Little House Big Color

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

Amber has a real treat for us today!  Wait till you see this gorgeous colorful little house!

Sand, sun, water and wind.  I love the beach.  It makes me think of soft color palettes, light blues and sandy whites, pale yellows, starfish and seashells.  This little 600 square foot beach cottage off the coast of Nantucket is anything but pale.  Its vibrant colors pop against a pale backdrop of light green and brown. 

Photo Courtesy of Country Living 

The bright red walls remind me of cherries in glass bowls and shiny lobsters ready to be boiled for dinner!  I love the stripes on the couch that seem to unify the multi-colored walls and flooring and doors.  Lovely!

  Photo Courtesy of Country Living

This homeowner was not afraid to paint everything in sight including furniture, doors and ceilings too!  I love the way they created a work of art just by using color.

  Photo Courtesy of Country Living

Each room in this little house has variation-not one room or floor or ceiling is the same color.  Here in the dining room a coral shade decorates the walls, while when looking into the kitchen you can clearly see a hot pink floor!  No fear in this house!

  Photo Courtesy of Country Living

This powder room off the kitchen was fitted for a washer and dryer and even has a small freezer concealed behind linen curtains.  What a stylish way to solve a space issue!

  Photo Courtesy of Country Living

Painting the wide-planked floors in stripes gives dimension to this tiny bathroom.  What a cheery, bright room!

The Homeowner's Rules for Color:

TEST: "For an accurate assessment, paint pieces of shirt cardboard to make large samples and tape them to a wall. Stand eight to 10 feet away with your back to them, and look at them in a hand mirror. It helps you see the color in perspective."
BALANCE: "If you have strong color on one wall, you need to balance it with another strong color."
DON'T MATCH: "It looks too perfect. Nature doesn't work that way; neither should interiors. It's variations in a room that give it depth and personality."
TRY GLOSS: "Not only is a gloss finish more durable, but light bounces off the colors to add life and make small rooms appear larger. It looks fabulous at night!"

This house makes me want to visit our home improvement store this weekend and buy some cans of paint!  Happy weekend!

~Amber  

The Not So Big House

While sipping my coffee and watching CBS Sunday morning on this lazy Sunday I was excited to hear a snippet about a new book that was recently released.  "The Not So Big House" by Sara Susanka is another affirmation to those of us living in smaller homes that shares the value system of embracing the characteristics of creating home in whatever sized abode you find yourself in.

She shares many tips on remodeling, decorating and adjusting to the lifestyle of living in a smaller home.  My favorite part of the clip was her before and after shots of her own remodel.

"Before"

Photo Courtesy of The Not So Big House

"

"After"
Photo Courtesy of The Not So Big House

Sarah's home in North Carolina is her example of taking a "run of the mill" home with good bones and transforming it into a comfortable and personal abode.

"Before"

Photo Courtesy of The Not So Big House

"

"After"

Photo Courtesy of The Not So Big House

 Her "Not So Big Remodeling Tips" show how to implement remodeling concepts on a "Not So Big" budget.

 

"Before"

 Photo Courtesy of The Not So Big House

"After"

 Photo Courtesy of The Not So Big House

Her books talk about using less expensive options like the quartz composite product she used on her counter tops as an alternative to more expensive materials.  

 "Before"

Photo Courtesy of The Not So Big House

  "After"

Photo Courtesy of The Not So Big House

The "Not So Big" books focus on remaining in your home while the remodel is taking place.  A realistic alternative to many modern remodeling tips on the market today.  

 "Before"

Photo Courtesy of The Not So Big House

 "After"

Photo Courtesy of The Not So Big House

I enjoyed seeing Sarah replace her old stackable washer and dryer with larger, energy-efficient front loading appliances.  Many people assume stackables are always space savers.  While most times they are perfect for small spaces, here the new appliances allowed for a counter top above and an instant work surface.

