Michelle's Dream Space: Small/Cool 2012 Entry

Although the ApartmentTherapy.com Small/Cool 2012 contest features apartments up to 900 sq ft in size, I've found myself having a personal bias towards studios under 600 sq ft large. As my apartment hunt comes to an end, I realized that a studio was in my future and I've been strategically seeking out spaces that I can easily be inspired by and recreate.

Michelle's 330 sq ft Upper West Side apartment is no exception. I love her willingness to play with color (teal on the wall, kitchen backsplash, & patio chairs) along with her cozy design and kick ass outdoor space! I'm no NYC expert, but I'm pretty sure outdoor space like this comes at a premium. In my new apartment I won't have outdoor space (womp), but I did nail my desired neighborhood!

If you'd like to vote for Michelle click here.

Name:

michelle

Location:

New York, NY

Square Feet:

330

Division:

Teeny-Tiny

What I Love About My Small Home

The most exciting aspect of this apartment is the patio -- it is almost impossible to find a studio in Manhattan with more than a fire escape as outdoor space. When I was apartment hunting, I was told I would not be able to find an apartment in my ideal area -- the Upper West Side -- in my price range, so it’s safe to say I found my dream space. It has been an adventure transforming this apartment from a basic New York rental into a space that reflects my personality; this is my first apartment, and slowly I am collecting pieces to replace the various hand-me-downs. I love scouring flea markets all the way from Boston to North Carolina to find unique pieces that I hope to keep forever. Lastly, I love the amount of storage I’ve found within these tiny walls. Beyond having the usual excessive amount of clothes that most young women do, I also run an Etsy shop out of this space. My closets and cabinets are full of paper goods and art supplies, including my prized tabletop letterpress.

Biggest Challenge of Living in a Small Space

Small spaces come with small kitchens. I love to cook, bake and entertain, and I refuse to let my tiny kitchen hold me back. My 18 inches of counter space has not prevented me from making homemade ravioli, baking enough cupcakes to feed my entire office, or throwing dinner parties. In a small apartment, you have to work with what you have, and I try to do just that with my tiny home!

Lauren's San Fran Studio

Once again I'm on a studio apartment kick...

I came across Lauren's San Fransico studio on Apartment Therapy and loved her use of space, color, and overall lived-in feel. The light coming from her windows is amazing, and goes to show the importance of having a well-lit space, regardless of its size. I'm on the apartment hunt and not sure if my husband would strangle me at the prospect of living in a studio lol... (location, location, location!!!), but I'm continuing to find inspiration for small spaces and how to make them work.






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Name: Lauren
Location: San Francisco, California

I moved into my quintessential San Francisco 500 sq ft studio just four months ago. After a few years of bouncing around living with roommates, I was excited to have my own place.

I have always had a passion for history and I believe that comes through in the decor of my apartment. I try to mix a variety of flea market finds with big box furniture. I like when items have character. For example, I purchased the trunk in the middle of the "living room" from the flea market. It has the original owner's name painted on top and traveling stickers attached to the side. I can only imagine what travels this trunk went on before making it to my living room. I almost couldn't fit it into my VW Beetle to take it home but happily I finally squeezed it in the front seat.

Most of my influence comes from turn of the century to the 20s when my apartment was built. If I had to pick one designer who I admire it would be Windsor Smith because she creates colorful and intricate but livable spaces (and she plays with graphic black and white patters which I love).

Check out more of Lauren's style: Live. Happy. Inspired.

200 sq ft Parisian Flat Remodel...

I've always dreamed of living in Paris and calling my very own Pied-à-terre home. This 200 sq ft Parisian flat remodel was recently featured on ApartmentTherapy.com and as usual, I was amazed at the amount of space (or lack thereof) people can comfortably call home.




Parisian Flat Before...



Looking at all of these wonderful studios makes me question whether Americans truly are excessive, wasteful and less efficient? My husband and I just moved out of a 1000 sq ft apartment that we were more than comfortable in and the thought of downsizing was freaking me out... but if 2 people can share 400 sq ft and smaller without a problem should we all be thinking about making the most of our space instead of having a "bigger is better" attitude? Hmmm... thoughts?

Stylish Studios from around the Web...

