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Who Lives Here: Myself and my papillon puppy, Isobel
Location: Sydney, Australia
Size: 258 square feet
What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? My favorite element would have to be my bedroom space. I love that even though I live in a studio, all I need to do is draw the curtains and my bed is totally closed off and private. Being so high up already, then being in a loft bed and having cockatoos that flutter onto my window sill every morning really gives a feeling of sleeping in a tree house every night.
By the way (I know I will get questioned about this :P) the hanging red basket is a puppy elevator. It allows my dog to get in and out of bed on weekends without disrupting sleep-ins.
Give Bonnie a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? The biggest challenge was turning a tiny space (my apartment was formerly a hotel room) into different "rooms" without making my flat too boxy or dark. I tried to pick furniture that would serve multiple functions so it would not be too cluttered and design so that each zone could be used for different things. The TV area turns into a guest room when I pull out the sofa bed, the study area into a reading & music nook and dining room when table is unfolded, and underneath the loft bed are pull out wardrobe racks on castors & dining room chairs (yes, you can have a dinner party for 6 in a tiny studio!) The resources that helped the most: I pored over the Ikea catalog for weeks and also at the time I was moving in there was a lot of apartments for lease in my building, so I sticky beaked around to see how other people had laid out their flats (and I still do!)
Give Bonnie a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
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Beautiful job, Bonnie! I can tell you put a lot of thought into every detail.
view quark's profile
the space is ok, but the puppy elevator kicks ass...
view hiccupish's profile
Such a charming home! What a great, efficient use of your space. And the puppy basket is so cute.
view CherylH's profile
I really like this. Good light and all those books - I'd never have to leave!
Is the kitchen back splash glass laid over paint? I've seen that somewhere and always wanted to try it. And what's written on it? And does it wash off?
view catspajamas's profile
Oh my gosh, you have a puppy elevator. That puts your place way over the top!!
view LizzardtheBlizzard's profile
puppy elevator = genius
Like catspajamas, I'd like to know more about your back splash.
view palindrome's profile
can I ask where you got the entertainment unit for your tv??
view plumeria's profile
plumeria, the tv unit is the expedit line from ikea.
so your pup can go UP in the elevator on her own too? how does that work??
i love your glass backsplash too!
view eriiikaa's profile
thumbs up for the puppy elevator alone!
I like all your bookshelves.
view sleeping spot's profile
OMG! A puppy elevator! That has to be the cutest thing ever! Very nice layout!
view suzy8track's profile
The TV unit is IKEA.
I like the backsplash too!
view prairie girl's profile
just wondering: why not take the stickers off the washing machine?
view absolutmarie's profile
I'm all about the glass backsplash. Source?
view bfootnovellista's profile
great job, lovely dog.
view sassydo's profile
i voted thumbs up but it didnt seem to take my vote.
view sassydo's profile
Puppy elevator=awesome.
view Mlle Kate's profile
You puppy is darling! I LOVE your space and I envy your discipline. It makes me want to go home and purge, purge, purge! You have everything you need and it's so compact and neat. I am VERY impressed!! LOVE IT!!
view SweetRosieBrown's profile
I like how you have done a good job of separating the sleeping space...
view Jess2nola's profile
I've always wanted an Isobel puppy. I always root for the Papillons when I watch dog shows. Makes one wonder why I have five cats instead. Love your place and glad you have room for lots of books. They're very important in my world too.
view williamsweyr's profile
puppy elevator FTW
view annaria's profile
I think not taking the stickers off washing machines is an Australian thing - everyone I know leaves theirs on!!
view lushfleury's profile
I have to admit I love the puppy elevator - LOL - that's so neat.
view ChrisGal's profile
i would love to see a video of your adorable Isobel using the puppy elevator!!! it must be soo cute!!
also, do you have a close up of the backsplash? that's a great idea!
view little flower's profile
favorite elements of this place: backsplash and sea of books!
view MilenaB.'s profile
Bonnie here.. thanks for all your comments :)
Re: Puppy elevator: Isobel is trained to jump in and out of it safely whenever she wants to go pee or when she wants to come back up. It's just a basket on a safety rope for now but my friend has been talking about putting in an actual weighted pulley system.. I will let you guys know when it gets installed ;)
The kitchen splashback is a big massive piece of glass which is tinted/colored on the back to make it green.. it was there when I moved in so I can't give any more details but I can tell you guys that having a glass splashback rocks. I keep whiteboard markers near and it's a calendar, place to leave shopping notes, friends to leave messages etc. Whenever I head out to the shops I just take a photo of my shopping list on the mobile phone and I'm all organized ;)
Everything in that house is actually from Ikea. Actually my house smelled like Ikea (you know that funny smell from the packaging) for 2 whole months after I moved in :P
I will post a link to more pics after all the voting has ended to keep things fair ;)
Thanks again guys!
view wufflebunny's profile
Oh ga-rate ... now I envy your "trainable" dog. Mine? Not sa much. He'd eat the doggy elevator.
view SweetRosieBrown's profile
oh gosh! i'm so envious!!! :D nice place
view sakura's profile