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Who Lives Here: Tami Hills + 14 y.o. son + dog
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Size: 530 square feet
What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? Definitely my courtyard. When I moved in it was a horrible mess. I searched craigslist often and bricked it for free —Yea! No mowing the grass for me! The courtyard is so skinny, I cut an umbrella in Half and mounted it to the fence for additional shade — can't get enough of that down here in New Orleans. I planted banana trees, all of which I got for free from a friend, they create a wonderful "canopy effect". Total cost for courtyard makeover: $250.
Give Tami 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? When I moved in, none of my existing furniture worked in this small apartment. I lived with it for about a year until, I just could take it any more! Over the following Thanksgiving weekend — I sold everything, painted the entire apartment, a "Tiffany-box" Blue. I replaced the solid exterior doors, with doors with all windows — that was huge! That changed the feel of this very small space. I planted the banana trees just outside the windows, so it feels very "tropical" — even though we are in the city. When I moved in I had NO kitchen, all my appliances were outside. I had to reconfigure them, and convince a friend to build me cabinets. Storage was very challenging, the closets were so small. Solution: I built a closet next to it and curtained off the entire wall. Yea! That was a lifesaver. Now I don't have to look at all that stuff! The oversized Armoire (in the living room) was a $20 garage sale find. I turned it into my office, adding more shelves for a tv, printer, and file boxes. Resources: The Green Project (recycled material warehouse),craigslist,IKEA, garage sales, flea markets, and even the trash. Total cost for makeover: about $500.
Give Tami 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!
Want more Small Cool? Check out all the entries on our contest page.
Your color palette is so New Orleans. And the banana tree! I'm homesick.
view Lisa (Montreal)'s profile
Love love LOVE it! Nice work!
view kabradbury's profile
you had me at the blue walls and green cabinets. way to use color without overdoing it or creating a jarring effect.
view creativeneurosis's profile
Wow! Very clever ideas for turning this space around! Awesome job and beautiful space!
view AprilAries's profile
Beautiful, clever, thoughtful problem-solving. I think you so deserve to win. Go Tami!
view h144's profile
Thanks so much for going into detail with everything you did to makeover your home! Love the light blue/dark red combo!
view Luuci's profile
I love your entire place, but the pink bedroom and colorful patio are particularly fabulous!
view heather77's profile
Your bedroom is beautiful.
Half an umbrella - I never heard of doing that, but what a great idea!
view aaakid's profile
Love the colors in the bedroom ( although I don't think I could rest there with such a dynamic vibrant color scheme).
The patio is awesome.
Great job.
view STYLeyes's profile
Cutting that umbrella in half and hanging it on the fence is GENIUS! I never would have thought of that and it would be such a great idea for my mom's long and narrow backyard.
Winner!
view Marie's profile
Love your place. NOLA is one of my favorite places in the world. Do you live in the French Quarter? I know those old slave quarters/converted apartments are so tiny.
view JulieM's profile
I covet that TV armoire. Where did you get it?
view Annegret's profile
so much ingenuity, resourcefulness and creativity. =) far better than a small space just decorated well. looks like a haven for you and your son!
view darlingcaro's profile
I believe I'll be needing me half an umbrella. SMART solution!!!
view ThatGrrl's profile
The bright colors make me so happy! Especially the kitchen.
view Gvinton's profile
Your home looks so happy. I love it.
view leadingedge's profile
I really love your kitchen, fun color must be nice in the morning to wake up to. I also adore the patio, well put together.
view LoriSF's profile
Amazing. Your courtyard is gorgeous and very inspiring.
view BambiJo's profile
sweet color, a touch of tropical all that for $750, incredible
view orangered's profile
Not only is your interior great but you have an awesome courtyard? so jealous.
view sleeping spot's profile
Really digging the bedroom and the adorable courtyard! Very nice home!
view suzy8track's profile
two shots of your bedroom, no shots of the son's? ;)
view Lady J's profile
I gave a thumbs up for that first pic! So breezy and tropical, me likey!
view SweetChicEventsChicago's profile
This looks great--colorful but not glaring. I also love your outdoor space. Your patience and resourcefulness really pays off there!
view slowdown's profile
I love that you continued the color on the ceilings, too. Yummmmm!
Katy
http://fengshuibyfishgirl.com
view fishgirl's profile
Lots of personality this home has....love the little courtyard! How ingenious cutting the umbrella in half for a narrow outdoor space! Very happy and welcoming!
view junklover's profile
Gorgeous!!!!!!!!
view Cheryl's profile
I love it. The courtyard is wonderful, and I love the colors in the bedroom and kitchen. It really looks like a home.
view EmmaMiles's profile
My favorite out of all of the entries so far!
view JoniRae's profile
So great to see a New Orleans entry! We've got a ton of great design here!
view CooperNola's profile
I LOVE this place...the colour scheme is so fun and funky and I adore your little courtyard!
view sauceykat's profile
Your kitchen is so charming! Very inventive with the DIY courtyard. I am inspired.
view Betian's profile
I love the color combination's. I appreciate anyone who is not afraid to use color.
view Carmen1967's profile
I thought my kitchen was small.
view Batotahell's profile
You're the best and we really love the colors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bigd
view dkh1945jlh1946's profile
beautiful lady!
view ndeffendall's profile
so neat, good luck
view jackiesink's profile
Awesome, I have the same Swell design duvet cover on my bed.
view colleen2009's profile
Hi everyone- Thank You so much for all your comments! it's tami the renter of this space above.....I'm logged in under my boyfriends account because I can't remember my password. To answer some of your questions-
I found the armoire at a garage sale for $20 bucks! Of course it didn't look like this- I painted it, and changed the pulls. Sorry for not including shots of my son's room- it is such a small space it's hard to get a good photo of it- though I did do a lot of space saving idea's in there as well.
It doesn't look as if I am going to make it to the next round-if any of you are interested in DIY / space saving ideas go to my website nolaclutterbusters(dot)com I am a Professional Organizer and am always posting my recent projects to share!
I don't live in the quarter- I live uptown/riverside. And to comment on the pink being to strong of a color to "sleep" in-
I was concerned about that as well- but with the proper lighting it's not an issue. And if Apartment Therapy is reading this- here's an idea....why not separate renters from owners for a contest. Reason: renters are more limited with what they can do with the space. It's difficult for a renter to compete with someone who can take down walls etc. Just a thought... Good luck to everyone- Tami from New Orleans.
view theboyfriend's profile
I love your courtyard. Pink is not my colour so in another colour I will also love your room, but that's a personal taste.
view emal's profile