- Name:
- Meredith
- Location:
- New York, NY
- Square Feet:
- 470
- Division:
- Tiny
- What I Love About My Small Home:
- What I love is that small space living has forced me to keep (and add) only things that I truly love. When I moved to NYC and started unpacking, I put each item in 1 of 3 categories - "love", "like" and "could live without." After putting out everything in the "love" pile, I was out of room and had to donate the rest! I also love that it's a blend of things I've purchased and things I've DIY'd. Best of all, even though it's a tiny space, it's a constant work in progress and never really done.
- Biggest Challenge of Living in a Small Space
- Keeping the furniture I moved here with and creating "zones" that were functional in a studio apartment was not easy. space. It got more difficult with all dumpster dive furniture finds I kept bringing into the space. Everything (just) fits because so many of the pieces double as storage. I've got extra linens stored in my ottoman, the Expedit room divider stores closet overflow, and every skirted piece of furniture has stored items underneath.
Categories:
Style,
Main,
2012,
New York,
Small Cool,
Small Spaces
Like this Small Cool 2012 contest entry? Favorite it below!
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Marisa and Peter's Playfully Eclectic Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sheex Bedding
Eileen's Beachside Oasis Kitchen
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
I like how she wrote "expedit" instead of "bookcase" :P
This is a super cute space. Love the pink door. ;)
Wow! I like it, a lot.
Do you have a source for the light over the kitchen island? I'm looking for something similar...
An Expedit is a requirement for small spaces...
I just bought my own half expedit two days ago! I keep rearranging the things in it just for fun. It's a nice quality but inexpensive bookcase/room divider. Love it.
This apartment is crazy cute. So clever, love the use of color, it feels decidedly feminine in a confident and city chic sort of way.
THIS is the kind of post this site excels in and should do more of!
How adorable is this place. Love it! You did everything right.
Wow, love it!
Congratulations on your lovely home. Good luck in the competition!
this is very cute - a lot of nice combinations like the clean white couch with patterned rug & ottoman, pink door next to the mirror, etc. However many, many of your decorations are small framed things and doodads - this clutters the nice shapes up.
Love it! Congrats!
EXCELLENT!!! I love, love, love your pink door. You created your space with the items from your "love" pile and that is what is important.
So cute! I love the plates in the kitchen, you have great style :)
Very domino. Is there a TV in the meatsafe? Just wondering.
The door and entryway is fabulous. Really cute apartment.
The pink door is adorable! Really cute place
this is such a pretty space with the perfect amount of quirk!
Love this space, it has so much personality whilst being highly functional at the same time. Perfect balance of practical and decorative objects. Gorgeous!
love your place..so pretty and feminine and smartly done!
Favorite! I love the pink door, the hooks, the busy atmosphere, and the curtain by the bed. <3
Love the pink door, too! What fun!
I love everything about your apartment! Good luck!
I LOVE the door!!! What is in the middle of the top half?
You had me at the pink door...
I like the pink door and the plates in your kitchen. I have to agree with the poster who said there are too many small things hanging about.
i feel the love! and it looks comfy!
I love this place! You really have an eye. Curious what you ever found in the dumpster. Everything is gorgeous and so well put together. Awesome!
Thank you everyone for the kind words on my apartment - it's made my day!
@Emmelemm - I don't have the source for the light fixture in the kitchen, but I've emailed my building to ask and will let you know if I find out.
@Chesterandtrudy - I wish I knew how to sew, but I don't yet. The lumbar pillow on the couch and the Euroshams on the bed were done at Strouds Upholstery in Raleigh, North Carolina. The other pillows (and the curtain over the bed) were sewn by my Mom.
@Lucytea - Yes! The TV is tucked away in the piesafe!
@KittyKatz - The rectangular shape in the center of the front door is the peephole - a necessity, but definitely not the most attractive feature in the apartment!
