Setting the Bar

With the holiday season just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about entertaining and cocktail parties. Every year around this time I always find I have an increased urge to entertain and fill my home with people that love and laugh with. This always brings up the question of what to serve and how to stock the bar and because I don't drink much I always resort to BYFD (Bring Your Favourite Drink) themes.

Funny thing is that although I don't drink much (except for a couple shots of Baileys in my hot chocolate during the winter season), I still have a bar in my place.  It has now become this running joke amongst my friends and family of why this non-drinker has this dedicated bar space. I just love the way it looks especially fitted with vintage flasks and flowers.

If you are wishing you could including a bar in your holiday decor vignette but never though you could because of space constraints here are some simple ideas of how to make it happen.

Use Trays or Low Set Containers

Stock Your Closet

By fitting your closet with a desk or some cabinets you instantly have a bar in you space.

Built-in Bar

Stock your Table or TV Tray

Bar Cabinets

The Beloved Bar Cart

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!

Sneak Peak (Single-Girl Bachelor)

Here is a sneak peak at a piece I am making for the 'Single-Girl' Bachelor Apartment I am working on. Can you guess what it will be?

Small Space Pantry DIY

Happy weekend all! I found this awesome small space DIY that I wanted to share with you..

Us small space dwellers all know how limited space is and we often have to sacrifice delicious things like pantries to accommodate the space we do have. Well now no more! Style Editor, Michael Penney, and Design Editor, Joel Bray, show us how to transform an Ikea wardrobe into a sexy kitchen pantry; perfect for small spaces.

Hemnes Wardrobe from Ikea

S-hooks from Ikea

Push-pin Message Board

For the doors they added a push-pin message board/tea towel holder by covering ceiling tile with natural fabric and double-sided taping it to the inside of the door

Accessorize

Adding cook books, spice jars, baskets and storage containers and the wardrobe is successfully fitted as a pantry. They also had space to store cutlery and plates in the two drawers. Watch the video on House and Home TV.

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,

Fab Find!

I am so lucky to have AWESOME friends who are always on the lookout for me. Check out these gorgeous set of burnt orange, rolled arm, wing back chairs. Can we say WEEKEND PROJECT!!!