Who Lives Here: Jeremy
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Size: 415 square feet
What is your favorite element of your Small & Cool home? Living in a pre-war "efficiency" with the high ceilings and formal layout juxtaposed with the modern amenities and elements truly embrace the classical moderne style that I love.
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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your Small Cool home? Utlizing every moment; every inch. To design a small living quarters you must first live there for more then just a few months before a color can be chosen or latest trend indulged. Larger spaces have more ability to indulge in the current trends and for that trend to have its small area where it can acknowledge and easily forgotten. However, living in a small space makes you dig deeper and self discover what is LOVED vs. what is "liked."
In a small space you begin to understand what you love because it maybe/or represent imagination and inspiration which allows for you to be creative and in two years (or twenty) you have evolved because of the inspiration it has given you. Is it fleeting like a trend or does it take you to your private space that only allows for your most intimate thoughts to be rediscovered? Color as well. In a small dwelling imagine living in (master suite) bedroom. If all you had was a bedroom would you be so quick to just pick a yellow? Or would you pick every yellow swatch at home depot and pin them up and live with the yellow for 6 months before you actually painted. Living in a small space helps devoid the american abundance problem and self indulgence in home design is on a restraint.
For me nature takes hold of my most fondest childhood memories. The most peaceful and quiet times were found there; going to camp every summer with my father for a week and discovering everything from carving wood to staring at the wolf spider for hours- these were my most inquisitive years. This idea juxtaposed with the idea that the finest luxury always revolves around nature as well- nature is one thing man cannot replicate- therefore I try to bring that authenticity that is found in luxury and the whimsy found in my childhood.
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Comments (72)
Wow.
"Nature, whimsy and childhood" do not come to my mind when looking at this, "grownup, sexy and sophisticated" do.
Wow very theatrical! This is a small space that so well put together and layered, not easy. You should do movie sets, seriously.
Where is that narrow table cart next to the stove from?
I have no idea what he means in his "Biggest Challenges" blurb - nor can I make out all the details...
...but I'm loving the moody, dramatic, lush atmosphere he's created for himself.
Cashew: That's exactly what I was going to write.
Yummy.
this looks like someone taking the Twilight series a bit too far. Is this Anne Rice's digs? while he has very nice touches, the total darkness and cramped furniture layout makes this look like a lair and not an apartment
It looks kinda scary and awesome, like... a vampire probably drags his victims there. But it's so black I can't see many of the details. This has a serious gothic horror vibe. Which I'm not sure was the intention.
haha @ sprvardy
Other than that Jeremy's description of his biggest challenge reads more like a creative writing assignment, I like what he's done with the space.
bepsf- I agree with moody, dramatic, and lush.
sprvardy- maybe you are watching too many vampire movies :) But now that you said that yes but the lair thing might not be a bad thing.
I just love that its not conventional and easy to change out the black walls and go into a different direction.
wow, i love all the black. wish we had more pics though so we could get a better idea of the space. maybe a good candidate for a house tour...
didn't read his write-ups, but this is gorgeous. my favorite apartment i've seen in a very long time... jeremy, you can style my place any time... great colors, proportions, and pieces. so stylish.
but the question remains: does AT allow small, cool spaces without a single Eames chair?
too dark for me, but, man, is it stylish?
Well, what I can see looks neat, but it's kind of hard to see it at all.
Between the low light, high contrast photos -- of a space that is already dark and contrasty -- and the scribbly, hard-to-decipher floor plan, I've been squinting trying to figure out what's going on. If the floor plan didn't show the camera angles (a very smart idea), I think I'd be stumped. I'd really love to see some better lit photos.
I. absolutely. Love this. Quite possibly one of my favorite entries ever. I love the colors and the dramatic flare. I love the placement of artwork and the sexy feel.
It's such a sultry place. . . . I do wish there were more pictures. I'd also love to see more of the bathroom.
Fantastic job!
Gothic modern. I like.
