- Name:
- Ricardo
- Location:
- Los Angeles, CA
- Square Feet:
- 460
- Division:
- Tiny
- What I Love About My Small Home:
- It came with a parking spot. Yes!
There are three modestly sized closets; quite a rare find for a studio apartment in the West Hollywood vicinity of LA. Almost every vintage piece of furniture and accessory I found on Craigslist, eBay, or in a thrift store.
There's plenty of room to sit on the streamlined sofa and on the expandable bench at the foot of my bed that can also double as a coffee table. The sofa conveniently turns into a bed by simply folding down the back rest.
My desk is simple and yet so funkified. My awesome bed is sleek, solid, Danish Modern with floating nightstands. It was important for me to find a nice bed since, well, it's just one of those things that stands out in a studio space like this. Another nice feature is the full size kitchen with enough space to fit a small dining table. My landlord was very accommodating by allowing me to paint the walls and change the ceiling light fixtures.
- Biggest Challenge of Living in a Small Space
- How to decorate and maximize the space without sacrificing comfort, function, aesthetic, and my wallet. I wanted three distinct living spaces - a bedroom, living room, and an office - inside the 16'x15' main room, while maintaining cohesion throughout the rest of the apartment. The solution was choosing furniture that is appropriate in scale and purpose, a smart layout, and acquiring quality, timeless pieces I wouldn't want to dispose of like I had with previous furniture. A room divider in the main room was out of the question since it would restrict the flow and make it choppy. The bed placement was limited to two options: by the window, or against the long wall on the right where you enter. I opted for the window where it fits perfectly and visually anchors the room. Find a good balance between the necessary and unnecessary, and pay attention to the little details that make a huge difference visually - colors, patterns, textures, and the unexpected.
Categories:
Style,
Main,
2012,
Los Angeles,
Small Cool,
Small Spaces
Like this Small Cool 2012 contest entry? Favorite it below!
Apartment Therapy's Sofa Shopping Guide
Nikki’s Sweet and Cheery Print Studio
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sprout Side Table
5 Things Paris Taught Me About Travel
Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
Im usually not a MCM person, but I am loving your space! So jealous of 3 closets too!!
I like it! No Expedit! Sometimes it's nice to see entries where people DON'T feel the need to break up the space as much.
I like it--nice layout and wall color. The dresser and bench have great lines. Personally, I'd change the rug to a lighter colored one or cover up the sofa to create more contrast between the two--it's too much brown currently.
Gotta have Mad Men opening sequence on TV! Love it! Also loving the bedspread (never seen such a thing), the fabulous desk, the blue planter, and the cozy kitchen.
I'm going to need the name of the gray paint you used. It's perfect.
MY NEW FAVORITE. LOOOVE IT.
I love all your pieces!
I like it! But for us stupid people..can someone tell me what MCM stands for? :)
MCM = Mid Century Modern. :)
Nicely done. The desk is wonderful. I cracked up at the square cornered pillows. Since everything was pre-owned, could they have been Fred’s and Wilma’s?
Great use of a tiny space. Good color scheme and lovely MCM furniture! It looks like you love your space. It's carefully done.
What amazing closet space for such a small apartment!
Love to know where that yellow blanket is from.
I don't even like MCM (old enough to remember it the first time around.... brr...) but this place is PERFECT
How classy! Very MCM. Love the desk.
Yes this is a winner. Not ostentatious. I like the spaciousness. I like that the room is a studio that is not divided up. Extra cool be watching Mad Men during the photo session.
Just a note: aluminium iMacs and MacBooks are more ubiquitous on AT posts that "Keep Calm" posters. Just sayin'.
Love. Everything around it is so stylish, it makes the heater look down right designer.
it's brown and I love it... that's really unexpected!
Just wonderful and the black/white stove is terrific. Everything is terrific. What you have achieved in small space and without spending big dollars - MARVELOUS!!!
I agree with PI, I'm going to need the name of that paint color. :)
You utilize the space beautifully. Well-done!
This is a wonderful apartment....mod & cozy!!
Where did that desk come from? Lovely.
Normally I dislike brown and I hate vertical blinds but OMG you have pulled this off to perfection, and it DOESN'T look like an MCM furniture shop - there isn't even an Eames chair! That's how you really do MCM. My out and out favourite so far. Bravo.
Oh and I LOVE your desk (your whole place apparently drives me to capitals). Why oh why can't I pin things from this site anymore?
I love, love love your color!!! Far too many people avoid painting when they live in an apartment because the home doesn't "belong" to them, or they dread re-painting when they move out. But it makes such a difference-your lovely home proves it. I could live without the couch, but I admit that in your space it works. Would also love to get my hands on that desk.;>)
Love that dining set in the kitchen!
Wow- thanks so much for all the great comments!!! :-) For those of you wondering about the paint color I used - it's called "Fashion Gray" by BEHR paint. You can find it at Home Depot. The "blanket / bedspread" was a great find I got on eBay. It was actually just a huge roll of unused vintage chenille fabric. I liked the shagginess of it and thought it'd make a cool blanket.
Question: I have the same table/bench that's at the foot of the bed. Does the design have a particular name?
This has to be one of the cutest spaces I have ever seen. The smart selection and placement of the furnishings and accessories makes it seem spacious even within it's small footprint!
!!!!
Could you share where you got the blue planter?
@ AKAY - the bench/table is normally referred to as a "slat bench" and associated with Danish Modern design.
