This Designer’s Tiny, Square San Francisco Home Is a Box of Tricks

The article explores an often-neglected space in home design that interior designers consistently prioritize: the hallway. While homeowners typically focus design efforts on main rooms such as kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms, a poll of 15 interior designers revealed that 10 experts identified the hallway as a crucial area that should not be overlooked. The hallway, frequently perceived as merely a transitional space, possesses significant untapped potential for enhancing a home's aesthetic and cohesive feel. Designers emphasize that investing creative energy in hallways can transform them into integral parts of the home's overall design narrative. Kelsey Matyas of Kelsey Deirdre Designs describes the hallway as "connective tissue — not just between rooms, but between design ideas." Sarah Beth Wood of Rigby Wood Interior Design highlights that passageways, especially those connecting key spaces, should be carefully considered, particularly in new construction. She suggests incorporating architectural millwork, faceted lighting, and wall coverings to elevate a basic hallway into a special journey. Homeowners often default to neutral paint and bare walls in hallways, neglecting proper lighting and architectural opportunities. This oversight results in a lack of personality in what could be a visually engaging area. Michelle Murphy, founder of Demi Ryan, states that small spaces like hallways can set the tone for the entire home, making it feel more inviting and personal. Yena Jung of By Yena Designs adds that these overlooked nooks and hallways can be transformed into memorable areas that draw attention. The article provides several practical suggestions from designers on how to elevate a hallway's design. Lighting is a key element, with recommendations for playful overhead fixtures like pendants or flush mounts, and decorative wall sconces to illuminate long corridors. Kristyn Harvey of Kristyn Harvey Interiors notes that repetition of light fixtures in longer hallways can create a strong statement. Architectural details, such as molding or wainscoting, are also highly recommended to add visual interest. Ellen Hatton, principal of BVA BarnesVanze Architects, suggests enhancing hallway openings with custom stained wood fretwork, arches, or pilasters instead of simple casing. Wall treatments offer another avenue for transformation, with designers advocating for bright paint colors, funky wallpaper (even on the ceiling), or textural paints like limewash or Venetian plaster, or a high-gloss finish. Ceiling design, often referred to as the "fifth wall," is presented as a significant opportunity to create impact in a small space. Hatton advises experimenting with bold ceiling treatments such as barrel or groin vaults, coffering, or eye-catching paint colors. The article also highlights the importance of mirrors and artwork, suggesting that large canvas prints or gallery walls can make a narrow corridor feel larger and add personal flair. Jung points out that a simple mirror in a corner or on a wall with a window can make a space feel more open and inviting. Runner rugs are recommended not only for protecting floors but also for introducing vintage styles or colorful patterns to transform the hallway's vibe. Interior designer Taniya Nayak suggests incorporating various prints through rugs, curtains, wall art, or even table books for a maximalist aesthetic. Finally, the article promotes the inclusion of tiny built-ins, even in small hallways, to serve functional purposes such as a homework area with a desk, a home bar, or a drop zone in an entry hall. Seth Ballad of DC Ballard & Mensua Architecture notes that even a simple niche bookshelf can add character to the space. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #HallwayDesign #ArchitecturalDetails #LightingDesign #WallTreatments #CeilingDesign #HomeStyling #SpaceUtilization

Chelsey Brown, an interior decorator and author of "Rental Style," transformed her 520-square-foot studio apartment in New York City's NoMad neighborhood into a Parisian-inspired oasis using renter-friendly hacks and DIY decor. Brown's approach to interior design stems from her observation of a gap in content specifically catering to decorating rental spaces. She focuses on maximizing small spaces through innovative storage solutions, furniture arrangement, and creative DIY projects. Her apartment features a combined entryway and kitchen area where she utilized peel-and-stick wallpaper and contact paper for a temporary yet stylish update. The entryway door is adorned with teal-colored peel-and-stick wallpaper, known for its easy removability, while the kitchen countertops and backsplash are revamped with blush-colored, marble-printed contact paper. This demonstrates a practical approach to personalizing rented spaces without permanent alterations. In the main living area, Brown employs large mirrors not only for aesthetic purposes but also as clever storage solutions. She stores spare artwork and purses behind these mirrors, emphasizing the importance of utilizing every available crevice in a small apartment. She suggests thinking of such spaces as functional areas. The strategic placement of layered mirrors also serves to create an illusion of a taller and more luxurious room, enhancing the perception of space. Brown's DIY projects are a cornerstone of her design philosophy. She created a unique squiggly mirror using a frameless mirror, wood or cardboard, and paint, detailing the process on her blog. This project exemplifies how custom, handcrafted items can add personality and functionality to a space. Another notable DIY is the wall-mounted TV makeover, where she installed wooden dowel panels on either side of the television using foam half-moon dowels, command strips, and paint. This solution adds visual interest and character, moving beyond the simple presence of a television on a wall. For furniture arrangement, Brown advocates for "floating" the sofa in a small space rather than pushing it against a wall. This technique helps create distinct zones within a studio apartment, making it feel less like a single room and more like a larger home. Behind her floating couch, she placed an acrylic console table with stools, which functions as both a dining area and a workstation for her DIY projects. Storage is further optimized by utilizing less obvious spaces, such as storing film equipment behind the radiator. To define her bedroom area within the studio, Brown used peel-and-stick wallpaper, a room divider, and a distinctive gallery wall. This gallery wall features layered picture frames that extend onto the ceiling, a creative and visually engaging element. To ensure safety, especially with items mounted overhead, she crafted the frames from cardboard and secured them with heavy-duty adhesive strips. Under her bed and in a white console, she stores kitchen items like pots and pans that couldn't fit in the kitchen, showcasing her commitment to versatile storage. Brown emphasizes that making a room feel larger and more open involves directing the eye strategically. She values originality over trends, encouraging homeowners and renters to develop unique design features that create a memorable impression. Her methods provide practical and visually appealing solutions for those living in compact urban environments, demonstrating how thoughtful design and DIY efforts can significantly enhance small living spaces. #InteriorDesign #TinyApartment #NYCRealEstate #SpaceSavingHacks #DIYDecor #RenterFriendly #StudioApartment #ChelseyBrown #HomeDecoration

