Hey guys! Please excuse the design disaster around these parts at the moment. New shiny layout in the works and to be revealed soon! Yay! xo. (2012/02/04)

May 2nd, 2010

I ♥ Small, Cool

Ever since the preliminary posts for Apartment Therapy‘s Small, Cool contest started pouring in last month, I’ve been glued to my feed reader waiting (albiet, fairly impatiently) for each new entry. There’s nothing I love more than a well-designed space or an itty-bitty little home. Did anyone ever watch that show Small Space, Big Style? LOVED that show. I was crushed when it stopped airing a few years ago. Anyhow, AT’s Small, Cool contest (much like Small Space, Big Style did) showcases real spaces designed by real people that are quite extraordinary and all under 1000 square feet. There are five divisions to the contest – four based on sizei, and one international division – and visitors vote each round for their favourite space until only one is left standing and crowded the winner. The contest is held annually each spring, and ever since I discovered Apartment Therapy, I’ve looked forward to it. It’s so refreshing, and there are a lot of really clever design solutions. It takes a certain knack to design for a small space, and these people do it with major style! While some of these spaces have already been eliminated already (aw), I figured I could still show my extra support for them and cheer on those I love that are still in the running.

Click images to view their official entry on AT where you can view more photos of the space as well as floor plans.

AT

I adore this office space! The stark contrast of the rich dark tone of the wood against the white of the walls makes that inspiration wall pop right out. To die for.

AT Small, Cool Contest

This cozy little sleeping alcove is flanked by long drapery panels to create a private area at night. How quaint! What I wouldn’t give for a cute little bed nook.

AT AT

A beautiful industrial meets mid-century modern space.

Apartment Therapy Small Cool 2010

Look familiar? That’s because I posted about this apartment in a Head Over Heels entry earlier last month. This is one of my favourites! It’s simple, elegant, and has all of the amenities you need in one itty, bitty studio apartment.

AT

Here’s another tiny studio apartment that I adore. It just seems so cozy, and I love that the bed does dual purpose as a pseudo-office. They’d never have to leave their bed! What a treat.

AT ATAT

Bold, dramatic, even a little bit theatrical! I love that this home owner went all out and treated his kitchen like just another living space.

AT

Wait a minute, so I like black interiors? Maybe just a little bit…

AT

So lovely, and feminine in a very classic sort of way. Love the sheers that surround the bed, and those super fluffy shag pillows. The texture!

AT AT

Last but not least, this is the space I’d put my money on to win. It is utter perfection from floor to ceiling. The space planning is genius and the entire studio has so much personality.

Well, there you have it folks! If these don’t make you want to live in a small space, you’re a lost cause. ;) As a future small space dweller, these get me even more psyched to start designing my soon-to-be home. And perhaps someday, I’ll be able to enter my own small space into the contest.

  1. under 400 sq.ft., 401-600 sq.ft., 601-800 sq.ft., and 801-1000 sq.ft. (»)

Krissy

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8 comments · jump to comment form »

Ally » 2 May 2010

Small spaces can be fantastic when they are done cleverly/right. These are all so lovely. I hope you post pictures of your (future) small space once you’re all moved in and settled. I bet it will be brilliant. You have such a great designer’s eye.

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Krissy on May 5th, 2010

I will! It may not by super soon that I post apartment pictures (since I can’t quite afford all the furniture I want yet), but I will eventually. :D

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agnes » 2 May 2010

oh, wow…those are so lovely! i know how it feels to live in a small space! but still a bit crowded by me..hope to get something better soon! hehe there are so many to pick from! my favorites are 3 (looks like a mini-loft) and 4 (like mini mid-century style!) wonderful!
.-= (agnes’s last blog post: G I V E A W A Y…) =-.

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and flowers pick themselves » 3 May 2010

i adore everything about that bedroom shot with the pillows on the floor. gorgeous!!

xo Alison
.-= (and flowers pick themselves’s last blog post: me + my footprints) =-.

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Clover » 3 May 2010

Thank you so much for the link. It will definitely give me ideas as I plan the decor for my apartment.

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Krissy on May 5th, 2010

Apartment Therapy is a treasure trove of inspiration. Have fun decorating your apartment. :D

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J. » 4 May 2010

I loved that show! I was just wondering the other day why they took it off…such great ideas! I’m a nut for interior design, I loved this post!
.-= (J.’s last blog post: Compromise For My Closet) =-.

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Krissy on May 5th, 2010

…!!

Someone else who’s heard of Small Space, Big Style?! This makes my entire day!! :D I loooooved that show and I was so disappointed it went off the air. I went to the library looking for old episodes on DVD once, but couldn’t find any. :(

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Manda » 4 May 2010

Now I want a bed nook! That looks so cute and cozy.
.-= (Manda’s last blog post: Sophomore Year is Over) =-.

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Krissy on May 5th, 2010

Me too! And I would like my bed nook to have a canopy… that would make my life.

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Malin » 4 May 2010

So much inspiration! I live quite small too and I always think about how to make use of the space I have. Now I want to redecorate again! ;)
.-= (Malin’s last blog post: Foundation – Lucy Minerals) =-.

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Clare » 4 May 2010

These spaces are crazy inspiring. I wish I was an interior designer. You can say so much with a roon!
.-= (Clare’s last blog post: The Costume Gala | Best Dressed) =-.

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Krissy on May 5th, 2010

Agreed! A lot of people don’t realize it, but interior design is such a reflection of ourselves.

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