Name: Kathryn and Perry Bacalis — Wedding and portrait photography team in Denver.
Location: Capitol Hill, Denver, Colorado
Size: 650 square feet
Years lived in: 4 months; rent
Kathryn and Perry are the kind of people that make friends with just about everyone they meet. They are warm and welcoming, creative and stylish, just like their home. They recently left behind 1300 square feet of loft living and moved into a 650 square foot apartment in the heart of Denver's Capitol Hill.
"Have less, do more, be more" is the lifestyle Kathryn and Perry chose to start living this year. After getting rid of over half the contents of the loft, they were able to transition into the new apartment without even renting a moving truck. Kathryn chose a few key pieces from their loft to bring over to the new apartment and turned out some seriously amazing DIY projects once they arrived. The color palate in this tiny space makes it cozy without feeling cramped. It's the perfect mix of clean and creative — just the right environment for a couple of hardworking artists!
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: My style is eclectic — I'm mid century/antique collector and a DIY addict. Perry's style is more industrial and rustic. We wanted to create a space that feels clean yet bold, minimal yet well lived.
Inspiration: I feel we both draw inspiration from spaces that we loved as kids. Growing up in North Carolina definitely gave me a real love for old, well-crafted pieces and for homes that felt warm and well lived. For as long as I can remember, my biggest design inspiration has always been my Aunt Peggy and her small, eclectic apartment in Charlotte. Her whole space was furnished with the most unique pieces (a mix of Southern antiques and modern furnishings), all scouted from garage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets. Many of the items my sister and I had actually found with her on one of our many Saturday morning garage sale "treasure hunts". Everything in her apartment had a story and nothing came from any well known store. Even as a little girl I remembered thinking, "One day when I have my own place, I want it to be just like this!" Perry grew up in the small town of Monument, Colorado, in a house that was warm and filled with tradition, with handcrafted furniture made by his dad and pictures of his grandparents' life in the Air Force hanging on the walls. I definitely think this is why we share a love for handcrafted pieces in our home.
Favorite Element: I love everything about our small 1920's kitchen. From the bright white floors to the period farmhouse sink to the black suede wall and bold fun calendar, it really is the perfect place for morning coffee. And to be honest, I think the thing I love the most about it is how small it is. It's just so easy to cook with everything so close. We built the custom bar top by the stove to create a space to make cocktails and sit while we cooking. It's definitely my favorite room in our little abode.
Biggest Challenge: The amount of space! It has challenged us the most. We laugh when we tell people how our place is literally just what we need and not a square foot more. This year we challenged ourselves to live small and save big. We decided to move from our comfortable 1300 square foot loft to a small 650 square foot 1920's apartment. And I can honestly say it's been the best thing we've ever done. Cutting our square footage in half, shedding a lot of "stuff" and committing to a more simple way of life has absolutely changed our lives. Our mantra with this move has been have less, do more, be more. Creating a functional space that feels both inspirational and homey has been a challenge, but it's been a fun one!
What Friends Say: I am definitely a savvy treasure hunter/bargain scouter at heart. So normally the first thing out of our friends' mouths is, "You paid how much for that??" or "You made that?!!" Most people love the southwest inspired painting + DIY pendant light combo by our dining table the best! Home tours around here normally start with me telling guests the story behind where we found certain pieces or how we made them, and end with Perry making some killer Old Fashioneds.
Biggest Embarrassment: Well, as you know, with small space comes limited storage. Even though we did get rid of quite a bit in the move, the limited closets in the apartment are definitely stuffed to the brim. Although Perry has done his best to make the closets as organized and efficient as possible, he lives with an artist! So what can ya say! Sometimes I'm just happy we can shut the door and call it a day! Ha!
Proudest DIY: My proudest DIY has got to be our little dining nook/statement art wall! I kinda love telling people about this space because its origin is so simple, and yet it's our favorite wall in the apartment for sure. Believe it or not, I found the massive 50" square framed canvas at Goodwill. I blissfully snatched it up, painted away its former life with some fresh white paint, and dressed up the frame with a black lacquer. Drawing inspiration from an old southwestern woven rug I had seen years back, I purchased a set of small paint samplers from the hardware store and went to town creating my first original piece of art. This was the inaugural piece that sparked my passion for what is now MASTHEAD Collective. The whole space is pulled together with the small tiger wood pendant table snagged on Craigslist, our knockoff Eames chairs from Overstock, and the hanging pendant we created from an IKEA shelf bracket and ceiling light.
Biggest Indulgence: Our place is literally furnished from Craigslist, thrift stores, home depot and Goodwill. However, we do have an indulgence to confess. Our Case Wire Rolling Chair from Modernica is literally the most expensive thing in the apartment! At nearly $350, it was a big indulgence for us, but it was one of those "we deserve this, damn it!" moments, and there is still no buyer's remorse here! As wedding and portrait photographers, we spend lots of time editing photos in front of the computer. So the chair gets used every day, and was well worth the money.
Best Advice: The best advice I have ever been given with decorating a space is if something is over $200, make sure you are going to love it in 10 years or don't buy it. And if you haven't used something in 3 months, sell it or give it away. An uncluttered life is a good life.
