LIVING LARGE IN SMALL SPACES...

Living with small spaces is not just relegated to city dwellers.  Sometimes a room has to serve multiple purposes in suburbia as well.  Here are several rooms where the design makes the most of the space available whether its...

an office turned guest room thanks to a murphy bed,

or accommodating an entire family in a shelter,

or sleeping and living spaces separated by a moving wall,

Design by Chipper Hatter Architectural Photographer, San Diego

or an office in a loft

Office design by CWB Architects, New York

or an outdoor space,

Exterior design by House + House Architects, San Francisco

 or a closet turned office space,

Office design by Ed Ritger Photography, San Francisco

or a multi-functioning studio apartment,

Design by Nicholas Moriarty Interiors, Chicago

or creating a bar for entertaining,

Design by Susan Diana Harris Interior Design, San Francisco

or an office and family room,

Home Office design by Jonathan Quinn Barnett Ltd, Seattle

or creating privacy in studio apartment,

Multi-purpose room design by Tobi Farley, Little Rock, Arkansas

or elevating a space for guests and extra storage,

 Bedroom design by Kia Designs, London

or carving out a space to work and relax,

Design by Elizabeth Cross-Beard, Baltimore

or just enough room for sleeping quarters...

Design by Dyanne Wilson Photography, Montreal

Here's to living in every inch...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of Houzz.com and HouseBeautiful.com

COLORFUL KITCHEN DESIGNS...

I'll admit that cooking is not one of my favorite past times except when entertaining for guests.  Having a cheerful place in which to create a rare culinary delight always helps.  The love of color shouldn't be relegated to just bedrooms and family rooms.  A unique color palette in the kitchen can make preparing any meal a joyous occasion...

Kitchen Design by Camilla Molders, Melbourne, Australia

Kitchen Design by Karen Soojian, ASID, Minneapolis

 Kitchen Design by Ken Kelly, Inc., New York

Kitchen Design by Elizabeth Speert

Kitchen Design by Momoko Morton, Denver

Kitchen Design by Michelle Allman

Kitchen design by Loop Design, Austin, Texas

Kitchen Design by Crisp Architects, New York

 Kitchen design by Mark English Architects, San Francisco

Kitchen Design courtesy of Traditional Home Magazine

Kitchen Design by Stephen O'Brien

Happy cooking...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of Houzz.com, TraditionalHome.com and HouseBeautiful.com

THE LOW DOWN: PIER 1 IMPORTS...

Pier 1 has been around for 40 years. I have fond memories of shopping there when my mother purchased furniture for my first apartment in college. The products usually have a charming, global or artisan flair which is right up my alley.

When the stores first opened, Pier 1 was known mostly for its rattan and wicker furniture which is still one of the very popular offerings.

Now this national retailer has expanded its product lines to almost every type of home decor and accessory you can think of at really affordable prices.  I've bought everything from rugs and lamps to nightstands and media cabinets, even desks and bookcases.

 

My personal favorites are the outdoor furniture, candle holders and dinnerware.

A few years ago, I furnished my husband's entire office aka his man cave (except his LazyBoy Recliner) with a rich espresso wood desk, bookcase, printer stand and side table all from Pier 1. Its a little matchy-matchy for my taste but it looks great and its comfortable for him. I would post photos but that would lead to embarassment for both my husband and me.

Pier 1 stores are everywhere. There are 3 locations alone within 10 miles of where I live.

Happy shopping...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of Pier1.com

FIFTY SHADES OF GRAY...

What do you think a bedroom inspired by the popular book Fifty Shades of Gray would look like? (Not that one...) Or any other room inspired by the book on most suburban housewives' summer reading list.

A little gray goes a long way, but an entire room is somehow very soothing and sexy.  Here are several amazing room designs that would make both Christian and Anatasia very happy...

Happy daydreaming, ladies...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of HouseBeautiful.com, TraditionalHome.com, ElleDecor.com and HGTV.com