Creative Organization Tips

In an apartment storage is always a rare commodity so I say why not create your own? It looks great and it hides all the excess crap (I use that term lightly) you've come to obtain over the years.

Tip 1: Use a shoe rack to house smaller items such as thread, rolled up sketches, bolts of fabric etc. depending on your hobby of choice. 

Tip 2: MAKE IT FUN: If you're not dull (and I know you're not) why should your space feel that way... Add fun empowering colors to give your organization a boost!

Tip 3: Bookshelves are great not just for books... Use a bookshelf to house magazine boxes that coordinate with your color scheme. The product: a stream line collection of storage space that caters to your storage needs.

Tip 4: In a small space even a bookcase can deplete volatile space. The answer: purchase a bookshelf that expands vertically toward the ceiling instead of outward. Plus a tall piece of furniture draws the eyes upward which gives the ellusion of taller ceilings.

Tip 5: Pair accessories with your creation to add a personal touch. Natural substances are also work well because they soften the hard lines of the boxes.

Tip 6: A utility cart is also a great structure for coupling monocramatic fabric boxes. The labels not only help with organization they also make your arrangement look clean and simple.

Was this information helpful in achieving your organization success?

Photographs By: Sandra Dias

Color Inspiration or Design Conundrum?

As we look around there are so many inspiring colors. The human eye can see up to 16.7 MILLON different colors. With quantities like that you wonder...how will you ever decide which colors to incorporate in your color scheme. I personally prefer different colors depending on my mood which can be costly because it leads to indecisiveness and the constant craving for change. 

London Fabric

Color inspiring collage

My Fix To This Design Conundrum:

Instead of incorporating color in large costly pieces such as: rugs, sofas, curtains or worse architectural features that are difficult to change such as: back splashes, ornate title floors, wall paper, and painted cabinets. I use color in a slightly more temporary accents when designing my space. The plus: it costs much less to change, you are still able to enjoy all the fun bold colors that may only appeal to your senses for a short period of time, and your design does not have to be stagnate. 

Some Fun Mix-It-Up Ideas:

Add bright flowers to an accent table.

Pillows and cushions are always great because the possibilities are endless!!

Patchwork pillows help you narrow your color scheme...If your like me (indecisive) it is very helpful!

Photographs By: Jane Hall

Find Your Muse

I indulge in viewing art on a regular basis. I find that it allows you to temporarily escape into the mind of the artist and it also provides an intriguing color theme inspiration. I designed my bedroom around the subtle hues of the painting End of Day by artist John Allinson (right). This painting incorporates warm and cool colors in a capturing way. I translated this spectacular piece of art into a sultry chic bedroom design that is alluring and calming all in one small space.

I started with a wrought iron bed frame with an antique brushed gold finish and for the bed linens I chose soft pink bed sheets and a damask patterned comforter accented by two european blue euro shams complemented by a layer of two standard damask pillows and two square antique purple and soft pink geometric patterned pillows. The combination of pillows introduces the color palate that I pulled out the painting and allows the bed to be the shinning star of the room. When designing a bedroom it is very important to have a strong focal point and then work outward from there.  Truthfully I would have never thought to use this color combination but every idea has a starting place. 

Good luck on your inspiring color adventure!

Living Large in a Small Space

To add visual interest to a small space I emphasize my walls by creating diverse galleries and using different painting techniques. As for the furniture I create flow by using light hued fabrics for my large pieces such as my sofa and then add contrast with dark theme inspired accent pieces to keep the room grounded.

If you are using your sofa for a room divider it is very imperative that the fabric is light and airy, remember it is in the center of the space. A dark sofa would make the room feel cut off and dreary.

I added feminine flares to my space with a scroll pattern rug, embroidered feather down pillows, crystal accents (the lamp and pastry tier in the back corner) and a leopard accent chair. To entice my guests and make them feel more at home I like to have several arrangements (living or perceivably living things make a space feel less cold), candles for aroma, and a sign of dining (the sesame rolls plated in the serving basket). 

The large diagonal stripe draws your eyes upward making the room appear larger. Most people stray from using black in small spaces but if you add black as a focal point while keeping the other accents light and flowing it can do wonders for expanding your small space.