apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

completely and utterly charming.

That is pretty awesome.

Beautiful.
Do you have a stove?

Can I ask where/if you cook? there doesn't seem to be any kind of cooktop

You definitely get my thumbs up- this is amazing. For such a tiny space, this has a lot of personality- without looking cluttered. You've been working hard, and I'm impressed!

great apartment looks really cozy!

No stove, that would drive me nuts (but otherwise very nice!)

I'm also wondering about how you cook; I didn't see any kind of oven/stove, not even a microwave. No dishwasher either; that would really hurt me.

Great place; fantastic use of space with a cohesive, attractive, uncluttered design. Fantastically well done.

Great example of having a very small space that is well tailored, very well put together, stylish and functional. Great job.

Toaster oven and hotplate above the kitchen wall cabinet. That's smart.

Great ceiling height and the honeycomb tile is beautiful.

I wish I could see how that murphy bed looks - they restrict the number of photos.

this place is so elegant, organized, and cohesive. beyond the obvious style factor- the space planning is brilliant, too. i wish i were together enough to assemble a small and efficient home like this... a stunner, for sure.

I love how the Murphy bed fits some seamlessly in the apartment. Really cool job. I have a 1,000 sf apt and your closet puts mine to shame!

awesome place im really jealous! i'd love a Manhattan apt like this!

I live in a tiny studio and I'm totally inspired! Wish I could see how the bed works, too.

This place is beautiful. You did an excellent job. I am also glad you showed us your closet. I hope you make it to the finals I want to see a picture with the murphy bed down.

This is beatifully done, so carefully thought out and downright classy. Multiple thumbs up (if that was allowed)

this looks great. have you thought about putting a half-fridge under the right counter and then getting a small stove/cook top in place of the fridge?

There is something wierd about this apartment for me. The first shot doesn't seem to be the same apartment. I like the last 4 shots though.

THIS is why I pay attention to Small Cool!

Great job!

Very impressive. Beautiful blue. Who needs a stove in Manhattan? Best ever.

Beautiful and a fantastic use of space. Love it

I demand a picture of Charlie. You can't tell me you have a dachshund and then not show a picture.



(Otherwise, nice place!)

You've done a fantastic job! Your space is gorgeous. I too would love to see your Murphy bed down.

Very tastefully done - and who needs a stove in NYC when there are thousands of restaurants to choose from?

Congrats!

As a friend of Brian's I can tell you the big secret: The sideboard in the kitchen area hides a microwave and a toaster oven. Over the cabinets are an electric grill and a hot plate, as well as glassware and dishes for entertaining. This amazing apartment can host an impromptu dinner party, and then everything is put away before the after dinner coffee.

It's not that he doesn't have stuff-he just has an amazing ability to keep everything in place!

p.s. I, too, demand a photo of Charlie!

Great place!

I agree with Molly and sandyliz! Charlie is an important part of the decor :)

If you look closely, you can see a toaster oven and a few appliances smartly tucked above the cabinets. I hate stoves and microwaves, both a pain to clean and keep clean. I'm envious of those who lack both. What an amazing place!

Where's the dachshund pic?

Every square inch of this space is classy, refined and purposeful. My fave!

Love it, it inspires me to be more creative at my place! this is lovely!

Very nice. I like that sink skirt in the bathroom; lovely.

Great color scheme.

omg you've inspired me to organize my closets this weekend. i'm in awe of how much you've done in a small space!

and please tell us how your bed opens up! i'm confused how you don't have to move your couch.

Augh! Love your closet!!! SO tidy!

"As a friend of Brian's I can tell you the big secret: The sideboard in the kitchen area hides a microwave and a toaster oven. Over the cabinets are an electric grill and a hot plate, as well as glassware and dishes for entertaining. This amazing apartment can host an impromptu dinner party, and then everything is put away before the after dinner coffee."

wow, I was gonna ask if Brian has to do take out/order in all the time!! amazing!!

