Making the Most of Small Spaces

I admire people who thrive under adversity. Ok, that may be a strong statement for small spaces but I have heard folks wimper when they speak of their small rooms. I say buck up little soldier and make the most of it. Here are some great examples...

eclectic bedroom design by portland interior designer Janell Beals - Isabella & Max

This room was done by the incomparable Janell Beals of the famed Isabella & Max Rooms blog. If you've read her blog you know that she is on a mission to make all rooms beautiful... and she does a wonderful job. I wonder if Janell had to measure and measure to find just the right pieces or it they just happened upon her? Look at how effortlessly the night stands fit in. The beautiful serene blue-green with a pop of a warm hue to frame the vignette. Plus a work space at the end for writing notes, homework, or to serve as a vanity table. I love the lamps too with a tiny echo of the warm hue to tie everything together. The chandelier... fantastic. Look at the gorgoues pattern it emanates onto the ceiling. Love it

traditional bedroom design by media and blogs The Lettered Cottage

Here is another great example done by The Lettered Cottage. A twin bed serves as a bed and a sofa. I also love the wall treatment. It takes away the boxy look that often comes with small spaces. I also like the the bare window letting in every ounce of light. Almost anything placed on the window would intrude on the room. However if privacy is absolutely needed, a modern roll shade would do the trick with the least amount of notice. The palette is another factor ~ very quiet and neutral. No need to be overly loud in a space this size.

traditional home office design

contemporary bedroom design by san francisco interior designer tineke triggs

These last two remind me of my post earlier this week ~ a place for everything and everything in its place. Trundle beds are exceptional for small spaces. They can be a sofa, a bed for one, or a bed for two. The other factor in these rooms are the built in cabinets providing ample storage around the perimeter as well has decorative. Well placed sconces can serve as general and task lighting especially if they can be manipulated as these can. Tineke Triggs obvioulsy new that and implemented it well.

So you see, no need to wimper about your small space. Take a look at the rest of the world. So many live in small spaces they have made doing so an art form. You can too with a little thought and a good plan.

A side note ~ folks that have read my blog over time may recall Monday's Method and Thursday's Room. Monday's Method is when people write in for interior design advice. For Thursday's Room, I would select a well designed room and write about it from a 'technical' viewpoit using the principles and elements of good design. I strayed away from these themed posts but I am missing them. I like to be helpful and I like to think through quality design. Timeless Tuesday? Good riddance. Not that there aren't timeless classics to pay tribute to but the link party was a bit of a drag. Will anyone come to my party??!! You know when you send out invitations to a party and the first RSVP is a cancellation and you get that sinking feeling... 'what if no body comes?' It was kind of like that. I probably won't do Monday's Method or Thursday's Room in the regimented manner I was but I will start doing them again.

Soooo ~ if you would like some interior design advice, drop me a note and some pictures. I'll give you the best advice I can using this venue. Email me at paula@paulagracedesign.com. Please place Monday's Method in the subject line ~ I get a lot of email and I don't want to miss it!

Pictures compliments of Houzz

Monday's Method ~

Has this ever happen to you?


This is a common problem when changing counter tops. No they didn't measure or cut wrong. The fact is that walls are rarely straight. A little separation from the wall in places is normal. Why? Because the stone is cut straight but the wall usually ebbs and flows. That is nothing to worry about as the backsplash will cover those gaps. When it is at the end like this, especially with an ogee edge or other ornate edge, the gap cannot be this large. This gap was more that 1/4 inch. But won't the backsplash cover it? No. Here is an ogee edge.

The back splash stops where the curve begins. You can see that in the very first picture. So the gap will definitely be seen. You can 'fix' it like this...

The installer initially filled the gap with caulk. Once this is cleaned up, it may be ok but if you are taking the time and expense to change your counter tops, please do not fix it in this manner. Good stone cutters are craftmen. They can make a piece to fit perfectly in the gap and seal it with an epoxy that will not show.