Texas tiny-home designer Kelly Walker provided an in-depth video tour of her family's tiny home, measuring 11 feet by 34 feet, which houses her family of four. The home, built on lakeside land, was initially intended as a secondary vacation retreat but became their full-time residence due to their affection for it. Viewers of the video were particularly impressed by the home's functionality and aesthetic appeal, with one commenter describing it as the "best tiny home floor plan" they had seen, praising its thoughtful design and coziness. Walker emphasized the critical role of storage and versatility in tiny home design, especially for families. Her design considerations included ample space for food and clothing, reflecting practical needs within a compact living area. The living room ottoman, for instance, was designed to serve a dual purpose as bench seating for the dining area, allowing the family of four to share meals together by simply repositioning the furniture. This highlights the innovative use of space and multi-functional elements essential for tiny living. Maintaining a sense of 'home' was also crucial for Walker, even with the necessity of streamlining belongings. She encouraged others adopting a tiny home lifestyle to incorporate meaningful decor that holds personal value, demonstrating that downsizing doesn't mean sacrificing comfort or personal expression. This approach helps residents feel settled and connected to their smaller living spaces. Living in a tiny home offers several benefits, including financial savings on construction costs and ongoing utility expenses, as it requires less energy for heating and cooling compared to larger residences. These reduced energy bills and lower property taxes contribute to a more affordable lifestyle. Beyond the financial advantages, tiny homes are also considered more eco-friendly due to their lower consumption of energy and resources. The broader adoption of tiny homes and the associated energy conservation contribute positively to environmental sustainability, fostering a cleaner and more sustainable future. To further promote the tiny home concept, the Walker family rents out several other tiny homes they own on the same property to vacationers. This initiative provides an experiential opportunity for potential tiny home dwellers to test out the lifestyle firsthand, allowing them to understand the practicalities and benefits before making a significant commitment. #TinyHome #EcoFriendlyLiving #SustainableHousing #HomeDesign #SmallSpaceLiving #MinimalistLifestyle #GreenLiving

The 2025 Real Simple Home event is set to feature two distinct residential spaces in One Park Row, downtown Manhattan: a four-bedroom penthouse suite and a two-bedroom “DIY Annex.” These spaces have been transformed by a team of ten designers, including a celebrity, a group of content creators, and an organizing expert. This initiative marks the first time Real Simple has showcased two apartments for its annual home event. The penthouse suite has been collaboratively designed by several notable figures. Alvin Wayne, founder of Alvin Wayne Interiors, is responsible for the primary suite, bringing his signature blend of modern and vintage elements. Jason Saft, owner of Staged to Sell Home, has taken on the open-plan living room, dining room, and kitchen, leveraging his extensive experience in real estate staging. Drew Barrymore, the renowned actor, producer, talk show host, and business owner, contributed her design aesthetic to a dedicated “feel-good room.” Noz Nozawa, a San Francisco-based designer known for her vibrant, layered interiors, applied her style to the penthouse's wrap-around patio. Alexandra Gater, a Toronto-based stylist and home decor expert, focused on the home's second-floor den, emphasizing budget-friendly yet beautiful design. Candace Griffin, founder of Candace Mary Interiors, designed a children's room, incorporating timeless elegance with modern touches. Mandy Cheng, owner of Mandy Cheng Design, created a versatile guest bedroom/office space. The “DIY Annex” apartment was conceptualized and executed by three prominent content creators. Drew Michael Scott, known for his Lone Fox brand, designed the living room, showcasing his expertise in DIY projects and interior design. Mallory Fletchall, a Brooklyn-based content creator and owner of Reserve Home, contributed her ideas to the annex, drawing from her experience with timeless interiors and vintage finds. Valeria Jacobs, the creative mind behind Rebecca and Genevieve, brought her unique DIY perspective to the space, informed by her passion for interiors and content creation. Rounding out the team is Tyler Moore, also known as Tidy Dad, an organizing expert who ensured both spaces were optimized for storage and functionality, offering practical solutions for a well-ordered home. This comprehensive design effort aims to offer a wide range of decorating ideas, organizational strategies, and inspiring transformations for both luxury and budget-conscious homeowners and renters. The project brings together diverse design philosophies and practical approaches to create engaging and functional living environments. #RealSimpleHome #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ManhattanApartments #DesignerShowcase #DIYHomeDecor #CelebrityDesign #HomeOrganization #LuxuryInteriors

