SUPER SMALL LIVING - A GENIUS 350 SQUARE FOOT BEACH COTTAGE

A super small cottage with a really smart space saving solution - a built in sofa! (above)

Two things excite me when looking at places for sale or rent...either extremely big mansions on one hand...or super duper small living spaces on the other.  I know. Diametrical sized living spaces!  I love the idea of living in a big house for once.  I live in a tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills that I bought years and years ago.  I love my cute cottage in the hills but I admittedly at some point in the future I am ready to move into some place bigger (a mansion, a large farm, a castle, a compound...you know...just something a little bigger).

My dream big house aside, over the last few days, I have been helping a girl at work look at apartments for rent.  She has to move out of her place in about 7 days so she is in a mad search for an apartment.  Well yesterday, she found a super small studio in Los Angeles and came into my office to show it to me.  We stayed late yesterday as I helped her map out a floor plan for the apartment and figure out furniture.  I really enjoy the challenge of taking on a super small space and making it livable.  Is that weird?

So today (unlike yesterday...see the post on the $75 million dollar house), I am thinking small!  That is why I am posting this little Venice Beach, California cottage cutie that I saw on Apartment Therapy yesterday.  A couple lives in this tiny abode.

This home pictured here is only 356 square feet.  It is a 1920's craftsman cottage on a small lot in the Venice Canals.  Apparently the couple who lives in this house rents it.    There is just one bedroom and a nice garden.

Here's the cool part...in order to maximize the little space there is in this cottage, the owner had a built in L-shaped sofa bench made and also made a built-in bed in the bedroom.  The built-in furniture dimensions were customized to make the most of the square footage

Take a look.
 

The L-shaped built in bench sofa also acts as room divider between the tiny living room and the small kitchen. (above)

Every inch of wall space is used...there is even room for a small home office that doubles as a dining room for two. (above)

More built-in space saving - this time in the bedroom, with a built in bed and book shelves. (above)

A small patio is perfect for a tiny outdoor living room (above)

What do you think of this small space?  Do you prefer a little tiny home like this or a penthouse apartment like I featured yesterday?  Please let me know in the comments section below.

Happy Wednesday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Was so excited to see on Instagram that Apartment Therapy founder Maxwell Ryan saw the COCOCOZY Rug Collection at High Point Furniture Market yesterday and really liked it.  Here's his Instagram photo and the caption below is what he had to say about our COCOCOZY Loop Rug in Hot Pink!  Maxwell has seen it all in home furnishings so was honored that he is "impressed" with my rug collection! Thank you Maxwell for the nice words!

"Super simple but elegant and with great colors. I was totally impressed with Nbaynadamas @Capel rugs #hpmkt MR"

Photos: Apartment Therapy

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AN beach cottage, built in, cottage, garden, outdoor living room, patio, small house, small kitchen, small space, space planning, Venice Beach

FOUR DESIGN IDEAS FOR A SMALL HOME

Idea #1  - Incorporate a sectional sofa instead of a sofa and separate chairs n a living room...this cuts down on the visual clutter but provides extra seating. (above)

I like this little 700 square foot bungalow.  Such a great use of square footage.  Good ideas for those of us who live in a small space!

Idea #2 - Never get rid of built ins - refurbish existing built in cabinets or build new ones...they are great space savers  for storage and can look good too! (above)

Idea #3 - Add in floating wall shelves - floating shelves are great for storage as shown here in this small home office (above)

Idea #4 - Don't be afraid to use color  - This color blocked small kitchen with black floor and counters, white cabinets and red accent wall and door actually make this tiny space quite cheerful! (above)

What do you think of these tips?  Any you might use in one of your smaller rooms?  Any ideas you can share?

Happy Wednesday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  I'm still working on that COCOCOZY partnership announcement I mentioned. So excited to share with you my latest collaboration.

P.P.S.  Last night, TE and I went to a party for Nylon Magazine.  There was a dinner in honor of the magazine's Young Hollywood Edition.  Spent the evening chit chatting with lots of cute adorable young Hollywood types. Dinner was followed by a fantastic party at the Roosevelt Hotel.  Thanks to KA and TH for inviting us!  So much fun.


Photos: Daniel Hennessy

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AN built in, bungalow, color block, Craftsman, decorate, DESIGN IDEA, dining room, home furnishings, home office, interior design, living room, small house, small kitchen, small space

SMALL SPOT ON SPACE - THREE TIPS TO DECORATING A TINY APARTMENT!!

I like this little tiny small apartment.  830 square feet to be exact.  It feels light, bright and airy.  No frills really as far as decor...but it hits the nail on the head on making a small space feel as large as possible.

Some tips...

1. Less is more - A little furniture goes a long way in small space.   In a living room, a sofa, a side chair, storage armoire, a coffee table and a credenza for the t.v. - that's it.  In the bedroom, a desk, two chairs and a bed...done.  Functional and it looks good too because there is not a lot of furniture piled on top of furniture. I might suggest adding one extra comfortable chair in the living room as the space should be comfy and inviting for guests!

