Small Cool 2011

This is a sweet place, nice work!

I LOVE that lofted area!

Your flat has a lot of character indeed. But the carpet in the front of the couch freaks me out to be honest. Aside from that I really liked your flat!

Also not a fan of the scary rug, but love the rest of the place :)

Beautiful. Gorgeous living room with incredible warmth.

I would love to know where you got the curtains or, if they're homemade, what the fabric is. Love it.

I was just about to say that I can judge how much I love the rest of the place by my reaction to the curtains ("replace! replace!") So I'm not feeling love for the curtains because, for me, they seem the only sour note in what is otherwise a seamless flow of awesome.

I particularly love how you have handled the fireplace. :)

What neighborhood are you in?

I personally love this place, full of characters and potential. The only thing I'd suggest is to add more colors that pop. Good luck!!

Love the rug... doesn't scare me. :)

it's cute, I prefer a bit of color for me. :)

Down with non-working fireplaces! >:O

There are a lot of nice architectural detailings here, though... are those real drawers behind your bed? Also, is the lofted area included in the square footage?

I love the living-room and the lofted area and the fake drawers above the bed. ;0) I would simplify and unify a bit the dining-area.
On the whole: well done!

azaleasmoke - the curtain is actually a table cloth from anthropologie and the dining room chairs were upholstered in the same print from cloth napkins.

lunnazurra - im at the gold coast/old town border

lepidopertery - yes they are real working drawers and yes the loft is included in the square footate - the main floor is 290 and the loft is 85 sq ft.

Your apartment is wonderful space, very European. I have major lust in my heart.

Wow, I actually really liked the rug haha

The fireplace and radiators are awesome! Great job with this space

I.LOVE.THIS.

I am in the middle of an apartment hunt right now and only hope I can find a place with 1/100th the character of that place!

I'm FASCINATED by those drawers. Were they there when you got the apartment? They go into one of your apartment's outer walls, right? I want to know more about them.

Gorgeous, love it all!!! Except the rug. Regardless of whether you are for/against hide rugs, I think it is too overpowering for such a small space.

Very nice to see whole room photos, rather than the vignettes that people seem to be so fond of. Other entrants, please take note!
Nice place.

Thanks for the info on the curtains. Not understanding the curtain bias because I think they add a necessary pop of colour and feminine touch to an otherwise masculine space.

Nicely done.

WOW This is an architectural gem. And a bed loft with railings. I love it.

Not enough dirty clothes strewn about. Perhaps something in flannel and a few socks. That would really give it a nice "lived in" feel. Other than that, bravo Shelby!

Very cute place. I love the cow hide - beautiful markings.
I have to say that I, too, don't dig the curtains (Anthropologie or not) - sorry. Nor the cushion on the dining room chair. I would replace both with more geometric pattern, something that would relate to the lovely black&white cushions by the windows.
Otherwise, I find your place *udderly* charming. :-)

love love love it!!

Yes, it feels very European to me too - not Big Box Store-ey or trendy - cozy, and stylish and full of personality.

I thought I had seen a lot of unique spaces in Chi, but yours tops it all! I would love to reside in this gorgeous loft! Where did you find the non-working fireplace?

malfuj: I might be wrong, but I think I've seen those black/white printed pillows or something very similar at ikea.

I can hardly contain my jealousy that you found a space this cool in our city. The arch over the dining area is so amazing. This might be the best studio I have ever seen.

Only downside... agree with other posters. Don't love the floral print on the curtains/chairs. Doesn't feel like it goes with the rest of the decor.

I think the photo above your couch is gorgeous.

I agree about the European feel...so much character in a tiny place. I love the loft bed.

I think I lived in this building (a 7 flat)! Does the street that you live on start with a B and the number is 53?!

What a cute place!! Love the loft... so cozy!

This is charming ,very nice.

I live just north of your neighborhood and I'm currently looking for new cute little studio. Your style fits in well with the quirky nature of the space....I just wish I could snag the mini-loft for myself!

Charming, warm and "kitchy." Congratulations

I like the fact that the eccentricity of the architecture seems to be matched by the eccentricity of Shelby's belongings. The two seem made for each other.

Everything about this space is just lovely. Your accessories and placement of show you have very elegant taste.

A bit curious, as I am with most AP small spaces, where do you put your clothes and tv? Maybe no tv?

I see your tv now, to the left of the fireplace.

I wish I could give this more than one heart!

I too am fascinated by the drawers above the bed. Love the indoor/outdoor vibe, too.

shelby.girard!
how i stumbled upon your entry i'll never know but i'm so glad it did! your place is absolutely adorable. i want to live in it.
much love to you in chi town,
renée

GinaAnn9 - yes the drawers came with the place. i find them really odd and its the first thing everyone asks about.

maifuj - the black and white pillow covers are from ikea

chmaddencarr - i <3 u

xenia - i found the fireplace right where you see it, its built in! very interesting looking but pretty bulky and non working unfortunately.

mauishopgirl - i keep my stuff in dressers - there is also one in the loft which didn't fit in my pictures. there's a decent closet and built-in storage in the bathroom too.

qtcrodesign - you're on to me.

reneefelicesmith!! hi!! so glad you stumbled upon my apartment. hope all is well in LA!

