New Year Guest………loving small spaces
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Cute isn’t he………….. HA!
So what does this little critter have to do with Davenport on Design? There is a design idea everywhere! My little mouse spun ideas about small spaces. Mice enjoy the comfort and warmth they find in the small nooks and crannies of our walls ……….. During the New Year we look for fresh new beginnings………so how about a fresh approach to that small space??
Small space are sometimes a challenge to design, many furnishings on the market currently are over scaled …………. try to fit a 40″ deep sofa in a 9X12″ family room~you instantly reduce the room by 3′-5″! …………………I sometimes wonder if the furniture manufactures hopped on the ’super sized’ bandwagon!
Follow some of these simple rules and start enjoying your small spaces!
Color
Keep your color palette monochromatic. All one color ………….. this creates an easy flow for the eye…no major visual speed bumps- If you want to venture into other color schemes, keep colors light ~ resist the trendy, bright, hip colors such as this new hot chartreuse green …….. if you must use it use it in very small doses.
Stay organized. Clutter looks like so much more in small rooms. Consider some of these alternative storage ideas. 
- Storage cubes, they can double as ottomans ……. some even as endtables
- Coffee tables with storage
- Use small chest of drawers for endtables
- If you already have endtables with open legs, simply add a basket under the table for storage
- Remember bookcases aren’t only for books, use baskets, boxes or even jars for additional storage. Here is a great one from the French Heritage line I carry at my showroom………………
Do not neglect lighting
- bring lighting down into the room with lamps
- give yourself the ability to brighten or dim lighting this is especially important for small spaces …… when the space needs to feel larger, while entertaining for example brighten the lighting. For evenings just for you dim………
……………I recently completed a wonderful home office 12X11 …………… I will post pictures soon!
Happy New Year!
