
(Image from Potatomato)

(From Chele McKee, via Desire to Inspire)

(From Apartment Therapy: SF)

(From Apartment Therapy: NY)

(From Apartment Therapy: SF)
What type of party is it? A dinner party may only mean rounding up a few chairs from other rooms or extending a table while charades requires figuring out some place that will represent the stage. Move the furniture around: a dining room table can be pushed up against a wall; couches can be pulled away from the coffee table; dining chairs can couple up with small tables to create a space for conversation. You may find, when the party's over, that you've discovered a new furniture arrangement for your home.
Alternative Seating like stools, poufs and pillows on the floor will open up space for people. You can also just make them stand!
Party Proof The House. Especially in a small space where people will be bumping into furniture, etc. move the breakables, or at least anchor them with some earthquake putty.
A Place for Coats and Bags. My living room is so small that if two people came in with coats and bags, then I would have to turn people away, I'd be full. So without a coat closet, that means it all goes on the bed. This frees up tons of space and means I can invite more people!
Quicker to clean — Got a call that the girlfriend’s parents want to stop by? No worries. Even if it is a disaster area, the place can be buffed out in 30 minutes — tops.
Improved relationships — Say what? That’s right, studies show that couples who live in a small space have healthier relationships. “My girlfriend and I don’t hide in our caves when something comes up,” [he] says.
LMIAs (Less missing in action) — One phrase you may never hear again is: “Honey, where’s my _____________?” Because stuff simply has fewer places to hide.
Not having the answer to a problem in the immediate moment isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I am teaching myself to let a problem task go unanswered at the end of the day and still be able to sleep at night. Though not always in clear sight, an answer can almost always be reached, or perhaps we’re not asking the right questions.
Often times, struggling through a task can lead to creative options that aren’t always visible. Looking externally for answers (through what you don’t know yourself) can lead to more successful solutions – listening is key. The opinion of our friends, family, and coworkers is a valuable asset. There’s tremendous value is in translating and understanding the advice and opinion of others.
will it work if your walls are already wallpapered?! I'm guessing not. My new rental house has plain neutral coloured wallpaper in some places which has then been painted on in yet more neutral colour, I was looking for a way to add a splash of colour/pattern to the odd wall or chimney breast.Hmm. While I don't know for sure because I haven't tried it (nor know anyone who has), my inclination is to say no. You see, to get the fabric properly starched, you have to soak it in the water and starch mixture before slapping it up on your wall. Your walls will be wet to the touch for at least a day. And moisture + traditional wallpaper = bad. I'm envisioning scenarios where the wetness and the weight of the fabric pulls down the original paper, or maybe the fabric goes up on your walls without a hitch, but when it comes time to remove it, it'll yank the paper down too. Either way, the paper underneath will be ruined. So if you're trying to preserve what your landlord already put up, I'd avoid the starched fabric wallcovering. However, if your place has wallpaper that's since been painted on, I wonder if your landlord cares about the condition of the paper? Maybe they'll be cool with you pulling it down (and then putting fabric up). I would definitely ask... or be prepared to lose my deposit.