Name: Suzi and Tchotchke, a 3-year-old schnoodle
Location: Yukon Studio Lofts, in Columbus' Short North neighborhood
Size: 557 square feet
Years lived in: 3
Suzi West has gone big by going small in her Short North studio condominium, which, in the living room alone, features show-stopping "branchelier," a 3-foot-wide chandelier of white willow; an oversized zebra-print ottoman and an 8-foot-tall cupboard. Rife with European flourishes, Suzi's home, a finalist in the 2008 Small Cool Home Contest mixes old-world chic with a cheeky charm: for instance, collection of apothecary bottles--including one that once housed chloroform--sits alongside a collection of Buddha heads; a sign reading "amateur boxing every Friday nite" hangs above her stately bed.
Suzi is co-owner of Collier West, a Short North store that specializes in one of a kind, vintage and artisan-crafted home decor, lighting, textiles and jewelry. The shop, which Suzi describes as a "lifestyle store," has the spirit of a Parisian flea market; that sensibility is extended to her home, which is awash with warm, romantic touches. Gilded frames, some filled with art, others not, abound; a life-sized mirror in the shape of Venus de Milo--a souvenir of Suzi's days at Express, where she worked for 10.5 years--is draped with jewelry of her own design (her Pont Neuf jewelry line is sold at Collier West); and an elegant couch upholstered in a faded aqua velvet (on "permaloan" from a friend) rests next to an antique yardstick that reaches nearly to the top of her 11-foot-tall living room ceiling.
Though her home's square footage is small, Suzi opens up her space by forgoing curtains on her windows, which provide her with a sweeping vista of downtown Columbus. Should she desire more privacy, Suzi can raise or lower a motorized screen hanging in the doorway of her bedroom area. A roof terrace provides her additional space for relaxing and entertaining guests.
Living in such tight quarters requires a willingness to purge superfluous items and the creative use of furniture to serve multiple purposes, says Suzi. For instance, when she downsized into the condo from a 2,000-square-foot home, Suzi culled her wardrobe, limiting its contents to a collection of easy mix-and-match neutrals.
Suzi also made strategic decisions in the design of her space, such as forgoing a television and swapping out a space-hogging (and nonoperative) fireplace in favor of the cupboard. Suzi further provided her condo with a sense of space by using transparent acrylic stools, which seem to vanish in the room. And then there's pint-sized Tchotchke, a schnauzer and poodle mix who weighs less than 10 pounds, making him the perfect size for the diminutive space.
Prioritizing is important, no matter a home's size, says Suzi, who blogs about business, fashion, design and other passions at www.suziwest.com. For instance, Suzi's modern Ikea kitchen, installed when the historic Yukon building was renovated in 2006, is not necessarily to her taste, but it would have been wasteful to scrap it for that reason alone, especially given she rarely eats in. "A wise friend who was remodeling told me, 'evaluate your life, how you spend your time and then build around that,' " Suzi says.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My style: I like a mix of old and new. I like pieces with character, that have a whimsical sensibility, and I love old French design. My personal style is as mixed-up and interested as my brain is. ... I tend to call it "European Country" instead of "French Country."
Inspiration: I have a friend who told me I had this ability to find one interesting thing and polish it up and make it better, and that I tend to do that with people, too. ... My father had a great creative vision to see the potential of things and was thrifty in all senses of the term. He loved the bargain, he loved the hunt and he loved reimagining things in a refreshing way.
Favorite Element: I love apothecary things. I love the labels and the Latin and that they usually have a lot of drawers and they can hold all sorts of things.
Biggest Challenge: It's small. Some of the limitations also are that I'm self-employed, and even though I have a store, I do design and marketing work, too, and I don't have a comfortable space to work. I feel like I'm constantly carting things around.
What Friends Say: My friends joke about how I don't serve red things to drink, because of stains. (I prefer prosecco: It's a good value, it seems decadent and it's clear.) My friends love my patio; it's a great place to have cocktails.
Biggest Embarrassment: You do live hard in a small space, and there are scratches and dents in things, (and) spots on the carpet. I would like to do things like touching up the paint.
Proudest DIY: The faux zebra skin ottoman, inspired by when I worked at Express. For a brief period, Express had an intimates store, and it had something similar.
Biggest Indulgence: Fresh flowers. My favorite things are the smallest. I love great-smelling soap; I find a $12 bar of soap to be worth every penny. I love fine food, great sheets and white towels.
Best advice: Buy well. And if you're going to live in a space, think about how often you'll be touching things like handles and knobs, so buy things that feel good in your hands.
