A Designer's 590 Sq Ft Transformed 'Nightmare'-to-Dream Home | House Tours by Apartment Therapy

Landscape designer Michelle Spetner knew instantly that this small, 590-square-foot 1920s “commuter” apartment was the design project she wanted to take on. Her partner Antonio, however, thought the space-with dirty shag carpeting and missing walls-looked more like a nightmarish horror movie. In the end, their small but incredibly organized home is more like a fairy tale… a grand prize winning one! Their rental apartment was crowned this year’s grand prize winner of Apartment Therapy’s Small/Cool contest.
See full post with more tips, links, and resources on the Apartment Therapy website: bit.ly/2OrO0XL
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro, Style Inspo
0:39 - Before & After, Transformation Story
1:54 - Bedroom & Kitchen Redo
2:34 - Storage Solutions
3:11 - Living Room
3:40 - Landscaping Profession
4:37 - Meaning of Home
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[@mrhymer95]

If she did that to a small apartment, imagine what she can do to a full house! Michelle has amazing designing skills, what an awesome home!

[@tomekialloyd8221]

Right!

[@jodrew1845]

You've said it best. Totally lovely❤️

[@katrinacorcoran]

I noticed her philosophy on life more than the apartment. I could watch it again just to listen to her positivity!

[@LindsayWare-vb5py]

🤮

[@katrinacorcoran]

@@LindsayWare-vb5py why?

[@LindsayWare-vb5py]

Katrina Corcoran Katrina Corcoran idk- who *isn’t* “inspired by the natural world@? Who follows Apartment Therapy and *doesn’t* LOVE “light, texture, and natural color”?! also can she stop being “humbled” by everything? And using words like “embody”? Idk, it’s just- why is she acting like she’s dropping wisdom on us? Also people are dying rn, and I’m over her BLM poster.

[@LindsayWare-vb5py]

As in, I’m over her afterthought virtue signaling decor. everything out of her mouth is 100% rainbows and gold- she’s got the poster tho, so I guess she can keep laughing and offering sage tidbits like she’s the only one who’s ever even thought this stuff before

[@katrinacorcoran]

Lindsay Ware, thank you for explaining. I didn’t see what she was saying as dropping wisdom or anything profound. I simply liked her positivity.

[@ellenm3803]

What a visionary she is the house is a beautiful home and her garden an added bonus. Isn’t it lovely to hear her partner valuing her skills? Awesome job girl🙏

[@lizard1971]

Yeah. She's got a gem of a man. It's hard to find someone who is supportive and not intimidated.

[@salonisharma1976]

This is absolutely beautiful! And she has the most amazing personality and optimism!!

[@KiwiJane1]

Saloni, they are both totally adorable! I wish they were my next door neighbours!

[@maggiedub]

That apartment is absolutely beautiful and I love her enthusiasm. My only quibble is the open shelving situation. As a Bay Area resident myself, I always have the possibility of earthquakes in the back of my mind. That Le Crueset Dutch oven falling from that top open shelf is the stuff of nightmares!

[@paleandrose]

It is one the most stunning tiny spaces I have ever seen. I would love to live there. And her positivity is inspiring.

[@KarleneE]

I love her energy! You can feel the joy coming from her!

[@teresacarle294]

@@maggiedub🥇Gorgeous Kitchen & layout, but natural disasters should have an impact on design & organization. 💛 Thank you for your most excellent observation. Native SoCal girl -- only ppl who grew up w/major earthquakes understand that things on open shelves can become 🏈projectiles. Ripe for their destruction. Worse, a potentially flying object can cause harm to pets or inhabitants. •Kid safety locks w/strong magnets (or other latches) are a major pain, but helps keep breakage w/in cabinetry & not on floor. •Command adhesive is not reliable in these circumstances - heavy shaking liable to release wall art too. •👞Keep a pair of slip ons by bed to prevent injuring yourself on object covered floor as stepping away after electricity pops off & pitch dark too.⛼ •Heavier things like a dutch oven ought to be stored lower. •Not opposed to well anchored pot racks for stainless steal or copper. Might cause a racket, but less harm when pans & kitchen tools like box graters clank together. 🤗

[@tyresebrinson8584]

The fact that you have laundry, full kitchen and a pantry in that small space is amazing. She should relocate to the East coast to design NY tiny lofts. She'd make a killing.

[@ptaylor4923]

I wouldn't wish that move on anyone these days. Yikes.

[@KadilakHomes]

Wow your so right!!

[@shaz2868]

This home is beautiful and looks so much bigger than the sq footage. She has done so well with the space and they are a lovely couple.

