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

Thursday's Room

This is a room completed by Mica Ertegun of MAC II published in Architectural Digest. I gravitated to this room because of its dual purpose. This is dual purpose done well. Not only is it a lovely dining room but it is a library. What better dinner conversation than the stories in the books that surround you? The art piece of the far wall begins the the story for me. From is flows the palette. Even the placement of books flanking the art work expands the experience. I love the detail of the crown molding. Its fitting for a library. I also like the fact that the room it light and bright painted in a white hue that does not compete with or drown the books. The only change I would make is the ceiling color. I would love to see a soft green that mirrors the upholstered chairs below. Nothing loud, nothing heavy but a little bit of depth. What perplexes me is lighting. There is no chandelier or visible portables or sconces or pin lights. Hmmm?? I am sure it is lit in some interesting way and perhaps if I read the article I would find out :) Still ~ love the space. Thoughts?

Thursday's Room(s)

Today for Thursday's Room(s), I am featuring the work of David Mitchell, also a DC area based interior designer. I was perusing one of my favorite sights, Home & Design, and literally stumbled across this project. I studied the pictures for a bit, formulated some thoughts, and then read the article. Here are some more photos...

Here are my thoughts... what I love about this work is the soft palette which allows the individual pieces and elements to shine. But that is not what caught my eye ~ the juxtapositions did. If you read my blog, you know that I adore juxtaposition in designs. This element allows maximum interest and almost never allows redundancy (aka boring). He's masterful at this. The very first picture boasts this so well ~ note the traditional wood chair next to the contemporary side table ~ the connection?? ~ the curves! Understated voluptuous is what I would call it. Is that even possible? Yes, yes it is. The marriage of old and new find its way into each segment of his design. In the dining room, the contemporary buffet appears effortless in the traditional space. He kept the chandelier simple which amplifies the palettes airiness. You can read the article for yourself. It was fun to read after forming my own impressions. I like his philosophy which the homeowner also appreciated. My hat is off to Mr. Mitchell this Thursday. Well done, David. Well done.

Thursday's Room(s)

It's all in the details...


The wonderful Mariette Himes Gomez published in Elle Decor


The brilliant Albert Hadley published in Elle Decor



















The next four are compliments of Houzz ~ the fabulous Amy Lau and Tracy Murdock

modern home office design by new york interior designer Amy Lau Design

modern living room design by new york interior designer Amy Lau Design

mediterranean bedroom design by los angeles interior designer Tracy Murdock Allied ASID

eclectic bedroom design by los angeles interior designer Tracy Murdock Allied ASID

It is very difficult for my when a client stops just shy of the accessories. They figure they'll pick them up eventually. Please ~ never, never stop short of the accessories. It's what brings the design to life!

Thursday's Room(s)

Have you ever come across a designer or architect that you just admire and return to their work for inspiration frequently? For today's Thursday's Room, I wanted to share an firm that I continually return to ~ Kanner Architects . These photos are compliments of Houzz. They are the creme de la creme for modern design. Take a look...

modern landscape design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern exterior design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern pool design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern pool design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern living room design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern dining room design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern living room design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern dining room design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern living room design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

Inside and out, each project is a masterpiece. I would love to work with them someday. They seem to draw clients with extraordinary locations with magnificent views. Each and every time, they make the most of those views and that is a wonderful thing!

Do you have a favorite?

Thursday's Room

eclectic living room design

This is different type of room from what I am normally drawn to ~ at least palette wise. But this room captivates me and draws me in. I am completely smitten with it. Why? Let me tell you... You know I am a fan of Houzz where I found this lovely photo. I continually go back to Houzz to check my idea folder (I only have one) to see if I am still attracted to what I have placed in there. Some I still love, some I wonder why I even put them in. But this one still makes me smile every time. Why?! It is a happy room with a wonderfully sweet color palette and just enough pop to satisfy me. It also has lovely variety. At first, all I saw was the soft blue. I love blue ~ a big fan. Usually, it is not the powder blue types but I don't see this as powder blue. The wall has a smidge of red in it leaning it toward the lavender and the chair fabric has a touch of gray making it easy on the eye and giving it staying power. Then I noticed the wonderful pinks, green, and orange ~ some not so soft and a great contrast to the blues. A bold motif on the back of the chair serves almost like a wink inferring 'I'm not always a kitten'. The painted panels on the doors give my eye a great rest and interest to absorb. They also add a rhythm dancing across the room. After the colors, panels, and motif, I noticed that all the chairs are different offering unique seating ~ something for everyone. How considerate! All furniture has exposed legs ~ I love nice legs (on almost anything). Soft and sweet, sexy and sassy all at the same time. Hmmm... maybe that's why I can relate so well to this room ;)

