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theme-y

I love it - I think the nautical theme is great and it just works for me.

I don't think this is theme-y. If this was theme-y, we'd probably see an anchor and a fishing net on one wall, with clamshells glued to it. I only see one ship in there, and the rest I just think of as the home of someone who likes the color blue a lot. I love the loft bed and the walk in closet.

A little too dark for me! I do like that each area/room is connected to the other as far as the design goes.

I think it's great--I don't personally care for dark blue, but I think it works here because it's done so confidently.

I'm not crazy about the color but I think the space is used incredibly efficiently. Impressive.

I'm feeling blue....just thinking of you!

This is SO not my taste, but still got a Super Cool:

a) This is SMALL space: 200sf? Some of the other entires have closets bigger than this.

b) you have made it work in a way that suits you, is bold - but not garish; full, but not cluttered. Dark? Yes. Specific? Sure - but still really, really cool.

SUPER WOW!

now that's a love boat! kudos for making a 200 sqft space feel like a cruise ship. maybe a bit much for day to day living, but it for sure creates great images. super cool.

Love the blue - I am so happy that jewel tones are a recent trend.
I would consider removing the boat - because of the colour, ladder, "bunk" bed and size its easy to appear boat themed, even if you aren't trying for that.

i really really love this! great use of space- amazing closet... everything just fits perfectly. great job! i think one of my favorites so far.

I'm conflicted on this one. Love the space, not sure about the decor. Can you stand up in the bedroom and closet? Did you build the loft sections yourself? Personally, I'd go for non-blue furniture if the walls are going to be blue (or vice versa)

Wow. Very cool. I like the blue. I would love to see the actual dimensions of the spaces shown on your floor plan though.

peacelily - the "SS" in SS Waverly is short for "Steam Ship"
so the theme was deliberate I am pretty sure.

P.S. boy do I wish I had such high ceilings - awesome!

It's not my style but I still think it's very small and very cool! Voted super cool.

Wow this is an incredible use of your limited space. Did you design the lofts yourself? I have a tiny studio in W Village as well and have the traditional loft bed didn't work for me but this is fabulous - now I'm thinking I could have a tiny workspace over my kitchen.

I was very hesitant at first, but this is great! The ceilings really worked in your favor.

The style/decor isn't my favorite, but in terms of use of space you've done a terrific job. 200 square feet isn't small, it is miniscule. Well done!

I love this. I do agree that the little boat pushes it over the top; take that out and it'd be perfection. Kudos for surviving and thriving in 200 sf.

I voted Super Cool! The style is so not mine, but this is a prime example of what this contest is all about. SMALLEST COOLEST!

I have so much appreciation for all that is crammed into such a space that is even smaller than my own. (I am envious of your kitchen). It doesn't feel like it is any where near as small as it is. Well done!

What a beautiful oasis. This is a great use of space, so lovely and warm.

I'm with the others on the nautical thing not being my bag, but the architecture is kickass!! It's so swiss family robinson!

great space

Like some of those before me have said, it's not my style but I can appreciate what you did with this space. Super cool.

Extremely creative solutions.

I would love an apartment like that. Can someone put me in contact with the management company????

I'm in the minority since I like the nautical theme -- it makes it a really memorable apartment. Is it what I would've done? Probably not. OK, definitely not. But I appreciate that he incorporated all the good things about living on a boat (efficiency, practicality and keeping things stowed) without the kitsch factor (the nets and clamshells, as spaceagemouse said). It's full of personality and color and looks like a great place to live, especially for being so tiny. Super cool!

This place is freakin' insane!!! It is so small and so livable!

Unbeliveable use of space - major kudos to you. Even if everyone doesn't like the theme - it isn't about that - it all works perfectly. Super Cool for you.

i wish my studio was like this!

I think the theme fits because the architecture is very boat-like. It has a reason for being. This is amazing use of space. Super-cool!

Does Popeye and Olive Oil live here?

this apartment and use of space is absolutely fantastic! it would take me 20 minutes longer in the morning to get ready, walking down and up stairs a few times... but it would be totally worth it! super cool!

Wow. This is really incredible. And I agree with the others, although the whole color and theme isn't really my style, I still absolutely love it.

