDeep on April 6th 2009 at 12:28pm
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God, I hated that bed :)
Though I must admit, your set-up sure beats what mine used to be.

posted by tgsgirl on April 6th 2009 at 12:31pm
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I like the quirkiness, and the use of so much storage (makes it look lived in to me!). However I think it's still needs to be a bit more polished in terms of style. But it looks like it totally works for your needs, and imho that's what matters most.

posted by Ninella on April 6th 2009 at 12:46pm
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For the record, the offensive comment has been deleted. As it should have been!! :)

posted by eeeeeeeee on April 6th 2009 at 1:56pm
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very cute, lived in apartment, with great use of space. :)

posted by susieqzyo on April 6th 2009 at 2:58pm
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I wish I had seen the offensive comment. Censorship is at work here.

Frankly, I dont see anything special. Another college dorm looking apartment.

posted by JulieM on April 6th 2009 at 3:13pm
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I like how the bedroom/office is so functional and fun, and you've still managed to created a space to relax with the living room. I could be polished with a little more "hidden" storage, but you are on your way!

http://www.fthats.wordpress.com

posted by misscorinne on April 6th 2009 at 4:50pm
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This is quite cute and feminine. Given all the interesting wood finishes the loft bed looks completely out of place though. Thats the one jarring part of the apartment. This is a great start.

posted by Trumystique on April 6th 2009 at 9:46pm
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It seems like more than one quarter is given over to workspace. All of those furniture pieces in the third picture look work related. It feels a bit like those pieces fight each other and I would personally feel like one long piece might maximize the space more.

That said - there's nothing wrong here and if you can work from home, more power to you. I have trouble with that even with the most perfect of set-ups.

posted by Elizcrtv on April 6th 2009 at 10:23pm
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Very Nice

posted by DJKyer on April 7th 2009 at 2:51pm
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It's amazing what can be done in a small space. Very creative.

posted by mc8456 on April 7th 2009 at 3:00pm
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I love your designer dresser!

posted by scadgirl007 on April 7th 2009 at 3:27pm
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where's Bruno? You can practice in my house anytime!!!

posted by bernwarn on April 7th 2009 at 5:41pm
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I love the LILLBERG sofa!!! It's my favorite. I love the feel of you're living room, nice color scheme and the graphic/botanical feel is nice. I'm sad that the bedroom and kitchen aren't as 'developed' as the living room. If they were it would be a very snazzy apartment. As it is, it still looks very cozy. :)

posted by Jesse Lu on April 7th 2009 at 6:33pm
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I like this! It's a "real" apartment as opposed to a DWR showroom house. Great color choices in the living room and the Lillberg sofa looks fantastic there! You are definitely off to a great start.

posted by suzy8track on April 8th 2009 at 11:51am
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Love the colors, but otherwise, not particularly special. I hope the censored comment really was offensive and not merely a negative commenting on clutter in the home. There's one picture here that suggests to me that some less than complimentary feedback is deserved, but why bother?

posted by kushkush on April 9th 2009 at 1:53pm
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love it all, colors, placement of furniture, work area, etc. its great place, congrats for making it something special to view...

posted by artbybabz on April 10th 2009 at 11:45am
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we who work at home or artists offered the world a new way of living, the open, too small, or big, space that has to be filled just write to get our work done and have a life .. that is what is so special about live/work spaces, we actually created a new way of living for those who are artist, a new market for living. unfortunatly is put a lot of us artist out of our spaces. so when i see anyone working in their space i just am so excited.

posted by artbybabz on April 10th 2009 at 11:48am
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