Wow. I like that you've done exactly what you love with it and not some conventional wisdom like "it'll look bigger if it's all white"....
I also love the black, white, grey wall and gold picture frame in the kitchen. Totally stunning!
WAY too dark for me, but if that's what makes you happy then thumbs up to you.
So little yet soooo lux!!!! Great job! Amazing what one can do with just 415 sq. ft.!!!
BTW, I don't think any space over 500 sq feet should even be in this competition. I certainly won't vote for them.
I love what I can see of it. I do wish the photos were a little clearer and I didn't make it through the write-up, but it is still lovely.
Wow! What drama! Nice job.
I like! But, is that enough lighting in the kitchen area?
Well done, but not my taste at all. So dark and claustrophobic. You do have some lovely pieces, though. And I like the infant of prague on the door to the bathroom? and the coffee table is lovely. The layout image is not working for me, so it seems the photos, except for the first are vignettes and not pictures of rooms.
nycgrrl
it's unfortunate that photos can make a place seem so much smaller than it is in person--this does come off as seriously cramped, though maybe you were going for an overstuffed feel. overstuffed gothic = oppressive. but it could be an entirely different effect in person.
Wow! This is SERIOUSLY cool. Looks like a groovy love den--in a good way. Again, Wow!
By the way, I'd love to see a full house tour. This is one of the few homes where I'd actually like to see some more close-up details. So please, bring on the vignettes!
I'm kind of drooling. I like my own place a lot. But this still makes me drool.
i love the living room arrangement, especially the art, but this feels a little too heavy for an entire apartment. @le_sacre's right, the darkness and cramped photos make it feel more like a teeny-tiny.
Your apartment is a negative version of what I wish my apartment looked like. I love it.
oh my goth.
I would LOVE to see who lives in a place like this.
Good explanation for your choices. I really enjoyed peeking at your place. It looks very lush. I see you've embraced the lack of windows in the main living areas, and went your own way. Good job. :)
I'm not sure exactly what I just saw, but I came away with a vague impression of rococo mirror frames and plush textures.
Holy cow! Great job! Sometimes I think too much dark would make me feel closed in, but I could totally live here. Sexy.
I feel like getting naked
>I feel like getting naked< w00t!
I love this. perfect for a glamorous champagne hangover.
Incredible use of space. I love the sense of style, even if I would want a bit more color.
I cannot figure out for the life of me what is going on above/behind the bed. Is that the wall? A screen? I can see the lamp shadow on some type of surface but what is it???
stunning tree art source in first image please!
@ mjs7640 - BAHAHHAHAHAHA!
Oh so Sexy! you get thumbs up!
what is behind the bed? a screen? a window?
Wow. Sexy. ;)
Wait. Didn't I date you once?
This is a very interesting and sexy space. I appreciate it though I wouldnt live there because the color would get me down after awhile. It would be grand to visit for a weekend. Great use of color and texture to add high drama. The room invites you to touch frames, drapes etc I am a bit less enthusiastic about the lighting- it could be the fact that this was taken at night. But I think the room could have better use of light- this is especially important with such dark colors. But overall well done.
Sexy, lush, Gothic Victorian at it's best. I agree with those who said they'd want to get naked, the soft textures and fabrics seem oh so cushy. I really like how this is quite different that what we're used to seeing. It works because he keeps it elegant and classic and I disagree with those who think it's too dark, there's a number of bright elements (lighting, painting, cabinets, bathroom) that keep this place from being too heavy.
I wouldn't mind seeing Eric from "True Blood" here...
I cannot recall a sexier apartment ever having been featured on AT. What a gorgeous home.
Pic #4 is exactly what this space makes me worry about -- that leaving would be like walking out into a brightly lit living room from a pitch-black bedroom. I could see my eyes and skin getting lighter if I lived here!
