I love everything about this place, especially those yellow curtains. Pleaaaaaase tell me where you got those, or what fabric you used if you made them. I am looking for the exact same thing!

So adorable! Love the use of space.

Wow!! What a cheerful and sophisticated little space. It's perfect!

Love it!

BEAUTIFUL! Love it :)

I like the bike on the wall. You can put your drink in the basket while sitting on the couch watching TV.

I love it! So much inspiration for my own place.

I love your couch and all you art work! Please can you tell me where you got them from? Great apartment!

love the unexpected blue ceiling over the bed. also love the stenciled (or is it wallpaper) wall in the living room and the tile in the kitchen. Great place!

love the place!

This place is SO cute! Nice clean lines, not cluttered. Love it! Actually looks much bigger than it is. I wish there was a pic of the bathroom - now I'm curious!

I've always felt floor to ceiling length curtains only make a room feel much smaller......plus a horrible waste of fabric.

I love the use of colors and patterns through the home!

Great use of space, not too cluttered, beautiful colors.

Greenwoodgal, floor to ceiling length curtains actually make the window and the room feel larger. It's luxurious!

I second the curtain source request...and I love that couch! This is a great space, I love it!

this is absolutely perfect. so. jealous.

Cute! I love everything about this place.

I must know where that owl tray in the kitchen is from?

this is what i call a well curated space! wow

Does that framed art say "Thinking Cap"? If so, where'd you get it?
Love your place!!!

I found it - it's Ork posters. I got my California artwork from them - just couldn't remember their name. Coincidentally, and unbeknownst to either of us, my brother has the Brooklyn one.

Beautifully decorated!

I love the mid century modern look. So pretty!

I was going to say, I think that's from Ork Posters but I haven't been there in so long that I wasn't sure. The 'Thinking Cap" poster wasn't offered the last time I was there. Now I need one :)

Excellent job utilizing your space. I love the yellow curtains, as well.

Very nice & cleverly done!

The colors, furniture and decor have a nice flow about them. Love that wall behind the sideboard. Very comfy looking place! Nice to be able to get an idea of the whole apartment from your pics.

this apartment is the bomb.co.uk

possibly my favorite apartment on here EVER that I've seen.

We have that same wall in our dining room! That stencil was a pain in the ass but definitely worth the trouble...

Very cute place. I too, love the curtains. And the fact that it looks as though there are regular sized appliances, at least full size bed, etc. When I was renovating my studio, I was advised to get "apartment sized" appliances. I chose to go with regular sized appliances and queen sized bed. It works for me.

I love this! Such a great space and really nice design. It feels fun and warm -- so much personality -- but it's also modern and clean.

What a beautiful apartment! The best I have seen yet.

I love seeing where our little wooden signs (hello) end up!

I am also very jealous. I love pretty much everything in the place.

Wow! Looks much bigger than 400sq. feet. Nice job in everything. Very nice!

Thanks everyone for your comments!! Keep them coming...

PI: The curtains were from West Elm. Nothing too fancy!
CHIEROMANCER: I like the idea of the double duty bike basket- otherwise it's just hanging there!
SANDINMYUNDERPANTS: The framed work on the dresser was an etsy find. The artwork in the bedroom was actually done for me by a very talented friend using ink pens on canvas. Isn't it amazing?!
JONNIFER: Thanks for your comments. You called it. The wall behind the sideboard is stenciled. I don't think I have the skills to wallpaper well! And I agree with MATT S- the stencil was worth all the trouble in the end!!
GREENWOODGAL: I totally see where you're coming from about floor to ceiling length. My windows are actually floor to ceiling (it's difficult to tell in the pictures) so I actually needed the full length so no fabric went to waste!
ANA: The owl picture in the kitchen was an etsy find. :)
LOVEDECOR: Good eye, the "Thinking Cap" poster is an Ork Poster.

ONIELIAD: It's an Abici bike. A definite splurge but oh so pretty...and you'll have it forever. That's how I convinced myself.

Oh my goodness, LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

i think i speak for everyone here when i say, we need a source list for everything. it's adorable!!!

I agree- a source list for EVERYTHING as well as some pictures of the bathroom!!