@Dyan_can - Here's what's from the dumpster that you can see in these photos: The tall skinny bookcase in the office area, the small blue table you can see in far left in photo #4 and the frame that I made the headboard out of. There's also a bench at the end of the bed that you can't see in these photos, and I just finished painting an old chest yesterday that I'll use to replace the current nightstand.
Thank you again for checking out the space and taking the time to comment!!
I rarely comment, but I adore your apartment! I'm moving back home to NYC soon, and I'm so jealous! If my apartment-to-be turns out even half as cute as yours, I'll be happy. Love the front door, and how you created a calm space in your bedroom. And the kitchen with the plate wall, perfect! Nicely done!
This apt. remines me somewhat of a grandma's home and I LOVE IT! There is soooo much character in this space and I giggle that you dumpster dive!!
Aren't those the best finds!!?
Love it Meredith! So happy to see you as a contest finalist ...
:)
Linda
Love, love, LOVE the pink door. I'm totally copying this idea. Thank you for the inspiration.
Love this place. Do you know what is the name of the paint in the kitchen ?
@meredithnyc, even for a peephole, it sort of works in that door! I am looking for something more creative to do with mine - I'm very sad that Friends already stole the picture frame idea :-)
YOU ARE THE GREATEST!
So happy for you and Gwyneth being finalists!
Thank you, everyone for the sweet comments!!
@Tossia66 - the paint is Sherwin Williams "Minor Blue"
@Kittykatz, The peephole has been kind of bugging me, so it's great to see you think it kind of works! I thought about doing the picture frame thing too, but held back because I already have so much going on. There's a very cute chalkboard interior door with detail around the peephole in "Living In A Nutshell" if you're looking for other options!
Love the pink door!
Love your cozy space!
Love this space. Such attention to detail starting with the pink door and throughout the space. Difficult to believe you packed so much design into such little square footage.
It's STYLISH, creative, functional, and within your budget, you're truly talented, Meredith! So derserving of being a finalist! Good Luck!!
It's STYLISH, creative, functional, and within your budget, you're truly talented, Meredith! So derserving of being a finalist! Good Luck!!
Love the door. Did you paint it yourself? If so, did you use latex or oil-based paint?
@lucytea So true -- totally Domino. Which is a good thing! I really like this space, nice job...
Oh my goodness, thank you for all of these sweet comments. @lucytea and @this farming man, that one has just put me over-the-moon!
@purplecharm, I did paint the door myself. I have a tutorial on my blog if you want the how-to. Not sure if you're allowed to put your blog links on here, but if you email me at hi@meredithandthenewyorkie.com, I will send it to you! The paint is Benjamin Moore Potpourri, Semi Gloss finish.
Thank you again, everyone!
You have an incredible talent for mixing high and low priced items and making it all look fabulous! It is quirky enough without going over the top. That pink door is pure personality. Can I hire you to paint mine?
Meredith...precioso!!! me encanta!!
Love it- been working on my casa and loving all this amazing inspiration- so far you have my fav pad- COLOR baby yes!
I am as far from a cutey girlie girl as can be and don't like the style for myself but this apartment charmed the pants right off of me. there is so much personality here without overwhelming the space.
Good luck @meredithnyc!!! I've loved seeing your apartment progress with each and every DIY. Your blog is the best! For those of you who haven't see it - add it to your bookmarks: http://www.meredithandthenewyorkie.com/
XOXO.
I love her color palette and what she's done with her layout and projects.
Thank you, everyone! All of your sweet comments have been what's making this so much fun!
xoxo,
meredith
Your kitchen is amazing! This is a nicely designed studio apartment, which you decorated with elegance.
What a welcoming, cozy place! Bravo! I love your front door so much I'm copying the idea with my own color scheme! Good luck!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!! your apartment :)
LOVE
Meredith, I am just so proud of you! Space looks great. Can't believe you have time for it all. I am in love with all of it. Mostly how it feels so homey in such a small space. Just love the feeling it gives me.
Thank you so much, everyone! It was so fun being a part of this year's contest, and Gwyneth (my 2-year-old Yorkie) really appreciate all the sweet comments ya'll made here!
xoxo,
mk