- Name:
- Skyla
- Location:
- Washington, DC
- Square Feet:
- 425
- Division:
- Tiny
- What I Love About My Small Home:
- The two "L"s - light and location. The apartment is flooded with natural light, and steps from my door are some of the most scenic spots in D.C. I started decorating from scratch and kept things simple by choosing just two colors, green and white. I love Chinoiserie and Palm Beach style (can you tell?!) – not exactly D.C. chic, so furnishing the apartment turned into a treasure hunt through vintage and thrift stores, where I found almost all of my furnishings. For instance, the Chinese screen/headboard was scored in an antique store and the credenza was ordered on eBay (and refinished from a terrible cream and blue paint job). I also got creative with DIY, making curtains and painting the "artwork" that hangs over the credenza. The result is a bright, beachy space that feels like an oasis in the city.
- Biggest Challenge of Living in a Small Space
- I'm a bookworm, so finding a place to store my books is a constant challenge. I turned my bookcases into walls; with a double-sided EXPEDIT shelving system from IKEA, books can be displayed spine-out on both sides of the shelves separating the living and sleeping spaces. The other challenge was fitting in normal furniture; it was important to me that my studio didn't feel like a doll house. I balanced larger pieces (the credenza) with smaller items (a dining table that will someday become a piece of accent furniture). Surprisingly, the layout feels spacious, with comfortable seating for eight (10, if guests are willing to perch on the Chinese garden stools that double as side tables!). Be sure to check out my blog, Sanity Fair, at sfair.blogspot.com.
Categories:
Style,
Main,
2012,
Small Cool,
Small Spaces,
Washington DC
Like this Small Cool 2012 contest entry? Favorite it below!
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Shaw's Original Fir...
How to Cook Moist & Tender Chicken Breasts Every Time
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
sweet!!
That green is gorgeous...what's the color?
Green & gold frames get my vote, beautiful!
splendid in every which way. the first shot was literally breath-taking.
I love that shade of green and the black bamboo chairs.
My favorite. Love it all.
I love it!! Green is my favourite colour but my landlord didn't let me change the (white...:-( ) colour of the walls. I should show him your photos, I suppose, he might change his mind! Beautiful home!
This feels so cohesive - beautiful place!
What shade of green did you use? It's perfect!
Absolutely gorgeous. What's not to love?
I love those branch handles! As for myself, I wouldnt put the bed in the entry way.
Like everyone else I love the kelly green color...really unusual. I love the living room curtains-where are they from?
Super-duper cute. I love the headboard and all the green. I would put the two matching chairs on the carpet so everything isn't pushed off to the side (not that anyone asked my opinion).
Love! Love! Love!
Beautiful. Love all the green.
I keep coming back to this one! I'm in love!
Someone needs to tell me what the green color is -- brand and name, PLEASE :D ANd what a lovely place, too!
Sophisticated, bright and cheerful! Very nice indeed.
Oh my god this is BREATHTAKING. That green made my heart stop (what paint is that??). I need to follow your blog now.
This so needs to win, I'm not usually so enthusiastic, but I could move in right now!
this place looks alot bigger than the sf. nicely done! I love the way you've hung your artwork/frames/plates. Very nice. just not a fan of gold.
Stunning! It's like a page out of a magazine. I knew the minute that I met you that you had an incredible eye for all things design. Glad that others are now getting a peak at what I've known for a long time--you're incredible. So proud of you!
For all the expedit-as-room-dividers we've seen, props to this one -- adding the second one at the end to make a little bit of an L shape really makes a nice difference in how it feels. It's a little bookcase corner of the living room, not an expedit plopped in the middle.
I agree with the person above who suggested pulling the two chairs out a few inches so their front legs are on the rug. Seems like you have plenty of room there, no need to press them back against the bookshelf.
PS: Your tv looks like it has horns. Kind of cute.
what PHENOMENAL shade of green is that. i'm going to take my laptop to Benjamin Moore to replicate it. IN LOVE.
Oh my gosh. I would recognize that awkward corner by the kitchen anywhere! I used to live in this building and in this exact same apartment layout six years ago. And yes the view is great. I was on the top floor. Only left for more space at a better price--and my own outdoor patio:) It's so interesting to see how someone else put it together. It was a very livable 425 sq ft as you have shown.
not into the whole palm-beach-overload thing, but i love how you've created so many distinct areas in such a small, open space. i really thought i'd barf if i saw another expedit in this competition, but you've managed to incorporate it beautifully! your apartment really has a unique, cohesive style... and that's worth major points.
