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Smaller Cooler 2009: Louie's Ex Eat-In Kitchen

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Whose Room is This?: Louie, 1 Week Old!
Location: Jackson Heights, New York
Family: Louie, Mom Emily and Dad
Home Size: 50 square feet
Division: Baby

Tip for Living Small with Kids: "A place for everything, and everything has a place."
Organization and minimalism is key. If there's no room for something necessary, make room for it by getting rid of something else. I find cluttered spaces make for a cluttered mind, and when baby is screaming and there's urgency to finish the task, it's best to know exactly where everything is and how you can quickly get to it.

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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in putting together this room? We live in a New York City apartment where space is extremely limited, and converted the "eat-in" part of our "eat-in kitchen" into a small nursery area that measures about 7x7 feet. To maximize space, we installed a pocket door, so we didn't have to leave space in the room for the door to swing in and out. We also installed a wide window at the top of the new wall to help light from the kitchen filter in and to create the illusion of a higher ceiling.

In addition, we used a minimalist, modern design asthetic so as not to make the room look 'busy' and 'dizzy.' We limited our color scheme to three-- yellow, white, and gray--and the simple, clean color palette really does make the room feel bigger and fresh.

We also kept decorations to a minimum and chose furniture that was low to the ground so that the room felt as airy and spacious as possible. By leaving most of the wall space bare, and using an invisible-mount storage shelf, we avoid feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated, which we hope also lets our daughter relax in the space.


Give Louie and her parents a THUMBS UP if you think this room belongs in the finals!
Thumbs Up Voting is only activated for 48 Hours — so don't delay!

Do you live in a small home and have a cool kids' room? Enter Here by May 13th!

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Comments (40)

This is one of the most creative, best uses of space I've seen... and I love the cheerful yellow and white scheme, and soft grey walls. This is a simply lovely nursery. Louis is lucky fellow indeed!

posted by lisamfb on May 7th 2009 at 1:52pm
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I love the subdued grey color on the walls. What is it?

posted by kafern on May 7th 2009 at 2:11pm
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Thanks, all! The paint color is called Fossil Grey. It is the Glidden brand.

As a side note...there's a typo. Baby's name is Louie!

posted by Emc2 on May 7th 2009 at 2:16pm
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Louis or Louie... love the name. (It happens to be my father's name, and was high on my baby-name list!) We have to same crib, too... love it!! Great job on all fronts!!

posted by lisamfb on May 7th 2009 at 2:25pm
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Great use of space! I love the color palette.

posted by DressageRider on May 7th 2009 at 2:26pm
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lovely lovely nursery, perfect use of space.

posted by Anusha73 on May 7th 2009 at 3:06pm
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I'm so impressed!!

Where did you get the curtain? I'd love to get one for my daughter's nursery.

posted by andrec on May 7th 2009 at 3:15pm
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I love the bedding! Can you tell us where you found it?

posted by Spruce on May 7th 2009 at 3:17pm
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Love the colors...soft... and what a great use of space! What a lucky baby! Enjoy the baby and the space.

posted by EstherP on May 7th 2009 at 3:27pm
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Teeny tiny but so way cute! I love the color scheme.

posted by wednesdayaddams on May 7th 2009 at 4:14pm
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I love this.

posted by mama2simon on May 7th 2009 at 4:53pm
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love it! where can I get the dresser ?

posted by reutal on May 7th 2009 at 6:05pm
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I think the crib bedding is Macaroni by Nurseryworks. I've been looking for it, but all I can find it in is violet.

posted by Jewliebug on May 7th 2009 at 6:45pm
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Love the open fresh look! It's very refreshing. Your baby should love it.

posted by bonnie29 on May 8th 2009 at 12:23am
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this photography is really beautiful

posted by danacharette on May 8th 2009 at 7:05am
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It looks beautiful! (Just like Louie :) ~Allison

posted by alurker on May 8th 2009 at 7:39am
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Yep, the bedding is Macaroni by Nurseryworks. I think it might be discontinued, because when we got it a few months ago it was at a clearance price.

The dresser is Starlight by Young America brand.
http://www.youngamerica.com/product/133006/3949400002/_/starlight%26%23160%3B%3Cbr%3Edresser%3Cbr%3Ewhite/Collection/starlight

I made the curtains myself out of a white bedsheet and some yellow fabric I found at a local store.

posted by Emc2 on May 8th 2009 at 8:55am
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Yep, the bedding is Macaroni by NurseryWorks, but I think it might be discontinued. When we bought it a few months ago it was at a clearance price.

