Today I am so inspired by the breezy, fresh style of this tiny Venice Beach cottage recently featured in Domino. Tucked in along the canals in Venice this little home is just 362 sq feet! That is pretty tiny! So how did they do it? Here are a few designer tips for small space living to take away from this chic house:

{1} Pick a unified & subdued color palette. By using whites, sand, naturals and bits of indigo and dark green throughout the whole interior, rooms flow together for an open vibe.

{2} Make use of vertical space too! The small shelves suspended from the ceiling add style and surface space without adding clutter.

{3} Hidden storage. Cleaver carpentry adds some much needed storage. I especially like the storage bins built in beneath the banquette sofa and bedside tables tucked into bookcases. No wasted space here!

{4} Use the great outdoors too. Especially in the lovely California weather, this house makes amazing use of the patio as a second living room and a fantastic dining room for entertaining.

House Tour: Bold & Lovely in NYC

Today I am so inspired by this small but power packed NYC apartment by designer Ashley Whittaker {and not only since I just arrived in this amazing city for a visit!} At only 800 square feet it's certainly not large but I love the vibrant and fresh style it exudes and how spacious it feel. A perfectly glamourous and playful girl's pad in the city . . . 

Here a few tips to take away from this bright and happy home:

{1} Don't be afraid to mix of retail and custom sources. I spot quite a few Ikea and Ballard Designs pieces in here along with many luxe accessories and fabric - a great contrast of saves and splurges!

{2} Use bold pattern and color to add visual interest and make every space count - lots of people go too neutral in a small space {I especially adore the wallpapers in this home!}

{3} Don't over clutter - there should be plenty of room to move throughout the space, no matter how petite the apartment! 

Visit here to see more of Ashley's upbeat and stylish interiors! 

{via House Beautiful}

House Tour: Petite But Perfect in San Fran

I just love this small but airy home in San Francisco I spotted on A Cup of Jo. At just 500 square feet, a family of four is certainly cozy here but lots of clever space saving tricks {and I am sure a lot of editing!} makes it feel just perfect. My take away tips: 

{1} Fresh white walls and trim punctuated but a few brightly colored accessories and textiles creates an peaceful and spacious feel 

{2} Using wall mounted sconces instead of bedside tables frees up valuable space

{3} Opt for window blinds or roman shades over floor length curtains for a less cluttered look

Spot any other great small space tips?

I especially love the boy's shared bedroom - so sweet! 

Happy Friday! I hope everyone has a wonderful and restful weekend to come.

{via A Cup of Jo - I adore this site!}

Small Space Solution: Two's a Pair

As a designer, I always begin by creating a furniture floor plan of the space. Even if I am not at my computer and its just a sketch, envisioning the interior from a bird eye's view helps me to see it in a fresh way. And I just love the unique layout of the chic living room above! The floor to ceiling bookcases, pair of matching sofas, and slender coffee table work beautifully to help a narrow space feel more generous and create a warm but not cramped space. The pair of sofas are wonderful for entertaining but also make cozy seating for lounging or movie night. Lastly, using slightly reflective materials like the cut velvet on the sofas, silver tea paper on the walls, and mirrors behind the bookcases also help to reflect the natural light and add a bit of drama.  

What do you think - does this layout work?

House Tour: Packing a Punch

Just because it's small doesn't mean a space should not be packed with personality! I love the unusual combination of layered colors, pattern, textures and accessories in this petite Toronto apartment. At 800 square feet, designer Lindsay Mens Craig decided to double up on tons of interesting details to create interiors that are warm and inviting. One tip is to create a few small seating areas instead of one - this creates a division of space and actually helps makes the space feel larger! Also reflective materials like the mirror, glass, and chrome reflect natural light, giving the space an airy feel. I am really liking the unexpected pairing of turquoise and red - any details catching your eye?

{via}

House Tour: A Graceful Studio

I am crazy about pretty much every detail of this colorful and charming studio apartment. I think living well and gracefully in a small space is an art - one I have had plenty of time to practice through all our years of city living!

Why it works so well:

{1} Multi-tasking pieces - I love the vanity that doubles as a bedside table! 

{2} Versatile, small scale furniture - the bench under the window, small round tables and side chairs can be moved around the space as needed!

{3} A wonderful mix of textures - even though its a small space, there are so many layers of pattern and different materials; shine, natural woods, thin stripes, bold florals . . . 

Happy Friday Everyone!

{via}

Tuesday's Tip: Cozy in Toronto

Designing for small spaces is a challenge we all face often! Most of us city dwellers are always searching for tricks to make our spaces more versatile and generous. This gem of an apartment in Toronto hits all the notes for me - bright, stylish and vibrant but also such a clever use of space. 

Here are few designer tips:

{1} A few bold accessories create a bigger impact and feel less cluttered than a million little pieces

{2} lucite and glass pieces, like this great coffee table, feel so airy and create the illusion of more space 

{3} If you have space, build up! Extra tall custom built in shelves or cabinets can help make the use of all your square footage

{4} Connect by color! By using pops of the same color throughout the spaces, in this case lemon yellow, rooms flow into one another creating a of feeling expansiveness not isolation

The result is a space that is so charming and lovely that cramped is now just cozy! Do you have any favorite tips for making the most out of a small space? 

{via}