apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I love the shelves and storage built up in the old attic area. This is pure design, it may not be pure stylish furniture et. al., but a brilliant use of a very small bungalow.
Of course, I want more pictures; especially the bathroom, exterior, etc.
Also, from a design perspective; I would have opened such a small space up to the outdoors much more in order to stretch the space. Of course, you may not have much of an outdoor area or view worth stretching into. I also have a different perspective on such matters since I live in a much warmer climate than Buffalo.

Awesome storage solution. I can see how a DWR gift card could make this place even more impressive. Very nice entry!

I love the bookcases. I've always wanted a rolling ladder like that and it's even more impressive you were able to design and build it yourself. Although I'm not an architect, I'm an industrial designer and I'd love to eventually gut a house and renovate it as well. You could use some help with the bedspread, though. Is that a heart on it? Yikes.

"Work with what you have, and if you can’t, demo it, just not all of it."

Haha! That's my motto!

I like this, and I want to know what you used on your floors for that dark brown. THis looks like a nice and cozy place, great lighting and storage - and room for a big old lab!!

There's a lot to like here, very thoughtful use of the space. But, isn't this supposed to be a contest about apartments, not houses? It looks like the last few entries have been houses. It seems like the scenario of an architect gutting the inside of a house, tearing out the ceiling, etc., is entirely different from that of an aparment-dweller, both in terms of opportunities and limitations. A small-house contest would be cool... maybe that could be next?

Not to take anything away from 4 CM&P (is that someone's name or a company?) -- he/they did a great job here, I like it a lot.

Wouldn't it make more sense if the fridge doors opened on the other side? Boy, that must be an annoyance when cooking.

Other than a few things, like the acknowledged missing trim, a more private sleeping area, and maybe at least one storage solution, you've got a very attractive place.

Sorry mean to say "clothing storage solution." obviously that library is a solution well in an of its own. .. but then I notice that you actually keep your clothes up there, and am suddenly stunned.

This is quite a success, but my favorite part is the lighting. And actually I like the books being up there for some reason.

We now have another difference between East and West...as a Californian all I can think about is tumbling books during an earthquake!

Otherwise, great solution and well done, ditto on loving the lighting.

Go Buffalo (just could not resist)! I lived in Buffalo for a few years and really came to love it.
Great lighting and a really warm space.

Hooray Buffalo. I grew up in Bflo & I have to say I've never seen anything quite so "modern"in style there...is this in the city or burbs?

Love the shelving/books solution & the lighting.

Damn, another insta-finalist! I particularly like the contrasting floor planks used to help define the bedroom space, the paneling surrounding the bathroom, and the overhead storage... I don't envy the judges' task of narrowing down the field for the finals.

So damned smart. I love it. I would love to see a bed/covering/quilt or duvet that reflects the rest of the style you have going on - something so sophisticated - I can't really tell what is going on with the desk/bed area...The captain's chair at the desk painted red is cute, and cuteins up an otherwise freaky old chair that no one really likes anymore...Cute Doggie!

I'm dying to know: where do those stairs lead to?!?!?!

I love the mini-attic storage!
(Though, I would love sliding panels
to cover it all-)

where did you get the track and ladder?!
Also the tracks for your sliding panels-
I would love to know, since I'm hoping to undertake a similar project sometime soon..

would love to see a shot of the exterior.

That's so hot. I've always wanted a library with a ladder.

Great Job!!! I especially love the floors, were they stained by you, or where they purchased that way?

It is about time Buffalo was noticed for its creativity. Buffalo is a great place to live and us life-long residents enjoy the fact that the younger generation are staying and making a go of it here. Beautiful place - can't wait to see what the next one looks like!!!! Keep up the great work.

The first thing my eye went to was the red captains chair. I have three of them and think they are the greatest

A small, modenist gem, a perfect urban-writer's cabin. Of course the custom designed/built ladder completes the picture. Great job and nice to see an example of good design on a limited budget.
Best,
Fabio

nice! how long were you working on it? looks really dope.

Excellent work. Great job with the marquetry on the floor, as well as the sliding ladder.

What a beautiful cozy space to spend a chilly Buffalo night or an open sophisticated area to entertain friends & family! I absolutely love the versatility, the hardwood floors and lighting. An INSTA-FINALIST all the way. Great Job!