[@38iknzuhelF2]

Well said. So true.

[@KadilakHomes]

totally agreed

[@MsLaBajo]

I live in this neighborhood and walk past this house when I go get Mac n Cheese. I have always admired the plants outside their house and the little multicolored chair out front. It’s so cute. Lots of beautiful front yards in North Oakland. The best place to live in the Bay Area.

[@RedSpiralHandTV]

Not homes for poor or limited income people.

[@teresacarle294]

@@RedSpiralHandTV Corrupt politicians & greedy developers are slowly pushing out ALL middle & lower income folks of all backgrounds. Soon they're going to need that high speed railway to bring workers in from cheaper outlying areas & out of state. The well-to-do folks won't have anyone local to police the cities, teach their children, pick up their trash, run utilities & local services, etc. Housing shortages & high rents are forcing some singles & families to get creative & double up. So sad.😭

[@LindsayWare-vb5py]

Ya it would be frackin great if Apartment Therapy would take a stand on extending the federal eviction moratorium. I doubt they get involved politically, which is grim af but whatever. if ever there was a time tho, right?

[@mulemule]

@@RedSpiralHandTV Feel better?

[@poemforflora781]

I live in this neighborhood too! I noticed it immediately! What she's done with the interior is beautiful!

[@lr2ldn]

590 sq ft??? There's no way. It looks bigger!

[@KiwiJane1]

On the move, yeah, I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around that and I was a designer for CA Closets and am used to visualizing spaces.

[@missmayflower]

On the move They seemed to use the wide angle lens a lot.

[@tangerine8912]

590 is big but yeah it looks bigger than that, plus there is a garden and porch. I saw her on upper floor

[@lishen9223]

There is no way this is 590 sq ft. The video title is cheating.

[@creativecardcraftingwithch9598]

If you do the math I think it's possible. Say the rooms are 12ft wide and there are basicly 3 living areas - kitchen, living room & bedroom/bathroom. 590 / 12 = 49.16 divide that by 3 = 16.38 ft. So each "area" is aprox. 12 x 16 ft.

[@jm2307]

I love Michelle’s vision and how supportive her partner is. The clothesline is such a beautiful touch. Love the organized pantry and the windowed doors to the bedroom. The projector over the front door made me laugh. The landscaping is beautiful and such an important element to small house living. I’m obsessed with this house!

[@rukhminidey8828]

This apartment is love personified, i was scrolling on youtube and found this video. I felt so relaxed and energized at the same time after watching this space. Absolutle agreed and loved what michelle said about growing and changing with time. Kudos to her .. would love to meet her someday in person. 🥰😇

[@EthelYap]

what lovely people. their inner beauty is really reflected in their home!

[@Tinyteacher1111]

They are both lovely people. I think she’s got a great partner who supports and helps her, and they makes a huge difference in anyone’s optimism. 🙏💫🌻

[@StephaniRoberts]

Kathryn Willette Amen. Was thinking the same. They’re adorable and his support is wonderfully refreshing!! #couplegoals

[@KadilakHomes]

So true!!

[@LarennPBel]

yessssss so true

[@KarinYehd]

THIS SPACE IS SO BEAUTIFUL! Perfect blend of comfort, nature, traditional and modern. Love it.

[@KadilakHomes]

Couldn't agree more

[@faithnelson2013]

loved every bit of this couple and their home, just wished it were longer. i'd love a seriously granular tour, down to the olive oil. not kidding.

[@holly1391]

I agree, I would love to know what her favorite olive oil is!

[@strangemanoffrance6585]

The most incredible part of this is how she created enough open space to entertain her friends as if it were a larger home. She obviously recognized the potential with all of the windows adding light to it making it feel roomier. It really has 80% of the features of a larger home.

[@KamalikaMukherjee81]

This is how you change a house into a home. This is how a home becomes unique, reflecting the personalities of the people living in it. Absolutely gorgeous! 💕

[@th3azscorpio]

Such a beautiful home. Well designed, cozy, and makes a great use of space. I love the use of color as well!

[@KadilakHomes]

agreed!!

[@changveronicas]

wow i absolutely love how she’s maximized the space for all her special belongings! this is the kind of cozy, personalized space i’d want to live in. you get a great sense of their personalities and style from their place!! amazing job!

[@creoloko]

Besides the beauty of their home, she irradiates such a positive energy, like a genuine peaceful and honest vibe and it shows in every details of this space. Beautiful!

[@lydianxumalo2916]

Her:Let me reintroduce you to my biggest fan...Him:yeah...I totally am.........😍 Also love take a box to the charity shop and bring a box back....sounds like a really cool mom

[@ebonyessence8]

I loved that too!