The Designer Show House, a biennial event sponsored by the Village Improvement Association in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, showcases diverse interior and exterior design inspirations across its 6,000 square feet of space and nearly an acre of outdoor areas. This event serves as a platform for regional designers to present their expertise and offers visitors a wealth of ideas for their own homes. One featured space is a sunken living room, designed by Kate FitzGerald-Wilks of Timeless Design in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. This room embodies a West Indies aesthetic, characterized by bold lines, soft sandy hues, and rich textures. Key elements include vintage stick bamboo chairs painted black, adorned with Kuba cloth and Ralph Lauren zebra-stripe pillows on a slipcovered camel-backed sofa. A mid-century hutch is repurposed as a cocktail bar, complemented by sculptural metal and glass console tables flanking the fireplace. Wood mirrors with faux tortoise shell lean against textured wallpaper, while modern sculptures and art blend with antique books and global treasures. FitzGerald-Wilks also designed the dining room, aiming for a dramatic effect with a backdrop of 200 wine bottles and a striking Dolcetti chandelier crafted from shells and crystals, evoking sea glass. An 8-foot-long reclaimed wine rack sits atop a buffet. The room's color palette consists of soft creams and tans, punctuated by emerald green accents in the chandelier and wine bottles. Windows are framed with woven ikat print panels. An airy sunroom, conceived by Alfred Wolf Home (a new venture from Design Center of Rehoboth or DCOR), was designed to create a light-filled, contemporary transition between the house and garden. This involved removing existing French doors and window grills, painting the room in various shades of white and French gray-green, and incorporating textural elements of white canvas, iron, and marble. The family room, also by DCOR, maintained the warmth of its original paneling and fireplace stone, setting the foundation for a soft khaki and cream palette. The room is furnished with herringbone, tweed, and leather fabrics, offset by tortoise shell wood finishes and local tidal scene artwork. Mary Stewart of M. Stewart Interiors in Bear designed the upstairs hobby room, named "Just Us," intended as a shared family space for various pastimes like painting, photography, reading, chess, and Lego building. The room features updated cherished family heirlooms and is painted simply white to highlight paintings by Nadia Zychal. Nile Johnson of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, designed the second-floor paneled library, drawing inspiration from Rehoboth's laid-back yet cosmopolitan atmosphere. This space offers an updated interpretation of a classic library, decorated in layers of sandy tans. Cyndi and Ron Oronzio and Cathie Sheetz of Dreamweaver Interiors of Rehoboth Beach decorated a bedroom and bath, inspired by vibrantly patterned fabrics. They utilized Robert Allen fabrics as wallpaper for an accent wall, building the room's design around this print. The team selected fabrics for their depth, crisp patterns, contrasting textures, and detailed embroidery, incorporating a bright coral pink accent color and rhinestone embellishments for a feminine touch. Brenda Carder of blcINTERIORS of Rehoboth Beach designed a small guest bedroom, combining natural cotton and linen fabrics with metal and reclaimed wood. Crown moldings add formality. To compensate for limited sunlight, the room was kept light and bright, with a deep navy blue accent wall and touches of bright yellow for warmth. The second floor features art by Libby Zando of Zando Designs and Art Affects in Milton, alongside works by award-winning regional artists. Boardwalk Builders of Rehoboth transformed a hallway into a gallery space by adding wainscot paneling, creating an updated cottage aesthetic that visually broadened the hallway. Mark A. Polo of The Urban Dweller in Boonton, New Jersey, designed the master suite, aiming for comfort with soft textural colors ranging from taupe to blue. The furniture is upholstered to enhance the room's softness, featuring taupe draperies of embroidered sheer linen and silk edged in leather and freshwater pearls. Blonde floors are softened by a long-fiber rug. Outdoors, Erin Walls and Justin Bartels of Bella Terra Landscaping in Lincoln repurposed existing flagstone patios and walkways, adding new stones to create a Celtic-inspired design. The layout divides the space into a grand area for social gatherings and secluded nooks for quiet retreats. Creative Concepts Furniture of Lewes and Ocean View furnished the patios as outdoor rooms with bright coastal colors, including a sectional, loveseat, dining area for six, and lounge chairs, inviting visitors to envision themselves in the setting. #DesignerShowHouse #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #RehobothBeach #DelawareDesign #LuxuryInteriors #OutdoorLiving #DesignInspiration