Nice!

I really love that turquoise paint. Brand and name, please!

Love it!

this is my favorite place to visit in NYC.

Amazing job!

I love this. Your space is so cohesive and the colors are gorgeous, soothing. You've done a great job of creating mini spaces within your mini space, ha!

Your apartment is amazing!

Great job!

Nice! And I love the kitchen backsplash tiles!

Beautiful balcony! Mine is all glass and boring, i wish it had character like yours!

www.wafflingdesign.blogspot.com

Gorgeous. I love the colors and feel. The only thing I don't like are the kitchen cabinets and I can't hold that against you because you're renting. Great home.

I'd put up with the 18 inches of counter space for that backsplash! Is that the Erin chair from World Market? Beautiful job!

May I please have your apartment? In all seriousness (although I wasn't entirely joking...) very beautiful! The bold colors, the balcony, even the kitchen ties in wonderfully! Thank you for sharing!

I once had a studio that had the exact same square footage, but the layout wasn't as good. I love how you were able to create a space for every purpose! This is what I like to call "Small, and Cool".

Economic, Classy, and BEAUTIFUL! The Upper West Side is well off with you living this awesome space!

Beautiful place you have! Those patio chairs are exactly what I've been searching for-modern yet comfortable. Any chance you can share the source pretty please?

You really maximized the space so well.

so cute

oh my, it's such an honor to be selected and to have my apartment posted!!! thank you everyone for your positive feedback and votes!

@PI i've seen you comment on AT before, not sure why i remember you amongst everyone but thank you for commenting and liking the turquoise! it's yucca plant from martha stewart's home depot line!

@LENJE and @SUMMERKITTEN thank you for commenting on the kitchen tiles -- it was a little DIY project to give my kitchen some interest. they're actually pieces of cork, painted and cut to subway tile size!

@ERINC4 yes it's the erin chair from world market! it's such a great chair and was well worth the splurge!

@SHANAEBOUCHARD actually purchased them off of craigslist, though i recall seeing them on pier1 a few years back. unfortunately, they don't carry them anymore.

I have NY apartment envy right now.

Absolutely love your home. Every detail has a place. The colors flow well from space to space. Beautifully done!

Amazing! I love the patio. And the colors. And the lushness of the decorating. Great job!

Oh, and I love your floor plan! You must have used a different program from any of the other entries we've seen...

I also live on the UWS and I am a huge fan of your apartment!! I hope to one day post mine, but it's still in the works. Very well done, absolutely gorgeous in every detail!

UWS for the win! I love it!

I am loving the floral wall hanging by the terrace doors; I have been looking for something similar for a while now. Tips?

I L-O-V-E your apartment, I've just signed up to vote for you! :)

@EMMELEMM guilty! sketched out the floorplan in illustrator (though, really, i have no idea what everyone else used so maybe not that guilty!)

@AMYMARTHA not sure what you're referring to exactly but i think it may be the wreath on the wall? it's actually made from old books... tutorial can be found here: http://livingwithlindsay.com/2009/11/librarians-please-avert-your-eyes.html

@ANUSZKA thank you so much!

You had me at homemade ravioli! Great job LIVING in this tiny space and making it delightful!

Absolute favourite. Amazing! How you can turn such a small space into a home with such personality is really inspiring! Plus you cook in such a small kitchen - I don't think I could do that!

Oh I am in love. I am living in Amsterdam and the apartments' spaces here are teeny tiny I am totally inspired by this post :) and can see how I can make use of the little space I have. I'd love to see your bathroom though! I love the balcony! the color, the chair, the rug even the plants! Good job, and yes I just voted you!

love it! Cozy, well done

I absolutely love the colors you've put together. It feels very layered and cozy, but not at all cluttered.

Absolutely love your space! So cozy and colorful. Love that DIY backsplash and may have to steal it. I had a little apt. with the same layout (including a patio) on W. 89th when I was in my early 20's. It was part of my salary working as a nanny for the family who owned the brownstone. I was too young, inexperienced, and poor to know how to decorate it but I DID appreciate and love every minute of living in it. Now, thirty years later, I've downsized and am living in a 600 sq. ft. space, this time in downtown Minneapolis. Every day I'm reminded of how much fun it is to live large in a small space.

