Designer shares video tour of beautiful tiny home: 'It doesn't feel tiny'

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

This article features an interview with Betsy Moyer, an interior designer and co-founder of Retreat, where she shares her career journey and five actionable tips to enhance joy in living spaces. Moyer, a serial entrepreneur with a background in creative design and digital content strategy, co-founded The Estate of Things and The Blissfield Acres before launching Retreat in 2020. Retreat specializes in elevated, experiential design for short-term rental properties in the Joshua Tree area, offering services from real estate consultation to interior design. Her professional journey also includes roles as director of digital content strategy for NPR affiliate KCRW and The Design People, and she holds a Bachelor's of Art in History and is pursuing a master's in interior architecture and design. Moyer's passion for home, renovation, and real estate began early in life, leading her to co-launch her interior design and real estate blog, The Estate of Things, in 2008 with Sarah Farrell. This partnership chronicled their efforts in buying, renting, building, renovating, designing, and staging properties, and even included a brick-and-mortar shop. Her collaboration with Kate Shaw, founder of Riley Properties, an Airbnb Investment and Property Management company, naturally evolved into Retreat. Moyer recounts the rapid success of Retreat, noting that they quickly received more inquiries than they could handle after a weekend website launch, indicating a strong market demand for their specialized design services in Joshua Tree. A key lesson Moyer learned early in her career was the importance of balancing client satisfaction with personal well-being, moving from overcommitment to strategic project selection. She emphasizes focusing on enjoyable projects and creating a positive work environment for her team. Currently, Retreat is engaged in an interesting consulting project for new Airbnb construction and an exciting landmark project involving Kate Shaw's latest property, which will serve as a showcase for Retreat's capabilities. Moyer shares a deeply personal life lesson derived from a Rupi Kaur poem, reflecting on the transformative period of experiencing her daughter's birth, her mother's death from cancer, and her own cancer diagnosis and treatment. This period reshaped her perspective and intensified her drive. She credits Sarah Farrell for significantly influencing her design style and her husband for supporting her pursuit of a master's degree in interior design. The five recommendations Betsy Moyer provides for sparking more joy in a living space are: organizing the kitchen with beautiful storage, investing in high-quality bedding and mattresses, thoughtfully considering lighting, ensuring every item has an assigned place, and developing a cohesive space plan, 'vibes guide,' and color scheme. She believes these elements contribute significantly to creating a healthy and joyful home environment. Moyer concludes by proposing a movement centered on wellness in home design, advocating for spaces that support mental and physical health. She also expresses a desire to meet or work with Elon Musk, admiring his innovative spirit and skills, and jokingly suggests he hire her for his vacation home in Joshua Tree, CA. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #Entrepreneurship #Lifestyle #WellnessInDesign #AirbnbDesign #RetreatHome #SmallBusiness #JoyfulLiving

