Small Cool 2011

Absolutely fabulous, I always loved your apartment... BEST neighbors ever!!!

THis looks much larger than 397 feet. Why did you include the fourth picture?

Not my style, but a very cohesive design. I do like the aged feeling of it all.

not sure why sofialaca asked WHY the 4th picture was included? it's a nice closeup upi your bedroom. duh!

Love this! So cozy without being too cluttered.

So charming. And I appreciate the wide screen is not in view, they so often suck up all the attention in a room.

Love the brick wall and fireplace. That whole area is beautiful! Just my style.

oh my god!!! WANT!!! This years competition is already kicking last years' ass!!!!

winner winner chicken dinner.

I love the first four pictures and feel ambivalent about the fifth-- perhaps the kitchen looks better from a different angle? But no matter-- the style throughout the rest makes me very happy.

sorry, meant the fifth picture (I really have to learn to count!)

Yeah, I would have preferred a different picture for the fifth shot -- had plenty -- but I included it so you would know that we did indeed have a kitchen and bathroom. :)

Love this apartment!

Very nice!

Fantastic! So much personality.

Where did you get the bench in front of the sofa?

My wife found the bench at a junk shop in High Falls, NY. I almost vetoed bringing it in the apartment because it was in such bad shape, but we sanded the paint off and stained it, and now we both love it.

I am glad that she won the debate! It is perfect for the space (not too wide) - I would love to find something like that for our tiny living room. Thanks!

I never thought I'd say this, but the art hung up to the ceiling actually works great. I'm a major freak when it comes to hanging art, hating that it is often put up too high, but in this case, it's just perfect ! You broke a major "rule" and did a fantastic job ! (and got my enthousiastic vote)

I love the character -- compared to some of the other small spaces, this one feels personal. Also -- love those wingbacks!

Wonderful character. The decorating is fabulous!

The place is a reflection of you guys and that makes it fab and real!!!

The brick wall with fireplace is to die for!

Absolutely perfecto! Agree with Loora - for once, high wall art looks great. Bravo

Your photography is beautiful by the way!

Lovely! I would have liked a shot of the cool-sounding storage piece too.

this is EXACTLY how i picture my dream studio/1br apartment... down to the last detail. i love it!

Lovely! Its so perfect! Half a block from Central Park..I wonder how much rent is :) I love small space living which is what brought me to this site to begin with....why would anyone need more?

House Tour please!

I like the 5th pic. It gives perspective and includes both the bathroom and the kitchen, which we otherwise would not have seen. Doesn't look like a whole lot of decor going on in those rooms anyway. Love your apt.!

I really like the apartment and I wish one of the photos included the industrial shelf with the tv, bike storage etc mentioned in the what you love about your home section.

This home is my favorite so far, and it is going to take something quite spectacular to bump it from that place of honor.

awesome! i love everything about this space! the "up to the ceiling" art and bookcases, the wintage dresser/night table, The dark vs light colors, & the fact that there is no tv in sight! love this space!

I like the handsome combination of dead white walls & plain fabrics with antique & vintage pieces--pieces that a lot of people would pass by without a thought if they saw them in a shop. And the art wall is proof that if salon-style arrangements could work when a place was new, they'll still work today. Congratulations.

I just want it, not cluttered, it looks bigger than 397 ft, those light... I would like to see where de tv is stored.

a really beautiful space. just out of curiosity, what are the floor dimensions of your living room and bedroom?

That place is under 400 sq feet?

I absolutely love your flat, and am totally borrowing your photos for my inspiration folder. Love it, totally my style.

I second that comment: Your space is going into my inspiration folder, too! Brilliant job!

So beautiful!

I agree with callmecordelia. I wouldn't want to compete against this place. Also, thanks to pepsin for making me laugh.

First thing I saw was deer antler fern on the wall above a fireplace, in a place where many people hang real deer antlers.
That made me laugh.
And earned you a vote. :-)
Because I love when people have a sense of humor, and that it is visible in their living space. Which is, by the way, drop-dead-gorgeous.

One reason I like Small Cool is so I can feel superior in my spacious 920 square feet of rowhouse. However, this space makes me wish I could lose the extra 523 square feet that I'm obviously wasting. Great place!