Love it! Great collection of eclectic pieces that work together in a unique way! Like the light fixtures and frames. Cool loft!

Looks great Shelby!!!

I love this.

I adore the cow hide rug and really want one and I love the mirror over the fireplace.

Are the loft drawers and the set of drawers in the living room your only wardrobe space? if so that must be frustrating.

I'd be afraid to fall over the low balcony railing when getting into those high drawers above the bed!

I love your place, it really personal and well-put together. It looks very much like something you would find in Boston!

also, where is the wood & leather arm chair from? (1st photo to the right of fireplace) -- its so cute!!

I really like this space! Minus the dining room chairs, they do not go with the personality of the apt at all. Maybe something sleek & black? And the white walls are really working for you, makes the space seem, well...loftier!

This is fantastic.

gorgeous!

would love to have seen pictures of the kitchen...

HOLY CRAP. i saw this and freaked out! my name is also shelbey and i live in chicago and i have the exact same style as you. you're my apartment doppleganger! good luck!! :)

You just inspired me to build a loft -- yours is quite tasteful! Nice place!

Very cool place, I love the loft! The rug isn't my favourite, but I love everything else about your apartment!

Shelby, We own our second house now and live in CT...I have old photos I'll try sending you sometime. There's someone famous that lived in that building, it's so special with so many amazing stories. You did a great job with it. People who live there are attracted to it because they have character (just like the building).

I love what you've done. When I rented that place back in 1989, I was at a packed open house. I fell in love the minute I saw it. I loudly criticized the small bathroom and the tiny kitchen WHILE I WROTE THE DEPOSIT CHECK! :) That was my first apartment and I lived there for 7 years.

Anyway, it's magical...what you've done with the place and the use of the space is the best of seen there. You have my vote.

Really like the design choices here. The layout of small apartments and condos is so vital to being able to live comfortably. If there is a loft or any other space to put a bed instead of having to do a fold out or murphy bed makes things so much easier.

My favorite thus far, but what a pain to change the bed linens in the loft!

LOVE IT LOVE IT! So jealous! If it has a yard, it would be PERFECT (maybe it does?)

i just love that this is a teeny tiny with a loft -- with an actual staircase instead of a dorm-like ladder!

Love it all. I think I've seen those dining chairs at some exclusive anitque store.

I love your bedroom upstairs. For a tiny space, you make it look spacious. I love your place.

Love the loft. It's so nice to have that division of space when you live in such a small apartment. I am dying to see the kitchen though.

The lay-out and architecture is amazing! Whoever built this place gets a big hug from me! Love what you've done with it, too.

I really like almost everything about this place including the cozy dining area with the mirror that enlarges it and all of the artwork that creates a lovely feel to the home but I have to agree that the dining room chairs and curtains both read "country" to me and clash with the urban feel of the rest of the place. I like an eclectic look but personally I just don't feel like the floral works with everything else. But that is my personal opinion for what it is worth! (Probably not much!)

I really like everything but the dining room chairs. They seem too clunky for such a classy space. Other than that - love it!

Yours is the best loft I've EVER seen! <3

Where I come from, lifting the bed high up is such a common way to make studios "work", but usually it looks like someone just nailed a bunkbed on the wall and added a sink and a stove underneath. But in Shelby's case, the result is stunning! That is a whole apartment in just a few square meters! May I enquire who was the architect? :)

I'm also curious about the width of the stairs. I guess between two and three feet?

Perfection. And I don't say that lightly. Go Shelby!

...lovely bright and welcoming. I signed in for the contest as well (international). Im living in a 280sqf, so I'm quite aware of meaning of small space. well thought out!

I like this apartment, it is very charming and full of character. I like the windowseat, and the fireplace. I like the dining table chairs. I have to agree that the curtain looks a bit wrong - sorry! Maybe something with light blue, like the sky in the photo above the couch? And I feel that the couch is too dark and clunky (although it looks comfortable!). Something lighter and more elegant, with legs so it is off the floor, might be nicer?

love love love love (x2, 3 times more..) how do people leave these houses for Work early in the morn, i'll never know..

Yes....lots and lots of character.

the stairs are so cute

Man, this contest is killing me. There is a lot of great talent out there! I love this apartment and reminds me of how special "small" can be... Really nice job. Enjoy your place for a long time to come.

Obviously some people are having a love/hate relationship with the curtains and chair covers, but can I just say major kudos to you for the extremely creative idea of taking a tablecloth and napkins in a print that you liked and integrating them into your space in such interesting way. I want to go tablecloth/curtain shopping right now!

This is kinda brilliant—People get over your selves about cowhide rugs, antlers, stag heads etc. as being the Anti-Christ! there are bigger problems in the world today!

This is going to sound so weird, but a few weeks ago I was watching YT videos of Apartment Tours and I swear this apartment was in one! It was from a year ago when the place was up for rent.

Is this the same place? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHp0Mmes3Rg

One of my favorites. Some unexpected touches, but a complete place.

those high ceilings are amazing. i love the bed loft!

Where is that comforter from? Is it down? It looks so comfy!

This is so crazy! I use to live in that apartment. What she did a fantastic job with it.

I love the rug and the curtains. this place is really cute, but sleeping in a loft would freak me out. I have a teensy problem with heights.