   "Before"

Photo Courtesy of The Not So Big House

 "After"

Photo Courtesy of The Not So Big House

Sarah's informative approach to educating America about the New Urbanism in modern day urban planning is helping to spread the word about satisfying lifestyles in smaller homes.  I am looking forward to getting my hands on her newest book!

~Amber

Friendly Fridays: Catalog Inspiration

This has been a busy week filled with 'catching-up' from vacation.  So today, instead of visiting someone's home, I'd like to introduce you to one of my favorite catalogs, Wisteria.  

Any of these pieces would work beautifully in a smaller space.  My favorites are the black spindle chair in the Americana Living Room, the black and white sofa in the Global-Inspired Living Room and the lemon wall prints in the Lemon Print Buffet Room.  Wisteria is not cheap, but it's great for inspiration.  And once in awhile it's nice to buy a really special piece.

Enjoy your weekend!

Genevieve

Landscaping Tips for Small Spaces

So you don't have a backyard that allows for swimming pools, water features and lush rolling areas of soft grass.  That doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice landscaping and flowers to brighten your garden or welcome guests to your front door!  There are some great tips for maximizing space and impacting your small yard with lovely landscaping.

Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Large container gardens make a big impact but can also take up too much space.  By using smaller containers, that are also portable, you can make a statement wherever you need color!  

 Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

 Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Use vertical space!  By using plant stands, lattices, and even fences to train plants to grow vertically, you can create beautiful focal points without taking up a lot of ground.

 Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

 Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Patio furniture can easily eat up all the space on a deck or porch.  Keeping outdoor accessories on the small side helps to make the most of your space.  Don't be afraid of color or using one large piece of furniture, like a lovely table for an eating area or a settee and ottoman to lounge in the sun!

  Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

While a full-grown spruce can get more than 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide, columnar varieties such as the one pictured above get no more than 6 feet across. Look for these narrow types to save space.  There are many varieties of trees and shrubs that grow tall and narrow to accommodate small areas.  

 Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Play with color!  By painting doors, shutters or even patio furniture in bright and cheerful colors, you can allow for beautiful focal points even on winter days when nothing is in bloom.  

Landscaping and lush foliage doesn't have to be relegated to the large-scale gardener.  Using a few smart tips can help create a lovely landscape for your home!

~Amber

Friendly Fridays: Lake Geneva Vacation

This Friday, I'm taking you to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, a small resort town two hours northwest of Chicago, on the shores of a beautiful natural lake.  I've been here this past week on a short vacation.  And I was able to tack on a couple of days all to myself without the family.  It was heaven!

Lake Geneva

A 21 mile walking path circles the lake and winds past all the gorgeous water front summer cottages, as the locals call them.  Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours on the path and my 'big house envy' returned in full force.  As I passed one stunning lake house after another, I couldn't help but wonder, do the people who live in these houses realize how fortunate they are?  And where do they get all this money?  More surprising to me was the sight of toddlers and small children playing on the lawns and beaches of these homes.  I would have loved to provide my children with this life and these opportunities at such a young age.  (Excuse me while I force my 'ugly side' back into the closet.)

(All photos are from Chicago Home and Garden magazine.)

Earlier in the week I visited Lake Geneva's town and browsed the shops.  I was a good girl and didn't buy anything.  But just look at some of these darling stores!

Refined Rustic

Cornerstone Shop and Gallery

Lilypots

These finger vases were calling to me.  But I resisted temptation!  

Did you take a vacation this summer?  Or maybe you had a 'staycation'.  Amber and I would love to hear about it.

~ Genevieve

Help For Kids Bedrooms!

My kids rooms are always on the cusp of taking over the house!  With two growing girls, make up, toys and stuffed animals spilling into the hallway I am constantly nagging at them to regain order in their little girlie world!  Did I mention they share a room?  I love the clean, simplified style of interior designer Sergei's children's rooms.

