Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Living Large in a Little House

I loved Lizzie Carney's house the moment I saw it in the pages of Country Living Magazine...sleek and urban with a touch of vintage whimsy, she made her tiny 1,000 square foot home a bungalow fit for a princess.  What grabbed my attention most in the article was Lizzie's free-wheeling spirit that allowed her to break all the "Rules" for decorating a small space.  She tossed those out the window and created her own!

Photos Courtesy of Country Living



Old Rule:   Small places require small Furniture.
New Rule:  Tiny often leads to clutter and too much "busy-ness".  Opt, instead, for fewer, larger pieces.





Old Rule:  White walls are a must when square footage is limited.
New Rule:  Dark colors create the illusion of depth in small rooms.  Cozy!




Old Rule:  Cramped quarters call for clean lines.
New Rule:  Ornate, embellished details given even the tightest spots a sense of grandeur.




Old Rule:  Hidden storage is key to keeping a tiny house tidy.
New Rule:  When storage can be beautiful and interesting, why hide it?  Dining room AND wine cellar!




Old Rule:  Get extra mileage out of a guest room by having it double as an office or den.
New Rule:  Turn over the entire room to a single indulgence, like a walk-in closet!

I just love Lizzie Carney's attitude toward life!  Instead of wishing for a larger place to accommodate the finer things in life she turned the reality into her dream!  "Don't wait to enjoy the good stuff," says Lizzie..  "Use your china when eating a hamburger.  If you love a piece of furniture, find a way to make it work."   She definitely makes every day a special occasion in her home.  This cottage gives new meaning to the term "tiny grandeur".  I love it!

~Amber

3 comments:

  1. ...oh my goodness...i just want to go live in that closet...wonderful...

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  2. I too loved this house the second I saw it in the mag. I've torn that bedroom photo out and stare at it constantly, trying to figure out how to get it by my manly man boyfriend!

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  3. OMG! What a talented designer- love,love,love it! Its like a Petit Trianon- fit for a modern day Princess!

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