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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design inspiration design advice from kelly wearstler

Have you been eyeing Fashion Week? I love checking out the latest fashion trends to spot the next big shelter trend (can you say "pearl" for color of the year 2012?) One new-to-me designer is Kelly Wearstler. I didn't know she had a clothing line and I am absolutely loving it! Her design style is a bit more pulled back than her interiors but her visual appeal and signature design is definitely in tact. I love the mix and match of patterns with the two-tone palettes - rock it! I have always loved her spaces - they are full of incredible depth and balance. She has so many design elements going on in a space but it works and that's why she is a successful designer. 

She shared some of her design advice right on her personal blog. And, of course, her clothing design intentions echo her fab interior design ones. I definitely believe that these apply to all small space dwellers. You truly will be impressed by what visual depth and harmony can *add* to a small space. Consider everything in your small space and how it feels together. 

Yes, you can have a bright orange wall. 

Yes, you can have large furniture. 

Yes you can have collections.

Just make sure it's balanced in the scale of the room. Click here for tons of ways to accomplish this in your own small space. 

And how rad is Kelly's clothing line? Love love love it! {and I am so getting that gorgeous blue blouse}

:: Images via Kelly Wearstler and Style.com ::

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kinfolk magazine a beautiful new design magazine

There are somethings that make me just {sigh}. I am talking pure enjoyment and inspiration. I just discovered one of these things - Kinfolk. No more words, click here to see what I mean. Oh and watch the the gorgeous movies and read the words. You can really tell how much love was poured into this new magazine. Love love love it!

Oh and love that they have my favorite Swedish treat from my Stockholm trip this summer featured in their mag - Kanebulle. 

:: all images from Kinfolk magazine ::


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make new city inspiration your own in your small space

While I was in Stockholm, I fell in love with the bright colors of the buildings, water and sky. (Did you know that Stockholm is all islands?) There was an elegant vibe to the city and it felt amazing walking around. I enjoyed a little bit of shopping as well, picking up some great design items for my own small space. One of my favorite items that I purchased were these Dala horses, the popular Swedish horses that are named for Sweden's home province of Dalarna. Since I am a big lover of embracing city inspiration and interpreting it through my home, it was important for me to add the Dala design item. I really loved Stockholm and wanted to take a bit of it's style with me. While I love the original version, I chose to go with a modern, striped ceramic version - more me with the design still in tact. I think adding items from your travels or even a day trip out and about to your space is fantastic! I love taking it a step further and finding a version that suits more of my personality. I can't wait to get these little guys up at home.  

Images //

1. One of the many boats 2. Touring the Stockholm 3. Enjoying a ferry ride to Stockholm Archipalego 4. My friend's apartment, with her version of the Dala horse in white 5. My new Dala horses, striped of course

:: all photos by loving. living. small. ::

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home and design inspire through notecards

I truly believe that home and design inspiration can be found anywhere and everywhere. When I recently discovered this really cool paper good site called Fabulous Stationary - I wanted to share it with you guys. I love the color combinations and lines in these note cards. How sweet for a moving card? Click here to check out the full lines avail plus tons of color palette ideas right inside.

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small space style I want to make this

If you are like me then you get swept into the world of amazing blogs and lost in design time. I have so many "I WANT TO MAKE THAT" projects bookmarked to do in my small space, I wanted to share some with you. Click here to check them out and get inspired, just like me.

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colorful ikat pillows meet fab chairs

I was recently turned on to this awesome etsy shop called Ikat & Batik, run by a New Zealander living in Bali. She sells pillow covers, table linens and more more. I absolutely *love* this e-shop and all of the colorful combinations and patterns available. You can tell there's care here. I wanted to inspire small space dwellers to add a pop of color with pillow - not only will it add dimension to your space but provide a little extra comfort and support as you enjoy your space.

:: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 ::

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piet hein eekembracing texture in your small space

There is an incredible amount design inspiration out there but make some room for the eclectic, cool and unbearably thoughtful work of Piet Hein Eek, a dutch designer that works with scraps, reclaimed wood and more. His acclaimed work has been noted, most recently at the 2011 ICFF show happening now in New York. From a home office interpreted as a log cabin to the Door Project to a streamlined brass and glass case for artist Guido Geeleen, his portfolio also expands to include reclaimed scrapwood pieces, ceramic accents, plywood projects, aluminum style as well as collaborations and more. Oh and his shop and restaurant are equally design friendly.

I love e-flipping through his work and noting the textures. Small spaces benefit greatly from small details and dimension. It's a way to add more depth and almost expand moments of a smaller room.

Click here to read more about Piet Hein in this great interview via dwell that highlights his background, education, inspiration and process.

And click here to follow the show and real-time photos and happenings via ICFF's site.

:: all photos via Piet Hein Eek ::


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the bootstrap project

I love getting all of your emails and comments. It's still so incredible to me to meet people through blogging - love it! It's funny, although I have had a bit of press here and there, I am still very much a small, personal blog and appreciate the interaction. I recently received an email that I wanted to share with you. 

Maxine founded Bootstrap Project, to "create a sustainable platform to promote and retain centuries-old crafts and customs. We create the outlet for the local artisans. The profits of the sales go back to the artists and their communities, through our development partners, to empower them by providing the education and opportunity to retain, preserve and advance their fast-dying crafts, customs and way of life." 

I love this idea - talented artisans create and Maxine curates the wares for you. Amazing! I am so impressed by the products available. Since living in smaller space requires editing while infusing personal style, it's special to include pieces that you really know were made by care. yes! 

Click here to learn more, support and shop from the Bootstrap Project.  

:: all images via Bootstrap Project :: 

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tile style introducing a color moments in your space

Aren't these painted tiles gorgeous? I discovered them at the Rose Bowl Flea Market over the weekend and absolutely love them. Since I am renting, I won't be redoing my floors with these but I definitely can integrate them into my space beyond just the floor or wall tile use.  Like my honeycomb mirrors pictured above, I can see the Kismet tiles used in the same way.

:: all photos by loving. living. small. ::


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top 8 digital design magazines for {small space} style

One of my fave things that has popped up in the digital platform are e-magazines. Full of incredible and original content, colorful and inspiring photo shoots, the most special themes, accents, styles plus well written and rich articles all live inside these lifestyle e-mags. But it gets better...

Everything is a CLICK away - oh la la!

Enjoy these 8 fab e-mags (in no particular orders) that hits the mark on design, style, life and inspiration.

Perfect for all small space dwellers.

Simply put: 

A lifestyle design magazine that truly is "your path to stylish living" 

What I love: 

The fab ladies behind it all (Cassie and Anne are both old blogging buddies & Blog Out Loud  panelists), on-point trends and how to access them for yourself, incredible and unique, cool, creative spreads for the design lover inside, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks like the above video and more. 

Small space connection: 

rue magazine highlights tons of small space style for your own home including accents in a range of style, color and design as well as very cool DIYs that work in all fab spaces in all the lifestyle genres. Oh, and the Rue facebook page is where it's also at - tons of conversation and new connections to be had daily.

 

Connect:

http://ruemag.com  ::  @ruemag

Simply put: 

A lifestyle and home decor magazine that believes "in making design choices that lead to personal happiness" 

What I love: 

The passion and partnership of founders, Michelle & Patrick, spaces that showcase high/lo that are infused with encouragement for diving into design, on-the-pulse accents that are meaningful, understanding of design and color palettes that are exciting, fresh and cool. Aside from the site - full of Lonny's best pics - the blog is full of goodies as well.

Small space connection: 

Lonny really covers high/low, as I mentioned above. The mag really makes design feel accessible, something small space dwellers can embrace while editing and curating their spaces.

