Making the Most of your Studio Apartment!

Your studio apartment is your pride and joy and you love how personable it is, but you don’t care for how small it is! Studio apartments have always been a challenge to decorate and furnish because of the limited space and the lack of separation in the spaces. Studio apartments accommodate all of your living and private functions in one area and there are tricks to make it look great and feel homey. Here are tips to create the studio apartment you’ve always wanted. 

Find hidden storage throughout your apartment

The key to functionality and enjoyment of your studio home is finding hidden storage areas throughout your humble abode. Space saving built-in shelving and use of unconventional storage is ideal. I love these stairs that double as drawers below. Use vertical space to your advantage, the back of doors and building closet organizers in your clothes closets and kitchen pantry area can increase storage tenfold.

 

 Remaining photo credits: Bedroom Design

 

Making your kitchen livable

In many studio apartments the kitchen is one area that gets slighted on space. A galley kitchen or a small “L” configured kitchen can make it hard for multiple people to use the kitchen at once. Make the most of storage with cabinetry that extends to the ceiling and lower cabinetry that is organized and easily accessible below. If you have the option, choose smaller major appliances to maximize the space. Don’t forget creative display areas too.  The backsplash over the counters can be utilized for hanging utensils, storing spices and organizational bulletin and message center to keep your life organized.

 

 Function and enjoyment in your bathroom

Just because your bathroom is small in your studio apartment doesn’t mean it cannot be relaxing and enjoyable to use. Organize toiletries and small handheld appliances like hairdryers in baskets, or collapsible organizational totes below the sink or adjacent closet. Keep accessories to a minimum and keep the counter space free of clutter to make your small bathroom feel larger and be a more enjoyable room to use. 

 

  

Your cozy studio apartment should be the place that you call home and you enjoy spending every minute in it. Use these helpful tips to maximize on space and decor. Keep your decorations light and airy. Heavy and dark colors will make your space feel small and closed in. Feel free to mix-and-match patterns, colors, and light textures to provide the perfect balance for your studio apartment home. 

Renia

It all Starts with Two Words…….I DO!

You have decided to get married abroad and suddenly... there are a million & one things to think about to organize, but don't panic! Fortunately for you the spring and summer are the top seasons to get married in any part of the world.

There are wedding consultants everywhere to help you make your big day as beautiful as you dreamed of. Today I wanted to share ideas for making your wedding the day the most magical ever!

 

Image: Preston Bailey

The idea of this post came to me by seeing Preston Bailey’s beautiful posts in Facebook. His gorgeous photographed elements of the big day made me want to highlight the essence of every wedding day. 

 

Beautiful details

Whether it is the aroma of fresh blooms from the church decorations or it is the shining emblem on front of the Rolls Royce wedding car that sits out front of the chapel, weddings are all about the details. Ensure that the details leave a lasting impression for your guests, family, and especially you and your soon-to-be spouse.

 

Pretty accents make the day

Remember the prettiest accents will create the most lasting memories. Ribbon tied around the bride’s bouquet to match the bridesmaid’s dresses, or even the smallest of pearls and lace on the individual cupcakes at the reception, here is where the pretty accents come alive. Send your guests home with tokens of appreciation for coming. Party favors that carry the theme of the day always help guests remember your day for years into the future. 

 

Photography to capture the day

Photos and videos are often two parts of wedding planning that isn’t thought through carefully. The day will only be there for a moment, while your photographs and videos will last forever. Search for photographers that share a similar vision as you and your spouse for capturing the details, the quiet moments and the celebratory display of affection from all that attend your wedding.

 Image: Monica Dart Photography

 Image: Monica Dart Photography 

 

Be inspired by wedding planning and the details that will make you want to relive your wedding day in pictures and video for generations to come. Plan the details as if your guests need to capture a piece of you and your spouse to take home with them. After all, your wedding only comes once, and your chance to make it memorable is all yours! Enjoy it!

Renia

Mastering the Art of Hanging Wall Pictures

Your home decor wouldn’t be complete without adorning your walls with beautiful colors and wall art. From framed photographs and wall art to murals and hanging textiles, your walls have a wide range of decor to choose from. Today I thought I would show you easy ways to hang pictures, and help your walls get that added boost of decor they maybe missing.  There are no rules, but simple decorating guidelines could always help!

