- Name:
- Michelle
- Location:
- New York, NY
- Square Feet:
- 311
- Division:
- Teeny-Tiny
- What I Love About My Small Home:
- I love the character and detail of living in an old building. The fireplace, the moldings and large windows give it so much personality. We dubbed my apartment "The Rabbit Hole" from the beginning for two reasons. Because the building has been turned into apartments there are actually 2 #3 apartments on this floor, which I thought was odd, as mine is referred to as "the other 3". Also there is a little "trap door" in the wall to my bedroom, thankfully it is sealed but it did encourage much conversation. And my place is definitely right smack in the middle of Wonderland, so it seems quite fitting, especially now with the rich plum walls and pops of lime and hot pink. Very whimsical.
- Biggest Challenge of Living in a Small Space
- As most small space dwellers will attest, storage space is always a challenge, especially coming from 1500 SF in California. When I moved in, my apartment had no hanging closet, but thanks to my ingenious parents with building skills, I now have a closet in my bedroom as well as a lifted platform bed with drawers, shoe rack and plenty of space underneath for suitcases and equipment. They also built a table that can be put on the wall (legs unscrew and store under bed) as an art piece when not in use. It really gives the apartment a finished home feel even in such a small space. Not to mention the sleeper day bed I got from CB2 that turns into a queen when I have out of town guests, which in New York turns out to be quite often. I am often amazed at how well the space works for being so small.
Categories:
Style,
Main,
2012,
New York,
Small Cool,
Small Spaces
Like this Small Cool 2012 contest entry? Favorite it below!
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The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
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The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Howard Butcher Bloc...
10 Easy Vacation Meals to Feed a Crowd
Recipe: Chopped Brown Rice Salad with Grapes and Pecans
Fantastic!
I love it! It's girly but not in an annoying way and I'm a sucker for sleeping alcoves.
I love the colour palette and how the chair frames were painted deep pink. It's a risk to go so bold but it all works well here.
I don't love the color palette -- and still love the spirit, energy and wit of this apartment! Great, great job.
Congratulations on such bold color choices. And I love the storage beneath your bed.
Holy banana-crackers, Batman! I love the color! What a wonderful place.
The colours are amazing - I love the willingness to go darker in a small space, and the pops of lime green and fuchsia keep it bright.
wow- I love your space! love the color palette and the storage solutions.
I'm with Katlia on this. Don't love the color pallet, but I like the spirit of it. I especially like that the room diagram is also in the color pallet. Clearly Michelle knows what she likes.
It's cool that the space is so catered to her personality but as a man...and not even a very manly man...well, a really nancy man ...I would feel alienated and unwelcome in this aubergine boudoir.
Love this. I love the color in a small space, and that sleeping nook is GREAT. Would love to see details of every inch of the under part of that bed, as well as the hanging space next to it. Please rent your handy parents out. To me.
I am co-signing with the bulk of the comments. It is a seriously fierce little place! Looks like a lot of fun for girls nights. I am a guy though, and like Felt Tip, I feel like I'd be rejected at the door. Love it though. Presumably shows a lot of your gusto and personality.
GENIUS..YOU HAVE A GIFT! you should definitely pursue this..TRUST ME!
Love the wall color and the green and gray accents! And that mantle! Your space is very cohesive and has a nice flow. Beautiful! :)
Somehow, Michelle is living in what could only be MY apartment! If I had no husband, no children, and a job in Manhattan, THIS is where I would live, and how I would furnish/decorate it. Seriously. Michelle has mainlined my aesthetic perfectly. I actually CHOKED UP a little bit while going through the pictures, because it is so utterly perfect! I love everything about it, to the point of commandment-level covetousness. Di.Vine.
I'm not a fan of purple but I LOVE that you've broken the rules and made it work so well. My landlord would never let me paint my space dark blue. I love the sleeping/storage "loft" and I need to steal that table idea!
The daybed looks great here, though I wonder if it's as comfortable as a loveseat for lounging.
Wow. Love the use of color. Inspiring!
You MUST enter the color contest if AT has it again! Love the bold and funky palette!
I LOVE it. It is so colorful - and so cleverly laid out!
Not my style at all, but you are utterly rocking it. Favorited!
