Small spaces, big style

We all love to make our small spaces appear larger. Sometimes the small size is fabulously cozy, has a great view, is in the right neighborhood, and is perfect for the budget.  Apartments are often created from larger spaces, and the rooms can have awkward nooks and crannies. My client purchased a small home where nothing was centered, making each room uncomfortable. Have a dilemma? Try one of my favorite small space solutions.

1.Problem: Lack of kitchen storage

Solution: Use the walls and ceilings,then try a rolling cart. Don't clutter cabinets with your pots. Hang them from a purchased or create pot rack. You can even use wire racks flush to the walls, and "S" hooks to dangle frying pans and small pots. The look can be technical and modern or rustic and traditional depending upon the rack, the pots and where they hang. No wall space? Create a rolling cart that you can use in another area as well....how about  dresser with wheels.

2.Problem: You have awkward corners and spaces.Solution: Consider an unconventional use for the odd space. Use alcoves for small desks,  narrow benches, and even built-in seating or storage.

3.Problem: The footprint is small.
Solution: Try dual duty pieces: a desk that doubles as a dining table, a bench that can become a sofa table, a bed platform with roll out drawers serves as a dresser. Be sure your arrangement of those pieces supports multiple activities.

4.Problem: The kitchen is tiny but you dislike open shelvesSolution: By removing cabinets and hanging shelves your space feels open; it also can appear cluttered. Compromise.  Take off solid doors and insert glass panels on some. Then, make the most strategically located cabinet - like the dark corner - the one that becomes shelves.

5.Problem: Your rooms are dark
Solution: Use glass and mirrors. Remove solid doors and use glass instead. Can't replace the whole door? Use glass or even mirrored inserts. Capture extra light by hanging mirrors opposite a window or behind a lamp.

6.Problem: The space is bland.Solution: Make a statement.  Create a focal point with a wall of art - family photos or posters are inexpensive and meaningful.   Adding molding to walls and doors creates architectural detail that adds depth and texture.

7. Problem: It's a tight space.Solution: Use acrylic and glass. Dine at a glass-topped table and you will physically open the space. With solid tables, add some acrylic chairs that don't add any visual weight. When you need color, chairs like these resolve several design problems.

8. Problem: You don't have wallsSolution: Make them with bookshelves, partition screens, and even fabric panels. The bonus is that they add less weight than walls and can be moved around. A unique wall can be created by stringing old Cd's and suspending from a ceiling. Too modern for you? Use beads, strips of fabric or canvas, and add color as well as a divider! 

Glass vases for flowers and more!

If you're like me, you've received flowers and kept the container. Some of them are nice enough to use again so you store them. Now, they're in the garage, the kitchen and the closets...here's help! 

Flowers with a twist. If a favorite flower is in season, get some. Rather than fill the base with water, add full lemons, sliced lemons, plastic grapes (to re-use), polished stones and other items that complement the flower.  I use some of the ideas below and mine become a centerpiece. With a few in differing sizes and colors you can create a unique centerpiece whether they are filled or not.

Get creative with contents. I have several large glass cylinders filled with sea shells. I add ornaments at Christmas, but they stay that way nearly year round.  It's easy to drop in timed votive or tealight candles; they go on and off at the same time every day.  4 months and counting till battery replacement.... Fill yours with favorite small items for a unique display.

Embellish them. If you want to spice up your vases, don't hesitate to make a few additions. Use acrylic paints to add that final touch to an art glass or glue ceramic beads or shells to the outside of floor vases. Etching is one of the easiest ways to transform a plain glass vase into a custom piece. Wrap with twine, ribbons or even living vines.

Glass cylinders tied with raffia and 'lined'
with twigs and bamboo.

Etch a design onto a glass
vase using a stencil pattern.
See "Etch" How -to blog from Feb.

Fill glass cylinders with rocks and
leave as is, or top with candles.

My favorite in a seaside home
year-round. Seashells!

Cabbage leaves surround the base
of cut flowers for a clean look.

Cut limes thin, add a second
cylinder inside. Line between & fill
with water & flowers.

Wind ribbon around cylinders for
the right look. These were for a shower.

Strips of leftover fabrics can  make
a unique filler!

Handpaint a vine - freehand is OK.

5 window covering ideas

When you have an unusual window, need privacy and don't want to cover the light, or just want something interesting, maybe these ideas will inspire you.

Etching glass, installing a window film, and painting on a 

design can be both casual and elegant. Privacy is afforded without covering the window fully. At Touch of Tradition, we create custom stencils for etching, and guide you a Do-it-yourself journey!

A great way to handle an arched window is to use rods meant for the curve. 

It's not expensive and fits the scale and architecture well. We use wood, iron and other materials to create custom yet affordable rods.  Using interesting objects to hang your drapes is our specialty.

Dual treatments work well together. A Roman Shade gives privacy 

and softness and the side panels add elegance and drama.

Panels are extremely useful whether they slide on a traverse rod like these, or are pulled across on rings.

Functional drapes and a beautiful valence create a focal point and work for a traditional style.

From Country Living, a sweet burlap treatment that fits the style of the home and is DIY!

Maximize your small kitchen!

You have a small kitchen. What are the design elements that you can use to maximize the space?   Try one of these 5 for a big impact.

1) Light. If you have windows, then don't dress them up!  Keep window coverings simple so there is no blocking of light.  Without windows, you'll need to rely on fixtures. Choose LED under and in-cabinet lighting for clean, white light. Be sure that your fixture globes and shades are clean, light in color, and the bulb wattage is correct. Switching to compact florescent bulbs, which are lower wattage use, often means a brighter light.

2) Color. When there's little difference between the colors of the walls, the counters, the cabinetry, and the woodwork, your eye glides over the surfaces looking for a place to rest, and that movement tricks you into thinking the space is larger than it really is. Light colors are great in a small kitchen. They reflects light, which enhances the sense of space and makes the walls seem to recede. White is the most popular color and is traditional and right for many design styles.

3) Organize. Small kitchens can have storage challenges. Counters often become storage areas, but eliminating clutter can help any space feel larger. Clear off the counters, the windowsill, and the cabinet tops, and stash as much as you can behind closed doors.

4) Use Glass.  Making a small kitchen feel larger is a matter of fooling the eye and tricking the brain into thinking the space is bigger. One way to do that is to remove some cabinet doors or replace the solid fronts with glass.  Adding in-cabinet lighting showcases the depth and also adds a sense of space.

5) Carve Out Storage Space.  Shelves flush with the walls and recessed into space between the studs add storage without consuming valuable space in a small kitchen.  If you don't have space within your kitchen, instead look for a spot near your kitchen, such as a breakfast nook or passageway, to implement recessed shelves.