Teeny Tiny!

 All Photos Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

This cottage is 350 square feet.  Yes, you heard me.  And you thought your house was small.  Tsk, tsk...that'll teach you to complain about your storage space!

This 1930's bungalow is fortunate for the element of light.  It is bathed in natural light and that gives this small space the feeling of being outdoors, larger, more open.  By keeping the room fresh and white splashes of bold, vibrant color, the homeowner embraces the beach cottage feel and makes it her own.

When asked what the biggest design challenge was for this homeowner, she replied " My greatest challenge has been finding storage that serves the dual function of killer design and smart hiding place."  She repurposes items such as kitchen shelves, armoires, and a media cabinet to house her television and her wet bar.

By hanging curtains at the very top of the ceiling the owner of this small space distracts the eye and draws our attention up creating more space.  She also uses a neutral floor covering to trick our eye.

The next time you feel like complaining about your lack of storage, consider this small space and breathe a little easier knowing you can stretch your legs!

~Amber

We Have a Giveaway Winner! Also, Small Space Storage on a Shoestring

The winner in the first ever Jewel Box® Home giveaway is Laney!  To make this completely fair, I had my 20-year-old pick the winning name randomly out of my favorite china bowl.  And I just have to share Laney's insightful, creative entry comment. 

...oh my...we would all love to have fresh flowers everyday of the year...but for many of us that is just not possible...but...we can mix real with the not so real...i have an gorgeous forever orchid in a pot with real moss from my back yard surrounding the base...and i use fern leaves from the porch everywhere...my easter table had fresh moss out ot the yard mixed with tiny pretend violets... everyone who comes through the door always goes to touch the flowers...there are no "nevers" in making your home beautiful and special...

When you get a chance Laney, email your contact information to me at genevieveferraro@comcast.net.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this Jewel Box@ giveaway.  It was such fun to hear all the opinions on fresh versus artificial flowers.  Based on my informal Jewel Box® survey, our group overwhelmingly prefer fresh!  And a quick hello to Doug, the only gentleman to leave a comment.  Click here to see Doug's blog. Thanks for joining in the fun with the ladies Doug!

Now for today's main event, here are Amber's great tips for small space storage on a shoestring.

Those of us in smaller homes know that it can often feel as if clutter will bury us alive.  That is when I covet my friends and neighbors who have ample closet space and multiple junk drawers! So I'm always on the look-out for creative, savvy and stylish storage solutions that are easy on my family's budget!  Here are a few ideas I have found helpful.

I love re-purposing items that I either already own, or can buy for pennies at a Flea Market or discount shop. It gives me a feeling of satisfaction knowing that I have snagged a bargain and what could be better than using that bargain to solve sticky storage problems.

Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

This coffee table was created out of old crates and a barn door.  It's perfect for housing magazines, books and television remote controls without being fussy.

Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Using old moldings or ceiling tiles from an architectural salvage store is a fun way to create shelving for dishes and it can show off your beautiful serving pieces at the same time.  Bonus decor!

Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

I know you've heard me talk about how I used old mailboxes to store my kids' art supplies and school papers.  Look at this darling catch-all solution for mail, car keys and sunglasses!  I love it.  

  Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

A birdbath in the bathroom?  Why not!  Storage for bath salts, lotions, towels and powders?  Perfect.  Whimsical.  Creative.  Right up my alley!

 Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Baskets are my friends!  I love their handy storage-friendly space for blankets, linens and sheets.  These stack-able baskets are ideal for vertical storage.  Think how many blankets I could get in that stack!  I am always on the look out for discounted baskets at my local craft store.  Many with slight flaws are in the clearance aisle and you can get them for a steal!

 Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

I delight in re-purposing old furniture!  I have used armoires, old writing desks and hutches for anything from bookshelves to media centers to a makeshift linen closet.  (Can you tell I have a lot of linens that require storage?  I am a sucker for vintage tablecloths and they always need a home.)  Just look at this pantry made from an old cabinet.  Does your pantry look that tidy?  I know mine doesn't.

Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Instant magazine rack!  Or crayon holder, or sock drawer or towel rack or television remote container or any number of uses...

 

  Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Can't forget Rex!  My favorite re-purposed solution...old childrens' chairs fashioned into an eating center for your doggie. 

Happy weekend!

