Aw, my apartment tour. I’ve been promising this for months it seems. I finally finished some projects and borrowed a wide lens (thanks Kit!) and edited the billion photos I took! I live in a 400 sq. foot, studio apartment with a roommate and a cat. Sometimes I pretend like it’s a step-up from a dormroom, which makes me feel better.
I am a home person. I love being home, so having a comfortable, cute, and (somewhat) organized place to escape to is really important to me. Can’t say I’m not excited to move into a 1 bedroom when our lease is up, but living in this small space has been a fun challenge. Here we go!
Since we were dealing with such limited space, we knew bunkbeds were the way to go. Luckily, Steph’s family had an extra set (in fact, these are the beds Steph used as a child!). It’s sort of like being at summer camp all year long. My bedspread quilt is vintage and I “quilted” Steph’s out of vintage sheets.
Underneath the bed, is where I store the bulk of art supplies which are organized in plastic bins that slide under there. The floor rug is from Urban Outfitters (on sale!).
Our window area is my favorite. Our yellow chair is an icon in our house and the best $20 thrift store purchase of my life. We do a lot of people-watching from our window. The lamp is from IKEA and the stitched wall-art is vintage. Our tiny DVD collection is nestled in a pretty shoebox that I labeled and book-stack is a good alternative to a bulky bookshelf.
I brought my bright pink desk with me from Idaho. I painted it last year and I still love the color!
The ‘Sunday Services’ print was the print from the PNCA BFA Show I was in earlier this year (you can see more images from that shoot here), the embroidery piece was done by me from this pattern (you can see that post here), ”I’ve Got The Girl” print is a piece of vintage sheet music, the Stay artwork is a collage I created, the Love & Music is a tour poster from Ashley Brooke Toussant (you can purchase one here), the Hello, Also I Love You print is from The Big Harumph, and the last one is a vintage Ladies Home Journal cover.
The desk chair is a vintage school chair I thrifted for $3!
Since the wall is so busy, I wanted to keep the desk-top pretty simple. The plate is from Anthropologie, the rest of the pieces are thrifted, except for the Ashley G print and the Rifle Paper Co. journal.
I decided to put all my “in-progress” art journals in this bin so I will remember to work in them!
This next area is our most recent addition. I’ve been watching thriftstores for credenza over the last 8-ish months, but could never find anything that I loved and that was also within our budget. I finally caved and got these low-lockers from IKEA. I absolutely love them! I’m obsessed with the white and they are a great place to organize my odds and ends. On top we store our printer, my scanner, and a thrifted wire bin for my billion moleskine journals.
The Deb Carlos print is my favorite piece of art in the apartment. We got the huge one and takes up a good portion of the wall. I love it because it makes me feel like we have another window (if our window was looking at a mysterious forest scene).
The back of the fridge already came with the shop board, so I added hooks and I added our many umbrellas (we do live in Portland!), a lighter, and our kitty leash!
Next is the kitchen area! The yellow formica table was my grandparents. They haven’t used it in many, many years and I kinda freaked when they said I could have it. This is table that was in my grandparent’s kitchen when my dad was growing up. It’s the perfect size for our little family and still in really great condition.
The chairs are from Target (which I was able to get a lot cheaper with coupon codes, hell yeah).
Our little table! Our kitchen is the size of a closet, so we prepare most of our meals on the table too.
The canisters are from this Etsy shop, the Pyrex pieces and napkin holder are thrifted, and the daily cat calendar is from a bookstore. The Scenty warmer was a gift from my mom!
And our cute little fridge!
And our tiny-baby kitchen!
The instax wall is one my favorites! I stuck tape to the back and ran them up the wall. The raindrop is also by Ashley G. and the framed painting is by my grandmother.
To cover up the unsightly kitchen gadgets, I purchased a mini-curtain rod, folded a vintage pillowcase over it, and added buttons!
So that’s it! We do have a little bathroom and closet area near the front, but it’s not the cutest thing ever so I’ll spare you. But, I will share a DIY post and some photos from the hallway in a few days!
Kudos to you for surviving the million photos. I didn’t intend to take the last week off from blogging, but hopefully this makes it up! Have a great weekend.
La January 21, 2013 at 12:19 pm
wow, wow, wow! I love your pyrex and pretty much everything about your apartment. I am so inspired by how you have created such a beautiful little space. I really admire how you have made it so personal with all your wonderful finds.
