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Jordana's Opportunity On Her Own

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Name:

Jordana

Location:

New York, New York

Division:

Tiny

Square Feet:

438

What I Love About My Home


Having just moved in one month ago, I love the fact that this is the first place I can call my own (after living with a roommate for many years). I am relishing the opportunity to create a space that is a unique reflection of my taste and personality. The exposed brick wall, wooden floors, and cut-out breakfast bar are some of the best features of my charming walk-up. With three windows, the room is always bathed in light. And most of all, I love having a place to call home in the vibrant heart of New York City.

Biggest Challenge in Furnishing My Home


The biggest challenge was furnishing my studio from scratch on a restricted budget. As someone who had never designed or even decorated a room before, the task was daunting. I had to come up with creative solutions such as using my own photographs as artwork for the walls, using pieces of furniture for alternate purposes, and seeking out the most affordable finds in warehouse sales, floor samples, thrift stores and second-hand. For example, my “nightstand” is actually a table leg floor sample, that is used as nightstand for the bed and as a lighted shelf for the living room. My "entertainment unit" is composed of office stacking cubes I put together and then arranged to offer both storage and a display case. In one month, I was able to create a sleek look on a budget – and have fun doing it!

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Comments (42)

In just one month, this is super awesome!

posted by lei on April 25, 2011 at 9:54am
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I love your black and white bathroom.

posted by brightred on April 25, 2011 at 10:28am
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I am never a fan of the black/white/red/gray colour scheme, but this is really well executed.

posted by Juliet on April 25, 2011 at 10:31am
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I really like the colour scheme :)

I especially love your sleeping area.

posted by pheebs79 on April 25, 2011 at 10:44am
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Oooh my favourite colour combinations! Am filing this away as inspiration.

posted by Bhav on April 25, 2011 at 10:45am
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Your bathroom is very classy. Trying to make mine feel more "grown up" and sophisticated. Think I'm going to use yours as an example. Simply lovely (the whole plalce).

posted by Tracy333 on April 25, 2011 at 12:15pm
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I love the way you hung your photographs over your bed.

posted by Kathryn1123 on April 25, 2011 at 12:43pm
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Wow! This is great! I love your bedding and your black and white bathroom.

posted by suzy8track on April 25, 2011 at 12:57pm
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Well done!

posted by nycbound on April 25, 2011 at 1:00pm
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Why are there so many amaaazing apartments in the tiny category? You're like one of at least 10 people that I really really want to win this.

That said, I love your creative use of furniture. I have been searching for the perfect coffee table with storage & on wheels that wouldn't break my budget for the longest time now & I can't thank you enough for solving that for me! I would never have thought to look in Ikea's bedroom department ;) Thank you so much!

Also, the mirror between the windows? Genius. Love your color palette too... where did you get that painting over the kitchen counter? So pretty :)

posted by waterlily on April 25, 2011 at 1:05pm
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Where is that amazing bedding from?

posted by MissAubrey on April 25, 2011 at 1:15pm
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Congratulations! Great job. It looks comfy, cozy and elegant.

posted by IAMSNWFLK - dondehogar on April 25, 2011 at 2:11pm
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I would like to see the kitchen.

posted by suzie__lee on April 25, 2011 at 2:33pm
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I wish I had your design skills, this is really good.

posted by mg0224 on April 25, 2011 at 2:50pm
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Very nice! Great job, especially for your first time out. Congrats on having your own space and making it so special.

Love the blue and white in your bathroom, your photograph art and the idea of using office cubes for your entertainment center. I love using my own photos in my home (especially the ones I take while traveling).

posted by LorraineS on April 25, 2011 at 3:57pm
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Cool! Warm and sleek.

posted by grandmere on April 25, 2011 at 4:54pm
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Nice black-white-red color palette, lovely exposed brick wall.

posted by Ofelia on April 25, 2011 at 5:05pm
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Very impressed.

posted by cyuke on April 25, 2011 at 5:21pm
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Thanks for all the nice comments:))
@waterlily - The painting over the counter is from Home Goods - I found a lot of great decorating items there!
@MissAubrey - the bedding is Nicole Miller, via Bed, Bath & Beyond.

posted by JordanaS on April 25, 2011 at 5:31pm
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Great job on decorating the place!

posted by JMD78 on April 25, 2011 at 5:55pm
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You have succeeded in organizing your space with elan. I applaud your taste and your decorating skills.

posted by gb on April 25, 2011 at 5:56pm
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I love how you used the Ikea curtain panels behind the bed.....ingenious! If you aren't a designer then you should be, this is one of my very favorite tiny places.

posted by S.J.P. on April 25, 2011 at 7:02pm
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So sleek and spacious feeling! I can only hope my first NYC apt turns out this well.

posted by blue_eyes on April 25, 2011 at 8:02pm
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That little table over the couch...is that zebra print? If so, PLEASE let me know where another one like that could be found!
Love your space - you get my vote! =)

posted by jesskuhrae on April 25, 2011 at 10:16pm
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Very nicely done. I really like the exposed brick wall in your place.

posted by Florida Joyce on April 25, 2011 at 10:51pm
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It's lovely. Can't believe you've only lived there a month! I love your art collection. And I especially love the fabric hanging behind the bed. Great job.

posted by robertspeg on April 25, 2011 at 11:44pm
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Super cute! Love it!

posted by LucieG on April 26, 2011 at 12:07am
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quite contemporary!

posted by Mishu Islam on April 26, 2011 at 12:51am
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Designing at the speed of light.. and you've done it so well!

posted by visualeyes on April 26, 2011 at 3:38am
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looks like your place has it all...charm,comfort,sophistication,chic and classy.Didn't know all that would possibly fit into such a tiny space...

posted by Yaw D on April 26, 2011 at 11:53am
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Thanks for all the comments, I'm so flattered that people appreciate the space:)
@jesskuhrae - the zebra print side table is another find from Home Goods!

posted by JordanaS on April 26, 2011 at 12:02pm
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Place looks hot...nice job!

posted by alessandro d on April 26, 2011 at 12:30pm
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Good work Jordana! Great balance between sleek and inviting :)

posted by Eddie_Babbage on April 26, 2011 at 3:49pm
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What a creative way to use such a small place! My favorite part is the use of the pictures above your bed for a makeshift window. Such a classy looking studio.

posted by ladyjcanon on April 26, 2011 at 5:33pm
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This is super amazing... Now I am thinking I should do something to my dinky place as well. Thanks for the inspiration!

posted by Sun Kyun Lim on April 26, 2011 at 11:30pm
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I totally dig it! The photography over the bed is super lovely!

posted by conejitoasesino on April 27, 2011 at 5:43am
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Wow. You really nailed it!! Elegant, elegant elegant. Very impressed and I'm no easy grader

posted by rahimah on April 27, 2011 at 5:50pm
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Nice color pop in the art over the couch to integrate the brick wall. Funny little window in the corner.

This is probably a really cool building on the exterior - I suspect four units per floor, mirrored in plan, based on this unit.

posted by Jenn Zynn on April 27, 2011 at 5:56pm
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I love the black and white and red, great colors! Where did you get the ladder desk?

posted by DNBursky on April 27, 2011 at 9:03pm
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@DNBursky - thanks for your comment:) I got the desk and chair at the Container Store -another great place for small space solutions.

posted by JordanaS on April 28, 2011 at 2:56pm
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Beautiful job -- congrats on your new place!

posted by Kate L on April 29, 2011 at 2:59pm
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love your place I really like the bed where did you get?

posted by Jhamon on May 13, 2011 at 3:34am
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