Nuestra Casita: How We Made 700 Sqare Feet into Plenty of Space

Generally, I don't believe in love at first sight, but truly, we loved our tiny condo from the first time we walked inside.  And let's be honest, in the Bay area, two public employees aren't going to be buying a palace! However, we always wondered if 700 square feet and no yard and no garage would  be something we could sustain as our forever home.  With two adults and two children, the arrangement felt very doable (especially because we love the place so much) but when we started to think about how to pack three kids into one bedroom, we began to doubt that we could remain in nuestra casita much longer--in large part because the nine-month countdown had already started!

I had a moment of clarity when I realized that getting a bigger place would only mean more work, and would be compounded by the fact that we would have an infant to care for, too. So, with a very modest budget, we set out to completely rethink the interior of our house.  Things still aren't totally finished (note the art storage in the hallway and the impossible-to-see mismatched dishes in the kitchen cupboard) but Sergio says that for homeowners, things are never finished, so better just to pick a moment and say "ok."

The biggest change we had to make was switching bedrooms with the kids.  We took the little bedroom, and our queen bed did not fit inside.  Changes cascaded from there, but overall, we are very happy with the results.  This is definitely a house for five! And, our carbon footprint will remain virtually the same (probably a few extra cycles on the washer, dryer, and dishwasher) even though will we add another member to our family.

An eight-year-old recently visited and told us, unprompted, "You know, your house is really small, but it kind of looks like a rich French person lives here." It was actually one of the most fantastic compliments I have ever received, considering how candid the source was, and considering how much we worry about the clutter factor in our little place. 

Come on in and take a look!

Our grand entryway

This is our salon, as we have taken to calling it

As you can see, the library is adjacent to the dining room

This is Sergio's study

For such a tiny kitchen, it has a great layout

The hallway is still no man's land

Boudoir

Antique dresser from parents' house

This is the only art in the bedroom, due to [my] earthquake paranoia

Just got this antique perfume tray!

The washroom

The girls' room is a real mishmash of styles, just like it should be

How cool is having a piano in your bedroom?

There you have it - three beds in one little room!