Try Something Different

Some of my best decor successes happened when I thought outside the box. My favorite, was using a folding screen as headboard (above picture is NOT my bed.) Behind your bed is a great place to be creative! Just be careful your creativity does not fall on your head late at night! The above headboard is basically fabric stretched on wood frames. Chalkboard paint can go anywhere! I painted the inside of my bathroom medicine cabinet door for fun messages for the kids in the AM. You could take the above photo idea (chalkboard calender) and make it smaller if space is a issue, maybe do just 1 week instead of a whole month. (Martha Stewart photo, direction link for a how to, under "things to buy". Did you inherit some ugly chairs? Reupholster them in some funky material! Love the chairs above for their spunk factor! Don't let a small space limit your creativity!

A Focal Point

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I don't know if every room has to have a focal point, but when done correctly, it can make a room fantastic. I use to think a focal point had to be some grand obvious object or part of the room. Fireplace mantels are great starts, but for me, mantels can be one of the hardest things to decorate (that's for another fall post!) Sometimes a great focal point is small with lots of color. My eye went right for the blue vases in the above picture, but still noticing the great chair. The statue in the bathroom could have been over powering, but blends nicely because its the same color as the room. Being able to come up with a good focal point is a great skill to have! I'm still working at it at my house!

Galley Kitchens

Many people who rent apartments or have small homes have galley kitchens. I myself have never lived in a house with a galley kitchen but looking at these particular photos, I don't think I'd mind! I'm sure you have to be very creative with your storage just like any small kitchen. With a bit of planning, you can make kitchen tasks much easier!

Happy Weekend!

Hope your weekend is safe and relaxing! I will be taking weekends off in order to hang out with my family. School is finally over for my kids for the summer (yeah!!!) I'm really enjoying all the new visitors I'm having recently and I have Anna from ABT to thank! Everyone is just so talented out there in blog world! I'm enjoying it all! See you all on Monday!

A Well Placed Window

Nothing can do more for a small space or any place for that matter then a well placed window. The older I get the more light I seem to need. I don't know why that is, I just know it is. Sometimes a less then stellar place can be sold just for the view or the way the light comes streaming in. Do you have a favorite window in your home? Is it the view? The light that comes in? The shape of the window? If eyes are the window to the soul, then a good window is a window to the world. Next time you move, make sure you look threw all the windows. Good design starts with the basics.

Mirrors!

Mirrors! Probably the number one "tip" for living small is to use mirrors! That advice is given so much that I've actually read some designers advise "don't use mirrors! " Probably just to be different. I think mirrors can be as beautiful as art work. The way they reflect light and let you know if you have lipstick on your teeth! I myself have a weakness for the frame less mirror. Something so simple yet so pretty. Seeing mirrors group together is 2nd only to a group of black and whites photos framed together (for me anyways) Look for a mirror and put in a great spot. It'll look fantastic!

Small but Stylish

There's not much to say about the above photos. They pretty much speak for themselves (I love photos like that!) These to me are excellent examples of small space with style. These are some of my favorites that I wanted to share. The banquette with the photos on the wall, makes me sigh out loud!