I absolutely adore that first light fixture... where can I get myself one of those?! Beautiful wallpapers as well.

I'm definitely becoming more onboard with the idea of the bed in the closet. Of course, this only works if one person sleeps in the bed, not two.

The kitchen looks like a cave. :( I'm not sure I could get past that.

AHHHHH i cannot express how much I love this apartment. You have truly risen to the challenge of creating a stylish home in a very small space. Well done, thank you for sharing with us :)

CB2 Slim Chairs?!

My apartment that I made out of my garage looks a lot like this. I love it except it's hard to find the perfect configuration to watch tv comfortably from the bed and the sofa.

I'm puzzled about the lengths of the yellowy drapes. What's going on there?

love what you've done with the space. and appreciate the floorplan. wish everyone would do this. makes it so much easier to visualize.

maybe better with longer curtains to cover the closet clutter peaking out from under the bottom of the current drapes

great use of space but the sofa positioning bugs me. Maybe would be better to turn facing the dining area.

Unbelievable. Nice work!

can i get the name of the wallpaper in the sleeping area?

Love how much functionality you've put in this tiny space. Room to entertain, guest sleeping, it's got it all.

Nice.

So lucky that the bed actually fits in there. I've tried this in a couple of studio apts, and they don't fit by just a couple of inches.

I feel that if the closet curtains were all floor length and spanned the entire wall, the apt would probably knock our socks off.

Oh, I like what you have done. Except the word bedwomb.

Unless you are Porky Pig. Then you can say it like that.

Thanks for the comments, everyone!

The closet curtains are my least favorite part of the apartment, too. I had beautiful floor-length drapes from Anthro the first year, but they kept getting tangled in the dresser, and it drove me nuts. I should have installed the rod further out from the dresser so there was more clearance. I used the beige-y curtains as a temporary solution, but never got around to changing them, and now that I'm moving-out, I guess I never will. Sigh.

Juliaf: The bedwomb accent wallpaper is Graham and Brown -- I will check the name for you when I get home.

Design Fixation: I made the light fixture and hardwired it myself during Snowmageddon (stuck inside for 6 days straight = DIY projects galore) -- it's a cheap copy of the Jean Pelle lamp. I posted instructions on my blog: http://meowdc.com/2010/02/10/how-to-make-a-cheaper-crappier-version-of-the-jean-pelle-bubble-chandelier/

Bridget, I cannot tell you how many times I moved that sofa around. But my impractically large (6'x3') and weirdly-shaped rosewood coffee table dictated the order of everything on that side of the room. I sacrificed on the sofa to accommodate the table because it's my favorite thing in the whole apartment. Also, I watch a lot of TV, so that was a factor re: placement.

Modish etc: Yes, CB2 Slim Chairs are great for tight spaces. They disappear when pushed-in, and are surprisingly comfortable. You have to static guard them though, otherwise your hair and lint get stuck on them.

Found the wallpaper: it's Graham and Brown 17851 Amelie Wallpaper, Teal

That coffee table is GIANT and heavy in such a small space, I think it takes away from the simple and clean lines of the couch. I would have used maybe a clear glass, acrylic table or even a couple of solid pouf stools. But that wood is lovely all on it's own! Overall, great usage of space & congrats on having the vision to make it great!

I adore your apartment! The "bedwomb" is the greatest idea ever, and it shows me that I could make 500 sq. ft. work with all the stuff I have!

Kudos, this is absolutely amazing!

a few good ideas in here, but I was distracted by the cords everywhere.

hmmm not sure on this one, I think the coffee table, although beautiful completely dominantes the room, it would break my heart but I would have to get rid in order to make the space work. Also I just couldnt get over the sofa overlapping the entrance to the 'bedwomb' and corridor - I know I would just sit staring at it!

I am sure this is a work in progress so will work out great!

to Design Fixation: I think the light fixture is from here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/jeanpelle?ref=ss_profile

Honestly, I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't do more prep work and submit better photos! I know it's not perfectly done, but this is how I actually live. I fall in love with inappropriate tables and let my cords hang out sometimes. What can I say. That's just me.

Jean Pelle's was the inspiration, but I couldn't afford it, so I made a hack of the readymade version: http://meowdc.com/2010/02/10/how-to-make-a-cheaper-crappier-version-of-the-jean-pelle-bubble-chandelier/

No reason to be embarrassed!!! You SHOULD fall in love with things and just make them work, especially with apartment living. The next place may be perfect for it, or you may someday end up in a house with plenty of room - either way, you'll always have an amazingly cool piece that is all you. I dig the place, and hope your next home is just as cool!

We did something similar for our son's room. Part of his room's square footage was borrowed to make a second bath (by previous owners) which left an awkward L-shaped room and a huge closet. We built a loft in the closet that fits a twin sized mattress and there is still room under for storing toys and a dresser on the opposite wall of the closet. This leaves plenty of room for a play area in his room. Everyone who comes over says his bed nook is awesome!

This is amazing. I can't believe it's only 500 sq ft. That coffee table is a unique find, and I like it.

I like your "bedwomb" and the fact that you use the word "bedwomb". Cute!

I'm actually moving to a much bigger place soon to accommodate the coffee table. And also the German Shepherd I plan to adopt. As long as the dog and the table get along, my future will be bright.

I love all the folks who think that a 500 sq ft studio is tiny. In NYC, it is quite a respectable size.

