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Small Cool 2009: Dehlia's Calm, Cool & Collected
Tiny Division #50

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Who Lives Here: Dehlia + girlfriend + Maine coon cat
Location: Brooklyn, New York City
Size: 540 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? The part of my apartment that I love most is the miraculously spacious 4'x6' bathroom. I learned more than I ever wanted to know about plumbing while redesigning this bathroom, but it is the one thing I think came out perfectly. I sacrificed an antique clawfoot tub that took up nearly the whole space and replaced it with a deep soaking tub, a tiny square sink and my favorite thing — the square toilet that almost disguises its true function. The shower is tiled in seaglass, the floor is natural slate and the walls are covered with an earth plaster, and it is lit most of the day by the skylight through which this picture was taken. The rainhead shower, waterfall bathspout, and pitcher lavatory faucet make me one happy pisces!

Give Dehlia a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
Thumbs Up Voting is only activated for 48 Hours — so don't delay!
 
 

What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? The most difficult issues I've struggled with are the lack of storage space in the apartment and the need for a calm work space to finish my dissertation. The bedroom is divided from what I like to call the library by a sliding wall made of two sheets of bamboo plywood, which bisects the chimney, a brick wall which I painted white. I curtained off one wall of the bedroom in rough white silk, creating a third floor to ceiling block of natural texture and a pleasant view from my desk. I've chosen natural materials and dyes, mostly in shades of black and white, so that the rare bright piece that strikes my fancy will have a natural palette against which to glow. I leapt at the chance to have a golden Chinese armoire for a kitchen cupboard. I bought this piece off craigslist for $250, a bargain, but even better was getting to see the homes of people whose taste I really admired — like AT but live!

Give Dehlia a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
Thumbs Up Voting is only activated for 48 Hours — so don't delay!


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Small Cool 2009, Tiny

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Comments (62)

How on earth did you manage that bathroom picture?? ha ha!

Love the tile - terrific bathroom renno!

posted by boston brit on April 16th 2009 at 2:07pm
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Wow! Your apartment is a little piece of heaven.

posted by boho on April 16th 2009 at 2:08pm
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Thumbs up for adventurous photography.

Good job on the sliding bamboo.

posted by art on April 16th 2009 at 2:16pm
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Wish I could see more of the place, I do understand the constraints on photographing a small place. I adore the white bricks, the curtain and the hanging light. Looks like you've done a beautiful job. Looks very calming.

Please do tell how you did that bathroom shot! The curiousity is killing me.

posted by peggy on April 16th 2009 at 2:16pm
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I also want to know how you got the bathroom shot. Your bathroom is the same size as mine, but I like yours better.

Very nice little place.

posted by Sydney on April 16th 2009 at 2:16pm
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I assume she hung the camera (?), and used a timer.

posted by shirley-temple-of-doom on April 16th 2009 at 2:22pm
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Love how you did the bathroom photo! Very nice home.

posted by suzy8track on April 16th 2009 at 2:23pm
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She says of the bathroom: "...and it is lit most of the day by the skylight through which this picture was taken"

What I want to know is where the litterbox is!

posted by kdkaboom on April 16th 2009 at 2:24pm
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painted white brick, you lucky girl!

posted by s2k on April 16th 2009 at 2:25pm
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Gorgeous! Is the sliding wall of bamboo panels DIY?

Very clever arrangement. I love the white pianted brick with the white silk panel. The tangles strand of lights as a pendant sets it off beautifully! Fantastic job on the bathroom! I bet it's gorgeous with the skylight above!

I'd love to see more of the kitchen and living area.

posted by AprilAries on April 16th 2009 at 2:26pm
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Excuse me, but I've been looking at everything for the past 10 minutes trying to understand. Are both first and fifth photos library? What's with the wooden panel? And why aren't there pics of the living room?

posted by tulpoeid on April 16th 2009 at 2:58pm
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Nice photos.

posted by hrhprincessfiona on April 16th 2009 at 3:01pm
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Ah, I just read about the sliding doors. Still, this ap is "tiny" only if you don't post photos from the living room. And imho the armoire is really buried in the kitchen, I hadn't even noticed it before reading the text, it would look better in the living room (if it exists!).

posted by tulpoeid on April 16th 2009 at 3:03pm
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I'd never thought I'd applaud taking out a clawfoot tub, but this is lovely.

Hot.

