design inspiration following your heart

I often write about exploring and enjoying your very own neighborhood and city as an incredible source of inspiration for your (big or small) home and your life. When I moved to New York in August of 2002, I was living in Soho in a tiny studio apartment that I simply loved. (one of my inspirations for this blog) I was working at an ad agency in the Meatpacking District and walked to and from work everyday. Sometimes I would take Bleecker and sometimes I would take W. 4th and every walk was a mini adventure. 

It all changed when I bought myself an ipod that fall, a 1st gen. I had absolutely no idea that the ipod would become what it is today. I didn't know much about it even at the time.  I simply bought one so I could accompany my walks with all my music, not just a cd. It was a lot of money for me at the time - a lot. From the first day I used my ipod, my walks changed. I took the same routes but my mini-adventures seemed to expand. Instead of just people watching as I strolled, I also began to look up and look down. I began to really see the buildings, the architecture, the way the tree-lined streets provided dappled lighting to the stationary townhomes, the wrought iron details, different colors of brick, the cobblestone streets, and more and more. I am sure I had always noticed the *design* but with my music, I really saw it and I continue to see it everyday, everywhere. Soon I began snapping photos and then writing about it and then connecting to like-minded people and then meeting new friends and then starting new projects and more and more.

Since picking up my ipod, I have started loving. living. small. which has certainly led me down a creative and interesting road - one that I have embraced and that feels right for me (and is different from the career I had been doing and didn't truly love). Visionary Steve Jobs said it best when he stated "Most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” There are many more adventures ahead and I will continue to enjoy my surroundings and follow my heart. 

Have you followed your heart? I love hearing people's stories about their personal adventures and inspirations. And are you inspired by your city? You can find ideas everywhere!! Here are a few of mine...

*A New York Color Story

*Using Your Walls: Make Your Own Art from Your Photos

*10 Photos that Inspire You to Look Up and Look Down

*Color Lover: London Rowhouse Editon

*Happy New York Weekend

*Picture This: Neighborhood Pics

*Tapping Your Inner-Designer

*City Inspiration for your Small Space

*Keep those Eyes Open


:: all images snapped in NYC last weekend ::


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small space dweller a winter vignette from absolutely beautiful things

A Winter Vignette

I am loving loving loving this new small space dwellers post. I discovered Anna Spiro's new online shop through one of my fave online mags - Adore Home. Anna's blog :: absolutely beautiful things :: was one of my first bookmarked years ago and I've been enjoying reading her inspirations every since. I just love the concept of her store - shop the seasonal vignette. There are tons of fabulous ideas right inside this room and here are my faves that you can recreate and reinterpret in your own small space.

 1 :: FLOATING FURNITURE

Just because you have walls, it doesn't mean all of your furniture has to be pushed up right against it. I love placing an accent chair or table on an angle, away from the wall, to create a design element and balance in a small space. Use a floor lamp or a side table to anchor the piece. The small space will appear bigger.

2 :: SHOW YOUR ACCENT STYLE

There's only so much storage space in a small space and often you have to leave your goodies out on display. Forego any idea of a cluttered look by styling your stuff. Anna's coffee table is style for the shoot but you can take a small space tip from this - it looks fantastic and organized. Balance is key here so be considerate of how your room feel in regards to balance and scale. 

3 :: USE YOUR WALLS

One of my own series on the loving. living. small. blog is all about using your walls and the vertical space available to you. Going up is a great way to move the eyes around the space, allowing it to feel bigger. Check out Anna's small artwork gallery vignette for ideas of your own.

4 :: MIX & MATCH 

Creating a mix of textures and color will definitely make your small space bigger. Of course there should be some design style and balance here - use colors or patterns in a complementing palette. For example consider using all warm tones - reds, oranges, yellows or patterns - stripes, dots, zig zags. You need to add in some neutral balance as well - like Anna's wood console table or the white coffee table. Again, balance in a small space means all the difference in opening up the room.

5 :: NEUTRAL FLOORING

In a small space with tons of visual elements going on, like Anna's room, another big small space tip is to keep the floor completely neutral. The white wood flooring is the perfect foundation to such a visual space. This anchors the room and, yes, provides balance. Keep your floors bare or use a very neutral toned rug to create this look in your own home.

Check out more rooms in the small space dwellers series right here. There are over 100 small space tips, tricks and ideas to enjoy.  Fun!

 :: Image via Anna's new online shop ::

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from one small space dweller to another, a little inspiration...