Dream source: I love John Houshmand, in New York. He takes these big, flat slabs of reclaimed wood and creates these pieces that combine nature and modernity. I love the Paris flea market, I'm cuckoo for Picasso--I don't need a Picasso, but there are certainly pieces in that style that I covet. I love Randall Tysinger in North Carolina--that's my mecca; his antiques are so chic.
Resources: Collier West supplies much of the furniture, including the branchelier. Grandview Mercantile is another of Suzi's favorite local shopping spots; Flea markets in locations as disparate as Paris, France and Springfield, Ohio also serve as resources for her home and store. Artwork in Suzi's home includes pieces by Adam Brouillette, John Derian and Sarah Fairchild. The soft yellow walls in Suzi's living room are painted with Sherwin Williams' Lantern Light.
(Thanks, Suzi!)
Images: Jennifer Wray
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I love, love, LOVE the bedside chandeliers. The whole place feels like a suite at a an upscale B&B... it's beautiful.
Some awesome inspiration for small spaces here....AT needs more like this. Love the shade between the living room and the bedroom...and the makeshift bookcase...and an odd point, but I adore that bolster on the bed. Stealing that idea for sure. What a beautiful home!
I really love the cutout mirror! What a great addition to the apartment. I want one!
THIS is nice. As said above, it feels like an upscale B&B.
The "branchelier" is amazing! Also love the cutout mirror too! You have really created a lovely old world feeling that is absolutely gorgeous!
Lovely place! The motorized shade is totally brilliant.
the artwork above the bed made me smile... :-))
This is fantastic, love everything about it.
This is breathtaking! I looooove this space so much! It is so well curated and truly inspirational. Makes me want to rearrange my furniture, artwork, and mirrors right now. So glad this was shared as a house tour!
Diggin' that aqua velvet couch. It's the show stealer for me.
A lot of beautiful and functional ideas crammed into a small space. Great sense of scale and color!
Creativeneurosis:
Despite the ability to enjoy the interview process and scene steals; I am terribly humble...So thank you, thank you for your kind words!
I really enjoying staying at BnB's, so to be flattered with that compliment is really quite touching. My culinary BFF just made shirred eggs last week and they were amazing. I have the "bed" part down, but need a little help with the breakfast part! Maybe the AT readers can convince Faith to run a recipe!
A few other tricks from the sleeve. The antique bedside chandeliers are covered in very inexpensive muslin cloth. I bought the length of material at JoAnn Fabrics and sewed lengths and lengths of "tube". As a suggestion, the color is closely matched to the walls, so that the length disappears, but in another home it would be cool to really make the vertical lines "pop" by doing a contrasting color. I am also crazy for airline cable from Lowe's to use as a hanging device, especially paired with something unexpected and not necessarily contemporary.
Thank you for your comments!
hnoeld:
I wish I could take credit for the bed roll, but it is by Matteo. We sell them at CW and they come in full lengths like mine, or in a pair. And also in this awesome ticking stripe.
I call it the tootsie roll and I "wrassle" with it every night. Its like a scene from The Sopranos. :)
danze:
Motorized shade was done locally by http://www.insideoutfitters.com/
If I recall it is a Lutron and the encasement was done to my specifications.
Thanks! I dig it too...but there is nothing better than natural light, huh?
Question for Suzi: Can you source the two nude art pieces above your fantastic blue sofa (on either side of the empty frame)? I have been looking for some similar and would love to know where those are from. Fantastic home by the way- so much character!
So many fabulous pieces and put together so nicely. The pup and that sofa made my heart skip a beat.
I would love to see your store.
Do you know the paint color in the living room?
Wonderful tour.
I just saw the color posted-The soft yellow walls in Suzi's living room are painted with Sherwin Williams' Lantern Light
This is great. It's elegant but liveable. And yes, you DO live hard in a small space. Both me and the furniture are constantly getting knocked around. =>
ellearRVA
The framed nude charcoals are from what I call our "Beholder Series." We collect a variety of artworks and leave them unframed for our customers to behold as art. (From $5 - $50 - $500) I don't have very many nudes remaining, mostly architectural prints and fashion sketches. But will definitely keep a look out for you.
What I do recommend, is that you check out your local art schools. We have the Columbus College of Art and Design in CMH and twice a year they have student art sales. I have picked up the most incredible photography, paintings, sculptures and the sort.
I do, however, have a gorgeous lot of antique gilded frames. I collect them for just such a beholder moment. Note the empty one on the wall, awaiting to be filled by the next inspiring find!
