Small Space, Big Style

December 19, 2011

I’ve spent exactly half of my life living in apartments 1100 square feet or less. So you can imagine I’ve seen my fair share of small spaces, awkward spaces and even windowless spaces. I think small and awkwardly shaped spaces pose the biggest challenge for DIY decorators, but I’ve learned over the years that with a little creative thinking, small spaces can offer the biggest rewards.

Take this house. It’s fresh and new, with good bones. But, this living room is a little small. You can’t just throw furniture in here and expect it come together. This space needs a little a thought, so that’s what we’ll give it.

I have three different strategies for designing this room. All of them do have one thing in common – and that’s reorienting the furniture to not block the entrance area.

Monochromatic Chic

A small space can always benefit from a monochromatic treatment. It streamlines the whole room. Open up the space by creating a conversation circle and add a few inches by mounting the TV to the wall. Curtains soften the edges and few pops of color keep it vibrant.

The Bold and the Beautiful

Another strategy for small spaces is to go bold – which can be surprising. A deep rich color on one wall quickly draws you into the room and away from the size (or awkwardness on some cases) of the space. I’m always a sucker for purple, as it’s both warm and cool at the same time. A graphic rug draws your eye down (again, away from the size of the room) and some spare furniture keeps the air flowing. The Fatboy bean bag chair is also super fun for kids.

On the Diagonal

The last strategy is to literally think outside the box…and on the diagonal. Most people are afraid of orienting the furniture like this, but in a small space, it might be your best option. Tuck the TV in the corner to open up some floor space and throw down an area rug at an angle. This small room is pretty dynamic. Curtains and a high bookshelf soften the space and a pretty purplish-red keeps the room warm.

Actually, with so many options, I’m not sure which is my favorite!

Here are the details of the rooms:

Monochromatic

White loveseat
Amos swivel chair from Room and Board
Shag Rug from Room and Board
Cotton canvas window panel from West Elm
Ascend Bookshelf from Crate and Barrel
Origins Print from Crate and Barrel
Wall clock from Crate and Barrel
Kartell Tip top side table from 2Modern
Chunky tassel throw from West Elm

Bold

Benjamin Moore Elderberry Wine
Tillary Couch from West Elm
Fatboy chair from 2Modern
Coral rug from 2modern
UM Project chair from 2Modern
Panel system from the Shade Store
Parsons media tower from West Elm
Chandelier wall decal from Chiasso

Diagonal

Benjamin Moore Parisian Red
Chloe chair from Crate and Barrel
Leaf Rug from Chiasso
WoollyPocket from Woolly Pocket
Hudson Side table from Crate and Barrel
Glass jug lamp from West Elm
Samar Oval Basket from Crate and Barrel