:: a small chat :: 

fab interviews with designers, style makers & other small spaced dwellers

:: design inspiration :: 

anything and everything to make you smile in your small space

:: using your walls :: 

tips for going vertical in your small space

:: small space d.i.y. :: 

projects and ideas you can do yourself for your own small space

:: small space dweller handbook :: 

a virtual tip sheet for making the most of your small space

:: a small move :: 

setting up shop in a new {small} space

 

{image created by loving. living. small.}

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my best tip for making your small bedroom work for you create your own wall

It's the common small space dilemma in the bedroom - where to put the bed? Too often, the balance of windows, available walls and space seems overwhelming. There definitely are tips you can follow for making your bedroom layout work and my fave - creating your own wall. Yes! By using curtains in the right places, you can actually reinvent the look and feel of this room and find a space for your bed. The curtains add balance to the space and allows you to place your bed, say, partially in front of a window. In other words - fake it! I love this pretty bedroom via Lonny. I imagine that viewing this room bare, you wouldn't imagine that the bed would work right here. By adding the symmetrical curtains (the height works too), the bed and headboard completely work and feels good. Check out another example about using curtains in one of my Apartment Therapy posts right here.

:: Image via Lonny :: 

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using your walls headboard spotting at the Crosby Street Hotel

Oh la la - do I love these pretty rooms full of small space style at the very cool and stylin' Crosby Street Hotel in New York City! Aside from the pretty pattern and color palettes, I am loving the headboards that adorn each of the rooms. The height is perfect and the square style is simple yet completely impactful. I think the best part about a headboard in a small space is that it provides a true *focal point* and balance. A small space may lack square footage but that doesn't mean you can use bigger or large scale pieces. In my own bedroom, I am thrilled with my own headboard (my big small space DIY from this summer) It adds a design element AND it pulls the space together for a total cohesive vibe - yes! Also, click here to see a time-lapse of the hotel being built through the seasons in New York - very cool!

:: All photos via the Crosby Street Hotel site :: 

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small space dwellers kate spade's london pop-up shop

 :: Images 1. Caitlin McGauley, 2./5. Kate Spade facebook, 3. Racked 4. @Grazia_Live  ::

I am loving loving loving this small space dwellers post, my series on real space and real small space solutions. so I've covered a few real homes now let's check out a real shop - a pop-up in fact. oh la la do I love a pop up shop! Such a cool concept - a store or brand coming alive in a unique location for a moment - yes! Enter...kate spade and you now have a sweet pop-up full of color, whimsy and tons of small space solutions.

I have always loved the kate spade brand and have been blogging the iconic brand since I started loving. living. small. almost three years ago. Maybe it's the colors, the style, the classic lines but this brand is very much resonates with me. I wanted to share images of kate spade's London Pop-Up shop, their first presence in London. There are such goodies in here for all small space dwellers to enjoy - let's check out a few. {and loving Cailtin's illustration of the space - she is super talented and can be found my the loving. living. small. blogroll, of course}

1 :: USING YOUR WALLS

Yes, they sure did! I am loving the use of vertical space with the random art gallery across the wall. The best part - the fireplace now really jumps as the focal point of the room. This adds balance to this room.

2 :: REDEFINING SPACE

I do love a warm fire but if you are not using your fireplace for ambiance, use it for your decor. I love the stacked books in this space. No part of your small space can be overlooked for an opportunity to decorate. Of course enjoying negative space (or *not* filling it up is perfectly fine too)

3 :: POPS OF COLOR

Loving the kelly green in the space and the closet door that's line with contrasting wallpaper - clever, cool and I am totally stealing this idea. Vibrant colors do work in small spaces - don't be afraid :) I also love the interesting paint treatment with the yellow color block (spotted in twitpic) Cool and chic - this is an affordable way to add art to your small space.

4 :: MIRRORS

Yep, they rock in small spaces. Mirrors are the best small space accent and truly make a space appear larger than it is.

5 :: CREATE NEW HOMES FOR YOUR THINGS

If your closet is jam packed with your favorite threads then consider using your space for your items. I love the purses hanging on the wall - super cool and a great storage idea.

Enjoy many more small space dwellers rooms and tons of small space solutions right here.

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silhouette style

If you read loving. living. small. you know that I am a lover of silhouettes - the style, look, contrast - all of it! And of course using your walls to display your art style is one of my fave small space tips. When I spotted Danny Seo's very cool and easy silhouette d.i.y., I wanted to share with you, small space dwellers. Click here for the full online tutorial - I see a fun project this weekend!

:: Images via Danny Daily ::

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using your walls simple way to layer artwork

I knew that when I moved into my place and set up my built-in units that I'd lose an entire wall. But no worries, I embraced the space by using the actual book shelves as a platform for my frames. (a look that I have seen many times and love - like in Grant K. Gibson's stylish space above that he designed for one of his clients - loooooove this room)

I just used two small nails to hang a few frames and now have a little be of extra dimension and a cool way to break up the lines a bit of all that shelving. Super easy and I think it looks pretty cool - makes my small space feel good.  

:: Image by sweetie Grant Gibson ::

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using your walls add texture to create a design vibe

one of my all time favorite apartment details (i've lived in, oh, 8 or so apartments in the last 12 years) has been my exposed brick wall in my 300 square foot Soho studio. Oh la la - did I love this wall and it inspired this blog. Since then, I've found comfort and design love in wall accents and textures, ranging from paint to brick to wallpaper (temporary for renters) to molding. I think adding texture to a wall in a small space is a great way to personalize your design style and to add visually dimension.