So great.. this has made my day!x
darian November 12, 2012 at 6:36 pm
kara, how long did it take you to clean up dis bidniss…… its…. spotless
chara November 1, 2012 at 10:17 am
Wonderful apartment and very inspiring ;)
Heather October 29, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Wow, what an insanely cute apartment.
megan October 23, 2012 at 12:43 pm
where’s your clothes go?
karahaupt October 28, 2012 at 8:42 pm
We have a closet/bathroom in the front when you walk through the front door. :)
Amanda October 20, 2012 at 5:06 am
Your apartment is awesome! Your attention to detail shows and I love how you made the most of a small space.
Theresa October 19, 2012 at 11:07 am
I love this space, especially the pictures on the wall! Cute idea!
Theresa
http://bomamma.blogspot.com
Sandi October 19, 2012 at 8:51 am
Practical, useful tips. I’ll definitely pass this info along :)
Holland October 8, 2012 at 10:21 pm
Hi there! I came across one of these pictures on Pinterest and fell in love with the Love & Music print. Thanks for linking to it! Can you tell me how big it is?
Thanks!
Holland October 8, 2012 at 10:24 pm
oh, and what color combo do you have?
Kimmy October 6, 2012 at 6:11 pm
You have done wonders with the space you have. I absolutely love that yellow chair! I cannot believe it was only 20 bucks. XD Amazing.
Laura October 3, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Your space is adorable! Although I have to admit my favorite part is that you actually have umbrellas – I’ve lived in the NW my whole life (currently live in Vancouver WA) and I get so sick of other natives bragging about not needing umbrellas! Dude, it’s raining, and wanting to use an umbrella does not make me any less of an Oregonian than you!
Sigh. I’m just glad I’m not alone in my desire to stay dry. :)
keishua October 3, 2012 at 2:00 pm
great apartment. a wonderful use of space and really really fun.
Amanda @ Hungry Vegan Traveler October 1, 2012 at 8:14 am
This is beyond impressive! I live in a tiny studio with NO kitchen at all, and you’ve maximized your space better than I could ever comprehend! PLUS A ROOMMATE AND A CAT! Wow! Fantastic job! It’s insanely adorable!
Ilaria September 27, 2012 at 11:26 pm
Your apartment is really, really, really CUTE!!!!
Lois September 26, 2012 at 3:29 pm
Such a cute apartment. You have done so well considering the lack of space! My place remains cluttered no matter how much, or how little, space I have. I need to invest in some more storage solutions I think. Thanks for sharing.
Jenni September 26, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Super cute space. I love what you did with such a small area. I would have died to have such a cute space during my college years! Oh, and that yellow chair…. to die for!
Erin September 24, 2012 at 4:48 pm
I love your apartment! It’s very bright, cheery and cute!
jenny holiday September 21, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Seriously love it all! Love the pops of color and the personal touches!
xo
laura September 19, 2012 at 3:53 am
Really cute, and you make such good use out of limited space! The pink desk and yellow chair is my favourite <3 thanks for sharing such an intimate post. xo L
Kelli Murray September 18, 2012 at 12:09 pm
you did such a great job! Love the desk!
bonitarose September 17, 2012 at 5:11 am
a small space is sometimes the best.
We are moving to Fl to a smaller home.. so I know how u feel.. one can be happy in a small space.
I hv the same white blue butterprint pyrex refrigerator set.. love it! Your place is beautiful. Love Urban Outfitters too! xo
oh September 16, 2012 at 3:59 pm
BEAUTIFUL! :) it’s small, but looks so clean and airy. I’m in my moving mode all over again and to be honest, I’d give a lot to find sth similar to what you have there. I’m too old for a roommate, but everything else can stay;)
staklene bombone
Denise Morrison September 16, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Kara this is really adorable. So clever to use the space as well as you do. Plus, it’s pretty.
hope things are well.
Jessica September 16, 2012 at 7:45 am
so cute!
Alexz September 16, 2012 at 7:01 am
LOVE your tiny place so much. Kudos to you and your Roomie sharing that. It would no doubt be a challenge for me and my roommate… Just because we both love being alone. But ya gotta do what ya gotta do. You did a great job at making it look homie and a place to feel comfortable in. Can’t believe your gparents gave you that table! I’d die too.
Morgue September 15, 2012 at 11:57 am
I completely adore what you’ve done with this space. I’m a big fan of small spaces, and I’m always looking for inspiration for my own little place. This is so chic, clean, and just utterly lovely. I’m jealous! :)
Morgue x
Tina September 15, 2012 at 11:14 am
love your basket of cameras + film.