It's very nice. I would like to move in but I wouldn't know where to put all my bronze statues of naked men.

Unfortunately, if you don't have a stove (for space reasons?) this may be small but not cool. Even those immigrants in JACOB RIIS' photos had stoves and those people were POOR.

I could never live without a stove and I don't cook every day. A stove is like a toliet or a refrigerator or a sink. This is a quality of life issue.

Sorry, but I can't vote for you.

"Unfortunately, if you don't have a stove (for space reasons?) this may be small but not cool. Even those immigrants in JACOB RIIS' photos had stoves and those people were POOR."

but he does, it's just portable. all the pieces of a "normal" kitchen are within reach, just moveable. I cook here at least once a week, and have more tools at my disposable than my own, more traditional kitchen.

As for all the bed questions:
The couch acts as the feet of the bed.
the pillows move, the wall comes down in one piece (painting intact), and the bed rests on the couch.
No need to move furniture around. A genius design!

I really like this! It looks much more spacious in the photos which tells me that he has done a great job with the arrangement of his furniture. Would have liked to have seen the murphy bed in action. Still...you get my vote for your clever use of space.

Uh, and where is his oven? Is it behind the coffee maker? See, this isn't going forward. This is going backward.

I don't even know Brian and I think he's FAB and he even has a Daschund (which is my favorite dog of all time) but no one will ever be able to convince me that not having a stove is a "good thing."

What's next? Communal bathrooms for New Yorkers? One bathroom per floor and everyone has to use it?

I think a space this small would drive me crazy, no matter what, but I can't deny that it's exquisite.

"Uh, and where is his oven? Is it behind the coffee maker? See, this isn't going forward. This is going backward. "

In the sideboard. Both a large toaster oven and a microwave. Burners (hotplate) above the cabinets, along with a large electric grill (not a foreman one, legitimate grill)

I too adore the sink skirt (that's what they're called? Noted). And the deliciously organized closet, and the kitchen-- but most of all the blue. Love this.

And another call for daschund pics.

The INTERNET probably won't exist in 50 years. (It will be supplanted by something else.) I hope APARTMENT THERAPY is actually printing out photographs of homes that they feature on this site and archiving them.

This AT ARCHIVE could be a wonderful resource for future generations. It will allow "people of the future" the chance to see how people across America (and in NYC) lived during the first decades of the 21st Century.

I wish Brian the best of luck in the contest. If you make it to the next round include a photo of Charlie.

I love this apartment! Very clean, neat and organized. The blue is such a nice touch. I have to say that the closet is my favorite image. So organize, so easy to maeuvere.... not at all the way my closet looks (help!) I too love the bathroom skirting on the sink and the vintage bathroom tile floor. So much character for such a small space. I also adore the multi color back splash in the kitchen. Over all I give the decorator 2 thumbs up!!!

This is indeed a fantastic space and such a classy space at that!

You've just upped the ante on the thinking outside of the box thing w/ your kitchen. I'm impressed.

Good luck and hope you get a chance to show us Charlie, being a Dachshund lover myself, I have a feeling he's cute and makes you laugh.

B-
Cool pad man- when can I move in? ;-)
Good luck; you deserve to win!
CV

In these lean times, taste does still matter, and what this little apartment crumpet lacks in frosting it makes up in flavor. Who wouldn't want to live in an aparment scaled for two that's been iced in Tiffany Blue. Four Stars to you Brian!

i'm trying to do something similar with my bed and would love to know where you got it.

Luv it, Brian! What an ingenius way to organize your space! Can you come over & do something w/my cubicle??

Good luck!
Kelley

love it

Excellent use of space! Love the paint color selection - very clean.

Great utilization of space - wisely planned to not feel small. Good job!!!!!!!!!

