What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? Since mine is a studio flat, everything is in one room so my favourite element has to be how adaptable the layout and furniture is. When I have guests, the daybed becomes a sofa, the stools that make up the window seat become the dining chairs, and the scatter cushions on top of the low bookcases become ideal places to perch. The huge open cupboards that run along the front of this attic room pose as a walk (crawl) in wardrobe, and out of sight storage for magazines, art materials and music. I even use the plate rack to hang drying clothes! A truly versatile home.
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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? I live on the top (fourth) floor of a Victorian conversion, and since it's the loft room the steps leading up to it are tiny and make carrying anything up them extremely awkward. This means I couldn't get large thrifted or antique pieces; everything had to be flat packed and hand built. Instead of rushing to furnish the place, I carefully chose multifunctional pieces and gradually managed to build up a cosy yet practical space. Mixing Ikea's cheapest, plain wood items with their more charming essentials (like the coffee table used for dining) meant that I could have striking features and have fun wood staining, painting, and decoupaging! I draw inspiration from everything around me but my biggest resource was online sites like Apartment Therapy, The Selby, Ikea Hacker, and Design Sponge. I must also mention Livejournal communities like saucydwellings and ourbedrooms, the kind of places where you can discuss ideas and get wonderful feedback.
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This has so much appeal and cool. So small and yet so sexy. The hits of red, using editorial print as compliment to the typewriters is just brilliant. Kudos.
very charming..very victorian 'maids' room!!!
bee, your space is so cozy and cute!
what do you think of that ikea daybed? is it pretty sturdy? it's been on my to-buy list for my guest bedroom.
This is really cute, i love how you customized the ikea pieces to fit your style.
I would like to know where you got the round table. I'm hoping you say Ikea.
I've seen your place before, I think it was on LJ!
I like how you've made a cosy space out of SUCH a small room by "hacking" Ikea pieces. The bench/bookcase for instance, it looks very nice.
Well done!
This is truly a triumph of imagination over space. Well done.
Never mind I found it. It is Ikea. Great room by the way. You got my vote.
I think the furniture is too clunky for the small space. I would also like to see more multifunctional pieces...having shoes displayed in the middle of the room doesn't count. That tiny space could easily be transformed if she opened it up. I'd love to have a few hundred bucks and a weekend in that flat!
I don't know who the person living there is. It is very hard to get any idea of her personality and I think a well-designed home includes that, as well as aesthetics. While it's comfy and stuffed to the brim, I don't feel it's at its best whatsoever.
IMO, those LJ communities were never truly good sources for home design outside of freshman year of college.
On another note, good call on the Maker's Mark. ;)
very creative! good job.
Funny, I was about to say I found it interesting how intensely personal a space she managed to make here only using furniture, and not actually doing anything to the walls or structure of the place.
I wish we could see a little more of the kitchen!
I like using the bookcases to make a sense of a private little place to sleep away from the kitchen, but I would definitely change one thing - those great typewriters would get a nice solid display shelf over the bed, so they could still be in view as art but not take up such a huge amount of central space in an already tiny place.
Kudos on using so much Ikea stuff and yet hiding it to it's not just another ikea-space!
Typewriters are cool, but they just seem like they take up so much space, especially when you are living in a studio. Otherwise, I really like your place.
Good job on fitting into such a small space. I was wondering how in the world you were able to sacrifice all that precious shelf space for a type-writer collection (which is awesome, btw) until i saw that you had a large hidden cabinet behind those doors. That being the case, I love that you displayed those type-writers so fearlessly! They add a fun element to your home.
Another commenter said something about an old-fashioned maid's quarters...which i agree with (in a good way).
The only issue I have is with that large red shelf unit by the bathroom. My issue isn't with the shelving unit itself, but more like...why would you waste all that space with a shelving unit that is empty? Or are you planning on filling it with something?
Thanks for sharing your home!
I like the typewriter collection.
i'd put those typewriters on the vertical shelf!
amazing!
How many skylights do you have? it looks like one in the kitchen. And that looks like a washing machine?
Also think you have done a great job. I would put the type writers hanging on the wall but not above the bed (someone had theirs on the wall in one post one time). but since they are special to you, you should have them in a meaningful place.
:)
wow!
You could also hang the typewriters on the wall -- if you have enough wall space.
I *ABSOLUTELY* love it!! I think your personality shines through loud and clear. Certainly not the garden colors that I have in my place. My Mom loved red; she would have been over-the-moon after seeing your place :)
I have about 350 square feet ... it amazes me that you've gotten so much into your space.
