STILL LOVING ZEBRA Rediscovering Inspiration Through My Inspiration Notebook

Yea, I am. Maybe it's the black white contrast - but in the more organic vibe then Hollywood Regency vibe? Either way, I was flipping through my Inspiration Notebook (which I still use and still do even though loving. living. small. has ultimately become my virtual Inspiration Notebook.) and re-spotted this fave room makeover via domino. Love this movie and love this room! Oh la la!

If you have old magazine tears, scraps of design love and sheets of old catalogues, take a weekend and make an Inspiration Notebook. A few hours of time will last years. Having imagery and style that *simply* inspires you all in one place is an amazing thing to have at your fingertips!

DESIGN INSPIRATION: Andrea Cobb

I discovered Andrea Cobb's gorgeous illustrations a few years ago in an In Style magazine spread that now lives in my Inspiration Notebook. Her work in is truly amazing! Beautiful colors and design, they almost seem like abstract photography to me instead of original illustrations.

(pictured top : bottom)

In Style spread in my Inspiration Notebook, Central Park, American Beech & Breeze.

Enjoy - and get that Inspiration Notebook started!

design inspiration all over again

since I have my inspiration board rocking in my office, I've been slowly filling it up. I've been flipping through my inspiration notebooks to add to my wall and am *loving* everything I have in there - I mean everything!  I guess that's why I put it in there in the first place! :) One of my fave magazine tears is now on my board and I can check it out daily (shown above - I can't get over this room - love it!) Inspiration continues to, well, inspire and get those creative juices flowing. Do you have an inspiration board or notebook?

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loving. living. small. turns 2!!cheers to all small space dwellers!

two years ago I started loving. living. small. purely as a place to for my inspiration notebook to unfold and to actually see what I had pulled, torn and ripped out of tons of design magazines over the years. now it has become part of me. I have had such incredible rewards from blogging - realizing an important creative outlet, new e-friends, new real friends, new creative direction, new inspiration and the biggest reward - seeing all of *you* come by, leaving comments, sending me sweet emails. (I've had over 255,000 e-friends visit in the last two years - wow!), it's been truly amazing so thank you! I have been fortunate to slowly turn this blogging inspiration into actual work and my career path has happily turned a corner to bigger and brighter.

from loving. living. small. to writing for Apartment Therapy for the last 1.5 years to creating Blog Out Loud to a writing for a new design site launching this March (more to come on that) and to the launching of my new business venture, Sweetline Agency, in early February (more to come on that too!) I love this creative outlet and have appreciated every blogging step of the way!

And I am giving away a little blogger birthday gift too! Click here and leave your best small space tip for a chance to win one of three brand new DKNY perfumes that are not even available til Feb 2010!

So a toast with a little champagne (from my recent weekend trip to Napa), cheers to us, all the small space dwellers out there, living small with style!

xo, rebecca

:: all images from my weekend Napa trip to sparkling winery, Domaine Carneros ::

ADDITION TO MY DREAM HOUSE FILE: White Subway Tile

Dreaming of white subway tile in my modern barnhouse kitchen. This look is timeless, clean and elegant while simply feeling simple. While some people feel the all white kitchen to be trendy, I think it's classic. This kitchen's white tile is going right into my DREAM HOUSE FILE.

Have you started your DREAM HOUSE FILE? Check out this post for organizing your magazine and catalogue tearsheets into an Inspiration Notebook. And keep your digital notebook organized too, using labeled folders inside a main folder on your desk top. Mine is called LOVING LIVING SMALL and inside I have many folders simply labeled Kitchen, Coffee Tables, Accessories, Vintage Finds. Anything that inspires me when I am online, I snap a pic and file it away.

[For MAC users, use the shift + command + 4 to create a camera aperture and snap away. Rename the photo with the website url of where you got the pic.]

[Photo via Stacy Bass Photograhpy]

a small chat Monelle Totah | VP of Design, Williams-Sonoma

Elle Decor features Monelle's home :: Gorgeous!

A Williams-Sonoma Home pretty floor display

One-of-a-kind accents at the Williams-Sonoma Home shop in Palo Alto, CA

Simple and elegant details on Williams-Sonoma napkins

I am very excited to share loving. living. small.'s newest A SMALL CHAT interview with the lovely and talented Monelle Totah, VP of Design for iconic brand, Williams-Sonoma. I blogged about Monelle's chic, elegant yet completely comfortable San Francisco home in Elle Decor last summer. Simply put - I loved it. The design, the style and the presence of Monelle's space went straight into my inspiration notebook. Flash to earlier this year and I had the pleasure of writing a bit for the Designer Marketplace, the Williams-Sonoma Inc brand site. Through my work, I had the pleasure of meeting Monelle. She's been with the company for many years and has had a major hand in creating and styling the look and tone of Williams-Sonoma as we know it today. I recently asked to interview her for A SMALL CHAT to share with you all.