@APAPPA - the blue bullet planter can be ordered online at Hip Haven - they also have other colors. It's a replica of the original bullet planters that were popular in the 50s and 60s. Some stores carry them depending on where you live. You may be able to find similar ones on ebay but if it's an original piece, those usually cost a lot more.
I'd wouldn't mind living in your space. I'm currently working on a design for a small house and your layout is interesting, though not large enough for me. Love what you've done. If I was a teacher, you'd get an A+.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw the kitchen/dining table and chairs, I love them! Great job!
I wonder how many AT'rs would have told you to rip apart that kitchen.
A little bit of Palm Springs MCM in WeHo. Lovin it Ricardo!!!!
I am envious. This place is so cute. Ricardo, you have done such a fantastic job. And I love knowing that you were able to accomplish so much on a modest budget.
@MRSEAN2K and @STATIONERYFIEND - I bought the desk from a guy who no longer wanted it in his house. He couldn't remember where he got it from since it was so long ago. There isn't a label or a tag I could find but it's in flawless condition. There's also a book shelf built into it on the left hand side :) Looks sort of art deco-ish from head-on too
"It came with a parking spot. Yes!" I feel ya! As someone who recently finished an apartment hunt, getting that included parking space is such a Eureka! moment.
I love that your place looks designed without being too designed - if that makes sense? It is natural and comfortable even though it has a coordinated design.
Really nice! MCM done excellent.
My immediate feeling/response was drama/MCM/suave batchelor so very cool and hip..of that era..You got it down! I adore this..you have a unique and wonderful home..kitchen is lucious.
I love it it is amazing it should win !!!!!!The designer is so talented. Ricardo what a wondeful joob
it's so MCM, Mad Men's on the flatscreen.
Love this room, esp. the bed and all it's fixings.
its
What is it with Los Angeles and seventies (sixties? fifties?) furniture? I totally called the city just based on the sofa. Weird.
I feel like you're living in an episode of Mad Men - love it!!
It would drive me crazy that the bed is right there when you come in. It’s like you said though, you make it work with what you’re given.
My jaw literally dropped when I saw the first picture and I said out loud, "I want to live here."
Count me into the desk fanclub. It breaks my heart a little bit that the original owner didn't know where it was from but I'm sure it could be a fun (albeit slightly time consuming) DIY project.
Add me to the list of people who don't like MCM at *all*, yet LOVE this. How'd ya do that? ;)
I tried google image search at http://www.google.co.uk/imghp and using the URL to the main desk picture as a search term.
"Interesting" and NSFW results - evidently that desk's had quite a life so far (or it's what you get for living in a place with a lot of warm flesh tones.
Love it! Especially the beautiful bench/coffee table. Perfect furniture choices, and I love that you haven't tried to hide the bed - lets face it, that's where I'd be watching the tv from most days ;)
I AM a MCM person, and there isn't much about this place I don't like! I agree -it strikes the right balance between mod & cozy. Love the bright green chair rail in the kitchen!
This is FREAKIN' awesome.
Love, love, love!!!! Well done!
I love this apartment I cant say enough about it
i love the timeless pieces
This is my favorite thing I have seen on Apartment Therapy, EVER! I am in LOVE with this space!!!
Where did the kitchen table come from?
<3 it.
I like the way the room is divided without using physical dividers. And as a former West Hollywood resident, I am SUPER jealous that you got a parking space!
@DORAEMI - table came from West Elm
**Many thanks to everyone for all the awesome comments and support! :-D
I so love this space! You've done a fantastic job. I've never wanted to downgrade to a smaller space til now.
I thought that desk was to-die-for even before I knew it had a bookcase on the other side. I'm swooning. I agree with Matt, above, that you've brought Palm Springs to WeHo. But I don't think anyone in PS is using brown quite so creatively. Congratulations on your great style!
K'a'ute!!!!
Terrific! Love it...
So much brown and burnt colours and how practical is it if there is no living area in what is a decent amount of space? But it's full of MCM so it will get lots of love.
Thanks, INDIGOSAILOR. Not sure what you mean by "how practical is it if there is no living area in what is a decent amount of space?" The living area - if you will - is defined in the space near the lower half of the main room; just look for the sofa ;-) In keeping with a MCM aesthetic by utilizing an open floor plan, there's no need to interupt the exisiting flow in the space. Less is more, right? If you'll remember, the bench at the foot of my bed not only provides extra seating, but also doubles as a coffee table when used that way. I also have a great little set of collapsible side tables I can bring out as well when I have a group of people over. The practicality is evident from any angle :)
Very serene. Love it all.
Excellent- it dares to be different, yet uses the space perfectly. Love love love!!!
Your place makes me want to throw all my furniture out and impulse shop all mcm.
You had me at three closets.
I love the 1970's color palette. This is beautiful!
That desk is ridiculously cool and so unique. Your space really shows a sense of style. Well done!
"It came with a parking spot." no wiser words have been said about living in central LA, lol!
love your studio! love the muted colors that remind me of vintage Palm Springs as well as the good usage of MCM. very nice!
This is the kind of place Don Draper should have got when Betty kicked him out instead of that depressing cave : )
I love that desk. *sigh*
The planter is a perfect contrast to the wonderful wall color.
This space is awesome. The kitchen chairs?
Wowie Zowie!! This apartment is g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s!!
Omg, that sofa reminds me so much of my childhood...then I hated it, now I love it. Great place!
LOVE the unexpected green wainscoting (??) around the kitchen corner by the dining set.
Love it!!! Could you share the paint color?
I really like the spikey wall clock where did you get it?
The sunburst clock I found eBay. Do a search for sunburst clock on ebay and you should get many different results - including some vintage, and some new.