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