Who Lives Here: Tami Hills + 14 y.o. son + dog
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Size: 530 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? Definitely my courtyard. When I moved in it was a horrible mess. I searched craigslist often and bricked it for free —Yea! No mowing the grass for me! The courtyard is so skinny, I cut an umbrella in Half and mounted it to the fence for additional shade — can't get enough of that down here in New Orleans. I planted banana trees, all of which I got for free from a friend, they create a wonderful "canopy effect". Total cost for courtyard makeover: $250.

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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? When I moved in, none of my existing furniture worked in this small apartment. I lived with it for about a year until, I just could take it any more! Over the following Thanksgiving weekend — I sold everything, painted the entire apartment, a "Tiffany-box" Blue. I replaced the solid exterior doors, with doors with all windows — that was huge! That changed the feel of this very small space. I planted the banana trees just outside the windows, so it feels very "tropical" — even though we are in the city. When I moved in I had NO kitchen, all my appliances were outside. I had to reconfigure them, and convince a friend to build me cabinets. Storage was very challenging, the closets were so small. Solution: I built a closet next to it and curtained off the entire wall. Yea! That was a lifesaver. Now I don't have to look at all that stuff! The oversized Armoire (in the living room) was a $20 garage sale find. I turned it into my office, adding more shelves for a tv, printer, and file boxes. Resources: The Green Project (recycled material warehouse),craigslist,IKEA, garage sales, flea markets, and even the trash. Total cost for makeover: about $500.

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