Below Photos Courtesy of Home Designing

Most designers seem to have all the space in the world to deal with when children's rooms are the feature.  Areas where storage and play room is no issue.  Large desks and window seats are abundant and queen sized beds are covered in matching stylish duvets and pillowcases.  That could never happen in my 1,200 square foot house.  We scrape every square inch together to maximize living space.  That includes the kids' room!  Sergei works with less space and creates more out of it.  Study spaces, adequate storage for clothing, professional lighting, room for books and even creative ideas for sharing a room or guest sleepovers...all done in a realistically small area.  I love Sergei!

~Amber

Friendly Fridays: Bungalow remodel

I am a sucker for fixer-uppers and so when I stumbled upon this charming 1910 bungalow that just underwent a major renovation I had to share it with you!

Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

I just love old homes!  There is just something about mature trees, wrap around porches and creaky wooden floors that pull at my heart strings so this home just called to me to share it as a Friendly Friday Feature this week.

Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

In this extensive remodel the bungalow received the addition of a new dormer and an attic conversion into a beautiful master suite.  

 Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

By transforming the existing attic space into the master suite, the homeowners added an extra 800 square feet of living space to their home and included a new bath and dressing area.

 Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

 Upon the discovery of termites infesting the kitchen, the homeowners completely gutted it and started from scratch.  In keeping with the period feel of the house, they incorporated beadboard cabinets and slate flooring so the kitchen would be a reflection upon the entire style of the house.  

  Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

I love the multi-functional use of the dining room!  Lacking extra sleeping space the owners of this bungalow purchased a convertible daybed for guests which they placed in the dining room.  Careful arrangement of furniture and the closing of pocket doors convert a dining room into a functional guest area for a quick visit! 

 Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

And perhaps my favorite part of the home...before the remodel, the old home didn't have air-conditioning, so this part of the home was used as a sleeping porch on hot summer nights. Now enclosed, the air-conditioned porch makes for a perfect breakfast room with views of the backyard!

Happy Friday!

~Amber

Small Kitchens

Oh kitchens kitchens kitchens!  One of the most frequently used rooms in the house, but often one of the most inconvenient.  In smaller sized homes, the kitchen can often be full of challenges and especially in older homes before modern convenience was a priority, the kitchen can be full of hidden frustrations.

I once had a kitchen that had cabinet drawers that could only be opened if the dishwasher was open first.  And another small kitchen whose refrigerator door couldn't open all the way because the galley-style counters were so close it wouldn't allow it.  I've also had kitchens with inadequate counter space and storage has always been an issue.  But I love small homes, so I just deal with the quirks and get creative. 

Photo Courtesy of This Old House

One way to maximize storage is to get creative with shelving!  Not only does it make the kitchen more functional, keeping cookbooks, utensils and frequently used dishes within easy reach, but it looks so nice and stylish!

Photo Courtesy of This Old House

Don't shun the galley-style kitchen!  While most of us roll our eyes at that layout it is actually very efficient when short on space and makes cooking easy because you don't have to walk so far to get to your stove or refrigerator!

 Photo Courtesy of This Old House

The addition of windows to any room creates the feeling of openness and light!  And its always more pleasant to do dishes while looking out a window!

 Photo Courtesy of This Old House

Pot racks!  Pot racks!  Pot racks!  I love them!  They get your big bulky pots out of your beloved cabinet space and they are so handy and accessible.  

 Photo Courtesy of This Old House

Undercabinet lighting adds appeal and dimension to a small space.  I love the chalkboard on this kitchen's ventahood!  

 Photo Courtesy of This Old House

Utilize kitchen drawers!  Big drawers are handy for holding much more than just silverware!  Pots and pans and rarely used appliances can be stored in oversized drawers.

 

 Photo Courtesy of Country Living

Sometimes reconfiguring appliances helps with efficiency too.  In this small kitchen the dishwasher is placed between the sink and range for easy clean up.
 

 Photo Courtesy of Country Living

Don't think small kitchens can't house tables!  Bistro tables or small patio tables can be used for an intimate breakfast or quick lunch!  And the stools in this kitchen are just right for this tiny space.  Just push them under the table to provide more walking room.

Kitchens have been called the heart of the home for years.  Embrace yours today!

~Amber