small space d.i.y.tin tile headboard

One of my favorite neighborhoods is Georgetown. It's completely quaint mixed with cool design and shops. I spent some time there the other day and enjoy the pretty cobblestone streets. I popped into West Elm's new pop up shop. There were some neat design ideas and I thought one, in particular, was perfect for a small space DIY. How cool is this tin tile headboard? Full of design style, texture and color vibe, these tiles make a great impact. Consider placing your tin tiles (found at your local home improvement store) on a large plywood sheet. And don't forget to add some color with spray paint. Check out over 50 small space DIY ideas right here - fun!

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


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small space d.i.y.affordable missoni artwork

A few days ago, I posted a digital snapshot of my 15 currents fave objects, places and decor inspiration, including a Missoni hand towel. I recently picked up one of these colorful chevron towels for $25. While that is a lot for a towel (at least for me), I thought I could use it for a small space d.i.y. in my home and an affordable piece of artwork.

Like my project of framing shoe dustbags, I framed the towel and placed it on a wall in my small hallway that needed a little love. I am really happy with how this came out. I actually got rid of the glass for the frame and just kept it open to allow the texture of the towel to really show. Definitely consider creating inspiration in your home that makes you feel good, makes you smile and simply inspires. There are no rules to decorating your own home - big or small. Make it what you want and enjoy - yes!

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

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small space d.i.y. make your own honeycomb collective mirror

 

:: My photos take you through this easy project ::

I have a great mirror small space D.I.Y. for you guys today that I did in my own home a few weeks ago. It took me under 2 hours and about $60. Mirrors are one of my best small space accents because they really open up a space. I have tons of mirrors in my home from traditional mirrors to mirrored tables to mirrored vases - all in an effort to make my small space appear larger then it really is. 

I hauled this wood palette home a few months ago and placed it on top of my mantle. I wasn't quite sure what to put on here but knew that it needed a mirror to help open up the room a bit more. I really love the honeycomb pattern but didn't really own anything with it so when I spotted these new mirrors at Ikea, I thought they'd make a very cool project. I taped some free cardboard together and then placed the mirror in the pattern that I liked (there's 10 of these guys in a box for about $15). I bought a picture hanger for $10 and nailed it into the palette and used Goop to attach it to the cardboard and hung it on up. Done and done.

I really love how it came out. The mirrors are two-toned with an amber glass and a silver glass. I like that I created my own thing, it kinda looks artsy (maybe?? :) and it was something that I wanted - honeycomb. This type of project is the most special kind since I really created a piece in my home that I love and that makes me smile when I see it. 

And click here to check out tons more small space D.I.Y. projects for your own home like...

*Create Own Built-in Bookcases

*Make Your Own Upholstered Headboard

*Plant Your Own Terrarium For Your Small Space

*Print Your Own Tea Towels

*Turn Your Shoe Dustbags Into Art For Your Walls

:: all images by loving. living. small. ::



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small space d.i.y. make your own terrarium for your small space

Gotta love the Arrangement Bar

I scooped up some mirrored pieces to add in my terrarium

Layer one :: rocks

Layer two :: soil and preparing the first succulent for it's new home

I was given a brush to wipe away excess soil and clean up as I went. Cleve trick.

Here's Beth suggesting adding more vertical depth using pencil cactus

I had the idea of breaking up the bark and tying twine around it - cute

Slowly coming together

Layer three :: white rocks and mirrored pieces that I gently placed

Beth suggested using moss in the back since my terrarium was more of a 180 view

Getting ready to plant the pink flower - love it!

Yea - it's done!

Birdseye view

Me and my new small space d.i.y. terrarium

It's new home next to one of my upholstered chairs

Thanks for the fab and free terrarium lesson, Rolling Greens!

One thing I like about my {small} apartment is that I am in a neighborhood full of great restaurants, shops, bars, you name it. I walked over to meet some friends for lunch the other day and, as I strolled home (yes, I kinda was strolling - window shopping and enjoying the pretty sunshine), I popped into Rolling Greens, a fab nursery a few blocks from my place. Full of the most gorgeous flowers, plants, curiosities, home decor, style and more, the large loft-like shop also has an *arrangement bar*. Of course I am not one to shy away from any bar, I began chatting with one of the employees and she asked me if I wanted to make a terrarium. 

Um, yes, please.

So began my hour long, personal tutorial on how to make and care for a terrarium. I picked out my glass vessel, was guided on picking out succulents, air plants, bark and also selected my rocks. For the next 30 minutes, I planted my own terrarium (with a bit of handholding and humor from shop employee, Beth). I am so thrilled with how it looks and how easy it is to care for - perfect for anyone's home. 

I love the textures and color contrast. As I say on loving. living. small., small details make a big difference and impact - love that! If you are looking to add color and style to your small space, consider making one of these guys. It was really affordable (mine was under $40 for everything) and I made it myself. There's something special about that, right? 

See more photos of Rolling Greens right here :: have a great weekend!

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small space d.i.y. create a vintage mirror wall

If you are a small space dweller like me then I am sure you have a few mirrors in your home to open up your space. Mirrors are definitely a best small space accent - they truly can evolve a small room into a more comfortable and fluid space - love that! 

I wrapped up my vacation in Las Vegas over the weekend and visited the very new and very cool, hip and stylin hotel, The Cosmopolitan. When I walked into the hotel, I was instantly immersed in a design experience from the 4-story chandelier surrounding the bar (you have to see this in person - insane) to the mid-century modern designer 3rd floor lounges - also super savvy and cool for a Las Vegas hotel. While big in size, the details made this hotel feel intimate, boutique and relaxed chic - love that! 

One of the shops in the hotel housed tons of beauty products. I love shops like this not just for the beauty and packaging design but for the entire design element. Inside I spotted walls of vintage mirrors adorning the walls. I love this look and think it's a unique way to integrate mirrors into your home in an interesting way. And if vintage isn't your thing, pick up affordable mirrors for under $5 each at a local craft store and a a can of gold spray paint and make your own style.

:: images by loving. living. small. ::


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small space makeover amazing reupholstered chairs

I am really excited to share this makeover with you guys. A few weeks ago I posted about my soon-to-be madeover mushroom chenille chairs. {click here to take a look}. I needed more seating options in my small space and was looking for statement chairs. What I was finding was either

a) way out of my price range

b) way out of my style range

So I decided to go with option #B and makeover some chairs the way I liked. I bought these chairs on a super sale at a local store - they were so affordable, so comfy and, in my opinion, so ugly. I found fabric that I loved and it was only $5/yard. I also found a fantastic local reupholsterer and negotiated the work. The chairs were picked up and delivered in...2 days. Can you believe? {Seriously - LA people, if you anything reupholstered, email me and I'll get you this guys info - amazing and so nice too}

To say I love these chairs is a serious understatement. I feel good walking by them - I know, right? :) But to me that's making your house a home, creating a {small} space so you want to really live in it. I wrote about that idea right here. If you have something in your home that want to create then go for it! With a little research, working your budget and thinking outside the design box, you can literally create something custom and new just for you. 

Have you guys done any makeovers that change how your small space feels?

:: All images by loving. living. small. ::

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