Love it, definitely my fave so far. This is the only living room with a bike hanging in it I've ever seen that I'd love to live in. And I agree, it definitely looks more spacious than 400sq ft. Kudos!

I love your apartment. So colorful, purposeful, and simple. I feel happy looking at it. Where is the bench from - so shiny! I like the shine of the bench with the glass-topped dresser.

Incredible! I love everything about this space!

Howdy. How did you organize your bed? I with there were better storage beds out there and mine right now is made out of ikea kitchen cabinets + plywood on top. What did you do?

ALAINNOTEBOOK: The bench is from CB2. I like the shine too. :)
DOMINIQUEK: I have a full sized bed- it's raised with bed risers- gives you more space for storage underneath.

Lovely curtains that are no longer sold at West Elm. Sigh. Back to square one.

I wish I could move in! LOVE every single photo.

Favorite! This is the first time I've actually squee'd and giggled because an apartment was so cute. ^_^ I especially love the kitchen.

Love this apartment. My favorite so far. I just love the colors, the yellows, grey, light blue , greens, it all blends together so seamlessly, yet, there is so much for the eye to catch.

P.S. Love your bike!

I'm in awe of how beautiful this apartment is and what a fabulous use of space!

i love the kitchen!!! it is so beautiful!!!!

love the space & that u hung ur bike in the living room... i have been debating where to try to put mine & love this idea... can u please tell me where u got ur hook/hanger? & is it a pain in the neck to actually hang it up there by urself? i have a vintage schwinn & it is HEAVY... thx!

ELLENX: The bike hook was from Amazon. The trick is to make sure you find the stud first- mine was difficult to locate and I was worried about the placement of it but it worked out! My bike isn't the lightest so hanging it up does take a bit of effort but saves me a lot of space so it's worth it. Or you can get a hanger that holds the bike horizontally rather than vertically to make it easier to lift. :)

Where is the couch from? It's the perfect size and so cute!

RALPINE: The couch is from Macy's. :)

That bike is an Abici Kate Spade green :) I have 3 dutch bikes in my apartment. Luckily we have 900 sq or else there will be a problem. We pretty much have no dining table because of them. I tried buying a horizontal rack from Amazon to layer them up but it was useless. They are all loop frame and weigh at least 50lbs and there's no way to hang them up there. The stand was useless because it was completely unstable when I did finally manage to get a bike up there. Yay for elevators.

Pretty& neat & tidy, but almost everything in here I have seen other people have. Maybe if you bought something from a thrift store or made thing yourself, I would like to see something alittle more original.

MITSPECK: I would love, love, love to own vintage or handmade furniture! It just takes time...maybe a project for my next home. :)

Love the colors in the second photo! Great combination :)

Love the picture with the patterned wall. Well done!

Stunning. Great use of color and efficient use of space. Love everybit of it

Just gorgeous. I have total bike envy...

this is my favorite style so far. where did you get the coat rack onthe back of the door?

at Dominiquek did you do drawers or doors? 2 long runs, or two along sides and one at foot?, how sturdy do you feel bed is? i am in process of re-designing our bed - issue is my giant viking fiance [6'4, 250]. he's not just big, he moves "heavy", so I worry about ikea materials/construction. thanks

love it, love it, love it!

YEAH, I ANSWER TO RED: I ordered the coat rack from a european design website after much online browsing! I'm now trying to rack my brain for the URL. I will definitely let you know if I come up with it!

Really Really great focused design here! It is all really put together! Wonderful home!

Absolutely fabulous space - every detail is inspired!

Lovely home.

What's the name of the couch?

Thanks PURPLECHARM. I don't remember the name of the couch. :(

i absolutely love everything about this apartment. i live in a studio myself so i fully understand the challenges of living in a small space and you've done an outstanding job. where did you get that floor lamp??

JAMIE1024: Thanks for your kind words! The floor lamp is from CB2.

LOVE.

I love your place. Great use of space, color and pattern choices are wonderful and you managed to keep it organized and clean in a way that makes it feel like it is realistic and not staged. Awesome. Where did you get that branch' hook rack', I assume it is, on your front door?