[@mede6195]

I used to live in that community and had to move bec of gentrification. I cried watching this. I miss my home.

[@antoniafoster8264]

Mel Diangson did it affect the cost of your place? I live in the country in another state, so I have to be honest, I don’t understand how this happens, but it sounds really unfair. Hope you’re happy in your new home.

[@chrskrpp5506]

Taxes for homeowners and rent prices for renters tend to go up when an area's land value increases. This tends to happen when wealthier people move in to take advantage of less expensive real estate and then do improvements to match their level of wealth. The increased cost of living often causes the gentrifiers' neighbors (who were there first) to have to move because their level of wealth did not increase with the value of the real estate, making living in a gentrified neighborhood financially unsustainable.

[@mede6195]

Antonia Foster yes, absolutely. People who can definitely afford to live in other areas, will move into “more affordable” areas which drive the prices of homes so high that “regular” people can no longer afford to live there. Example: a tech guy from SF decided he wanted a more humble living and decided to buy a house in this close to this neighborhood and offered 300k over asking (because he could) making sure no one else had a fighting chance. I grew up in the Bay Area and wanted to make it home and raise my kids there but couldn’t. The street in this video brings tears to my eyes...so many memories there.

[@antoniafoster8264]

Mel Diangson I’m so sorry. So, wherever you move, you have to be afraid of this happening again. I cannot imagine.

[@antoniafoster8264]

chrskrpp Thank you for explaining in terms that I can understand. I cannot Imagine being basically pushed out of my home and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.

[@juliew1426]

I love the all encompassing way she looks at life. She lives a highly evolved, well thought out metaphor.

[@shazzabelle123]

I first watched this when it came out. I honestly adore this wonderful girl and her vibrance and zest for life and creating. This apartment just feels beautiful in every respect. I hope this couple she still together and thriving.

[@VeeLondon1449]

I’ve watched this over and over and I’m in awe of this ladies light.. Great style. Beautiful people, beautiful home x

[@KadilakHomes]

Very true!

[@sgreenid]

This is such a beautiful space! I love the open floor layout for the kitchen and living room. I live in a 750 sq ft apartment with my husband and our dog and somehow it seems much smaller than this couples home lol

[@thinkplanetearth2946]

Absolutely love the casual and eclectic aesthetic of this apartment. Also loved the outdoor spaces. And her warm personality and perpetual smile was infectious.

[@TheNewLemurian]

I so love everything about this video, the home owners the layout of their cosy home, the garden. Just everything. This video is a therapy in itself. Thank you.

[@lisabrightly]

It's bright and beautiful. All a person really needs is sunlight.

[@susanmerriman4520]

What a beautiful home, their use of space is ingenious and really welcoming and the garden is an explosion of colour, it must smell wonderful. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇬🇧✌🏻💖💞💓💜❤️💚🤎💙🖤

[@MissTXTee]

I've always been drawn to smaller, cozy places. They're so homey and inviting! I love her garden too.

[@christinacyrus3824]

You live in a fairy tale wonderland. A magical slice of heaven on earth. The best part is YOU made it that way. You are so talented. Awesome.

[@KadilakHomes]

So talented!

[@amandajohnson4428]

They have a lovely home. I’m in awe with how they transformed this space!!! 😘💕🙌🏾

[@abarnswell]

This is to be the most appealing apartment space I've ever seen!!

[@96mani96]

Her energy is so bright I love it

[@rwight3611]

That was amazing. You are such a talent. However one suggestion. In the pantry you have glass jars which are great for storage, except you live in California (earthquake country). Have you thought about mounting a strip of wood a bit higher on the shelf so in case of a quake you won't have tons of broken glass on the floor. Been there done that! You have a beautiful home.

[@deliciouslyme6206]

I pressed like as soon as she jumped for that bowl! What a charismatic and warm lady and lovely couple. Beautiful home. The before to after is genius! I love the balcony 😍💚

[@POOCHIESCLOSET]

You could not have chosen a better winner. They are walking breathing inspiration!

[@amritamishra7131]

This apartment tour was an actual therapy. LOVE.

[@heidifritz3053]

The apartment is absolutely gorgeous, and the garden is absolutely amazing. I'd be super jealous if I weren't so in awe of all you've accomplished.

[@aagtalentmanagement]

She did such a beautiful job! So warm and welcoming

[@meowyimeow]

The end, where she was talking about nature and gardening, was my favorite part (the apartment is beautiful as well).