Dream Sources: ahouseinthehills.com, kinfolk.com, www.sfgirlbybay.com, dwell.com, ohpioneer.com
Resources of Note:
PAINT & COLORS
- • Behr black suede
• Behr decorator white
• Rustoleum chalkboard paint schoolhouse green
ENTRY
- • Antique framed postcard and mahogany pendant: thrifted
LIVING ROOM
- • Queen Anne sofa: Estate Sale
• Black and white pillows: Ikea, Crate & Barrel
• Nautical Mirror: Target
• Modern floor lamp: Ikea
• Cross country Skis: Home & Again / Denver, CO
• White Buffet: Craigslist Rustic herringbone coffee table: /Handmade by Kathryn & Perry / MASTHEAD COLLECTIVE
• Danish arm chair: Mid Mod Mall / Denver, CO
• Eames style arm chairs: Overstock.com
• Fiddle leaf fig: Home Depot
KITCHEN
- • Tabouret stools: Overstock.com
• Custom Bar top: DIY
• Small kitchen motivational calendar: Local Artist / Anna Newell Jones
• Stendig Calendar: Crate & Barrel
• Coffee Station: Thrifted and Ikea
• Shelving: Ikea
BEDROOM
- • Raw wood desk: Handmade by Kathryn & Perry / MASTHEAD COLLECTIVE
• Case Wire Rolling Chair: Modernica
• Vintage Flag: Goodwill
• Linen Tufted Headboard: Handmade by Kathryn & Perry / MASTHEAD COLLECTIVE
• Vintage tiger wood dresser: Garage Vintage / Denver, CO
• Cowhide rug: Ikea
• Vintage martini sign: Annex Antiques / Broadway Antique Row, Denver, CO
Thanks, Kathryn and Perry!
(Images: Ashley Poskin)
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I LOVE this place - minimalist while still being rich in texture, materials and pops of color. I wish I had the self control to do this!
I would love to know if the suede wall in the kitchen is hard to clean. It looks great!
I love the use of black & white throughout. I'd never think of a black wall in the kitchen but, wow, does it work in your place. Also love the headboard and the Martini sign above the bed. Very nice style. Thank you for sharing!
I especially love the green chalkboard wall when you walk in. What a fun way to greet friends and yourselves upon arriving home. Great story. Inspiring home. Thanks for sharing.
I also love the black and white touches. Where did you get those awesome black and white graphic pillows? Thanks for sharing
yeah the brown wood with the green chalkboard is an awesome entry.
Loving all your black and white pillows! Your place is minimalist, but not cold at all! I strive to find that kind of balance, but you seem to have it perfected.
This is really nice.
I did a similar downsize a few years ago (albeit for a different reason). In the span of 8 months and three moves I wound up suddenly single in a home about 1/3 the size of where I lived before. My current place is roughly the same size as this. Less really is more.
Thanks for sharing your inspiration and home!
3 months of not using something before getting rid of it seems pretty harsh. So goodbye Christmas decorations? Flannel sheets for winter?
Good looking space though.
SO happy to see some denver dwellers. I also live in cap hill and space is always an issue. Awesome post!
yah also happy to see more denver people! ive always thought AT needed more downtown denver tours, the last few CO ones have been in the burbs.
Great place!
Absolutely gorgeous, and so inspiring!
Absolutely lovely and so well planned out.. What a wonderful use of the space. And I love all the things you have hand made.
I love the colors too.
love this style
So simple and perfect
Love this! I've just moved and I have so much stuff. This is definitely inspiration to get rid of all the junk. And I love your diy painting! I have an unused canvas and I can't decide what to paint. Now you've given me an idea!
Really nicely done! Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful, clean and inviting space! I love the minimalist approach. Our society has turned into a pack of entitled hoarders that define themselves by how much stuff they have. Thanks for going against the grain and showing us how beautiful it can be.
I LuHOVE that black wall in your bright white kitchen! I want to do the same in mine! Can you tell me what shade of black you used? Was it okay with the landlord or will you have to paint over when you move out? Was it difficult to paint behind the stove?
now THIS is how you do a small space well! i love this so much more than the house tour from yesterday. nice collection of unique furnishings and DIY that didn't break the bank. love the graphic black and white, pops of yellow. and i adore your headboard. it's exactly what i've been trying to find online, but i lack the patience to make one myself.
Lovely and inspiring. Thank you for sharing!
Amazing. I love it.
Is this place in a red brick building about 3 blocks from Cheesman park?!? I swear I lived in an apt exactly like this! Capitol Hill was the only place to live in Denver during my time there(1990-2004) and I miss it every day! Very well done,if only I could refrain from buying stuff Id have a place just like this.
Great utilization of space and intimate.
Where did you pick up the shot glass numbered 1-4 and the tray? We've seen it in a few catalogs but finding it hard to recall the place! Here is the one http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/bacalis-apartment-tour/item/386540
Thanks!
Really like this space. There's a nice warmth here that is often missing in "less is more" spaces. I think the key is maybe the layering that you've done with texture and different neutral shades (the rug, the wood floors, the wood coffee table are a good example of this.)
