Happy Hump Day

Today's work heavy hump day is brought to you by some very beautiful and inspiring offices...Happy Hump Day Everyone!

Living Small- Color Combo

Often in a small space you have an open concept living room/dining room floor plan and trying to figure out how to blend the two spaces while keeping them separate can be a hard task. I've always found that the right color combo is a great place to start. This living room/dinning room combo by Samantha Pynn, host and designer of Pure Design on HGTV is a great example of how to use color in a small space. I love how she uses the same curtains in both rooms to tie them together but then only let's one color dominate in each space. In the dining room it's all about the blues and in the living room the pinks take the spotlight while the blue becomes part of the supporting cast. The use of color in this space makes it light and airy even though there is a lot going on. Let me know if you have any questions...Happy Decorating Everyone!

Stairway To Storage

When it comes to small spaces sometimes you have to think outside the box, or in this case inside the stairs. This traditional under stairs storage unit with pull out linen airing shelves is the perfect way to create more storage out of thin air. I’m quite certain the initial cost for a storage solution like this would be high but I’m sure it’s worth every penny to have a staircase this interesting…Happy Designing Everyone!

I'm Back

Sorry I’ve been MIA as of late. I recently started working on my room for the GSCDP and it has thrown my schedule off a bit. I’m going to try in the upcoming days to post more about the project and the rest of the goodies I found at the Dwell on Design exhibition.

I can’t post too many picture of my room because we are saving the big reveal for the open house but I promise to share bits and pieces. Once the room is done I will post all the tips and tricks I used to turn a 13x11 room into a light and airy sanctuary. As usual I’ll be using vintage finds and thrift store treasures to transform the room. The picture below shows some of the items I have collected so far. My hubby, the wonderful man that he is, has volunteered to refinish all the furniture and most of the accessories. Let’s all cross our fingers and pray that we finish on time. ;)

To learn more about the project, shelter, vendors and the designers involved, please take a moment to visit the GSCDP Blog…Happy Weekend Everyone!

P.S. You can read my interview about why I chose to get involved with another shelter project here.

Summer Fire

The Dwell on Design exhibition this past weekend was really informative and lots of fun. For the next few days I will be posting about some of my favorite companies and products from the show. Today is about modern ventless fires. I was really impressed with Brasa, a company located in Vince who makes some of the most beautiful eco-friendly fireplaces. I’m a traditional girl at heart but sometimes I flirt with modern design, so it was no surprise that their Murano and Hudson fireplaces caught my eye. Murano would be great for any outdoor setting and the Hudson has the makings for the perfect duel sided fireplace. They have many more design options to choose from so I’m sure you’ll find the right one for your décor. They also have compact designs which are great for small space dwellers…Happy Shopping Everyone!

Working Closet

If you have a small space with a walk-in closet big enough for an office, this picture is for you. All that pink is very inspiring...Happy Decorating Everyone!

5 Ways to Make a Studio Apartment Feel like More Than One Room

I'm so excited to have another guest blogger on Shoebox Decor. This guest post is by Maria Walters a freelance writer who loves the luxury of down comforters and the challenge of decorating small spaces...

In a studio apartment, your main room is going to function in many different ways that you might not expect. How can you make space for all of your essentials without crowding yourself out?

First, you need to decide what those essentials really are. All people (and all studio apartments) are different, so think about how you will be using your room – and be prepared to tweak it if your needs change, too. Here are some questions to get you started:

*What tasks will I be doing in this space? Cooking? Watching TV? Entertaining others? Sleeping? Studying? Working?

*If two or more people are living in the room, what activities might be happening at the same time? How can you share the space?

*Is it important to have your private space divided from public space? Think about how you will be storing things like dirty laundry.

Based on these answers, group the spaces in your room in a way that allows you to function best. Some people can study on the same couch they watch TV on – for others, it would be a distraction and a desk on the opposite side of the room is better.

Now that you’ve figured out which areas you need in your room, decide how to split up the room.