The vertical logs in your fireplace look like they are made out of wax. Very imaginative concept. It could become quite popular, especially with the wine-drinking type of apartment dweller.

Love your textile collection--I want to root through that stack in the bookshelves! Beautiful place overall.

Your teeny-tiny apartment looks quite large for its size. Similar to dehydtrated food to which you just add water: you just add air to your living space and it comes alive with richness.

Love the space. Seems thoughtfully put together yet relaxed. Amazing job :)

I'm calling it now, this is the winner. At least if people have any sense.

Such a beautiful classic look, but still personal.

Thanks for the comments, everyone. I particularly appreciate the comments about the apartment having character, because every piece we own has some meaning to us---the piano bench we bought for $10 and recovered with a textile we bought traveling; the headboard made from old siding from my in-law's house (which when we tired of the painted look we recovered with extra material from the living room curtains); the armoire we hauled up from our hometown in Louisiana. We like coming home to a space of memories.

misha bk, muttnik, ofelia -- I regret not posting a picture of the storage piece. I'll try to take a picture this weekend and post it to my personal website: michaelmohrphoto.com -- I'll let you know when it's live.

katielou -- the living room is 10'1'' x 15' and the bedroom is 7'3'' x 15'

rexrayfan -- you are right, there isn't a lot of decor in the bathroom/kitchen. We haven't wanted to do a lot with those since we rent and don't want to invest too much money redoing cabinets and counters, although it would look much nicer. Instead we have added shelving (bathroom) and furniture and hanging pot rack (kitchen) that help make it more functional.

thorndale -- yes the small table in the living room fits four....four very close friends. :) As for the kitchen, we've forgone all appliances other than a coffee maker to maximize counter space, and we repainted an old shallow hutch which provides additional storage and working space.

anskofguy -- It's always fun having people say the apartment feels larger than it is, and you've said it in a way that I'm sure I'll remember. Other than our sofa and bed, we've tried to get pieces that have tall legs to provide an illusion of more space, and we've tried to build up instead of out, hence the wingbacks and the bookcase, which is 8 feet tall and rather shallow.

This is truly one of my favorite smallest coolest entries ever - not just this year, but the past years as well. I live in a studio loft apartment and, having never lived in a smaller space before, am both humbled and excited by the prospect of learning how to fully maximize my space. I keep looking at these pictures over and over again to continue getting some ideas on how to set up my apartment. Thanks again for submitting your apartment; it's quite helpful for the likes of me!

Everything. Is. Just. So. Right. But not so right to be cold and impersonal. Inspiring.

This place is stunning. You have a really good sense of proportion.

Very stylish and beautifully laid out. The furniture seems to have been chosen because it's genuinely lovely, not because it's fashionable or cleverly designed. I love the warmth of the worn black leather wingbacks. I'd move in in a heartbeat.

Warm and masculine space. I really like the traditional feel, there isn't enough of it on Apartment Therapy. I have always liked spaces that feel timeless.

Brilliant - Looks well-lived in, yet clearly there's a strong editing instinct going on. Love that your description includes how you use the space to work with your life.

I love the mismatched art above the sofa - so personal and beautiful and full of character. This place is lovely!

Bravo!

Nice space--not "overdesigned"

Stunning home, love your beautyfull textiles, the big white sofa and the layout of your pad. Amazing!

GORGEOUS living room and wonderful, serene bedroom. I also really loved what you wrote. But I would have loved to have seen photos of the closet, kitchen and bathroom.

You know, I totally appreciate the comment about the kitchen and not wanting to invest since you rent. If you plan on staying for a long time though I bet you could make a huge different with paint alone. The cabinets a darker grey with an undertone that plays off the floor and the walls a grey so pale it's almost white. New cheap light fixture if you feel like it and I think that space would be transformed.

This is one of my favorites. So much warmth and character. Just love it.

My favorite so far! Place does have beautiful bones, but the simple, selective decoration makes it a stunner!

What a warm looking apartment! I am awed by how you captured an old-world library feel without it being stuffed or stuffy-looking. I also appreciate that one can't immediately tell how much money you spent on your decor. I am tired of looking at the same old DWR status furniture! Beautiful home!

Winner! Contest over

Wow! This is absolutely stunning!! I can't believe 2 of you live so comfortably here - amazing! Not to be a broken record, but - it's going into MY inspiration folder, too!!

really nice! well done!

