How To Live Large In A Small Condo

Living in a small space can be tricky and sometimes hard. If you are living in a small apartment or downsizing, don’t go the typical small space decorating route. 

Instead, rely on this 10 small space decorating secrets that can help it to look bigger, better and brighter.

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1. Open Concept 

When living in a really small condo, it`s very important to try removing all the unnecessary walls. Having the open-concept floor plan will create great flow in the space, more light and therefore feeling of having more space in general.

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2. Go Big

Common misconception with small spaces is to use small furniture. That sound kind a logic, but, it`s totally wrong! Filling the space with a lot of small pieces of furniture will make it feel cluttered and messy. Instead of making a big mish-mash of smaller items, use less furniture, but choose bigger pieces. This will anchor the space and provide more seating/storage space and overall feeling of order and style.

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3. Be creative

Speaking of storage, this is one of the biggest issues with small spaces. So, think outside the box and be creative. For example, using a really inexpensive storage units from IKEA can be a great solution. You can customise them with a new knobs, paint or even wallpaper to stand out and reflect your style, or to blend with the walls and "disappear". Other great idea is to use IKEA (or some other) storage bench on one side of a dining table. Add two, three or as much as you can. It can function as a storage and the seating at the same time. Just change the knobs with some stylish ones and you will have a great space saver. 

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4. Make a Termination Point

By putting the piece or furniture, like beautiful credenza in front of the window in the living room, you can make a focal point and a terminational point in the space. This way you`ll have a beautiful vista when you come in.

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5. Keep everything open

To keep the space light and airy, use furniture with open back, furniture on a long, slim legs or glass/acrylic furniture. This way your eyes will travel through and furniture will not feel chunky. 

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6. Make statement with art and accessories

Accessorizing any space is a key to show of who you are. So, it is  very important to chose right pieces, since you`re dealing with a limited space and have to chose less items. Things like art, blankets, pillows, decorative pieces will round up your story and really show your style. My suggestion is to chose big art pieces that really mean something to you and cover the space on the wall above the sofa. For the dining room you can use big, statement mirror opposite the window to make space bigger and filed with light. Stay away from cluttering the open shelves with a bunch of small items, use few bigger instead and always leave a negative space around it to make it feel airy.

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7.Wisible bed as a focal point

Often in a small condo you can`t really hide the bed. So, why not make it a focal point. Dress it up with a nice decorative pillows and blankets and it will look almost like a daybed. And don`t be afraid to show it, we all have to sleep, right? Another good idea for the "bedroom" is to use a cute chairs instead of the nightstands. This way they will serve a double duty and you can pull them out for extra seating whenever you have guests. 

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8. Hiding stuff away is a way

Use storage bins, baskets, old suitcases or anything you have to hide away anything you don`t want to see. It`s perfectly ok to have stuff, but you don`t want things everywhere in the space. By using bins, baskets etc., you can stay organized even in a smallest space. 

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9. Change accessories

Living in a small space can make you feel squeezed and boring. Changing small details and accessories seasonally, are the breath of fresh air in a space and makes everything feels new and refreshed. After all, accessories are the cheapest way to make the change any time you want and they will make the space look different and put together.

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10. Leave space to evolve over time

Being a blogger and home decorator and living in a small condo for a long time, makes me realized that it is a task that is never done. As time goes by, our needs are changing and the space evolves with them. So I always move things around, add new or get rid of things we don`t use/need any more. There is no rule, so go with the flow and organize your space in the way to serve your needs and makes you happy.

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These are the tips I use in the space, and the result is a condo that has all the comforts of a house. Hope you`ll find them helpful!

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Rules Of Design

This post was created in response to invitation from Invaluable.com, world`s premiere online auction marketplace. People for Invaluable came across my blog, and after checking it out they thought I would be perfect for a project they're running. They're looking for bloggers to share with their readers their top three tips and tricks for designing a room. 

The question is how do I get inspired and what are the focal points in a space: furniture or artwork? What adds the finishing touch to a space? 

So, let see....

For me, interior design is creative process that never ends. It`s that eternal urge to make every space beautiful and functional.

But, if I have to put in three rules, it will be:

Rule No 1: Shape and function

First important thing is the shape and size of the space. It`s because they are the deciding factor in the choice of furniture or appliances. Choosing the right pieces makes all the difference, because choosing the wrong pieces creates the impression of crowded and cluttered or empty, unfinished space. Another key element is function of the space. Every good design plan most certainly depends on fact who is going to live in it, and for what they are going to use it.

Rule No 2:  Make it personal

If you want to turn living space into a really home, it`s going to need your personal touch. Your own selection of colors, patterns and artistic items can make all the difference. Because, it`s never enough to have good and functional furniture and appliances. They are only the starting point in a process of creating a home. Without that special, personal touch, it`s only a hotel room for me. No matter how much we all love luxury hotel suite, all the same we have that wonderful feeling when we get back home. That`s why my answer to the question have to be: artwork and collectibles. Of course, sometimes furniture also can act like art (and lately very often are), but for me artworks and collectibles are the focal point that makes house a home. A good new piece of artwork may cause  "attack of madness" and make me turn my whole house upside down in order to make it work in the space. 