I love the sign above the bed.
This is a real Ziegfeld girl of an apartment. Perfectly done.
I was fully prepared to hate this because I am all about clean lines, but I am in awe. I love everything about your home. I feel like every item has an interesting story behind it. Thank you for sharing.
Holy cow! This is so gorgeous, and so Parisian. I would give up half my square footage to live in such style.
Oh how fun, wish I could figure out how to decorate my place so elegantly!
Ooh! This was my favorite Small Cool entry in 2008. I'm thrilled to see more of it. Thank you!
THIS is the kind of post I love to see on AT. Small, creative, clever. And in this case, also luxurious and whimsical. I absolutely love it.
Fun, fun place. So layered and fabulous.
I love the chandelier made from branches! Chandeliers are often too much "bling" for my taste, I like the lights but not the flashy metal and glass, this is perfect!!
Transcendental!
The whole interior is wonderful, but I especially like the chandelier. It has a sense of organic chaos that makes it a feature without it being overwhelming.
I love the sofa (and the dog on it), too. I adore the bed! I think this is one of the most unique spaces I've ever seen.
OOOhhh I've been wanting to do a suzi-style chandelier by my bed ever since the apt was on AT a few years ago. Now I now how! thank you!
What a great use of space! And everything in it looks very personal with lots of thought put behind the arrangement. I do wonder, though, if all of the stuff gets in the way of every day living. For instance, I don't see any room on the coffee or side tables for drinks or bowls of popcorn. How do you get around this? Thanks for sharing your beautiful home!
wow, wow, wow. this is therapy. beautiful, warm, layered, textured, colorful, moody, thoughtful, deep. everything I love.
its a great home. thanks for sharing.
Lovely! The use of color and pattern is *perfect* - enough color to define, just enough pattern and texture for contrast.
I can't imagine how difficult it would be to edit down to that scale of space, even to find things that would be interesting and not overwhelming.
Very well done!
GORGEOUS! I love all of the textures with wood and pops of color. And I love the rug over rug thing. So cozy.
I love alot of this! Very charming. Love the sign above the bed!
There is one detail I cannot figure out what it is. To the left of the sofa there is a tall item that stands on a tripod. I can't figure out what the heck it is.
This is truly beautifully curated, but... where do you eat?
Voted for this place every chance I got during Small Cool and seeing it again it looks even better. You have amazing style. Now I wish I lived in Columbus and could shop at your store.
Ingy & hurricanelea:
You asked really similar questions: where do I eat? where do I set glasses etc?
When it is just me, I sit at the edge of the kitchen counter. I think you can see the spot in a reflection of the oval mirror. There is a tall clear acrylic stool there. I find sitting at a counter makes you feel very "7 years old"...but I try to balance that out by having a glass of wine instead of milk.
When l serve dinner, (and I do) and we cannot sit outside, we find ourselves with plates in our laps. This is not a problem easily solved. The best solution would probably be to hide a couple of trays and minimally utilize those.
There is a really smart table that is available through Crate and Barrel: http://su.pr/1Kdozl that I think is brilliant. I would love to custom design something of this concept, but with ornate Louis XV legs. I had considered whether something like this would pull out from beneath the bed.
One of the best solutions I have, quite honestly, are dear friends that handle the dinners and accommodating restaurants (Love to you Rigsby's) that serve as my second kitchen.
It can be strange to have people over and have them sit on your bed. As a suggestion, if entertaining is important to you, consider a "balanced bed frame" or no frame. One that is lower to the ground, and the height of the headboard and footboard are the same. A bed can be "dressed" differently, i.e. not with pillows at one end, but rather more like a sofa, with pillows or throws distributed evenly. It will feel more like an additional seating space than your intimate rest space. (Works really well if your bed is pushed against a wall horizontally.)
Mefitia asked about the antique measuring device next to the sofa. I have no idea of its original use, but it is a giant ruler that extends to about 15 feet, I assume to identify some vertical moment without a ladder or measuring tape. At any rate, I suppose if it weren't there, I could figure out folding trays or attempt to squeeze in one more piece of furniture that would assist in the dining experience.
So again, my piece of advice remains consistent; identify how you live in your space and work to make smart decor decisions that support that choice. Even owning a 6lb dog. He fits, it works and we are both pretty happy here.
When I first designed the space, I determined I needed somewhere to sleep, a "living room space" and a lot of storage (for books mostly) and not too much room for dining. If I had wanted to entertain more, I would have skipped the "living room" concept and done a 6' reclaimed farm table with bench seating on one side that tucked in a bit and some arm chairs. Seems with a little ingenuity, you can nearly have it all.