Shelves:
If you want to feel a distinct separation, especially between public and private areas, a tall closed shelf or armoire is a great solution. The furniture doubles as storage, and blocks both sight lines and some sound between two areas.

Walkways:
When you are trying to separate two public areas, using tall shelves and screens often isn’t practical, and can make a small space seem even smaller. Instead, create smaller areas separated by walkways. This makes getting around more practical, and allows for a natural division without creating small spaces.

Rugs:
Having a central point for each space makes it easier to define them. Using rugs often works to make each area feel distinct without blocking sight lines. Grouping chairs around rugs also makes it feel more natural to face a chair away from the center of the room. And rugs are a great way to show off your personal style if there isn’t much space for art.

Go up:
Separate your room vertically as well as horizontally. Loft beds are popular in studio apartments because they work – you can use the same amount of floorspace for both a bed and storage, reading, or working nook. To keep a loft bed from crowding the room too much, make sure it is as high as it can possibly go, depending on your ceiling height and preference.

Put it away:
Sometimes there are spaces you don’t need all the time, but you want to have occasionally. Having folding chairs and TV trays can really help for entertaining. Once everything is put away, you could even have an empty space to do yoga or just stretch out on the ground for a change of scenery! You might not get as radical as creating moving walls, but having a space that can change depending on your needs allows for a lot more flexibility in a small space.

Have you ever lived in a studio apartment? What are your best tips for making the most of a small space?

Thanks Maria for this wonderful post...Happy Decorating Everyone!

Living Small: Petite Lighting with Big Presence

This is our first guest post here on Shoebox Decor and we're very happy to have Joanna from Design Shuffle talking about petite lighting. If you are a small space lover, you are going to love this post...Happy Reading Everyone.

Small spaces call for small, compact furnishings and fittings. Petite lighting is a must for these little areas. Good news! There is no shortage interior design ideas for using beautiful luminaries to light dark corners of even the tiniest rooms. We have a special affinity for these charming and delicate beauties, reminiscent of the grand chandeliers and ornate fixtures found in a French castle or an Italian palace.

1: Pearl Bowl Pendant

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Faux pearls, floral accents and a classic bowl pendant make this lovely little light perfect for lighting a small bar area in a line of three or a tiny powder bath.

2: Cristol de Lisbon Wall Sconce

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Graceful leafy tendrils tipped with crystal buds and rows upon rows of crystals set amongst a golden bronze finish makes elegant wall sconce.

3: Crystorama Bohemian Crystal Wall Sconce

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Crystal cut with brilliant precision creates superior light refraction making these little gems sparkle in a million different ways.

4: Grand Salon Collection 10" High Pocket Wall Sconce

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Formal, high end design in the form of detailed ironwork featuring leaf motifs and beautiful gold highlights, make this Trump Home Elk Lighting worthy of its name.

5: Maitland-Smith Penshell Bowl Wall Sconce

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This amazing uplight sconce is an unexpected gift from a Mediterranean shellfish which actually produces the penshell bowl. While transparent and fragile, the bowl is supported by wrought iron leaves and curled seedling sprouts.

6: Crystal Draped Black Nickel Two Light Sconce

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Clear faceted crystals adorn a polished nickel armature with strings of and drapes of crystals dripping from the lights as wells as the curved scroll body.

7: Minka Lavery Mini Chandelier in Taylor Bronze

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This mini pretty chandelier in bronze and crystal would make a wonderful conversation starter when placed in the corner of the living room over a round accent table next to an occasional chair or sofa.

8: Maison de Ville One Light Mini DuoMount Chandelier

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Old world styling in true French tradition makes this Bruce Eicher design romantic and majestic on a small scale.

Joanna is a writer for Design Shuffle, where you can find top tier interior design ideas from around the world – from New York Interior Designers, to Los Angeles Interior Designers, and more. (They’re a fabulous website geared towards promoting interior designers and their work.) Check out the latest at Design Shuffle!

Where is Typhanie

I’m moonlighting over at Chic Modern Vintage. Come on over and say hi and get some tips on how to decorate a small bedroom three different ways…Happy Blog Hopping Everyone!

