Each year, the  home design website Apartment Therapy invites readers from around the world to submit photos of their beautiful small spaces under 1000 square feet. I have been a huge fan of this competition since it began seven years ago. As somebody who has recently renovated a house. I understand some of these challenges in designing a livable space. However, by being limited to under 1000 sq ft, the Apartment Therapy submissions take it to a whole new level.

This year, my friend, and local Phoenix architect, Aaron Kimberlin‘s 416 sf. Willo guest house (where he lives) was accepted in the Tiny (sub 600 sq.ft.) category of Apartment Therapy’s 7th Annual Smallest Coolest Home Contest. I love what he has accomplished.  even more so because it was done on a property in a historical neighborhood—a great example of residential adaptive reuse.  Moreover, by making such a unit  (in this neighborhood, guest houses are usually converted sheds or carriage houses/garages), livable; Aaron has helped bring much-needed density to the neighborhood in a manner that is sensitive to the urban fabric of the community.

Here’s what Aaron had to say in his entry:

What I Love About My Home

I love the fact that even though my guest house is only a little over 400 square feet, I was able to maximize the space into 5 distinct useable areas that really contribute to the design of the space as a whole.

Biggest Challenge in Furnishing My Home

Finding pieces that complemented each other color and design wise.

Please got to the Apartment Therapy site and vote for Aaron’s ‘Willo Wonder!” It would be great to prove to the world that within our sprawling metropolis there are some small cool oases.