Very nicely done. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to clean out a closet or two!:)
I love your use of contrast. Like Paul Rand says "without contrast, you're dead".
I love EVERYTHING.
I love their mantra of have less, do more. Many times I get lost in what 'stuff' I want, or have, and one day I will look around and say, 'Wow I have TOO much already.' This apartment feels warm despite it being minimal. And bravo to them for fixing it up in just four months of living there.
well done! i loved everything about this tour and am SO inspired now. i used to live on Pennsylvania and 9th in Capitol Hill and then moved to the Bank Lofts downtown when they FIRST were built. It was small but new and awesome! I love your outlook on life! This is what I STRIVE for...simplicity and ease and more enjoyment of life, not stuff..
Gorgeous use of a small space. My favorites are that wonderful retro kitchen sink and the bold color choice for the headboard. It plays really well with the black and whites.
Bravo! This is an excellent space. I love the mix of modern and traditional. My husband and I are of the same mindset that we want less stuff and less space so we can do more with our time and money. We live in a little house and have minimal possessions and are constantly continuing to downsize so we eventually move to a more desirable (and more expensive) city.
Hooray for Psalm 37:23! The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Thank you for sharing that! I have never stopped at that verse before. VERY BEAUTIFUL! Very beautiful home.
Sincerely,
Greta
Fantastic palette! Wonderful sink!
it's kind of comfy...good job
That sofa reminds me warmly of my own Craigslist purchase, and you've given me some nice ideas on spiffing it up! : ) Thanks!
@hudson33 - the colour of the paint is listed as "black suede", I don't think the wall is actually covered in suede
Elegant and simple. Nice kitchen sink!
You've made wonderful use of what you have. I learned a few things and that's my goal in reading these tours. Love the graphic use of paint and careful use of space. The black wall and white seating bar is inspired. Many happy and merry years together!
I would love to see more homes like this, inspired by the mantra "have less, do more, be more." I love the studies in black & white in every room, the chalkboard wall, and the resourcefulness & creativity in each room. Tours like this make you put down that catalogue and head out the door to a museum.
I love the different textures, especially the carpet in the living room. Is that jute? I don't see a mention of it in the resource list. Can you help?
Okay - that's it! You've convinced me to paint one of my kitchen walls black! I love your kitchen and mine is very similar. I now know I can pull of that bold look thanks to your example. I've also made a goal of keeping it simple and downgraded to a smaller place a year ago. Even though my place is tiny, I couldn't be happier. Great job and thanks for the tour!
Love that kitchen sink and the black paint! Thanks for sharing!
I'm jealous of your discipline and restraint! I wish I could be like that! Lovely apartment.
Lovely place, simple and cheerful. What kind is the gas range? Is it old or new? Interesting uses of black and white. I like the bathroom sink and mirror too, may use that idea of wainscoating/framing in my place to replace the cheap "modern" things they've done in there (house circa 1900). Thanks for sharing!
Loving the pillow on the bed, with the pop of mustard in your headboard
A bit off topic, but where are her shoes from? They are fantastic.
Thanks all for the wonderful comments!!! :) Wanted to see if I could answer some questions in the comments! @ashley procopio Shoes are Sam Edelman's Petty Boot! I love them! @wordgrl Yep! That's a jute rug! @divku The beer tasting set in the kitchen was from Crate & Barrel! Out around Christmas. Bsado The black and white pillow on the sofa were Ikea. Ampersand pillow from Crate & Barrel. @Jukles
@hudson33 Yes! The black wall is not real suede. ;) Behr just gave the color the fancy name black suede!
Thanks All! We really love reading your comments! Really encourages us! Love that there are so many people out there that strive to have less and do more like us!!! :)
I love this home and also the backstory about paring down and the effect less stuff can have on your life. I'm in the process of converting to a minimal lifestyle too although I'm just taking it bit by bit.
There is so much light and nice clean modern pieces mixed with a fewer older more rustic items. I loved everything.
I do wish AT, that you would sometimes not show multiple pictures of the same vignetter or object. A far away of the whole wall or room and then a close-up is fine but multiple close-ups are somewhat unnecessary I feel. That said I love ya! One of my favorite sites.
I love the bedroom, especially the chest of drawers and the mirror. The bathroom wall color is very classy, too.
Thought that was Bruce jenners fam
I think that's an Ikea Tarnby rug. If somebody already said this, sorry! :) Love the vibe I get from this place; so serene!
Sigh...this home is lovely. Where can I get that poster/print hung above the table where you're drinking?
I love everything about this home.
@jusjos The artwork is listed here! https://www.etsy.com/shop/MASTHEADCOLLECTIVE
I love everything about this place! Where is your bedding from? It's so romantic without being too lace-y and frilly...
lovely apartment! love the use of kitchen space. wondering if the bar area is sturdy enough to use as a counter for chopping vegetables, etc...I have a kitchen with zero counter space and wondering if this might be an option for me.
This place reminds me a lot of Anna's space at Door Sixteen and Daniel's space at Manhattan Nest. Very similar aesthetic, and great taste.