I lived on a boat for years and I know how important it is to make good use of space. This space is SO cleverly done and the space is SO well-used, that it leaves everyone in the dust as far as I am concerned.

Seriously... this is a great space. The boat reference is completely appropriate because the only other 200 sq. ft. living space I have ever seen used so efficiently IS a boat. The "theme" is apparent, but I don't think it's overly done... the Jonathan Adler bedding, danish modern chairs, cowhide on the floor, and great round coffee table are not nautical items by any means, and yet they totally create a cohesive design WITH the nautical elements. Though it might not be everyone's personal taste, this home is certainly an inpiration to find one's style and create a home which reflects it.

The space is great and well-used, but I just don't like the elements. Some of them rub me the wrong way. The cone lights and the bar stools especially aren't working for me. And while I like blue, it feels too dark. I'm thinking that not all of the walls should be so dark. It's probably not just my style.

This is clearly a well-designed and comfortable space, but I'd be uncomfortable in it.

What a use of space. Awesome.

Though I'd likely go for white walls myself-- on the other hand, the amount of light here might make all the difference.

I really think it's incredible how you've managed to park everything you need in such a tiny space. You clearly have abundance without crowding, and creative decorative effects. I like that star over the ceiling light in the kitchen, with the pair of pendant lights with their wires cleverly disguised by paint for task work. Just a great wee kitchen. Great bedroom, it's like a perfect treehouse, awesome little seating area, it looks very comfortable and conversational.

You may not have everything you ever wanted in that space, but you used every inch to exquisite effect, without calling to attention how you have to limit your possessions when you live in a space this small. This apartment is less than half the size of the average entry in this contest, and proves you don't have to sacrifice and minimize to have a beautiful apartment that's small and functions.

And I love that color blue.

I really like this! Fantastic use of space AND it has style - fearless style.

if you ever move. feel free to tell me. i love your space and could do so much with it

interesting but not my style. too much going on and a bit theme-y. but i like that you went for what you want.

i like the white wall of photos by the stair. some parts i don't dig though.

the closet complete with ottoman made it supercool to me

not a fan of the color or the design, but still super cool because it's a great use of space and totally personalized

the bones are great, but it feels like a seafood place to me. but if you love it, great!

People, this space is NOT 200 square feet. Think about it. A bathroom is typically a minimum of 5' x 8' or 40 square feet. One glance at the plan and the pictures and it's very obvious this place is much larger than 200 sf! Still within the limits of the contest, yes, but 200 sf definitely NOT.

I agreee with kakatie that this small a space might as well be a boat, and to have a sense of humor about your space enough to embrace the HELL out of the smallness is quite fun. But, one thing I like about it is, that it's a fun version of blue, and yet it's dark enough to be kind of calming. That kind of thing is part of what makes this space genius.

But then again, I don't really think that a theme is such terrible horrible thing to start with.

I kind of agree with Daily Nuance about the not really being 200 sq ft., but there could just be a misunderstanding about how to measure for that. On the other hand, the high ceiling and loft spaces could be fooling us. Maybe it IS that small!

Regardless, I love this. A LOT.

It gets a super cool from me simply because I admire anyone who designates space in an apartment this tiny for a dressing room. Priorities, people! Priorities!

Love the colours, love the lofted areas, love the space. was the lofted spaces area included in the 200 sq. ft. measurement?

***sweeeeet!***

sweet indeed!

Rachel say, "Wow. This is really incredible. And I agree with the others, although the whole color and theme isn't really my style, I still absolutely love it."

Ditto.

Holy crap, you win.

Finally a TINY space! Great job in making it work for you!

This apartment is dreamy and it really is this tiny. I have been to the SS Waverly myself. Even though it is so small, you never feel cramped, the high ceilings and the tall blue walls makes the whole space feel as vast as the ocean! Ships Ahoy!!!

Amazing use of such a small space. Well thought-out design and though it's not my taste, the blue theme is very well executed. Super cool!

thar she blows!

consider my boat floated.


i predict this lil' tugboat will win this here Small Cool regatta...

I hate blue in rooms, but this is just out of this world!

I have to say, at first glance I didn't even notice the theme, I was just thinking WOW I want to live here.