I love that purple wall!!
Hands down, my favourite entry thus far!
This is so upbeat I love it. You and your parents did a awsome job. I can however understand that some men would have trouble with the colors. They are not dark brown or black or camo. LOL Just kidding guys. I love that it's upbeat and it makes you happy it's the only way to live in a small home.
I love the purple, the organisation, the personality. The details are also wonderful, particularly the fridge stenciling, striped shower curtain and pops of green and pink.
I know some others have commented on the "feminine" nature of the color scheme and style, but I don't understand why anyone would design their home for anyone else but themselves. Just as a bachelor pad is often filled with masculine details, this sweet little bachelorette pad is just as specific.
Perhaps one day if a male suitor had to move in some changes could be made to make it more neutral (aubergine can easily be transformed with leather and other neutral hues). Until then there is no reason to cater for anyone else but the resident. Besides if I was a man I'd be more impressed by her creative flair and talent than her feminine abode.
Well done Michelle - my favorite apartment in this contest by far.
Stunning. Would live there in a heartbeat!
You did a great job! And really good at dressing for each photo. Its like a mini magazine! Not my style but I love it so much! Thank you for sharing.
Not at all my style, but I love the coziness, the quirkiness and the attention to detail. Great photos, too, that really show both the decor and the flow of the space.
Thank you for having some style!
Oh my gosh you guys, I am so humbled by all your sweet comments! Thank you so much!
Felt tip and Postagenotes, I appreciate your thoughts and while it is a very feminine palette men are definitely welcome! :-)
I decided a long time ago that life was too short to live in an ugly space which I think drives the bold choices. It's just paint and you can always change it or go back to white (in the case of those pesky landlords :-D)
In any case I hope the Rabbit Hole inspires! And yes my parents are available hahaha!
Thanks everybody!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely LOVE!! Colors, whimsy-ness, and the ingenious bedroom in a closet. Adorable kitchen area. One of my very favorites by far! I'm from the rural south and live in a small farm house - in my next life, I'll have a great apartment like this one in a big city! :):):)
Wonderful!! This is my favorite entry so far. :)
Beautiful colors!
Might be a little much purple for me, but i adore the grey and white stripes in the sleeping nook!! It's such an unexpected little visual surprise when looking around the apt! Fab!!
LOVE
Not colors I could live with, but the color coordination and USE of color is outstanding, and space use more than outstanding!
So creative, and you can tell a lot of thought of thought went into making it functional as well as cute, like the light next to the handmade closets, and the bed. Great stripes and that chandelier totally works there also. One of a kind.
Can you tell us where you got that amazing comforter? I want one!
The comforter was actually a Decorative sheet I got from Target 2 years ago. I took a top sheet from a sheet set and sewed the two together to make a duvet cover. :)
Very ingenious use of space and colors! Love "The Rabbit Hole"!!
love it
Great job!! Beautiful curlique fireplace... Love the way the chalkboard painted fridge blends so beautifully. You have a major knack for decorating :)
I love the colour palette, it's girly but not too much, charming and the sleeping nook/storage is a great idea. Must be a really pleasant place to live in.
Favorite! It looks *magical!*
The ONLY thing is I don't get the trend with 'decorating' with hanging a dress or clothes on the wall. (??) Other than that, this place ROCKS. I chuckled when I saw the stenciled chandelier!
Bold and lovely.
this is adorable. but did i miss something? are parts of the images photoshopped together?
Nope no Photoshop in the shots
What makes you say that?
a few things looked a little flat with funny shadows - such as the hanging dress the kitchen elevation, and the pink chairs in most images... maybe its just my computer... or my eyes. :) no worries, really cute space, and really nicely done either way.
It's a little too purple for me. But, like others said, I can see plenty girls nights here!! Excellent job!
i love that you actually used the 9x6 room as a bedroom! most "ex-pats" coming to NYC would say that's a closet, and would complain that their bed is in their living room.
we have a 7x8 bedroom in our apartment in Jersey City and lofted it around the same height you did... cheers to small spaces!
I'm speechless. So much talent, so assured, so beautifully judged, and up-and-down gorgeous.
Love it! Very clever and a smart way to use every inch of space! Well done, Michelle!
