Who Lives Here: Matt Location: Astoria — Queens, NYC Size: 375 square feet
What is your favorite element of your Small & Cool home? When I first saw the apartment I was immediately drawn in by all of the original detail, including the contrasting stained border around the hardwood floors, the original door knobs (now restored from many unfortunate layers of paint), and picture rail moulding.
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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your Small Cool home? With only 375 square feet of space and one small closet, space planning was definitely my biggest challenge. I didn't want to go with a Murphy bed or fill the apartment with pieces that would need to be moved, adjusted or hidden away on a daily basis. So I looked for furniture that could remain (relatively) stationary, fit well within the space and still serve all the daily needs. Really the only piece that does double duty is the large table on casters. It's mostly used as a desk but is large enough to function as a dining table with minimal adjustments.
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Check out all the entries on our contest page.
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WOW!! I love this place...what great style!!! Amazing what you can do in a small space..it looks BIG BIG on style!
your artwork rocks! would love to know who's who.
Oh I like this very much.
Great job!
I really like the curtain rod and the way it mounts to the wall -- I have a weird set window perfect for something like that. Where can I get one, or is this a DIY project? Thanks!
yeah matt. tell us about the art work.
Oooooohhhhh me likeyyyyyy! Amazing job!
Great looking apartment and use of your space and your furniture pieces are wonderful.
Very cool Matt. I like all the color!
this place rules! i want to go to there
Great apartment. I want to live there!
um, Matt? I think we should get married.
wow, this is my favorite. the artwork...i die.
u won my vote on the first picture alone. artwork = beyond all awesomeness...
I love everything about this place!
great space, Matt, artworks are amazingggg.... and happy finally someone from the neighborhood is in the contest!!!
Hope to see you in the finals...
My favorite for a space this size. (And my first thumbs up!)
this is my favorite! great use of artwork, color, and space. hope you win.
Cute
Matty!! So, so, so cute!! You have even less square footage than us and it looks A-mazing!!!! Big thumbs up!!! When can we come see for real?
i love, love, love all the colorful artwork behind the couch!
Great! This is a winner in my book!
I love this.
I love how you managed to incorporate vintage MCM pieces with more contemporary pieces, IKEA and other contemporary pieces with very cool artwork that's heavy on the graphic design which I think perks up the space considerably.
Does not look staged, nor cluttery, just perfect in my book.
Love that little blue lamp, did you get that at Crate and Barrel? Very cute in your kitchen.
Obviously worthy provenance regarding the Thiebaud.
The apt. really looks great. mrsplp
I love this apartment - there's a definite sense of personality. I really like the lamp in the living room, the one with the fiberglass shade. I've been looking for something like that. If you don't mind, could you please share your source for the shade and/or lamp?
Your apt really rocks! Great art influence, especially the Thiebaud. Stay cool! mrsplp
luv
Very stylish with the beautiful art and furniture choices.
Thanks very much for all of the nice comments! To answer your questions, the artwork is a mix of flea market finds, hand-me-downs and some DIY artwork. I wish I could help and remember where I got the curtain rod, but I'm pretty sure it's an old Umbra model. The floor lamp base is from Bed Bath & Beyond and I found the fiberglass shade at a local flea market (I'm sure you could probably find one on eBay as well). The small blue lamp is from Crate and Barrel. Hope this helps! Thanks again!
the framed art and pillows are wowderful. nice...
deym! this is very nice.
my husband and i also live in astoria (and I noticed we have the same red toaster, red cuisinart and ikea drawers & table legs, too!)
i just love how you've taken a teeny tiny space and made it huge with color and style. so, even though ciddyguy and the others already summed it up quite nicely, I just wanted to say "Hey Neighbor - sweet pad!"
Wow! I love the colors, artwork and mid century modern vibe you got going on. I love the lucite coffee table. I swear I could decorate a whole apt in glass, crystal, clear plastic and lucite...that way it could be crammed full of stuff and yet wouldn't look filled.
I also like the black book shelves next to the bed. The ball knobs on the piece of furniture next to the desk, were they original or did you add them? Love the George Nelson ball coat hanger..I forget exactly what it is called. I used to have one but it looked juvenile in my place but looks all grown up in yours. The way you mixed color is amazing to me.