
Name: Jack
Location: Times Square
Size: 140 sqft studio rental
Years lived in: 8 years
It was over a year and a half ago that we last had the pleasure of a peek into Jack's micro home. Since, then, if you look very closely, you will see many changes have taken hold...

Try to imagine Jack's changes in the context of the space with which he has to work. When Jack replaces a piece of artwork, or adds a new cutting board to his kitchen, it is as transformative if not moreso than the owner of a 2000 sqft home building a second garage!
Jack sees every single element of his apartment, down to a single spoon in his silverware tray, as an aesthetic opportunity. Jack doesn't have the luxury or desire to fill his home with decorative elements that are not also functional. "A spoon is something I can see from my bed," says Jack. Therefore, "it's something I want to make sure I like to look at. It has to be good."
Each new thing Jack brings into his home is carefully considered for its potential to be multipurpose. Jack doesn't buy sugar because it takes up room and he knows he doesn't add sugar to anything. He doesn't use butter, so that's more space saved! At home, he only steams vegetables. Vegetables are usually wonderful colors so they contribute to the color palette of his home while there.
These are strict acquisition criteria, but the result is a space in which Jack is able to thrive.
Jack's Survey:
Style: Monk
Inspiration: Less is More
Favorite Element: My big yellow metal E
Biggest Challenge: Not having a bathroom door
What Friends Say: “Wow, it looks so airy!”
Biggest Embarrassment: Not having a bathroom door
Proudest DIY: Making it look airy
Biggest Indulgence: My big yellow metal E
Best Advice: Less is more
For all House Tours, click here!
WOW!!! It takes a lot of discipline to live in a space that tiny. Great space......... and looks very comfortable.
view ro1's profile
jack has goggles. lol. i could ask why, but i wont.
view SD913's profile
"Jack has decided to keep the walls white because he thinks that it creates a sense of infiniteness. Coloring a wall would make it feel less open and Jack can't afford to do that!"
It's a misconception that an all white space always feels larger and adding color will make it feel smaller. In actuality, painting a single wall a color can give the effect of that wall receding, actually making the space feel larger.
view Daily Nuance's profile
140 square feet? Boy, I really gotta hand it to you New Yorkers, you certainly are willing to make sacrifices. I wish I had that kind of devotion to a city.
view complicatedshoes's profile
It's also a misconception that everybody would find colored walls more interesting to live with than white walls.
Some of us find that white walls offer the most neutral or serene backdrop for our homes and that any color can come from the furniture, accessories and other accoutrements.
view Downeast Suzy's profile
I forgot to say, that I love Jack's apartment - thought it was clever, aesthetic, and practical before and am happy to see that it has remained so, even with his changes.
view Downeast Suzy's profile
Jack - I love your home! It's great to see how small changes can make a big difference. The punches of color that you've added lately are great.
view bumblebeechicago's profile
ComplicatedShoes: He lives in the space because its a low cost living situation for artists that live in new york.
view Jamie's profile
I love your E! Nice changes, Jack.
view oklagirl's profile
Both times I've seen this place, I think to myself, "Do I really need so much stuff?" And my place is 300 sq. ft.!
view Melinda's profile
Impressive paring-down of non-essentials without being starkly minimalist.
So...without an oven, what does the rolling pin get used for?
view mikeinkansascity's profile
Great space. Oppressively small for me, but I still love what you've done with it.
view otis's profile
The most amazing thing is that Jack hasn't even used up all the possible storage spaces. (A bookcase, for example, could fit to the right of the door.) Somehow, it looks minimalist, not sparse.
view LauraE's profile
TOKYO! I love the view from his window from the last posting. What a very monk way to live. Kudos!
view clatimer07's profile
design-wise, fabulous place. i loved the selection of silverware. and then i had to go outside for awhile to get rid of my claustrophobia.
view ung's profile
Cupcakes and bourbon are my kind of kitchen essentials!
This is seriously inspiring me to do some pairing down.
view small clever rooms's profile
Great to revisit Jack's apartment! Great to see Jack! There's something about this place that makes me think of it often..it would certainly make my "most memorable" list if I had one. I think it represents the very essence of all the concepts featured on this site, which could (in the wrong hands) be a minimalist stereotype. Yet Jack has used the principles to create a space with a strong identity of its own.
view Careen's profile
Jack, next time you feel like redecorating, consider a spiffy little Bodum french press coffeemaker--you can give up the paper filters. And did your space shrink 20 sqft?
view southender's profile
this is one of the most inspiring spaces i've seen on at.
view greengelato's profile
Can't someone renovating give Jack a bathroom door? Maybe a pair of narrow doors? As a belated birthday present? As a prize for living in the smallest apartment ever?
view Deb of Oz's profile
I'm obsessed with that wall organizer. Just wish they weren't $400.
view meganificent's profile
For the life of me I can't remember the name of the red rolling storage thingie he has. can anyone help me out?
view nurseyface's profile
WOW!!! This is beyond impressive!!! I'm obsessed and in love with small, intimate, precise and organized spaces, but I could never have imagined anyone living and surviving in this tiny apartment. Actually, what am I saying; there are millions of people living in smaller quarters around the world. Jack, you have a fabulous micro-home! Amazing job! How about a sheer white curtain for the bathroom, at least to give an illusion of privacy?
view Julia in DC's profile
Those utensils are amazing. Where do they come from?
view marlo's profile
WOW !! I absolutely love this apartment ! Kudos to the owner. Definitely one of my all time favourites. it surely feels airy and homely, even though it's a small space. I also find the selection of household items incredibly lovely & working great together. I especially like the combination of the Brown/ Black/ cream of the Oldenburg poster with the red/ organgey accents of the trolley and cupboard. But the office chair & the pencil holder are drool worthy too.. Great job !
Hey nurseyface:
The red storage trolley is the Boby by Joe Colombo for the Italian firm Bieffeplast
http://www.designmatcher.com/nl/gallery_detail.php?galleryID=945
view Hana's profile
I was thinking of a heavy velvet curtain (privacy issues) hung by a tension rod or a felt door that I think Max had - could work nicely for the bathroom.
view VickyA's profile
Great work living the anti-consumer lifestyle, Jack. Very impressive, environmentally friendly way to live.
view VLADCOLE's profile
I would have liked to see more of the space than the actual little details of the contents.
Regardless, props to you for making it work for yourself in such a small place.
view paulmuscat's profile
wow, impressive.
(another white wall person here ...)
view maike's profile
This is a really lovely place - so visually interesting. Does anyone know where to find such figurative coat racks?
view aboutpaint's profile
i love it! i could live with a kitchen like that. :)
view brookeb21's profile
Jack,
I continue to be impressed with your place every time it appears. Very well thought out, paired down, and expressive of your own personality. It has definitely improved over time.
I, too, would like to see more photos of the actual space rather than details.
FWIW, I am not sure felt or velvet would be a best choice for the bathroom door due to steam and humidity.
I used to live in a place this small and was never able to be as disciplined as you are. Kudos.
view schleppster01's profile