Where's the "teeny-tiny"? All I see is an apartment with the size of a mansion.

RHD: I'm feel really flattered! Thanks. I bought the branch rack from a website- I just don't remember where. It was a small European home decor design store.

AAAH: I'll take that as a compliment. :)

YES! I love this place and I also feel special because I own that par shag rug from CB2, the IKEA sideboard, AND that orange kitchen rug from West Elm. I also bought that table from CB2, as well.

Wow, I've seen fixies on the wall before, but never a Dutch bike! I likey! :-)

Just love the bedroom looks so heavenly perched like that, must...resist...jumping...on...bed!

So cute.

I didn't even see the bike at first, being distracted by how the lamp arm seemed to be attached to the sofa. Great use of colour and continuation of flow. Does not feel cluttered at all. You have done a great job and I very much love. Also, if the wood on the back of the front door is a decal, where did you get it??

JULIE-KATE: I didn't realize until now that it does look like the lamp is attached to the couch - just happens to look that way from the angle I shot at! The front door is actually made of that dark wood and not a decal. Thanks for your comments!

Hey Joanne! Your apartment is amazing. I'm in Chicago too. I hope I'm not prying, but what neighborhood are you in? I only ask because your apartment has a really nice kitchen for such a small space.

Hi URGENT LIKE FIRE, I'm in Lakeview. :)

Thanks for letting me know your door is actually wood. Of course it is. It looks amazing. I am inspired to do some wood grain decal buying. PS weirdly we both have the exact same kitchen granite benchtop and wooden deer head.

I love this place. I am a color fan, too. Your bike is great. Want to house swap sometime? I'm in Ann Arbor.

Parnassus -- Always shrinks the room to me. Plus it looks stupid anywhere outside of a hotel room in which I still hate it.

Could you fit anymore design cliches into one space? Arco lamp, sunbursts, Eames chair, chevron, wall words, birch print wallpaper, paper pendant, CARDBOARD MOOSE HEAD! argh.

MACKENZIEDEAR: I kinda can't help it! I love it all- it's fun....And about to add a splash of neon to the place too. :P (double GROAN?!)

Gorgeous place! Any chance you could let us know where the heart throw pillow on the bed is from?

The heart pillow is a custom Jonathan Adler pillow. Glad you like it!

JoAnn, I love your place. Especially: all the touches of white, the blue ceiling (what paint is it?), the coffee table.

You've been notably gracious with all the comments, nice and not so nice.

I'm pretty sure it's a deer, not a moose :)

Thanks SGV. appreciate everyone's different point of view. The blue ceiling is BEHR Spa. The color in my photos came out a little muted when they were uploaded onto the website. The actual color is closer to a Tiffany blue color rather than baby pastel blue.

Beautiful ! A nesting space, a restful place ! Love it !I'm sure your space says alot about who you are .It's heavenly . Where does the white hi gloss sideboard come from ? I have a similar size space in my small livingroom .

Hola! As a NorCal native/ brooklyn transplant - I am coveting that HELLA word art! Where did you get it? Gracias!

GMAPUDDIN: I'd like to think I'm a colorful person. :P The sideboard is from IKEA.
JOJOROCKS: There are a bunch of different signs available- check them out at www.ohdier.com

Enjoy!

To amend my previous groaning...okay, the light blue bedroom ceiling is really cute. Paint color please!?

The color palette is so zen! I'm in love!

MACKENZIEDEAR: It's all good. You were just speaking your mind! The color is BEHR Spa.

What a lovely apartment, I wish I could live there. It is bright and cozy apartment. Small and yet has everything one needs, even bicycle.

what a beautiful apartment - regardless of the square footage. you can tell she's happy living there!

"To see the world in a grain of sand And a heaven in a wild flower...." (William Blake, http://www.artofeurope.com/blake/bla3.htm ). :-)

Lovely. Never knew small could be so lively.

So does the sign read "Hello" or "Hella" because if it's "hella" I want one too! But the post above by Oh Dier said the sign says "Hello".

Thanks for the link! ...yes I'm in NorCal :)

I adore your bedroom and clean modern style. Just lovely!

Thanks everyone!

