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

Weekend Project: Stained Side Table

I found this side table while thrifting and knew right away that I had to take it home with me. It had great line, was made of solid wood and had this neat garage style sliding door feature that made it unique! All it needed was a dark stain job and some interesting paper on the inside to hide scratches and it would look like a gem!

I started by giving the side table a quick cleaning to get all the dirt off then began my hours of sanding, (and yes, I mean HOURS of sanding!) Once all the old finish had been sanded off it was time to stain. I used Minwax Wood Finish in an nice dark ebony colour. The Minwax stain is a pretty good choice because it stains and seals the wood, so you don't have to worry about going back and sealing the whole piece.

Once I stained the whole piece and I sprayed the inside of the piece with Restoleum flat black spray paint and covered it with a grey peel and stick cabinet draw protector. I just cut the paper to size, peeled the wax paper back gradually while sticking it down to the bottom of each drawer.

This was a great weekend project and besides the labour intensive sanding it was relatively easy. It now has a home at my brother's place as his night table.

Expanding our Square Footage on Pintrest!

Eight Hundred Sq. Ft. has just joined Pintrest! I'm not quite sure why I am just being introduce to the fabulousness of Pintrest, but seriously! What a great tool! Check out my pin boards like Eight Hundred Sq. Ft. Loves, Fab Furniture, Sq. Ft. You, Small Spaces, and Framsation for bright home decor ideas and fun finds.

If you don't have an account get one pronto. It's a great way to stay organized with items you find over the internet and browse other pin boards for home decor ideas. You can also follow Eight Hundred Sq. Ft. on Pintrest for home decor inspiration and to stay up to date with fun finds like this amazingly sexy painted bias armchair from anthropologie!

No. 1 at the Box Office

I just wanted to take a moment to thank Eugenia Loukain, Mischa Balilty and the whole Blackout Fest Team for an AMAZING show! The event was a total success and the start of something phenomenal. It was a pleasure showcasing my work at the festival and it felt incredible to watch people interact with my pieces (like a mother sending her child off for their first day of school).

Don't fret if you missed the show, check out my 'Seating at the Oscars' and 'Reclaimed Movie Theater Seats' posts for the process of how I gave new life to old movie theater seats.

Jessica Gorlicky sitting in the Grace Kelly Reclaimed Theater Seat

 Sitting in the featured Grace Kelly Reclaimed Theater Seat is the talented Jessica Gorlicky of JESSGO. She specializes in fine, live and abstract art which she demonstrated at the Blackout Fest with live, interactive body paint as she answered her ultimate question: Human Nature. What's Your's?

Philippe Blanchard and Frank Rodick in Spencer Tracy and Ginger Rogers Reclaimed Theater Seats

Artist  in Alex Mcleod in Ginger Rogers Reclaimed Theater Seat

I was so disappointed to have missed the Blackout Fest workshops with these three revolutionary artist. Not only did Philippe Blanchard, Frank Rodick and Alex Mcleod talked about their stories and the choices they made to establish themselves in their field, but also shared a wealth of knowledge in a Q&A session to educate aspiring artist on their journey to success.

Author and Owner of My Beauty Bank sitting in Spencer Tracy

 

Blackout Fest Attendee enjoying Spencer Tracy

 What an amazing experience! Keep your eyes open for the second edition of Blackout Fest. Every years is a new theme featuring talented artists from all artistic backgrounds. I can't wait to see what is in store next year!

Hot for Herringbone!

So I have been having a secret love affair with herringbone everything. Herringbone hardwood; herringbone tiles; herringbone fabric. It's so sexy and timeless! It can fit in any space but imagine the personality and impact it would have in a small space. Swoon... I'm in love!

 

 

My obsession has definitely taken over!  I am going to have to find a way to incorporate this in my space somehow.  I will keep you posted on how my 800 sq. ft. will get its herringbone stamp.

Seating at the Oscars

SPENCER TRACY Reclaimed Theater Chair

 

Spencer Tracy

Spencer Tracy was one of the major stars of Hollywood's Golden Age. He was known for his natural style and versatility. He was one of the greats.With a career that spanned 37 years he was nominated for nine Academy Awards for Best Actor and took home the award for two. He shared the record for nominations for Best Actor with Laurence Oliver.

 LAUREN BACALL Reclaimed Theater Chair

Lauren Bacall

Lauren Bacall was an American actress and model best known for her husky voice and sultry looks. She first emerged on the scene as the leading lady in the Humphery Bogart film To Have and Have Not (1944). Her career sky rocket from there earning a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for her performance in The Mirror Has Two Faces. 

GINGER ROGERS Reclaimed Theater Chair

Ginger Rogers

Ginger Rogers was a well known actress, dancer, and singer who appeared in film, on stage, radio and television for much of the 20th century. She was best known as Fred Astaire's romantic interest and dance partner in a series of ten Hollywood musical films that revolutionized the industry. She has a fiery hot career and won the Academy Award for her performance in Kitty Foyle (1940) and ranks #14 on the AFI's 100 Years, 100 Stars list of actress screen legends.

Reclaimed Movie Theater Seats

When I decided to be a part of the first edition of the Blackout Fest I knew I wanted to do something special for the show. After catching a glimpse for these old theater seats I knew that this was it! Transform old theater seats to something that could compliment the home. Of course theater seats have been place in home before but it's usually done in a media room (when you have the space for a media room) and the seats are bolted to the floor. But what about the rest of us! Should we not enjoy a nice evening watching movies form the comfort of out homes while perched in a movie theater seat, popcorn in hand? Check out the process of me transforming reclaimed theater seats into unique pieces for anyone's home!

 

The final products will be featured at the Blackout Fest from August 10-19! There are 4 designs in total and I will also be featuring each on Eight Hundred Sq. Ft.! Stay tuned!!