Instant winner in my opinion.

I have to disagree with every one. Yes, the blue color does look nice but in general, the top picture just looks tacky. The chairs are old, the light shade cheap, the cushions are horrible and the carpet clashes. When I look at picture, I picture myself hitting my head on the light.

Mafan Green lasers rulz

The feelings I get from the pics are cluttered, unorganized and claustrophobic. I think the space could be amazing if it were simplified. And the blue, just does my head in.

This a testament to the clever use of space and great space planning. I lived in an apartment in Hong Kong that was the same size and it had terrible space planning. I wish they knew how to design small spaces like this to live in. Love the colored walls - I think the closet is half the space!

Karen

You automatically got a supercool from me before I even looked at your slideshow. What a great use of space! I love it.

Mezzanine heaven. I get the feeling that each room/space is really cool and cozy to hang out in. I like that the color blue ties everything together. And I love the photo you took for the first image. That might be the best photo of the whole contest.

Love the upper floors. Amazing.

super cool. I'm dying to come over and look around! You know who else would love it? Calvin and Hobbes -- it's so fort-y.

I agree with most everyone round here. The blue wouldn't be my choice but if someone invited me to a party and that is what I walked into, I would probably spend the night complimenting the host on his super cool digs. And I totally agree with kakatie, if you've ever lived or worked on a ship, you know when you get small space you have to make it live big! My hat's off to you, captain!

I absolutely LOVE it! You've made it so much cuter since I saw it. I think it may have been orange then. Way to go Matt, you should DEFINITELY win!

Under water feeling.

Even though its a theme room, its not overly done. Well done. I voted cool, only because I'm not a huge fan of the nautical theme, but I think you did a very nice job.

I too have been aboard the SS Waverly and it's as grand as a luxury ocean liner! In the words of it's creator it's AH-MAZING!

ditto to what Curtis said. I love a cheeky design.

this feels like an aquarium! an awesome one.
so... do you climb up separate stairs to sleep and dress? seems sort of weird but also fun.
supercool.

that just blew me away! literally! what a breath of fresh air! absolutely like nothing seen here before! totally unique! never seen blue in such dangerously sexy interpretation!

Winner!

So fun and funky. I love how there is a lot of personality in it. It's note my taste, either, but it's definitely super cool.

Talk about Small Cool! Such an intelligent apartment. In that kind of space, none of the classical strategies work. You can't make it feel light and airy just by using white paint. Way to reject the popular heuristics.

I have small apt with 12.5 ft ceilings - how much headroom do you have in the loft? It looks so correctly proportioned.

I am lovin' this space. I voted Super Cool and am chompin' at the bit to have similar rug. Where did you get it?? I see them often, but need a source.

Thanks and good luck.

another ditto for Curtis's comments, a hero for all admirers of originality and thoroughness. You sure did an 'Admiral' job yourselves.

I agree with the others that this is not my personal style but is VERY well done! Love the the closet nook!

Fantastic use of space! Love the loft closet and the fact that the nautical theme isn't too kitschy. The blue walls make it a bit dark for me (it may feel a bit more air-y with a lighter color and the painting kind of fades into the wall color rather than standing out) but the concept is fab. Best use of space that I've seen so far in a place so tiny. Cozy, but feels much bigger.

Not only is the SS Waverly the most innovative as far as how the space is used, but there clearly was an intelligent design choice within every inch of this apartment. Perfection.

"The chairs are old, the light shade cheap, the cushions are horrible and the carpet clashes."

Then isn't this the exact kind of entry that should win the contest?? As opposed to the many entries that are already totally furnished from DWR with the same signature pieces?

I think this entry is genius....great use of an actual *small* space.

"Our"? in a place this small? Wow!

I love the ship-shape theme. It's what I'm working on achieving in my own place: A theme without being too theme-y.

not my taste, but u nailed the look!

This is not my style, but undeniably (small and) super cool.

I like it but it feels vaugely cluttered to me.

Very cohesive, the sum is way more than the parts.

I believe the place is 200 sq ft or thereabouts - the first picture is a panorama and distorted, and thus looks a lot bigger. This really is 'small cool' - a lot of the entries are bigger than the average apartment in Amsterdam, but this one definitely isn't.

