apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Small Cool 2009: Jorge & Craig's Collection
Tiny Division #10

thumbs up

Who Lives Here: Jorge & Craig
Location: Upper East Side, New York City
Size: 447 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? Craig and I love collecting art and vintage furniture. We like hunting for fun and quirky pieces, and have filled our space with some great finds. The vintage art academy "Botero" (ie. faux-tero) painting above the 1970's lime green sideboard; the Jessica Craig-Martin photograph above the bed; the antique zebra-print Louis XVI chair in the living space- these are some of the first things we put in our space, and definetely reflect our not-too-serious personalities. Of course, living in a small space often means that any time you want to add something new, you have to sacrifice something old. We've found this mandatory process of constant curating has forced us to invest in only those things that we really love.

Give Jorge & Craig 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? While Craig and I like the intimacy of our small apartment, we also love entertaining and sharing our place with friends. It was a challenge outfitting a space that was practical for two people, but could also serve a party of twelve. For example, we knew we wanted to fit in a dining table for four, and have a lot of comfortable seating for visiting friends. We definitely needed to fit a lot in, while keeping the space feeling open, not claustrophobic. We found our solution in light furniture (chairs instead of a big sectional sofa, for example) that can easily be moved around for different occasions.

As artists, Craig and I also needed lots of storage space for canvases, sculpture materials, etc. However, we didn't want any of these things to be seen. Our solution: "hiding" our things in every available nook and cranny. We have supplies everywhere — in closets, under the bed, behind the mirrored folding screen and window curtains, even in our kitchen cabinets. We've found that sometimes, those creative little "tricks" you learn as a kid cleaning your room are the best and simplest solutions.

Give Jorge & Craig 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!


room-board-banner09.jpg

Do you have a Small Cool Home? Enter Here by April 13th!

Comments (42)

Great style. One of my favorites!

posted by leadingedge on April 7th 2009 at 4:09pm
view leadingedge's profile

That green cabinet with those lamps are fab!

posted by LoriSF on April 7th 2009 at 4:11pm
view LoriSF's profile

That mirrored screen is awesome. Are those sheers separating the bath from the rest of the place? Nice... It seems to allow for privacy and light.

posted by bejeweled on April 7th 2009 at 4:17pm
view bejeweled's profile

Love, love, love it! *drools over Marshmallow Couch*

posted by ftpansy on April 7th 2009 at 4:37pm
view ftpansy's profile

Wow! I'm sooo not a fan of animal print, but it works so great in this space! Definitely a successful combination of colors and patterns.

posted by amandaPlease on April 7th 2009 at 4:38pm
view amandaPlease's profile

This place rocks! It's really fun and hip. The furniture choices and combinations are bold and unexpected. The dark grey wall behind the bed is beautiful. The leopard-skin rug pulls all that cool furniture together. What this place says to me is, "fun stuff happens here." Great photos, too!
This is my favorite entry so far.

posted by BrooklynRob on April 7th 2009 at 4:38pm
view BrooklynRob's profile

Only first image enlarges when clicked...?
How to view other pictures larger????

posted by ilovebc on April 7th 2009 at 4:40pm
view ilovebc's profile

What I love about this space is you can tell the items were carefully chosen and I bet their thinking was "if it'st not a great piece, we don't want it" which is the right mentality for small spaces. Every piece has to count because when you don't have the room to clutter you have to be picky and choosy.

thumbs up!
northamericanresource.blogspot.com

posted by jll111 on April 7th 2009 at 4:49pm
view jll111's profile

Great space!
LOVE your Leopard-print area rug!

posted by bepsf on April 7th 2009 at 4:52pm
view bepsf's profile

Oddly, I don't like most of the furniture or rugs in this apartment, but the combination works so well. I wouldn't live there, but I wouldn't mind an invite for cocktails.

posted by Usbek de Perse on April 7th 2009 at 4:55pm
view Usbek de Perse's profile

Oh man... where do I start! I am so jealous of your vintage finds!!! Love, love that glass chandelier lamp sitting on your Lucite table, love your monkey collection (though they may make me feel a bit nervous when using the bathroom) and that Louise XVI Chair! Whenever you wish to part with them.... feel free to contact me!!! Great bedroom, I love that espresso color on the wall.

posted by sfteri on April 7th 2009 at 4:59pm
view sfteri's profile

I think it's really great to fully embrace your style and go all out like this. It's definitely a fun apartment! I don't really get the furniture arrangement in the main room though, with the dining table in the center and the living room chairs arranged around the outside.

posted by Sassyladie on April 7th 2009 at 5:03pm
view Sassyladie's profile

It's got a lot of vintage finds, but I see no cohesion, and to me, it's very uncomfortable looking. None of the chairs look comfortable in the living room. To each his/her own I suppose.

posted by grafxnerd on April 7th 2009 at 5:16pm
view grafxnerd's profile

That entry! I love everything in it together, and I love each item individually. The clear console table, the mirror cube with the bookstack, the crystal candlesticks, the black and white print rug, and that amazing gnome table -- they all work so wonderfully well here. I'm sure it's due to your editing and your great sensibility with the white walls and architectural details.

posted by MaeEast on April 7th 2009 at 5:21pm
view MaeEast's profile

Jorge & Craig I have voted!!! I love your place...Can't wait to make it uptown to see it in person!

posted by tyson4kgc on April 7th 2009 at 5:24pm
view tyson4kgc's profile

Glamorama! I totally dig the quirky hollywood regency by way of Studio 54 styling.

