apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Is that an automatic cat feeder next to the dresser?

Very well organized... I'd want more color, personally, and some way to hide some of my stuff.

But wow, you really did a good job arranging the place with so little room to work with (and the location seems great!!!)

Brownie points for making 155sq ft work.
I can fit his aparment 2+ folds in to my bedroom.

few questions....

With 155 sq ft do you really need a wirless router?

Is 155sq ft inclusive of the deck?

A passing suggestion.
You may want to hide the mardis gras-esqe beads.

This provides me with a rare opportunity to use on of my favorite quotes--"Where did all these white plastic patio chairs come from? And what do they want?" --Guido Sarducci

That's not a studio, that's a dorm room.
Kudos for loving your space, though -- you're braver than me!

1. It's a humidifier, not an automatic cat feeder.

2. The wireless router allows me to "work" out on the deck.

3. The 155 does not include the deck.

4. The beads are not mardis gras-esqe but rather straight from the source in Nawlins. The little woman likes to wear 'em, so who am I to argue?

You get my "cool" vote just for making 155sf livable. Rachel brings up a good point about the plastic patio furniture. When budget permits, you should replace it with heartier furniture since (weather permitting) this is is probably your main entertaining area. Flea markets, secondhand stores and places like Urban Outfitters should have some good affordable (and funky) options. Throw down some pillar candles, cheap floor cushions and pillows, and you're good to go. Just pick up some heavy-duty tarps to cover everything up when the weather turns.

"The little woman"?? holy mackerel, do you mean you have a roomate?

I like this space -- it's an adventure in simple living. Way to fly in the face of excess and extra and more than enough.

Three things I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off if I were there --

- Get a taller, more enclosed storage unit for end of bed, for visual separation from kitchenette.
- Rooftop could use much more cozy.
- If it's not bolted in place, I'd switch the desk with the dresser, to look out the window from the desk.

ps. What is "dap"?

Whoa...so 2 people inhabbit this space?

and you live to tell the tale?

brownie points

you definitely get props for fitting all your stuff into such a tiny apartment, but it reminds me of a dorm room!

Great loft bed! That's exactly what I've been looking for. Please oh please oh please tell me where you bought it!

Love the deck and the views, but the inside looks depressing.

Love the deck and the view, but the inside looks depressing.

Yup, dorm. The little woman MUST be little.

Says dorm room to me too. Still I think finding some way to cover or screen the clothing shelves next to your fridge would improve the appearance. Perhaps put them in baskets? I suspect the desk is part of the loftbed, but if not I agree with the suggestion to swap it with the dresser. And maybe some color or art on the walls would cheer it up.

OK. I am too afraid of the fall out, so I am not posting my name. But, for the love of god, isn't this a design contest, not just a "look at how crazy New York is by seeing how I live in a shoe box?"

I know New York is nuts, but please, please, please show me something pretty and interesting, not just a loft bed with a bed beneath it.

Sorry!

The last time I lived in a space that tight-- tighter, toilet in the hall, shower in the kitchen-- I cried myself to sleep at night. Although I couldn't really tell what time it was, since there was no natural light. He's a hero to the authentic, small apartment dwellers! He not only hasn't moved back home, he's proud enough to post his teeny, tiny, teensy apartment.

He has-- a window. A bed. a functioning kitchen. A nice floor. A patio!

He may not have a sense of color, but damn, if we're judging on minimalism, he kicks the asses of the 450-feet dwellers--try to fit all your stuff in what most people consider a walk-in closet. Someone lives here, and it ain't pretty. I wish it was, but the fact that it's possible gives me hope.

Excellent! I just wish you covered that brown fridge with pretty paper.

What's in the fridge? I'm guessing it's full of beer.

No kitchen sink.
No microwave.

DORM ROOM!!!!

making it work does not constitute anything.. jailcells make it work too!!

I was thinking that if you attached some fabric underneath the loft bed, it might kind of lighten up the computer area. It would cover up the bars, which I don't like the way they look in the photo. Perhaps you could attach the fabric with velcro to the loft so it is easy to change if the mood suits you.

I'm also thinking some art or a mirror on the walls would be nice as they don't take up floorspace. I love the patio, but would love it more if there were some plants up there.

I got to give it to you- for the space, you really fit in everything you need. It reminds me kind of those small rooms/apartments in Japan where EVERYTHING was basically in one room, and a miniscule, but totally usable kitchen.
It really has potential if you ever decide to invest some money into it...so many creative solutions for storage and it would look great with some wall color.

And, I'm totally envious of the roof deck and the view. Lucky guy =)

I don't understand why some people are being so rude in their posts. No, this isn't some incredibly well-designed apartment (and Jeffrey says that he can't compete with some of the more designed apartments) but he's essentially living in a 10'x15' space (in terms of square footage). I really doubt most of us wouldn't struggle with a space like that, and I can see just fitting your stuff in would be a priority over beautiful decoration.

