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Small Cool 2009: Mary vO's "Mementos are a Must"
Teeny-tiny Division #24

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Who Lives Here: Mary vO
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Size: 270 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? The window seat is a perfect spot for a bookworm like me. And, living in a city where outdoor space isn't always an option, a big, open window is the next best thing to a deck (minus the grill).

Give Mary vO 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? I've got a lot of stuff. Mementos are a must. So I've had to use just about every flat surface--bookshelves, mantel, top of the TV, on top of books--to showcase my nostalgic bits and pieces. All this colorful clutter makes it feel like home.

Give Mary vO a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
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Want more Small Cool? Check out all the entries on our contest page.

Comments (23)

this space is nearly as challenging as Sparkle's. props to ya for making it homey despite the crazy layout.

posted by Lady J on April 17th 2009 at 3:23pm
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This place looks like someone actually LIVES in it. Love the bold color on the walls and the marble fireplace.

posted by ThatGrrl on April 17th 2009 at 3:29pm
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One word came to my head, CUTE! I see a lot going on here, but for some reason, it's not screaming clutter to me. I can't believe the 4th picture is your closet. Can you by any chance make that to be your bedroom? Seem pretty big there!

posted by pier723 on April 17th 2009 at 3:32pm
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So inviting & welcoming. A cozy place to chillax.

posted by ilovebc on April 17th 2009 at 3:42pm
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Nice job with the bedroom. I couldn't live in a place like this, it would be too difficult for a messy person like me to keep clean with the things everywhere.

posted by Clopes on April 17th 2009 at 8:57pm
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The more I look at this one, the more I like it. I get tired of all the super-edited, curated, minimal places--my mementos are a must too!

posted by seraph on April 17th 2009 at 10:47pm
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Finally a place with books, and built for reading! I love this, even though I'm allergic to the wall colour. Thumbs up.

posted by Juliet on April 18th 2009 at 4:01pm
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My only caveat is the amount of patterns, particularly the couch and rug, which I find a bit cluttery... but I love the comfy chair by the fireplace. It absolutely looks full of comfort and 'home'.

posted by Juliet on April 18th 2009 at 4:03pm
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(I should try to get all my comments in one post-- oh well.) Seconding the question about putting the bed in the closet-- I suppose it depends on how big the space is, but it's certainly something that would occur to me-- you'd have room for a table and chairs with the bed out of the main space...

posted by Juliet on April 18th 2009 at 4:05pm
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What a comfortable space! Great wall color. Very well done!

posted by Kelly@Color Sizzle on April 19th 2009 at 12:37am
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As a fellow booklover - I totally get why the bed is right next to that big, bright window - and not in the closet - you have an adorable home!

posted by loveoldstuff on April 19th 2009 at 5:19am
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I love it love it love it. The Aruba map is pretty amazing as well.

Love, the girl that encouraged you to enter.

posted by beanorama on April 19th 2009 at 1:41pm
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You have designed a sweet space to call home. It's really great that you have the big closet space. It's unusual for studio size apartments.

posted by baileyb on April 19th 2009 at 4:37pm
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Very lovely space with the bed and window. Very inventive...I am however longing to simplify the bookshelves and lower the picture. Hmmm, maybe another shelf under the TV. Hmmm, books piled under TV and DVDs shelved.

posted by Betian on April 20th 2009 at 3:22pm
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Congratulations on designing a space for living!
I noticed all the space over the kitchen cabinet –
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to organize your books
And cd’s somehow and put them up there – still
Exhibited but uncluttered.
Suggest you place TV over fireplace and put
Personal photos around like a collage. TV
Could be hung from ceiling and swivel.
Moving the books and then hanging whatever
Bookcases or shelves would open up “couch”;
Looks too packed in. Move stuff on table to below
Table to be able to use that.
Suggest you move bed closer to window and put
In a window cushion at bed cover height. Drapes
Could be repurposed by hanging them from rail
In ceiling to provide privacy at front door without
Eliminating light.
Now couch and chair can both face fireplace/TV.
Eventually when you can afford it, shelves on wall
High over a mirror could hold the remainder of your
Books and CD. Have you considered recycling some
Of your books to the library?
PS love your use of color, I would suggest taking
Small bits of the red into the living/bedroom and green
Into the bath to help tie it all together. Pillows on bed
Or maybe new stripped window seat cushion.
Love small spaces. Best of luck to you.

posted by fabriccolor on April 21st 2009 at 1:41pm
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I love the color of your walls! Your house feels lived in and real. Congratulations!

posted by MayaBR on April 25th 2009 at 2:51pm
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You really inspire me as someone who has more square footage (not much) to go more bold with color. You should feel proud with what you have done.

Kudos

posted by buffyfan21 on April 30th 2009 at 7:33pm
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I want that color too. Can you tell me which one it is precisely?

Best regards,
Linda

posted by Mys on May 1st 2009 at 2:42pm
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Yes, please share the name of that paint color with us. It is the exact shade I want for my kitchen!

posted by curleysue on May 12th 2009 at 12:48pm
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Where did you get that beautiful comforter?

posted by Laciej on May 17th 2009 at 7:19pm
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Loved the bedroom. Yummy color, from wall color to objects. Only suggestion: The TV stand in the living room stands out a bit, and dare I say, not in a good way?

posted by spotonriver on May 26th 2009 at 2:37pm
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Cozy -- love the fireplace and the chartreuse walls!

posted by mariemm on June 14th 2009 at 9:49pm
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Very nicely done... Come do my apartment! I'm moving into a 330sq ft studio in Center City this week!

posted by FreshBasil on October 7th 2009 at 8:07am
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