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Small Cool 2009: Ratmonger's View of Brooklyn
Little Division #15

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Who Lives Here: Ratmonger + Genius Girlfriend
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Size: 670 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? My favorite element is the nice view we have from our apartment (we overlook a park in Brooklyn). For this reason, the view had to be a significant aspect in our design thought process. This is why I was looked and looked for the perfect desk that would fit right in front of the window. Luckily I found a cute little, orange and yellow desk on Ebay. It's cute and fits perfectly in between my AC unit and the wall in the bedroom, right in front of my window. I often sit doing work in this spot, and I have a great view of the outdoors.

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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? The biggest challenge was finding a good combination of affordable, classic and used furniture. We had no furniture to begin with, so we had to furnish an entire apartment, and we wanted to be as green as possible. Our living room and dining area is pretty small, so we played around with different layouts for a long time before finally getting it right (I think!). I also needed to find two different places for doing work, for both myself and my partner. When we both need to do some work, I sit in the bedroom desk area and she sits in the living room on the cool Blu Dot console we bought from a neighbor. I also found quite a few cool things on Ebay and craigslist. We also got our Eames storage unit for a great price at ABC Carpet & Home in Manhattan.

Give Ratmonger a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
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Small Cool 2009, Brooklyn, Little

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Comments (56)

looks great, one of the best looking places ive seen here since after i signed up recently.

the two desks seem kinda small though, and no drawers on one, and lack of leg space on the other...

and that TV seems to be trying to hide and squeeze itself and disappear into that corner...

the leather chair looks amazing, makes me want to upgrade my poang chair...

great apartment, i love how everything is set up. the colours are great too.

posted by iroh on April 8th 2009 at 5:19pm
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i see that coffee table / bench everywhere... where is it from??

posted by hekela9 on April 8th 2009 at 5:22pm
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What a fantastic space! Love the unifying colors in the navy blue and then added other colors to spice things up a little.

One thing and it might be the camera's angle or what but all of your paintings seem too high. They need to be hung so when sitting down they are comfortable to view, not having to crane your neck to look up when sitting.

What I love is how you managed to find furniture from various sources, including IKEA and did so that they all work together and not just be a mish-mash of stuff cobbled together as they all have a cohesive feel to them and love, love the bed and the hanging bedside tables.

posted by ciddyguy on April 8th 2009 at 5:35pm
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sweet. i'm a bit jealous of your collection of eames. the shelf is great...and the lounge looks spanking new!

posted by lab director on April 8th 2009 at 5:58pm
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By far, the best apt in this category: the color, the lines, the light!

posted by champlittle on April 8th 2009 at 5:59pm
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funny, same coffee table a few posts down in little division #12. i like it better here, cute space!

posted by jvrussell on April 8th 2009 at 6:03pm
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are those penguins scattered around your apt?? gotta give you props just for that!

great space!

posted by eriiikaa on April 8th 2009 at 7:01pm
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Well as usual there are the same people who like to discuss drawer space of all things. Living in 700 Sq Ft, I can say I like your apartment it is stylish, understated and there are no cliches. It has a warmth and I like the colour palette. Good job.

posted by CliveChristy on April 8th 2009 at 7:17pm
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i see that coffee table / bench everywhere... where is it from??
posted by hekela9 on April 8th 2009 at 5:22pm
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you can find that coffee table in urbanoutfitters.com

posted by liquitex on April 8th 2009 at 7:36pm
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Love it, love it, love it!

posted by david @ justveggingout.com on April 8th 2009 at 7:51pm
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I love this because it uses classic MCM pieces but in a much warmer setting. The nightstands are genius!

posted by Bridget212323 on April 8th 2009 at 8:10pm
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Hekela9: that is a George Nelson bench. (I don't think Urban Outfitters carries originals. Check Design Within Reach, Unica Home or Modernica.)

posted by pvett on April 8th 2009 at 8:22pm
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I love that clock!

posted by cchiong1597 on April 8th 2009 at 8:57pm
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great apartment, simply decorated but with warmth. am also loving the penguins, small plants and lamps!

posted by mcmugg on April 8th 2009 at 9:02pm
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This is great.

posted by Curtis on April 8th 2009 at 9:16pm
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This is beautiful! Can I move in tomorrow? I love how subtle yet punchy the color palette is!

posted by letteretcher on April 8th 2009 at 9:27pm
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Very cool use a small space!

posted by Salodre on April 8th 2009 at 9:43pm
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love it! i wanna live there!!!

posted by christinajirene on April 8th 2009 at 9:57pm
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This apartment is amazing, with great use of colors and different pieces of really fun and classic furniture. I love the way the pieces all fit to form an exciting space.

posted by ilovedesks on April 8th 2009 at 11:16pm
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The color palette is not what I would typically like but you did a great job with the color and furnishings that I really like this.

posted by desertflower on April 8th 2009 at 11:48pm
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Great place. Where did you find that clock?

posted by jonathan373 on April 9th 2009 at 12:36am
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very very nice

posted by inijjer on April 9th 2009 at 1:32am
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I love the retro look! It is very well done!

posted by canselmo on April 9th 2009 at 2:00am
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I totally love this space!

posted by theseventytree on April 9th 2009 at 3:39am
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I really like the bedside tables. Anyone know who made them?

posted by Nina79 on April 9th 2009 at 5:01am
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VERY CUTE apartment and excellent use of space! BRAVO!

posted by Inespascal on April 9th 2009 at 7:37am
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Hi everyone!