Living Small: Tiny Bedroom

This tiny bedroom by Jen Chu is every New Yorkers dream. It's small on size but it’s big on character. Not only does she fit a large four poster bed into this tiny room but she also manages to carve out a spot for a well organized office. The dark ceiling paint advances the ceiling downward to create a warm cozy feel in an otherwise light and bright space. The glitzy chandelier is just icing on the cupcake...Happy Decorating Everyone!

Small Space Tips from This Room:
1. Dark paint can create a warm and cozy feel in a small space
2. If you can’t build out, build up
3. Stay organized
4. The contrast between light and dark colors can be a beautiful thing

I Love

While being sick in bed yesterday I had plenty of time to look at beautiful things. This Modern Glamour Chandelier at Horchow is one of the items that caught my eye. I love the bright blue color. It would add pep to any step and surly bring life to any small space…Happy Shopping Everyone!

5 Steps to Neatly Folding a Fitted Sheet

One of the things I miss most about Domino is their “good to know” section. It was always informative and really was something that was good to know. My favorite tip was from their September 2008 issue, 5 steps to neatly folding a fitted sheet. This tip is a must for any small space dweller because unorganized linens can easily over run what little closet space you may have…Isn’t it sad that after two years I still miss Domino? It’s like an unexpected break up that never got resolved. Maybe that’s why I hoard all my issues like they’re unrequited love letters (getting into the Valentines mood)…Happy Folding Everyone!


Step One: Hold sheet vertically, one corner in each hand.

Step Two: Fold in half by bringing corners together with rounded, elasticized seam on the inside.

Step Three: Repeat from the opposite direction (bottom to top), so all four corners are joined and sheet is quartered.

Step Four: Lay flat and fold into thirds: Start by moving the rounded-edges side into the middle, then layering the other side on top.

Step Five: Flip over and pile with matching flat sheet and cases.

Extra Credit!
Follow the steps using a board (just as they do in stores) to make each fold super-sharp, so you end up with same-sized parcels.

I Love

Finding a suitable work area in a small space can be a daunting task. That is why finding the right desk or secretary will give you a big helping hand. At the moment I’m in love with the Lacourte Desk at Williams Sonoma Home. It’s stately, sleek and doesn’t take up a lot of space. Can’t you imaging all the lovely correspondence you can write at this desk…Happy Shopping Everyone!

High Gloss Magazine

It's here, It's here, the premier issue of High Gloss Magazine is finally here. It's glitz, gloss and glam all over. Check out pages 126-138 for some small space love...Happy Reading Everyone!

Living Small: In the Dark

Who said small spaces can’t be dark with regal colors. The reds, dark blues and blacks of this city studio make it traditional in one sense, a bit modern and sophisticated in another. The textures of the fabrics, the hits of gold and rich browns give this space a feel of wealth. If you have a small space and would love to use dark colors don’t be afraid to go for it. It won’t be light and airy but it will be warm and inviting…Happy Decorating Everyone!

DIY Lighter Tag

I know I’m not the only one who fell in love with the whimsical seasonal tablescape in the holiday issue of Lonny Magazine. The gold plates, pink accents and confetti inspired tablecloth are to die for. Even the simple “Voila” lighter makes a statement. So, to kick off this year’s round of DIY projects, I figured we would start off slow with something simple yet impactful. Here is a quick and easy DIY project for turning a simple lighter into a place holder for your next event. Hope you enjoy it and please let me know if you have any questions…Happy Crafting Everyone!

Materials Needed:
1. Lighter
2. Fountain Pen Frenzy Font
3. Avery Clear Easy Peel Address Labels/ 1” x 2 5/8”

Step One:
Download and install Fountain Pen Frenzy Font

Step Two:
Print desired name/names on to easy peel labels. Make sure to center all the names…You have to play around with the size of the font depending on how long the name is. For the name “Lucas!” I used 72pt and then I centered it.

Step Three:
Peel and Place label on to lighter…That’s it!

I told you it was quick and easy. More DIY projects inspired by this tablescape to come.