Very nice!

lovely

i love the mix of furnishings...i love love love how high you hung all the pictures on the salon wall....the kilim ....fantastic....it is so un pretentious and still so stylish.....comfortable and amazing all in all.....but i have one question ...when u doing the kitchen?...that one pic u can see into it and it looks like its the next step for you....overall u are my favorite...along with ariel of LA...thank u

Superb place! Definitely a winner in my book.

But I don't think it's under 400 sq. feet. I don't think they measured right.

Finally, a beautiful space without a trendy poster, cold & hard mid-century modern furniture, junk elevated to iconic status. Loved the mix which sends a message of thoughtful, researched choices.

Just an amazing example of what Small Cool is all about. So inspirational. Love it.

Flippin' gorgeous, another one I'm in love with!

What a beautifully embellished close space into which two people can bump into each other.
Viva l'amore! You seem to retain in your apartment the physical evidence of rich memories of travel.

This is beyond gorgeous! I think my mouth hung open through all the pictures.

Lisa (Montreal) -- I suppose it seems hard to believe but we did in fact measure correctly. My wife even made me re-measure this evening, and we were right the first time around. We decorated specifically so that we would leave open the floor space. And I have to give it to the person who designed the renovation of this brownstone -- there is no wasted space in this apartment. Also, shooting with my 16mm lens allowed me to capture a broader range of field.

Azeleasmoke -- We love the idea of repainting the cabinets in the kitchen and will definitely take you up on your advice! You are right, it doesn't cost much, and would make the kitchen space much more interesting. Exciting -- another project :)

This is so amazing. So well done for such a small place..and so homey. Perfect! I would've loved to see a photo of the kitchen.

This is lovely .

Who taught you how to hang things on the wall? Your dad must be proud! Your place looks amazing from the floors to the ceilings and everything in between.

WOW! What a fantastic feel and atmosphere your apartment has. Love the first 4 pics.

Extra points for the witty staghorn fern.
I love it all.

Cozy. Kind of you to get a sleeper for guest. I bet behind that wall hanging is the fuse box...Im gonna copy that idea.

So much character. Very unique.

I love love love this apartment,..I'm amazed how small it is but it doesn't look that small. I'm in the process myself of looking for an apt. in South Beach and I've seen some at 500 sq. ft., something impossible for me to even consider so this is amazing at how it looks! All small apartments depend on their own particular layout and this one is really fabulous!!

Wow Michael, I'm really touched you're considering the project! I hope you'll post/send pictures of the result!

PS, some great vintage hardware would look amazing too, but let's not get carried away! :)

Wonderful place, I really love it. Just curious, who makes the sleeper sofa? Thanks!

I love the idea of using a bench as a coffee table. Kudos!

Magnificent & classy! Masterful use of very well chosen items.
I think it needs more color but that is my personal preference. Would also like to see more of those textiles & some feminine accents.

With many of the entries, I feel that the homeowners were clever and creative, but I wouldn't feel comfortable. This little place feels like a house. It's very well done. I particularly appreciate the use of furniture as it ought to be used.

Love it! I'm going to duplicate your awesome picture wall!

I wonder if the bedroom was an original feature or built? If I missed the answer amongst all the comments pardon me. But definitely being added to my inspiration folder.

So, the winner of this year's small cool entry will be a house decorated as if we live in 1910? I agree with all of you; the photos scream "cozy," "homey," "calm." I'd love to sit on his sofa and read ...Thoreau or something. But this house is so traditional! Yes, white walls, dark wood and red wood go well together; what's news?

This is nothing short of fantastic. Homey yet sophisticated. Bright and sunny but intimate with the darker furnishings. Brilliant.

Oh my word, I love your style!

I'd happily live in your place and you have great style. Truly a welcoming space and clearly everyone else thinks so too!

Wow! This place is lovely. I love the color of the furniture, the wood floors, and the brick wall, they all complement each other very well. My favorite so far. Thank you for sharing.

Crazy crazy cozy! Love the candles in the fireplace and the stunning art wall.

bekkamero -- The wall creating the bedroom is not original; the apartment is in a brownstone on the Upper West Side, renovated from a single-family home into 8 nearly identical, one-bedroom apartments at some point in the 1960's.

