I like the elements here; the sofa, bed etc. But there is an awful lot out on display, no negative space to rest the eye. Also for the photo shoot I would have put those plastic tubs under the bed out of sight. I love an electric guitar on display, though. Overall good effort, needs refinement.

That kitchen is adorable, love it.

I am not a fan of lots of small things on the wall but it works here with the scale of things. That settee is great and the patterned draperies are a nice touch. I like the overall feeling and color hue does not seem as small as it is. Good job.

I love it.

I actually love this. The very neutral color palate is the reason your extensive memorabilia collection isn't overwhelming. The pale gray walls are an excellent backdrop. GREAT color choices. I also love the brick wall behind the settee. I don't even mind the (what appears to be) rusty water stains. It give the whole place a very indoor/outdoor conservatory feel. I like a bit of patina. As for the plastic boxes under the bed, well, I not only would have removed them for the photo shoot, I would have gotten rid of them permanently. You need something wicker, like what you have in your gorgeous kitchen. I think it would make a HUGE difference. (Also, GREAT choice of flowers. Love the pop of pink against the pale gray.)

nice place. so tiny though, if it were me i'd have a sofa bed. also, i do sort of wonder if keeping a cat in a place that small is a bit sad (for the cat... also for the person smelling the litterbox).

I like this place,iIt is in the 'teeny tiny division', ya know! Had they not showed the storage tubs under the bed, people would have asked "...where do you put/hid your stuff." Although a bed skirt would not be inappropriate. With 2 cats, though, I wonder, where's the litter box(s) or did I just miss it.

Oh yeah, I would like to see a closer inspection of the autographed albums. I have a small collection of those too!

Not loving the little frames lower down in picture #4, but other than that, brava. I've just spent a week in a UES place of about the same size (and with two cats as well), and it was the polar opposite of your place – cramped, dark and dusty.

Marmalade cats are so cool. . . as to litter boxes, I've seen some wonderful ones disquised as furniture:http://wp.me/st2rM-1002

I also like using natural pine pellet litter...it's a green product and smells a lot better than clay litters. Seems to stay fresher longer, too.

Loving the corner with the desk.

A bathroom right off the kitchen...how unfortunate. But on the other hand, it might be a good diet aid.

I LOVE your place and would move in tomorrow! I love all the music stuff on your walls - it really shows your personality.

But couches like yours always bother me. The problem is that I LOVE it, it is so cool and just love the shade of grey. However, as it is your only seating option, it doesn't look remotely comfortable, like I wouldn't want to lie on it for an extended DVD watching session. But it looks so awesome!

I just really struggle with comfort vs looks.

You did a great job working with what little space you have. Your workspace and kitchen area is lovely.

I love your space!

Love it.

Love the colors, but, really, there are more stylish storage solutions than plastic bins. Better yet, leave the space under the bed entirely open.

VERY nice... but i would def put a bed skirt over those plastic storage bins or change the bins to something more cohesive with your design.

girly and rock'n'roll. I love on the rust water stains and the guitars in the kitchen.

Love, love, love this space! What an efficient and effective use of space. The colours are gorgeous and I admire what you did with the pictures (someone has a lot of patience). I like too how you've let things be what they are...not trying to disguise them.
This is my favourite so far.

This is amazing and I really think out of the submissions so far this should win. I wish I could go with a sofa like that because it is stunning but I really need some comfort with my looks.
The only issue I have, as others do, is the plastic storage bins. Either prettier storage bins (rattan maybe?) or a bedskirt is needed. Quick fix for a big change.

I really, REALLY like it! Great job!

You have done a beautiful job in your tiny space! And love your kitties.

@gardenofbrick: you're recommending sacrificing underbed storage in a 285sf place for the sake of aesthetics? Wow. If I lived in 285sf, you'd be ripping my out-of-the-way storage from my cold, dead hands, and you'd need a posse of big, muscley guys to help you do it.

Sixth (?) the call for a bedskirt -- it'd make all the difference.

Thanks for all the comments! I really appreciate all of the feedback.

So, let's just get the issue of the storage bins out of the way! As 1050908 alluded to, the under-bed storage is really our main storage area, so not including them in the pictures would have painted a pretty unrealistic picture of living in under 300 sq. feet. We used to have a bed skirt, but it got so dusty and it was a pain to fit on the bed... I'm not sure if that's a common issue with IKEA beds or just ours in particular, but we couldn't fit a bed skirt on without cutting/sewing. So, I'm not a fan of the bed skirt idea, but I am completely open to any suggestions anyone might have for better bins :)

As far as the cat and litter box situation, the litter box is in the bathroom, underneath the toilet paper holder as you walk in to the left. We used to use Feline Pine (well, the Trader Joe's version), which was really good on the smell, but the tracking was unbearable. Now we use Yesterday's News (pellets of recycled newspaper) which is just as good, if not better on the smell, with no tracking.