Thanks for the comments. The clock is made by a company called Karlsson, and it's sold at a number of different places. Check the Conran Shop: http://www.conranusa.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=12349&cid=Clocks&language=en-US
-- though I found a much better deal on Ebay.

The bedside tables (and bed) are bamboo and made by a company in Brooklyn called Wonk -- http://www.wonknyc.com/ -- The owner of Wonk is super nice and they have fairly decent prices, especially since their furniture is made in Brooklyn!

I will definitely be moving my paintings a little so that they're not too high! Thanks again for the comments!

Ratmonger (Michelle)

posted by michelleinbrooklyn on April 9th 2009 at 7:42am
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I zoomed in on the first pic and saw the framed picture of a duck. Hilarious!! Your layout in the LR is almost *exactly* how I have mine, down to the Ikea magazine holders. Of course I gave you a thumbs up... :)

posted by absolutmarie on April 9th 2009 at 7:52am
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Really enjoyable space to look at and I imagine be in.

posted by sleeping spot on April 9th 2009 at 8:10am
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No thank you. It's TOO cliched and that looks like a child's bedroom to me.

I like places that have their own style...not a style found in a book.

posted by FilthyMcNasty on April 9th 2009 at 10:00am
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Looks really GREAT! Very cute & inviting.

posted by TashNYC on April 9th 2009 at 11:42am
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This apartment made my day. Thank you.

posted by Cupcakecemetery on April 9th 2009 at 1:13pm
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so I was going to vote for you just because of the penguins everywhere, which i do too...but I LOVE your space also! everything about it is great

posted by kgenesius on April 9th 2009 at 1:21pm
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Thanks for the information about Wonk. Really love their stuff and we're looking to move to brooklyn. Adorable apartment.

posted by adetoth on April 9th 2009 at 1:30pm
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lookin' sharp!

posted by allenthayer on April 9th 2009 at 4:18pm
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very nice!... and i love the colors...

posted by daniellehidalgo on April 9th 2009 at 4:47pm
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Great space and nice furniture! I love your paintings, too. Where did you get them?

posted by radiomode on April 9th 2009 at 5:18pm
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yo, loved the penguin! you are guys are sooo cute!

-- ofie

posted by peennay on April 9th 2009 at 8:57pm
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i see the ratmonger influence everywhere and i, of course, love it. good work, ladies! quack!

posted by goyo on April 10th 2009 at 10:25am
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I absolutely love this!!! That desk is a find - so cute!!

posted by designrsf on April 10th 2009 at 12:26pm
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Amazing combination of eclectic elements into a cohesive way!

posted by mgh62000 on April 10th 2009 at 1:58pm
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It's so cheerful and serene!

posted by 2daysinparis on April 10th 2009 at 2:36pm
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nice, i really like this.

posted by vampire on April 10th 2009 at 3:58pm
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Very cool, modern, and retro at the same time!

posted by koa202 on April 10th 2009 at 4:04pm
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Absolutely love this place, your combination of modern, retro and high end design is very refreshing. Thanks for sharing your feel good apartment.....

posted by papalovesmambo on April 10th 2009 at 4:15pm
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Love the color scheme and the paintings above the sofa... fabulous apartment!

posted by Jesse Lu on April 10th 2009 at 7:17pm
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Thanks for your votes and support!

Radiomode: I'm glad you like the paintings! I actually painted some of them, like the ones above the couch (Blinky Palermo was my inspiration). The elephants in the bedroom were inspired by my love of elephants. The sock monkey I purchased, and the two above the console table are from a very nice neighbor of mine!

Adetoth: Wonk is a really great store! I highly recommend their furniture (they have two locations in Brooklyn: one in Williamsburg and one in Dumbo) but can also ship to anywhere in the US.

Thanks for the love of the penguins! If anyone wants to know where to buy them, I can find the name of the company!

Thanks again!

Michelle (Ratmonger)

posted by michelleinbrooklyn on April 10th 2009 at 9:59pm
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it's a DWR catalog home.
sorry.

posted by Brad of colorTHEORY on April 11th 2009 at 9:23am
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hey Brad of colortheory, I disagree. I see a lot of IKEA furniture, and Blu Dot as well as stuff from Wonk or something. I like DWR a lot but this apartment is kind of more....colorful? More cheerful? DWR is more serious-ish. this apartment looks kind of like: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/small-cool-2009/small-cool-2009-jensendks-danish-modern-international-division-00-081208 - kind of scandinavian, modern eclectic. I wish I voted for this apartment!

posted by ilovedesks on April 11th 2009 at 1:29pm
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I love this apartment! It's fun, colorful, and doesn't take itself too seriously. I found your blog and I love it too:
http://cheeseloversinternational.blogspot.com/

posted by fashionfreak on April 11th 2009 at 3:18pm
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Really clean and smart. Seemingly assembled with a lot of care. I love the simplicity of the space, and the colors really finish the space. Well done!

posted by 3rdorange on April 20th 2009 at 12:42pm
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Love the apartment!! Very chillax and the penguins add a nice touch :)

posted by Natsurfer on April 23rd 2009 at 3:19am
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nice place but too many "classic" pieces for me.

posted by travislessness on April 23rd 2009 at 1:19pm
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Great!
One of the best from the last time. Love your collection fo classical pieces.

posted by handz on April 23rd 2009 at 4:04pm
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drool.

And funny comments calling the Nelson bench a coffee table! George is rolling over in his grave.

posted by chicagirl on April 23rd 2009 at 9:18pm
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Love the collection of classics. You can never have enough. The LAX bed brings a lot of SWAG to the bedroom.

posted by deejaysoy on April 24th 2009 at 2:58am
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