Well done! Great sense of style.
Just beautiful. And so elegant. stately, even.
Doesn't look small.
Love love love! The green is gorgeous - if I could paint my rented apartment I would choose exactly that green. Beautiful!
Gorgeous! I love the bold green. the whole place has an amazing point of view.
You don't see enough houses making use of rich greens; I can't get enough of it personally. If my house has a "color theme" then it's Hunter Green!
Skyla lives down the hall from me. I've been lucky enough to see her place in person, and photos don't even begin to do it justice! The bedroom space is well done. It is right inside the door, but the main area draws your attention right away -- like Patrick's iconic apartment.
The place is much smaller than it appears, too! She has done a remarkable job just with fitting things in, to say nothing of her singular design talent!
Love everything. You made my day. So many entries have left me scratching my head(really?). The color combo is to die for. Chinioserie is my favorite. You are exceptionally gifted. When I visit DC to see my family, I'd love to see in person! Too pushy? :)
WOW!!!
This is a WOW! AT saved the best for last with your entry. I love it, and your place helps me get over my fear of vivd color. Your place is a total win, congrats!
I think this might be my favorite entry so far. I love the colors, the photo frames, the collection of matching photos in the living room--it's just beautiful!
Oh this is lovely...feels so tropical! I love it, especially the bamboo frames :)
Guys and Gals, I went to the blog and saw what she wrote about the paint! It's Hanging Vine by Mythic!
Fresh Lime from Benjamin Moore seems similar. http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/freshlime
Traffic Light Green is one below Fresh Lime and might be a slightly brighter alternative. http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/trafficlightgreen
Awesome!!!!! And so creative.
Beautiful! lots of interesting finds :) lovettt!
I LOVE what you've done with your dining/workspace area - the green, the furniture, the plates, all the details = STUNNING!
Looks like a layout in a top notch shelter mag. You are really talented. That green is stunning! Please tell us the color :) And the gorgeous bed. Really fabulous!!
Are you familiar with Miss Pixies antique/thrift store on 14th St? You'd love it!
Thanks for all the kind comments and suggestions! The green paint is Hanging Vine by Mystic Paint in high gloss finish, layered in two coats over a Benjamin Moore primer custom tinted to match. More details on the layout (and more photos) here: http://sfair.blogspot.com/2012/04/sanity-fair-on-apartment-therapy.html .
Gratefully,
Skyla
Love, love, love it! Don't change a thing! :)
Wow. That green is incredible. I love the placement of your desk/mirror. It really opens up that whole area. Very nice.
Your style is refreshing :)
I love the green walls. Where did you get the golden bedspread?
I so love the green and black color combination. It lifts me up! Great job and good luck in the contest.
My favorite color is green, so I was instantly drawn to the space. But really you have done a phenomenal job with every space photographed. I love your bedroom and mix of pattern!
awesome. love that green
I wish I could favorite this again--love!
I absolutely love this. Every inch of this space oozes with style. I also love how often I click on a space, fall in love with it, and see that it's located in DC (as am I). We get such a reputation for being a cold city that's just about politics, but in reality--design, culture, and the arts flourish here! Well done, and thanks for adding your own dose of beauty to our fair city. :)
NOT MUCH LEFT FOR ME TO SAY...IT'S ALL BEEN POSTED. NEVERTHELESS, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. ENJOY IT.
While I could never live in your space (big dogs, need to flop on stuff) this is one of the most beautiful small cool spaces I've seen! Its elegant, comfortable and almost no mcm to be seen!
Oh, and I would flip the chairs and the sofa so I could look out the window while I was flopping on the couch with my dogs!
Just voted, but not for the one I wanted to win. ;) It's a pleasure to be able to return to your beautiful space and enjoy it again. My kids live on the Hill and the rowhouse has it's own challenges. Can you suggest some antique/consignment stores you like? Congratulations again on your talents.
Marvelous! I like that you hung a picture on the Expedit to make it even more wall-like. Your TV sort of looks like it has antlers. :)
Very brave choice to put the bed near the front door. I don't know if I could handle that myself, but with those limited choices I might have done it too.
I have a very similar color scheme to yours. This is what my apartment wants to look like when it's all grown up.
your palette is amazing..so rich. that green is almost the perfect colour. I think having the bed near the front door is a great solution.. its away from the light..better for sleeping! Great job all round!