There we go! The contractor first noticed the gap and the 'fix' and called me. Hmmm??!! When I saw it, I called my counter place. My rep was on maternity leave so I working with a replacement that clearly did not know my standards. After a short but clear discussion, they gap was properly fixed. I understand his position (BTW, be didn't say a peep, he just fixed it) ~ fixing a gap like this takes a bit of time. Cutting the sliver can be difficult and then a second trip out to the job site to install it = material and labor not accounted for in their price. I get it. No, they never charge to fix it correctly ~ that would be a bad business practice. But they may try to fix it in the least expensive manner. The moral of the story is check closely and if there is a gap too large to be covered by tile or cannot be covered, ask them to fix it to your satisfaction. Caveat ~ I do not use places that advertise a complete counter top package for $19.95 INSTALLED. I cannot vouch for things I do not believe. However any reputable company will want you to be happy and want to give you the very best. If they do not have these wants ~ run in the other direction and tell all your friends.

Monday's Method ~

Isn't this an interesting window treatment? This is Cuff Links panels with Haviana sheers. These pictures came right from Robert Allen's Facebook page. I have used Cuff Links before. It is quite elegant actually. This Monday Method I am featuring Larry Laslo's recent addition in Destinations for Robert Allen ~ these creations were inspired by South Florida and Aspen. You can go to Robert Allen and check out the entire line.

What I like about Mr. Laslo's colorways that many are timeless but he gives them new life. Here's a pic with the neutrals I love and one with orange and green, hues that many of my clients have requested...


Here's a few more pics...



Love the sophistication of these chairs.


These fabrics have a freshness about them ~ happy colors to me.

I do use Larry's fabric quite a bit and these are all good examples of why.

See you tomorrow for Timeless Tuesday ~

Monday's Method

This Monday's Method will focus on selecting a color palette. I have received several emails asking how I select a color palette. One reader in particular is loving the turquoise and blue/greens that she is seeing in the marketplace but is struggling to select other hues to compliment it.

Well, I usually start with some type of inspiration piece. Most often it is a piece of art, a fabric, or color found in nature. This is actually a very good way to develop a palette since an artist has already selected colors that work together or a fabric company has put their stamp of approval on it or Mother Nature has crafted beautiful scenery.

I get questions a lot on paint colors. My first question is always "What are we basing the colors on?" Usually after this question, people stare me with a blank expression. I smile and say "First we need to find something that can animate that blank expression ~ something that you love." First find a piece of art, a fabric, and place that you love. Let's take the fabric above as an example. This fabric is from Beacon Hill ~ Verlander in Tourmaline. You can see there are four colors in the palette of this fabric. These colors may begin a palette especially if a blue/green is one of the colors you are enjoying these days.

I must admit, I tend to shy away from placing a great amount of a trend color in a room. I like to develop a 'canvas' of neutrals and then add color in smaller doses. First, I love neutrals; second, if one would like to change out the pop color, it is easier if it is in a pillow versus a sofa. Unless you absolutely love the color and have for years uninfluenced by trends, then I would place a color on a large piece of furniture or on the walls. Accents though is where I place the majority of color.

Here is a piece of art entitled As One by Victor Klauss represented by Art and Frame Source. I love Victor Klauss's work. I have him in several places in my home. The one above, I have in my bedroom (of course!). The palette of the room came from this painting.

It is a simple palette of neutrals (yum!) and red (vavoom!) Hey, it's a bedroom ~ remember ;)

Recall the tweens rooms I am doing... one of them was completely influenced by wonderful scenes in nature. If you don't have a place that can draw from ~ look at great photos captured by a great photographer's artistic eye...

Byron Jorjorian's fantastic work above.

Art, fabric, combinations found in nature are all great places to be inspired for color palettes.

Hey, let's help each other ~ do you have a favorite palette? Share for those looking for inspiration!

I am linking with these fabulous blogs. Each deserves a nice, long visit...

Monday ~
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Little Red House Mosaic Monday

Thursday ~
The Shabby Chic Cottage Transformation Thursday

Saturday ~
Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special

See you tomorrow for the Timeless Tuesday link party!

