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Small Cool Extras: Miwa + Kevin's Pop-Up Mansion

Name: Miwa + Kevin
Location: Greenwich Village, NY
Size & Type: 380 sf 1 Bedroom for couple, cat and robot dog

Favorite resource: Greene St., Soho

Pitch: Moving two apartments into one is a big challenge. Simple things like the placement of the cat's litter box, or where to store the big rice cooker become major design decisions...

5.08miwa2.jpg

Pitch Cont'd: Our apartment has no space for a formal dinning table, so I designed and fabricated a coffee/dining table. It utilizes a pop-up hinge mechanism to extend and retract when needed.

I created a yellow accent wall in the bed room, which displays hand-made, small scale objects. This acts as a pseudo headboard, and adds a sense of depth to the apartment when viewing the bright color from the living room.

5.08miwa3.jpg

Your favorite element: My favorite element(s) is the series of furniture pieces (three pieces) in our living room, which I designed and fabricated. The really helps to tie the room together.

5.08miwa4.jpg

Comments (20)

where's the poll? This is an outstanding apartment.

posted by JonD on 2007-05-08 16:36:35
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poll is closed.

what is up with the lack of pictures? i'm tired of the teasing. no posting these apartments unless we get to see at least 5-6 pics. out of these 3 pics one is of the coathooks? the place looks fantastic and i want to see more!

posted by willshen on 2007-05-08 16:41:30
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Willshen - the contest rules indicated 3 pix only. But I do agree that the contest would be better if submissions could include at least 2 or 3 more pictures. I agree with you - it really does feel like a tease.

posted by Harley on 2007-05-08 16:48:38
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Please tell/show us more about the pop-up table! It's such a clear need, and I'd love to learn more.

posted by helloat on 2007-05-08 16:55:31
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Harley,

I'm pretty sure this one's just a "Small Cool Extra," not eligible for the competition, so I, too, wonder why the three-photo rule is in effect...

posted by Leah Hannah on 2007-05-08 17:22:42
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...because people thought they were entering the contest and only sent 3 photos.

posted by wende in phoenix on 2007-05-08 17:31:46
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i don't see anything particularly outstanding about a hallway with hooks, the living room seems unablanced.. everything is pushed off to one side and it appears cramped

posted by apmc on 2007-05-08 18:03:14
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Love that yellow wall and the pops of color!

What is the name of the yellow paint and where can I get it?

posted by sebastian on 2007-05-08 18:54:39
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ampc: all your comments that you have posted have been negative. My question is: what is the criteria to be a judge?... These two "cut" entries exhibit much more style, panache, and creativity than many of the the other entries that "made it", especially the DIY fabricated furniture, use of color, and the narratives from the owners.

posted by bustersbest on 2007-05-08 18:57:53
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I am just a sucker for a cat in a space... and I fancy the "Vitamin D" walls in the chambre à coucher!

posted by *Terramia* on 2007-05-08 23:11:31
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the lack of pics sucks

posted by msjessica on 2007-05-09 07:12:09
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Doesn't do anything for me. Just regular.

posted by Socool on 2007-05-09 07:26:58
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The picture with the coats in it is a nice way to solve "where to put your stuff when you've just entered the apartment" problem. that long entry hallway would be tough for anyone to figure out what to do with it!

I love this little place and I wish it could be in the contest. D:

posted by Jamie on 2007-05-09 09:30:26
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I hate it when a person enters this contest and everyone talks about something besides their apartment! (I'm also maddened by the 3-picture limitation, though. It almost makes me not want to look at the submissions.)

Is that kitchen a sort of celadon/chartreuse color? It looks terrific in the peek we get of it. And bravo for designing and building your own furniture! I once built a day bed: to make a long story short, it is now featured in the basement, piled high with boxes. I don't know how you did it.

I can't make out what's leaning against the bookcase or room divider in the living room. What is it?

I envy your living in the Village!

posted by Aulaire on 2007-05-09 09:39:32
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I'm curious about where you did put the kitty litter ... it has become my new obsession as I prepare to move into a brand new condo and really don't want it to be front and centre in the bathroom.

posted by Nitethyme on 2007-05-09 10:08:41
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new york should have its own contest

posted by chobot on 2007-05-09 10:41:38
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LOVE the bedroom! The yellow is fantastic!

...but come on now... it's not right to tell us you live with a robot dog, but you only show a cat. Adorable as the cat may be, I really want to see the dog.

Since you're not really in the contest, please post a Flickr link with more photos!

P.S. Did I mention how much I love the bedroom? Kudos!

posted by Rob in PDX on 2007-05-09 12:20:10
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That is an excellent question - where does the litter box go in a small spaces area? I would say that most of the floor space in my bathroom is devoted to the litter box...ugh.

posted by theninthcloud on 2007-05-09 15:10:31
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If we could solve the litterbox problem, we could probably solve all the world's other problems next. Theninthcloud, don't you love getting out of the shower and stepping on the scattered litter the cat inevitably tracks out? A friend of mine constructed and painted a cardboard Gothic castle that fit over the litter box. It had a lowered drawgate (entry ramp) and a sally port for the cat to enter. He had it in his living room, where it was charming. But it was still a $*%#*!&! litter box.

Perhaps they'll invent an operation to Disneyfy pets so they have no bungholes. Meanwhile, please, someone invent another solution?

posted by Aulaire on 2007-05-11 11:13:52
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Studies show that the color "Yellow can create feelings of frustration and anger. While it is considered a cheerful color, people are more likely to lose their tempers in yellow rooms and babies tend to cry more in yellow rooms." I would cry too. I likes the rest of the apartment!

posted by west212 on 2007-05-11 22:11:44
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