YAY!!! I was completely uninspired by this contest so far until I saw this entry! It's absolutely yummy! Love the courage and unabashed sense of self behind this style! Congrats! You'll definitely be short-listed!
That is amazing. I am so impressed. I would NEVER have thought to go so bold in such a small space, but you totally and completely rocked it. I am floored. I also really love the smart carpentry that gave you space by going upward, but keeping it looking so nice. Great job. Contest over?
So Michelesque! Very cute!!
You have done an outstanding job with your space. Best of luck.
Good job this is great luv luv luv!
What color is this on your walls? I've been fantasizing about painting my place this EXACT color! Must knooooowwww! Great job. Very inspiring!
@NIGHTANGELROSE The color is Bunchberry by Behr. :)
@J&H FROM BEYOND THE STOOP Cheers Indeed and PS Love your Blog! :)
@NONIE Thank you! The comforter print is actually a chandelier but from the angle it's hard to see :) Not as scary in real life
It's just right! - from one 'original purple kid' living in a small space to another.
Bold and wonderful. The bedroom is awesome in of itself.
You're parents rock, and so does your home. I did a double take at the view of your bed from the outside. I also love your thankful message. I was like, is the floor plan on a pink post it note? Cute like the rest of the place :)
DYNAMICDU07- Thanks! I am very grateful for my rents. They have helped make this place so great! Ha it was actually on a white piece of paper in Orange Sharpee but it did come out in a pink hue! Weird.
so cute!
It looks fabulous. You n our rents did a wonderful job.
I love the aubergine!
awesome and creative!
love love love
WOW! PURPLE WALLS!!!! I'm in love. :) Actually, I'm about to move into a new (actually, old), smaller apartment, and I'm planning on painting the walls purple. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, I don't care. :D
The color scheme is so great! I love the old-style architecture mixed with modern design. I'd love to live in your place!
TESS09 You have to love where you live! Do it!! :)
Michelle's Rabbit hole looks so cozy for all seasons. Everything has it's place, and there is room for her personality to shine. Very creative solution to storage problems in a small and inviting space, while being totally functional.
Is it my imagination or are we the only ones who are not afraid of bold wall colors?
I so love every inspiring little detail in your Rabbit Hole. I love that it's not MCM, I love that the walls aren't white, I love that you made it work with your imagination not just store bought style, I love that it's old and quirky. I love, love, LOVE it! So fearless and colorful and fresh. You have my vote for sure, and that bedroom is simply to die for!
Cute! Love the Rabbit Hole idea, the decor does remind me of Alice in Wonderland in a way, and I love the purple color on the walls.
On it being "girly" as others have mentioned-- obviously this is the best time to decorate HOWEVER YOU WANT because you don't have to share :) So make it as girly as fuck!
Love your style :)
The colors are beautiful!
I'm confused about the placement of the table and chairs. The table is clearly there in one picture of the living room, but then it appears to have been removed for the two other pictures of the galley kitchen and living room area, yet the chairs are still there, but in different positions as if the table isn't supposed to be there. Did you remove the table in order to present the living/kitchen area as more spacious in your pictures?
You say that the table can be broken down and hung on the wall as an art piece. If this is the case, I would have liked to see a picture with the table hung on the wall.
WOW. this is intense and way crazy and absolutely delightful. I love that you went full force with the colour choices will keep to a simple colour scheme. really great control and use of the colour and the furniture.
Hey JAYROCKESQ yeah the table can be moved around depending on what I need at the moment If I want just a living room its on the wall covering the frame that asks What are you grateful for. If I have guests for dinner it is down placed similar to the photo and if I need it as a shooting table it's usually between the windows I move stuff around ALOT :-) there are more shots on my blog if you want to get more sense of The space The five photo limit was a bit of a challenge! Thanks for the comments
From one purple girl to another, great job :o) I'm all about colour and bold paint choices. Way to go with the gorgeous purple walls, they are fabulous! I would totally live here.
So lovely but no real practical couch to fall back into and just relax. Maybe you spend all your time relaxing in your bed like I do.
Awesome!, I just love that dark purple!!!, and I love the tiny bedroom looks so restful but exciting, the whole thing is ELECTIC!