Amazing and Beautiful! Such a great use of such a small space. I love the artwork? Who is the artist who did the paintings? I want to hang out THERE.

The height of taste with a badass sense of humor. Well done.

this place is so phenomenally cool! i feel like paula abdul; i wanna stand up and applaud you -- it is so tacky and so mismatched with the craziest color choices and so much stuff in such a little space and not only did you make everything work you made it so HOT! my personal favorites are your headboard and dressing room! woo hoo - you ROCK!!

What a GLAM wardrobe in such a small space!!!!

The first photo of the sitting area is really great. A beautiful shabby-chic apartment!

SUPER DUPER COOL

LOVE IT,LOVE IT,LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could move in right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not my bag, AND super cool.

Good job.

some of the photos are amazing, the shots are just unbelievable. supercool.

Regardless of the size of the place constructive praise and criticism are due.
The plan is unbeatable with that high ceiling/loft creation.
But doing some homework on paint and color coordinating could really make this place a 'jaw-dropper'.
I really encourage you to go to the paint store and bring a huge selection of color chips home and see which ones might work better and give the place some 'buoyancy'.
You could still stick with the nautical inspiration but make it a little less loud; more 'refreshing'.
But what a great, unique place.

Great Job with such a small space! Lot's of talent in that place!

Breathtaking! This place takes the PRIZE!

This apartment make me feel blue. :-(

Finally, a place that is SMALL. I am disappointed how this contest over the last two years has become not, "Small is Cool" but, "Kind of Small is Cool, but Really Small is so not Cool, Dude." I'm sorry, but it's just not THAT hard to live in a 600 sq ft. apartment. I mean, maybe if you're a Park Ave. matron and have to give up your Classic Six in Lenox Hill, you might have trouble, but for us mortals, it's not that hard. Entries are no longer about making creative use of your space and figuring out where to sacrifice, but more about "how much stuff from DWR can I pack in into one shot."

This entry is fantastic. I think she has really creatively found a way to shape her 200 sq. ft. home into something very livable. Bravo!

Cool!

Wow! This comp is way off this year. Nearly 300 super cool votes. I need someone to email me or fax me a copy of that document that states the competitions purpose. It is to the point where I am no longer upset about the entrants, nor AT, but I am severly confused by the comments made this year for the places. Is there a small island somewhere that AT commentors are voting from?

On a side note, I give this person the credit to enter and at the same time put some effort into eh..decorating the space. People here commented on this one as if they would donate an organ to have this (shaking my head in confusion#$*&)

this apartment intrigues me! I love the nautical theme and the use of color and objects. The renters sure know how to use a small space to create a gorgeous environment thats as captivating and whimsical as it is chic and functional! excellence!

this looks like a home fit for a dandy. i mean, look at those hats!

Beautiful! This place should win first prize!!!

Has anyone else read the Kinsey Millhone series by Sue Grafton? This makes me think of Kinsey's loft and that's a good thing.

tre bon!!

i'd totally rent it for a week at the shore.....nice way to extend the vacation. very nice.

Only voted cool because it's unclear if the renter(s) actually created the loft spaces themselves. Kudos to you if you were able to convince your landlord to build the platforms though. If the apartment came 'as is' architecturally, I really feel that you lucked out - the apartment isn't big enough for your furniture to be organized in too many other ways.

The decor certainly has a sense of playfulness and pushes the nautical theme in a certain direction, but it's verging on kitchy - a bit of a one-liner. It would be nice to see a little more refinement. Sure, blue = water, but you can communicate this theme in subtler ways - perhaps with light, transparency, materials actually used on boats - lacquered teak? White canvas? What about built-in furniture with hidden storage that's so common on sailboats? Maybe you were on a budget as many New Yorkers are, but there are many other ways to say nautical than with a lot of blue paint and a model boat.

Is there a small island somewhere that AT commentors are voting from?

I believe it's called Manhattan.

Did anyone notice that meticulous comment by phdesign??? He submitted East #19. Uh oh, someone's getting all mean girls up on here!

"Still shaking my head in confusion"

lol...

