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Kelley's DIY Apartment

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Name:

Kelley

Location:

Brooklyn, New York

Division:

Teeny-Tiny

Square Feet:

244

What I Love About My Home


I love that everything in my apartment was a DIY project. As a 20-something living in NY, I don't have a huge budget to decorate and furnish my space. I've made my own curtains and pillows, painted the whole space myself, and have even designed and (helped) build my own bookshelf. By decorating slowly, I have been able to collect items that really express who I am and what I love. My apartment may be tiny, but it is 100% me. And, I love every bit of it.

Biggest Challenge in Furnishing My Home


The biggest challenge I have had when furnishing my home is the size. At 244 square feet I had to very creative with my storage and furniture choices. Any possible space I can use for storage, I have to. I store my ironing board behind my curtain, my broom next to my fridge, and I make full use of the risers underneath my bed. I've also collected my furniture slowly so I can get pieces that fit in my small space. My latest addition is my corner bookshelf that I absolutely LOVE. After years of searching for one that fit the 20" space I had I gave up and designed my own. It's a combination of plumbing pipes and reclaimed wood and the open look of it is perfect so it does not overwhelm the space.

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Comments (28)

I'm sorry if I'll bore you by repeating it: the bookshelf behind the sofa is amazing!

posted by hotpaprika on April 16, 2011 at 3:49pm
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Love the quilt against all that brick.

posted by tricksy on April 13, 2011 at 8:26am
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Your dresser is gorgeous! Place looks comfy.

posted by latoyaversailles on April 13, 2011 at 9:34am
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Lovely - and excellent DIY on that shelving unit, it looks terrific!

posted by idontdobeige on April 13, 2011 at 9:53am
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Terribly jealous of your shelves!

posted by jaclyn43552 on April 13, 2011 at 11:33am
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Love this. Where is your sofa from?

posted by karmaonion on April 13, 2011 at 11:39am
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OMG loved the bookshelves. How'd you do that? Give us a hint!

posted by Kay G on April 13, 2011 at 12:02pm
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Love the corner bookshelves!

posted by thehealthguru on April 13, 2011 at 12:05pm
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Did you also enter the contest last year? The living area looked really familiar. I just can't get over the exposed brick wall. lovely!

posted by pier723 on April 13, 2011 at 12:12pm
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Lots of lovely things here, Kelley, and it's all very clean and neat; but where do you eat??

posted by helanother on April 13, 2011 at 12:31pm
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looove that shelving unit

posted by jenawithonen on April 13, 2011 at 12:55pm
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Oh the things I'd do to have that brick wall...

posted by jennamariee on April 13, 2011 at 12:59pm
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It's expected when you live in Manhattan and just starting off. Think great use of space for 244 square feet.

posted by THE BASICS Magazine on April 13, 2011 at 2:43pm
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That corner shelving unit is genius.

posted by jefral on April 13, 2011 at 3:52pm
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Love the corner bookshelf; would be a perfect solution in my not-yet-ready-to-compete 240 sq ft. Is there a how-to somewhere?

posted by Papered Pixels on April 13, 2011 at 4:07pm
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the shelves are great, as well as the old quilt; very cozy

posted by ec05 on April 13, 2011 at 4:33pm
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Love the homemade shelf! Great job making the most of a tiny space.

posted by blue_eyes on April 13, 2011 at 8:32pm
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PLEASE tell us there'll be a How To DIY coming soon for that fabulous shelf! I NEED that in my kitchen!!!

posted by Barb in CT on April 13, 2011 at 9:15pm
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I love that you created your own shelves when you couldn't find what you wanted; I've done that myself. The space is used beautifully.

posted by mollyfields on April 13, 2011 at 11:29pm
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The apartment is orgasmic. I want to make sweet love to those shelves.

posted by Dick Weesie on April 14, 2011 at 12:01am
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feels like a cozy cabin in the middle of the city!

posted by amazonikon on April 14, 2011 at 12:36pm
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Very cool corner bookcase you designed.

posted by Eva Gorman on April 14, 2011 at 2:17pm
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I'm in the 'loving that shelf' club! Great idea to alternate the shelves' positions. Would love a 'how to' post!

posted by casey w on April 14, 2011 at 2:50pm
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+1 on the "more info about those shelves, please"!

posted by emmelemm on April 14, 2011 at 7:35pm
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Thank you everyone for the wonderful comments! Now, a few answers!

My great grandmother made me that quilt and I love how it brightens up the place. I didn't enter the contest last year, but a lot of Brooklyn buildings have the exposed brick so that could be why it looks familiar. I eat at my coffee table. It's not ideal, but it works. I also can't wait to upgrade to a larger place where I have room for a table! The couch is from Crate and Barrel. It's old so I'm not sure what the model is. It looks similar to the Axis or the Troy they currently have available.

Now for the bookshelf. I don't have a DIY to share, but I can tell you how to get your own. It was a collaboration between my boyfriend and I. I designed what I wanted and we built it out. He will be selling it through his company Merrimack & Monitor. If you're interested you can reach him at jason@merrimackandmonitor.com. He makes beautiful tables, shelving, and lighting.

posted by Kelley G. on April 14, 2011 at 10:47pm
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you have so much kitchen-cabinet space *envy* =)

posted by JulianneMay on April 15, 2011 at 4:05am
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I think Kelly's DIY apt. is FANTASTIC!! I wish I had that going when I lived in NY. Love the bookshelf! Who made it?? Where did you get it? I want one!!

posted by nancy sinclair on April 18, 2011 at 3:29pm
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Nothing new to say but love that book shelf. It's a perfect solution to minimal space, ingenious. I also covet that dresser, it is gorgeous. You have created a very inviting space. Kudos.

posted by jennifer in exile on April 30, 2011 at 7:09pm
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