purple, red, white

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Robiul

December 1, 2015

puppies train at their own pace. The bladder is not grown until 6-months-old. Here are some potty triinang tips, use what helps and leave the rest. I use a crate* to potty train with, but only for potty triinang and then I break it down and store it. I put blankets and a small food and water dish in the crate. Dogs don’t potty where they eat and sleep. When they are first little, I only expect them to hold their potty for 4 hours, and then 6 hours, then 8 hours and so on. So when they are first little, I set a timer or alarm clock to wake myself up at night to take them out. I only allow my puppy in the bedroom* or the living room, only one room at a time. They have to graduate to more space. If I allow them to have full run of the house, it will overwhelm them. I take them out the same door each time. I tie a dinner bell to the door handle. Do not use a jingle bell as they could get their toe caught in it. So when they are little, I ring the bell for them, and then open the door to go outside to potty. When they get bigger, I take their paw and whack the bell and open the door to go potty. Eventually getting to the place where the puppy will ring the bell and let me know when they need to go potty. Dogs want to please you, so it is your job to let them know what behaviors please you and what doesn’t. So when my puppy goes potty, I give her a treat*, and clap, and make a fuss and praise her. So she learns that going potty outside makes me happy. If she has an accident I use a word like shame and take her out right away. When correcting, I use a stern, firm voice, but I never yell* or spank* my puppies. Take them out when they first wake up, after they eat or drink, or when they are sniffing around. Some puppies go pee right away, but may not go poop until 10 minutes later, so wait for the poop. I have a little play time here, because sometimes I think they are done, and they are not. Puppies train at their own pace. While I may have a puppy that hasn’t had an accident in several weeks, I don’t let my guard down. I don’t expect my puppies to be fully potty trained until the 6 to 8-month-old time frame, and depending on the puppy, one-year-old. If they have a setback, shake it off, and start over. I only have my puppies in the crate when I am not watching them. When I am sleeping, cooking, ironing, doing chores, basically when I am not watching her. All other times, she is out of the crate practicing being a big girl. This is the time I train her how to behave in the house. So we are practicing no barking , no biting , no jumping , and don’t eat the furniture. I also have to practice playing inside so she doesn’t knock over things. Some puppies can sleep through the night around 3-months-old, but their bladder is grown around 6-months-old.REVISIONS:*I use a crate to train with. It is the method I prefer, compared to other methods I have tried. While personally, the crate traumatizes me, (it looks like a doggie jail), my puppies do better in the crate. They like it, I guess for the den like feeling, but I noticed that if they are in the crate, while I am doing chores, they are o.k., because the crate allows them to see me and be re-assured. The crate can also be a comfort when stored in the basement for dogs who live in areas where thunderstorms and tornados are an issue. It is a safe secure place for them. However, use the method that works best for you ..a laundry basket, a cardboard box, a woof-woof house, child gates whatever works for you.*Bedrooms, I use the bedroom and living room for triinang, because it works for me. Choose rooms that work for you, but watch for rooms that are damp, or drafty. While my puppies sleep in the bedroom during triinang, once they are trained, I let them sleep where they want to. They don’t have to sleep in the bedroom forever.*Treats. While I use treats for triinang, you don’t have to. I like Charlee Bears for triinang (a little cracker for a little mouth,) I use them for triinang, but once they are trained, I cut back on them. Although I use them to give pills too. I used different treats for different things. We use one bone at bedtime to let the dogs know it is time to go to bed. We use a big rawhide for when we go on long trips, so they have a bone to amuse them, and they will be expected to hold their potty. When they get the rawhide, they will not eat their food and water, until we get home from our trip. (dogs are funny) Do what works best for you.*Some puppies will go potty in the same spot each time. Some puppies have to be told to go potty. A command like go out for #1, or go finish for #2 might work for you. This is a good thing to train if you travel with your dogs. By using commands, the puppy won’t get confused when you are visiting someone, on vacation with you, or when you get to a new home. The command will tell them what you want them to do in an unfamiliar place.*Yelling. It is not a good idea to yell or spank your puppy and then take them outside when they have an accident. They may get confused and think that going outside is punishment. While you want to correct them, if you are extreme, they may not want to go outside again. *Sometimes it seems like you take your puppy out 5 million times a day. You can sit on a bench, or folding chair, or a 5 gallon bucket turned upside down to stay in the shade. I use an umbrella for shade too. You can always tape your favorite tv shows. In the winter I microwave a gel pack heating pad, (sold at walmart in the pharmacy, made by Kaz, I think.) I put the heating pad under my jacket so I won’t freeze to death. In the summer, I freeze bottles of water, so we can grab one real fast on our way out the door. I have a mini back pack by the door I can just grab with doggie treats, a flash light, a rubber band for my hair when the wind is bad, etc. Do what works for you.*Time lines. Keep it real. Puppies train at their own pace, so while your last 2 dogs may have trained faster, this puppy might take longer. Training is all about routines, and repeating yourself. It is about rewarding good behaviors, and correcting bad ones. If you have a setback, shake it off, and keep going. Good luck.

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