CHELLE BELLE: My sign reads "Hello" but I do believe they used to sell "Hella" as well unless they've discontinued the sign. You could try contacting them directly for a custom sign!

Absolutely beautiful apartment!

JoAnn has real decorating flair. It's masterful to use so much color and still be able to get a clean, uncluttered look in such cramped space.

I love everything about this space. I'm getting some great ideas for my own apartment!

nice!

Beautiful! Where did u find the stencil pattern & how was it applied?

Hi there! I found the stencil pattern on Etsy. I applied two base coats of Ralph Lauren Silver Plated. Then stenciled in BEHR Seal Grey with 6" paint rollers. It took effort but was worth it in the end. :)

While the sign reads hello, I have done many a hella sign for NorCal customers.

I can see the painstaking choices and decisions you made to buy/place the things you have. The radio and the plant box, where do you get it.

Thanks MADU106! The table radio is made by Trivoli Audio. It has great sound quality- highly recommended. The plant box next to it was just a box I reused and made into a planter (it used to hold a candle).

super cool!!!

My favourite so far. A place for everything and such a clean palette. I think I recognise stuff from Anthropologie(?).

This is retro-cozy-delish!!! Love it!

Thanks for your kind words everyone!!

DASH4M: I love the Anthropologie style but I actually don't think I have anything from there that are present in the photos. :)

LOVE it! So creative. PLEASE tell me where you got the bookshelf in the 3rd picture!

The bookshelf is from West Elm. :)

Am I the only one who doesn't get the overwhelming amount of votes for his apartment? Way too styled and conventional for my taste..
But like the way you use color!

Great apartment and use of space! Love everything about it!
And most importantly, I can tell that you are truly happy with it, and you're also a truly happy person, dealing with the not so nice comments super nicely! Kudos to you Joanne!
And if you remember the where you get the coat rack, please let us know :) Good luck with the competition :D

Just to add, over-styled could be bad, but styled just right like this apartment is just great! :)

Thanks again for ALL your feedback! I like to think of my apartment as a study in contrasting shapes, colors, and textures. Even after living here for over a year, I still find my place visually stimulating and of interest. At the same time, I do think that there is quite a bit to take in all at once. I encourage everyone to take a second or third look! What makes your eyes roam around the room, what do you tend to focus on, and what does it remind you of? I hope you come away with a different experience each time. :)

By far, my favorite apartment I have seen thus far! Best layout I have seen for a small space too! I ADORE the bookshelf - heading over to West Elm's website now to see if it is still available (fingers crossed). Your space and the positive perspective you have taken both living there and in response to comments inspires me! Good luck in the contest =)

This is my favorite style. A really good one.

The design style looks relax and comfortable. I like it!

I can't understand all the love for this entry. It's quite a nice place but not a winner (though by the look of things, it might be)

JoAnn utilized the space very professionally. I was very impressed with her choice of colors and the way she arranged the room utilizing the space.

I can't believe the number of votes either SofiaLaca. And I appreciate each and every single one. Keep the comments coming too. Thanks everyone!

I LOVE THIS! The shades of green in the rug, table and chair are simply beautiful. Oh, and that bicycle! It's perfect!

I'm not sure if its because you entered early, or because it's just plain awesome but you've got this hands down. There are several others that I think are amazing, but there is something about yours that speaks to everyone. Whatever it is don't stop, don't give up, and don't get rid of it because it's working. 132 comments, ALL positive. Yo go girl!!

This has been my favorite since you added it, and is in my top 5, and thats saying a lot because I only favorited 6. I feel like they can end they competition now. :)

OWLGIRLO: Thanks for your words of encouragement. Do you mean to say I'm number 5 out of 6 on your favorites list then? :P Haha, still pretty good in my book. I'll take what I can get!

I love the 1950's theme. It's really chic!

if this home were a movie star, it would be Carey Grant!
Posh, classy,great use of color and space. Love it.
Elise

:p, don't think for one second that won't be referencing your place as inspiration for decorating mine. I'll just say congratulations now.

LoveLoveLove everything about this space! Love the pops of color while still sticking with one general overall color scheme. Fun, Funky,and Functional!!!

Beautiful space. I felt at home.