Aww, see. All I did during Snowmaggedon was drink and watch reruns. You totally won the blizzard.

I also have a closet bedroom, had to switch out for a twin to make it work! This is really well done though.

I think the bedwomb is a great idea. I never would have thought of that.

That gorgeous coffee table AND dinner seating for six in a studio apartment? My hat is off to you. Also, madly jealous of your in-unit washer-dryer!

Very cute apartment. It amazes me how creative people can be with limited space. I absolutely love the bubble chandelier. I can't afford any that I've seen. I am not a DIYer, more of a find it in clearance/thriftshop er, LOL. Any suggestions?

Oh, and that coffee table is fabulous.

Love the Bed Womb. Awesome.

Which expandable dining table is this? Where did you get it? It's exactly what I've been looking for my DC apartment.

Love your place!

I'm about to move out of my studio apt and while I lived there, I just couldn't get used to seeing my bed as soon as you walked through the front door. So, I sandwiched it up against the wall in the corner and partitioned the room off with bookcases up against the bed. It created a cozy bed nook that I just loved. Changing the sheets is a pain in this configuration, but you do what you gotta do! Rock on Jennie!

Here was my bed nook. I'll surely miss it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/8237960@N06/5070193265/in/photostream

sleeping in a closet is unappealling & very likely illegal (light & air regs exist for a reason); after viewing the map (very nice map, btw), a murphy bed on either side wall would be a much better solution.

Jennie!

Did you make or buy that super-crisp duvet cover? It's exactly what I've been looking for.

The table is Calligaris. I got it for a steal off Craigslist. I think DWR and Bludot carries similar ones.

Studioren, I got the coffee table from Millennium Decorative Arts - they occasionally have some cool light fixtures, so a vintage furniture place might be worth a look. But if you change your mind about DIY, I promise the bubble lamp is doable, even for a non-DIY person.

krpm -- I love your bed nook! There is a wonderful architecture book called "A Pattern Language" by Christopher Alexander that describes the innate human need to have a private nook for sleeping that is physically separated from their activity space. That's very true for me. I've lived in two other studios before this, and I always hated it when people would waltz in and sit on my bed, so this layout was perfect for me.

I agree that sleeping in a closet is not ideal, but I have an air vent (behold, the miracle of central air!) and a sprinkler head in mine, and the doorway faces a window. No idea why they designed the closet with an air vent and sprinkler head inside, but I'm grateful. Otherwise, yeah, it could get a little ripe in there, and also I could be engulfed in flames.

hatefrown, I bought the duvet last year at Pottery Barn, of all places, 70% off on clearance! It was part of their Italian linen collection.

I'm sorry, but being from DC I'm just a little confused. Where is West End?

yeah, where is west end?

Every place I've ever lived in, I try to make my bed fit in the smallest space I can. It makes me fall asleep faster, and uses up so much less floor space! I never get why in most home design shows people are always looking for massive master bedrooms.

I think of West End as the Foggy Bottom side of Dupont Circle.

For a more involved answer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_End,_Washington,_D.C.

I prefer smaller bedrooms, too (obviously). I've never understood the logic of "Hey, let's have as much space to walk around the bed as possible!" What's the point? Am I supposed to be doing laps around this thing?

My next place will have a real bedroom -- I'm literally leaving the womb. It will be nice to have a nightstand vs a wall cube, but my attitude about bedrooms remains the same. Simple is better when it comes to sleeping.

PS. Photos of the bedwomb "nightstand" and more here: http://ow.ly/6u0kY

AT only allows you to submit 5 photos for house calls, so there was a lot I had to leave out.

I loved this and hope you submit your new place for another house call! Thanks for the floor plan too. Things like visible cords and curtain length are always so much more obvious in photos.

When I was growing up one of the apartments I lived in with my mother was a 1-bedroom with walk in closet. I lived in the closet for a year(freshman year of high school no less) with a highboy(the width of the closet), lots of wall shelves, and a cushion bed I could fold into a chair when I wasn't sleeping. Thank goodness I had a window.

I feel very grateful (for my own hard work and perseverance) to have a full rowhouse to spread out now, but still tend to regress to wanting extra storage/shelving even if I don't need it.

ha ha, "sleeping in a closet is very likely illegal." Ooh, you felon you. This is all fantastic, and I deeply appreciate the help & suggestions with the bubble chandelier! Apparently the low-end one on the etsy page is now over $700. Sheesh!

@sagekitten85 says "things like cords are always so much more obvious in photos." I'll say! If anyone needs a kick in the pants to declutter part of their house, just take some photos of the area! If you're like me, you'll be shocked, and a fire will be nicely lit.

I absolutely adore this look!!! Gorgeous!!! Great use of space!!!!

Fabulous apartment! Well done. (don't be embarrassed about curtains or sofas, design follows function in the end) good luck with the new apartment and especially the dog :)

For a small space, you were able to maximize the area. But maybe a smaller sofa and coffee table would be better. Love the lighting fixtures though, especially the red chandelier in the dining room.

Love your place AND the West End. What program did you use for your room design. It's one of the best I've seen. Enjoy your new place!

P.S. Are you no longer blogging at meowdc.com?

I love the bedwomb. Looks like a great place to sleep!

Jennie, I alway's love the 'smaller' tours. That's where all the good idea are and, flaws 'n all, you have plenty of great ideas here. some brilliantly excecuted. You're the kind of apartment/home I come onto this site to see.