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Small Cool 2009: Lucas' Stylish Studio
Tiny Division #33

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Who Lives There: Lucas and his wife
Location: San Francisco, California
Size: 520 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? Our favorite element is all the built-in storage we have added to our apartment. We have figured out how to maximize our 520 square feet by using built-in cabinets which add loads of storage space without making the space feel smaller.

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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? Being in a studio apartment, we struggled with how to create separation between the living and sleeping spaces, to add some privacy and coziness, without completely blocking out natural light from the sleeping space or making our apartment appear smaller.

We investigated many different ways to do this such as using fabric panels, wood slats, and even sliding glass doors, but ultimately decided on an open, floor to ceiling bookcase, which physically separates the space, lets in a bit of light, and still gives a measure of privacy and warmth in the sleeping area. In fact, the addition of the bookcase actually makes the apartment feel larger, AND gives us additional storage and display space.

Our most cherished resource in this endeavor has been our friends Shawn and Jann who design and build restaurants for a living. Their years of design work have enabled them to come up with affordable, practical, and elegant solutions to design challenges, and we are always picking their brains when we need ideas for our apartment!


Give Lucas a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
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Want more Small Cool? Check out all the entries on our contest page.

Comments (72)

Such a great place. Where did you find the long storage unit with the white counter top? And those light fixtures! Fantastic!!

posted by amybell74 on April 14th 2009 at 5:33pm
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Gorgeous closet!!

posted by Kathryn on April 14th 2009 at 5:34pm
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There's not a lot of it, but every inch is quality. Kudos!

Also, I covet your impeccable closet.

posted by FiatLex on April 14th 2009 at 5:35pm
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Beautiful closet. Seems not an ounce of wasted space... Great Job!

posted by JWa on April 14th 2009 at 5:42pm
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Pretty Amazing use of space...same problem living in SF not enough storage space...Great Job

posted by digdoctor on April 14th 2009 at 5:44pm
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i love the lineup of those spine shelves or whatever they're called. and i think the span of frosted glass cabinets is just perfection. this is a really stellar space.

posted by kdkaboom on April 14th 2009 at 5:47pm
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YES YES! Lucas... im definitely taking NOTES from your remarkable studio (living room--specifically) to convert my studio just like this! I already have eat-in kitchen so its not gonna be identical, ofc. THANK U for this revelation!

posted by muddygrrl on April 14th 2009 at 5:49pm
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love the idea of a "chandelier" in the closet

posted by sunan on April 14th 2009 at 5:53pm
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What is that thing sticking out of the wall in picture #4?

posted by Elizcrtv on April 14th 2009 at 5:58pm
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Thank you all so very much for the kudos! Bernadette (my wife) and I have spent a long time working on this place, so the praise if very nice to hear.

@amybell74: The storage unit is actually 5, 36" Ikea sliding glass cabinets that have been bolted together and mounted to the wall (the feet have been added for added stability). Unfortunately, Ikea doesn't make then anymore. The top is custom made by Westbay Plastics here in SF, out of Staron, which is a "solid surface" product.

posted by lucasrockwell on April 14th 2009 at 6:00pm
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Amybell74,if you're wondering about the kitchen pendants, it's the Dora from Rejuvenation. I have a couple of them in my kitchen, along with the "Cove" ceiling fixture above the sink.

posted by FiatLex on April 14th 2009 at 6:01pm
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@Elizcrtv: The pink thing is the Zip Conveyer by artist Kristina Lewis. We are not allowed to post links, so you will have to search for her (she will probably be the first link in the results).

posted by lucasrockwell on April 14th 2009 at 6:11pm
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Positively beautiful! I love your chairs in the sitting area. Are they new and from where?

posted by jochicago on April 14th 2009 at 6:27pm
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Stylin and economically spaced! Did you mention the views? An excellent place to have martinis.

posted by adamredwoods on April 14th 2009 at 6:27pm
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Well done! In awe of the closet.
Beautiful wall color - can you tell me what it is?

posted by ms on b on April 14th 2009 at 6:48pm
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I'm with sunan. Love the chandelier in the closet!

posted by MaeEast on April 14th 2009 at 6:53pm
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Fabulous! And I am GAY so I know!

posted by eddiepaulboy on April 14th 2009 at 6:54pm
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Nice work. I like how the TV is not enthroned in the living room like so many are. It's very sophisticated.