I almost never post a comment but I signed in just so I could say that I love this space! It has continuity and is inviting and seems like a place I could (maybe) live in (if I could truly live in 330 sq ft!).

Love the wall color and the sliders to your wonderful outdoor space!

Love what you did with the curtains on the door. At first I thought they were Parisian doors.

@OPPIE83 so sad that i wasn't able to include my bathroom! it's far too small to photograph and capture entirely... but imagine a dark grey accent wall, a graphic white and grey patterned shower curtain, a decorative framed map, and accents of teal and yellow. hopefully that helps! and thank you for your vote!

@MYLITTLEISLANDPARADISE live a little more south than you did (i'm in the 70s) but there's nothing better than living in a small space! it sounds like you've lived quite the life and best of luck in your new home!

@MINOOKA thank you so much!

Your apartment is lovely - the first pic makes me think of Paris!

Your apartment is beautiful. I especially adore the outdoor space. Please share the source of the round table/stool on the balcony.

Wild floor plan!

So cute!!! I love the patio. Beautiful job, Michelle I'm jealous!!!

Love your super cute apartment! I am looking for plant stands similar to the black one you have on your balcony. Can you please tell me where you got it from?

Fellow UWSider, what sweet place! Mind sharing what paint you used for the blue-green wall?

@PURPLECHARM it was purchased from west elm last summer and unfortunately, i do not think they still carry it! it's actually a large hurricane for candles but when flipped over it became a perfect little table!

@VERY ARTSMART oh, how i wish i could!

@CHITIM thank you! i spent more time than i should ever admit sketching it out!

@SANDINMYUNDERPANTS first off, great username! it's actually the bekvam stool from ikea (the birch one painted black with an acrylic top coat, much better for outdoors than the veneered black one). here's a link to it: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60178887/

and again, thank you everyone for the positive feedback! i'm still surprised and overjoyed to have been selected!

OMG, I love this! I have a similar boxy rental with a terrace, and it's so very different in style from yours. I'm taking notes on how you've made this work. I love the greens, blues, and red accents. The chair and the rug in front of it work so well. The furniture is perfect, I love all the details you've added, and ... did you add the "fence" to the side of your terrace? Mine has an ugly divider.

Are the terrace chairs and rug from Ikea?

Seriously, I want to know you so I can swap ravioli recipes and go hunt vintage finds. But that probably sounds creepy. What's your Etsy shop?

Great job transforming this small place into an Art Showcase. We are proud of you Michelle.

Gorgeous apt! Truly. I was wondering: am moving to NY myself and probably will end up on UWS. Would it be possible to give a rough idea of how much you pay? Nothing too detailed but trying to get an idea of how much space I could get.

Love, Love, Love your place, your attitude, your everything. I literally had a daydream of how I could turn my master bedroom into your cute place. Love it!

Amazing!! Really lovely and great use of space, can't believe you run an etsy shop out of it too - too cool!

you made those tiles?! triply impressed! I agree, I'd trade ravioli recipes with you as well! As someone moving back home to NYC, how did you find your apartment? I'm kind of baffled. all the easy sites seem to be way out my price range and everything in my price range seems to be word of mouth only.

@MSTOL7 thank you for your kind words! the color is yucca plant from martha stewart's home depot line!

@PROFKD not creepy, i'm taking it as a HUGE compliment! thank you so much! the fence was already there and divides the semi-circle patio into two parts. i got the chairs through craigslist, though i believe that they were originally from pier1 a few years ago; the outdoor rug was purchased from one kings lane but is from thom filicia's line with safavieh. and lastly, my etsy shop is shopONA.etsy.com. thank you again for your comments!

@SUMMERKITTEN and @PROFKD feel free to shoot me an email at ONAemails@gmail.com; i'm always searching for new things to make in the kitchen and would love to exchange recipes!

