Who says small spaces can’t be flexible? Can’t evolve with you as you grow and change? Marketer, speaker, creator, and former Small/Cool Contest winner Pamela Kaupinen has lived in this tiny 385-square-foot apartment for 10 years now, but it hasn’t stayed the exact same the whole time. Like many of us, her home has had to turn into many different places during quarantine. “I have had to convert my kitchen to a kitchen/workspace, I’ve added a Peloton to my bedroom, and have taken this opportunity to shake things up here and there given I am ALWAYS HOME!” she exclaims. In honor of this year’s Small/Cool Contest (that’s going on right now… you still have time to enter!) and in praise of versatile small spaces everywhere, here are some updated photos of Pamela’s tiny home that shows how she was able to carve out room for extra functions while still maintaining an ultra-minimal and modern style.

“Due to the circumstances of COVID-19 and the fact that I accepted a fully remote job in 2020, evolving my apartment to offer a functional yet fashionable workspace was essential. I swapped my high top table and two counter stools for a bistro table and borrowed this arm chair from my bedroom,” she describes.

“But I kept the bar, fully stocked it, and added a disco ball for all the at-home Zoom parties. The fiddle leaf fig has lived in both my bedroom and kitchen, but has found a permanent home and a new planter in this festive spot,” she says.

“One additional edit I made to my kitchen/work space area was adding a framed poem I wrote of NYC and a key hook. Loving and appreciating NYC has been so important to me during this time so I have loved my daily dose of this tribute,” Pamela explains.

“I have kept the living room mostly the same but for all those who have spent way too many hours on the couch over the last year, I can highly recommend a professional sofa cleaning! Pamela admits. “After months of quarantine, my 10-year-old sofa needed some attention. A professional cleaning did the trick, along with some new coffee table styling, and subtle modifications to my gallery wall.”

For the bedroom, I modified the throw pillows, ordered a fresh new Moroccon blanket from Marrakech, and added a new piece of art purchased from a local NYC artist. Who doesn’t love the Stones and how cool is this print? Supporting local businesses has been a major focus for me during these past months.

And, lastly, believe it or not, I successfully converted my less-than 400-square-foot apartment into a multi-functional space without compromising its beauty. Home office, oasis, and fitness studio all-in-one! Adding the Peloton made me nervous as I worried it would disrupt the design of my modern bohemian haven. I am quite pleased with how it integrated seamlessly! I also changed out my curtains after 10 years to freshen and lighten up the space. The before and after is shocking! 

• Bar cart — World Market
• Light fixture — Etsy
• Rug — Overstock
• Beach print — One Kings Lane
• Fashion print — Condé Nast Store
• Dragonfly key hook — Similar from Lowes

• Coffee table — Overstock
• Sofa — Macy’s
• Chair — Target
• Plant stool — Serena & Lily
• Plant stand — Anthropologie
• Lamp — Urban Outfitters
• Pillows — Etsy
• Rug — One Kings Lane

• Dresser — IKEA (pulls were added)
• Mirror — IKEA
• Bedding — Pottery Barn
• Blanket — Anthropologie
• Pillows — Etsy
• Headboard — One Kings Lane
• Rolling Stones art print — Zane Fix

• Apartment building sketches — Mae Pate
• Wood stool — Similar found at Serena & Lily

Thanks Pamela!

This house tour’s responses were edited for length and clarity.

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