For example, this fabulous Andy Warhol`s poster La Grande Passion Poster (see all the details here), I found at Invaluable's fine art page. That piece blows my mind!! Such a bright, vibrant summery colors! As you all know, I recently styled my bar, so I think this poster would be a great complement above it. Also, it goes perfectly with summer colors I choose for my home and makes me think of delicious cocktails that we are going to make whole summer.

Rule No 3: Mix and mach

When I go back and think about my home, all the changes we have, I realize that my style can hardly be categorized as one particular style. Fine dose of eclecticism is really what works for me. The last few years I was mostly attracted to French country and Shabby chic, but also there was always a desire for a slightly different styles that include some modern and chic elements. 

When I`m buying things for my home, I always chose things that means something to me and makes me feel good. To mix and mach everything you have is not that hard. The most important thing is that you like it and feel good and relaxed in the space. Of course, I always try to take care of rule No. 1 (I fail sometimes, but it`s ok). That`s the main reason why I chose to design my home. Using my creative mix of furniture, inspiring artwork, books and details, we got a happy space tailored just for us.

Vesna 

Nostalgic But Fresh - Midcentury Modern

When

Midcentury modern style reappeared in our homes after more than a four decades. It`s nostalgic but fresh style and it`s wildly popular in interior design this days.

Just as the name implies, this style appeared in the middle of the 20th century, and it was occupying our homes from the mid-1940`s to 1970`s. It`s uncomplicated, fresh aesthetic derived from a desire to take design into the modern era with a bold new lines.

Midcentury modern's emphasis on pared-down forms, contemporary patterns and natural materials creating a functional and chic style.

Centers of the Mid Century Modern aesthetic was in the United States, Britain, Japan, and Scandinavia. In the U.S., Herman Miller produced iconic chairs for Charles and Ray Eames, as well as the famous Marshmallow sofas for George Nelson. Knoll made interesting wire chairs for Harry Bertoia and cool, Tulip chairs for Eero Saarinen. But they were not the only one, there were so many more great designers, like Ernest Race, Isamu Noguchi, George Nakashima, Børge Mogensen, Arne Jacobsen etc.

Why:

But, the real question about Midcentury modern is why is so popular this days? Well, we all know since the dawn of human civilization we have looked to the past for inspiration. Nostalgia also plays a big role in how we choose things to surround ourselves with. And we must admit, a lot of our preference for a certain style comes from our subconscious. These hidden memories of the happy childhood keep the past alive in the present, evoke warm feelings and provide us a sense of security in the modern era when life is filled with so much hard work, modern technology and a little free time for our family and friends. After all, it`s only natural we all want more of that good feelings in our present.

So, if you are middle-aged (like me) and you miss just a little bit your childhood home, maybe you`ll like it and want to see it again in your home.

But, even for those who can't recall it from the past, the mid century modern design has great value, because minimalist sensibility and style is in focus again. Younger generation appreciate the simplicity and beauty of this design because it`s fresh, uncomplicated and it looks great with any other style.
Where:
There are countless stores and websites devoted to Midcentury modern tastes. One of them is Chairish, place where design lovers buy and sell. So, If you are looking for some great pieces of furniture, lighting, decor, accessories and other things for you or your home, you can find them here. Few days ago, sweet Holly, Community Manager at Chairish, email me. She told me how people in Chairish likes my blog, admire my design taste and style and thinks I`m a perfect fit to take on their exclusive Mix n Match Style Challenge? She asked me am I up for the challenge? Of course I`m up for the challenge!! So, I put together some idea boards using some of pieces form Chairish and mix and match it with other styles. Hope you like it!
Tips:
For the end of story, few small tips. Easy way to add Midcentury modern style to your home without breaking the bank is to combine it with style you already have in your home. It will make it fresh, crisp and modern, and you`ll feel as you have a brand new home. As always, selecting right colors is always the first step to planning your interior, since it leads to your furniture and decor selection. Speaking of color palette, Midcentury modern tend to combine darker neutral tones with saturated accent colors. Also, it`s very important to find right Midcentury patterns when picking the rug and fabrics for your curtains, cushions and upholstery, so chose asymmetrical, abstract patterns. When you are picking lamps and table lamps, chose either very straight, geometric lines or round, curved contour, mostly made of finished metal. And finally, don’t be afraid to break the rules and be creative. Mix and match and create something that pleases your eye. After all, you are going to live in that space.

Here is a list of items I used in my boards (all from Chairish):

Mid Century Nelson Style Walnut Table Clock
Mid Century George Kuvacs Ceterpillar Lamp
Mid Century Gold Bamboo and Glass Coffee table
Mid Century Modern Silver Banded Table Lamp
Mid Century Modern Sofa by Kroehler
Mid Century Modern Splash Oil Painting
Mid Century Venini Chandelier
Mid Century Modern Walnut Credenza Dresser
Modern Thonet Bentwood Chair
Restored Hollywood Wakefield Aristocrat Sofa
Retro Style Sunburst Clock
Spectrum Design BR.02.7 Sofa
Painted Bergere Louis XVI Style
Autentic Mid-Century Dunbar Desk
Wathered Blue Wooden Pentry

Vesna