Thursday's Room(s) ~ The Banquette

traditional kitchen design by san francisco architect W. David Seidel, AIA - Architect

I am working on two kitchens right now ~ among other things. In one of them, I am using a clever method of gleeming a comfortable dining space within the confines of the room AND adding extra storage. I need to seat five daily and more when family and friends visit. Enter the banquette. This smart detail has been around for centuries. Today, it is used effortlessly in kitchens, dining rooms... any room that would like a section for dining and the convenience of extra storage. Here are some examples I found on Houzz...

modern kitchen design by seattle architect Rhodes Architecture +Light

home design by apartmenttherapy.com

modern dining room design by san francisco architect Mark English architects, AIA

traditional kitchen design by san francisco architect Anne Forell Architecture

contemporary kitchen design by san francisco architect Schwartz and Architecture

I love this kitchen and the position of the dining area.

modern dining room design by new york architect Dufner Heighes Inc

This application is perfect. I love the finish and the interest with the shelving.

dining room design

dining room design

So cozy!

What I love about them is they transcend all design styles. Some above have no cushions. I wouldn't be able to sit on them for very long without getting.... well.... a butt cheek ache. I understand the look especially if wonderful wood with an elegant grain is used. Still... my butt cheeks come first. I'll use cushions.

What do you think... cushions or no cushions?

Thursday Room ~ Shall We Continue?

It was a pretty dreary day for this portion of the tweens installation... the rain was cold, sky dark. Yuk! Here is some the Byron Jorjorian's wonderful photography. The colors are so vibrant but it is not captured here ~ phooey! Remember I said once we have more items in the room, I'd decide on whether the fan blades would need to be painted or not? Well.....

As the lush leaf hued drapes went up, the yellow blades came down. I'll have them painted in the same white as the walls. That will make them pop off the purple ceiling. The wallpaper still has to go up. The fabrics on the bed are the ones you saw all wrapped up last week. The mirrors were installed in both rooms. In this festive room ~ the chaise arrived and guessed who tried it out...

Remember him loving the painters and all their tools....


Yeah, he loves the chaise too. I LOVE the fabric! The mirrors are floor to ceiling opposing the wallpaper and bed. Every female tween needs a full length mirror to see how they look in each and every outfit. I think mom is a bit jealous now ~ she doesn't have a full length mirror ~ yet!

The colors are vibrant but only three repeat in the space ~ purple, dark pink, and green. Each is in the bed fabrics and on the chaise. Others elements in the room that are not neutral are also in these hues ~ drapes, custom rug. The way to add interest is with pattern and texture. You see this grand damask on the chaise nicely complements the striped duvet and other textured solids. Yum!

What about the other room?...

That room also had the woven shades and stationary panels installed. This is Jeff ~ my installer. He was camera shy. Here's his assistant ~ Joe...

I was trying to get him to flash his cool tattoos but he was even more camera shy. Here's a true story... the first time I used these guys, who were highly recommended ~ this is years ago now, when I first saw them I thought, 'These big burly hoodlums are going install my delicate drapes and hang my precious art??!! YIKES!!' And they did ~ with precision and grace. Joe is the best dresser I have ever seen. He makes the drapes look perfect each time with his nimble hands. Jeff and I often go back and forth on how straight the art is. He knows exactly how I want my window treatments and art hung ~ fabulous!

This room got mirrors too...

And the bookcase was placed and art and candle sconces hung but I didn't snap a picture of that ~ sorry.

I don't think there will be much more my friends until June :(

Guess I'll have to look for more well designed rooms to show you and talk about the principles and elements. Maybe I'll show you one of my other projects... decisions, decisions....

Thursday's Room ~ Tweens Continued

Wouldn't it be wonderful if installations were in one day like they are on HGTV?! Yeah, right ~ In the real world things don't happen like that. An installation can take weeks or months dependent on how much customization there is in the project.

Today I continue with the tweens rooms. The fabrication items are completed. The art has arrived. So has the wallpaper. Here's a sneak peak for the room with the purple ceiling...




The picture just above is the smattering of fabricated items that will be installed. Never mind the sofa they are laying on ~ we haven't gotten to that room yet :)

Here's the other room...



Both girls' drapes hang in a spare closet awaiting their debut...


It won't be long now my little dearies.... No I am not speaking to the tweens. I am speaking to the lovely furnishings that are patiently waiting to strut their stuff. It amazes me how attached I can become to a design. Awaiting the installation can be both exciting and nerve racking. Then comes the day that the full design is revealed and the joy is experienced by all. I cannot wait! There is something special about doing kids rooms though ~ creating a space only for them that illustrates who they are. It really is pure pleasure!