I love this. Especially the small library up top and the additional storage. The living room area seems a bit iffy and the bedroom oversized for th espace. Maybe switch them around. I suspect the furniture in the living area will get much better when you win which I think you will.

I really love this (and I know I've said it before).

I think that anyone who is critical about this being a house and therefore not qualifying should think about it - like an apartment or a condo, a house has a basic set of walls and doors and floors - while it's true that some houses could expand to take up more space, this is a great configuration within the exisiting walls - not that much different than the people who have 15' ceilings and build in a loft area. Kudos for maintaining the small footprint, and not feeling the need to go bigger, even when it could be more feasible.

And still, I realy really want to know about the dark brown floors: paint or stain?

Love the look of the place, but:

>

I find this much less inspiring as a "smallest coolest," knowing that you've racked up enough debt to merit comment. Any design challenge can be solved by throwing enough money at it. It's so much more motivating when people solve a design challenge within their budget.

Thanks for all the nice comments everyone. A few answers are: the hardwood floors were bought at an auction ($1.50 a square foot)and are pre-stained hickory (Ebony stain). Work on the house took over a year and is ongoing. The terrible bedspread was a Christmas present created by me for Mike. I made it out of old sweaters, so come on, cut me some slack!

As far as the house being less inspiring because we're in debt, I understand where you're coming from, however, it's all relative. From start to finish our entire renovation was completed for what some people spend on a classy sofa set. The cabinetry began as a pile of birch wood, the countertops came from a bag of concrete. We didn't hire contractors and we tried to make smart, money saving choices along the way. The birch plywood wall that surrounds the bathroom, is completely detachable and makes for easy access to the plumbing, and was equivalent in price to hanging drywall. The custom front door was made (again, by Mike) for under $300; a nice store bought door would have set us back anywhere from $500 to $800.

The debt comes from two people fresh out of school who have no budget, but feel passionate about architecture and showing what can be done, not only with a small space, but an existing space. Though, believe me, it would have been nice to stay within our means, "within our budget" would have bought us some shelving from IKEA.

So please, be inspired, this project was a labor of love, completed through months of hard work, done on weekends, at 3am, whenever we had a spare second around our paying jobs. It gave Mike endless and invaluable lessons in construction, wood-working, design, and yep, even budget. The debt? Let us worry about the that.

Am I to understand that everything must be paid for to be considered cool or inspiring?
J, I am sure it is lovely to live exactly within one's means. But it is immodest to brag about it.

CM&P

What a motivating project! Knowing how much of the work is custom designed and built makes it all the more inspiring. A true labor of love.

MG&B (Detroit)

PS: I think the bedspread is sweeeet. Don't be such a design snob. Who doesn't like hearts?!

I saw this house in the beginning. Whats been accomplished is remarkable!!!! I think the bedspread is cute too.

Hiram and J

between the two of you you've zero-ed in on what I find to be a huge flaw in this contest - it should have an expense-range limit in addition to the limit on sq/ft. I realize even then it still wouldn't be totally free of this problem but still much, much fairer than this current hodgepodge of zillionaire budget renovations and starving artist boheme-pads

I love this.

I too, love this. I am so proud that fellow WNYers are investing their time and skill (yes, the ladder, the doors!) in our fair city. And by the flurry (sorry) of let's go Buffalo style comments.

I wonder though did you do this with thought more towards long-term livability or resale?

Living in a rental, I really envy you being able to do renovations! I love the rolling stairs (always wanted one!) and the bookshelves and wardrobe suspended above the living space. And the lighting solutions are smart, effective and unobtrusive. I think you've done very well.

I missed this one before the end of the judging, but I would have voted for you! I am so stealing the idea for the "loft" bookshelves! It's a perfect solution for my coverted garage/office/laundry/room-from-hell. The issue about credit card debt is just silly. You've obciously rebuilt this with a lot of thought and creativity. That's what this is about.

...and best of luck with your design career(s)!!!

As many posters above, grew up in Buffalo (now in Brooklyn) and love what you've done. Don't think you answered on the whereabouts of the home though, and I'm dying to know!

CORRIE AND MIKE I FOUND YOU! i can't wait to see the real thing.
xoZimmer

Hi,
I would love to write about your space and all the interest in it here at this great site for Buffalo Rising Magazine. Get in touch if you're interested. charlie@buffalorising.com