I also love murphy beds, furniture on wheels and tall spaces where people have created lofts to increase their space.
(I think Final winner of Small Cool 2008 did that and it was brilliant.)
Hope that is helpful. Sorry for the long reply; brevity is not one of my skills.
nice..not my style but still, its beautiful.
I enjoyed everything but the empty frame. It reminded me of a set in "Latter Days," in which a character has a number of empty frames on the walls. According to the set decorator, the empty frames signified the character's empty life. Not everyone will have this association, obviously, but an empty frame is still... empty.
Interesting! The couch looks super comfy and I like the shade idea for the bedroom - up and out of the way. Awesome bed.
Unbelievably, ridiculously, over the top charming. I LOVELOVELOVE it. Beautiful job!
Suzi, my mom has an antique table that is designed very similarly to the Crate and Barrel one you are looking at. Of course it's antique, dark wood, much more curved and ornate aesthetically - more your style. But it does not have handles and could not easily be put under the bed. She uses it, when folded, as a side table under a window and it fits perfectly - but it's there when she needs it. Keep looking (or designing) - you'll find something!
OK, I just love this condo, I think it is one of my favorite European tours, just what makes it European COUNTRY?
wow - I must of missed the memo declaring Ohio part of Europe. ;)
and I swear that I've seen the photo of the living room here on apartment therapy before... am I right?
This is a really cute space. I always get excited when I see the square footage for a place is less than 1000. My place is only 600 so I can relate to a small space!
I love the colors and especially your collection of apothecary items. So cool!
The shade is a great idea, but I love fabric so I would have used that opening as an opportunity for a gorgeous curtain on a track that could be pulled closed for privacy.
Your place has such a European feel that I thought maybe there was someplace in England called Columbus. Obviously you don't need to BE in Europe to FEEL like you are. Great job :)
This is Far and Away my most favorite home tour!! I just moved from an 1800 sq ft home to a 480 sq ft cottage. I found myself thinking differently in what is important in my life... So much so, that I am throwing a "Purge Party" for my friends and coworkers. Afterwards, what is not taken will be donated. For me I am excited to give away and lighten my load.
Suzi's Biggest Indulgence are completely parallel with mine. I will be soaking up the details of this post for days to come. Hopefully I'm on a path to creating an intimate, beautiful space that speaks of who I am.
Thanks so much for the inspiration! LOVE IT!!
i guess i am the only one that doesn't like it.
very old ladyish to me.
This may be my favorite tour on AT. It's clear a lot of creative thought went into her space and the result is a kind of magic. Simply put, it's memorable.
Would love to see more character infused homes like this featured on AT. Whether eclectic, traditional, contemporary or modern, good, creative design transcends those labels. Perhaps therein lies the rub? Maybe such spaces are not so easy to find.
I'm in love. This space is fabulous! I covet the sofa and love the relaxed way she brings together very formal elements.
Love your place! You have done such a nice job using all the space. It's a good thing we live in diffrent cities--otherwise, we might fight over the same pieces! (Check mine out below and see if you agree) :)
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/house-tours/ardens-attic-abode-house-call-109548
So envy your sense of space and proportion and how you can view things from either far away or up close and they form a lovely composition. Love this place-very sensual mix of color, texture and light. The branchalier balances everything out and breaks up the lines. Thanks for sharing!
Nice chandelier but what if a bulb blows and the branches catch on fire. Isn't that a fire hazard?
As soon as I saw that sofa I knew this was going to be a repeat of Suzi's home. That's not really a complaint. I loved it first time around, and I love it now. Suzi was my pick for the "small, cool" award. I would've loved to have seen some before/afters, though. If I'm remembering correctly, you've changed the living room wall color and what was behind the sofa. And is the separator between the bedroom and living room space new?
In parting: one of my fav AT homes, and I could look at more pics anytime. Brilliant.
You have done a beautiful job of incorporating your apothecary collection and other items into your home without making it feel cluttered or overdone, especially for such a small space. I love your overlapping rugs and neat repurposed? bookshelf in the living room. Beautiful home!
I liked Suzi's art pieces but I was turned off by the design cliches -- the blank picture frame, the multiple signs of taxidermy.
I'm loving the cut out mirror. Where did you get it from?
Seraphic! Thanks for sharing.
I am really loving the color and texture of that sofa next to the yellow wall. Perfect color combination and the velvet is awesome.