By now everyone knows I'm slightly obsessed with studio living and the innovative ways people around the world make use of their smaller spaces. Each time I see these unique, quirky, glamorous, and efficient spaces it inspires me that much more to take the plunge and try living in a smaller space.

Apartment Therapy recently posted some of their top picks for cohesive and stylish studios from across the globe -- of course I was excited to share!

Images: 1. Innerstadsspecialisten 2. Trevor Tondro for The New York Times 3. Andreas Larsson for Chicago Home + Garden 4. Marie Claire Maison 5. DigsDigs 6. Thomas Loof for House Beautiful 7. Grant Delin for Dwell 8. Design*Sponge 9. Per Magnus Persson for Dwell. 10. Paul Costello for Glamour.

• Easy does it in this minimalistic, masculine home. The colors are minimal without being austere. See the full tour at emma'sdesignblogg.
• Blue beams and red doors create an intimate, unified space in New York City. See the full tour at The New York Times.
• Dwell Studio's popular Chinoiserie bedding pairs with modern photography in this bedroom in Marina City. See the full tour at Chicago Home + Garden.
• A carefully considered, layered color scheme looks sophisticated and inviting. See the full tour at Marie Claire Maison.
• This airy Swedish studio is decorated with thoughtful, lovely accent pieces. See the full tour at DigsDigs.
• A clever photo holder is the centerpiece of this traditional studio. See the full tour at House Beautiful.
• A tiny studio is meticulously organized and decorated. See the full tour at Dwell.
• Lavender walls look fresh in a light-filled studio in San Francisco. See the full tour at Design*Sponge.
• Dark hues make a 495 square foot space look both cozy and modern. See the full tour at Dwell.
• Layered textures look sophisticated in a space Nate Berkus designed for his sister. See the full tour at Glamour.

The space Nate Berkus designed for his sister and the airy, Swedish studio are my favs! Which is your favorite space?

5 Smart Studio Layouts

Find yourself on a studio budget with dreams of a well-planned out space? Apartment Therapy recently posted the 5 smartest studio layouts renters should look for, along with how to make these spaces work best for you. Since moving back to Chicago I've been bouncing around the idea of living in a studio - - ultimately sacrificing space for location. Seeing these various layouts and how they maximize the use of space is inspiring and helps lessen my anxiety about living in such a small space.

#1) Laura's Fresh Start Studio: Laura's studio is a railroad-style apartment that she divides into a bedroom and living area using a curtain. The angled chair in the sitting room can move around, and a blue accent wall adds a touch of dramatic color. She keeps the space uncluttered by choosing just a few furnishings: a bed, dresser, chair, chaise lounge, side table, and a set of nesting tables.

#2) Lila's Live/Work Studio: Lila fits her home and office into a 240-square-foot space. The sleeper chair in the center of the room folds out into her bed. Behind that, a dining table and bookshelves create a small study. The desk is a very smart system, designed as a ledge that wraps around the corner of the room. A brown-and-green color scheme keeps things unified.

#3) Moo and Ju's Super Comfy: The bed is the central hangout spot in Moo and Ju's studio. During the day, it doubles as a sofa. Two armchairs face it, creating a conversation area. A small dining area separates the bed/living room from the kitchen. Vertical storage pieces flank either end of the main room. The symmetry and order of the arrangement anchors the playful prints and colors.

#4) Tony and Hilary's 3 in 1 Studio: In this apartment, a custom-made "pod" and loft bed defines the space. Inside and out, the pod contains shelving. Inside, there's an office and closet. Outside, it holds the media center, with the bed above. The rest of the space is arranged with storage flanking each side of the room, a sofa in the middle, and a couple of chairs for guests.

#5) Kevin's Triple Threat: Kevin's studio separates the bedroom from the living area with a hanging "screen." The sofa folds out into a bed for guests, and a stool provides extra seating. Storage is built into the bed and the walls.

Natalie's Alcove Studio

Who says you can't live comfortably in under 300 square feet!

Natalie Moore's San Francisco apartment was recently featured on Apartment Therapy's House Tours section and I immediately fell in love. The 285 sq ft studio, which is a perfect blend of glamour and functionality, is exactly the type of studio I would envision myself living in.

My favorite parts of her space? The sofa (currently on sale @ Macy's) which is everything I want... right now lol... along with the alcove for the bed. Doesn't it look adorable? I need to find a place like this in Chicago asap...

For the full tour click here