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#38 - Ellen Overcomes Murphy's Law

Name: Ellen
Location: Upper West Side, NYC
Size & Type: 365 sf Studio

Favorite resource: My father -- he can make practically anything

Pitch: My studio has two rooms – a kitchen/dining area and a living room. The previous owner used the living room for her bedroom, the alcove for an office. I wanted all three. The alcove's opening fit a full-size mattress, but piston-action Murphy Beds need more space for hardware...

 
 

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Pitch Cont'd: Unless I tore out a closet, the bed's cabinet couldn't have a wall on one side. My traditional Murphy Bed's cabinet is designed with a top and one wall only, and four paneled doors that fold away. On the other side, a shelf-desk and shelves, with discreet holes for electric cords.

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Your favorite element: I have windows in both the front and back. The cross-breeze is so good, I didn't use a/c last summer.

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Comments (40)

I think this is a lovely space. The style feels very American - in the best way. It has a nice, clean airy feel to it that is unexpected in such small square footage. I can't wait to see more!

Can your dad adopt me?

posted by Alex in DC on May 3rd 2007 at 12:09pm
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Ditto. And kudos and good luck.

posted by Terry on May 3rd 2007 at 12:20pm
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Well done. Love the colors you've chosen.

posted by sharki on May 3rd 2007 at 12:22pm
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What a clever use of space. Way to think outside the (Murphy hardware-holding) box.

posted by polina on May 3rd 2007 at 12:28pm
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Very nice. I like your colors, decorating and spatial arrangement a lot.

posted by Downeast Suzy on May 3rd 2007 at 12:33pm
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Really creative use of space, well done!

posted by universal mod on May 3rd 2007 at 12:52pm
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Creative use of space, way to get the bed and an office into that little space!

posted by kate on May 3rd 2007 at 12:52pm
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Yeah, I want your Dad to adopt me too.

I could use a carpenter and my daughter could use a Grandfather ;-)

posted by MamaChilanga on May 3rd 2007 at 12:53pm
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This is awesome and so is your dad!

posted by k8luvsmicrobes on May 3rd 2007 at 12:54pm
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Wow...great work on getting that Murphy Bed to fit like that!

posted by Marie on May 3rd 2007 at 1:09pm
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I love it. Where did you get that Murphy bed?

posted by Michael Dumas on May 3rd 2007 at 1:37pm
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The white bookshelves need to be bridged over the door frame, it seems awkward. Also the white w/ the Raggedy Ann w/ the light wood makes it feel more like a child's room than an adult's apartment. Not saying it isn't cute, just that it's "not my thang".

posted by I Love Upstate on May 3rd 2007 at 2:02pm
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I think this is lovely. Your apt seems so inviting. Love the red walls. I also appreciate that you have books and photos all over your apt. Good luck.

posted by alexis on May 3rd 2007 at 2:04pm
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And the award for "Best Integration of a Murphy Bed" goes to...

Seriously, that's pretty ingenious. I always find Murphy beds to be a bit of "false space" generation. Until now.

To further maximize the space, get Dad crackin' on the opposite wall, with some sort of equally ingenious way to integrate the functions of the various cabinets into one seamless unit.

And I disagree about bridging the white cabinets above the door... AND the Raggedy Ann. No way does this look like a kid's room.

posted by patrick (the other one) on May 3rd 2007 at 2:22pm
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Thanks for the nice comments!

Oddly enough, I Love Upstate -- this is Ellen here -- my father really does want to bridge the bookshelves over the door frame, but I've resisted it. And I did wonder about leaving Raggedy Ann in the shot, but it's pretty much the only truly cutesy thing I own (from my childhood, natch; my mother made it), so I figured what the heck.

posted by EllenE on May 3rd 2007 at 3:05pm
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Clever solution. What paint did you use?

posted by Babette on May 3rd 2007 at 3:11pm
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very classic and American, all in the best way! really, this isnt my style, but i find myself wanting to live there. love the Murphy bed-- cant wait to see more photos!

**the tall basket on top of the Murphy bed...where's it from??**

voting finalist...

posted by my little apartment on May 3rd 2007 at 3:22pm
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Fantastic use of color that makes the space appear larger while creating a very intimate feel. Genius idea and construction of the bed (did your Dad do the shelves as well? Maybe he could just be my godfather, huh?)

posted by stinaballerina on May 3rd 2007 at 3:28pm
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The colors rock. And three cheers for Ellen's dad!

posted by lawjlg on May 3rd 2007 at 3:34pm
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Great job! Totally functional and looks great!

posted by Maureen on May 3rd 2007 at 4:04pm
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I usually don't like Murphy beds - but that is the best one I've ever seen. Simply amazing use of the space. Your colors are very beautiful too, and how lucky to have a cross breeze!

posted by peggy on May 3rd 2007 at 4:10pm
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If that green paint color asked me to marry it, I would say, "I do."