~Amber

Organizing with Style

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

I love it when a room is both organized and stylish!  A house can be the most perfect looking house from outside, but decorating means nothing when you can't find your car keys or the kids' backpack.  

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

If I use an item daily, I normally leave it out or keep it somewhere within easy reach.  However, just because an item is a necessity doesn't mean it can't be cute and stylish!

 

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

My favorite thing to view in all my home magazines and idea circulars is to see everyday items made functional and lovely.  Look how these keys became a focal point with just a little creative organization.  Love that!

 

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

If something is interesting or pleasing to the eye, who says we can't leave it out on display?  I love the green color of this Kitchen Aid mixer.  Why not leave it out every day?

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

Those of us living in small spaces know firsthand how important storage, organization and functionality are.  When considering organization versus style, try weeding out those items that are not necessarily used more than twice a week.  These items don't need to be left on display unless you love the way it looks.  

 

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

I love everyday objects made beautiful.  I'm a sucker for beautiful soap arrangements, luxurious towels artfully folded and toiletries left on display. 

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

Confucius says  "Everything has beauty.

Storing the Kids When You Don't Have a Basement

A living room for kids and adults.
Photo Better Homes and Gardens

In a small home, finding a place for kids and all their stuff can drive you crazy! Last week I showed you my basement. It's where I store my kids, their friends and everything that goes along with raising children until they come off the family payroll. If you missed the photos click here.

But what if you don't have a basement? Then the kids and their stuff goes in the living room or family room. When my husband I had our first son, we lived in a one bedroom condo. All the kid's toys and gear was stored in the shared living room and eating area off the small kitchen. (We also slept in a futon every night in the living room so our little guy could sleep in a quiet place. But that is another story.) The key to making this work is having attractive closed storage in the room. Take a look these built-in storage solutions.

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Built in cabinet storage makes this family/living room a good space for kids and adults. Use open storage for TV and books, closed storage for games, craft projects and even school work. Here are more room options with built-in storage solutions.

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Media cabinets and armoires are another storage solution that makes the family room or living room a place for the kids.

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

I would not use this coffee table with young children because of the sharp edges. But hard wood floors are a great option for kids. And yes, white can work in a shared living space. Especially if cushions are slip covered and washed on a regular basis.

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Coffee tables and cabinets are also good storage solutions for shared spaces.

Coffee tables with hidden storage.

Photo PotteryBarn

A cabinet with storage and a place to put the TV.
Photo PotteryBarn

Organizing a closet to store kids stuff also works. Take a peek at these great examples. And the closet does not have to be in the room where the kids play.

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

It's never too early to learn how to take out toys and gear, then put it away when finished!

And if you really don't want to look at your TV, here is a clever way to hide it.

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Until next time!

Genevieve

Storage: Kid's Art!

I just love my creative kiddos and I hate to throw away any piece of artwork that they have spent their valuable time creating! But I must admit, it begins to pile up! What starts out as a small collection quickly grows. Here are some fun and creative ways to display and store your child's masterpiece.

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• Take advantage of a trusty old Three-Ring Binder! Let the kids decorate the front, punch some holes in their artwork and file away! Each child can have their own special color.

• Re-use pizza boxes! That's right, a clean pizza box covered in shelf paper is the perfect storage box. Flat and square, they stack easily and fit on most closet shelves, under beds and out of the way!

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• Display new creations by attaching string to a yardstick for an impromptu mobile. Using binder clips purchased at an office supply store, you can switch out old creations with new ones on a weekly basis!

• Scan artwork into your computer and use as your screen saver or digital wallpaper!

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• Purchase inexpensive wooden picture frames and paint them all one color. Frame your little Picasso's drawings and group them together to make a stunning and eye-catching display in their bedroom or in your entryway!

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• One of our favorite ways to display artwork is by attaching a clothesline and clipping art to the line to display a gallery of work. You can also use magnetic strips like the one pictured above, attach a self-adhesive magnet to the art and display!
  

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• What to do about on-going projects? We purchased simple wall-mount mailboxes from the local Home & Garden Supply store and painted them to match our walls. By using alphabet magnets to spell out the kids name we created the perfect spot to store drawings that didn't get finished that day and need to be finished. After all, some art is an on-going work in progress!

~Amber