My 800 Sq. Ft. - Fall/Winter 2012

Hello All! It's been a somber past week for me and I haven't posted in a while, but I am back on my 'feet' and ready for paint and shenanigans. I've missed you!

I've realized that I've done many small space tours but haven't done a formal tour of my own small space dwellings. So com'mon in, take off your shoes... Welcome to my 800 Sq. Ft! (I want to make sure that you all get a full tour, so I will take you around my space in several posts. Here is my living/dining/kitchen)

Apartment Tour: Meredith & Gwyneth, The New Yorkie

All weekend I was in design mode working on making a bachelor apartment feel like home for a single gal that just moved into the city. I am super excited about the project! Her place is a blank canvas with great bones and is turning out wonderfully so far. Don't worry, you will all get first eyes on the finished project and my DIY timbits along the way.

Now while I was looking for inspiration and a design direction for the 'Single Gal' Bachelor, I came across the apartment tour for Meredith & Gwyneth, The New Yorkie; a blog about Meredith and Gwyneth and their design adventures of making New York feel like home. I particularly like this home tour because it shows how a generic, parquet floor cover, white walled pie in the sky, you-know-the- ones-I'm-talking-about apartment can be personalized into a beautiful apartment of style. Not to leave out the fact that she as done it all in 470 Sq. Ft! This is what it is about! Living and loving life and a place, however small, that you can call your very own... I love it!

Check out Meredith & Gwyneth, The New Yorkie and their apartment tour.

Suitcase Side Table

Since I decided to give my bedroom a refresher I have been looking for a side table that would compliment the style of my room. I wanted something atypical. I thought may be an old vintage metal stool or a thrift find might do the trick but they didn't end up having the look I was going for.

I finally decided to go with a piece that I had made for the Blackout Fest Art show that I was a part of this summer. It added the unique collected vibe to my bedside that I was craving!

I sprayed the suitcase with Restoleum Clear Coat to seal the case and give it a bit of a shine. If you are trying to replicate this I would suggest covering any leather with painters tape to protect it and giving the case two coats of a clear spray paint.

I found these legs on an old table at the Goodwill thrift store by my Mom's place. I only wanted the legs from the table and didn't want to have to haul the whole thing to my car so I asked the store clerk if I could purchase the piece and just remove the legs. For $6 I thought it was worth it! The man thought I was crazy when I pull out my Fuller Switch-A-Bit Screwdriver from my purse and got to work...lol

Unique and functional. The case also still opens up and provides a bit of storage for me to stash things away. I'm loving it so far. Let me know what you think!

307 Sq. Ft. Manhattan Apartment

This is a great Sunday morning find! Editor, Sarah Humpherys' 307 Sq. Ft. 1830s New York apartment, featured on MarthaStewart.com is the perfect example of how great space planning, cleaver ideas and the right furniture can ease the squeeze in a small space. Her previous over-sized furniture was swapped out for tailored pieces and repainted with a cool blue tone to help make the space feel light and airy. She also has sheer linen curtains hung on hospital tracking to hide her kitchenette when not in use. There are tons of great ideas here to ENJOY!

Tufted Headboard DIY

When I first moved into my place, I bought one of those wooden box-like headboards from Ikea where the side table slides in and out from the side. It served me well, but I found that it took up too much valuable square-footage. So when I decided that it was time to freshen up my room, I knew my headboard was the first thing I wanted to tackle.

I've always wanted one of those plush tufted headboards but couldn't bring myself to coughing up the dough for it. They just seem way too expensive. So take a guess at what I decided to do.... you all are beginning to know me way too well. I figure it should be simple enough to make one. Plywood cut to size, the fabric of my choice, foam, buttons and a staple-gun. I knew I could do it!

Take a look and what came out of it. Note: If you are going to tackle a project like this be sure to tuft the fabric before stapling the fabric to the back of the plywood. It is easier to find where the holes are to string the buttons through; I learned this the hard way!

After my first try at this, I would recommend drilling the holes first and tufting the fabric before stapling it to the back of the plywood

These buttons allow you to cover buttons with any fabric

String buttons through using a special needle you can get from the fabric store. It will be fairly long with a big eye to accommodate the robe.

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!