An interior designer named Shannyn Weiler sparked a debate on TikTok by asserting that an excessive display of family photos, termed a “shrine,” indicates poor taste in interior decor. Weiler’s argument centers on the idea that homes should not solely feature personal photographs but should incorporate a variety of art and design elements. She provided an anecdote from her own life, recalling how she and her husband, as young newlyweds with limited funds, filled their first apartment with wedding photos, creating what she now refers to as a "shrine." She extended this idea to parents with a single baby or grandparents with one grandchild, suggesting that such focused displays of one subject can dominate a living space. Weiler advocates for a more balanced approach to home decoration. She recommends integrating diverse artwork, including prints from sources like Etsy, and mirrors to create a varied visual environment. Her suggestion is to avoid having photographs of family members on every wall, emphasizing the importance of mixing different types of decor to prevent a "shrine-like" appearance. This perspective garnered significant attention and criticism from social media users. Many commenters expressed strong disagreement, emphasizing that their homes are primarily for their own comfort and enjoyment, not for impressing visitors. A popular sentiment was that displaying pictures of loved ones brings joy and personal connection to a home, making it feel lived-in and cherished. Some users highlighted that they prioritize photos of their children and family experiences over generic art or flowers. Commenters also pointed out that the idea of designing a home to avoid appearing "tacky" to others misses the fundamental purpose of a personal living space. They argued that individual preferences should dictate home decor, irrespective of external opinions on taste. Some shared personal experiences, like one individual who disliked growing up in a home that prioritized aesthetic over personal touches, feeling that their mother valued material things more than family memories. Conversely, a minority of respondents agreed with Weiler’s professional opinion. These individuals shared the view that too many personal photos can appear narcissistic or visually unappealing. They noted instances where homes filled exclusively with wedding photos, for example, suggested a lack of broader interests or a somewhat dated aesthetic. One commenter mentioned a friend’s home with an abundance of wedding pictures, which they found tacky, and ironically, those friends later divorced, reinforcing the idea that such displays might not reflect a well-rounded interior. Despite the backlash, Weiler's viewpoint is not unique within interior design circles. Sarah Han from Apartment Therapy echoes a similar sentiment, suggesting that an abundance of self-portraits in a home can be perceived as vain. Weiler posted a follow-up video acknowledging the varied reactions and explaining that while some design advice may initially seem unappealing, trying new ideas can sometimes lead to unexpected satisfaction. Her follow-up stressed that individuals may find some design principles resonate with them after experimenting, even if their initial reaction is resistance. #InteriorDesign #FamilyPhotos #HomeDecor #TikTokTrends #DesignPhilosophy #PersonalExpression #AestheticDebate

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

A TikTok creator named Chloe, known as @plantyquil, successfully transformed an 850-square-foot shed into her dream plant shop, demonstrating the potential for converting underutilized spaces into functional and aesthetic tiny homes. The conversion project, documented in a video, showcases a fully equipped space that includes essential amenities such as a washer and dryer hookup, stairs surrounding the property, and comprehensive plumbing. Chloe's initiative highlights a growing trend towards minimalistic living and sustainable housing solutions, as tiny homes offer a practical alternative to traditional residences. The total cost for this extensive shed transformation was approximately $50,000 to $60,000. This figure encompasses all aspects of the renovation, from the structural modifications like adding stairs to the front and back of the property, to the installation of modern conveniences like the washer and dryer hookup, and plumbing infrastructure. Despite the relatively small footprint, the interior design maximizes space, allowing for ample room to care for a large collection of plants, which is central to Chloe's business. The article emphasizes the increasing popularity of tiny homes, positioning them as an effective solution for both short-term and long-term living arrangements. A significant advantage of tiny homes is their ability to provide all necessary amenities while incurring only a fraction of the utility costs associated with larger, traditional homes. This cost-efficiency is a key driver for individuals seeking more affordable housing options. Furthermore, tiny homes encourage a minimalistic lifestyle, which inherently reduces household waste and promotes a more sustainable way of living. United Tiny Homes, an organization focused on this housing model, supports these claims by explaining that smaller living spaces necessitate fewer resources, generate less waste, and consume less energy. The construction of tiny homes often involves environmentally friendly materials and sustainable building practices, positioning them as a more eco-conscious housing choice. This aligns with broader environmental goals of reducing carbon footprints and promoting responsible consumption. In contrast, larger homes, particularly those exceeding 200 square meters, are reported to consume significantly more energy—up to four times more than smaller spaces. This increased energy consumption is due to the greater effort required to heat or cool larger volumes of space. Utility King further elaborates on the energy implications, noting that beyond just the energy-consuming appliances, the sheer size and construction materials of a home play a crucial role in its overall energy footprint. Building smaller homes is presented as not only a more cost-effective option but also an energy-efficient one, contributing to lower utility bills and reduced environmental impact. By consuming less energy, tiny homes help decrease planet-harming emissions, thereby fostering a healthier planet and mitigating pollution. #TinyHome #ShedConversion #SustainableLiving #GreenHome #MinimalisticLifestyle #HomeHacks #EnergyEfficiency #DIY #PlantShop