Who Lives Here: Katie Location: Richmond, Virginia Size: 416 square feet
What is your favorite element of your Small & Cool home? All of the architectural details, particularly the (non-working) fireplaces. I would never have thought of a fireplace as a headboard before I found this place, but now I love it. The mantle is a perfect built-in picture rail. And of course, as so many people have said, having giant windows really is wonderful in a small apartment, and makes the whole space feel so much bigger than it is.
Thumbs Up Voting is only activated for 48 Hours — so don't delay!
Favorite element, cont.: I never thought I would be able to afford an apartment with this kind of detail right out of college. I dreamed of hardwood floors and fireplaces and exposed brick, but coming from the DC area, I assumed I'd have to wait years before I could live in a place with that much character, and that's been restored as well as this house (converted into apartments) has been. The Richmond real estate market is really amazing. There are so many unique options.
What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your Small Cool home? After years (really my entire life) of dreaming of having my own apartment, it was difficult to not go crazy and fill the place up immediately with everything I saw. That first post-graduation trip to Ikea with my graduation money I was like a kid in a candy store. Particularly in the beginning, I felt such a need to "finish" the space. But with a small space, editing is so important. I've had to learn to accept that even though I may love the idea of, say, an end table in theory, it's just too much for the space. Learning what doesn't belong in a space, especially a small space, is just as important as what does belong.
Thumbs Up Voting is only activated for 48 Hours — so don't delay!
Check out all the entries on our contest page.
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Beatriz's Fun & Functional Workspace
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sheex Bedding
A Work Week Menu Plan That You Can Do
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
How great! So sunny and bright! Very charming :)
where oh where did you find your duvet cover?
airy and light. interesting use of the nesting tables. love that tiny green stool.
i won't mention the "keep calm" poster this time since there was backlash the last time i said something! ;-))
Sunny and lovely. I love that you hand drew your floor plan.
Nicely done! I especially like the bedroom -- love orange. Would you also be so kind as to tell us where the white nesting tables are from?
IKEA Overdose.
Disagree, this is Ikea done well. Very well.
Lovely place! I could see myself living in a place like this...clean, sunny and with small and interesting touchs of color...Congratulations!
I'm slowly going to the dark side - Ikea makes cute functional affordable stuff - I actually cruised one the other day and it surprised me. So won't knock the Ikea thing for your first apartment especially when you had the good sense to pick such a nice space. Plus it looks way better than mid-century grandma. I think your place looks bright and welcoming. I'm sure you enjoy getting home every day.
Why does everybody feel the need to pass judgement on somone else's taste? It would be a pretty boring world if we all liked the same things.
yes, it would be boring if we all liked the same thing. it would be boring if no one ever voiced an opinion as well.
I'm a college student in DC right now in the same boat you described. I am so, so impressed. I only hope my first solo apartment looks this cheerful!
Great bones, great space!
Nice! Would you mind sharing your living room paint color?
Love the punches of color and furniture arrangement. You got everything in without crowding or clutter. Cute accents, too.
Yes it's obvious that alot of the stuff's from ikea. So what? When did Ikea become a bad thing???
Your place is inviting and I absolutely ADORE it! :)
It has a warmth & it's crisp! I can tell it's even better if you are in the room. Sunny too. Those orange /white dots for your bedding! Totally make the whole house! good luck!
Love your place, it's so bright! Great job! I like that you used warm tones for the walls, floors and furniture, but add some color with all the small details! It looks so welcoming...
It's my favorite small, cool place so far!
Great little place! I am love with that little round greenish-yellow pillow on the couch- is it home made? Wish i had one! Well done!
Enough, please, with the trashing of people using Ikea just because they use Ikea. Not everybody wants to sit on orange crates for ten years while they save up to afford an Eames original something, and not everybody has access to mid-century Craigslist bargains that fit their small space perfectly. This is lovely and bright and stylish and it happens to have been done with a lot of Ikea pieces. I think it looks great.
Really sweet and I for one love Ikea ;)
Nice feeling, I also would like to see a picture of your bedroom. The sofa, is it from IKEA?
Love where the wine is very nice!!
idontdobeige, i couldn't agree more. we are looking at someone that just graduated college. this place is super cute, ikea or not!
Cute! I would also love to know where the duvet cover is from.
Yay for Richmond! Looks like a fan apartment.
I only wish my first apartment out of college had the same warm feel. Your apartment is adorable and welcoming.
@ Idontdobeige....thanks for your comment!!
Where did you get your Washington DC Art pic in the bedroom? I have seen these before for other cities and would love to have one!
so nice, you make this seem much larger than 416 square feet!
I actually have the exact same question as dmvaughan15!
Super cute!!
It's beautiful! I love everything about it. :)
Here's a link for the city poster.
http://www.orkposters.com/etc.html
Thank you all so much!!
To the people who asked about the duvet cover-- it's from Ikea, but I've had it for a while. I bought it in college when I only had a twin bed, but I knew this HAD to be the centerpiece of my future apartment's bedroom, so I bought it and saved it. Sadly I don't think they make it anymore...perhaps eBay?
And yes, the white nesting table and white couch are also Ikea, although they've discontinued those also. The couch was actually a hand-me-down from a family member, and the nesting tables were leftover from the dorm. You could get a similar look to the tables with the KLUBBO tables, which come in white.
In regards to all the Ikea, pretty much what idontdobeige said :-)
And bluemamie beat me to the Ork Posters-- love! I was so excited that they had a DC one, since sometimes DC things can be a bit hard to find-- people always do New York, Paris, LA...
You've got great taste, Katie. Very sweet apartment.
Representin' the R-I-C!
Very good taste both in location and in interior.
I love your high ceilings and those lovely features. It seems so lovely and bright! You've done a great job.
Is the rug Ikea as well? I'm scouring this site for every white shag rug that I can find! Details would be lovely if you come back to comment some more on the apartment. I love the bright, sunny white decor - it really opens up small apartments.
I love this apartment, it looks so large! You've arranged everything perfectly! I love the built-in wine rack in your kitchen!