This guy made my day today... My hat's off to him for showing us his pad... 155SF and the luxury of a deck. I'm not reading the above comments, but I have to say I kinda like the potential. This guy could use some gratuitous design advice/service to maximize what he's got... But thanks for showing us all what you have there.

He's already got half the contest won... smallest hands down. and his willingness to throw himself into this den of wolves and professional architect contesants... puts him among the coolest.

It's awesome that he can live in such a small space, but I agree with the posters that the second half of the contest is lacking. Where is the coolness? There isn't much here in the way of design, novelty, or anything like that.

Major dap (did I use that word right?) for making it work, now make it different and beautiful.

How about enclosing the clothes storage, and getting some more color and texture in there?

For extra pimp points, ditch the lawn chairs for cushions on the roofdeck (as suggested above), and hook yourself up with a little projector and a homemade screen (could be a white sheet) on the roofdeck. Movies al fresco would be the type of feature to catapult this space from just small to small and cool.

Can I make a single post without talking about electronics? No, I am King Nerd.

Wow. You do get brownie points. I agree with the posters who wanted nicer deck furniture -- maybe a grill, too?.

A few suggestions...

(1) To the left of the couch, I'd replace the humidifier/endtable with a really tall, enclosed, white shelving unit and put all the clothes in there. This would allow you to get rid of the shelves at the end of the bed, and the dresser!

(2) I'd spraypaint the futon couch frame white and change the patterned cover for something solid and light colored. You could add color/texture with a couple of pillows.

(3) If the ceiling is high enough, perhaps some enclosed shelving for out-of-season clothes, papers, and supplies. Say, right above the couch.

This covers the "smallest" part of the contest, and I think that's a big deal. Plus, this guy has put bits of his own taste in the tiny space. Not everyone has $30K for a renovation. If a value of apartment therapy is living within your means (in terms of space, belongings, etc.) then this guy gets big points.

Knoll chair owners be damned.

Whilst I am envious of the outdoor space (please get rid of the melamine!!! and for god's sake, man put down an area rug over that green outdoor carpet) and I do agree this is probably the tiniest of spaces we will see (the owner/renter indeed getting credit for making this work to suit his own needs), I just do not see how this could possibly be considered "cool".

Submitting entries to these contests is a good way to get all kinds of tips for your space.

"Smallest, Coolest Apartments" contest. He sure wins so far for smallest, but other than the balcony, this is a boring dorm room.

My suggestion is a freestanding wardrobe unit so you don't have to have the clothes sitting out in the open on the fugly wire shelving unit.

But I must commend you for living in such a small space. I don't think I could do it.

Why not offer some constructive solutions? I think some posters have been critical but have given ideas about how to improve the space. Just saying it's boring, a jail cell, or a dorm room is easy and negative. Offering suggestions is positive.

There's so much more you could do with your inside space...but so far it's pretty cool how you got so much to fit.
Some ideas--
You could cover the bottom of your bed (where the metal grill is) with some cool fabric to create a sort of loungey, moroccan vibe.
Maybe put some plants on your terrace, for some privacy and to make it feel more alive. The green turf is a great start.

seriously, can someone please tell me what dap means?

i just wanted to add a little comment as a judge...i was pretty dissapointed in the harshness of some of posts. i agree jeffrey's apt isn't the most posh apt i've ever seen, and yes, there is a def. dorm aspect to it, but give the guy some credit for entering. esp after some of the other swanky, architect-designed apts that have entered.

that said, i'd love to see some more cohesiveness to the apt. small and cluttered doesn't always work so well, esp when photographed. perhaps some better, closed storage along with some paint (are you allowed to?). color is key. it's just a little lacking in the personality dept. i don't mind at all if mardi gras beads are jeff's personality, but perhaps find a creative way to work them into the decor.

good luck jeff and thanks for entering.

design*sponge

Since Jeffrey uses the phrase "little woman," somehow I don't think he minds the "harsh" comments. That said, there are plenty of useful, constructive comments available for him if he's interested, and on the whole this thread is less harsh than a few others that have gone before.

Thank you, design*sponge, for your comments. I agree about the closed storage and the paint (if that's possible) and perhaps a colorful, bright duvet cover. Nice patio furniture would be very helpful, but obviously, it's a matter of what you can afford and if patio furniture is what you want to spend your money on right now (though you could probably find some cool second-hand stuff). I think the projector idea is genius and fun.

As for "little woman," I'm guessing that's just a joke. (I've actually used "ball and chain" before, so get out the tar and feathers!) Let's all take a deep breath.

I think one of the great things about this site is that *generally* feedback is very helpful and positive. Why not try to keep it that way?

As much as I like the fact that jeffrey entered, and I do like a few things about his space... I can't help shake the feeling that he's just making fun of us all.