Light wood floors, neutral light gray walls, and white furnishings help keep this space feeling clean and organized. (above and below)

2. Peek-a-boo - I think drapery and curtains are a must in most spaces...but if for some reason your view allows privacy and a curtain-less window can provide the maximum light...then I say go for a bare windows look!  Eliminates visual clutter and no drapery to obstruct light.  More light means a more cheerful space.  I know...this is considered a no no no to the interior design world.  A window without shades or drapes?  Who would ever suggest that?  Uh...me.

A floating nightstand and wall mounted reading lights means allows more room for a large bed. (above)

3.  Go big or go home in one room - Most people are afraid of wallpaper...I am.  I think though in a small house or apartment it is imperative to have a little fun in one room with wall coverings or wallpaper.  This Swedish inspired geometric print works in this kitchen I think...adds some texture and pattern to an otherwise simple space.  Definitely conversation starter around the eat-in kitchen dining table.  Yes?

What do you think of this small apartment? What do you think of these tips...any you just absolutely object to with every fiber in your body...LOL!? Please do tell.  Anything you might add or subtract to make this space work?

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Had a fabulous family brunch at Shutters yesterday right ....then sis DS and I took a nice little walk along the beach...crisp and clear...a perfect California fall afternoon...see below.

Santa Monica beach on a sunny Southern California Sunday afternoon! (above)

P.P.S.  Forgot to mention the fun dinner I went to last week (see below). A girls dinner it was called. Well considering I was the only girl there who is not married...it was a regular dinner for me and a girls dinner for everyone else. Hmmmmm...need a cute boyfriend so I can attend a girls dinner and call it a girls dinner!  Anyhoooooo...after attending a live recording of the X Factor over on the CBS lot - this is my favorite show in the entire world (although last night, while working on my laptop, I was watching something called Ice Road Truckers Dangerous Roads for no reason and was riveted...these truckers driving on treacherous roads in Bolivia and every minute their trucks are about to tumble off of cliff...totally not my thing and on History Channel (oy) but I was glued to the t.v. nonetheless...), I headed over to a dinner with friends Alison Blumenfeld of Blumenfeld Interiors and Kristi Bender partner at Wendy Schwartz Design and new friend AK (I only use initials because I don't know if AK would want me to use her full name). anyhooo...AK was carrying the most to-die for quilted Chanel bag...must have this purse...AK says she got it years ago...uh oh...just talking about the purse is making me anxious...I need that purse...it is too cute...ahhhhhh....I NEED that purse...inhale...exhale...breathe...think big picture...calm...okay.

AK's Chanel purse...love this (I think Kristi B is doing the Vanna White honors here...nice nail polish!)! (above)

P.P.P.S. Just talked to best of guy friend BN...he just told me that all of my friends were at a party this weekend but no one invited me along...hmmmm...nice...:-(...he said when he was talking to all of our mutual friends he thought "This might have been a fun party for Coco..."...well at least he thought of me...trying to look on the bright side of things here and not get huffy at all of the friends who didn't invite me along or think of me.  Props to you BN for at least having a passing thought about me...hmmm....need higher standards perhaps if this is what I am giving props for!  LOL!

P.P.P.P.S.  Need to shower...will be late to work...have very nice boss though so maybe he'll overlook me being a few minutes behind.  :-)  Maybe...?  I hope.


Photo: Stadshem

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AN design tips, small apartment, small house, tips

SEE THIS HOUSE: HOW TO LIVE LARGE IN UNDER 600 SQUARE FEET!

I like this little space in Spain. A small little 1 bedroom apartment that is 570 square feet at most...but made to feel open and airy...light and bright.

Here are 5 things you can do to make your small space feel big:

1. Light colored furniture and accessories - the white sofa, lacquered white would pieces and light color rugs, help make the space feel bigger than it is.

2. Clear things - Go clear. If in a small space, strategically pick a few furniture items to go clear. Lucite or glass pieces mean an unobstructed view of a small space.  See the coffee table in this living room (above) but there are a million lucite or glass pieces like chairs, dining tables, side tables and more in the marketplace today.

3. Sheer window coverings and large windows - The more light you let into your small space the better...bring the outdoors in by using shades that let a bit of natural light shine through.

4. Use interior sliding, pocket or barn doors - Don't let a regular door take up space.  When you can trade out a regular door for a sliding door.  This means they'll be less square footage taken up for the door to open and close and more footage for furniture and open spaces.

5. White walls with a feature wall here or there - Not ground breaking but true...light walls make a small space feel larger.  So paint all walls white (and I like bright white...not off white or beige) and then take one small wall in a bedroom (as seen below) or living space and use wallpaper or paint to add a burst of  color or texture to a room.

In this small apartment, an open living plan was used for the kitchen, dining and living area.  Normally I'm not a fan of open living rooms but this one definitely works.

What do you think of this small apartment?  Could you live in the space?  What tricks do you have for making a small room in your house just feel a tiny bit bigger?  Do share!  I love reading your comments.

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Please go to Nbaynadamas Twitter to see some new colorways I am adding to the Nbaynadamas textiles collection for the New York Gift Fair in about two weeks.  Am also adding cotton pillows!!!

Photo: Mi Casa Revista

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AN apartment, barn door, open floor plan, open kitchen, SEE THIS HOUSE, sliding door, small apartment, small house, small space, Spain, white walls