Monday's Method ~ Blue

No one asked for advice for today and I am tired of showing you new product in the market. So I finally decided to read some of the articles I have saved that intrigued me. If you have seen pictures of my home, you know I am a fan of blue. I love steel blue in particular, which is what I have in my living and sun rooms.

My living room is at the top and here is my sun room. The steel blue is paired with neutrals. I have always loved blue so when I finally got around to perusing House Beautiful's story of blue since the 1930s, I found myself smiling a lot and enjoying almost every picture. Let me show you a few of my favorites...


February 1938; April 1940

Amazing ~ the 1938 design could be done today and still considered fresh. The blue with the chocolate brown ~ love it.


February 1950; June 1953

Isn't that the color in 1950 that is En Vogue this year? The 1953 design is priceless and if implemented today, I would still be drawn to it. I love the touch of red. Remember that touch.


January 1959; November 1965

The palette in 1959 is similar to my home now. There's that color again in 1965 ~ similar to 1953. I love those chairs. There is that touch of red again.


January 1969; September 1982

That is one lovely outdoor space. There it is again in 1982 - shades of turquoise.


December 1984; November 1993

The 1984 one is my favorite. That is a timeless room. In the 1993 room, the wood tones with the blue is striking.


August 2009.

Now we have more than a touch of red with the blue. We have a pairing. Note the back of the chairs. I love this color combination and apparently others have too over the decades.

It is interesting to me how colors, blue in this case, and color pairings come back. I think if a room is done well, it can be down right timeless and always seem 'just completed.' That means it didn't come back ~ it never went away. And that, my friends, is design done well.

If you have a design question, please leave me a comment. That is what Monday's Method is all about. If you have a particular concern with your space, send me a couple of pictures to paula@paulagracedesigns.com. Place Monday's Method in the subject line.

I'll see you tomorrow for Timeless Tuesday. I have a bit of a twist for tomorow's timeless classic.

Monday's Method ~ What's New?

This is Laura Kirar ~ interior and product designer extraordinaire. I read her bio from her website and decided I couldn't really write a better one so here it is ~

"Laura Kirar is the founder and creative director of Laura Kirar*TRU Design. Under her direction the teams in New York and Miami work in tandem to create elegant, innovative interiors and product for the home with timeless sensibility. Laura has shaped the design of an array of interesting projects - from high-end residences to award-winning commercial interiors of restaurants, showrooms and hotels.

A testament to Laura's unique design voice, she holds concurrent product licenses with all four of the Kohler Interiors Group companies: Ann Sacks, Baker Furniture, Kallista Company and McGuire Furniture. Her collections offer a full range of home products from tile and bath fixtures to seating, lighting and accessories. She has also collaborated with Boyd Lighting, Carnegie Fabrics, David Edward Company, Dennis Miller Associates, Tuohy Contract Furniture, Tufenkian Carpets and most recently Arteriors Home launching in the spring of 2010.

A designer with the soul of an artist, Laura completed her degree in sculpture and interior architecture at the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her passion for artistic exploration in numerous mediums has continued to infuse her work with originality and thoughtful attention to detail.

Over the last decade, Laura Kirar's designs have been profiled in many top publications including Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Interior Design, Met Home, Space, Self, Vogue Living, Women's Wear Daily, W, Wallpaper, The New York Times and Time."

Amazing! I have been a fan and admirer of her work since I started in this field. Here are a few of her creations from Baker...







When nobody writes in for advice on Monday's Method, I feature new items in the marketplace. The talented Ms. Kirar has now spun her creativity for Arteriors Home. She's designed lighting, accessories, and wall decor. It gives me great pleasure to showcase a smattering of her new products...


I love this vintage type pendant on the left. I think I'll specify it for a kitchen I am doing.










The wall decor above and below I adore. I can see a lovely grouping of them giving wonderful visual impact.



What are your thoughts? Any favorite pieces?

Of course, if you have design questions, leave me a comment. If you have needs specific to your space, send my a couple of pictures to paula@paulagracedesigns.com. Place Monday's Method in the subject line and I'll be sure to get it.