Leitho -- you are right about the fuse box...nice guess!

lightsurfer -- The sleeper sofa is the PB Basic from Pottery Barn. After trying sofa beds all over the city, we went with this one because it is super comfortable as a sofa and the most comfortable sofa bed we've ever slept in. Strangely enough Ektorp sofa covers from Ikea fit the sofa perfectly, which means that if wine is spilled on it and the stain won't come out, we can purchase another slipcover for $50—they are that cheap!

FABULOUS. That third pic is especially gorgeous. Really warm and inviting--and refreshingly free of greatest-hits-of-MCM furniture.

The lounge gives me the HEEBIE JEEBIES!
This place is horrible. So gloomy, are all you Americans still depressed with the global financial crisis or something? What is wrong with you people? Get up from your computers now,get outside, get some sunshine, fresh air and smile at someone. How can you vote for this rat hole? Its so dark and sad? Thank goodness they opened the curtains to photograph it! GLOOMY GLOOMY GLOOMY GLOOMY GLOOMY GLOOMY GLOOMY

Hey Kitteh, this is someone's home. What is wrong with YOU? Man, even if you don't like it have some f-ing tact.

I've looked a lot of entries today, yet this is the only one I've commented on. You know what that means... I LOVE IT! It has style, organization, interest, character, function... my vote :) I just dig it. Great job & good luck in the contest.

well said azaleasmoke.

i've got my own apt in the contest (in tiny), but i still had to vote for ya. i think you're place is fantastic. well done.

OK it's time: I have viewed this entry daily since it was added to the contest. I still cannot believe it is winning. I'm honestly shocked at the lack of criticism. While I think it is well-decorated according to Michael's 'style' I just can't bring myself to like this at all. It is so...monochomatic and dull.

I love it! It's classic and comfortable and I love that you managed to hide the TV even in such a tiny place. House Tour, please!

I can't believe how much open floor space you were able to retain. It makes the place feel downright large. That bench is genius. Gorgeous job.

I absolutely love this layout and interior design. It looks so much bigger than it really is and it has gorgeous old world style. I especially like how the natural light is used to create so much dimension.

I pretend live here.

hey michael. i wrote this on my entry and realized you likely wouldn't see it, so i'm re-posting it here. :)

first, totally impressed you found me. :)

i realized our living room dimensions are not off that much from one another but we have our rooms set up in 'opposite ways'... my couch under the windows/shorter wall; you two have it on the corresponding wall. i think it's interesting to see the different effect this has. both options feel really comfortable to me + it's a good reminder if i get the "move furniture around" bug. i think we have a similar side table. different aesthetics, but there are definite common strands!

you two are still kicking bootie! way to go...

Michael,
Terrific space. I was the small cool Midwest winner in 2008 (or 2007, maybe). At any rate, it was prior to the teeny tiny category which is my fav.
You rocked it. Efficient, elegant, original, liveable and inspirational.
I love the previous comment from the 900SF admirer that respected your choices.
What I find about living small, are some of the bonuses that the rest of the world may never discover living in their large formats...you never lose your keys, less means more in the form of great dinners out (and "in"- in many cases), great frequency of travel, less excessive-ness and potentially cultural enlightment. It seems when you free yourself from yards, housework, visitors (one of the other benefits of living small cool...mothers and nephews have to sleep on the floor or book a hotel!) you gain time, income and general mental clarity.

All that being said, I am trying to relocate to the city. GET OUT OF MY APARTMENT. I want it. NOW.

Again, just great. Kudos to you and the Mrs.
Glad you opted to participate. The commenting alone is a part time job.
Good luck.
Suzi West
Collier West

Beautiful and serene! Love it.

WOW...I want to emulate your style. It seems like you've struck the perfect balance of musum like beaty with the comfort of a lived in home. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

winner

is there a picture of the "industrial shelf unit for the closet in the living room..." ?

I'm in love with the first photo. LOVE, I tell you :)

Sometimes I wonder how or why the "clean lines" crowd think they own apartmenttherapy.com? I'm a fan. I like MCM. However, good design comes in many forms. I think we've all seen examples of mid/mod spaces that are crowded and poorly executed, as well as antique-riddled homes that look like an estate sale in the making.
This place is neither crowded nor poorly executed and is a perfect example of a well curated but comfortable home.
Expand your horizons, haters.