Also, as one Pisces to another, now I covet your tile. A lot. Oh my. *fans self*

posted by JosieDaisy on April 16th 2009 at 3:13pm
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The apt is beautiful ! I live in Brooklyn as well and never heard of a bathroom with skylight apartments (around here). Love the bathroom and white brick wall. Really, really nice.

posted by Sreina26 on April 16th 2009 at 3:23pm
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The floorplan confuses me

posted by lorettalynn on April 16th 2009 at 3:55pm
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A Maine Coon Cat in 540 ft2? And neat as a pin, with great design? I believe it is customary in layout pictures to actually show the resident cat. Fabulous apartment (although methinks that taffy is being distributed).

posted by Usbek de Perse on April 16th 2009 at 3:55pm
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lovely space.

i'm curious about your bed - it's great. it looks like the same style as the ikea malm but the headboard seems much more substantial and is also in a colour i haven't seen available. can you tell more about your bed? is it the malm?

posted by kiwi on April 16th 2009 at 3:55pm
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i love your place. i have a bathroom as small as yours and am on the verge of gutting it this spring. could you please let us know what brand of tub and where you were able to purchase it from? also the toilet and the sink are nice as well - do you have brand info on them as well. beautiful place!

posted by edgardo60 on April 16th 2009 at 4:00pm
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Could you give more information on your bathroom fixtures? I love everything you did.

posted by palindrome on April 16th 2009 at 4:03pm
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Yes -- more details on the tub would be great (we are also in a similar size place and are shopping for deep soaking /Japanese soaking tubs)

posted by amnesia on April 16th 2009 at 4:13pm
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Really really want to see more of this place. It is, indeed, heavenly.

posted by Juliet on April 16th 2009 at 4:31pm
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I love the white curtain and want to do something similar to cover my closet. Did you sew these yourself? Where is the fabric from? How is it hung - on tracks or a pole?

posted by amurase on April 16th 2009 at 4:38pm
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Every single thing/surface is lovely.

posted by Lesley on April 16th 2009 at 4:40pm
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Geez, I love this apartment!

posted by Anna at D16 on April 16th 2009 at 4:42pm
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i love love love the lower cabinetry in the kitchen.

posted by jennyleigh on April 16th 2009 at 4:57pm
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I love the black and white rug in the bedroom. Does anyone know a source for black and white tribal rug like that? Thanks!

posted by petranyc on April 16th 2009 at 5:39pm
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Beautiful space, so tranquil. However, I feel cheated by the lack of kitty pictures

posted by GirlInATower on April 16th 2009 at 5:59pm
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love the bathroom, especially the built-in shelf in the shower....very functional

posted by nmkc on April 16th 2009 at 6:15pm
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Please, AT, a home tour of Dehlia's place after the contest!

posted by h144 on April 16th 2009 at 6:55pm
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Awesome bathroom shot

posted by absOsteele on April 16th 2009 at 7:35pm
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Dehlia -
You and your GF have amazing taste!
I hope you are a finalist!

posted by bepsf on April 16th 2009 at 7:38pm
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"Yes -- more details on the tub would be great"

That appears to be a Kohler Greek Soaking Tub:
http://www.faucet.com/product/Kohler-K-1490-X-White-17327?N=103 214 91 165 3000177 4294966553

"Are both first and fifth photos library?"

That appears to be the other end of the bedroom (Upper left on the floorplan) - I believe the closet is behind that white billowy curtain....

posted by bepsf on April 16th 2009 at 7:44pm
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favorite!

posted by trygve on April 16th 2009 at 10:05pm
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Beautiful and serene layout! Looks like a true haven. DJPope

posted by dbpope on April 16th 2009 at 10:38pm
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gorgeous! i especially love the kitchen!

posted by kj68 on April 16th 2009 at 10:50pm
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I love your bathroom. You have amazing taste. Good luck!

posted by medenver on April 17th 2009 at 12:20am
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Thumbs up? If I had thumbs instead of fingers they would all be held aloft!
I hope you get through to the next round because I'd love to see more photos of your home (and the kitty).

posted by Madame Is on April 17th 2009 at 5:05am
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Here's one I could see myself moving straight into -- and from the comments, I am sure you'll be a finalist! Great work!

posted by JoJenks on April 17th 2009 at 5:11am
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^^ Have to visit!

posted by wolsan on April 17th 2009 at 7:01am
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Love your place! That bathroom photo is awesome. Where did you get that hanging light? Me wants one!

:)

posted by E.I.F. on April 17th 2009 at 7:54am
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I cannot BELIEVE Spencer went out with Stacy AGAIN. What was he thinking???

(Nice place.)

posted by ahill on April 17th 2009 at 8:12am
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Definitely a soaking tub in there. Gorgeous! The bird's-eye shot has compressed its deceptive depth!
This is museum-quality. The cat must love it!

posted by rsemmett on April 17th 2009 at 9:46am
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This is the kind of place that I expect New Yorkers to have. It's small but not too small. Tasteful but not too tasteful.