I know the sofa doesn't look that comfy, but it's really not bad! I usually lie down on it with my head on one end and feet up on the other and it is heaven... but I'm pretty short, so that might make a difference.

Great space!

I've used under-bed storage boxes with that identical Ikea bedframe. I recommend swapping out the white plastic boxes with a woven basket material that would blend into the color of the floor. That will help them be less obvious. I love the bed frame because it has such a high clearance allowing lots of under bed storage.

This place is very inspiring for me. I thought one person, one cat and 2 rats was difficult in 312 sq feet. I'm impressed at the 2 people/2 cats in 285 sq feet!

I love this - totally inspiring. I can tell just from these few pictures that you've made the space work for you.

Which is why, although I worry that the guitars will get greasy, I'll trust you on that. They're your guitars, after all!

I love how you've used the space.

I lived for one-plus years in an NYC studio at around the 250 sq. ft. mark. (By myself, with no pets.) I think some of the commenters just don't realize how small this is. And sometimes, when you want to live in Manhattan, like really in Manhattan, there might be (hopefully old) rusty stains on a brick wall. And you'll like it, darn it!!

Anyway, I think it has a very clean, restrained feel. It seems to accomodate living, working and sleeping. I like the kitchen - there is stuff on display, and some visual interest, but even though it's tiny, it doesn't seem crowded or overstuffed.

PS - at least the bathtub isn't in the kitchen. In the building I lived in, there were unrenovated units (because they were rent-controlled) that still had bathtubs in kitchens.

Small blessings...

Love this one! Definitely my favorite small cool so far! I simply adore that couch!!! Where is it from? It looks very chic and expensive!

Yeah I understand the bed skirt thing, it is very difficult with Ikea beds. Ikea has Rattan bins with cloth inserts though. If you use those they would reference the rattan in the kitchen. I think they would work much better.

Wow. 2 people and 2 cats in 285 sq ft. Makes me anxious just thinking about it... I've never been happier that I moved to an outer borough.

I am in love with this. Where's you sofa/chaise thing from? I've seen something similar on urbanoutfitters.com.

i am apparently in the minority, but i like the plastic bins far more than i would woven or cloth ones. they look clean and keep the contents dust free. i'm not a fan of baskets in a sleeping area, and especially not under the bed where everything gets so dusty.

my favorite teeny tiny so far!

I like this a lot actually.

This is gorgeous - easily my favourite so far.

And, as with all entries in this contest, I'm in awe of how litte 'stuff' you have - I'm inspired to have a purge of everything cluttering up my flat.

The place looks really good. I have the same bed as you, and instead of a bedskirt, I would suggest getting bedding that (almost) touches the floor to hide the boxes. I bought the bedding at IKEA as well, http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00162648 you should give it a try.

Beautifully done

it's great although it's tiny. and it's even better that two people manage to live there. this must be a very harmonious couple. congratulations!

Love your place! So homey and cool! Where is your octopus pillow from? I love it, I've been searching for octopus stuff!!!

I've never been able to pull off pictures on the wall. You do it so fantastically! Great job :)

WOW! Can you hear me squeal in delight at your kitchen?? Clever use of space and color tones. Love it!

Beautifully done. What a nice way to surround yourself with happy memories without cluttering up horizontal space.

I'd like to take a long close look at all the memorabilia. A great job of getting a lot into a little space and making it inviting. My bed skirt is a block printed bedspread between the box spring and the mattress. Sometimes I put a quilt in between, or a sheet to hide the shoes that migrate underneath.

really love this place. you need a bedskirt. it can be sheer or gauzy, but the bins need to be hidden.

i normally dislike so much stuff on a wall...but you did it really well!
thumbs up for you!

I adore this. (Please get rid of the plastic boxes under the bed, though. Baskets instead? You could even put the plastic boxes inside properly sized baskets....)

Keep the plastic bins - they provide storage, keep the contents dust free and are easy to wipe down. Manhattan gets VERY dusty, especially under a bed. I can't even imagine trying to clean the dust off baskets stored under my bed.