[@KadilakHomes]

Love the garden

[@94deepz]

This is my dream house in small house dreams category. ❤️ There's nothing I want to add or subtract from it. It has ample space for plants and cooking, both of which I love. Cozy small bedroom space adds to the warm feeling. It feels so private and yet so open because of the balcony attached right to it and BOY THE BALCONY is pure happiness. Love Love ❤️❤️

[@dianamitchell57]

I have watched this video three times already. Each time I see something else to love. Thank you for posting it because it has helped me to see some new possibilities for my own space.

[@sandrinedurand3203]

This has been my favorite thus far- just the exuberance and the joy. Well done Michelle and Antonio.

[@debrabuckley7963]

I LOVE IT!!! It is BEAUTIFUL!!! The house! The Gardens with all the plants and flowers! And all the colors! 💖 Girl, You are SOoo TALENTED!!! What a gift you have at remodeling. WoW!! 🙏

[@marymary4093]

I love the short & snappy filming of this video. You catch glimpses of so many interesting things and remain interested. Other tour guides pause at every tiny common thing, eg.,"this is a glass holder which stores my toothpaste and that tube labelled toothpaste is my toothpaste which I use to brush my teeth".

[@ayanomar1408]

ah both give off such a beautiful energy, they turned the space to a beautiful space❤️

[@graceaxisa4213]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! All of the elements that make a house a home are here: personal collections, books, items collected over many years, vibrancy, points of interest and a couple who clearly adore each other! Thank you for allowing us to peek into your amazing home and to share a special moment with you. Stay safe and healthy everyone!

[@GraceCanadaful]

I like to watch all channels about designing smaller spaces, and I never came across a Home more beautiful and smartly organized than this one. I come back to watch it over and over again...

[@alainakelsey4083]

I think that this is one of my all time favourite Small/Cool!! What a beautiful functional space with lovely people!

[@Anne-FromQc]

Within 2minutes, I had goosebumps! The happiness and love, wow.

[@gloriamaggs5453]

Absolutely the very best small space I've ever seen! Nothing looks crowded, or awkward.....perfect, just perfect! Thanks for sharing. G.

[@sophien5416]

Awww this couple is so lovely. I wish my husband spoke about me like this. Michelle is very talented!

[@sussexgirl8766]

I’m in love with this apartment, the layout the light and openness. Love the honeysuckle and wow....just everything. Thank you for showing us your beautiful home 💕

[@such_a_delight9748]

I watched the whole video with my mouth open. I loved everything about it. I used to live in Oakland and there are some incredible homes and apartments in Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco. I loved the garden and the climbing vines on the building. I loved the way she imagined the space when she first saw it. I loved what they did with all the rooms and how they solved their space problems. I love the deck with the BBQ grill. I loved the pantry. I loved the colors they chose for the rooms. And..she has my name 🙂🙂 You get an A+!!

[@sayeetakke9216]

These guys are so cute and loved their story.Her energy is full of life

[@whereangelsfeartotread]

genuine happiness I can see in this couple. My biggest blessing to you. Your living space is unpretentiously gorgeous🥰

[@FlowerLadyLorraine]

Cute couple, wonderful place they have created. ~ FlowerLady

[@sharhas4181]

What a beautiful space. I can only imagine what a peaceful feeling it brings you both. Thank you for sharing your home with us 💕🦋

[@jamielipps6000]

Your joy and enthusiasm (and your partner’s) are contagious! What a beautiful space you two have made. I live in New York City so I’m pretty adept at squeezing the most out of small spaces-but this video is a master class. Thanks for sharing guys, and best from here!

[@pippylunalove]

Normally I like a separate kitchen but I absolutely adore what she has done. It works so well.

[@RiniDutt]

What a heartwarming couple and video. And that house is so beautiful. I wish, there was a more detailed home tour.

[@margaretstanley2929]

Love love love it and most of all love your laugh and the connection and authenticity that you two have. This certainly sparked joy😊

[@beverlytelles8249]

This is one of my favorite video's....I like this place, it's homey and inviting. She's humble, that's also a plus when inviting people into your home and life. Thanks Michelle.

[@Jesslee435]

She literally filled me with hope and joy, her personality is warm. And her apartment is Stunning beyond belief. 💛💛💛

[@shahanerenuka29]

One of the best apartments I’ve ever seen. I could live here😊❤️ the patio adjoining the bedroom is a dream come true

[@GardenerPhyl]

I love the energy of this space. It’s a perfect combination of function and design.