When I spotted this very cool textured wood wall, I wanted to share it with you. How cool would this be on one wall in a small space? Love it and the white framed glass too. Like this pink dotted wall (seriously - love) to temporary wallpaper to making your own brick wall, adding texture to your walls can really make a room. 

By the way, renters can do this trick. Just throw up some plywood first to cover the wall and then go for it! This works for just about any wall cover. When you are ready to move out, undrill the plywood and your white wall will be in tact - just the way it was when you moved in. 

:: Photos snapped by me at the very fab Rolling Greens nursery ::

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small space dwellers dark walls + accents

Dark Walls + Accents

I am loving the next room in the small space dwellers series because it's a mix of dramatic flair and soft edges. I've been a fan of Stacy Bass photography when I spotted her on fave site desire to inspire and I bookmarked her site to follow and enjoy her portfolio. Aside from exteriors and table top, the interiors are lovely and this room is fabulous! let's take a look at some of the real small space ideas inside...

1 :: DARK WALLS

I am loving dark accent walls in a small space. This creates a substantial texture to the space. Best tip - keep the moldings bright white to create a seamless style to the white ceiling - driving the eye up to create vertical depth.

2 :: ACCENTS IN GROUPS

I love this look - grouping similar decor accents in groups. The pretty ikat patterned canisters work!

3 :: USING YOUR WALLS

If you've been reading loving. living. small. then you know that using your walls is one of my fave small space ideas. hey if you don't have the floor space, go vertical. I love how the simple wall decor is symmetrical and stylish.

4 :: SWING ARM LIGHTING

Oh I also love this one - swing arm lighting. placed sweetly on the wall, swing arm lighting is a great way to create lighting balance in a small space without taking up any floor space.

5 :: FLOOR CUSHIONS

Part accent, part seating option, floor cushions are a great double duty accent in a small space. They add color and texture to a small space while providing necessary seating for guests - yes!

Check out tons of more small space ideas that real people are using in small space dwellers.

: Image via Stacy Bass Photography ::

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a small move go big in small spaces | artwork that stands out

I remember that one of my first posts on loving. living. small. back in Jan 2008 was about large canvas paintings in small spaces. I love that idea - big art in small spaces. I continued to blog about it over at Apartment Therapy as one of my first posts in Aug 2008. One would get the feeling that I like the idea of big artwork. When I moved into my new small space a few weeks ago, I knew that my bedroom walls would need a little love to match my fab DIY headboard (to be revealed soon).

Last weekend I went flea marketing and - oh la la - did I hit the artwork jackpot. I spotted these large paintings of two chic ladies and simply put - I had to have them. A little more "girly" then I had planned to go, they were stunning and I knew they'd work in my small bedroom. Some good negotiating and handshake later, they were mine - yes! I love them in my bedroom - the whole space feels good - balanced, anchored, stylin. Using your walls and going big with art really does work in small spaces. This style really fills a space and makes it substantial and structured.

By the way, I hung these paintings myself and got them level and even on the first try - whoa - that felt good. And the bedroom is still coming together -I am on the hunt for a coral and white rug that's affordable and comfy and a leaning mirror to go between the two windows. more to come soon...

I hope all of you small space dwellers have considered large scale artwork for your home. It really does feel awesome and that's what it's about.

And check out more of my a small move right here.

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small space dwellers mark and melissa's ranch home

 :: Mark & Melissa's Ranch Home via Living Etc ::

Oh la la...am I loving this new small space dwellers, straight out of the pages of Living Etc. magazine. (did you know they have a digital mag too? yes!) Design couple, Mark and Melissa's, California ranch-style home is eclectic, cool, sophisticated and refined with a completely comfortable edge.  This small space above is full of small space solutions, which are ideas that work in both form and function. Aside from the color palette (loving mustard yellow), turquoise and red accents, the couple's personality completely shines through in this room which is what it's all about, right small space dwellers?! Let's take a look at some of their small space style.

1 :: USING YOUR WALLS

Mark and Melissa took advantage of the structural location of the room (located under a flight of stairs) to make a big impact by wallpapering the entire wall in a dramatic and dark pattern.  This definitely draws the eyes up - creating vertical depth. Paired with the contrasting with the white molding, this works well.

2 :: LAYERING FURNITURE

Once again, we are seeing small space dwellers layer their furniture in front of other pieces. This creates a real dimension in the room and makes smaller rooms appear bigger.

3 :: BALANCED LIGHTING

Creating a lighting design in a small space is a smart way to create balance. Although this couple has a fab chandelier overhead, they also have an arc lamp that creates lighting tone and texture. 

4 :: SCALE

Along the lines of balanced lighting, using scale in a small space will make it feel much bigger as well as balanced. The couple has a few accents that work in the same parallel line, like the height of the chandelier, tree, artwork and lamp.

5 :: DEFINING ZONES

Like our last small space dwellers post, this couple also has successfully created zones in their small space with 2 seating areas and an office space that feel equally unique as they do seamless.

Check out more small space dwellers in the series right here.

 :: Image via Living Etc July 2010 ::

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