Name: Joseph
Location: Chicago
Size: 700 sf
Rent/Own: Own
What is the advantage of SMALL? The advantage to living SMALL is that if I need to edit a room I can execute it in a fairly small amount of time and have huge results. I am the first owner of the unit and when I moved in it was just a white box with some cabinets and a bathroom. Within the six short months that I have occupied the space, I think that I am not doing to bad after all. It is always exciting to come home.


What's your favorite resource for your home?
I am inspired by just being able to live in the city. Originating from the suburbs and coming into semi-unfamiliar territory there is a much to discover. I would have to say that I prefer the independent shops that are dotted in every neighborhood, you really get a sense of what the products and services that are offered. Sometimes I am able to splurge on a couple of items a month, but in the back of my mind I know that I can either create or replicate something similar.

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home?
My favorite element in my small, cool home would have to be the sitting area. I love the dialogue that tends to develop when you get to spend time with friends and family, most of it is completely random and overly sarcastic, but you really get to figure out just who someone is. I also find it very relaxing that to sit in the silence, just for a short while after coming home from a long day.
The shot of ties was a waste. But I loved the living room.
view Nevis's profile
All you people are killing me with the vignettes! I'm thinking I really might like this home but I hardly saw any of it in order to decide that! What I saw was very nice. Love everything hanging from the ceilings!
view oakland's profile
nice but once again ordinary. if i can walk into any condo bldg in bmore or dc and see a trillion just like this, then it just seems a waste to be in the contest.
view bmorebent's profile
man, shit is really getting more critical as we get deeper into the contest. It's kept me from entering.
This looks like a really warm cohesive space.
What are those bird shapes in the kitchen?
view DahliaCactus's profile
i don't know what ur talking about. i saw the whole house. the ties are in the bathroom, saw the kitchen, bedroom, living and dinning.
view SD913's profile
I like it---its comfotable, yet modern-with a little funk.
view MarieE123's profile
I love the floral curtains in the living room. I think it's a really warm and cozy place. The only thing I didn't really like was the big brown couch.
view jacxie's profile
Yeah, well all YOU people are killing me with the vignette complaints. He's only got one vignette (which AT ASKS FOR). You see the kitchen. You see the living room. You see the study. You see the bedroom. On top of that, the vignette appears to be the bathroom. This isn't even close to one of the "bad picture" entries. Quit your whining.
Good work, Joseph.
view Nightrain's profile
Definatly cool, nice and cozy.. livable.. what a home should be.
view SoSpunky5's profile
i love the tord boontje lamp! i am a sucker for those.
view scarlethue's profile
Really nice, warm space. Love the stuff hanging from the ceiling - I'm short and can't even get up there with a ladder in my place, and this entry is making me brainstorm ways to bribe my brother to do it for me.
view meg_ues's profile
Nightrain - i don't see anywhere AT "ASKS FOR" vignette shots. it merely links to their page on how to take photos of your apartment. in entering a contest, shots of the details do nothing to tell us the story of the entire space. i am talking specifically about the ties photo in this entry. the table/vase shot, while vignette-y, gave us another view of one room into another in the space, and was therefore worthwhile.
maybe people will learn for next year.
view any such name's profile
Any Such Name, when you are uploading photos, AT specifically asks for a vignette photo.
Very charming place.
view Sabt's profile
Love the curtains.
view heymomo's profile
i feel like i'm looking in a catalog. i love catalogs and all...just not sure i'd want to live in one. it's nice but i think it lacks character & uniqueness.
view *lace*'s profile
luvs it.
view snoopy's profile
While this is not a criticism of this particular space, 700 square feet for one person doesn't really present a space challenge. Does it? Or have I just lived in the big city too long?
view Lisa Hunter (Montreal)'s profile
Lisa, I currently live with 3 people in about 1200 sf, so no, 700 doesnt present much of a space challenge.
view Modfan's profile
Snarky snarky snarky....why would anyone enter anything on AT?
view hdtex's profile
I think this place is very cozy and real. I think it feels far less "catalog" than many others.
view Jackson's profile
I'm moving in this weekend...
view mplsjacob's profile
I knew from the 1st photo if was Chicago! It happened before with another entry also. I think I look at too much real estate online, or else Chi definitely has it's own style...
view Tiffany's profile
Like the space, but I too hate that tie shot, which is a shame because I think I love that shower curtain and the lavender walls - I want to see everything!
I'm confused about this vignette rule - AT doesn't list it beforehand and then specifically asks for one once you get to the uploading point?
view firecracker's profile
Lovely.
But, meh.
view Alana in Canada's profile
Maybe it is contest fatigue, but what part of me feels I should like it, I can't get excited over this entry.
view phaedrus's profile
I really do like the shot of the green vase on the dining table. I say this is cool. And the ties are a very strange giggle. I like them, too.
view Curtis's profile
it's just a contest, people need to lighten up with the comments a bit... It's just a photograph of ties, no need to criticize so harshly! I thought it was a cool shot
view kathyh's profile
I liked the ties! It was original to me. It could have been another Keep Calm poster above an Eames inspired chair. But then again, I like me some quirky!
view Carol K's profile
Where are those curtains from?? Love them and love the color scheme.
view Margusie's profile
I LOVE IT! The ties are the best part because not only are they stylish, they are specific to this homeowner. This person could easily have taken the lazy route, and hung up something that Architectural Digest told them to, but like all of the decorations (from the hanging art to the curtains), this person's style is uniquely their own. And it WORKS!
view ChrisKetch's profile
Bmorebent... the whole point is to make an average space into something spectaular, isn't it??
I love the place. Wish I could see more of it.
Is there a limit to the amount of pics you may enter in some of these?? Or do the judges just pare it down to what they want to show??
view Sleek's profile
I really like Joe's apt, it has his personality , and has a lived in look ... most people on this site are obsessed with apartments that look like magazine ads ...
good job Joe !
view honeisos's profile
I really like it. Nice space!
view otis's profile
Yeesh, ATers are way harsh. No, this is not a revolutionary decor that will make strangers on the street stop and gasp in shock - but still a very pleasant place, decorated with care and an eye for continuity.
Joe, I wanted to point out a few things that I liked about your apt that no-one else really seemed to notice. The exposed brick gave a really nice texture and contrast to the rest of the "finished" rooms, nice job not painting it over. Second, I really liked the way you seem to love mobiles, and it's pretty interesting that your styles range so widely, from the Calderesque one in the living room, to the stark white flower/snowflake light fixture, and the simple birds in the kitchen. Well done. Last of all, I liked the tie shot, it gave me a quick smile, which set you apart as someone with a sense of humor, but the quiet kind that doesn't hit you over the head screaming for attention. In all, a very nice place that you have obviously spent a lot of time and love making into a serene oasis from the city. Enjoy.
view YakkoDot's profile
I LOVED this entry. I really did, man i love the colors, the feel, the whole vibe of the place. Very very nice.
I would have loved to see more pictures, mainly so i can copy the entire thing! I love it, I wish you could do my place.. would you?? I live in florida.. so maybe you can travel and help me with this mad house!
OK OK LOVE IT!
all you haters need to CHILL. (sorry to sound so juvenile, but geez you are rippin on him for ties? are you serious. its his own personal style, excuse him for having taste. I have seen way WAY more ridiculous things on AT before -ie fake book boxes... so lay off people! )
my favorite part.... besides the color .. the textures and the cool vibe. very nice.
view Faynilla's profile