Smith Schwartz

Name: Monica, Graduate Student at the University of Michigan, Mildred the dogLocation: Ann Arbor, MichiganSize: 350 square feet studioYears lived in: 6 months, rented Graduate students often don’t have the time to make their temporary rental a home. With limited budgets, no free time and the scramble to settle into a new city, there’s usually little room for nesting in their schedules. I was quite drawn to Monica’s teeny-tiny studio, measuring in at just around 350 square feet.

Name: Chris, Master of Public Policy Candidate at Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of MichiganLocation: Ann Arbor, MichiganSize: 390 square feetYears lived in: 2 months, rented As a busy grad student, Chris takes a no-nonsense approach to decor. His space is tiny at only 390 square feet, but feels much more spacious because of his take-no-prisoners approach to clutter and excess.Because of his minimal style, Chris appreciates and is intentional about each item in his home.

Name: Christine and John and Gertie the dogProfessions: Christine is an art teacher and John, also an artist, is studying to be a nurse. They also run an Etsy shop, Poison IcebergLocation: Ann Arbor, MichiganSize: 960 square feet, ownedYears lived in: 2 1/2; owned While flipping through this year’s Small, Cool contest entries, I came across Christine’s Perfect Location.

Name: Bridgette Buckley (BB1), furniture designer, Britton Bertran (BB2), art professional, and Mickey the dog.Location: Logan Square, Chicago, IllinoisSize: 1200 square feet, 2 bedroom in a 20-unit courtyard building; circa early 1900’s.Years lived in: 1.

Name: Stephen Eichhorn and Jessica PaulsonPets: 2 toy poodles, Francis and Lulu; 2 cats, Poncho and KevinLocation: Ukrainian Village; Chicago, IllinoisSize: Roughly 2,000 sq ft (1,200 living space & 800 studio space); Single family home built in 1895Years lived in: 6 months, rented It’s no surprise that Stephen and Jessica listed the phrase “Always be Knolling” as a source of inspiration.

Name: Steve, Jeremy and dogs Squirt, Elij, Leo & PogoLocation: Medical District — Chicago, IllinoisSize: 3,000 square feet single family homeYears lived in: 8 months — owned Most Apartment Therapy readers are champs when it comes to small space living. I’m continually impressed by the creativity and ingenuity that I find when shooting tours of extra teeny homes.