It's a _contest_, not a DIY how-to. I (and obviously a lot of other people) don't see anything special that has been done to the place. I'd pat him on the back for living in such a small space, but come on, he deserves harsh.

no one deserves harsh. unless they've put out the same negativity first.

this is a community of helpful, design-interested people. just because he entered a contest with a less than design-savvy apartment doesn't mean he deserves to be harshed on. it just means he doesn't deserve to win it.

d*s

Design sponge rocks my world

Bravo d*s, this place may not win a prize (mine wouldn't), but at least he's interested enough to find this site.

I thought my 218 sq. ft. was small! Of course I'd trade those extra 63 sq. ft. for some outdoor space. (My tiny little kingdom for an outdoor grill!)

From an online slang dictionary out of Berkeley...

dap n 1. respect. ("Grand Master Flash gets mad dap.")

this man wins the contest for cheapest-and-most-logical-space-saving-solution - Have Less Stuff.

and bravo on being brave enough to post this out in public. no-one deserves harsh treatment, especially when they're opening their homes up to public scrutiny.

i agree that the clothes need to be enclosed somehow, maybe in baskets or a dresser, but, coming from someone who knows, sometimes it's just not possible to find an attractive piece of furniture that's affordable AND fits in a 28.5 inch by 11.2 inch space...

best of luck, though, and enjoy that deck this summer!

i have to say i've been underwhelmed by the entrants so far. i was excited about this contest remembering a feature in the February 6 2003 New York Times about Alejandro Aguilar, a designer who specializes in apartments smaller than 300 Sq. ft. There were some gorgeous photos accompanying this feature. Photos of his work also appear on the HGTV website here-- www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_small_space/article/0,1793,HGTV_3382_2885938,00.html

I was expecting contestants with spaces of this caliber; they ARE out there!

i'm sorry i've commented so much, but i just wanted to add something.

i think it's really wonderful that this contest has so far been about celebrating wonderful apts that are made by REAL people. real people who've made the most of their space. i'm glad that no one like the hgtv link above has entered (although the architect apt is kinda similar), because that would just be plain unfair. of course someone can make 500 sq feet look great if they use an interior designer.

here's to those who follow their hearts and use their own two hands to create a beautiful space. you don't need an interior designer to have a well designed space. and while some of these entrants haven't been hgtv ready, they have more personality and heart in them than any of those show houses. here's to the everyday people who have made their tiny home beautiful, unique spaces.

d*s

So, i think it's completely okay to have professionally designed spaces in with the rest of them in this contest, but I think credit should be given where credit is due. If you have a designer or an architect, you really SHOULD give them credit by name. It's disingenuous not to. And, for us voters, we should take all the aspects into account when voting - budget, size, aesthetics and innovation, as well as professional input.

One more thing - i think it is a mistake to equate "cold and souless" with professionally designed. Good design can come from anywhere. Since we're here to learn and immerse ourselves in good design, let's not turn our noses up at it when we see it.

And as for this itsy bitsy apartment, hats off to Jeremy for being able to survive in this place! I'm a little worried (as others have mentioned) about his clothes getting splattered with kitchen grease, and I think he could definitely work on covering up some of the open storage and all. It must have been quite a challenge, though, to get even this far!!!

My impression of this site has always been that it is for not just the design experts-- those employed or those who dabble in the trade-- but also renters and owners and those who are living in their first apartments ever, or complete novices. In other words, it's supposed to be accessible to everyone. You give advice when you have it, and you ask for advice when you need it, and if you're very lucky, you find out about something you can use and that you would never have found otherwise.

Sometimes the posts are about glass that costs 1000 for enough to make a coffee table; sometimes they're the crate and barrel bedside carafe for 15 bucks (soo worth the money, by the way.) The editors do a nice job of providing a unique forum. I found great movers here. Others have made friends, or found one-of-a-kind pieces. Etc. ad nauseam.

Frankly, while I really liked the "architects' apartment", I'm bored to death with picture-perfect apartments with every object placed "just so," and every line perfect. I cannot imagine living in a place like that, and I like getting to see the insides of people's homes and seeing how they define their own spaces. But this contest is as much "the architects'" forum as it is Jeffrey's.

Living in an apartment in NYC is a huge challenge. We have narrow hallways and doorframes, weird airshafts, pipes running through our kitchen (as in one entry), not-always-stellar light, renters' restrictions (and requirements like having to cover 80% of the floor with rugs), and other quirks that make personalizing an apartment difficult, or that, with the right effort and resources, make an apartment a priceless gem.

Not all of us are millionaires, and not all of us can afford FLOR tiles in our rentals, or Viking ranges in our condos. It would be lovely to gut-renovate everyone's apartment, but the whole spirit, as I understand it, is to see who's done what with what they have.