posted by storyscribe on April 14th 2009 at 7:18pm
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The whole apartment is beautiful! and I too like the wall color- I would have been scared to use a color like that in the whole apt for fear that it would be too "cold" but it is gorgeous.
If that is a whole wall of those dwr cubit things, wow it must have been $$$$.

posted by maybemanda on April 14th 2009 at 7:27pm
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Can't type...want your closet...give it to me....:)

posted by Matilde on April 14th 2009 at 7:30pm
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where are the goldfish I gave you guys two years ago this Thursday? I don't see them anywhere in the photos. omg.

posted by leelanau on April 14th 2009 at 7:38pm
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The closet is by ELFA (from the Container Store here in SF), it is so efficient. The chandelier is from West Elm, and is make of Capis (sp?) shells. We got the chairs from an estate sale in the Berkeley Hills. The paint colors (blue/brown/yellow) are from Dunn-Edwards; I'll see if I can find the names of the colors and I'll post them. Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments, this apartment was truly a labor of LOVE....

posted by blushingbe on April 14th 2009 at 7:44pm
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note to leelanau: uh-oh....

posted by blushingbe on April 14th 2009 at 7:45pm
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Wow. How in the world do you keep it so neat and tidy!? Please come over and teach me!

posted by ironcupcake75 on April 14th 2009 at 8:00pm
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Bravo - love everything and especially the blue paint and transparant bookcases. I'm not so sure about the leaning-towers of books, though. In eathquake country, they would make me nervous and they don't look very space-efficient. Have you considered a more substantial book-shelf system that would have more space?

posted by ensuenos on April 14th 2009 at 9:00pm
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You're inspiring us to pretty up our closets... Very nice. Sorry about the goldfish. =)

posted by MooJu on April 14th 2009 at 9:11pm
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great colors and even greater closet!

posted by ss622 on April 14th 2009 at 9:46pm
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love it. nice job!

especially love the use of colour.

this small cool series is fantastic.

posted by red.door.read. on April 14th 2009 at 11:14pm
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That place "Frickin Rock's"!!!!! I love it!!

posted by trueblue on April 15th 2009 at 12:15am
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Very nice! It's stylish and cozy and the same time.

posted by superferret on April 15th 2009 at 12:17am
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what color blue is that?

posted by brad bane on April 15th 2009 at 12:26am
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amazing small space. I am jealous. seh

posted by sehdesigns on April 15th 2009 at 12:51am
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Form and function at its best!

posted by francinelawton on April 15th 2009 at 1:44am
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Nice blue and nice use of space. Like!

posted by Lillian on April 15th 2009 at 2:09am
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Perfection!

posted by Madame Is on April 15th 2009 at 3:32am
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Wow - good use of space. I love how you separated the sleeping space from everything else - been seeing too many studios where you can see the bed. It looks larger than it is.

posted by ChrisGal on April 15th 2009 at 6:18am
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Awesome! I love the wall color - it seems to be an extension of the outdoors. I am totally amazed at all the wonderful built-ins. It looks very large.

posted by wamozart on April 15th 2009 at 6:29am
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Yummy, everything is just gorgeous. And where did you get that fun bicycle sign?

posted by emilyb on April 15th 2009 at 9:35am
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You guys have the best Tiny apartment!

posted by rharris on April 15th 2009 at 10:03am
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Amaaaaaazing.

posted by EC on April 15th 2009 at 10:15am
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Todella hieno pieni asunto! Tyyliä ja malttia sopivassa suhteessa. Hyvä!

posted by jussi on April 15th 2009 at 10:19am
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This is a wonderful use of space. I'm totally jealous of that closet space!

posted by suzy8track on April 15th 2009 at 10:42am
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You have my dream closet.

posted by bonline on April 15th 2009 at 10:55am
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Stunning. Artistic and practical. They must be very talented!

posted by tcatch on April 15th 2009 at 11:29am
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-- Cool spot

posted by waldopt on April 15th 2009 at 11:50am
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Wonderful flow and efficient use of space. It feels so much larger. I love the lighting in the kitchen and the book displays. Is this the gorgeous Hamilton building?

posted by etslee on April 15th 2009 at 11:54am
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Why, yes it IS the gorgeous Hamilton building! We love it here, it is one of the very best places to live in the glorious city of San Francisco.

posted by blushingbe on April 15th 2009 at 12:08pm
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i love how organized this place is! just stunning! where is that bicycle sign from?

posted by jessdang on April 15th 2009 at 1:13pm
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Hands down the best so far!