The blue wasn't the water, it's the sky. Read the description again. That is meow,

I really think this space isn't for everyone but it is a definitive creation of a space out of a cramped walk-in closet in someone's McMansion as a freaking home. Instead of drawing attention to the smallness by being boring and doing the same mid-century, editing your crap out like it's 1999 and catching onto an obvious trend like they could have, they worked over a dismally minute apartment and made it into a small work of complete art. This is one way to go when given lemons for an apartment. I wish I had as much dedication toward finishing even a fraction as large a project, much less executing a complete vision, a non-typical vision.

I can appreciate a barely embellished apartment as well, but I do not see where the bitterness arises over this entry. It is tiny, and it offers solutions, and the dwellers of it have obviously made what they need to live in the space with clever solutions, especially the lighting, the kitchen, and the closet. This space is not corny as some of the other "conform to a format/personalized" apartments we've seen so far. "What a cool apartment!" isn't the same expression at all as "I love what you've done with the place." Think on it.

I could not live in this given space the way it's laid out in this entry, theme/blue or not, but it looks very comfortable to visit, and a labor of artistry and attention to details like none other. You can't have my organs, yeah, I don't want your babies. I just think it's f'ing neat as a new-mowed lawn as long as I can sense there is living amongst it. It's not an installation, it's obviously designed for coping in a small space less dismally - which is the #1 point of the contest. "Because we've never accepted that a lack of space is fatal when it comes to creating an inspiring home"

It's the first thing on the page of this contest.

I don't dig sailboats but I was too late to vote, anyway. Just wanted to say THANK YOU for posting a photo of your closet -- awesome! : )

I think if K T G and I were to meet at the bike rack at 4:00 today after school, I would have to fight him.

I'm not a him. But bring it.

Forgot to add: obligatory "lol" and :P

I don't understand the point of so much hostility that you are actually daring me to a fist-fight, accusing people of being drunk and on drugs if they don't like (what you've done with) your apartment, and etc. I am saddened that some people can't broaden their ability to assess a space without being a total weasel because they only like to force themselves to live without so many things, but insult individuals for their take on any given space because they think the judging is completely off? That just doesn't work for everyone. Maybe it is just you.

I don't think a space this small has the potential to impress anyone if not taken to the extreme. It would have to be bland and cookie-cutter and "follow" conventions (a very difficult look to pull off successfully!), using the overused (in this contest) forced to live without this or that while hanging onto trivial, common, and not very precious or interesting clutter in a jarring or disproportionate arrangement.

Why not have zazz instead if you can? Why not follow your vision as far as it can go? What is the inherent advantage in stripping your apartment bare and having almost nothing, when you have the opportunity and the skill to create art? And why is it so hard for you to see it, michaelc, that you have seen fit to bust everyone's balls for it?

I guess in your case, I am busting chops. That said, I think my efforts are only to argue with you, as I have not engaged in such a heated dialogue with other AT commentors. Maybe this person aad (but he stepped over the line with me) one thing to get a point across but he/she was just flat out rude.

You caught me; I have a limited imagination to appreciate the full potential of some of these spaces. It’s good to voice each other’s opinion. Certainly a healthy balance here.

Want to marry me? Lol..Just kidding. But seriously...:)

i don't understand the hype for this space, am I crazy of what?
nothing is cohesive, objects and stuff put together or wherever it fits.
but great for kids room.

I'll repeat what I said during the voting process.

Looking at the photos and the floor plan this place cannot possibly be 200 sf. Anybody who misstates the square footage of their entry and then receives tons of kudos (and thus associated "super cool" votes) because of what they achieved in such a supposedly small space, should not be in the final four and should not win.

I do, however, believe some great things have been done with this space. But a lot of the accolades it was receiving were due to the misstated area of 200 sf and thus the praise was unduly received.

Are they including the loft in the square footage? I think that unless it's a loft bunk bed, it needs to be included as square footage.

If you were to come over, you would be equally as astonished. It really is that small.

Cool! My previous apartment was just under 300 so I know how tough it is. Nice job!

Lovin' it!!!!!!

Where's Nemo? Sorry... the "Under da Sea" theme isn't doing it for me.

I think I love this entry so much mainly because of the space. It's small but I love the dedicated areas within the unit. It's hard to find a tiny apartment with "rooms" already built in.