The dresser is Starlight by Young America brand.
http://www.youngamerica.com/product/133006/3949400002/_/starlight%26%23160%3B%3Cbr%3Edresser%3Cbr%3Ewhite/Collection/starlight

And the curtains I made myself out of a white bedsheet and some yellow scraps of fabric I found at a local store.

posted by Emc2 on May 8th 2009 at 8:57am
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Great idea! Get rid of the clutter too much is not always good! Love the colors my hat off to you guys. Good luck

posted by EstherP on May 8th 2009 at 9:15am
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Lovely!

posted by pyjammy on May 8th 2009 at 10:11am
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Love it! What a great use of color, the yellow and gray is a little surprising for a nursery but works really well. Is that the Lollipop crib? I was thinking of getting it but didn't in the end.

posted by Pencils on May 8th 2009 at 10:47am
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I love it! What a beautiful little room.
Louie is a lucky little girl!

posted by christinaherold on May 8th 2009 at 12:43pm
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Adding that window above the door was an inspired touch, and I love your kitchen too!

posted by MansardRoof on May 8th 2009 at 8:48pm
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A tour de force!

posted by bjcarrus on May 8th 2009 at 11:25pm
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Perfect.

posted by hellowest on May 9th 2009 at 10:10pm
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wow - really great use of space and color - the little mouse is a sweet and modern touch. i dig it:)

posted by 3smomma on May 10th 2009 at 8:50pm
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Yes, it is the Lollipop crib!

posted by Emc2 on May 11th 2009 at 6:52am
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Super sweet little room!

posted by Hollywould on May 11th 2009 at 10:15am
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I would never have thought of putting yellow/white and gray together. It looks wonderful!

posted by baileyb on May 11th 2009 at 8:36pm
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I absolutely love the simplicity. Babies really don't need much, and this room has all the necessities, done beautifully, without extra clutter. The colors are super-soothing, and I ADORE the picture of the mouse with the cheese! Lovely!

posted by PsychMamma on May 12th 2009 at 6:42pm
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I love this simple yellow and white theme, so simple but so efficient! Absolutely lovely!

posted by IsabelleS on May 12th 2009 at 7:57pm
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artist information is available for those of you who MUST HAVE the mouse photo!

posted by darn on May 12th 2009 at 8:32pm
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Babies need visual stimulation. Sticking a newborn in a stark white-and-ecru environment is about the dumbest, most amazingly selfish and thoughtless design choice I've seen in a while. A baby is a person -- one with a whole lot of developmental work to do -- not a freaking home design accessory.

posted by Ulrika on May 13th 2009 at 11:51am
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I really like what was done with not only the space you had in terms of decoration, colour and storage, but also by the ingenious idea of creating a new room within your existing apartment. A nursery should have visual stimulation (from mobiles, toys, and use of primary colours - like yellow), but also allow for a calm, relaxing and airy environment to easily sleep. This space has a great combination of both.

posted by marisa125 on May 14th 2009 at 5:19am
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What a great idea to use your dining room!!! It looks bright and beautiful. I love the colors

posted by kris_10 on May 14th 2009 at 1:37pm
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I love it all ! Great job! Is the shelf from IKEA? I had a yellow and white nursery as well...I grew up just fine :)

posted by brienbaby on May 16th 2009 at 1:04pm
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Awesome space!

posted by cwendel on May 16th 2009 at 2:00pm
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Fantastic use of space! I also live in Jackson Heights and have essentially the same kitchen layout. I find I never actually eat in the eat-in part of my kitchen. Creating another use for it would be great and this is giving me plenty of ideas!

posted by bakek on May 20th 2009 at 2:54pm
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One of the key thing to a great space is the light and it looks so perfect in this room. It washes on the soft palette very nicely. Great job!

posted by spanishfish on May 21st 2009 at 6:47am
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This is the perfect example of "Less is More". Also, it's very organized as well! The colors you chose are perfect for stimulating a growing mind! Thank you for sharing your inspiring Nursery Room!!

posted by TexasT_Gal on May 21st 2009 at 8:45am
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