Kelci Smith September 15, 2012 at 8:15 am
So darling. I love it when people make the most of what they have instead of waiting around for what is “the best” situation in their minds. Keep it up!
melon September 15, 2012 at 6:16 am
This is lovely.
I love all the tiny details everywhere. M favourite pice of furniture is your desk. I would love to have one like this!
kelsie September 14, 2012 at 2:44 pm
is this real life?! your place is the cutest place!! ARE YOU ALWAYS THIS CLEAN ZOMG
maddie September 14, 2012 at 11:27 am
Getting a peek into someone’s apartment is the real way to see who someone is and that’s why I thank you for sharing your photos with me.
I cannot believe you live with someone else in a 400 sqaure foot space. I need my alone time and I don’t know if I could take another person living with me. Regardless though, I think your bunk bed is pretty rad. I almost moved into a sleeping loft when I moved to Philadelphia – something about sleeping up high is cool – like a treehouse.
Lauren September 14, 2012 at 10:39 am
absolutely love your use of the space and how airy it feels for such a tiny space! no tv, eh?
karahaupt September 14, 2012 at 10:55 am
Ha, nope! I had never had cable growing up so TV was never a big deal to me. Steph and I watch a lot of TV shows via Netflix on our computers/phones though!
Lauren September 20, 2012 at 5:04 pm
i love that. i wish we didn’t have a tv, but i’m pretty sure my boyfriend’s head might explode if i threw it out! it’s so much easier to be super creatively productive without one.
Kaitlyn September 14, 2012 at 9:37 am
Tiny, tiny, tiny! But packed with so much character and thought! I really think small is better sometimes, especially when it’s carefully planned out like your space.
I especially love your desk area. That is so inspiring to me. I can understand how you are able to churn out so many beautiful creations now!
Also, we have the same pyrex sets! I noticed the plates in the drying rack right away. I grew up eating on those and just last year my mom passed them down to me, I was so overjoyed!
Kaitlyn.
karahaupt September 14, 2012 at 10:54 am
My mom found that dish set at a garage sale and I LOVE them. Glad to be Pyrex twins. ;)
Lauren September 14, 2012 at 9:03 am
Simply lovely. It’s incredible what you’ve done in such a small space. :)
Caitlin Metz September 14, 2012 at 7:50 am
this is so precious! It’s inspiring me to simplify my life. I live in a much larger apartment, but I’m still always feeling short on space. I need to organize better, and create beautiful spaces.
hayley September 14, 2012 at 7:39 am
i’ve always wanted a studio apartment, and now i’m wanting one even more !
karahaupt September 14, 2012 at 10:55 am
Haha, be careful what you wish for! ;)
Kelsey Elizabeth September 14, 2012 at 7:28 am
amazing space! my favorite parts are the chair, desk and crazy cute bunk beds!
Julia September 14, 2012 at 3:32 am
How pretty! This yellow chair is absolutely the best. I like everything about this tiny space and how you keep it organized.
Danielle September 14, 2012 at 2:36 am
Absolutely gorgeous! I loved seeing what you’ve done with a small space. Also, the light is just incredible!
Ada September 14, 2012 at 2:29 am
Your little apartment is truly stunning!
This is exactly how I imagine my first place after finally moving out from my parents’ flat. It may be small but you have space for everything from a sleeping space for 2 to a gorgeous office. I absolutely love all the bargains you managed to collect, they add so much coziness to your place. The kitchen that we have in our flat is only slightly bigger than yours but I’d swap them right away for the simple fact that I love vintage looking kitchens. The polaroid wall makes it so much more personalised! It’s so hard for me to name just one favourite bit of your apartment so I’ll name 3. Your desk, the colour is amazing! Your beautiful yellow arm chair, I’d so love to have an arm chair in my room! And the kitchen table with the beautiful vintage tins, just amazing!
ursula September 14, 2012 at 1:55 am
I can’t believe how small your place is! I always complain about my apartment being small, but this is crazy! And you’ve decorated it sooo nicely. Looks great!
tianna @ suffocated bliss September 14, 2012 at 12:47 am
really cute apartment. – you’ve made the most of the space you have. even with it being so small, it’s well decorated so it looks comfy and fun. – love the pink desk and mint green chair, too.
tianna :)
Katya September 14, 2012 at 12:37 am
Your apartment is lovely <3