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Small Cool 2009: Garrett's Repurposed Furnishings
Teeny-tiny Division #18

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Who Lives Here: Garrett + 2 cats
Location: East Village, New York City
Size: 290 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? I love my windows. They're simple and clean, and during the day they make the bedroom feel so airy. Unfortunately, the apartment was converted at some point from a studio to a one bedroom. The new closet blocks all the light from entering the living area. I rent, so reconfiguring the walls isn't an option. I decided to just embrace each room for what it was, so the bedroom is bright and white, while the living room is much more dark and loungey.

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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? One of the biggest challenges was finding pieces correct in scale to the apartment. I could never fit a full size desk in here. Many products in the apartment are being used in ways they are not manufactured for. For example, I needed storage but I did not have room for any large sideboard, credenza, or media unit. As a solution, I made use of two different night stands in the living room. I could never fit club chairs in here, so I bought antique French dining chairs and refinished them in all black. The drapes are actually white cotton duck shower curtains from CB2. The desk is just a custom made shelf, from The Shelf Shop on the Upper East side. A lot of the items in the apartment were craigslist finds (coffee table, chairs, sofa, dresser, chrome lamp, 50's night stand). Other things came from e-bay: chandelier (pre-spray paint), zebra cow hide. Of course, there's an IKEA item here and there.

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Comments (58)

Kitty!!!

Nice place. I'm impressed by the mere existence of a separate bedroom and a built-in closet in 290 sq. ft.

posted by creativeneurosis on April 14th 2009 at 2:09pm
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I love everything about this, with the minor exception of the large teal graphic portrait. This is such an elegant use of space!!

posted by Emily B on April 14th 2009 at 2:09pm
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Your kitten is so sweet!

posted by Where You Hang Your Hat on April 14th 2009 at 2:17pm
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it looks bigger than 290. great use of style

posted by Lady J on April 14th 2009 at 2:21pm
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This looks much larger than 290 Sq. Ft. Very impressive arrangement. Looks wonderful. I especially like the gray on the walls.

posted by suzy8track on April 14th 2009 at 2:22pm
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thumbs up for the simple fact that a lot of creativity and thought went into making the space work for you and for repurposing/diy-ing so much.

it's a bonus that it looks great as well.

posted by kiwi on April 14th 2009 at 2:26pm
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what??? ive been trolling craigslist for a year! and i cant find a decent lamp, let alone a gorgeous couch like that!

good job, im jealous...

posted by sunny82 on April 14th 2009 at 2:27pm
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Beautifully done. Love how you hung the curtains to divide your living space. I love the large piece of art and the chandelier in your living area. Great work.

posted by peggy on April 14th 2009 at 2:34pm
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I LOVE the pictures of the bedroom!!! So peaceful!

posted by sleeping spot on April 14th 2009 at 2:35pm
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Really good use of space. Our first apartment on 25th Street was this exact layout (and looks like the same size) and we never had it laid out this well!

posted by sara Stubbert on April 14th 2009 at 2:37pm
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pretty and sexy

posted by mirint on April 14th 2009 at 2:40pm
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i adore the bedroom. it is so light and airy and clean feeling. but i cannot get down with the living room's coral chandelier plus zebra rug. it just feels so jarring compared to that serene bedroom!!!

posted by kdkaboom on April 14th 2009 at 2:43pm
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Beautiful, I love it!!!

posted by sarrazak on April 14th 2009 at 3:00pm
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Hey everyone. Thanks for the comments so far.

The photos are a little off in their color I think. The chandelier is much more fire engine red than coral. Also, the apartment is just a little over 8 feet from side to side. It's like living in a very long narrow line. The closet while built in, is less deep than a standard hanger, everything has to go in at a weird angle to fit. And it fits about 4 coats. Trust me, the place is TINY.

posted by Garrett22 on April 14th 2009 at 3:12pm
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garrett, im admiring your craigslisting skills! can you find me a lamp? :)

i think its great how theres a cohesive style to the place. ive been buying a lot of second hand stuff and it all seems to clash.

posted by sunny82 on April 14th 2009 at 3:21pm
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ditto!!! love the bedroom and the living room space. Well edited completely functional liveable and comfortable.

What color paints please?

posted by Minanina on April 14th 2009 at 3:41pm
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The paint in the bedroom is just the white it was when I moved in. Also, you can't see this in the photos, but the bottom half of the windows is frosted, because I live on the first floor, so I had no privacy in bed.

