From my library - small space living

I thought I'd share from you some of my favorite images from one of the very first interior design books I ever purchased. It's always fun to look back!

I love these wooden floors - and the fireplace!



charming - and checkout the blue floor!


It would require a lot of tidying - but I really like the glass front pantry. Check out the mix n' match table and chairs.

I liking the look of art leaning against the wall more and more. I also really like the fuchsia carpet and the retrained fireplace decor.

I love old houses - and when a renovation includes old architectural elements I don't mind "newness" so much.

A really good way to divide spaces in a studio - this solid screen acts as a wall/headboard.

A romantic treehouse retreat...

All images from Susan Boyle's "The Smart Approach to Small Space Living"

Beautiful Bright Eye Candy

I was looking for some particular images today but I couldn't find them...grrr. But not all is lost - I found some really bright and sunny laid back interiors while searching. And we can't have too much prettiness now can we?

I love the light here

the tree branch is such a nice surprise in place of flowers...

check out the bathroom storage!

What I wouldn't give to walk through my door to such serenity

...in my humble opinion, your work surface can never be too large...


so cheerful!




via House Beautiful

Love French Country?

via Notebook Au

Lots of great ideas for making the most of your space

Awhile back I posted some photos for making the most of small kitchens, and now I'm continuing that with some more general inspiration to use throughout the house. Lots of good ideas here- both big projects and little projects!

Not that many of us have extra closet space, but if you're lucky enough to have some, take off the doors and turn it into a small home office.

A cabinet nightstand will give you more storage opportunities than a table.

Use the inside of doors to store materials, I put spice racks on the inside of my cupboard doors and they're super handy.

Radiators can be huge space-wasters, install a shelf for instant surface space. I have one in my bedroom, and I couldn't be without it!

These benches have been stacked to make shelves, and they can also serve for extra seating or a coffee table in a pinch.

Drawers under the bed are a great storage solution - put them on casters for even easier storage
via Martha Stewart

If you own the space and have the budget, utilize high ceilings by creating this very cool scaffold style bookshelf
via Jac de Villiers


via James Merrell Photography


Even narrow spaces can accommodate furniture like this half-table


Get two-timing furniture that doubles as storage
via AT Casa

Even odd nooks are put to good use.

If you have major carpentry skills - or access to them, this Manhattan apartment dweller created a swiveling tv stand, which can totally flip around depending on if he/she is in the bedroom or the next room.
via Point Click Home

If you have weird angled walls (like many old apartments), find small furniture and make use of the space

Make your rooms multi-task. Keep your bookshelves for storage, and install a sliding curtain when in need of a less cluttered feel.


Use bookcases and keep your wall space by hanging art from the shelves.
via Domino


These console tables are great because they have shelves or rungs that act as storage.
via Joe Schmelzer

You can keep your crafts in the living room - just choose a storage solution that can camouflage supplies, and ties in with your decor
via Easy Living


Images via Briger and Briger

Image via Sunset Magazine

Solutions for a small kitchen

Not enough space? same here. First things first however, edit what you own! I know I'm guilty of having and hanging on to things that I don't really use or need. One thing that has really tamed that vice in me is moving every year. I would sell or donate more and more of my possessions with each move, because I was tired of all the boxes! I can't recall a time when I said to myself, "gee, I wish I hadn't gotten rid of that!" Regardless, sometimes your apartment or house still doesn't have enough square footage for even the most stringent minimalist. This week I'm going to focus on kitchens, where maintaining an organization system, once you have it in place, is crucial. Hopefully, these images will provide some solutions!


Magnetic strips are my best friend. And mount everything you possibly can, i.e., the dustbuster is mounted as opposed to taking up precious surface real estate.

Clear boxes, like these from muji, are really important at keeping cupboard chaos at bay. I hate having everything tumbling out while I'm searching. Stackable containers are great too.

Use the insides of doors too. This shelving system looks custom, but I utilized this idea myself. I bought some simple wire spice racks from Bed Bath & Beyond, mounted them inside my pantry door, and now I have a great way to organize my smaller jars and cans, and I don't have to dig around for them.

The skinny vertical bookshelves are really starting to grow on me, and the owner's of this kitchen used one to take advantage of even the smallest bit of wall space.

An organization system like this one can be found at Ikea, or other organization stores.

hmmm... love this kitchen rack, but I would need way more bottle mounts.

My all-time favorite kitchen organizing idea, made famous by Julia Child. So great!

Excellent use of space, and it's pretty too!

Look! No space went unused - a shelf in front of the window.

Images via my Flickr photostream