apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Small Cool 2009: Miles of Style
Little Division #20

thumbs up

Who Lives Here: Two: my partner and I
Location: San Diego, CA
Size: 680 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? There are too many favorites to list, but if we had to start at the top number one would be the view - across the ballpark, bay, coronado island and all the way to Mexico on a clear day. Inside the house: my favorite elements are the blends of red, chartreuse, black and white. Our favorite find: the wall sconces above the bed.

Give Miles a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
Thumbs Up Voting is only activated for 48 Hours — so don't delay!
 
 

What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? My biggest challenge was choosing furniture, and trying to stick to a budget that didn't scream "American Express". San Diego is full of new condos, and while I admire the classics I wanted to separate our home from all the DWR showrooms out there while keeping a modern look but not Mid-Century. Our house is only 679 sq ft but looks much larger - the floor plan was very smart and every inch is usable space.


Give Miles a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
Thumbs Up Voting is only activated for 48 Hours — so don't delay!

room-board-banner09.jpg

Do you have a Small Cool Home? Enter Here by April 13th!

Comments (31)

LOVE the black bedroom. So sleek! I wish there were more pictures of the living area...

posted by Gvinton on April 10th 2009 at 3:19pm
view Gvinton's profile

Very cool, love the colors.

posted by LoriSF on April 10th 2009 at 3:20pm
view LoriSF's profile

Your dining area's fierce (especially the lighting) but I'd also like to have seen more pics of the rest of the apartment.

posted by creativeneurosis on April 10th 2009 at 3:27pm
view creativeneurosis's profile

creativeneurosis, I disagree. the dining room is gorgeoulicious.

posted by tenderleaf on April 10th 2009 at 3:30pm
view tenderleaf's profile

Your bedroom looks very restful. Do you mind sharing how it feels to sleep and wake up in a black bedroom?

posted by Jerith Bailey on April 10th 2009 at 3:40pm
view Jerith Bailey's profile

Where did the big red book case come from? I really like that. I'm loving the black bedroom too, I might have to steal that idea! ;)

posted by audemars on April 10th 2009 at 3:47pm
view audemars's profile

Love the colors!!

posted by designdiva on April 10th 2009 at 3:49pm
view designdiva's profile

The bedroom is fabulous! That's how to make a black wall work.

posted by dianalily on April 10th 2009 at 4:01pm
view dianalily's profile

I like what I see but, wish there were pictures of different areas (like the living room)

posted by erinpeace on April 10th 2009 at 4:07pm
view erinpeace's profile

I love what I see, but I'd really like to see more pictures of the rest of the apartment!

posted by BadJuJu77 on April 10th 2009 at 4:15pm
view BadJuJu77's profile

Thanks for the comments everyone! It was tough to choose photos for the contest, and I can't go back and change them, but I'll post a link with more pictures shortly.

I'll try and post resources for anyone that asks for them. As for the "black" wall, its actually not pure black it's got a tiny hue of graphite/blue to it, so that it pops out. I'll look for the paint code if anyone's interested. Additionally, it's just an accent wall. It was a tough choice, but it gives the bed a floating look to it, and enhances the shadow effect of the wall sconces.

The red bookshelf is from a Turkish designer named Derin. I picked up a floor sample on sale for pennies on the dollar. I dont think the merchant knew how costly his pieces are, especially with shipping charges from Turkey these days. It's one of my favorite finds!

Thanks!

posted by Miles W on April 10th 2009 at 5:02pm
view Miles W's profile

I love the red bookcase!!! Very cool. I love the organic feel of your space but at the same time being for clean and modern.

posted by shaunon on April 10th 2009 at 5:17pm
view shaunon's profile

I love how the colors of the dining room are the same as the Mexican flag--seems perfect for San Diego. The bedroom is very dramatic, too.

