- Name:
- Polsia
- Location:
- Brooklyn, NY
- Square Feet:
- 500
- Division:
- Tiny
- What I Love About My Small Home:
- I had been renting a very long, narrow and dark railroad apartment in the East Village, so as soon as I saw the square rooms in this beautiful brownstone in Brooklyn, I was smitten. I was hoping to find a place with its own private patio/garden, which this has. These brownstone garden apartments can be dark because they are partially sub-ground level, but this one was super light and bright, and even better still, filled with details like the old marble fireplace, tin ceilings, and original inlaid wood floors. I also love the 13' wall of kitchen because it's a great use of space and easy to work in with 2 or 3 people. I feel like I have a full dedicated kitchen, even though it only takes up one wall of the main room. I can't imagine living anyplace that doesn't have an open-plan main living area anymore. The idea of having separate box rooms for living room, kitchen, and dining room feels wasteful!
- Biggest Challenge of Living in a Small Space
- I have learned to de-clutter over the years, and I mean severely. After living in 3 consecutive 3-bedroom houses, I now I live in two very small rooms in less than 500 square feet total, and I still found space to keep certain areas free of furniture to walk around in. Multi-use furniture is clever and necessary: my sofa doubles as a standard sized twin bed, my dining table/desk will seat 6 comfortably with the bench seat, and I'm addicted to benches! They work as seating and coffee table. The Ikea Lack shelf on its side, which holds the TV, has also worked as extra seating by moving the speakers and using seat cushions. (Those speaker stands were featured in your Unplggd section because they are Ikea hacks!) I was also challenged with the living area having 3 doors, so nothing could go against walls or windows, which is how I came up with the idea of floating the dining table/sofa in the middle of the room. I love being able to walk around it and have easy access to the windows.
Categories:
Style,
Main,
2012,
New York,
Small Cool,
Small Spaces
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I would bring the comforter to cover the bed fully or at least 3/4's of the way. Looks odd to me but I know the look you are trying for.
I would also bring forward that cute chair that's sitting all alone in that corner if possible.
Other than that, very sweet home. Welcoming for sure.
@lyonstill, I agree about the bed-I think it just needs another layer that's all.
Really lovely apartment.
Nice job working with this space! Where did you find your sofa?
Thank you! The sofa is from West Elm. I think you're right about re-thinking the duvet and pulling it all the way up or having one more layer.
I don't get the obsession with putting so many layers on the bed or placing the blankets a special way. Especially so many pillows of different sizes, which then aren't used anyway, just for decoration. I mean, who cares? It's your bedroom! You don't even have to make the bed.
love the mirror in the 4th picture. Where is it from?
Totes-amaze!
You had me at that beautiful bed next to the fireplace. Where is it from? I would love something like that but in leather so I can clean it easier. Thanks for sharing!
I was interested in the comments about the comforter. We do the same with our duvet, but we have a lot more pillows. We each use 3 pillows, so none of them are extra. I don't want the duvet up around me and my husband always wants the duvet!
Lovely apartment.
I love your bed where is it from?
Lovely.
Thanks for the comments! The mirror, Chinese cabinet and dining table in the 4th picture were given to me by a friend of the family and I painted them all white.
I found the bed online, it's called Sophie Tufted Platform bed and is available on a number of sites, but I replaced the bun feet with 6" stainless steel legs from Ikea to get it higher off the floor so the room feels airier.
The duvet cover is Marimekko.
this is great! I've never seen a bedroom within a bedroom before... pretty neat. love your sofa!
Such a beautiful bed why not showcase it with great bedding. I like the duvet cover, great choice in color and pattern. I do agree with everyone else (LYONSTILL mostly) that it should be brought up a little more. I totally get the look you're going for, but this isn't it. I do thank you for trying though. I think making the bed is crucial, especially when putting it on the internet. Even if you're not putting it on the internet, making the bed or not says a lot about a person. One or two days a week without making it is one thing, but to NEVER make your bed is another.
I like the style and the overall feel of your bedroom. Very warm and welcoming, yet not overdone.
@MsKariLynn -- I'm not sure I understand. Where is there a bedroom within a bedroom?