I am drastically downsizing soon and came across this post while searching for small space inspiration. I love your style and was so excited to see someone from Columbus! I will have to visit your store the next time I am in the Short North. :)
I like everything but the living room artwork. I have little kids and would be uncomfortable with that in my house lol... I would do somethiing like this: http://www.oneofakindmosaics.com/example2.jpg
It's one of my own paintings and it pulls the colors of the sofa into the rest of the room :)
Nathalie.
very cozy feel to this apartment , love all the art work especially the stuff in the bathroom and living room love the bed side lamps comming down from the cieling beautiful, really love everything the ruster on the balcony is brilliant and the mirror not the female body but the other where did you find them ?
In LOVE with that bedroom. You have such a beautiful way of arranging things.
One of my favorite AT tours ever...it's like the heroine from Moulin Rouge's pad gone slightly modern. Lovely taste; something to be quite proud of.
DEAD. The absolute best tour I've ever seen! So inspired, so vocal, and really just beautiful!
the sofa and the sign of the bed are my favorite paets
Can someone please tell me where I can purchase that sofa?This is my favorite home tour.
^^I saw velvet pieces similar to this on....urban outfitters. They're not couches though, more like chaise lounges but could have the same effect. More importantly, they have the old world colors down.
My absolute favorite piece from this tour is the oval mirror with the french words scralled across it *swoon* Pure..simple..romance..chic..euro..its just everything.
I too have a small condo space in the city. Your friend's advice about the kitchen (and space, in general) is epic! I have a cookie cutter kitchen as well =) but its not worth messing with either. Its all new, and attractive enough.
This is gorgeous! Wow.... I love it so much. The couch is amazing. Your bedroom is also so great. I have been debating getting all white bedding and you have convinced me. I am bookmarking this. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home!
i love this space! i visited your store a few weekends ago and fell in love love love with the ingenious chandeliers (one of the sales associates told me a story about how one was made for a client and on delivery it wouldn't fit through the door, so all the branches had to be cut down...measure twice, cut once! :>) everything in your home is so fitting. this is definitely one of my all time favorite tours! thanks so much for sharing!
Im revisiting this blog entry! My favorite one on apartment therapy so far.
Didnt mention before - the leopard Louis XVI (XV?) chair is 2diefor. Thats sooo up my alley. Ive toyed with the idea of getting one, but I dont think I could make it work. And that beautiful but empty frame is the bomb.
Suzi, this is lovely, elegant and whimsical. I too have a modern kitchen and want to mix the look. Could you please share the other brand/colors you have painted the ceiling and trim, bedroom/bath and any others. I have been stuck for two months trying to pick colors and have been tending toward greige/sage but this looks so much more fresh. (can i do lantern light with light yellowy bamboo floors?) Much appreciated.
Inspired delirium...wow!
CRAZY.... Very Inspiring! Excellent taste.
I want that bedroom!
Thank you for sharing your place with apartment therapy.I really love the advice your friend gave you about how to decorate your place by evaluating your life, how you spend your time and then building around that.
I adored the following things about your condo: your antique bed frame, apothecary cabinet, bookshelves, the wooden "For Rent" and "Boxing" signs and your antique glass decanteurs.
I think the second best part of AT is suggesting changes based on our own tastes.
If I had your place I would change the following things to suit my taste.
I would remove the laser cut out mirror, the lady mirror, the taxidermy animals and antlers as well as the chandeliers in the living room and bedroom because they are not to my taste and because I feel they are a hackneyed design trend.
I have lived in places with chandeliers and though I originally thought them to be beautiful I soon grew to hate them when I realized all the work that was required to clean them and keep them clean. If it were my place I would replace the chandelier in the living room with more unique and easier to clean chandelier from Rejuvenation: Classic American Lighting and Houseparts such as the Willow or Dover Court: http://www.rejuvenation.com/graphics/products/big/Z019295.png or http://www.rejuvenation.com/graphics/products/big/Z000568.png
I would replace the bedroom chandeliers with pendants also from Rejuvenation:the Powell http://www.rejuvenation.com/graphics/products/big/Z000335.png or the Dora http://www.rejuvenation.com/graphics/products/big/Z007055.png
Thank you again for sharing your space with us. I love many of your great pieces.
In the bedroom I would replace the two chandeliers with either one of the following
Didn't preview and cut myself off. I would change the chandeliers in the bedroom to either the Dora or the Powell also from Rejuvenation.
Thank you for sharing your space.
I'm not sure how I originally missed this tour but I sure am glad it was linked up today because I'm in love with this space! Thanks so much for sharing it with us, it's wonderful.