featured home {well divided}

The use of paned glass walls, a neutral palette, mirrors, area rugs to define seating areas and low back seating are all excellent ways to create a home with defined spaces while maintaining the feeling of openness. These are all great solutions for loft style living when square footage is limited.

(via nuevo estilo)

small space solution {a pretty perch}

If you have a studio and your bed doubles as a seating area or if you are looking to upgrade from a futon--the structure and styling of these draped beds are an excellent and sophisticated solution.

(via Marie Claire Maison and Chicago Home and Garden)

out in the open

I love going into homes where personal artifacts and accessories are openly displayed, especially when in a lovely manner. It evokes a confidence that I find incredibly appealing--that sense that one is not afraid to display their favorite books or their kitchen staples to guests. Oh, how I would love to meet the homeowners of this apartment and climb the ladder to leaf through those books...

...or examine the selection of herbs and spices that they display.

By the way, pretty fabulous kitchen, no? So smart of the homeowners to encase it in glass and make what is a very small home much more open.

(via interieurs)

about face

I tend to feel that a fireplace (if it is not an eyesore) should be the focal point of a room. I know it greatly pained me to place my dining room table in front of my wood burning stove. So it is certainly against my intuition to place seating away from one...

(via new york social diary)
I guess they are on wheels though so they could easily be twirled around.

small space inspiration {going vertical}

This Cape Town loft is only 59 square meters, which I can't convert to feet off the top of my head (at least not on a Friday) but none the less it is small! They really used the space well by adding a mezzanine level for the bedroom and a sitting area.

The use of open shelves and the ladders eliminates the space that closed cabinets and sraures would take up.

Lastly, the bathroom is quite brilliant as does not have a traditional shower or bath but rather just a showerhead coming from the ceiling and a floor and wall of tile to make the entire room waterproof.

(via house and leisure)

bedside pendants

Looking for a way to declutter your bedside table or decrease the risk of breaking your lamp when snoozing your alarm? Then look to this solution and raise the level of your bedroom lighting...

(via atlanta homes and lifestyles and erin martin)

why it works {small + smart}

I am always on the look out for smartly designed small spaces. This tiny flat designed by the homeowner, Sarah Vanrenen, is just incredible. It works and feels so much larger than it is for so many reasons. For starters the hanging chair is a brilliant solution for this small bay window--it is functional and creates a much airier feel than a traditional chair would, it saves floor space and not to mention that you can see through it.

The all over bright white palette (the floors, walls and even the cabinetry) makes this flat instantly feel larger.

The white also allows all the bold punches of colors used the home to pop. This was smart, as is it keeps the eye moving around the room and guests noticing things other than the size.

Lastly, mirrors--always a great way to open up a room. She strategically placed a very large (and white) one directly over the dining area which adds a nice hint of architectural detail as well.

(via british homes and gardens)

Besides being a well designed it is full of some many lovely details and just stunning. It also has left me lusting for a plum pom pom pillow!

home crush {small + stylish}

In keeping with the theme of small spaces--I am just head over heels for this narrow row house of Erin McLaughlin, Style at Home Editor.

Along with just being lovely is also a great example of using pieces that are well selected (lucite always makes a room appear less cluttered) and scaled to the size of the space.

And white walls (Farrow & Ball’s Skimming Stone by the way) help lighten up a space and create the appearance of them being bigger.

Using two of my favorite madeline weinrib rugs definitley also helps move this home to the top of my dream home list.

I may also be partial, as she has horses gracing the wall of almost every single room and her dog is just too cute!

And with that, I am off to enjoy the sun that just peeked out. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

small bedroom solutions {the basics}

My first apartment in Chicago was a studio and I absolutely adored it...even the fact that my closet became the perfect cozy bedroom. Ever since I have had a soft spot for small bedrooms. If you are lucky enough have one there are a few simple and basic tricks to make them functional and lovable. First and foremost do not ignore it just because it is small---don't be scared to invest in a lovely headboard fabric or dreamy curtains...

As in all rooms of the house--take advantage of the magic of mirrors!

Utilize all the surfaces you have--if you have a window sill maybe skip the bedside table. And consider lighting options beyond the traditional table lamp.

Go vertical with shelving and storage. And think of pieces such as bedside tables for other uses, such as a workspace or vanity.

Lastly, replace or rehinge the bedroom door. The space of a door opening into a room takes away valuable square footage!

(via real living, canadian house and home, living etc, elle decor via design babylon, domin0)
Do you have any other additional basic small bedroom tips?

warm and cozy {kitchens}

I am going to be starting a series that I am very excited about that is centered around cheap(er) home decor and small space solutions which will premiere later this week. However, in my research process I kept finding myself saving away these compact, cozy and warm kitchens. I particularly love the shelving!



(via domino, anna kern, marie claire maison and moodboard)
Also, what room in your home are you seeking the most budget friendly solutions for or struggle to utilize a smaller than desired square footage?