Monday
Sep172012
Reader's home - a tiny Swedish apartment
Mon, 17 Sep 2012Karin, a devoted DTI reader from Umeå, Sweden, is selling her apartment and sent us a link to the real estate listing. It is a tiny studio that has been completely renovated. It's adorable, and perfect for someone without a lot of stuff - which is SO not me. Although how fun would it be to have a little pied-à-terre in Sweden! I love the little alcove bedroom with handy open clothes storage.
Reader Comments (65)
This is absolutely gorgeous. Especially if your single. Unfortunately I'm not (lol). But the simplicity of it all is stunning. This is the first time I've seen an arrangement like this. Thank you for sharing this.
PS You have given me some GREAT ideas on how to effectively utilise space.
Love all the light fixtures! Where can I find the acrylic panel with the chandelier ?
What is the cost of this apartment? I am in the United States, and this seems so great!
Hi, Cosmo. Karin talked to Yahoo! Homes about that great panel -- she made it! It's a photograph of her grandmother's crystal lamp; she mounted it to plexiglass. Clever, no? (More here: http://yhoo.it/OgQy93. But I'm not trying to take traffic away from DTI; I'm hoping our post is driving lots of traffic this way, because this is a terrific blog.)
Jennifer Karmon
Yahoo! Homes editor
I couldnt help but laugh when I saw someone say it was too cluttered!!!! Are you serious? Whomever said that would DIE if they ever came to my home. I have a two story, Victorian home thats wall to wall decor/antiques etc....
I LOVE Karins home and wish I could pare down to something so simple, yet elegant.
Lovely, cute and so inviting!
I am a fan of space saver designs. This one is quite impressive. I like to cook a lot but I am just a little bit uncomfortable with open bedroom. My cooking usually sticks to all the clothing and curtains here at home and it stays forever. But overall this design is very impressive. I like it a lot. Gives me idea on how to design small spaces.
Can you mention the measurement of the rooms please, Really a great usage of space
Overall, good use of space but I don't like the placement of the String shelves nor the kitchenchair in the corner of the room. I would place a high storage unit left of the kithentable, with home-office function... You could place 1-2 foldable chairs in the hallway for extra dinner guests.
I also would cover the clotheshelves in the bedroom with a curtain.
the wooden hanging lampshade of the kitchen table, the smokey gray tiles, the rectangular marble tiles, the curved sofa ... sweet.
What a nice job/place ! The appartment already had "good bones" to work with and you did a great job with the decorating. We, here in Europe, know what it's like living in smaller quarters, something americans and others have no idea about ! Homes are so outrageously huge now in the US. Many students and small incomers would think this place was a palace ! Congrats ! PS: Love the shower and the folding doors.
Wow! How awesome is this design...now if I can only find a way to get rid of my clutter I would love to have my own place so smartly finished!
It is easy for people to be critical," to many chairs, too many tables". What do you do if you have acouple of friends or family over. You have to have chairs and tables. I love tables. I have 4 stacked wood tables, they fit under each other and if I have company I can give each person a little table for their drinks or snacks. You did great on designing. the person who said an 8ft window would make itlook bigger, and the curved coach, they didn't like. I think its great, rather than having astraight couch up against the wall. It would really waste space if yo uhad to angle a straight one. Oh well such is the world. If you were a millionaire yes you could do all kinds of things, but obviuosly if you are living in a 375 sq ft area, money is a consideration, bravo for you. Carol from Sonoma, Calif
Wow. If circumstances were better for me, I would buy that right now. Honestly, it's a little big for me, as far as the living room area goes, but I love it! You have a wonderful taste for minimalism in your decorating! Even thought there are more items in the house, than I would usually want, nothing looks remotely cluttered, as it all flows together, and there is still plenty of empty space. Not to mention the theme of white! I love that there is enough space for the necessary books, but not so much that one would be tempted to fill the shelves with unnecessary random books. Also, the shower design is close to the one I have always dreamed of, but never seen realized! I love your home!
I like the shower idea with the shower doors being able to fold away. very clever idea I may have to borrow that for my own projects.
Really great use of the space. It still seems light and airy despite being so small.
Sorry, but I don't buy it... We (2 p.) live in a 45m2 apartment - so I know what I'm talking about.
You hardly any storage in these pictures - even the place under the bed isn't used for storage - and still it's so roomy.... where do you keep books? albums? your winter clothes??? Even the few shelves in the living room (on the left, not the ones above the extra chair - which is also clear of any stuff) and in the bedroom are half empty. Come on! Either you took everything out for the pictures - or you're a rare woman who needs nothing, keeps nothing and shows nothing. As I said: I'm sorry, but to me this doesn't look real...
Love it! Love the way you used the limited space available (35 m2 is small to my standards, others may think differently). Got some ideas to apply for my place as well :)
In Dublin, the monthly rent on this would be about 700euro in a desirable area, and not much less in other areas of Dublin.
tiny? please. come to new york and i'll show you tiny.
I love this apt. Good place to stay if you want to visit sweden for a month or two.... as for storage -- seems there could be a "shelf" or "floor" above the bed (sort of an attic)...orrrr a loft bed with ladder and plenty of room underneath for clothes, another sitting space, etc.
I'd buy this place in a heartbeat. Very well planned out. The only I would do different is get a bed with a platform and drawer space underneath. That would add alot of storage space. I don't see a washer and dryer. Hard to live without one if you are used to it. Maybe one in the building?? A doable option for most.
That is an amazing space, I love all the natural light that comes into it.
Great color combination. Love this freedom. Great work!
I agree with one poster. Lots of wasted space here.Seems like the overall color is gray and white with a splash of yellow..and, of course, blue tile in the bathroom. I wouldn't like my clothes hanging out for all to see and the arrangement lacks organization. They do make very nice closet organizers. I would have also hung drapes to cover bedroom storage and used some bins to store folded clothes. And what's up with the terrible paint job on the bedroom wall? The artwork here doesn't seem to add anything to the place, don't like any of it. Looks like it was cut from magazines or posters. Displaying coats and two pairs of shoes in the entry way is hardly "decorative." In fact, the stool needs to go and an area rug would be nice there too. A nice wardrobe would have been better. Too much seating in this place. And I agree with one commenter, a desk area would have been nice. Should have bought a much smaller couch and what's up with two coffee tables, two lamps behind the couch? Just weird. Nothing for a focal point? I don't like books on the shelves. That stuff should be stored away. . An area rug would have been nice in the living room. Also, the dining table should not be opened with the leaf up. Takes up space. The view from that window is no "view." Sheers or curtains would have been a nice touch to hide the view. It's functional, but obviously it is decorated with a mishmash of stuff and on the cheap. I'm sure there was a budget concern. It's a good beginning.