Unfortunately I think with the choice of photos you've submitted, you're going to have a hard time winning the contest. There are three shots featuring the dining room furniture. What about the entryway or bathroom? Something that shows what helps maximize the space? And the view, while gorgeous, doesn't show much of how the small balcony is used for entertaining. That's what I think this contest is about.

posted by sally305 on April 10th 2009 at 5:19pm
view sally305's profile

Super posh! The bedroom is astonishing!

posted by klt108 on April 10th 2009 at 6:10pm
view klt108's profile

I want to see more too, but I love what I see. Each room has a different personality, yet it all comes together. That black bedroom is really dramatic and sexy!

posted by letteretcher on April 10th 2009 at 6:44pm
view letteretcher's profile

I love the living area but to be honest... the bedroom scares me... I like black walls in certain spaces but i think it's a little TOO much black... might be relaxing in the evening but it seems like it would be hard to wake up.

posted by Lafferteezy on April 10th 2009 at 7:02pm
view Lafferteezy's profile

where's your bookcase from? it very much looks like an ikea hack!

posted by hekela9 on April 10th 2009 at 7:40pm
view hekela9's profile

Too many photos of the very cool dining set.

But I love the wall scones in the bedroom.

posted by sleeping spot on April 10th 2009 at 9:48pm
view sleeping spot's profile

so money!

posted by kdkaboom on April 11th 2009 at 7:06am
view kdkaboom's profile

Wait a minute!

According to the Contest Rules Miles, I'm sorry but you're
not allowed to post any web links, displaying
additional photos of your home.

I should know, because by the next business day of me posting my website w/ more photos of my home, I received an email from Apt Therapy, reminding me of this rule.

posted by Brad of colorTHEORY on April 11th 2009 at 9:16am
view Brad of colorTHEORY's profile

OMG, this is by far my favorite so far! Awesome awesome, so clean and well put together. Love the plants! I love to see greenery in modern apartments. Love the scones, they are awesome and love the dark paint color. The view is TDF!

posted by lviox on April 11th 2009 at 11:15am
view lviox's profile

I NEED to know the name and brand of the rug?! I love it.

posted by TracyJ on April 11th 2009 at 12:03pm
view TracyJ's profile

oops! sorry for the link posting! I thought the contest rules referred to solicitations and such, i just read the text below the comment box saying "URLs will be converted to links" and thought this was OK.

As for the rug, its from Room and Board. I think its called the Strata Rug. Might not be sold by them anymore, I bought it a year ago.

I love plants! I have more around the house, mostly succulents. Its surprising how easy potted houseplants can be to take care of. No green thumb required!

posted by Miles W on April 11th 2009 at 12:12pm
view Miles W's profile

nice work. love the dining table and chairs

posted by boyohboy on April 11th 2009 at 1:27pm
view boyohboy's profile

wonderful job! i love this building! my friend James bought a condo there, and he's allowing me to be his unofficial (and unpaid) designer. i'll be sure to post pics when we're all done -- if we ever get there...

posted by tenderoni on April 12th 2009 at 1:20am
view tenderoni's profile

Miles, I don't know you, but you and your plus one have a nice place. I'm not into modern stuff (outside of my electronic stuff nothing in my place was made after 1930) but your place looks superFAB.

...and I laughed out loud at your biggest challenge. Oh, I understand that, mister.

You're a contender.

posted by FilthyMcNasty on April 12th 2009 at 2:04pm
view FilthyMcNasty's profile

looks great, where is that table from?

posted by devi8tion on April 13th 2009 at 12:14am
view devi8tion's profile

I love the bedroom!!!
Where did you get those sconces?

posted by rhianna on April 13th 2009 at 9:09am
view rhianna's profile

Dining Table is the Portico from Room & Board. Many tops to choose from, found one that matched my kitchen counter!

Coffee Table is the Noguchi from DWR.

Wall sconces are a secret! Just kidding.. they are from Ligne Roset.

posted by Miles W on April 13th 2009 at 4:30pm
view Miles W's profile

Could you tell me about the sofa?

I've been looking for one just like it...

posted by Dave Messina on April 17th 2009 at 10:28pm
view Dave Messina's profile

Hi Dave -

Its the Neo from DWR, but I chose one of the less common covers in Avocado. I love this sofa - its comfortable and convenient. It has a sturdy frame that will last a lifetime, and all fabric is removable, so you can change covers seasonally or whenever you feel the need, without spending a fortune on reupholstering. It's a great guest sleeper too, the back cushions are loose so just remove them and you have a virtually flat, wide sleeping surface. Just about the size of a twin extra long. You may be able to purchase the sofa cheaper than at DWR, and DWR only offers 4 colors but I understand there are dozens to choose from at other vendors. Just take a search online.

posted by Miles W on April 24th 2009 at 11:22am
view Miles W's profile