
thumbs up
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.
this space is nearly as challenging as Sparkle's. props to ya for making it homey despite the crazy layout.
view Lady J's profile
This place looks like someone actually LIVES in it. Love the bold color on the walls and the marble fireplace.
view ThatGrrl's profile
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!
view pier723's profile
So inviting & welcoming. A cozy place to chillax.
view ilovebc's profile
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.
view Clopes's profile
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!
view seraph's profile
Finally a place with books, and built for reading! I love this, even though I'm allergic to the wall colour. Thumbs up.
view Juliet's profile
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'.
view Juliet's profile
(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...
view Juliet's profile
What a comfortable space! Great wall color. Very well done!
view Kelly@Color Sizzle's profile
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!
view loveoldstuff's profile
I love it love it love it. The Aruba map is pretty amazing as well.
Love, the girl that encouraged you to enter.
view beanorama's profile
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.
view baileyb's profile
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.
view Betian's profile
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.
view fabriccolor's profile
I love the color of your walls! Your house feels lived in and real. Congratulations!
view MayaBR's profile
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
view buffyfan21's profile
I want that color too. Can you tell me which one it is precisely?
Best regards,
Linda
view Mys's profile
Yes, please share the name of that paint color with us. It is the exact shade I want for my kitchen!
view curleysue's profile
Where did you get that beautiful comforter?
view Laciej's profile
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?
view spotonriver's profile
Cozy -- love the fireplace and the chartreuse walls!
view mariemm's profile
Very nicely done... Come do my apartment! I'm moving into a 330sq ft studio in Center City this week!
view FreshBasil's profile