- Name:
- Jennifer
- Location:
- Vancouver Canada
- Square Feet:
- 400
- Division:
- International
- What I Love About My Small Home:
- I love the utility of it. It has to be an efficient use of space that doesn't hinder your living. Each room is its own haven. The bedroom with the porch has a lovely feel to it, as linen curtains blow in the the breeze. The kitchen is so fun to cook in. Everything is right there! I really enjoy cooking and love the textures and surfaces of the various ceramic and metal cooking bowls and utensils. The living room has a calming effect and just makes you want to curl up on the sofa and read a good book. I have lots of plants dotted everywhere, the newest one hanging from the four post bed! So I suppose what I love about this place is the light and life it has.
- Biggest Challenge of Living in a Small Space
- This is my 6th apartment in 7 years. Each one has presented different challenges. This apartment was probably the most difficult to figure out, but has been the most rewarding. The tall ceilings have allowed me to use the full height of the room for added shelving and storage. The kitchen had a great wall that wasn’t being used. I absolutely love the open storage I added for easy access to all those things I use the most often. In the kitchen, I also added towel racks onto an ikea kitchen cart for added utility. Storage is always difficult, and I have made use of a variety of containers, from suitcases to woven baskets! These containers fill a floor to ceiling expedit shelving unit in the living room and are also used under the couch and below the bed. Those are great places to hide away games or winter jackets. I must admit every time I have used “I” in this paragraph it really means with the help of my very handy mom, dad and sisters. They love it when I move!
Categories:
Style,
Main,
2012,
Canada,
Small Cool,
Small Spaces
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Where is your bathroom?
I was gonna ask the same thing...is it out in the hallway?
Looks like it. I wonder if that's included in the square footage?
I really like your apartment. I'm moving into a 450sqft studio this weekend and your place is inspirational!
Great Job!
I like your plants and greenery. It's hard to get a grasp of the entire space from these pictures though. The 5th photo is useless.
I have the same "J" cup as you!
Looks great from the little I can see. I demand a house tour!
Or do you share the bathroom with the other apartment? I like the setup and use of space, but I would have liked more perspective shots with #4 and #5.
I need plants.
Looks like a shared bathroom from the layout. It looks amazing! These belong in a magazine!!!
Thanks everyone! The apartment is in a 100+ year old house, and as such has been renovated lots of time. The upstairs has been turned into two apartments, but we share a common bathroom in the hallway. This was not included in the square feet, nor in a photos. The bed is the Hemnes four poster from ikea. It has been great. I have only had to trim down the posts once, when I lived in a small basement suite.
Its funny how different the feel of place can be from the photos taken of it. I decided on the tighter perspectives in 4 and 5 as I believe it is a more accurate representation of what your eye focuses on while in the space. Although I do agree more broader perspectives would have been great!
That sectional is to die for! Is it vintage with the original upholstery?
Absolutely adore the sectional! It's interesting that your fridge and freezer are separate. That's not something you see too often. Lovely space you've created. The kitchen is very homey.
If you wanna pee in the middle of the night, does it mean that you must go out of the apartment? Hello!
Thanks for clearing up the bathroom mystery. Your place is really cute. I like the kitchen and the sectional the best.
I'm somewhat curious about the legality of the shared bathroom thing, as in, what official type of housing that counts as. Sorry - it's the urban planner in me. Carry on!
I loooooooove it!!!
sexy couch.
LOVE that couch!
Many old homes that have been converted to small apartments have shared bathrooms. It certainly seems to work in this layout. I love the blending of the clean lines of Ikea product (the Swedes have great style) and the vintage collection of old suitcases and 40's sectional. Great styling and well put together. After 6 apartments in 7 years you've developed a good eye for turning a small space into a cozy home to hang out and cook for friends/family. The photos are fabulous!
Oh I love your place! The sectional sofa is to die for; is it vintage? Is the table at the foot of the bed actually attached & came as part of the bed or did you add that on? I love it! The plants, the green & browns with little splashes of color thrown in are perfect.
Your kitchen is some straight-up hotness.
i also have bathroom outside my front door and works perfectly!! it is actually down about 6 steps so not even on same level but i do not share so is my own.. in nearly 5 years i have never met a neighbour in middle of night and i am not on top floor and a family of 4 live above me, i only lock it when going out otherwise left open. It is most normal thing in world for me now.. dont give it a second thought! i love to see others with same....
Are there vintage suitcases under the sectional? I love that sectional! Also like your soothing color scheme in the kitchen.
Oh, one more question--do you sleep with the table over your bed? Don't you kick it with your feet?
The sectional is vintage and was bought from craigslist! I have only replaced the foam in the cushions. Definitely suitcases under the couch, as well as under the bed and on top of the expedit shelving. You would expect really romantic things in them probably, but the ones under the couch are filled with tools and electrical cords!
I was worried about kicking the table at the end of the bed, and put things on it sparingly. But I am much more of an upper body flailer, and have even kept glass of water at the end of the bed with no ill effect! The table was hand built to fit somewhere else at some other point in time, but fits exactly over the bed!
The shared bathroom thing is really not a problem. It is crazy how rarely we run into each other and it keeps rent low!
Loved your small and cozy apartment. Would just love to come for dinner!!!! How about an invite . I really think you have created a wonderful living space in such a small area.
Makes me wistful ...
OP mentions the bathroom isn't included in the square footage - this should eliminate this apartment in the contest.
Regarding the square footage, as the bathroom is shared space across a hallway, I was left wondering if the size should be included. Also if the hallway would then have to be included. Since both the hallway and bathroom are small and wouldn't put my apartment over the size limit, and that I don't have design control over it, I did not include it.
Your kitchen is really cool, Jennifer. Can you tell me where you got the pot shelves? IKEA?? Thanks!!
I really like your kitchen island. Is that also IKEA?