I'm drooling over your closet...
And the plastic bookshelf as bedroom wall is wonderful.
So is the composition of your standing bookshelf wall.
Oh yeah, and I love the kitchen countertop.

I love it allllllllllllllll!

posted by Gvinton on April 15th 2009 at 1:16pm
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The bicycle sign was painted by multi-media artist John Whitmarsh. John also created and installed the concrete countertops and installed the black glass tile backsplash in the kitchen. He's a multi-talented guy! John's website is at www.johnwhitmarsh.com

posted by blushingbe on April 15th 2009 at 1:46pm
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Commodity, firmness and delight!

posted by DenSamSan on April 15th 2009 at 1:54pm
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This is like a dream I had once.

posted by EasilyAmused on April 15th 2009 at 1:55pm
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Does anyone else want to knock over the stacks of books? They bring out a mischevious spirit in me...

posted by claire_quilty on April 15th 2009 at 3:11pm
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OMG! It doesn't look anything like it did when you bought it!! You and your wife (Congratulations!!) have done a phenominal job on your home.

posted by lmckern on April 15th 2009 at 3:52pm
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Can we swap houses? I want a chandelier in my closet too. I don't know what it looked like before, but it's phenomenal--go team Rockwell! I

posted by nnguyen415 on April 15th 2009 at 6:46pm
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good job ! that is a beautiful place .I Love it all
can i move in there too ? :-)

posted by joeylittlefucker on April 15th 2009 at 6:59pm
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of course you can, joey! you'll fit right in!! note to the masses: joey is an adorable little (monster) persian kitty cat.

posted by blushingbe on April 15th 2009 at 7:06pm
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well, joey's owner posted the comment....

posted by blushingbe on April 15th 2009 at 7:09pm
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wow I missed this one so beautiful and every space is well done. one of my favorites.

posted by LoriSF on April 15th 2009 at 9:33pm
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Yeah the divider is off the chain, your spot is out of control dope!

posted by LittleChris on April 16th 2009 at 12:00am
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I LOVE the book towers. It's like saying, yeah there are earthquakes, but fuck 'em.

posted by alehmer on April 16th 2009 at 1:04am
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wow, nicely done! is the translucent bookcase/wall unit from dwr? it reminds me of the cubits. looking for something like this for the loft i'm moving into

posted by freelily on April 16th 2009 at 1:11am
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@freelily: Yes, the translucent bookcase is the DWR Cubitec shelving. It took us 3 years to realize they were the perfect solution for dividing the living room from the bedroom. Well, Jann had to remind us that it would probably be perfect, and it is!

posted by lucasrockwell on April 16th 2009 at 1:24am
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Thank you all so very much for voting for us, and for the amazing comments! We're thrilled you find our place worthy of this remarkable contest.

-lucas and bernadette ("the wife")

posted by lucasrockwell on April 16th 2009 at 1:27am
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beautiful, i love those teardrop lights!

posted by Linda @ thebargainlife.com on April 16th 2009 at 5:43pm
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I love how all the audio & video equipment is racked up and hidden.

posted by BigT on April 16th 2009 at 8:46pm
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I would love to find out more about your undercounter refrigerators- I'm planning on doing something similar. Do you have 2 separate units? 1 fridge, 1 freezer? what brand is it? Gorgeous apartment, very inspiring!

posted by missmary on April 16th 2009 at 10:31pm
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Perfect example of less is more. I really have to try that. You really need to come do my place. My artistic ability is limited to beads, and soldering. I'm sorry I'm too late to vote. Did you get enough votes! I'll See you two in June! Love ya!

posted by folkmagic on April 18th 2009 at 12:03am
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I love how creative this apartment looks. I live in NY and the apartments in Manhattan are tiny. You really have to be creative with your space so it doesn't look like a cluttered cubby hole.

posted by QueenLeilani on April 21st 2009 at 9:14am
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Those "bookshelves" are idiotic. This alone doesn't make me want to give you my vote.

posted by Clap on April 22nd 2009 at 1:55pm
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Oooh! That's the blue I want for a wall in my living room. Please find the name! (Lovely place, too.)

posted by s-particle on April 27th 2009 at 4:06pm
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I was just being silly about the goldfish - they're still in my tub. I happen to have lived in a little 500 sf cottage for years. When someone - foolishly - moved in with me I had to chainsaw the bookcase/closet/kitchen wall in two. It's all about letting in the light. Nice work guys.

posted by leelanau on April 27th 2009 at 4:59pm
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