Small but Charming Kitchens

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Most people do not look for a small kitchen when they buy a house or rent a place. The norm now is huge kitchens with giant islands. Yes, even I have to admit, it would be nice. But there is something about a small kitchen I really love. When you have enough room for a table and not much more, then its good for me. Like a small cafe, enough room for only your bestest pals. Love that. If you are space challenged in the kitchen the best advice I can give is watch what you use for furniture. I use to have these big spindle tall chairs that visually ate up room. I bought the slim low profile mod morrow chair from Pottery Barn and they give the room a more open feel. Your kitchen may be small but your charm value can be big. The above pictures prove that!

Outdoor Showers

About 2 years ago I picked up a wooden outdoor shower at Target. It was on sale for 1/2 off and I had to have it. When I brought it home, my husband gave me a very puzzled look. I've always had a love for the idea of showering outdoors. My dream shower would really be indoors with windows all around (and privacy of course.) I'm far from being a exhibitionist, I think it has to do with water and the outdoors. Anyways, since then, ever time I see a picture of a outdoor shower I save it. Even if its for just rinsing sand off, I love em'. The payback for my purchase? Our
plumbing went out one morning shortly after I bought it. There stood my hubby, in his swim trunks, taking a outdoor shower before work! He never said another word!

Small Bathrooms

I have mentioned that my small house has a really large backyard. It is so nice to have. Now, the worst part of my home. Only one bathroom! Ok ok so there is only one. Only one to clean!! The real problem is, its the size of a postage stamp! You would think having one bath they would have made it larger. Nope. Small baths need not lack style. I put in a pedestal sink. Crazy to loose under sink space? Not really. It made the bath feel bigger. I also put in a huge mirror. That helps tons! I do have a linen closet right outside the door, so that helps. I guess what I'm saying is, tiny does not have to be with out style. I do find that it helps to limit your colors to 1-3. White goes with all so its a good starting part. Most people have lots of white in a bath. Use lots of vertical space. Target has some really nice pieces and cabs for baths now that are very well priced. Keep out what is pretty and hide the rest! (before I get asked, none of the above baths are mine! I will always mention in the post when a photo is of my house)

Bedside Tables

Bedside tables in small spaces are a luxury not to be taken lightly! I've gone threw 3 tries before getting mine just right. It ended up being a small chest with 4 drawers in the front. I love the white square one pictured, but I had to face facts. I'm not neat enough to keep something like that looking the way it should. You can adjust that square to fit just about any size space. My teen aged daughters room had only 1 logical place for her bed. The space for a side table was so tiny, nothing worked. I had a old suitcase that belonged to her grandfather and it fits great. Sometimes all you really need is a spot for a clock and glass of water. We put her sheets in the case for storage (her room is with sheepskin rug). I've used baskets stacked, side chairs, books, you name it. If you have no room on the sides of your bed, try shelving above the headboard. Remember tho, something above your head can fall on your your head! Do be careful trying that!

Time to Get Outdoors

The weather where I live has been wonderful. I love spring time. It gives the spirit such a boost. It does not matter how many times you experience it, it only seems to be more glorious each year. The air is clearer, the sun so bright. Tonic for the soul! Even if you have a small yard, get outside and enjoy!

BLUE!

I have to say, I've never been a huge fan of the color blue, but I sure have taken a second look these days. Seems blue is not just the color of the sky anymore! My inner teen loves the bright aqua's. Makes me feel like a pool party will break out at any time! My more sophisticated side loves the blue grays. The first time I remember seeing that shade was when Restoration Hardware came out with "Silver Sage"... a classic color now. Right now, I do not have much blue in my home, but I've been thinking my next master bedroom redo will have some calming blues in it.

Office in a Box

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If you do not have a lot of space for a home office, take heart. Today there are all sorts of armories devoted for the smaller home office. You may want to use a antique secretary, works great if you have a portable lap top. Its nice to know at the end of the day you can "close shop" and not have to look at your stuff. This type of set up makes it perfect for any place in the house! If you need a small place to sort mail and pay bills, cubbies are great for that! Don't be afraid to think outside of the home office box! (Ok bad pun, I know!)

Finding Space

I love looking online and in magazines for new and interesting ways to store things. When moving into a new house or apartment, its a good idea to live in the space awhile to get a feel for the home and how you may use it . A natural pattern will emerge and it will help you to set up your home. Clipping pictures of spaces you like is great to have on hand when you need some inspiration. Make your house work for you, not the other way around!

Open Kitchen Storage

I'm seeing more and more open storage in kitchens these days. I can't quite figure out if its a look that's here to stay or not. Personally, I think it looks fantastic. One is prettier then the next and the creativity level is fantastic. I do wonder how disciplined you'd have to be to keep things just so. I have to admit tho, quite a few of my things would NOT look good on open shelving. Gladware? Hardly! Still, some of the dishes I own are pretty enough to be star of the show. I would like to think some kitchen redo down the road I would love to go this route. Do you think you could pull off this look?

Pendent Lighting

So many times trends come and go and most of the time I'm glad they went. Pendent lighting is not one of those trends! I love pendent lighting! I think its because there are so many options and creative ways to make it work in your home. For the small space, its great because it can free up so much room. The designs keep coming, from all sorts of colors and materials. To free up much needed space, consider the pendent light.

My Love for the Eat in Kitchen

Every home I've ever lived in has had a eat in kitchen. Maybe that's where my love for them comes in. Nothing is as cozy as a table in the kitchen, no matter how big or small your house is. I know the first picture is not a small kitchen but I just had to post it. Its so beautiful!

Letters and Numbers

I don't know how many people enjoy whimsy in their decor styles, but I always have. I love using letters and numbers especially. I have big black letters in my kitchen that say DINE. One of my favorite things are my bright white coffee cups that say COFFEE in type print on them. I recently scored some old enamel hotel room numbers and put them on my hotel cubby box (you can see them in a older post named "Found Space"). I think I'll always like using letters and numbers when I decorate!

Kitchen Help

Another passion of mine is kitchen gadgets. I'm especially drawn to things designed to take up less space or make 2 products work as one. Above are a few items I have recently purchased and LOVE. The sink colander is great because I can let my food rinse and dry without having it touch the bottom of the sink or take up counter space. The dish brush holds liquid soap in the handle and with a push of the button, soap comes out of the brush scrubber. No more soap bottles sitting out! I do have a dishwasher but the over the sink dish holder comes in handy when I only have a few dishes to wash or the dishwasher is in mid wash. I have links to some of the items under stuff to buy.

Baths!

I have such a thing for bathrooms! Sounds rather silly but I do. For some reason, I'm really drawn to a bright white bath. The one room in my house that is way too small is my bath! Most magazines think a small bath is when you can't fit 2 sinks in it! Maybe they just can't get their photographer in a true small bath to take pictures! My friend Linda is working on getting a sink like the one in that top picture. I can't wait to see it! I want one too! So vintage and chic at the same time!