I like it. I'm actually more of a modernist, but I can imagine visiting this apartment and feeling very comfortable....and isn't that what it's all about - feeling AT HOME!!

Very cozy. A little too historic for my tastes, but a nice place to relax I'm sure.

congrats on hitting 1,000!!

ha! hilarious! i'm on a pal's computer checking the stats + i wrote the last comment without realizing i was signed into her account. let's try that again....

CONGRATS on hitting 1000!
jordan

This place, like many of the other small cool 'favourites' has good bones - high ceilings and nice wood floors.

lovely place

beautiful and you took advantage of the good bones worked with it not against it.

I registered just so I could comment on your home. Generally, I feel that dark furniture adds a "weighty" feeling to a place. But you did a great job of keeping your apartment light and airy with the white walls, bedding, and sofa.

I love how you tastefully brought the outdoors, in with the strategically placed and appropriately sized plants, and images of nature.

Well done. I want to hang out on your sofa and read.

Oh, although I believe your measurements, your place doesn't look less 400 sq ft.

ATTENTION APARTMENT THERAPY: I smell a "Small Cool Apartment Swap" website coming!!!

azaleasmoke, I can definitely send you some photographs, once we have done the kitchen. We are going to be contacting our landlord soon to see if he will approve the painting of the cabinets/walls. Thanks again for the idea.

Thanks ALL for your comments. We have been in this apartment for five years now, and we recently debated moving so that we could have outdoor space. When it came down to it, we simply could not move. We discovered that we would miss this little place---despite its teeny tiny dimensions, it's become home. We realize we like having everything in such close proximity, and don't see a need for more space, or more possessions, for that matter. Now, your comments have made us value our space all the more. Thank you.

bettty33 -- I do live here. :)

suziwest7 Hi! I agree with you wholeheartedly about living small. We love that we have kept our living expenses relatively low for living in NYC. We do appreciate that living small forces us to get out a lot, but we also really love staying home and having friends over or relaxing on the sofa reading. In some ways, we are home bodies in NYC. :) And yes, you are right, commenting is a part-time job---we were out of town for just a few days, and we are now behind on responding!

mellowhome --- thanks for registering just to comment. A few people have commented that we have stark white walls and dark furniture. It's funny, because it's never occurred to us that it is an uncommonly "dark" design style. As a photographer, I need a lot of natural light and bright space to keep me happy during those winter months, but we love rich wood furniture, so somehow this is the design we leaned towards. And thanks for noticing the plants and nature photos---we love nature, and the only thing we find missing in this apartment is a small outdoor space.

You must move out TODAY, ok tomorrow. I want to live in this apartment. It's beautiful!

Your apartment is gorgeous! Shannon it looks like you took a little of your home from Ponchatoula and put it in NYC. As for an outdoor space you do have City Park! It gives a whole new meaning to less is more. I absolutly love the photography arrangement. I wish I had your talent!

VLucius, and others, I finally posted a gallery of additional apartment images to my website. I included a shot that shows the television, and how it pivots in and out of the closet. I really love this aspect of our apt, because I don't like having my entire living space centered around a television. Here is the link: http://michaelmohrphoto.com/Michael_Mohr_Photography/NYC_Apt.html

Link to more images of my apartment:

http://michaelmohrphoto.com/Michael_Mohr_Photography/NYC_Apt.html

If I could favorite this apt again, I would. The space is clean, unique and interesting with subtle color throughout. It looks comfortable, unpretentious and inviting. I am thoroughly impressed. Thank you for sharing the additional pics.

i don't think there could be a more deserving winner. it looks incredible. nobody else touches you in this competition

This is an incredible place. I keep coming back to look at it! I can't believe it's less than 400 sq. ft. Bravo!

I'm a modernist, but this might be one of my top favorites. The vignettes you've created are great — there's such a rich texture throughout. If I didn't know it was a 397sf NYC apt, I'd have thought the photos were of a New England cottage.

I believe that a home is created over time from experiences and your's is.... A Lovely home.... and when you add that... it happens to be...a one-bedroom in a brownstone on the UWS and Central Park is your backyard...a piece of heaven in NYC. Wow!

Very nice: there is a consistent look and feel to the place that makes it seem bigger than it is.

