Who Lives Here: Eden and Belvedere, the cat Location: Portland, Oregon Size: 322 square feet
What is your favorite element of your Small & Cool home? My favorite apartment feature is the art deco details of the 1927 building that have been maintained. The arched hallway, the glass doorknobs, and the completely white walls/molding were great starting points for decorating.
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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your Small Cool home? Living in such a small space requires that I embrace compromise and decide what really matters. I could only afford a studio, but was determined to keep the space from feeling like an all-purpose dorm room. The kitchen did have a small space intended for a kitchen table, but I decided to put my bed in the kitchen so that the main room could be a dedicated living room space. A bit odd, but it works. The "bedroom wall" is a bookshelf in the kitchen that holds my cookbooks, cooking tools and pantry items. My ridiculously large book collection had to come with me, and it's been really hard to keep them from overwhelming such a small space. I've managed that problem by confining them to three big bookshelves and (hopefully eye-pleasingly) packing them in there.
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Check out all the entries on our contest page.
10 No-Fail Decor Tricks & Tips for Small Spaces
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
How To Make Perfect Bacon in the Oven
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
Adorable!
these pictures don't really give me much idea of what the place looks like except for the dining table and couch...
like that couch!
oh i love the coffe table!
Is the shelving unit in picture #4 next to the bed? It looks like it could tip over. I would worry about that.
What a great sense of style and space. You have made me want to redecorate. I feel like your apartment reflects who you are.
I can completely relate with having to keep your book collection! I think you did a good job of fitting everything in your space. Also, I think your place has a lot of personality.
I wish my bed were next to the fridge, but then why would I ever need to leave it?
I'm impressed with the number of books you're able to fit in that space (I've been there). Nice job.
the coffee table is so pretty. where did you get it?
Love your books! Your home seems very welcoming, great job!
the art in the bedroom! so cute! who is the artist?
i appreciate the fact that you color arranged your books (not sure if it was on purpose or not!). looks cozy.
I searched in vain for any of those preserved Art Deco details mentioned in the title of the post -- if those are Eden's favorite aspects of her home, I sure would love to see them...
I think that in real life, this place is darling, but the photos really don't show it off (messy bed? cluttered fridge?). Compared to some of the really amazingly styled spaces, I can't vote for this one.
I like some homes because they're impeccably decorated; I like others because they're quirky and homey and full of personality. This home looks stylish and well worn, like every inch of it is put to good use. Very sweet and cosy.
the bed right next to the kitchen is convenient. for a teeny tiny apartment, it sure looks bigger. thumbs up
I am going to assume this looks much better in real life than it came through in photos.
I used to live in a teeny tiny apt and I feel your pain with the books. However, I see you have done what I did and color coordinated them - which in my opinion really helps make things it feel less cluttered as well as more aesthetically pleasing, both of which are very important to make a small space fell larger.
Really cute and personal, I like it.
Thanks for all the kind comments about my place!
@Roseleen - the coffee table is from Anthropologie (it had a small scratch, so the price was discounted approximately 300%)
@Heather C - the bedroom art is by Trish Grantham, a great local Portland artist - she's on Etsy.com.
How inventive of you to think of putting the bed in the kitchen! Lovely apartment. I particularly like the shade of green on the couch. It is great you managed to find a way to keep all your books.
A pity that we can't see the Art Deco details she alludes to in her 'favorite part' response.
i love that couch. where did you get it?
Would have benefited from better photography, and I don't see the art deco details due to the clutter. A little editing, and you'd have a great place. Love the color of your bedding.
I love the couch and chair, and the artworks scattered about the home, giving us little surprises. Your personal style shines through. I appreciate how flexible you need to be when you are dealing with small spaces. You've done a great job.
The bed is in the kitchen? Wow that is cool. The picture of your bedspace makes it look so cozy.