Name: bonline
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Size: 509 square feet
What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? I love the layout. It is pretty open. There are only two doors, the front door and one to the bathroom, so you don't get the feeling of being closed in a box. My bedroom is a decent size, with a high ceiling and tall windows, so every night I don't feel like I have to crawl into a small hole to go to bed. I guess I lucked out in those aspects. I also love living in a small place because everything is within reach.
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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? A small place pushes you to be creative. When I first moved in my place, I was using my tiny closet not only to store my clothes, but also my mop, broom, tschokes, and just stuff that I just could not part with. And I would dread if anyone dared to look under my bed, because it is just boxes of stuff. Since I am a renter expensive storage solutions were not an option for me, besides my wallet would not allow it. So during my last spring cleaning I decided to challenge myself. Old pictures which sat around in boxes, I framed in cheap $2 frames- in my bathroom... Finally my own personal art gallery featuring art by yours truly. Euro shams that I did not use became floor pillows, excess blankets and quilts got thrown over chairs and the sofa. Came back from the Container Store with shelves and boxes for my magazines, books and tschokes and created a little office- okay maybe that is too fancy of a word to describe a 'bill paying station'? I have to admit to get more space in my closet I did get some of those space bags- you know the ones you see on late night infomercials. "Very tacky" I know.... but believe me they work. My clothes thank me as they can breathe and I don't have to iron every morning.
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Comments (49)
Love the way you are using the heater as a small table. It blends right in!
That heater as a shelf is a nice detail. I like the lighting, low lighting creating a warm and cozy space. I love the posters and the mix of colors no theme just a nice blend.
I like your apartment, Bonline, but it seems a little dark to me - with all those yellow lights and all... Open the windows! ;)
On the one hand, I am completely in love with your film posters, I think they look fantastic on your walls; on the other, I really think your old framed pictures are too many to have them all clinging on the bathroom... maybe a bit too overloaded?
It's a pity all photos look so dark!
How about the kitchen?
anyway it looks quite nice : )
cute space... i love all the vintage posters!
Lovely. It seems very comfortable and welcoming.
I really like your white glossy credenza in picture 3. Would you mind sharing where you picked that up? I'm still looking for a credenza for my living room. The never ending quest . . .
Pics are way too dark, but from what I can see the place looks really nice.
I love the half shutters!
Love the "bill-paying station!" good use of space.
I love the white piece of art hanging above the fireplace - did you make it?
Yes, it looks like the pictures were taken during the day, but the curtains and blinds are closed. I like your place but I think it would have been shown off to better effect in daylight.
also...i just realized you have a fireplace in your bedroom (which, despite the small over-all size of your place is nice and big-unlike my bedroom which barely fits my bed). So jealous.
I like what you have done here. The vintage posters are awesome and it's very clever of you to use the radiator as additional shelving.
jppedi--keep your cursor off that ad, and it will shrink back down.
Wow, what a lovely space. The layout is really great. I thought it was interesting that you hung the pictures really low (I believe its the bedroom) to give it a gallery effect. Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
very cute place!
A gold star for having practical, useful task lighting. I mean, someone could sit in the armchair and actually read.
looks like a beautiful cozy space. I love the fire place. is it a working one? Great placement and use of shelves!
Love the movie posters and the headboard!
I'd like to see the strangely placed sink in the kitchen.
Do my eyes deceive me, or is this the source of the much-discussed coffee-filter arrangement?
Overall, a cosy, serene apartment. I'm having to battle the urge to rearrange that wall of little frames, though. I'm strange that way.
this is great! so much in the style of my personal taste.
the installation above the fireplace is so unique and gives great texture to an otherwise plain wall. i also LOVE the ginormous vintage movie poster...
great work with such a small space!
Awesome use of space and color.
love it! Uses my favorite colors against the white, and they stand out really nice!
Where is that wonderful white credenza from?
Where are the $2 frames from? I am constantly looking for cheap frames with no success!
Toooooo dark. I love light. As others have said, where is the kitchen? Bathroom? I think there are other places out there that look better than this.
Love your space! It looks like someone actually lives here, not a showroom. I used to live in a space with limited natural light -- I empathize if you're in the same boat. The piece over the fireplace is divine. Lovely.
Really lovely. For those of you who have hung paper-based art in the bathroom, how is it holding up to the humidity?
Love this. Your whole place is just so... pulled together. And the giant movie poster in the first picture is to die for.
@BlueLM - my artwork does fine, so long as I always run the fan when the shower is on - it keeps my little bathroom (which lacks a window) completely dry.
Man, talk about potential!
This entry would look so much more dynamic with proper lighting. Great moments scattered throughout the apartment though! Good luck!
Why were the posts with critiques removed?
Love the piece above the fireplace. Good Luck!
I think I like this a lot, despite the deep gloom enshrouding the photos. Maybe we can see the daylight version next time?
daytime photos please!!
I absolutely LOVE your place. It is easy to get swept up in places with amazing architecture like incredibly high ceilings and high windows, etc, but I think this contest is more about what people create with a little, what they bring to a space rather than what was already there.
Imagination is the key here, and I think your space is full of it, and personality to boot. Amazing.
Meant *huge* windows . . .
Nicely layered... fabrics, frames, and such. Looks like a comfortable, yet functional place to live.
I know it's typical, but I think a mirror would work well on the fireplace mantel -- one that would complement the interesting wall piece.
Absolutely love that big lounger you have in the corner. I've been looking for something just like it forever! May I ask where you got it? :)
More lamps/better lighting in the space would be much better!
This is such a cute little apartment.
I love the photos in the bathroom.
I wish I could see more pictures of this space.
My favourite apartment! I also love the cosy lighting by floor and table lamps and all the photos in the bathroom. I think I'm going to steal that idea for my boring floor to ceiling white tiled bathroom. Thanks for sharing!
THANKS to everyone for your wonderful comments. They are really appreciated. Before posting pictures of my apartment on here I had no idea how exposed and vulnerable it could make someone feel, after all one's home is an extension of their personality. So all the positive comments made this whole experience worthwhile.
To answer the main question why are the pictures so dark- I don't get much sunlight in my apartment. Although I do have tall windows in my bedroom they face another building, nor does much light filter on the street I live on. And yes, I guess I could have manipulated the pictures before posting.... oh well live and learn.
Answers to other questions-
The credenza is from IKEA (4ddh, Jess2nola).
The piece above my fireplace is by Kenneth Wingard (roxybaby, EChaz).
The fireplace does not work (smak).
Once again 'thank you'
bonline aka Brian.
Great example of how an oversized piece of art in a small space can look great!
Calm and beautiful!
I love the vintage posters. It's classy but whimsical. Very comfortable. Love the fireplace, too.
Love the movie posters in your bedroom! Nice touch...
I love the whole fireplace composition... down to the little blue figurines. Is the artwork little mirrors? I feel like I've seen something similar before and can't place it, but I love it! Where did you get it?
Nice apartment! I know you mentioned that you got the credenza from IKEA... would you still happen to know the name of the piece? I can't seem to find it on the ikea website... thanks so much!