This place is swank! Looks like a great headquarters for a fab life in NYC. I'm not sure how the photos jibe with the floorplan, I hope you advance to the next stage of this contest so we can see more of your place. Congrats on a very cool place!
Regarding the oven/lack of/location, whatever... people who have never lived in NY may not realize how much amazing, cheap takeout there is everywhere, not to mention having the world's most exciting city right outside your door... you don't end up spending a lot of time making pot roasts or baking cakes.

Absolutely LOVE it!! When can I come visit? Wink, wink. Doesn't every small town southern girl dream of having an NYC apartment? I sure do!

Uh, I lived in NYC back in the 80s. I just think "poor" New Yorkers are getting less and less as time goes on.

I think it's great you live in Brooklyn, Rob, I just think it's time for Brian to move there too.

Like Beverly Hills, Manhattan is for the rich, if you're not rich you end up in an oversize closet with no stove/oven and paying WAY TOO MUCH for rent.

BTW: I'm a little too old and "comfortable" for "cheap take out." Cheap take out is fine for boys on skateboards but not for a man.

I love the use of space as well as the use of color. Very smart and stylish! But where is Charlie? I think he would have MADE the pictures! BTW where did you get the murphy bed?

Now that I understand how the Murphy bed works, I see that it is genius.

Brian is one of my best friends and I will say that everything he decorates has the most amazing results. I currently live in RI and own my own home and his little apartment puts my house to shame in the decoration category! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! And as for Charlie...he is totally adorable and totally hyper. I love them both! That said, I too demand that you put a picture of the little guy up.

Adorable!

This apartment is so charming and tastefully decorated. What a beautiful use of space!

The apartment is beautiful. And that Charlie, he's pretty hot too.

It's thus far my favorite little abode in the city!!!!!!!!!!

So amazing. I am having trouble decorating a small 1300sq ft house and you have created an amazing place in such a small space. WOW.

LOVES IT!!!

and with out a stove its even better!!!! Eating is cheating!!!! You don't wanna grow fat in a small place!

Great place! Well done Brian!

Very good space, love the Murphy bed, but having a hard time visualizing it. Think the comments about the kitchen are funny...no stove, no dishwasher? My sisters are amazed that I live without a dishwasher, garbage disposal or a washer and dryer. It's NYC folks! My first kitchen here only had a sink!
Two thumbs way up Brian!

I wish I had your creative genes when I was in my 250 square foot studio.

It is a beautiful complete space.

This place is cool, beautiful and functional without feel small

Wow great space. I have known brian for many years and i agree everything he decorates is spot on. Great utilization of space with function and flow.

You definitely have a knack for design... Ever thought about a career in design? Very nice space...

Stunning! The perfect NYC 'pad'! Regards to Charlie!

Love the pillows on the couch? Are they, by chance, from Z Gallerie?

Where are the stuff??? Amazing! Congrats and good luck!

So fantastic. You get my vote. Good luck Brian!

Awesome pad Brian! Looks amazing.

I can't believe my eyes. Genius, murphy bed! Beautiful job... And to all the naysayers, lighten up people, not everyone cooks- even though it seems Brian here could cook whatever he felt like in his home with his gadgets. Sheesh. Well done, Brian, well done.

P.S. Where's the Dauchshund? I think we'll all be expecting a picture in the finals.

I love everything but in that tiny "kitchen" the full-size fridge seems like overkill. I agree with the poster who said to get an under-counter one, but I wouldn't put a cooktop or microwave on top of it. I just think a continuous line of countertop would make the non-kitchen feel more complete.

Also, although I myself cannot imagine living without a full-size stovetop and oven, many people can--and not just in NYC. I have one friend with a $10,00 AGA who has never cooked on or in it. Ever. And she's had it for three years.

I love this place! As for the comments about living without a stove, Brian has obviously determined what works for him- and if small appliances are all he needs or wants, what's the big deal? This apartment is so elegant & classy & comfortable - who needs a stove? I love the colors, the serenity, the organized but not at all sterile vibe of this place. Very, very nice- & I bet Charlie loves it here!