That storage place is a blessing. I have to go down to the basement to get to mine.
Thanks for sharing.
Barb
Definitely hang the typewriters.
Although... its seems like they would be a lot of fun during parties!
I like how everything is within the same colour scheme, which I guess is important in such a small space, since everything is visible in one glance. It seems like the way stuff is laid out emphasizes how small it is, rather than finding ways to seem more spacious. Its definitely cozy!
I am gobsmacked, this is absolutely stunning. I'm so impressed that you managed to cram so much style and personality into a space that's so small, without being a slave to the bare surfaces and mirrored finishes that are the typical way to make a space look larger. I can't believe you managed to create so many distinct spaces in this tiny footprint, and cheerfully squandered that precious space on your typewriter collection. I can absolutely see this is a cosy retreat but also as a place regularly filled with friends having drinks or a meal. I do wonder about that empty tapered red shelf, it does seem to take up a lot of space for what it offers, but overall I think your place is a winner :)
The row of vintage typewriters and that wonderful round pedestal table are my favorite elements in your home. I also like the fact that it doesn't seem as if your furniture and accessories could be purchased with just one trip to Ikea.
This space has lots of character.
I would also recommend hanging the typwritters on the wall or on a shelf on the wall.
Thankyou all for your lovely comments! I'm truly flattered!
Apologies for the delay in responding to questions, here are some answers -
The Ikea daybed is perfect, so comfortable (I also chose an Ikea mattress) and is very sturdy considering how reasonably priced it is! I highly recommend it.
And yep the round table is also Ikea, it's meant to be a bedside table, heh.
At first I did use the large bookcase in it's traditional sense, for magazines and storage boxes, but I found it started to look too Ikea showroom esque (not that there'a anything wrong with that; I love Ikea showrooms) so decided to surround myself with my prettiest treasured items (hence the typewriters being on display and my old cd's, ironing board etc being in the cupboards).
I would love the typewriters to be on the walls or on a sturdy shelf but I'm not supposed to hang stuff up, plus most of the inner walls are thin plasterboard and I just wouldn't trust it!
The kitchen is quite generic hence I didn't include it fully in shots, though it does have a washing machine and other white goods so does the job.
Lastly if you want to see some more pictures of work in progresses and customisation, there are loads on my Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26779378@N00/
Thanks again!
-Bee
Thankyou all for your lovely comments! I'm truly flattered!
EDIT - Just realised I shouldn't have included my Flickr link in my last comment, sorry! Please delete that comment and keep this one, thanks. :)
Apologies for the delay in responding to questions, here are some answers -
The Ikea daybed is perfect, so comfortable (I also chose an Ikea mattress) and is very sturdy considering how reasonably priced it is! I highly recommend it.
And yep the round table is also Ikea, it's meant to be a bedside table, heh.
At first I did use the large bookcase in it's traditional sense, for magazines and storage boxes, but I found it started to look too Ikea showroom esque (not that there'a anything wrong with that; I love Ikea showrooms) so decided to surround myself with my prettiest treasured items (hence the typewriters being on display and my old cd's, ironing board etc being in the cupboards).
I would love the typewriters to be on the walls or on a sturdy shelf but I'm not supposed to hang stuff up, plus most of the inner walls are thin plasterboard and I just wouldn't trust it!
The kitchen is quite generic hence I didn't include it fully in shots, though it does have a washing machine and other white goods so does the job.
Thanks again!
-Bee
Love how cozy it is, without feeling cramped - would love to see the bath! IKEA bed?
Its gorgeous, its so hard to make a small space personal but I think you manage it perfectly. I totally disagree with the comment below, I think its shows LOADS of your personality!
I joined the site just so I could vote for this. Smallest Coolest. Yes.
Hello Bee, I love your little abode. So cozy I want to wrap myself in it. The colours are great. Can you please tell me about the paint on the walls? I love the colour.
Little In Oz, it's funny you ask about the paint colour since it's just magnolia! I think it looks darker since the photos were taken at night and I had the lights on. I can't change it anyway since I'm renting :) Thanks for the thumbs up!
Bee,
Love it!
Hi Bee - thanks for replying. Is that Magnolia by a certain paint manufacturer, that you know of?
what a room--thanks for the glimpse!
Really adorable space. It seems very personality packed to me! Thanks for sharing!
Oh wow. One of those rare occasions on AT where you see someone using a computer that isn't from Apple.
The typewriters atop the shelves (with heels stored inside!) has to be my favorite room divider yet! Love the antique femininity!