 

Connect:

http://lonnymag.com  ::  @lonnymag

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Simply put: 

A lifestyle e-publication that "celebrates the classics" through a modern and accessible lens and a "field guide to a charmed life".

What I love: 

I can tell that this new e-mag is definitely a product of passion for the creative founders. From defining their Matchbook Girl, covering the lifestyle palette of fashion, food, design, art, showcasing fab paper goods plus profiling artists, shops and the latest in fashion and design finds, this eclectic and whimsical mag pretty much has it covered.

Small space connection: 

Color can really impact a space and this mag is full of color options and combos that you are sure to find design inspiration as you e-flip on through each issue.

 

Connect:
http://matchbookmag.com  ::  @matchbookmag

 

Simply put: 

A lifestyle magazine and "guide to a well-lived life" oh la la! 

What I love: 

There's a huge showcase of fashion and home decor through the mag and tons of ideas in textures, colors, styles and price range. The spreads are full of tons of photos - wide shots and detailed close ups.

Small space connection: 

It's sometimes hard to decide how to showcase your personal style and personality in a small space since there's only so much room. The house tours in the magazine showcase all the vignettes, offering a small space how-to in every e-page.

 

Connect:
http://highglossmagazine.com  ::  @highglossmag

Simply put: 

A fresh and new take on a classic home design mag that "blends timeless design with modern life".

What I love: 

The fact that Traditional Home tapped fresh and on-pulse Lonny to collaborate, create and curate a new {media} moment for their established print counterpart. The editors are clearly excited - which makes the new e-mag even more dynamic and page-turning (at 344 pages - everyone will connect with something). The 20 projects to do and 20 designers to watch mixed with the editors' and contributors' picks across the design board makes this a new mag worth digitally bookmarking for more.

Small space connection: 

The 20 designers featured have some serious design chops and think outside the box - something small space dwellers can relate with. Creating a best small space style in both function and form requires creative thinking and an "I love it" attitude. 

Connect:

http://tradhomemag.com  ::  @traditionalhome

Simply put: 

A lifestyle and home magazine that "brings you beautiful homes from across the globe, tips and design advice from interior experts, as well as easy online access to the latest home treasures"

What I love: 

Adore Home is a really a great home mag and seriously full of color color color, a huge range of design elements and how to reinterpret them in your home as well as fabulous house tours with great interviews. I had the pleasure of being in the 1st issue - my home office was feature inside. Take a look right here.

Small space connection: 

Creating a personal and true design vibe in your small space can sometime feels overwhelming. Adore Home really lays out styles, ideas and themes and how to recreate it in your space. Love this when editing and creating a fab interior to enjoy.

Connect:

http://adoremagazine.com  ::  adore home on facebook

Simply put: 

The Style Compass inside 1st Dib's Introspective is first-hand look at stylesetters and tastemakers and part of this rich site that "is the world's leading on-line resource for antiques, 20th century design, fine and estate jewelry, and vintage couture and designer fashion".

What I love: 

The Style Compass covers over fifty designers, artists, photographers, architects, fashion visionaries - true creative mavens. It shares their look, vibe and (most importantly) a glimpse into their favorite things and inspiration - or "where their style compass is pointing to" I love seeing these icons share their style.

Small space connection: 
Inspiration comes from anything and everything and reading how these major players find their stepping stones and style is fantastic. A small space can be as well-designed and styled as any space and keeping that in mind makes for a happy home and a stylish vibe.

Connect:

http://www.1stdibs.com/#introspective

Simply put: 

This Australian global lifestyle magazine "curates the best in global design, fashion, interiors & lifestyle".

What I love: 

The thoughtful and colorful features that inspire design ideas and themes, the accessible design and how to interpret it in your home and the style photos shoots - well done!

Small space connection: 
Evolving your design in your small space often becomes a design cycle of it's own and infusing global treatments and design capabilities makes a small space feel fantastic. This mag offers you a peek into global design.

Connect:

http://estmag.com  ::  @estemag

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