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Small Cool 2009: Rachel and Ernie's Curiously Curated Space
Tiny Division #48

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Who Lives Here: Rachel and Ernie
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Size: 500 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? I love the seating by the window. A carefully curated Barce-"clone"-a chair (Christmas gift from Ernie), trumpet table and MCM yellow chair! (Oh, and the mountain wall mural in the bedroom).

Give Rachel and Ernie 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? The biggest challenge was creating separate areas in our horribly dull apartment floorplan. There's only one proper place for a couch, tv, side chair, etc. So we had to get creative with wall art/paint/colors to distinguish our place from the rest of our neighbors! We also entertain a lot, so we needed lots of seating, but nothing that looked overly cramped. I scoured Craigslist every single day (so much that it became an unhealthy obsession) to find the appropriate furniture for the right price! I love the way it turned out, because it never feels small to me. Let alone "tiny"!


Give Rachel and Ernie 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!

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

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Small Cool 2009, Los Angeles, California, Tiny

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Comments (25)

Love the third and fourth photo. I wish the couch area looked more like it. The red wall and tshatshkes don't look as thoughtful.

posted by ftpansy on April 13th 2009 at 6:14pm
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I love the mountain picture mural in the bedroom. I can't wait to put one up myself! I agree that the seating arrangement with the yellow chair rocks. I love the red wall, though, too. It makes the space seem bigger because there are two different looks.

posted by baroque on April 13th 2009 at 6:28pm
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Great use of yellow, black and white retro but not too much.

posted by LoriSF on April 13th 2009 at 6:35pm
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Such a tiny space and there is still room for a bar...Priorities! Great apartment, great look. : )

posted by ponytailed_informant on April 13th 2009 at 6:42pm
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WOW. You have so much going on in 500 square feet, yet it still feels spacious and airy. The yellow chair is so yummy! Is that a vintage chair? Did you find it on craigslist? I love the lines of it......GREAT job.

posted by Jeri on April 13th 2009 at 6:57pm
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not the red room but the room wt damask & yellow accents is superb!!!! It looks completely different...Wish I could sit down & read a book in that chair...

posted by New York Muhtari on April 13th 2009 at 7:32pm
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I love this apartment! What fabulous character!

posted by Jesse Lu on April 13th 2009 at 9:59pm
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too crowded...

posted by mihaela on April 14th 2009 at 4:29am
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Snoopy!

posted by Elizabeth II on April 14th 2009 at 8:37am
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uh, there appears to be a big rat under your coffee table.
oh, wait, that's a dog.

Like pictures 3 and 4. Make the rest of the apartment like that.

posted by FilthyMcNasty on April 14th 2009 at 9:31am
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I like the rug under your coffee table, where did you find it?

posted by piffdos on April 14th 2009 at 10:50am
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two big thumbs up! i love the photos! you guys are so talented! i love the modern approach with the functionality you gave the book case (mounted to the wall) and instead of a kitchen table a bar... there is enough seating to have guests in this small space and the little doggy seams quite at home passed out on the shag rug. love it!

posted by frenchseams on April 14th 2009 at 12:27pm
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I agree with my gf the modern approach is great and its functional for such a small space. Cheers!

posted by Urbanestyle on April 14th 2009 at 1:08pm
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I love the busy red walls! It makes for stark contrast with the serene bedroom and the loungy bar area. Awesome!!

posted by beanerinafield on April 14th 2009 at 2:09pm
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i disagree with people about the red wall; i think it adds a big dose drama and personality. the cluster of art on that wall has so much personality and character and defines the space as different from the seating area...which is adorable! putting the bar in the corner was a genius space saver as opposed to a dining area, especially for people who entertain a lot! this place really proves that craigslist is a goldmine

posted by nannersnspice on April 14th 2009 at 3:03pm
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love the midcentury modern feel of this place. that blue lamp has an awesome shape as does the yellow chair. somehow all the bright colors really work and make the place seem bigger. the wall murals really cool too, where did you get it??

posted by nopornplz on April 14th 2009 at 3:08pm
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I reckon this is one of the best small apartments I've seen in this competition.

posted by The Teal Sea on April 14th 2009 at 9:35pm
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That black chair is super sexy! Where did you get it?

posted by Andrew D. on April 15th 2009 at 1:03am
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Super great. So many try this, but so few are bold enough to produce an effect this confident or interesting. I gave a thumbs up to 3 spaces in this competition, and yours was one of them. Nice!

posted by Ouno Design on April 15th 2009 at 2:50am
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I love the bedroom mural - it looks super cool and calming for the bedroom. The place looks functional, modern and unique. Nice work!

posted by americano on April 15th 2009 at 9:47am
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Charming!

posted by designFish on April 15th 2009 at 1:22pm
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Love this one! I wish I were bold enough to paint like you did!!

posted by BunnyB on April 15th 2009 at 1:34pm
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Amazing use of the space. Great attention to detail! You guys have surely paid allot of attention to every spot in your place! GREAT USE OF COLOR! You guys are awesome!

posted by Rawchic on April 15th 2009 at 1:51pm
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thanks for all the lovely comments! in response to your questions,

piffdos- the rug is from ikea, i believe. i got it from cl, but i havent seen it at ikea recently

nopornplz- designyourwall.com! very inexpensive!

andrew d.- its a barcelona style chair we picked up from craigslist.

thanks again!

posted by rlmesq on April 15th 2009 at 2:04pm
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Gorgeous space, love it!! Can you tell me where the couch is from?

posted by holiday1 on April 18th 2009 at 8:12am
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