[@aprillittle595]

Everything. Her. Him. Her vision. His support. Absolutely perfect space. Love it! 😍

[@darianagnew6524]

This is probably the most effective, efficient, and beautiful use of limited space I’ve ever seen! Very well done!!! 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@EbonyBomani]

Love their space! Her spirit and energy are captivating!

[@ssssssssss13]

what a beautiful apartment and beautiful couple! their energy is amazing

[@hotyogamanla]

This is one if not my ALL TIME FAVORITE spaces on Apartment Therapy!!!! love love love love love Thank you thank you thank you thank you!

[@LarennPBel]

❤️❤️I still love this video. I come back and watch this every so often. They have such a great energy.👍🏾👍🏾

[@nancyleecarlotti1129]

What a beautiful space you live in, both indoor and out. Your garden took my breath away it was gorgeous and and provides nourishment too ! You are a lovely couple too.

[@joanntukes5878]

Oh this is one of my fav videos. Their living space is adorable. I would love for her to come and do my garden 🌱. I enjoyed this, wish it were longer

[@MyBikinisTravel]

I am a Bay Area native (707😁) currently living in Dallas TX. Watching this just brought back great memories of walking through Telagraph in Berkeley! I just love the many amazing architecture all throughout the Bay Area an I am so proud to have grown up there an call it HOME! Also, what a great couple, so much warmth an friendliness just radiate through them an their home! Glad you all transformed this place an made it into something so special an unique!

[@twentyfirst1499]

i like their energy as a couple and as individuals. seem happy and fulfilled with their home and with life in general. i love these AT videos. way more than just about the space. i don't know how you do it...but I'm here for it

[@kathiehill9500]

amazing space, I love that you have Australian Native Plants in your garden!

[@madisonhewish]

this was exactly what I needed. so heartwarming

[@mollyv8b705]

Wow what an amazing couple!! We all need people like that in our lives. What a blessing that would be!

[@johnnohobear8634]

10 out of 10. The house exudes the positive, warm energy of this couple. Well done!

[@Petapan33]

This not only apartment/home inspo but it’s a beautiful lesson for our lives. Thank you 😊 xx

[@marynussio9880]

This was a very inspiring video. While she didn't go through each and every detail, fortunately the video captured most of it. I especially love the coffee table and her vision for the apartment. I agree with her sentiments on gardening and nature.

[@wennyyuan9532]

Really lovely small apartment makeover. what is attractive is Michele's genuine love for nature, light, and landscape. love this episode.

[@tamikkobeasty5374]

I never want her to be sad. She’s beautiful. The planet needs her. 😍.

[@lauraroberts6533]

This is beautiful and so are they!Great design!The garden is everything!!🌾🌻🌿

[@seviregis7441]

The couple is adorable, and the house looks so big, it's perfectly designed and spacious, beautiful, love it. One of the best I've seen of that size, great kitchen and garden too.

[@gabriellewilliams396]

Omg what you did to that apt is amazing! You are such an awesome person full of positive vibes.! Your mind is creative!

[@ShyShySchullie]

Love this - love her. Thank you for including someone who is a gardener and showcasing that space as well.

[@isabelleer7501]

This is the best one yet!!! Loved that we actually got to see the house. I would have liked more before picture though

[@cherryblossomtree44]

Um okay that was so beautiful I love what she said. Came for the house, stayed for her outlook towards life 😭💖

[@iamwindchakra]

They absolutely used this space to it's best advantage. I love the layout and the openess and brightness! The fridge in the murphy bed nook is so smart. The balcony situation looks awesome too. I also LOVE that they have a clothes line!

[@SometimeAgo65]

This is so gorgeous! I love the design and the colors are so relaxing. I love that you can see all the way through and so much light

[@shivanimahajan965]

I want to live in this home!!! It's perfect!! So green and warm and copy!!

[@StephaniRoberts]

What an amazing space and an adorable couple. Love the optimism and acceptance she expresses!! 💛🙌🏼☺️

[@carolz5090]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!! Amazing design sense and creativity! Everything blew me away, all I can do is applaud 👏👏👏👏

[@sarahjames8658]

Oh my goodness! This is my favorite one so far. What a lovely home and couple! They seem so sweet.

[@geraldinebryce8179]

What a beautiful light, airy space. It seems so much larger than the square footage suggests. ❤️❤️

[@lanrenault2876]

I don’t know how you can call this small, it looks and feels open and inviting, stunning , light bright so well done a beautiful home ,

[@yolandaponkers1581]

Aww her partner speaks so highly of her. I like that. ❤

[@Cityheart221]

Your apartment is so cozy and practical. You created all the spaces one looks for without even knowing. I love your outside area too. Thank you for sharing.