@ELLE URKER and @ SUMMERKITTEN apartment hunting in NYC is tough, especially when you have a low budget! i looked at well over 50 apartments before i discovered this one! i searched and searched on craigslist, saw many terrible spaces but i got a lucky break when a broker who i had contacted regarding another apartment reached out to me saying this apartment had just became available the night before and should check it out! i took it immediately! regarding prices for the UWS, really depends where you are and what sort of amenities you are hoping to have. i found my apartment two years ago when things were a little cheaper but i suspect you can still get a studio in the 70s or 80s for $1600 to $2100 or so and one bedrooms are probably around $1900 to $2400. the prices go down if you're looking to live in the 90s or further up by columbia.

@ NICOLETTA thank you so much, you're really too sweet!

@BEN AND REBECCA thank you! good luck with your entry and i hope AT does a house tour of your space, i would love to see more!

thanks again everyone! completely blown away by all of the positive feedback and the number of votes received! i'm still in disbelief over this!

I thought I'd seen space I'd liked before, but I was wrong. This is what I like. I am rethinking good chunks of my own plans at my apartment. Brava!

Wow! Excellent use of space!

You have done more with your teeni-tiny apt than I could ever in my 4 roomer. Beautiful job!

I also live in the 70's! I rented a place for 6 years and recently bought an apartment nearby. I love love love your style and your place is so adorable. I showed it to my husband last night and we were drooling. I am totally voting for you as a fellow UWS'er, good luck!!

I have a teeny tiny space also and was very afraid of color. You have just inspired me. Great job.

You did the back splash yourself? AMAZING! love it!

Thanks Michelle! So jealous!

I've just voted for this one. Excellent job.

@DIRTY MARTINI thank you for the UWS support! it's truly the best neighborhood to live in; no other neighborhood can compete with our selection of grocery stores and the quiet residential feel!

@LINDSAYFF never fear color! it's amazing what color can do in a small space, and i promise it doesn't make it feel smaller!

@ELLE URKER you're welcome! good luck with your move!

Well, I tell you... I too love your apt and for sure voted for you!! Great Job on your space!!!!!!!!

The best thing about this apartment are the colors. The layers are just right. You've got my vote!

it's me again! I will definitely email you! I have an old fashioned journal that I paste all of my recipes in, so I'll email you some of my favorites! And I love love love your etsy shop! Your talent for style extends into many areas. Thanks!

wow, you have made perfect use of every square foot! i love your place!

Michelle,
You did a great job on accommodating your furnishings! And that patio is absolutely to die for- swoon. I am on here too and I did not show my backyard space, as it is not really done yet. But it is crazy 3x the size of my flat and was absolutely the draw for me too!
When you are in Brooklyn next, stop in Collier West and introduce yourself. I think our styles align.
Good luck w the contest too. Its fun...and truly we could never fit this many people into our homes for a real tour! LOL.
Best
Suzi

You must share details of how you made this backsplash. I really am so curious becuase Its amazing!!!

I love this! It's so my style!

I'm guilty of pinning every picture here to my Pinterest :x

Best example of NYC nesting yet! This is so cozy and awesome. Screw having multiple rooms... it is way better this way. Like my lover said the other night, "I brush my teeth like all the time in your apt b/c the bathroom is just so convenient"

...anyways... haha, I hope someone like you wins over the super OCD minimalists!

I absolutely LOVE your apartment. If I wasn't part of a pair I'd be first in line to take over when you move out! :)

Hi, Great space! Can you tell me all the colors on the wall? I see that the greenish blue is yucca plant from martha stewart but I am interested i the other two colors as well. They all go together perfectly...

Where are your patio chairs from??? Love!

Oops- just saw...darn!

Michelle -- AWESOME apartment. Seriously, you are such an inspiration! I see you've responded to a few people with questions...I have one! I am totally coveting that cork backsplash you did. Is there a tutorial online that you followed? I'd love to do this to my kitchen! You totally have my vote - in fact, I registered on the AT website just so I could vote for yours!

This is so cute! Wonderful job on decorating! You've got my vote!

My townhouse is over 900 sq ft and doesn't feel as serene and relaxing as your 330 sq feet! My favorite spot is your patio...which reminds me so much of Cape Cod. If you're ever interested in vacation swap (Scottsdale, AZ) look me up.

