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International #14: Maria's Comfy Haven Downtown Barcelona

Name: Maria
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Size: 699 sf
Rent/Own: Rent

What is the advantage of SMALL? Living SMALL means lower rent and utility bills, less space to clean and maintain, makes it easier and cheaper to decorate and
encourages time outside and creativity,...

Besides, the location of my small is grand: nearby shopping, restaurants and bars, 10 minutes walking from work, 20 minutes from the beach ...

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What's your favorite resource for your home?

Im a huge fan of smallest coolest...I spend hours looking at your site!

Also HGTV, 20 Casas magazine, estiloyhogar.com, ideasdecoracion.net,...

Due to my limited budget, ikea always comes in handy...Zara Home, Natura, Terra Extraña and Habitat have some lovely stuff and Biosca & Botey has the best lamps in town.

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home?

I love the white mirror and the small rounded chest of drawers in the foyer,... but the not so cool Ikea sofa in the living room is the cheapest (2nd hand) and most comfortable sofa Ive ever had!

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Comments (10)

Voted cool just for being in Barcelona! But I do think your place could use more art -- perhaps you are spoiled because your wonderful city has so much public art?

posted by Mid-C Frank on 2008-04-25 13:17:08
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Europe sort of has a natural advantage just based on basic architecture alone.

Brava!

posted by Lady J on 2008-04-25 13:28:15
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I'm not real excited about the space but I just love the whole, billowy curtains, sunny terrace, overlooking Barcelona (probably over a cobblestone street) concept.

posted by oakland on 2008-04-25 13:36:21
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Liked the first picture a lot but the rest of them are ehhh.... Kitchen is outdated (but neat) and not sure about what's the red object which kind of lean to the side in the entry way.

posted by giggleuma on 2008-04-25 13:36:27
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hoped that first picture was an appetizer for all the greatness ahead, but it was all five courses, the rest felt very blah. must be a lovely place just by location though, sunny too. :-)

posted by aad on 2008-04-25 13:44:39
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Based on the floorplan it looks like a really cool space that doesnt come across in the photos. I will vote cool.

posted by tallguylehigh on 2008-04-25 14:13:41
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I like how this place doesn't look over-designed and that it's furnished with what looks like things on hand. The bed is particularly cool, though. And Barcelona is one of my favourite cities in the world, so that counts for much as well.

posted by ehy2k on 2008-04-25 14:17:49
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I like the kitchen. Functional, tidy. I love tiled walls... it must be a cool space in hotter weather.

Have a feeling the photos probably don't do the space justice. For example, that yellow corridor wall looked promising.

posted by lolax on 2008-04-25 16:13:23
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Mmm Spanish wine!

posted by La Loca on 2008-04-26 15:32:29
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how do you watch HGTV in Spain? congrats on living in Barcelona, one of the coolest cities in Europe!

posted by absolutmarie on 2008-04-27 16:20:03
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