Favorite Resource: For inspiration, British magazine "Living Etc." and Italian magazine "Casa Facile". For actual purchasing I'm in the same boat as the general populace: IKEA/Crate&Barrel/Vintage stores.
(Note: Trish submitted to the competition but it was lost during the server mess. We are happy to post her now. If YOU submitted and didn't hear from us, let us know. We didn't mean it and we'd love to post you.)
My home is swell because it used to be a store ages ago... I'm blessed with large windows, high ceilings and a private entrance. Alas, not much space though. I installed a new ceiling, floor, and bathroom (even designed the mosaic tile!) Knocked down a bit of wall too, to brighten the kitchenette.
Since I work at home (coloring comics) keeping things tidy but fun is a must. A trunk doubles as a coffee table. Flat boxes for under-bed storage. An old subway exit light always grabs attention from visitors. It's a work in progress, but I adore my wee place. Trish
Shame the link doesn't work. I'd like to take that tour.
Fixed. sorry about that. M
Where'd you get the TinTin bathmat?
Joan- I got the TinTin bathmat from a great comics store in Paris named Album (6th arr.) It's got a number of small nifty home items. There's a store here in NYC called Karikter that sells similar items... on Prince between Mott & Elizabeth.
Trish, Lovely place. Can You PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE tell me where to find that Tintin bathmat?
In exchange I will let you take a look at my collection of Tintin (mostly first edition, I did say MOSTLY).
still cant get it - sends me to mac site instead. what am i doing wrong?
Cool, thanks! And I did mean to say that I really like your place.
Awesome place. Very nicely done. You manage to have a lot of stuff without it looking cluttery or cramped.
I love it!
The bathroom is perfect. Love the cabinet, sink, and art. What great ideas (the bathmat and the photo of your bldg.)
Great job!
what a great place. did you install the flooring yourself?
also, where'd ya get that bike rack?
The sink is amazing. I'm afraid to ask the price...because if you have to ask, you can't afford it....
Your place is beautiful! What is the total square footage? I don't suppose you have a floorplan or any before photos? I'm having a little trouble figuring out how the whole place fits together or how much you changed it with your hard work.
Anyway, I love the whole place, especially the little bathroom sink, the exit light, the Tin Tin bathmat and the shelving--plenty of stuff on shelves and framed art on walls, but it still looks neat and not cluttered... Do you do all your comics work at the computer (i.e. did you not have to make space for a drafting table, etc)? I do the majority of my cartoon coloring work on the computer, but I had to make room in my bedroom for a drafting table as I still draw the cartoons by hand before scanning.
oops, ignore my question about square footage--it's already up. sorry.
Trish,
A great place indeed. Very clever bathroom and the sink is awesome. The kitchen is really cute - where did you get the island thingee?
Squixan- My Dad and brother-in-law helped me install the floor in a weekend. It was a little tricky because it was hard to find a straight line in the place! The bike rack is one of those giant hoos from IKEA's shelving/knob/closet department.
PPhillip- From what I remember the sink wasn't too terrible... somewhere around $350-$400? Overseas shipping added to the cost. It was definitely the one splurge item for the bathroom.
Mikhaela- I know it's hard to get a sense of the layout - I should've drawn a floorplan. It's an L-shaped stdio, with the front door in the bottom left corner of the "L". Standing inside the door and looking straight ahead is the kitchen and sleeping area. Looking over to the right is the living/work area.
I do all comic work on a Mac now. Two years ago I had to store away my favorite little drawing table that sat next to the window. I definitely believe in the feng shui principle of not facing a wall while you work - it makes me crazy. So I have my desk turned towards the window. It's not the best-looking situation right now... working to remedy that!
Kudos! I shall start rearranging my books so that they don't create a sense of clutter--something you have done wonderfully!
May I ask how much the kitchen island cost? It's truly fabulous!
Beautiful place Trish! You would have given the others a real run for the money in the "Smallest, Coolest..." contest.
Smart and sassy. I like.
Really nice... Seems to have a strong personal stamp on it! One suggestion. You should consider having more formal-looking drapes made for the sleep aclove. A simple white cotton canvas drape with french pleats, hanging from ceiling mounted hospital track. It would have more presence than the sheer you're currently using and add a nice formal element to the space. Plus the hardware wouldn't be exposed and it would block out more light when you sleep. Can't put my finger on why, but for me, the whole place seems to have a nice European feel to it.
Trish, you've done wonders with a duotone feel! Your place seems inviting, pretty, and comfortable. The commix connection is very stylish, I like how it relates to your work.
Terry- I forget exactly how much the steel table was. Maybe $200-$300? It came froma restaurant supply store in the Bowery. Bought it and threw it in the trunk of a cab.
Enrique- That sounds like a nice solution for the sleeping area. I actually hope to turn that nook back into the kitchen it apparently once was - there's capped gas and drain pipes sticking out of the wall. I'm dying for my first dishwasher. And we're allowed to have washer/dryers here. Thanks to AT, I've already planned on getting the ConServ fridge. By this time next year maybe I can re-enter the contest with a revamped place!
Wow..I love this place...and she colors comic books?
Trish....Marry me?
me of me inc. - Okay.
Wish you would've been a contestant. LOVE your place!...steels some ideas haha...
Thanks, Trish.
Wonderful place Trish! I love the whole shelving set up (the floating shelves, bookshelf, side cabinet). It looks great together and so organized. I am wondering where you got that side cabinet?
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that bathroom sink. All in all, a really nice apartment with clean lines. Bravo!
Beautiful apartment -- every detail reflects personality, style, great taste. I hope you enter the contest next year!
Your place is so smart and comfy looking. And you're a remarkably organized person--I know an artist who is forever struggling to organize his home, since his home is his workspace, too. (He whines that his place is tiny--only 700 square feet, twice the size of your place and more than three times the size of mine! I break out the air violin often when I talk to him.)
Lots of simple charm, love! the sofa and the clever kitchen. Wall decor looks not overly planned and natural. I've never seen a bathmat on a wall--great idea! Makes me think of Le Petit Abeille (sorry if spelled wrong) on 18th St.
Thanks for all the kind words, everyone! It makes the afternoon cleaning the apartment worthwhile.
Tara- The side cabinet is another IKEA purchase, from their BONDE line. I put casters on it -and most of my furniture- so I can rearrange things easier.
Honestly, I'm NOT organized. My work papers are often mixed in with my personal ones. And I'm an oversubscriber - the photos don't show the piles of magazines I've yet to sort out. Combine that with the big box of comics that arrives every month and... you get the picture. It's an ongoing battle to not drown in it all. I may have to sacrifice a flotaing shelf and get another desperately needed bookcase. But everyone's place is constantly in flux, right? Out with the old, in with the new...
Thanks Trish! I need to check out IKEA! I'm in the same boat as far as organization -oversubscriber and stacks of papers everywhere as well. You're place is awesome! (and you would never know about your organization problems by looking at it)
You color comic books for a living?
I want that job.
Love, love, love your place!
About the sink, do you remember the manufacturer or brand name or model numberr by any chance?
What a gorgeous place! I love stainless steel.
Wow, I was just mindlessly surfing when I got to AT and... hey! There's my front door! There's my coat! Fun to see this again at the end of 2005.
Monika- I *think* the manufacturer was Robern, but I can't recall the model name/number. These types of sinks are MUCH easier to find now than when I was looking. A good source to start browsing is http://www.homeportfolio.com. Plus do a ton of Googling and you never know where it will lead.
I'd like to make some changes to the apartment - just can't seem to get it configured right, especially the work area. If all goes well I'll re-enter "Smallest Coolest". Happy New Year all!