"...less means more in the form of great dinners out (and "in"- in many cases), great frequency of travel, less excessive-ness and potentially cultural enlightment..."

suziwest7, thank you for this comment. I'm currently selling my house to move back to the city. I haven't bought something else yet, partly because I'm debating between 1-bedrooms (which would be plenty fine for me but would mean giving up a guestroom/office) and 2-bedrooms (which would be great in terms of more space and probably long-term investment sense, but somewhat of a financial stretch). Your comment may have just sealed the decision. :) Besides the dinners out and travel, it is also just emotionally nice to know there is more income "cushion" for life's curveballs.

PS - Michael, lovely home!

Beautiful house, authentic to the owners. Some places are so studiously self-conscious in their effort to follow a specific trend or spotlight the piece of the moment (ie chevron rugs or eames rockers or starburst clocks.) Your home is timeless. You use colour the way a chef uses spices; sparingly...and yet the flavour of them permeates the place. I'm so impressed.

I don't get the comments which start out with "Not my taste..." This isn't a contest to make a home that fits the personal taste of the voters. It's where we vote on good design.

Please, please, please can I move in?! Beautiful!

Beautiful. I need to stop looking at this entry, because it reminds me how much I want to live in a smaller space.

Definitely doesn't belong into teeny-tiny. This apartment size is standard for a family and makes the whole AT contest a farce.

finally passed that mark! can you believe how neck and neck my division has been....and for a long time. who knows how it will end. you know my hope! :)

turns out we have a mutual friend--francesca campanella. she + i are students together at parsons and we were talking about this contest last week. loved that i knew EXACTLY who she was referring to when she mentioned your apt....and that i could say, "oh ya....i had to vote for that apt." :) small world.

and btw, i love your place as much as when i first saw it. i still find it charming, welcoming, interesting, and smart.

best of luck!

im laughing at the people who called your place 'gloomy' and such... i think its a man cave; sultry and warm. the use of white gives it a perfect balanced look. and thank god you did not have real antlers above the fireplace... that would have killed it. (pun intended i guess) heh.

Love the little dresser beside your bed. Great apartment!

Love your space....oozes taste.

didn't expect to be in the finals with you michael! but am thrilled. :) best of luck.
xo
j.

Good luck Michael! Congrats on making it to the finals. It will be hard competing against your awesome place!

-Alex

Congratualations Michael!
Your place is amazing. Your hability to take advantage of the structural personality of the elongated rooms, following the narrow lines with the bench/coffe table, the slim book case against the corner of the brick wall, leaving the fire palce as a focal point with the candles and mirror facing the white wall marvelously arranged with a collection of framed pictures over the white simple lines couch....won my heart!!
Not to mention the light coming in through those tall windows with just a pair of narrow long curtains to frame it without obstructing the light and complementing the warmth of the deep dark wood tones. Gerat use of color, texture and different periods tables, lamps, chairs and benches.

Best of lucks!! Sonia

Is anyone incredulous again this year? None of the selections are cool. Kitteh has a point.

There are clearly other nominees whose design sense and chic use of space and materials eclipse this year's selections.

Didn't vote last year for the same version. Pathetic. And no, I'm not speaking of minimalism. Only one of my "how could this one not win" choices is in any way minimalistic. It's just that there are a couple that are drop dead current, bright, chic and very well done compared to this year's finalists.

More photos of the apt can be seen here: http://www.michaelmohrphoto.com/Michael_Mohr_Photography/NYC_Apt.html

Love this apartment! Add me to the waiting list of people who'd love to move in! :) Thank you for posting additional pictures on your website - and where did you find those 2 bridge lamps? They're in fantastic condition!

love the pic of your wife on the couch; it's fun seeing that great wall of artwork!

I've been in this apartment and can personally couch for its awesomeness. It's funny because as great as these photos are they somehow do not fully do this space justice. As a former interior designer for a well known international retailer I must confess that my influence is not present in this scrumptious home. Shannon and Michael are a gem stone of a creative force. In fact, let me be the first to ask: When do you all plan to start consulting? I know my clients would love to work with you.

ahhh!! another neck and neck! either way it goes, it was a good run michael + totally enjoyed "meeting" ya.

Sigh....this apartment should have won. :(

Fantastic place. You gave the finalists a good run!

Darren