Finally, I think that the comments section is an excellent place for constructive criticism as well as praise. It may not be a "DIY" contest, but when it comes right down to it, interior design without the assistance of a professional *IS* DIY.

And as a first-time *decorator* of my rental apartment, I have to say that living in NYC is scary just because of the number of resources and styles -- DWR, Moss, the Rainbow Stores and Odd Jobs-- available out there. Don't even get me started on the flea markets and other troves.

And that's why this contest is great the way it is, and why Jeffrey deserves the "cool" votes he got. If we had to withhold our "cools" for those who we thought should *definitely win no matter what*, we'd lose a chance to discuss entries like this. That's why they have judges. Like grace said, Jeffrey might not win, but it doesn't mean he deserves harsh. (And tongue-in-cheek use of the phrase "little woman" doesn't make him any more deserving of harshness. In fact, I doubt he disrespects his girlfriend/spouse/whomever if he lets her keep her beads around despite their (oh! the humanity!!!) supposed lack of aesthetic appeal.)

Once I get off this soapbox, I am going to cover it in pretty upholstery and decorate my apartment with it. Have a nice weekend, everyone.

I'm with you, Karenw! Very well put!

Well, I shouldn't continue this at all, but I will. I agree with Karenw, of course, and with everyone here who has talked about people being brave for entering, and keeping things positive.

I didn't say that Jeffrey deserved the "harsh" comments. I said I didn't think he minded them, and I got that impression because he felt free to use the phrase "little woman"--clearly a joke, I agree.

I'm not sure what is so harsh about the criticism that's been voiced so far. Frankly, I'd rather hear the honesty.

This space reminds me of a book called Tokyo- a certain style (actually there is supposed to be a colon where the dash is) which documents 100 tiny, mostly cluttered spaces. Many of them still manage to have a design sense that is lacking here. I love that spaces can be measured by the number of tatami mats that fit in them.

Smallest = Winner. Hands-down.
Coolest = Perhaps, for a dorm room.

How about we make this entry a winner for "Best Effort" and leave it at that?

What this apartment lacks is good design.

And no, you don't need a degree in architecture or a huge budget to understand design sensibility.

Compared to a lot of these others and other ones I've seen personally I'm not sure this is at all a contender. Sorry dude.

Yeah, it's a dorm room. Even though it's creatively laid out, it's still too much stuff.

The patio is a cool feature, though not really creatively set up or aesthetically pleasing for probably the best feature of this little closet.

I'd definitely try to find a more functional creative way to hide the clutter. But kudos for making what should be an unliveable space liveable.

Love seeing real spaces, though this one did feel a bit depressing to me. Way to go Jeffrey for entering! And I agree with KarenW. My tiny studio apartment could use plenty of work! And I don't have a kitchen sink so I've had to get creative there. I'm saved by exposed brick walls and a non-working fireplace though. They add instant charm & cozy and I get away with not having a design background. I'm learning a lot from this site and all of you though. Thanks!

They do have their dorm room points.

OUTDOOR DECK:
I really like the suggestions about fixing up the balcony. I think i remember a green floor, not sure. how about getting two terracotta large plant holders and two big trees inside them-even fake ones. How about little white christmas lights on the railings in a simple line around the top edge. good idea about getting some outdoor furniture. get something hardy. nothing that will rust or fly off the roof though. maybe a nice small table and 4 sitting up chairs for entertaining. don't get a wire iron paris bistro set that is off balance, get something more modern.

INSIDE:
GET RID OF LOFT BED:
Yes, with a loft bed, you get under the bed desk space-true. But, how a bout a regular bed in that space? Your partner and you would probably appreciate avoiding the climb and being so close to the ceiling. I know it wastes space. How about a couple of under the bed storage containers. Get a double bed with a headboard and nice four pillows and comforter. Get a platform bed bc it has more lift and gives apartment room. don't get one of those high off the floor captains beds-too 80's.

Desk:
How about a narrow desk against one wall-think vertical for all your desk related and organization needs.

Get rid of the futon. Looks to dormlike. Ugly, young. And, instead, just sit on the bed or have one small chair for a guest. Just put a comforter on the bed, so if you make bed, you can sit on that.

Black wire clothes shelf:
maybe you are using it as a divider-seems to hold a lot of clothes. try to donate some. It seems like it is in a bad location. Try some pieces that are narrower, not so wide, and higher and more vertical! Make storage vertical not your bed. no need to sleep up high and have desk in a cave.

BTW, i used to live in a 325 sq ft studio, of one kitchen, wc, tub in kitchen, cut with two bedrooms. i had loft and tore it down.

think more organized. cover your storage. don't keep it exposed. throw stuff out. decorate a bit. keep as much as possible off floor. floor should only have bed, desk, wall unit closet organizer. and not much more.
good luck.
tell me what you think of my suggestions

Storage:
try to