With or without a bedskirt, I think the place looks great. Sofa doesn't look that comfy, but you can curl up in bed to watch a movie.

I agree with vab. The plastic storage does keep the contents dust free and easy to clean. Anything else would simply attract the dust and you'd be cleaning far more too often.

I like you kept it real. Nice.

Cute!

I love this place. A bed and a couch and an office, loads of shelves, loads of pictures on the walls, but it doesn't look cluttered at all. So charming, I think this is my favorite so far.

I absolutely love this one.

I must also be in the minority... to me, the bins under the bed look clean, tidy and dust free. And functional. Function is IMPORTANT. I don't mind that they show, either.

This is an inspiring place!

christina, take the next step to form and function.

I really like it! Everything is placed using good organization and a great eye.

Wonderful space, especially the kitchen. I wonder if my husband will let me hang his electric bass guitar and keyboard on the wall? It looks great in your place. A nice unexpected touch! By the way....I didn't even notice the bins until I read all of the comments.

Thanks again to all who have given thumbs up and commented! Your support is overwhelming... special thanks to those of you who defended the bins ;)

I'm still not partial to the bed skirt idea, but, like I said before, I'm definitely open to getting better storage bins. Although, vab and E.I.F. are completely right about the dust in Manhattan... so I probably won't be switching the bins with anything unless it has some sort of cover, or, like Juliet said, I could find an attractive basket big enough to hold the plastic ones.

To answer some of your questions, the couch is from Urban outfitters - it's the Antoinette fainting sofa in Herringbone. It's not listed on their website, but if you do a google search there will be a link to it. And yes, Liam is a normal height, and he also thinks it's pretty comfortable! Greekgoddess18, the octopus pillow is from overstock. And for anyone who wants to see close-ups of the memorabilia, Liam just threw together a flickr album... the link is on my profile.

Really like all the music memorabilia - exactly what I would do!
I think this place is really cool (and the bins under the bed very clean) :)

Forgaot to ask: where please is that octopus pillow from?

Nevermind...reading helps ;)

Hey!

This is one of my favorite apartments! Bravo! I just have one question-WHERE DO YOU PUT ALL YOUR CLOTHES, SHOES AND OTHER ACCESSORIES? I am planning on downsizing as well and want ideas. Thanks so much!

Does anyone know where the drapery fabric is from?

thanks!

newyorklady1, most of our clothes are hanging in the two closets, and we also have an elfa drawer system in one of the closets. All of our shoes and seasonal clothes are in the notorious bins under the bed!

shalchal, the curtains are from Anthropologie.

Really lovely apt. I love the color of the walls and the contrast of the brick. I very much appreciate the organization of the kitchen too.

Where is the narrow table in the kitchen from? Do you happen to know the depth? We live in the city as well and are looking for something identical to that.

Amazing job in so little space, it's a marvel! Pleasing shapes, placed to catch the eye - like the sofa and guitars on the wall - as well as lots of personality from the music memorabilia combine to make this apartment warm and inviting. By far, my favorite Small Cool of the season so far.

As to the bins, function is vital in this small a space. I'm fine with the plastic bins. They keep the contents clean, which baskets wouldn't do. Plus, they're washable, and living with two cats - in Manhattan, no less - I think washable is a good thing. So put my vote in the plastic column. :)

love everything about the first picture...flawless

Wow you got a lot of things, and still looks very nice and organized place!!

I love it!!

Arg! I missed the 'thumbs up' for this but it definitely has my vote (in spirit). :)

I also love the first pic.

Thanks again, everyone :)

lime217, the table in the kitchen is from amazon.com through a seller called endless variety. unfortunately, i just tried going back to the site, and it seems like the table is no longer for sale. I'm sure you could find similar tables though... the depth of ours is 14" (the narrowest we could find!).

What Oshkosh said. I think it's really a cool place!

Can I ask you guys where you got your desk? Was it a vintage find or new?

Love this :) Nice job.

Well done on how you make use of the space and still manage to make it so cozy and uncluttered.

Great job! These underbed storage boxes from Ikea would look nice under your bed:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30039586

Have you considered boxes covered in paper or fabric under the bed? Or painted wood? I mean I don't want to give anyone living in a teeny space a great big craft project like decoupage but I do not like bedskirts either. Pretty boxes are the key. Would love to see a cool gray tone-on-tone pattern there.

I love the kitchen. Guitars hanging in a kitchen is just a cool idea.

I love the octopus pillow.