Have you ever thought about your entryway? It’s one of those areas that many of us may not think about when we are thinking about making our space work but I say add it in to the design mix. Many small homes and apartments may not have a traditional entry way (like a foyer or entry hall) that allows for a console table. And since floor space is limited, sometimes a clunky table may not work. 

A few days ago I shared that I am considering turning my home office into an actual dining room. Even though I just moved in a few months ago, I am going through a little design cycle and am looking to change up my space.  As far as the room, I definitely will continue to use it as an office (great idea from reader, Megan) but I am looking to change the layout and furniture to reflect a true dining space.  Want to see the current room as an office – click here for the Unplggd tour.

The design culprit for my new design cycle is the Saarinen marble tulip table. Definitely an investment piece, I’ve had my eye on this guy for some time and have been weighing the want vs. need vs. am I crazy for changing my place again? I do know that it’s a special piece and something that I can enjoy for the long haul. It will add into my home vibe and be something that I worked towards getting, which makes the material item a bit more special, right? 

Above you’ll see some ideas that I have from keeping the pretty gray painted walls, my bright floral rug and my favorite $60 sphere chandelier. The additions – the fab table and 4 Cesca chairs that were gifted to me by family friends for free. (Of course a little reupholstery is in their future but worth it to add some of my style to these classic chair.) And I am thinking of doing a buffet and hutch? Lots to consider here because of the size of the space. Maybe something mirrored to open up the space?

More to come, loving. living. small. friends

ok friends, here I go again. I am in the middle of a complete design cycle. this time I am obsessing over turning my home office that I use and need into a dining room – that I don’t really need right now. The design culprit or covet I should say – the Saarinen marble tulip table. Yes, I want to redesign an entire space to incorporate this coveted piece right inside. Well, thankfully for me,  I have this blog to fess up to it and learn more about why I am always mixing it up.

Every now and then (ok every few weeks) I pretty much have to, want to, need to change some design element in my apartment. When I say cycle, I pretty much mean {re}cycle since I am often in the mood to change up my place. Whether it’s something simple and sweet like changing the photos in my frames or something bigger and braver like flipping my entire layout in my main room, I get the urge to recycle my design style. 

Of course I know my desire to mix it up is beyond just an actual product or inspiration that I find on the fantastic blogs and design features out there. I am sure that it stems from an emotional place since truly believe in making a house a home to create a place where I can feel my best self.  That being said, I do wonder what components of my life play into my wanting to redesign my small space so often? Could it be other areas of my life, the ups and downs of living, that plays into this? I’d love to hear your stories on the *urge to change up your home* and how you make it work or let it pass. A big thank you in advance from one small space dweller to another.

Don’t you just love small details in any space? I definitely do – there’s something meaningful – not in a sappy way but in a thoughtful way – love that. I was recently enjoying lovely photographer, Bonnie Tsang’s, blog (seriously, her work is amazing) and I came across a few venues that she has shot. I fell in love with the spaces at Marvimon & Smog Shoppe. Located in Los Angeles, these two event spaces are full of design style, texture and tons of personal touches. From the landscaping to the vintage signs to the oversized letters on the floor-to-ceiling bookcases to the string lights (my fave), these spaces are equally romantic as they are eclectic, cool and relaxed. No matter how big or small your space is, adding a bit of personal favorites will immediately add style to your space. 

I recently snapped up one of my fave new items for my new space – a bright poppy orange felt pillow. (seen above through the lens of my new Hipstamtic app) I loved the texture and style and thought it was the perfect amount of bright orange to go along with my mostly neutral palette (click here to see more). The cheery color and cool felt texture literally makes me feel good which is what it means – to me – to make a house a home. I definitely would recommend using bright colors in small doses in small spaces to add texture and style. How do you add color to your small space?

Check out more pages in the SMALL SPACE DWELLER HANDBOOK right here.

After reading Peter’s A SMALL CHAT last week, I was inspired to think about my soon-to-be small space and how I was going to make it all work. five overwhelming minutes later, I then decided to think about my small space and the perspective I live by – live small with style. Yes!! So many of us live small these days but, let’s be honest, it can sometimes be…a lot. A lot of time to make the space work, a lot of editing to fit all of your near and dear things, a lot of work to infuse your personality into not a lot of square footage. Really living in a small space in both form and function is a lot of effort BUT it’s also a lot of joy.

To be able to enjoy your entire home is pretty amazing, in my opinion. Every part of every room is filled with something that is relevant in both style and want and I love that. Gone are tired or useless items that have no meaning or sense. In my small space, accents and furniture represent things I love, want and care about including my grandmother’s silverware, my danish credenza bought for the most amazing deal, the penny tile mirror side table I coveted and finally bought ten months later, an inspiring leaning mood board, enjoying amazing food on my couch with friends, the art gallery of destinations I have visited, flipping through my stacks of old design magazines and more. not only do they fit but they are meaningful to me. Living small is not always easy (yes, I want more then one main place to sit) but it’s the design journey and end that makes it worth it.

How do you enjoy your small space? Many of you shared your fave small space tips right here. I’d love to hear some more.

:: Photos by me, Rebecca, at The High Line 2010 ::