It's the Little Things

It's the little things that bring beauty to a smaller home.  Large, flamboyant "stuff" is jarring and out of proportion in tight quarters.  Simple everyday objects are an especially beautiful way to add light and color to Jewel Box® spaces.

This morning I cut these white Anabelle hydrangeas and elephant hosta from my garden and arranged them in an old glass vase.  Fresh fruit from the grocery store sits on the black cabinet.  I especially appreciate this fleeting beauty which only lasts until my boys eat the fruit.
 

(Yes, that is me on the left taking this photo.)

The green hosta foliage highlights the vibrant white hydrangeas.

Don't be afraid to 'change things up'.  I often move my fruit platter from the bay window, to the dining room table and back to black cabinet in the course of a week. 

Simple kitchen dish towels can be inexpensive and practical works of art.  These lemon towels hang in my powder room above lemon scented soap brought back from Italy by a dear friend. 

Close up of kitchen dish towels used in my powder room.

A topiary on the powder room window ledge adds another touch of color and complements green lemon leaves in the dish towels.

Topiary reflected in the powder room mirror.

I firmly believe it is important to bring beauty into any space where you spend time.  Not only will it make you feel better, but you will be more productive.  These framed tulip postcards, hang on the wall of my small office.  The frames are from Blick Art and tulips are one of my favorite flowers.

The colors of this thin geode slice have always fascinated me.  Along with polished rocks found in my garden, this stone has followed me from job to job.  Here they rest on a black filing cabinet.

Geode and garden stones.

Photos I took of an old Alaskan copper mine, on a trip to visit my brother, hang above the file cabinet.

Close-up of copper mine.

And this is a favorite photo of the Amalfi.  Again in a simple black frame.

Amalfi photo detail.

A gorgeous paper weight I received from a good friend over 15 years ago occupies the corner of my desk. 

One of my favorite office accessories.

And of course, the most beautiful thing in my life, my family, is captured in photos on shelving directly across from my desk.

May you carry beauty into all the small spaces of your life!


Genevieve

The Cottage Company

My favorite builder of smaller homes is The Cottage Company. This wonderful group of architects and builders, led by Linda Pruitt their president, create what they call 'pocket neighborhood communities' with clusters of compact homes, most from 1,000 to 1,500 square-feet.  Linda and her wonderful team have no idea who I am or that I am posting about The Cottage Company.  But I just have to share these beautiful little homes that are perfect examples of Jewel Box® living.  

Linda Pruitt, President The Cottage Company

I would move into any of these little gems in a 'New York minute!  But the company only builds communities in the Pacific Northwest.  I can only hope that someday they take a chance on the Midwest.  All photos are from The Cottage Company.

I just love this split double dutch door!

How cute is this bedroom!

 

Enjoy your week!

Genevieve

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

No Mess Makeover!

 Photo Courtesy of  Country Living

One thing that always annoys me about some remodeling projects featured in magazines or online is the massive construction efforts required to complete the "look" that the homeowner wanted to achieve.  I don't know about you readers, but my family isn't always up for knocking a wall down here, installing granite countertops there or re-wiring an entire upstairs level just to achieve a vision in my head.  

 Photo Courtesy of  Country Living

Living Area Before

 The thing that most attracted me to this bungalow remodel was, not only the small size of the home, but the fact that remodel was done on a (gasp) budget and there were no major renovations in the form of construction that were performed to achieve their goals. 

Photo Courtesy of  Country Living

Living Area After

With the simple addition of some paint, a rug and a few artfully placed accessories, this living area was transformed into an airy, but cozy room that welcomes each visitor into the home with open arms. 

 

 Photo Courtesy of  Country Living

Dark furniture and an abundance of wall art gave the appearance of too much clutter in the small breakfast/dining nook.

 Photo Courtesy of  Country Living

 By swapping out the old table with a new, round one that fits the area and placing it on a rug with some new light, airy window treatments, this dining area was transformed with no heavy demolition.

 Photo Courtesy of  Country Living

The guest bedroom's striking architecture went unnoticed, due to the dull wall color and outmoded linens.

 Photo Courtesy of  Country Living

With the simple addition of some wallpaper and new, inexpensive linens guests will be thrilled to spend a weekend in this charming space!

 

 

 Photo Courtesy of  Country Living

No room for a claw foot tub or jacuzzi?  No budget for installation of a curtains-free shower?  Not me!

 Photo Courtesy of  Country Living

This dull bathroom now has pizzazz with just a little wallpaper and the replacement of standard fixtures with some unique implements.

I'm not up for major construction.  Please...no dust and demolition and excavation and months of rebuilding!  I love the thought of a new look achieved with some fabric, new fixtures and artful re-arranging of furniture!

~Amber 

Jewel Box® Home Quick Tips - Sofa Magic

My son and buddy 'napping' on the family room sofa.

So how can you keep sofas looking good even though they are constantly used by family members?  Both the human and pet variety? 

My mother-in-law is Italian and she covers her furniture in plastic.  My solution is something I call 'sofa magic'.  Family, pets and all kid 'friends' are only allowed to sit, lounge or sleep on the 'everyday' side of the sofa cushion. 

Notice how faded and worn my family room sofa looks from years of use.  And by the way, that's how couches should look on their 'everyday' sides.  Why do we decorate and create beauty in our homes?  For family and friends to use and enjoy.

But you will want to put your best foot forward for company, so here is the magic part. When guests or visitors come, I flip the cushion to the 'company' side. 

Sofa cushion being flipped.

And here is the 'company' side of my family room sofa cushion.  It looks brand new!  That's because only guest 'behinds' touch the cushion fabric on this side.

Sofa cushion company side up.

Full view of the family room sofa ready for company.

In case you are interested, this fabric came from Calico Corners.  And I don't know why some of the photos look yellow.  I'm still trying to figure out this camera.

'Talk' to you later this week!

Genevieve