Determine where you want to display artwork

While you may think that artwork only goes on a bare wall, there are several areas that are perfect for hanging pictures. Whether it is a stairwell wall, the stair risers themselves, over a fireplace, in bookshelves, over beds and in hallways are the most common areas. Use the above guide to help determine the angle and presentation style you would like for your special space. Take into account the scale of your pictures to the amount of display space you have.

 

Create a collage of pictures

Many photos and wall art look good on their own, while combining framed art into a collage or vignette is a designer idea that will create an instant focal point in your room. Choose frames that are similar in color, or shape, size, etc… Create a unified theme throughout, but also bring in contrast. Different colored material in frames shown below is a simple concept with an instant wow factor.

 

Wall stickers to customize easily

For wall art that is easily customizable, unique and can comes in hundreds of styles look to wall stickers or removable decals. From sayings and pictures to murals and entire wallscapes that go on like wallpaper the options are limitless! I especially love the sayings that are gorgeous and no fuss to apply and remove at anytime. 

 

Preserve the memories of your loved ones as well as bring gorgeous art to your walls with these inspiring ideas. It’s surprising how a few framed pieces of art, some old photographs or a thoughtful saying can make your house turn into a home. I always enjoy hearing what ideas you have created in your home, share with me on Facebook how you bring your walls alive with artwork.

Renia

Modern Elegance

In recent years there has been a strong trend in the interior design world to move to a modern approach to furnishings and to do it without the hard lines of straight minimalism. A modern elegance has been created where the lines are simplistic in their definition, and are paired with contemporary elements, which lends itself to relaxed living that is sophisticated and polished. Here are a few of my favorite modern elegance examples I’d like to share with you.

Urban influences

What I love about modern elegance aesthetics is the ability to make a space feel like it’s in an urban loft apartment, or in a renovated home with new twists on the old in styling.  In these rooms the furnishings are modern, but still have comfort in mind. Whether it’s in your dining room or living room, keep the elements simple and defined. Carry the theme into your kitchen with sleek appliances and pops of color throughout your rooms. I love this artichoke pendant lamp, just the right touch of comfortable living with a couture vibe thrown in!

Neutral color palettes compliment modern styling

If you’d like to mimic this style throughout your home, consider choosing a neutral color palette for your furnishings, flooring, decorative items and wall color. Along with color, avoid a lot of clutter and objects when decorating. Modern elegance is all about ‘less is more’, so choose elements that work beautifully together, like architecturally inspired chairs and table. 

The appeal of a modern home with contrasting finishes, colors and textures is what modern elegance exudes.  Find a dynamic chair or eye-catching contemporary pendant light and build your room around it. The modern design era is here and you can mimic the aesthetics in your interiors with these great ideas!

Renia

 

 

 

Finding Hidden Treasures Under the Stairs

One of the most useful spaces and often forgotten areas for hidden storage is under your stairs! While many homeowners use the space for stashing old boxes there has been a trend in interiors to make this area a useful part of your home. Whether you want to use it for function, like a mudroom with a bench and storage area, or you have enough room for a powder room; look at these great ways to take advantage of the hidden space below your stairs.

Finding function under the risers

Under stair area is almost like a bonus room to your home. It can be treated as that extra area of functionality that you’ve always wanted. It can make a perfect area for your pet’s bed, or it can house your children’s extra toys and roll around play items that you like to be out of sight when guests come over. If you are fortunate to have enough height under your stair, consider using it for a powder room or some call a half bathroom. You can never have too many bathrooms, right?

  

Summer house inspiration

Another hidden treasure about the space under stairs is the ability to bring themed decoration into your hidden area. For summer and beach homes, how creative it is to bring in nautical elements with rope, anchor ties, and boating elements to your stair? While the space under the stair can be outfitted with wood batten doors to carry out the nautical theme and provide privacy for a bathroom or storage spot for tucked away items.

Under your stairs lies an area full of creative options waiting for you. This functional and often forgotten area can add storage, a playful refuge for your pets, or can be used as an office away from the rest of the house! Ensure you have enough space and height for what you want to accomplish. Even if it’s only a small space, you’d be surprised what a few built in shelves and drawers can do. It can transform your under stair area into instant decorative display. Let me know what creative uses you come up with in your home!

Renia