See How This Tiny West Village Apartment Uses Double Duty Furniture to Maximize Its Small Space

Believe it or not, product photographer Michelle James’ tiny West Village apartment was a welcome downsize from her 1,500 square foot condo in Los Angeles. Feeling like a slave to her LA space, she chose the 311 square foot <a href="http://inhabitat.com/michelle-de-la-vega-makes-tiny-living-accessible-to-everyone/" target="_blank">mini-one bedroom</a> so she wouldn’t have to spend weekends cleaning. By filling the apartment with bold colors and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/this-couple-lives-in-a-tiny-240-square-foot-apartment-in-nyc/" target="_blank">innovative storage solutions</a>, James was able to create a modern and comfortable home in the heart of one of New York’s most expensive neighborhoods.

James’ home may be the<a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-one-sqm-house-that-is-taking-over-the-world/" target="_blank"> size of a shoebox</a>, but she has made it look spacious and homey by choosing to paint the main living area in a bold plum color.

The color doesn’t only bring out James’ personal aesthetic and tastes, but also makes the apartment’s historic decorative molding pop, as well as the gorgeous fireplace mantle. Inspired by a beach scene painting, James translated the color palette into decorative aspects of the apartment.

She even has a jar of sand and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/windowfarms-grow-an-edible-hanging-indoor-garden-this-winter/" target="_blank">small indoor garden</a> on the window sill to capture the breezy outdoor feeling.

Many pieces in her home have double uses, maximizing her space. The couch converts to a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/woman-turns-her-tiny-200-square-foot-brooklyn-apartment-into-a-cozy-and-classy-home/" target="_blank">queen size bed</a> for guests, while a blue wall hanging becomes a dining table in minutes. Vintage chairs were reupholstered in a bright striped fabric, and double as dining chairs, or James’ desk chair.

Billed as a one bedroom, James’ bedroom is actually just the size of a full sized bed. In order to create storage since an armoire would be impossible to fit, she had a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/diy-how-to-make-your-own-storage-bed-using-a-repurposed-ikea-bookcase/" target="_blank">custom made storage bed installed</a>, with drawers and shoe organization.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/small-space-living-tiny-house-trend-grows-bigger/" target="_blank">cozy West Village space</a> captures James’ personality, and creates a welcoming home with bold color.