Small Spaces: Small and Sophisticated in 580 sq. ft.

Arminé Tatosian, co-owner of AT Design Group, shows that good things come in small packages. Her tiny 580 sq. ft. apartment oozes glamor and sophistication. She fills her space with impact by choosing furniture that compliment her high ceiling, and visually expanding her windows with drapes. Every square inch of her apartment enhances her space both in style and functionality. 

I love her high tufted high back sofa and over scaled barrel light fixture over her dining table.  Definitely big style in a small space. Watch more videos at House & Home TV.

Have a great start to your week Small Space Dwellers!

360 Sq. Ft. Second-Floor Pied-à-Terre

This September House & Home published their small space issue, which I always anticipate because they always have tons of great idea and small space solutions. There was one feature that stood out to me because of how efficiently the designer, Deb Nelson, used her space. Deb found a perfect location for her new home decor boutique in Halifax and decided to carve out a comfortable place to call home above it.

She faced many challenges because the space was only 360 sq. ft., but she did an excellent job of making her second-floor-apartment feel bright and cozy. Let's walk through some of her tips.

Problem: An immovable load-bearing wall.

Small Space Solution: Keep the wall. lose the door. Deb could not remove the wall between her kitchen and her expanded kitchen counter/storage space because she already knocked down one wall in her tiny apartment.  To get around this she decided to maintain the flow of her kitchen by removing the door between her kitchen and her new kitchen extension. Great tip!

Problem: No room for a conventional bed.

Small Space Solution: Customize your own. Deb used two oversized storage benches as the frame to her sleeping quarters. With the addition of a mattress she created a customized bed that could doubles as a sofa when she has guests. She just adds a few pillows and she is set.

Problem: Not enough work space.

Small Space Solution: Multitasking furniture. Almost all the furniture in Deb's 360 sq. ft. gem is multifunctional and moveable. The coffee table folds up; chairs and stools can be pushed aside; and the gatefold dining table can be expanded with the addition of a leaf. This gives Deb the space she needs to spread out and discuss plans with clients.

It has been a fun week Small Space Dwellers. Be bold, live well and have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Much love,

Wooden Barrel Planter Side Table DIY

This is absolutely genius! I honestly love this guy! I mean com'on Joel... so creative! This is so simple I'm jealous that you thought about it before I did!

House and Home's design editor, Joel Bray, transforms an inexpensive wooden barrel planter into a side/coffee table. Not only is this incredibly easy, it's also ridiculously chic! The possibilities are endless. You could leave the natural wood, white wash it, paint the planter in a stripe pattern... I think you see what I mean... endless.

Take a look at how he did it or watch the Easy DIY Side Table video and other genius DIY ideas at House and Home TV.

Fashion Friday: H&H Fashion-Inspired Interiors

Really!? I can't believe it's Friday already! My days are beginning to blend together. Regardless, Friday is always a good day because it means Friday Fever - 50% off everything at the local Goodwill! It also means two more days until House and Home posts their weekly online episodes!

While doing my weekly online home decor rounds, I came across House and Home's Fall 2012 Runway to Room Trend. I'm beginning to become a lover of these fashion/decor style comparisons. Check out some of their favourite fall fashion trends along side their imitated interiors.

Happy Friday Small Space Dwellers!

Small Space: 613 Sq. Ft. Budget Condo

Happy Sunday my fellow small space dwellers! On the weekends I like browsing through House and Home Onile TV. It is an awesome place to get inspired. I especially love when they feature small spaces like this one; 613 sq. ft. condo of Toronto photographer, Jason Hudson. Just like my place Jason has filled his home with childhood mementos and budget friendly Craigslist and antique market finds. I especially like the birdcage turned light fixture that adds a personal and unexpected touch to his condo. Jason also shows us tips about elongating a room with painted horizontal stripes, which is an excellent tip for small space dwellers. He talks about incorporating large furnishings in a small space and working with open storage in a builder basic kitchen.

Watch more Videos at House and Home TV

Eight Hundred Sq. Ft. Feature: Margot Austin's 520 Sq. Ft. Home

Margot Austin, Senior Design Editor for House and Home, shows off her 520 Sq. Ft. mid-century home. Filled with personality, pops of bold colour, and vintage finds, she shows how she has incorporated lighting and furniture to fit her small space. Learn her tricks on style on a budget, layering,  updating kitchen cupboards, and injecting style in a small space!

Watch more videos at House and Home TV

Small Spaces: Stylish 350 Sq. Ft. Studio Apartment

This is a perfect display of stylish living in a small space! I love seeing great design but I especially love seeing great design in the tinniest of spaces. It's almost like we are a whole community of small space dwellers trying to inject life into these boxes that we live in! This 350 sq. ft. studio apartment, designed by Joel Bray, shows how a studio apartment can be transformed into a fabulous home by being sectioned in to functional areas. Seating for 4, a nice cozy "bedroom" and a perfectly sized kitchen. What else can you ask for? Not to mention he's done it with impeccable style. Joel also uses great tricks to make the studio feel spacious, like the cohesive colour palette and the use of dual function furniture. This makes me feel like moving into a studio apartment just to see what I can do with it!

Watch more videos at House and Home TV

Vintage Glam Condo

I absolutely love how Houmen Aromand transformed his 600-square foot builder-basic condo! He didn't shy away for a bold design just because his space is space challeged. In a small space you have to get creative and use every square foot creatively. My heart is throbbing for how he's injected impact into his space from the upholstered wall to the paneled moulding. Goes to show you how space (well... the lack of space) should never jeopardize style!