125 Square Feet! Kristen’s Minimalist Studio in Seattle

Name: Kristen Ellis
Location: Pike Place Market — Seattle, Washington

My apartment is located in the heart of the world famous Pike Place Market. The apartment is a studio and is approximately 125 square feet. The building in which it is located was originally built in 1907 and offered housing to the fisherman who needed a temporary place to stay while on shore. The building has a roof top balcony that not only overlooks the Market but the Puget Sound, Mt. Rainer and the Olympic Mountains.

My inspiration for this design was to challenge myself in the aspect of color. I believe that the use of colors has become an ordinary expectation in the world of interiors. I decided to take a non-color and make it as vibrant and timeless as traditional color palettes seen today. Though white is often referred to as “cold,” my ultimate goal was to bring warmth to my small space using mostly white.

Now, in the dark winters of Seattle gloominess, I wake up in the mornings with a sense of lightness; almost that which could be compared to fresh linens hanging on a line in the summer breeze. Another Inspiration was reusing things that had a rococo style but adding a modern twist.

ABOUT THE SPACE
Upon entering, one might ask themselves, “how does someone occupy such little space without going crazy, developing clausterphobic tendencies, or store anything for that matter?”

I am a minimalist. My girlfriends often ask me how I function with just a few outfits in my closet — yet I always seem to be dressed differently. My apartment is like my wardrobe. Each and every item I choose to purchase for my little piece of heaven has been thoroughly thought through. Though I would love to purchase that gorgeous chaise-lounge from the local antique store and put it in my window, I refrain. I always ask myself, “is this functional? What can I use this for (literally)?”

The antique trunk I purchased at a local thrift holds all my blankets, books, sheets, pillows, memoribilia and winter coats. My silverware is placed in an old porcelain jar and my dishes are displayed on the bookcase I designed and crafted myself from wood. Pots and pans are strategically placed on my walls on antique hooks and a magnetic strip holds my cooking utensils. I built the shelves over the Kitchen to display the TV and all my glasses. I designed and built the bed from car mufflers that were welded together to create the frame and a foam mattress for the top.

ABOUT ME
My name is Kristen Ellis and I am a twenty-two year old freelance Interior Designer that just recently graduated with a BFA in Interior Design and Architecture. My plans are to leave this March to move to Eastern Europe for the Peace Corps. And my goal is to someday work with Philippe Stark!

Thanks Kristen!

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