Thank you to Shelterpop for covering my a small move: affordable built-in units on their sweet site today. Click here for the article.  And click here to read more about my a small move.

so I’ve been living in my new small space for a few weeks and am finally feeling settled in, getting into my routine, enjoying visits from friends, getting ready for dinner parties and all that good stuff. Although I am loving my dining room-turned-office and my main room, I really love my bedroom. It’s really comfy – steadily cool temp, cozy vibe and, finally, my new custom-made headboard.

I’ve always loved Grace of Design*Sponge’s headboard. I had downloaded the template and kept it in my inspiration notebook for years until I had time and space. When I recently moved, I knew that my new apartment was the perfect opportunity to make my own version. I wanted to share my d.i.y. with all you lovely small space dwellers because it really is easy to do, surprisingly affordable, I could fit all the project pieces in my small car by myself and it’s a great piece for your bedroom that feels and looks good.

I did this project when I was in Northern California spending time with my brother, sister-in-law and nephews and my bro helped me with some of this. I headed over to Home Depot to buy a $12 8 x 4 ft piece of plywood. The Home Depot guy cut the wood lengthwise to size for me for free. I also knew that the piece wouldn’t fit in my car so he cut it in half lengthwise again to transport it. I bought 2 x $0.89 brackets that I would use to put the full board back together later.

Once home, I began to draw the form of the headboard on the wood. My brother suggested using a string tied to the marker to get a perfect round shape. (great tip – it worked for the round top of the headboard and the other dips in the board) Once the shape was drawn out, my brother helped me cut the wood with a jigsaw. I sanded down the edges and hopped in my car with the newly cut headboard shape (still in 2 pieces so it would fit in my car) and headed out to get some foam.

I had done some research and – wow – is foam pricey! I was able to find a local shop in Palo Alto called House of Foam (love the name!) that had a large enough piece for under $100. The owner was so helpful and very nice. He cut the shape of the headboard for me for free – also with a jigsaw. I loaded everything back into my car and headed back to my brothers. I set up a table outside, loaded up the staple gun (boys have tools) and got ready for the next steps.

oh I am excited to share this post with you guys today – my custom lighting. Ok so it may not as fancy as that sounds but I did have my own chandeliers and shades installed in my new small space and I am super happy with the result. As a renter, I know I can do some small things to make my space feel more personal and comfortable and changing out the “not very me” lighting that came with the apartment was one of them. I have actually never done this before in other units I’ve lived in but since this was such a special move, I decided to go for it. And aside from personalizing my space, the new lighting gave more balance, which is my fave small space tip (see more in the SMALL SPACE DWELLER HANDBOOK about lighting design)

Through a few friend referrals, I found a great handyman (see #7 here) and he helped me hang the lights and my curtains as well as completing some ikea projects. (if I finished them, I surely would have way too many nuts & bolts leftover For a little over $100, I was able to get all of these small details accomplished in an easy and affordable way. I figured I would give up a splurge (like mani/pedi’s for 2 months) to get this stuff done – totally worth it!

My first custom lighting change was in the dining room-turned-office. I was not digging the brown and some random color light fixture and when I went of to NYC a few weeks ago for fun and a little Blog Out Loud love, I spotted my dream lighting source (see my blog post about an exact look-a-like from November right here) and snapped it up for a mere $60 – i know, right?!? Down came ugly and up went pretty and I am so happy every time I see this shiny light.

My second custom lighting change was the hallway light, also an ugly light in the same family of the dining room fixture. Down it came and up went a $5 lighting plate that I bought at Home Depot. I already had my Tord Boontje Midsummer shade (see it here) but needed a lightbulb in place before I could place it up there. I am *seriously* happy to see it here and love how it reflects off the mirror – very cool!

Placing my own lighting in my new small space is definitely one of my fave a small move details. I definitely recommend it in your own home – renter or owner. It costs a little bit of $ and it really makes you feel good – I say go for it!

Check out more little details in my new small space right here in A SMALL MOVE. And check back in this week when I reveal my biggest DIY project to date – making my very own headboard.

Also, check out sources of my inspiration right here on my Pinterest mood board.

as I’ve started posting more finished projects, I realized that I didn’t share my post about getting the “moving into a small space” ball rolling so here we go. I usually don’t get overly personal on my blog but do want to share that this move is a very special one. I am living on my own again after ending a 5-year relationship. It’s exciting to be starting this new chapter although definitely mixed with emotion and the occasional “ok, I have to handle this on my own” feelings. But it’s good and that’s what new beginnings are all about. Since I’ve already gone through most of my move, I can share some great tips for setting up shop (from a single, independent woman and a small space dweller) point of view.

Seriously people, this one saved the day. I had initially thought I would enlist friends and family to help me with my move but the time and energy was really too much. After some research, I found a great moving company to help me move all my things out of SF and into my LA pad AND it was affordable. The myth about expensive moving companies is just that. Your mind, body and soul will thank you.