Very lovely apartment. I voted for you, too.

thanks everyone for the positive feedback! being posted so late, i am astounded by number of votes, the AT community is really wonderful and supportive!

@SUZIWEST7 funny because when i saw your entry, i was admiring all of the beautiful furniture and wanting so much of it! i will definitely make a trip out to brooklyn just to visit your store, it looks absolutely lovely! i'm out of town for the next two weekends but expect a visit the weekend of may 12th!

@JAGGAE thank you! i hope you included a caption for people to vote, hehe!

@RAHSKOLNIKOV your comment made my day! thank you so much for the laugh!

@JENNESY you may have to get in line... a few friends of mine have already claimed the apartment if i ever move (which i do not intend to do for a few years!) but i will add you to the list! thank you!

@PHILLY704 i love martha, so all of my paints are hers from home depot. the teal is yucca plant (as you noted) and the gray is bedford gray. the bathroom (not pictured) is seal (a nice dark gray with a slight tint of brown). the white was already there, so who knows!

@RUTHINAZ a vacation in scottsdale sounds wonderful -- we may have to work something out! and i went to college in new england so i'm happy to hear that i brought some of that spirit with me to NYC. thank you!

and finally....

@HAPPY CHEERY GIRL and @DINOSAURPUKE the backsplash is something i randomly came up with and i'm so excited that you both like it so much that you want to try making your own! i was so sure it would look ridiculous and i would be taking it down in a day or two... but a month later, i'm still loving it! here's basically what i did:

supplies
cork tiles -- i bought those 12"x12" four pack tiles that you can find at staples or target in the office section, be sure to grab something thick if you plan to tack things so that you don't damage your walls
paint in the color of your choice
polycrylic -- i used minwax polycrylic protective finish in gloss; i used this to provide a clear top coat that could be wipeable since it's in the kitchen and at risk of being splattered by grease, food, flying dish soap, etc.
those 3mm adhesive strips that remove cleanly from the walls -- cork will expand and contract depending on humidity and temperature so each tile is attached to the wall with one strip placed in the center of the tile; if you use more than one, the tile will eventually stretch or pull at the strips and may have disastrous results... i learned the hard way with my last backsplash attempt (one large piece of cork nailed in the corners -- BAD idea)

process
1. decide on the size of your tiles (i went subway tile size so roughly 3"x6"), figure out what sort of pattern you want (google brick coursing, common patterns include stack or running), and measure your wall space. there was a little math involved here -- using my computer, i sketched out my wall and figured out how many tiles i would need to create to cover the entire space.

2. using a metal ruler, xacto/olfa/utility knife, and cutting matt, cut your tiles down to size.

3. paint each tile on the top and edges. the cork will suck up a little bit of the paint so i probably did about three coats before i felt like i had the saturation that i was going for. remember to allow the paint to dry between coats.

3. top with a coat or two of the polycrylic. again, allow tiles to dry between coats.

4. once dry, attach one of those adhesive strips to your tile and stick it to the wall; i started in the corner and used 1/2" masking tape to keep the spaces around each tile equal. work your way across the wall... once it's covered, you're done!

thanks again everyone!

This is fantastic. My friends (a couple with a baby on the way) recently moved to the UWS in the 90's, a 2 bedroom, and yours looks bigger with how you decorated. It's lovely. :)

WINNER.

What a little nugget of perfection.

Thanks for the backsplash instructions, Michelle!

This is just great. Not precious or derivative. And I am absolutely in LOVE with your terrace. Everything about it is just perfect...I envy it even though I am lucky enough to have a 100sq ft terrace that was professionally designed & planted.

Talent will out!

Very nice and relaxing.

Love it, Michelle. Hope to be able to visit you and see the place maybe this summer. It was good seeing you this weekend! You got my vote, of course.

Good luck!
-Hadia

THis is SIMPLY AMAZING, pretty & all areas covered in such a small space... the Small Cool Contest puts me to shame every single year! :(

WOW! Love it!

Literally took my breath away! So perfect. I'd rather live in this beautiful little gem than a mansion in Malibu. It is an exquisite place. Congrats!

hi there, michelle! where did you get the deck chairs i LOVE THEM!
bLYTHE