Name: Jennifer
Location: Berkeley, CA
Size: 595Sq/ft 1900's Carriage House
Favorite resource:
Exploring new cities or new neighborhoods on foot, and following up on my discoveries on the web.
What inspired you?
I strive for efficiency, simplification, calm, warmth, utility. I love to create a rhythm within a space: of shape, of color, of light. Also, everything should be beautiful- even the insides of your cupboards. I'm constantly evaluating the systems I set up, and keeping what works, working around what doesn't.
I think it's lovely, actually. You have amazing light, and I like the layout very much. It's like you're living up in a tree -- I wish I knew someone who lived in this apartment, because it feels very airy, but still cozy and welcominh.
I love this. It just feels so homey and perfect--exactly like one is on vacation and wants to stay forever. I love how she has combined a lot of found items in a way that is very tasteful, without being overkill. I love this entry. Great use of what is otherwise an akward layout.
I love the bedroom pendant lamps--where are they from?
I think this space is very well done. I would love to curl up and read a book here, or relax on a rainy Sunday afternoon. You have great natural light, and the lamps are awesome!
Very very nice!
I love this, and I want it for my own.
This is my favorite one. I seem to be in the minority, but I'm so over the "showroom" places that don't look like anyone lives there.
This is somewhere I'd actually feel comforable living.
I could move in here. Very cozy, yet airy and...refreshing. If you have to live small, this looks like a good way to do it.
One thing: I would add mirrors to fight that daytime dimness.
I really appreciate that this is an obviously LIVED IN space, but still seems so serene and comfortable. I too am tired of the showrooms with no stuff in them!
What a great space. Of course the light in the East Bay is amazing. Also, few places are far from plant life. Maybe after the contest madness there could be an East Bay meetup? With the City contingent coming, too?
YAY! Berkeley! What part of town are you in?
FINALLY, another bay area entrant. do you locals think that the reason there aren't more amazing SF apartments is b/c most places are over 650sf? i live in berkeley too, and this place feels like home. :)
In the third picture there are two chairs one directly in front of the window. Does it have 3 legs, if so what is the name of the chair and where did you get it.
Thank you,
Clair
East Bay represent! :)
Good job. Really cozy and natural looking.
Ali quoth: "do you locals think that the reason there aren't more amazing SF apartments is b/c most places are over 650sf?"
This has been puzzling me, as we saw a heck of a lot of under-650 apartments when we were first looking in 2002. And we only looked at 1-BR units!
The proportion of tiny apartments in relation to total housing stock is certainly much smaller than in NYC. But why is the Bay Area so thoroughly outclassed by San Diego and Portland?
One of the many reasons we live in a "transitional" neighborhood is that it allowed us to break the 650sf barrier and get real closet space. But our apartment is large for our neighborhood! Admittedly, most apartments down here are rentals (Michael's-Cabin-in-the-Sky building is an exception)... but our former neighbors here had great style. Oops -- they moved to Portland!
The items are lovely, but I don't think that the space is used very well. I'd swap the bed and living spaces, and the flow would be better.
great night time ambiance! and i almost purchased that bathroom cabinet for my pad!
Love the apartment, don't care for the furnishings.
hey thanks for all of the feedback! i would love to meet the other bay area folks who care enough about where they live to photograph it and enter it into contests....the pendant lamps are from branch, a locally owned business in sf - i love them. i do have some mirrors, but would love to put up some more - there are no south facing windows and the winter is dark.... and as for the furniture, i would love to get some new things (we bought those couches 10 years ago and i'm ready to store them away for a cozy library) - that's why i entered the contest!
I'm moving to Jersey this month - I've decided to create my apartment exactly like yours! (Hope there are carriage houses in Jersey...)
i absolutely love your place. what caught my eye was the great lighting and the contrast - i love the warmth and heaviness that the furniture has, yet the space is kept clean and bright by having white walls. totally my (in-my-dreams-)style!! are those 3-legged chairs or did your camera angle play a trick on me? i LOVE your sink - it's sooo beautiful!
What a dump! I wouldn't even let a feral pig that in a place like that. How can you stand it???
they are 3 legged chairs - i love them too. they are made in denmark. Frem Roule. i found them in abbot kinney, in a shop called vintage 50s and 60s. a sweet french woman runs the shop, and i would have re-furnished the whole apartment there if i could have....
what color is the kitchen cabinets? Looks some kind of blue...
love them - and your place is soooo...lived in.
I love the dreamy quality of diffused light and the views to the treetop and the patio/deck space. Now THIS is a place I could live very happily. Great layout, too, Jennifer.
It's March 2007 and dreary & grey outside in Ottawa, Ontario... so when I remembered that I'd bookmarked this refreshing site I could visit to lift my spirits on a grey day, I did ... and now I should tell you what a great place you have.