posted by jessica on May 3rd 2007 at 4:21pm
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I love this. It reminds me of my RI college dorm where I put my (twin) bed in my closet and all the other girls copied me. Also, the green in the living room is delicious- warm and welcoming and cozy- and not at all cold! Great job!

posted by MaryV on May 3rd 2007 at 4:32pm
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but wait - can you squeeze into the office with the bed down? now that would be very cool because i can imagine not hiding the bed away 99.99999% of the time and leaving it like it is.

posted by jens on May 3rd 2007 at 5:58pm
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The murphy bed office combo is amaizing.

posted by Xeno on May 3rd 2007 at 6:03pm
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I love this space. You did an amazing job! What color and brand is that green paint? I love it and think I want it for my own!!

posted by carla on May 3rd 2007 at 6:32pm
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That green is indeed gorgeous!

posted by Violetsrose on May 3rd 2007 at 11:42pm
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Brilliant use of space! I especially love the colors on the walls, the design of the bookcases and the sconces. I'm definitely going to copy. Thanks, Ellen.

posted by jillinnyc on May 4th 2007 at 1:41am
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That desk looks so cozy. I find myself wishing I had a nook quite that neat to work in.

posted by carrier on May 4th 2007 at 1:59am
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BRAVO to you on the Murphy Bed, and to your Dad, who is obviously a genius. Your bed/bedroom solution is excellent, which is clearly worthy of smallest/coolest recognition of SOME kind.

For me, though, the living room is a bit of a let-down after that - I think P2 is right about the need for an integrated storage solution, and I think that the sconces, art, accessories, and single green wall just aren't working hard enough for you...

Also, have you tried placing the sofa on the green wall? It might really open the living room up if it's feasible.

Just explaining why I've got you as "Cool, Has Potential" - but again, you'd definitely get my vote for smallest/coolest bedrooms! Great job (and great pink paint)!

posted by helloat on May 4th 2007 at 2:06am
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This is such a great apartment --classic, yet completely updated. Smart but not screaming for attention; welcoming and comfortable, yet sophisticated -- and agreat multi-use of space. The red wall is both warm and bright; the green wall cool and relaxing -- and both colors complement the natural wood (again simple, classic, yet updated) furniture. Raggedy Ann isn't my thing, either, but she's perfect in this apartment -- classic Americana, a token of an idyllic childhood (your mom made it!), rustic in the city -- and it lends the perfect amount of personal to the clean calm f the decor. Really genius.

posted by ddebb on May 4th 2007 at 4:52am
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I love it. Amazing use of space. The bed office solution is genius. Lucky you with a dad that can do that! I love the color. I hope we get to see the kitchen/dining area.
If available, I would move into this cozy comfy cool small in a heartbeat.

posted by kateq on May 4th 2007 at 5:42am
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Great use of space! Seems so light and airy for a Manhattan apt. The birght, happy colors give it a real boost.Your dad is a true craftsman. Especially love the tv cabinet.

posted by dandaman on May 4th 2007 at 7:35am
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It reminds me of Thomas Jefferson's alcove bed.

posted by mary catherine on May 4th 2007 at 12:42pm
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this is one of the most creative uses of space i've seen yet. and a murphy bed that looks good! nice job!

posted by gretchenalexis on May 4th 2007 at 1:14pm
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Love it! Cool greens and warm books. I can feel a well-crafted paragraph coming on just looking at that orderly desk. The fold-up bed is beautifully fitted in. Definite winner.

posted by MRBelsize on May 5th 2007 at 4:55am
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I LOVE what you (And your Dad) have done with the apartment! The Murphy bed was a terrific idea. The color choices are warm and inviting and you still have an organized office area! I was lucky enough to have met your Dad since I was the real estate agent that sold you this apartment! Please tell him "He Rocks"!(smile) PattiB, Sotheby's Int'l Realty

posted by PattiB on May 5th 2007 at 5:49am
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Perfectly gorgeous!

Unfortunately I have a fear of Murphy Beds. I'd expect it to close up while I'm sleeping. I think I might have seen that in an I Love Lucy episode, or something, and it scarred me for life.

I'm wondering too: are those book cases custom? Or are they standards bought somewhere?

posted by GothamTomato on May 11th 2007 at 8:44am
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Ellen, please come back on and tell us what green paint you used for the living room! It is the exact shade I want for my new digs. I registered on this site just to ask. Help a sister out!

posted by janbrady on May 11th 2007 at 10:18am
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Any studio with a Murphy Bed is a winner with me.

I needed a home office/living/bedroom space as well, and since I work from home, I needed the bed concealed so I wasn't tempted to take mid-day naps. My boss would be so pissed! Ha!

Check out pics:

http://www.dcrinteriors.com

posted by DCR Interiors on June 2nd 2008 at 6:29pm
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