
thumbs up
Name: Idea Chick, her husband and one ferocious cat
Location: Oakland, California
Size: 620 square feet
What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? Our windows face east and west, so we get fabulous light all day long. There are crystals hung in almost every window, so throughout the day rainbows are reflected on the walls. The natural light is also ideal for enjoying our changing collection of artworks.
Give Idea Chick a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? Storage is a huge issue in our apartment. There is just one small 2.5 x 5 x 8.5 closet for all of our belongings! We looked for furniture that provided ample storage and did not weigh the place down but rather made it feel open and welcoming. And we have used every available inch of space under furniture and behind doors. We have enjoyed the challenge of figuring out how to best use the space—most of our furniture has been in at least two different spots.
Give Idea Chick 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!

Oranges and Yellows are so hard to pull off together, but damn, they're great here! You pulled off the retro without the mothballs.
view Stephanie K's profile
Like it!!
Can you post where you got the bookshelf/media stand from?
view plumeria's profile
Cosy bedroom...like what you did in there. Simple and sweet
view tdeb's profile
Please oh please tell me where the tv shelving is from?!
view MilenaB.'s profile
Love this!!! Thumbs up from me. Great light fixture over the table, and glad you're not afraid to show off your kitchen like some of the other entries! :)
view alaylam's profile
Really cute!!
view rhianna's profile
Very nice!
view suzy8track's profile
Awww it's so pretty... I love the painting above your bed... the nice cool colors mixed with your warm and cozy looking furniture. A very nice retro feel. I love your dining and coffee table arrangements.
view Lafferteezy's profile
I really love this one. You'd never know it was such a small space by looking at the pictures.
I'm curious to learn more about the dining table and chairs... they are great! Where are the from?
Thanks!
view fuzzynk's profile
I love your white round table and the accompanying chairs. Would you be able to share your source? Thx!!
view ccoopfan's profile
I love the painting over the credenza in your dining space. Any chance it's a Bay Area artist?
view GrizzleBizzle's profile
I love, love, love, how you've incorporated artwork throughout your apartment! Way to choose window treatments tha accent the natural light!
view socalsweetie007's profile
I too love the artwork - especially over the bed and the glimpse of something tiny and great in your kitchen. Would love to know who the artist(s) is(are). Great place.
view calihoya's profile
Above and beyond the fact that I really like your place, I think you did a great job of showcasing what you have by taking some excellent pictures!
view Gvinton's profile
that is awesome how you used the cubits for the tv. i always wish I could have a "double wide" cube...good thinking on making two layers
view TheLiberator's profile
judging from the colors you put in your place, i have decided that you and i should be friends! i have some lovely sprawling orange and yellow ranunculus(es?) on my dining table right now.
view lizziepeony's profile
Lovely apt! Is that Lake Merritt outside your window?
view Lesley's profile
Thanks for all of the great comments!
To answer some of your questions…
Plumeria & MilenaB- The tv/book shelf is a little bit of a diy. The cubbies are the Design Within Reach Cubits. I had a shelf cut the length of the unit so that I could place four extra cubits on top of it.
Ccoopfan & fuzzynk- The dining table is a vintage knock-off of the Saarinen tulip table. It may be Burke, but I’m not sure. I got it from OC Modern.
The chairs are Thonet. They were a little beat up and ragged when we bought them, so we had them reupholstered. The guy we bought them from has a spot at the Alameda Flea Market (Greg/Trout Farm).
GrizzleBizzle & Calihoya- My husband, Carl Auge, made all of the paintings in our home (http://www.neoimages.com/artistportfolio.aspx?pid=1765). He has a studio in Oakland, and does mainly large scale oil paintings. He's having a solo show at Rowan Morrison Gallery in July, so if you're in the area, come check it out!
Lizziepeony- Yellows and oranges with a small of fuchsia are my favorite colors, they really warm up a place. Ranunculus for now, and I can wait for Dahlias in the summer! And peonies whenever I can get them!
view idea chick's profile
can you identify the two plant species in the pots by the dining room window?
view nkr707's profile
Love the place. Absolutely fantastic! You have an eye for brilliant interior design!
view ajbeeck's profile
That pink chair is to die for!
view meg_ues's profile
Pictures are amazing and so is the light in this beautiful apartment!!!
I got to stay here during my last visit to the bay area...but missed out on the arrival of the fab chair!! Will have to make a trip back to Oakland to see it ;)
view PhantomLadyVTG's profile
It's very pretty. I like all your colors and that kitchen.
view FilthyMcNasty's profile
You have a great eye for color and took some risks that paid off. Good job!
view cherrybomb76's profile
luv it!
chic and artsy, great colors
and of course, amazing paintings
not cluttered yet very homey feeling
kudos!
view mezbaker's profile
Great place. Nice spaces. Exceptional light quality. Nice art.
view JRAyoub's profile
i love it! so clean and fun, happy, relaxing, creative, artsy! what more do you need?!
view chiyo's profile