Gorgeous apartment, wonderful use of the space and a great shade of blue.

Having no stove wouldn't bother me as long as I had a microwave.

What is that print? My boyfriend leaned over while I read this post and asked if it was from Resident Evil 4 :)

Beautiful space! You have excellent design skills!

Great space, i can not believe how you fit so much style in such a small space! Good job!

Beautiful!

Can't wait to see it in person!!!! It's gorgeous. I NEED some decorating tips. Can I hire you?

That closet is FAB! Good luck on the contest!!

Really nice, I would like to take a trip up to NYC and see it sometime!

It´s fantastically efficient! This is magnifique! Love it.

So cool! This is just super-stylish! Go for win! Love, Paula

cool!

Well done! With those cooking tools you really don't need much more for a simple dinner for one or two. I can see if you really love to cook then this may not be the space for you but it is nyc...lots of wonderful options for inexpensive, delicious places to eat out a couple times a week. Nice closet--looks like you have a good eye for editing your space and making the most of your surroundings.

Even though it's a small space....it has a lot of great features that some of the other small spaces don't have. The closet, bathroom and look of the kitchen really make this a cool small space. This is surely one of my favorites.

Brian, this place is gorgeous and totally functional.
I gave up my washer and dryer for a year to make space for a dinette set in my kitchen. The washer and dryer agreed to take me back, but instead of getting rid of my table, I have been thinking about getting rid of the stove and fridge. Can you comment on/recommend the hotplate?
At first I thought that murphy bed was a wall. I bet that people seldom even notice it. Please tell us more about it. Everything is beautiful. So far you have my vote.

one of the best uses of space i have ever seen. bravo!

This is the best apartment ever! Great location - great style - what more could a man and his dog need? And who needs a stove in Manhattan? Not me! Love it!

where did you get the murphy bed?? Would love to know.

i LOVE the chocolate brown with blue. its gorgeous!

The skirted pedestal sink in the bathroom is an elegant touch.

You had 282, now you have 289???? how come???

yeaah, that is true.....now you have 292 votes, and your time is gone two days ago......

where is the desk from?

Uh, if voting is only open for 48 hrs I don't understand how you continue to receive votes? Your vote total was 282 a couple days ago. Now it's 297. Your place was listed on April 9th. Something doesn't make sense.

Thank you to all of those who voted and left such kind comments.

To answer some of your questions
-The picture above the couch is a Rorschach type inkblot image I found and enlarged
-The pillows were a find at Target
-I got the murphy bed from a friend and it doesn't have manufacturer information on it. It's a very basic model.
-The desk was purchased from a small furniture shop in Atlanta
-I use a basic model hotplate from Target, as I do most of my cooking on the grill or in the small convection oven

I also want to extend my sincerest thanks to a few of my friends who've helped me along the way. Sandy, who's been my sounding board on design in a small space and turned some amazing meals out of my teenie tiny kitchen. Rick, who's provided some much needed handy man skills and Mom who made the stylish bathroom sink skirt.

Rules of the contest won't allow me to link to additional pictures, including Charlie, but I promise to share photos at the end. Apt Therapy is aware that the Thumbs Up option was mistakenly open for a short time and will make adjustments to the my count.

Again, thanks for your vote!!

WOW!!!

Great place!

too cute, & looks really cozy!!!

Brian,
So inspiring to such a well-executed space on a budget. It's rigorously edited yet still soulful, which is hard to pull off. You give me hope that I can do amazing things in my space and homes like yours are the inspiration behind www.onegrandhome.com , home decor for $1K or less.

We'll be there for dinner tomorrow!

This is very cute!

I would really love to vote, but it's not working!!!! wtf! Betti and Paula

Brian, this was one of my fav's for the 2009 competition. I am looking to decorate and need a shelving unit such as the one you used for you computer. WHEREVER DID YOU FIND IT? Ikea has something similar but yours looks much nicer. Please inform. Thanks!