apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Efficiency/Beauty/Problem Solving

It seems efficient - the use of the external space for dining in good weather is also a nice feature.

Beauty - It's a little bland - not just the color, but the lines and textures - it's definitely not my taste, but in general, the style doesn't stand out.

Problem solving - it's compact, that's for sure! And is that a washer dryer in the bathroom? Nice to have in your own place! It's definitely clean, storage seems to be doing it's job, so I'd say good job on the problem solving.

I think if this gets a lack of positive votes, it will be a matter of the yellow lighting and beige overall scheme - tastes just don't seem to run that way on this site.

Thanks for sharing!

it looks like you have an interesting desk (maybe you could replace the pic of your bathroom with one of your work-area?); love the transom-style windows; the proportion of the coffee table to the couch made me laugh.

looks like a great place to hang out, bundled on that giant couch watching movies. i bet your boys love coming to visit you here!

have you ever thought of placing some sort of visual divider between your bed and the living room area? maybe a low bookshelf with some cool and colorful glassware on top? or maybe glass isn't quite right with the young boys in the house but i think that this space has more possibilities that you will uncover. must be nice in the warmer months with the gazebo outside your door.

Thanks for sharing.

Could you tell me about the dresser by the bed?

thanks,
trillium

I think this is great - it feels lived-in with some art but not cluttery, well laid-out but not spendy/designy.

I don't see many lamps, so I'm guessing lighting is all overhead lighting (blech!).

My suggestion would be to get some low wood bookcases to put behind the length of the sofa and put some sturdy lamps on the bookcases.

(And eliminate the white bookcase that is next to the guitar. It looks like laminate and it looks like it doesn't belong. Not a big fan of the headboard either - stylewise it's not my preferred look)

But I'm also in the school of looking and waiting a long time to find things to become permanent fixtures in my space.

"Instead of finding a way to maximize my space, I looked for methods to minimize my needs."
Now that is original.

Congratulations on making a small space so homey and welcoming for yourself and your sons. The kitchen is awesome and looks much larger than in it is thanks to your arrangement. Love the sink and the other floor cabinet and the pot rack. Looks like you enjoy cooking and dining. Four side chairs!

You might think of adding some pillows in more vibrant colors. A rich chocolate or bronze or black or teal. Something saturated. It might seem to be carrying coals to Newcastle since you have loose pillows on your couch; I find that extra pillows can add a needed pop and don't cost the earth. I can't quite make out what the little round table is about but it looks as if it has some color in it so that might be the source for colors in the pillows. And some additional pillows on the bed to make the headboard look like something you would lean against to read or relax.

I might place the two paintings together on the wall next to the bed, and find something more vibrant for the living area. I like the ideas of more bookcases and would have them start where the tv cabinet stops in an "L" eliminating the white bookcase. Your guitar stand could be placed on the bookcase thereby adding another visual "pop" to the space. Two wallmounted adjustable lamps by the headboard would also be nice.

is this seriously a converted garage? i can't believe how cozy and warm it feels. nicely done!

Thanks for all the great and constructive commentary! This is fun.
Answers: i) the McDowell-Craig desk IS very interesting (thanks,) and the coffee table is an old, handmade bench from the mid-west; ii) visual divider: I just purchased the fabric from Michael Levine's, alas, it was too late for this; iii) the dresser is from the Island of Misfit IKEA dressers; iv) @ebrown: I love to cook, and I do it all with a panini press, a convection oven and a 1950's Montgomery Ward hotplate; and v) Yes. It is a converted garage. I gutted it, had contractors pipe it, drywall it, provide attic space, install a tankless water heater, I stained and sealed the concrete slab, and much, much slower than you could say Jack Robinson... here 'tis.

An amazing use of limited space and extremely warm & homey atmosphere. Unbelievable that it was once a garage. Congratulations on your creative and beautiful environment!

Jason, have you thought of adding a George Foreman Grille to your kitchen? They are much safer and more versatile than hot plates.

very cozy and homey--I'd hang out on your couch. That room divider is behind the couch is a great idea. Love your kitchen.

I really like this place! Simple and unpretentious and utterly charming.

jason. warm and lovely. it feels really happily occupied. and do you like your varde kitchen. it's my choice to update my own kitchen and i'm really excited to see the modern lines blend so well with some of the more traditional pieces you've chosen. great job.

Is that carpet in the bathroom? I hope your kids are accurate.

No carpet... I stained the concrete slab with Kemiko Stone Tone Stain, then sealed it with a matte finish; however, the kids are accurate... I hope. ;)
@obi: I love the Varde kitchen system!
@ebrown: the GF grill is just a panini grill without the word panini. I've got the Delonghi Retro over there to the right of the sink. After dining at ino in NYC, I had to have one!

You may do well with more art but still, this is a VERY warm, casual and comfortable home that had me walking through the photos at least 4 or 5 times! The kitchen area is like something right out of Stars Hollow. If I was a garage, I'd definitely want this makeover.

Reality not fantasy -- minimalism with all the charm and comfort. I'm going to vote this as a finalist because I'm tired of others just going directly for the "fantasy" rooms that are enjoyable but out of the reach for most of us who can't remodel or expel everything out of our lives. + woo on the antique shops!

Rosanne, I've come back several times, too. Jason has transformed a garage into a visually spacious and comfortable living space. It just says "home."

I wasn't wowed by this at first, but after several viewings, it is really growing on me. It is very warm and cosy. The furniture is kind of old-fashioned (which is why i didn't love it at first) but it actually works and is probably just right for this inhabitant and his kids when they visit. I think it's a good use of space. I do like the chest of drawers (I have the same one - it is from IKEA if I recall correctly). I've had it for years and dragged it around to four different apartments and it still looks great.

This place strikes a great balance between being homey and lived in and being completely uncluttered. I can tell someone really lives in the space but that someone has really pared down their stuff and only owns what they really need.

Is the L-shaped sofa new? Where did you get it? it has such good proportions and looks comfortable.

Nice place! You did a great job on the bathroom floor. The kitchen and dining area are perfect - I love the window over the sink. The couches look like the perfect place to kick back and relax. I like how although they are different spaces, the bedroom and living area work well together. The first two photos show that you have a warm home - a place to prepare a meal, connected to a place to share a meal, connected to a place to relax and slumber. Perfect

I adore the kitchen.

I was wondering if you can share any tipe about the installation of your varde wall cabinets. Do the corners of each cabinet line up with studs, or did you have to improvise?
Thanks!

I definitely had to improvise. The hanging method that Ikea provides seemed sketchy, even with wall anchors. So, I added two strips of wood to the inside/back of the cabinet (top and bottom) and was able to screw directly into the studs that way.