Small Spaces from Creators Syndicate

The Right Palette Make Downsizing More Manageable for 07/08/2009

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Downsizing will be the trend for a decade.

The reasons for this have been well dissected by now. It is a new reality brought on by the subprime loan debacle, the collapses of financial institutions and industries once believed too big to fail, and the subsequent worldwide recession.

So far, no expert has been able to say with certainty if we have hit bottom in this downward spiral ...

Updated: Wed Jul 08, 2009

Mural in Child's Room for 07/15/2009

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Satisfied downsizing is all about getting more than one use out of each room in the house. Families will notice that it can be difficult to take space away from your children if they have enjoyed their own room their entire lives. If you fully expect them to be happy with less, remember that they are kids and it might be wise to sweeten the deal with something really special for their new bedro ...

Updated: Wed Jul 15, 2009

Generation Y Makes Room for Dual-Use Furniture for 07/22/2009

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The new truth is that housing trends will be leading millions of Americans toward more compact living situations, which in turn will drive new emphasis on dual-use furnishings.

Petite housing is not a new idea, but the rise in popularity is definitely tied to current economic realities. There have been tiny models at other times in history. Have you ever seen a collection of small cottag ...

Updated: Wed Jul 22, 2009

Christmas in July: Time to Start Holiday Planning for 07/29/2009

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The time is now to start thinking about holiday entertaining.

No, I haven't had too many margaritas on a fine summer evening. And, yes, I am serious.

If you are thinking about ordering a table or pondering how to entertain family for the upcoming holiday season, it might be wise to start now. Because of the anemic economy, the availability of goods and materials is opposite of wha ...

Updated: Wed Jul 29, 2009

Urban Living Benefits From Recycled Designs and Renewable Materials for 08/05/2009

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Urban homes that are carved out of grand old buildings offer irreplaceable design traits along with a few challenges.

Often, older urban structures contain brilliant architectural characteristics that are part and parcel of a bygone building standard: soaring ceilings, hardwood floors, lots of windows, and rich finish materials generally used in lobbies or elevators.

You'll find g ...

Updated: Wed Aug 05, 2009

Making Your Home Workspace Work for You for 08/12/2009

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

There isn't a person in America who is not somehow affected by the wild ride we are on at the moment. The economic troubles are worldwide and so it is not surprising that we all feel some degree of pain right now. With underemployment, unemployment and worry over the possibility of being laid off, the tension is palpable, and if there were some sort of Geiger counter for stress, it would be bee ...

Updated: Wed Aug 12, 2009

Closet Into Extra Room for 08/19/2009

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The way we live our life guides how we use our spaces, and right now, millions of Americans are experiencing drastically different lifestyles. Not being able to get up and go to work every day can produce huge issues related to what you do with yourself all day long, in addition to the obvious stress related to absent income. It is not uplifting to be alone all day and can be quite depressing. ...

Updated: Wed Aug 19, 2009

Stacking Chairs for 08/26/2009

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

As summer draws to an inevitable end, sometimes we can get the blues. This is a great time to begin to think about the weather changes coming this fall and the approaching winter's holiday season. Yes, I am serious and no, it is not a crazy idea! My suspicion is that this is going to be a tough holiday season for millions of Americans and therefore it is incumbent upon all of us to make a speci ...

Updated: Wed Aug 26, 2009

Natura Guest Bath for 09/02/2009

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Remodeling is on the backburner these days, right along with vacations, spiffed-up fall wardrobes and new cars. With the economy on life support, high jobless rates and plummeting housing prices, not too many folks are planning to revamp their homesteads or planning moves at the moment. Fewer Americans are moving than in any year since 1962, which is an indicator of how stagnant the building in ...

Updated: Wed Sep 02, 2009

Fireplace for 09/09/2009

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

I am reminded of a recent home improvement ad in my local newspaper that proclaimed, "Improve, don't move!" Exactly right. These days, a good percentage of Americans, wherever they live, are simply focused on keeping their home, not necessarily planning remodels. But this time of year, as days begin to shorten and temperatures crisp, we humans sense an invigorating change. Nights beco ...

Updated: Wed Sep 09, 2009

Triangle Bench for 09/16/2009

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The most frequently asked question about downsizing is how one decides what to keep and what to give away. If you are in this situation right now, be assured that it is not easy to scale back, and to your surprise, it may be much more emotionally upsetting than you imagined.

Depending upon how large a home you are leaving, the task can be significant and at first feel daunting. But like ...

Updated: Wed Sep 16, 2009

G.E. Small-Scale Appliances for 09/23/2009

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

This month marks my 10th year writing Small Spaces and as I look back over the decade, I note with amusement that, suddenly, small is really a hot topic. We have a bona fide small-house movement progressing in this country at last! There is nothing sudden about the popularity of living in the just the right size home, but no doubt one side effect of the declining real estate market is the renew ...

Updated: Wed Sep 23, 2009

Bamboo Mural for 09/30/2009

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

As we greet October, the days are becoming noticeably shorter and the month presents us with fewer hours of daylight. Everyone requires balanced natural light for good health, particularly during winter months. Studies have shown that Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is caused by a lack of enough daylight. Emotional depression, a distinct decline in physical energy, increased appetite and the ...

Updated: Wed Sep 30, 2009

Box Bed for 10/07/2009

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

There is a primitive change we experience when the shorter days of fall beget the darkness that creeps in earlier each passing day. Somehow, the subtle shift causes us humans to want more sleep and sometimes causes a bit of an emotional slump. When something occupies a lot of our time, we often begin to think more about the activity than usual. When it comes to sleep, it is the very bed that we ...

Updated: Wed Oct 07, 2009

Kitchen with Green Glass Backsplash for 10/14/2009

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Let's celebrate increased awareness of the environment as we note that October is National Kitchen and Bath month. Primarily, the cabinets seen here are all ESP rated. The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association launched their Environmental Stewardship Program in 2006 to aid consumers in identifying safe products. It encourages industry policies and practices that benefit the environment and ...

Updated: Wed Oct 14, 2009

Granny Flats for 10/21/2009

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

I would love to build a modest guest cottage on my 2.89 acres, but it is against the code in my urban neighborhood. My intention would be to use the space as a literal granny flat for my 80-something parents and perhaps a semester or two for my college-age niece. Both of these purposes would financially aid family members. Generally, such amenities are reserved for larger properties in outlying ...

Updated: Wed Oct 21, 2009

Wall Pop Design for 10/28/2009

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Lately, much has been written about teenage girls who are in the mood to spend money. True to form, young girls are locked onto what is hot and current, from fashion to electronics to home decor. Parents on the other hand are desperately trying to control unnecessary expenditures and attempt to put the breaks on adolescent girls who have not a clue about the recession/depression that surrounds ...

Updated: Wed Oct 28, 2009

Lutron Kirbe System for 11/04/2009

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Bulky draperies don't belong in a crowded space. Not when there are so many amazing new window treatment solutions these days. Not when every inch counts. As many Manhattan residents know, you can end up living in 800 square feet and consider yourself lucky. Much has been written and said about the Manhattanization of America as, suddenly, household sizes are shrinking up along with evaporating ...

Updated: Wed Nov 04, 2009

Greentree Custom Piece for 11/11/2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

One of the biggest fears held by those who have downsized is that they will no longer be able to entertain people in their home comfortably. While there are real challenges to be sure, there are also dozens of creative ways to overcome the hindrances of tight space so that you can still enjoy the companionship of friends and family.

Think back to college days, beginning with dorm rooms a ...

Updated: Wed Nov 11, 2009

SF Painted Ladies for 11/18/2009

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Updated: Wed Nov 18, 2009