I love dark, dramatic spaces in general, but you really blew me out of the water with this. The dark walls, the throw on the bed, the tree painting, omg that coffee table and that black chair! Then I study it harder and see the mirrored tables, the chunky black picture frame, and even the understated gold frame in the kitchen make me swoon. Seriously in love with this space. Seriously.
Fantastic. Strong point of view. A perfect place for weekend-long sex. Are you on Facebook? I wanna be your friend. =P
amazing
love it
I actually totally understand what you are saying in your write-up.
Love this lush glamourous space!
Movie star hotel room.
Living in a small space helps devoid the american abundance problem and self indulgence in home design is on a restraint.
Interior design should not be used to make moral points, especially screamingly hypocritical ones. This apartment is one of the more overdesigned and self indulgent we've seen this year.
I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but I have a very low tolerance for smug designistas who believe that "abundance" is a problem. Waste is a problem - abundance is the goal of every enlightened and campassionate civilisation.
HOT HOT HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Blandwagon--
YOU have a low tolerance for "smug designistas"?? Seriously?
But I have to agree... that write-up is pretty funny. Love the space though.
omg, hardcore!
i love that he has fully committed to his theme, but I must admit I found it a bit...scary?
Like if I didnt know him and he asked me over to his place and i was confronted with all that black I would be a bit scared and on edge.
But def admire the effort!
Love this. If I lived here I could only wear gray, black or RED. Feel like it needs more mirrors - I realize that is a personal preference. Like the frame over the stove...
Love the faux croc mirror! Where did it come from?!?
Well done and uber dramatic. This room has the back of its hand on its backward-tilted forehead.
Love the lighter tones in the kitchen and bathroom. The rest just seems way to dark for such a small space.
I love it. Very dramatic but functional. Tim Burton meets Gaga and they have a child that is almost normal. That's what it reads to me.
Thank you EVERYONE for their commentary! I love it! Especially controversy! Tom Ford, William Sofield, Joseph Dirand, Alex McQueen( God rest his soul) and even Douglas Little stand as huge inspirations to me.... I have a "blog" more like an online library of my inspiration that I would love to share... Eighteeneightytwo.blogspot.com
Personally- I LOVE black and love to live in it- unfortunately people think its depressing!! How sad!!! I don't think there are rooms that are depressing- just depressed people!!!!! I think there is a time and place for the white and bright- but a reprive of hush and wonder is also necessary and I look for that in my home. A lot of my purchases have been dumpster dives- Ikea runs- ebay treasures- and heirlooms- along with a few crazy splurges!
Again thank you for all the love!!! I've enjoyed it!!
Elegance is refusal.
-j
Blandwagon--
YOU have a low tolerance for "smug designistas"?? Seriously?
I'll give you a 20% "touche", patrick. The other 80% is reiterating that I have a low tolerance for smug designistas who believe that "abundance" is a problem.
oh, i love it! especially the chocolate (my favorite color ever). beautifully done - congrats!
Like the high-contrast at-an-odd-angle biopics ppl post of themselves on myspace, haha. Not bad though; very cohesive. The only thing is that I think the paper globe pendant is letting down the team; it's not nearly lux enough to be in the company it's keeping (alternatively, it's too organic, airy, w/e; it sort of ties into the painting of the tree, but nothing else really).
Possibly could be replaced with a black cloth/silk drum pendant?
Good lord. That bed makes me want to be inappropriate. I love the darkness there but not in the entire space.
OK I wish I coudl see your floorplan please please please.
just voted in the mathup and i seriously DO NOT understand how your competition is getting more votes than you.
i guess most AT readers prefer a bunch of thrift store crap!
oops....matchup...
This is the SEXIEST place I've seen thus far. LOVE LOVE LOVE The Black!
Might seem a little too heavy for the size of the space....
Who paints a small place black and then stuffs a big black sofa in it? Jeremy and oh so elegantly. I love it! I love black walls. There is something so classy about them.
The bedroom is so glamarous.
I love this!!!!! I really do LOVE THIS!!!!! Wow!!!!