It's a great place. You should be proud of yourselves. You HAVE to make it to the next round.

posted by FilthyMcNasty on April 17th 2009 at 9:53am
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uh, It wouldn't let me give you a thumbs up so I'm giving you one here.

posted by FilthyMcNasty on April 17th 2009 at 9:54am
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Gorgeous!

posted by M_B on April 17th 2009 at 9:59am
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i'm having a very difficult time believing this is 540sqft. how are these apartments measured?

very nice design aesthetic though. it's got a nice eclectic mix while feeling very purposeful.

posted by pinstripeprincess on April 17th 2009 at 11:32am
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I want your bathroom!

posted by letteretcher on April 17th 2009 at 11:35am
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I love your study area. It's light, spacious, and tastefully cool. Well done!

posted by Santiago12 on April 17th 2009 at 12:10pm
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I want that hanging lamp. Oh, I want it so bad. Where is it from?

posted by gridpaper on April 17th 2009 at 1:40pm
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I'd LOVE to know where you got your bathroom tile. I tried to paint my bathroom that color, and now it looks like green toothpaste... ;)

posted by Suzyn on April 17th 2009 at 2:13pm
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Hi Everyone, Dehlia here - thank you so much for your comments and your thumbs up. First of all - I wish I had put the kitty in now! He was all over the place while I was taking pics... I'll be sure to get him in if I make it to the next round, he's really the best part of the house anyway.
=^^=

A few answers to some questions - yes, its a Kohler Greek tub (good call bepsf), and a Kohler Escale toilet, and a Lacava Auquapicolo sink. I took the bathroom picture through the skylight by climbing up onto the roof and shooting straight downwards - it opens but there's a screen. I'm surprised it came out so well through the screen actually. Also, a key to making this bathroom so open feeling is that the shower curtain is hung by a track from the ceiling.

The bed is Atlantico/De La Espada (also off craigslist!!!), the light - I'm not sure of the brand, but I bought it at Future Perfect in Williamsburg and they have a website with another version that's also gorgeous. The rug I bought in Mexico when I was 14, one of my first decor finds and I still love it. It is natural black sheep/white sheep. I go for natural materials and dyes most of the time, they tend to absorb the light in a certain wonderful way.

As for the how to - I designed every inch of the place myself, plumbing, electric, demo, everything and did what I could with the help of my girlfriends, then we discovered some serious structural problems and the project grew way beyond my abilities and was turned over to the pros - thanks Mike! They did the bamboo, actually it would be easy to DIY *if* your ceiling is level. Then you can hang it just like I did the curtains for the closet, materials from Simon's Hardware.

Thanks again! I'm so glad you like it!

posted by Dehlia on April 17th 2009 at 6:17pm
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yep, you get it.

You have an eye for design.

also, I *love* Main Coon cats! My aunt had one - he was really, really smart.

posted by petal21 on April 17th 2009 at 11:07pm
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This is my favorite apartment. Not enough pictures.

posted by skatz12 on April 18th 2009 at 7:08am
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More pictures? How's the view from the front room?

posted by julialouisa on April 18th 2009 at 8:31am
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You have designed an awesome, cozy and lightfilled city-home.

posted by TinaNannarone on April 19th 2009 at 10:06pm
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wow! looks great! and knowing how much work went into it, all of your trials and challenges, you deserve to win.

posted by megshi on April 21st 2009 at 8:47am
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Aww... you deserved to get further in the contest just for that cool bathroom pic alone. And I like the brick wall too.

posted by Clap on April 22nd 2009 at 2:04pm
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Clap is right and once I read how you did it, I looked at your floor plan. As one who loves her sliding doors, I appreciate your bamboo ones, nice execution, but I didn't realize what it was from the photos. Next time shoot with a wide angle lens. The photos are lovely, beautiful composition but they don't show off your place to its best advantages. All that fine work deserves some equally strong architectural photography.

posted by Dahlush on April 22nd 2009 at 6:39pm
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Thanks, I'll try to get a better photographer in here! I love your place too dahlush (I think it's yours in the contest?).

posted by Dehlia on April 29th 2009 at 8:54am
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I love your flat, is very calm, relaxing, warm and with character. Can I ask you the measures of the basin in your bathroom?
Nice pictures!!

posted by emal on August 24th 2009 at 10:05am
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What a fantastic place. I'll use your bathroom as an inspiration on my upcoming project. Thanks so much!

posted by barek176 on November 18th 2009 at 11:32am
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