The living room is a color called "steel wool", it's darker than the pictures show I think. I wanna say Benjamin Moore?

I agree, the spaces are very different from one another. I have my airy retreat, and my more loungey living room. At night though it has a very "cool" vibe. Kind of hotel loungey, or at least that's what I was aiming for.

posted by Garrett22 on April 14th 2009 at 3:45pm
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Great job. I particularly love the bedroom as well :)

posted by LovelyDarkandDeep on April 14th 2009 at 4:00pm
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love all of this but especially the bedroom!

posted by rstrtz on April 14th 2009 at 4:01pm
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I want your tv stand! I really like that you showed how to work style without the option of painting. Anyone can paint....but lots of thought has to be put into getting personality into a white canvas. Great job.

posted by baileyb on April 14th 2009 at 4:05pm
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The tv stand was actually one of my few retail purchases. I'm actually a college student, so money is TIGHT. It was when Bombay Co. was going out of business, and I got it for like $200. So worth it for mirrored furniture. Mmmm, mirrored furniture.

posted by Garrett22 on April 14th 2009 at 4:11pm
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I know I've seen that chair on countless "modern furniture store" websites, but I cannot seem to find it anywhere now. Does anybody know where I can find it, and not for 349823905823904 dollars? :)

Thanks!

posted by audemars on April 14th 2009 at 4:52pm
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I, too, love the bedroom and your kitty!
Your place looks more sophisticated than what college students I have known would have.
Nicely done.

posted by sassydo on April 14th 2009 at 4:54pm
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I got mine from white on white for like $150? I think? It's been a couple years now for that one. It's a knock off, so there's an ethical debate to be had there I suppose, but that was my personal call. Google white on white, you'll find it easily. Not allowed to post links :-P.

posted by Garrett22 on April 14th 2009 at 4:58pm
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Oh, and there are 2 kitties! Don't forget Gustavson! He's the fat one on the floor in 3rd pic. Next to the dresser. He weighs like 20 lbs. He was considered in the design of the space, as he requires more walking room between furniture than I.

posted by Garrett22 on April 14th 2009 at 5:02pm
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I really like this, but the curtain next to the stove is setting off my inner 'fire hazard' alarm. :)

Colour scheme is lovely, very judiciously used.

posted by Juliet on April 14th 2009 at 5:07pm
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Thanks Garrett. I've found it.

posted by audemars on April 14th 2009 at 5:11pm
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Wow, love this. The bedroom is great... I never thought so much white could look so amazing.

posted by parafilm on April 14th 2009 at 5:26pm
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This is amazing. Your home is so gorgeous and glamorous yet serene at the same time!

posted by sparkle on April 14th 2009 at 5:38pm
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thumbs up from me as it's different and certainly small.

posted by red.door.read. on April 14th 2009 at 5:38pm
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This is so nice. Lucky cats.

posted by petethecat on April 14th 2009 at 6:08pm
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I love your place. :) Especially the colour scheme and use of texture.

posted by Krissy B on April 14th 2009 at 6:17pm
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I have to say New Yorkers to be the most creative when it comes to small spaces, it does look way bigger than 290 sq ft. We Rock (a fellow New Yorker)!

posted by absOsteele on April 14th 2009 at 6:47pm
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I love your use of a shelf for a desk - can I ask how it's mounted? like a floating shelf, since I don't see brackets? if it's a floating shelf, have you found any issues with supporting weight of computer/books/you leaning on it while you work?

I'm hoping to do something similar in a corner of my dining room, so details would help! thanks!

and to echo everyone else - great place!

posted by lovelyrita on April 14th 2009 at 7:51pm
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Kudos Garrett for a great use of minimal space. From your Az connection.

posted by JOYOUS313 on April 14th 2009 at 8:16pm
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Hey what gives? Didn't the entries have to be submitted by Friday the 17th? I thought that was the date?

posted by recon1 on April 14th 2009 at 8:42pm
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lovelyrita: The desk actually does have brackets, but they're very minimal looking, a white L shape with a white piece of plastic that slides over it. Because of the height that they're mounted, and the narrowness of the room, you really don't see the brackets. Also, it's toggle bolted to the wall 4 times, so it supports a decent amount of weight. My fat cat has certainly climbed on it.

