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Brian's Expressive Displays

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Name:

Brian

Location:

New York, New York

Division:

Teeny-Tiny

Square Feet:

325

What I Love About My Home


I love how I am able to surround myself with things that have value and meaning to me. I display and play the violin I inherited from my maternal grandfather to honor him. I have the chessboard that my paternal grandfather and I used to play on back in the days. For daily inspiration, I have a poster of my intellectual heroes. To honor my heritage, I put up Igorot (a Filipino tribe) figurines that I collected and portraits taken by an Igorot photographer. Being in a studio allows me to access and enjoy these and other special items all at once without having to move from room to room.

Biggest Challenge in Furnishing My Home


As much as possible, I only want to display or use items in my apartment that is special to me. With this, I have to make an extra effort in effectively presenting these items together.

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Comments (20)

Beautiful artwork!

posted by Shira533 on April 5, 2011 at 12:17pm
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This would get my vote as MOST favorite, except for the futon for sleeping. Very neat and spacious looking, but do people actually sleep on futons, 365?

posted by wyndwalkr on April 5, 2011 at 1:33pm
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Great wall decor. I especially like the instruments.

I'm considering buying that same leather chair (in brown, though) how do you like it?

posted by Megan in AZ on April 5, 2011 at 1:49pm
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There are so many things to marvel at about this apartment -- the light, the display, the spaciousness (kudos on making this teeny tiny apartment look much bigger). It looks so neat but it has a homey, lived-in feel to it. I love that you can really tell that each piece that's displayed holds significance to the owner.

Unfortunately, when you live in a studio apartment in NYC, you need to make a choice between an open space or a bed. I personally prefer this lay out compared to the makeshift walls people put up when they live in a studio. This is my favorite!

posted by ilovelemons on April 5, 2011 at 1:55pm
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I like your philosophy!

posted by cremedela on April 5, 2011 at 2:23pm
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I really like that the walls are white (right?) That is my biggest challenge in my apartment and entries like this give me faith that it isn't hopeless!

posted by amharold on April 5, 2011 at 7:01pm
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It's too bad you did not choose to submit photos on the bathroom or kitchen...I can't vote on what I cannot see, otherwise, I love your place!!

posted by smoothsailing on April 5, 2011 at 10:31pm
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Extremely inviting. I wish we could all head over for a night of martini's and music!

posted by Tom Nordstrom on April 7, 2011 at 12:30pm
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I LOVE the red chair!

posted by Roozter on April 7, 2011 at 6:06pm
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I love it. It shows some character. And I have that futon/or one like it. The upgraded mattress makes it very comfortable.

posted by ellepebe on April 8, 2011 at 8:44pm
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If you like a firm mattress and have a good futon, I actually find them quite comfortable. Sure, it's a pain to have to put your bed away every night, but I think it seems worth it in the case of this apartment where Brian's created a cozy, yet open living space. Love it!

posted by michpc on April 9, 2011 at 1:57pm
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Okay, that Austrian Economists poster is fantastic! Clean, organized and personal -- well done.

posted by SMM on April 10, 2011 at 6:09pm
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Not only do you have a stylish place but you also have great choice in intellectual heroes, they's re mine too, good work.

posted by ryanlovesdesign on April 12, 2011 at 3:28am
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What awesome light! I love the artwork too. Great job.

posted by maechevrette on April 14, 2011 at 2:11pm
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"space or bed", I'll choose space. love your place =)=)

posted by JulianneMay on April 15, 2011 at 8:58am
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I love the clean, orderly, organized yet still lived in feel to your place. It looks like you use everything and put it write back in its place.

posted by Naoki9 on April 15, 2011 at 3:19pm
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I love the light & airy feel of your space!
Also, how you preserve tradition and the place still looks very modern! (& traditional at the same time - that armchair looks quite timeless!! :)

posted by iLayla on April 16, 2011 at 9:14am
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So far my favorite.

posted by mp-mtl on April 17, 2011 at 12:49pm
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hey Brian, I contest in international entries, yet I'm curious about all the teeny tiny spaces, and the way ppl make their home feels much bigger than it is. your place is lovely. I like wall decor, picture frames, and for such a small 'size' - cozy feel of the space. good job!

posted by Gorica on April 18, 2011 at 5:07pm
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Like the rug in the eating/dining area. Makes it separate and yet still flows. Really like the feel of this place.

posted by bfergie13 on April 23, 2011 at 10:00pm
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