« Back

Olivia's Little Box in the Sky

4daf84de32704a4a77000013._h.426_w.540_s.fit_ Zoom in
4daf84de32704a4a77000013._h.80_w.80_s.centercrop_ 4daf84ec32704a4a77000015._h.80_w.80_s.centercrop_ 4daf82ac32704a1c10000008._h.80_w.80_s.centercrop_ 4daf88f532704a4a7700001c._h.80_w.80_s.centercrop_ 4daf850b32704a4a6c00000b._h.80_w.80_s.centercrop_ 4daf834f32704a63aa00000c._h.80_w.80_s.centercrop_

Name:

Olivia

Location:

Portland, Oregon

Division:

Little

Square Feet:

637

What I Love About My Home


I love the natural light from my wall of windows! Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I've always felt most at peace in the outdoors -- so having one entire wall of my 'little box in the sky' looking out to the river and hills keeps me happy. And I love being able to use the greenhouse effect of the windows to grow arugula, strawberries, and mint from spring to fall!

Biggest Challenge in Furnishing My Home


I'm a total travel junkie, so my biggest design challenge is finding ways to incorporate my love for travel (and the cool things I've picked up while on the road), without my studio looking like the Grand Bazaar. I think I'll always find it challenging to balance my quirky travel finds and budget-friendly IKEA pieces, while keeping my map obsession in check!

74
favorites
Favoriting and voting have ended.

Comments (13)

i don't understand the sleeping area? is it separate? what's the dotted line in the floorplan?

posted by raddlesnack on April 26, 2011 at 7:34am
view raddlesnack's profile

She indicates that it is a studio.

posted by mjs7640 on April 26, 2011 at 8:14am
view mjs7640's profile

The windows and the kitchen are an absolute gift. I like the empty space, it makes it all seems very calm and serene. And for some reason, I find myself liking the bed on the floor.

posted by cvgmiami on April 26, 2011 at 8:16am
view cvgmiami's profile

where did you get the map above your bed? i have been coveting that exact map since finding a vector map jpeg online.

posted by ChristineOC on April 26, 2011 at 10:34am
view ChristineOC's profile

Interesting spot for your TV. I'm guessing you don't want to put it on the lower shelf against the window because it will obstruct the view or are there no outlets there? :) I also giggled at your map shower curtain as you said you have a map obsession. Very cute. Great space!

posted by Tracy333 on April 26, 2011 at 10:46am
view Tracy333's profile

Yay! Thanks :)

@Tracy333 yep, it's the view. Thought about putting it on the wall or getting rid of it. :)

@ChristineOC I found a free vector map online and then a friend [who worked at a print company] made it for me with a large-format printer onto canvas.

@Raddlesnack it's a studio, the dotted line in the floor plan is where the ceiling is slightly inset (viewable in the main pic).

posted by poweredbytofu on April 26, 2011 at 2:10pm
view poweredbytofu's profile

Nice kitchen!

posted by miesvanderrohe on April 26, 2011 at 5:08pm
view miesvanderrohe's profile

What an odd shape! It makes for a very cool apartment.

I'm not a big fan of beds on the floor. All the wasted space above and below...

The TV on the floor is crying out for a stand of some sort. Check the portland craigslist free section, I see people giving away free media stands and entertainment centers all the time.

posted by Sam I Am on April 26, 2011 at 5:10pm
view Sam I Am's profile

I like the bedding. Where did it come from? It really makes me think of the beach, which I'm yearning for at the moment!

posted by ButterfluyBleus on April 26, 2011 at 7:29pm
view ButterfluyBleus's profile

Like the apartment, and I think you have a great start, but I feel like you def need a TV stand (or mount in on the wall like you said) and some sort of real bed. Maybe a platform to keep the simple feel you have going on? Kinda just looks like an air mattress right now...

posted by hurricanekc on April 26, 2011 at 8:31pm
view hurricanekc's profile

Get rid of the TV! Watch movies, if you must, on your computer, and then you can spend more time looking out the window, smelling that fresh mint, and planning your next globe trotting adventure.I like the bed on the floor here because it keeps the devil may care outdoorsy beach vibe going.

posted by virtuelsie on April 27, 2011 at 4:48am
view virtuelsie's profile

love the windows and the kitchen. yet your place just seems too bare for my style.

posted by queenyellowsun on April 28, 2011 at 3:46am
view queenyellowsun's profile

That view is magnificent! Cityscape and naturescape. It's looks like you are still finding your style and have not finished decorating. Probably hard when if you are often travelling.

I wouldn't worry about your home feeling like a bazaar if you want to fill it with the spoils of your adventures. If these pieces reflect your personality and feelings, how could you not come up with a great space! The Ikea and cheap finds will help balance out the electicness of your finds, and will probably also help in defining your sleeping, work and eating areas.

Good Luck!

http://chantaeuxcarter.blogspot.com/

posted by Chantaeux on April 30, 2011 at 10:29pm
view Chantaeux's profile