I have blogged this on Apartment Therapy before too – make your bed right away. Somehow in the middle of all the boxes piled high to the ceiling, a freshly made bed allows you to feel “at home” in your new home.

My bff from high school gifted me a red toolbox when I moved to NYC in 2002 and it was – honestly – one of the best gifts I ever received. Having my own set of tools – hammer, screwdriver, etc, – has really given me opportunities to get going on hanging frames, building new furniture and just feeling independent.

When I first got the apartment, I drafted a little floor plan, complete with measurements. Not very professional (see above) but perfect for getting my ducks in a row with my existing furniture and outlining what I still needed (like a new desk and rug for my dining room-turned-office). This was super helpful and provided an understanding of my space prior to moving in.

As many people say, it’s  marathon, not a race and this definitely speaks to unpacking an apartment. Take an hour each day – maybe an hour before or after work – to go through your things.

My mom shared this one with me and it really worked. I placed my boxes in the appropriate room and each day, I set aside a few hours (like above) and literally unpacked every box. So the 5 office boxes meant stacks and stacks of office style things on my floor and couch. Then I just put everything away. I didn’t even worry about placing things in what would become their proper place. Instead I just got everything off the floor and in it’s right room.  I went back the following week and reorganized everything to the way I liked by setting aside an hour or so. 

So along with booking affordable movers as I mentioned above, I also booked an affordable handyman to come do a lot of things that I couldn’t handle myself – installing 2 light fixtures (they are amazing and will be revealed soon), hanging all my curtains and blinds, helping to finish building some not so easy to build Ikea furniture, moving my very heavy new marble coffee table top into place and more. This was also empowering, as a newly independent lady

Painters tape is your friend – and your wall’s friend
Blue painters tape is super versatile in small spaces. I first got to know it bc of my love of painting stripes in my small spaces. (My friends know that I have a thing for stripes (see some here and here) The neat thing about painters tape is that it can be used for a lot because it doesn’t stick poorly and make a mess. My fave new use – using painters tape BEFORE I nail into the wall. This little trick protects the plaster from falling apart and will keep a clean hole in your wall to cover up at a later date.


9) Edit as you go
Just because your furniture worked a certain way in your old space doesn’t mean it will in your new space. Take a look around and see how you feel. If it’s too much, consider losing a piece or accent.

10) Most important tip when setting up shop – enjoy your new small space
Even though I had boxes and stuff everywhere, I had friends over for wine and entertained. Plus in the mornings, I enjoy a cup of coffee and catch up on my blog reading. Enjoy your space – that’s what it’s all about!

Click here to follow more of my move through my series, A SMALL MOVE.

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.

HANG MY INSPIRATION PRINT BETWEEN THE SHELVES. JUST BECAUSE I LOST THE WALL DOESN’T MEAN I CAN’T HANG FRAMES, RIGHT?

MY FAVE NYC PHOTO IS ON DISPLAY (see it here), AS WELL AS MY NEW EBAY TYPEWRITER, OWL BOOKENDS, STACKS OF OLD ELLE DECOR MAGS, MY NYC SNOW GLOBE, OLD BDAY CARDS FRAMED THAT WERE FROM BOTH MY GRANDMOTHERS & MORE.

ok small space dwellers, I am excited to share one of my new and very fave small space DIYs that I finished last week in my new small space – built-in units. For the first time ever, I live in a space that is wide enough to accommodate this look and I went for it and couldn’t be happier. And it’s a super affordable look that you can easily recreate in your own home.

I knew that I wanted to create built-in units, or the appearance of them, to hold most of my accents, books, decor. Plus I knew the height of the bookcases really allow the space appear bigger by creating balance with the pretty molding and the curtains on the opposite wall. A run to Ikea and 4 Billy bookcases later, I slowly built them and got them up and behind the couch. After considering the cardboard back of the bookcases, I decided to give ‘em up so the gray walls could shine through and also make the space feel bigger. I am definitely happy with the look of the room and am looking forward to adding new books and photos to my built-ins.

Have you created your own style of built-in units in your space? Share your story.

Take a look above at photos I snapped of the work-in-progress (and it still is a bit of a work-in-progress adding things to the shelves) and click here to see more posts about setting up a small space from a small move.

I am a few weeks into my new space and am loving it! Boxes are unpacked and things are coming together. I would say that 90% of my things from my last place fit right into my new home. I actually have more space so need to get a few more things. I’ve used my pretty white curtains again (a little ironing does wonders!) but needed to find something for the 2 kitchen windows – one over the sink and one larger window next to the fridge. Finding curtains that fit and had my style was next to impossible so I decided to make my own and definitely encourage all of you small space dwellers to do the same.