Thanks Joyous313 :).

And to recon, I think they could be submitted till midnight yesterday, and posting will continue until Friday of the submitted entries.

posted by Garrett22 on April 14th 2009 at 8:50pm
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Good call embracing each space for what it is. They are different but not incongruous. Well done!

posted by MooJu on April 14th 2009 at 9:22pm
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Love your glamour chest from Bombay! I have two which I use for night stands... they are my favorite purchase. Got them at Bombay's going out of business sale too.

posted by Julia at Living Luxely on April 15th 2009 at 7:54am
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Not a fan of the wire sculpture in your bedroom but the rest seems nice enough.

posted by FilthyMcNasty on April 15th 2009 at 9:26am
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Woah! That teal portrait looks like David Berkowitz from afar...

posted by Stephanie K on April 15th 2009 at 11:51am
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love the way the teal portrait works with the red chandelier.

posted by leadingedge on April 15th 2009 at 9:59pm
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Anyone who uses zebra rugs in the same room as a red chandelier, yet manages to make the room look calm and tranquil gets a nod from me. Well done.

posted by VoteAudrey on April 16th 2009 at 5:32am
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I love the contrasting colours of the red chandelier and blue painting. Gorgeous.

(...here, kitty, kitty....)

posted by lucica on April 16th 2009 at 7:03am
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Thanks everyone for the comments. The living room is lit a lot differently than it photographs. It was just impossible for me to capture. I normally have the chandelier on very low, and then just lil areas of light, the table lamps, picture light, etc. Alas, ha.

posted by Garrett22 on April 16th 2009 at 10:55am
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Clever Boy ! love your style..and cat friendly too .

posted by walkmag on April 16th 2009 at 6:31pm
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Toss the zebra and chandelier. Nice paws.

posted by Charliee on April 17th 2009 at 12:04am
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Overall it is well conceived space.

posted by Isabel loves design on April 17th 2009 at 6:46pm
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It's odd that they would put the bathroom off the kitchen (ew, sanitary issues, please?) but strangely, it works - I'm glad it doesn't impede on your space, Garrett!

And seriously...are those curtains over the front door? Why didn't I think of that?

posted by bfootnovellista on April 18th 2009 at 1:32pm
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Actually, no, the front door is in picture 3, next to the coat rack. The grey curtains separate the living room from the kitchen/bathroom. I think the bathroom placement is a result of some strange renovation. Either it was one of those places where the shower was actually in the kitchen, or the space was originally much larger. When I cook, I just push both the curtains to the side away from the stove/open flame. My landloard was cool with me painting, on the condition that I paint it back to white when I leave, and continuing the grey into the kitchen just seemed like way too much work. The curtains help the space feel more separate/intimate.

I hear that there are things not everyone responds to in the space, and I respect that. There's no pleasing everyone. But my goal, and hopefully this was acheived, was to not have the space feel transitional on a budget that was. I like that my space doesn't feel (to me) like a dorm, or like anything is glaringly solution oriented. It's about living small without feeling it.

posted by Garrett22 on April 18th 2009 at 2:39pm
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I just notice you have the same zebra rug as your Round 1 competitor... http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/small-cool-2009/small-cool-2009-nathan-andrews-serene-masculine-teenytiny-division-20-082004

posted by sylvangirl on April 20th 2009 at 12:10pm
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It's true. And he's got a great place.

posted by Garrett22 on April 20th 2009 at 5:49pm
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This is incredible! I specially like the separation you created by using different colors in the bedroom and the living room. The paint in the living room is amazing. How did you find that, if I may ask?

posted by amubarah on April 24th 2009 at 2:00pm
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Thanks! The paint is Benjamin Moore's Steel Wool.

posted by Garrett22 on April 24th 2009 at 4:45pm
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I should have said the painting too - it is a great painting of a face. How did you find it?

posted by amubarah on April 24th 2009 at 7:26pm
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Would you mind telling me where you found the large teal portrait? That was a great find.

posted by amubarah on April 28th 2009 at 10:17am
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Very nice.

posted by andrea99 on May 8th 2009 at 3:06pm
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great modern and contemporary way of furnishing your place! You should definitely check out Sexy Furnishings (www.sexyfurnishings.com) ...I think a lot of their pieces definitely fits you :)

posted by vickndesigns on July 16th 2009 at 11:43am
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