Great job!!! Eye candy!

Beautiful space!

You had me at the Colorku!

Finally, someone found the Colorku! :)

i love the color on your bedroom ceiling. what is it? i've been struggling to decide on a color concept for one of my rooms. i think you've solved it for me.

Hi Kaliosity, it's behr spa. It's actually closer to a Tiffany blue rather than baby pastel blue. Definitely get a paint sample and try it out. I love the color!

It's great that yours works well between many opposting ideas/views...

Nice mixture of different periods. Nice touch with painting the ceiling light blue.

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I've also uploaded the same photos on flickr for you to check out. The colors are truer there. Enjoy!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joannstrulyhappyhome/sets/72157629899411181/

My daughter lives in Chicago and is looking for a studio. She lived in Buena Park and is looking in lakeview. Your apartment is amazing! What apartment company did you use to find yours? It is so hard to find amazing apartments! We also own a condo in the South loop on wabash, but she is graduating from Columbia this weekend and is ready to spread her wings. You have amazing taste!!!!

Hi Lynel, Congratulations on your daughter's graduation- you must be very proud of her!! This is actually the first home I own, which allowed me freedom to make some more permanent changes (i.e., add a kitchen backsplash, swap out light fixtures, install bedroom cabinets...). Before this, I rented a studio from Wirtz Realty- definitely take a look- they have a couple of vintage apartments in the neighborhood. Good luck with the hunt!

The couch looks kind of like the Clare at Macy's...but yours looks much better than the picture on the Macy's website. :)

You got my vote for the finals! Loved your place from the minute it was posted <3 Good luck!

Your home is my vote for the finals, too. Simply amazing space...

When I saw the Eames chair on the shiny wood floor with the starburst clock, I thought, Oh my god, Dooce has an apartment.

Still, it's inviting and pleasing. Don't listen to the jaded ATers who've seen too many deer heads. It's a lovely space.

Love, love, love! and I don't know how you make your bed so beautifully in that space like that, must be total a bitch.

I voted for you but it was difficult as I feel like I am cheating on Daniel. He has a website that I love. He explains in painstacking detail all the work he did to fix his place up. I am glad to at least know you did stencils on the wall.

Very fun and livable! Looks comfortable and relaxing. Love the bike on the wall.

Thanks everyone! This has been a fun process and it has been great hearing from everyone. I'm considering having a AT house tour if people aren't too sick of looking at my place...:)

Do you mind sharing where you got the stencil for the living room wall?
Also, what's the name of the ikea credenza?

BTW, I voted for you. :)

Thanks Purplecharm. The ikea credenza is the Torsby. The stencil I purchased from etsy- just search for wall stencil. :)

Hi there, Can you tell me where the floor lamp in your living room area is from.
Love your style. :)

This one is a very SMART place for a 400 ft. The kitchen is perfect!!! Is the same space than mine but with double the space.

Where did you get those beautiful dark red and ivory pillows on your couch? Love your place!

It has definitely been an eventful month! Just checking this page one last time. :)
ItsMissJess: The floor lamp is from CB2
LRBK92: The pillowcases were made from Marimekko fabric bought from the Crate & Barrel outlet store, here in Chicago.

Take care everyone!!!

where did those handy shelf/cabinets above the bed come from? that's such a great way to use space to stash books, etc.

I just absolutely adore your bedroom, seems so restful and quiet, nothing but the best dreams may enter there!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Cliche? Hardly. You just have good taste. I also have a Dutch bike. Got if from Craigslist...now want my very own brand spanking new one! I'm a curtain fiend, yours are lovely and perfect. You really handle these rude people very well. God bless you! You kitchen is adorable too, mine is bigger and looks like I have crap everywhere...really going to widdle it down this weekend with my yardsale. Thanks for giving me a jolt to get busy.

I love the colour palette. And what a fabulous kitchen for such a small apartment.

I love this apartment! Would you mind sharing the color of the walls in the bedroom?

JoAnn - I love your apartment! It's simply awesome - small on space but big on design. I'm helping produce a webseries on spaces just like yours, is this something you'd ever be interested in taking part in? Lmk and continue to bring happiness to your spaces!