posted by Veruca on April 7th 2009 at 5:48pm
view Veruca's profile

fun home!

posted by Where You Hang Your Hat on April 7th 2009 at 5:50pm
view Where You Hang Your Hat's profile

I love your black wall in the bedroom. Especially since you didn't paint the entire room. The black/white contrast is really interesting and fresh there.

posted by kelleyk on April 7th 2009 at 6:51pm
view kelleyk's profile

I love this! You all have a great --unique-- sense of style. There is so much humor in your apartment with out it looking kitchy or unrefined. Great job... When can I come over?

posted by Jesse Lu on April 7th 2009 at 6:55pm
view Jesse Lu's profile

Graig & Jorge: If I had an apartment in NYC I would LOVE for it to look like yours. Definitely tiny, but the space is arranged to appear surprisingly L-A-R-G-E-R! Love your details like the darling monkeys in the bathroom, the faux-tero, the zebra chair (amazing) and leopard area rug. Eclectic, yet harmonious. Can you do a house call to Colorado Springs?

posted by vydiatorres on April 7th 2009 at 7:10pm
view vydiatorres's profile

congrats, guys. It's hard to believe you have canvasses and things hidden when there's not a single ikea closet in sight! I'm very impressed when two people can edit down and keep it so clean. good luck....

posted by saudoso on April 7th 2009 at 8:32pm
view saudoso's profile

I love everything about this space! It's my favourite so far.

posted by Mavesse on April 7th 2009 at 8:35pm
view Mavesse's profile

I will, forever and always, covet your Swan chair. If you ever cycle it out of your collection, CALL ME. Kthx. :)

posted by colinfanning on April 7th 2009 at 8:54pm
view colinfanning's profile

There are some nice pieces, textures and color but all together doesnt work cohesively. This place is trying too hard and looks forced.

posted by Trumystique on April 7th 2009 at 9:17pm
view Trumystique's profile

I can appreciate your sense of style BUT the Marshmallow sofa looks painful (so much for cuddling up for a movie) and the dining room chairs are too big for the Saarinen table. The faux-tero is fantastic.

posted by BillyRes on April 7th 2009 at 9:24pm
view BillyRes's profile

i want to live here!

posted by kikunar on April 7th 2009 at 9:43pm
view kikunar's profile

I just love this place! .:drool:.

posted by oshkosh on April 7th 2009 at 10:19pm
view oshkosh's profile

where are those great silver lamps from? i see them all over the place. i want them!

posted by sassypantsjulie on April 7th 2009 at 10:26pm
view sassypantsjulie's profile

FOR SUCH A SMALL place....this is really well decorated. Great job and love the bedroom and green chairs!

Jen Ramos
'Cards & Prints You'll Love...'
www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com

posted by jenniferramos on April 8th 2009 at 12:15am
view jenniferramos's profile

Elegant and fun.

posted by hrhprincessfiona on April 8th 2009 at 3:34am
view hrhprincessfiona's profile

hi all,

thank you so much for all the sweet comments and critique. craig and i have been avid fans of apartment therapy for a long time now, and decided it was finally time to share our space with you all :) we're looking forward to taking on a more participatory role on the site instead of watching (excitedly) from the sidelines.

to answer some questions-

bejeweled- yes, we actually put white fringe curtains in the hall doorway leading to the bathroom. they're so much fun to walk through :P

sassypantsjulie- we ordered the silver lamps from jc penney of all places! we've found they have unexpectedly cool accessories, and almost always on sale :)

posted by jorgegomez on April 8th 2009 at 10:38am
view jorgegomez's profile

I am crrrrraaaaaaazzzzy about the Louis XVI chair!

posted by jennywren03 on April 8th 2009 at 11:01am
view jennywren03's profile

The only thing I don't love are the green plastic chairs.

posted by jennywren03 on April 8th 2009 at 11:04am
view jennywren03's profile

I love it! ...but AT, I can still only see the small thumbnails! Nothing I try works...any thoughts? Please fix this -- I want to see all of the cool places you guys are showing!

posted by amidalailama on April 8th 2009 at 11:58am
view amidalailama's profile

Oh yes! This is fabulous. My new favorite.

posted by STYLeyes on April 8th 2009 at 3:26pm
view STYLeyes's profile

Ah, this is so crazy and eclectic - I love it!

posted by WickedElf on April 8th 2009 at 4:34pm
view WickedElf's profile

creative space!!

posted by rhianna on April 8th 2009 at 4:43pm
view rhianna's profile

i love this place! this is my favorite!! I'd love to do something more like this in my place!

posted by prunebrownies on April 9th 2009 at 3:38pm
view prunebrownies's profile

OMG! Need that leopard rug. can you divulge the source?

posted by Rosie Canyon on April 9th 2009 at 8:00pm
view Rosie Canyon's profile

rosie canyon- the leopard rug is from pottery barn. (we placed two 8x10's side by side to cover the whole living space)

posted by jorgegomez on April 9th 2009 at 8:56pm
view jorgegomez's profile

I see you went for white monkeys instead of a red hare in your bathroom. :) Nice Apt.

posted by Rz on April 11th 2009 at 12:30am
view Rz's profile

Anyone know where to buy the grey single sleeper chair ($470) which was linked to Tiny Living? Seems their store/website no longer exists.

posted by microcebus1 on August 25th 2009 at 11:23am
view microcebus1's profile