You are the VP of Design for Williams-Sonoma. What a fantastic and creative position! Share a bit about your role with the company and how you got initially started in design. (As I say on loving. living. small. it takes one thing to get you going)


I’VE ALWAYS LOVED INTERIORS – COLOR, TEXTILES, FURNITURE – I STARTED AT WILLIAMS-SONOMA AND HAD THE AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE COMPANY’S FOUNDER, CHUCK WILLIAMS, STARTING CHAMBERS CATALOG – TRAVELING TO FIND THE MOST WONDERFUL ARTISANS OUT THERE, SEARCHING FOR THE BEST OF THE BEST. THIS WAS REALLY THE START OF MY RETAIL CAREER. THE DESIGN PORTION BEGAN WHEN WE STARTED SEEING ANTIQUES THAT INSPIRED US AND WE WANTED TO PRODUCE PRODUCTS THAT HAD THE SAME AFFECT ON OUR CUSTOMERS -- IT WAS AN EVOLUTION FOR SURE – BUT ONE THAT STILL REQUIRES A PASSION FOR PRODUCT!! I ALSO LOVE TO ENTERTAIN SO GETTING INVOLVED IN WILLIAMS-SONOMA TABLETOP DESIGN HAS BEEN GREAT FUN...I LOVE TO SET A TABLE AND HAVE A DINNER PARTY!




Many small space dwellers need to be thoughtful and edit their accents to create a harmonious home. This can often be a struggle since there are so many amazing furniture and decor pieces in the marketplace. What are your best tips for editing a space and what are your suggestions for when you "have to have that new item" in an already full space?


I AM THE QUEEN OF “HAVE TO HAVE’ AND TRUST ME, MY HOME IS NOT HUGE...MY FAVORITE TIPS TO CHANGE THINGS UP WHEN A NEW COLOR OR TREND INSPIRES YOU : COLLECTIONS – SMALL COLLECTIONS GIVE A ROOM THAT FEELING OF INSPIRATION AND SURPRISE – SILVER MATCH STRIKERS, BOXES...BOOKS: I LOVE A GREAT DESIGN BOOK, AND AM OFTEN INSPIRED BY A GREAT COVER OR BINDING, A STACK IN A COLOR CAN ADD POP TO A ROOM ..PILLOWS: WHETHER THE TREND IS CORAL, EQUESTRIAN OR A POP COLOR, A COUPLE OF NEW PILLOWS TAKE UP NO SPACE AND GIVE YOUR ROOOM A WHOLE NEW FEEL. 
ARTWORK – COLLECTING GREAT PIECES OVER TIME, NOT NECESSARILY EXPENSIVE BUT PIECES THAT PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE – FLEA MARKETS ARE GREAT FOR SKETCHES THAT YOU CAN FRAME IN DIFFERENT FRAMES – AND IF YOU HAVE ANY INKLING FOR PAINT AND GREAT WHITE CANVAS, MAKE YOUR OWN JACKSON POLLACK.



You've had a long and exciting career with Williams-Sonoma that often including product design and style. Color and texture play an integral role in creating dimension in a small space. Can you share your thoughts on using color and texture, how to mix and match and what colors work best for small space living, if there is one?


SMALLER SPACES REQUIRE A “CLEAN CANVAS” TO START – I WOULD START WITH NEUTRAL UPHOLSTERED PIECES AND THEN PILE ON THE COLORS AND TEXTURES. I AM A FAN OF LINEN OR A BRUSHED CANVAS – THERE ARE GREAT NEUTRAL TEXTURES OUT RIGHT NOW. DETAILS LIKE NAIL HEADS CAN ADD FLAIR...MIXING AN OLDER ANTIQUES ADDS A TEXTURE ...AND THEN USING YOUR ART, ACCESSORIES AND TEXTILES TO BRING COLOR TO YOUR ROOM – A STRIPED RUG, A TEXTURED PILLOW OR STACK OF BOOKS CAN ADD COLOR WITHOUT TAKING UP TOO MUCH SPACE. 




Your home in San Francisco was featured in Elle Decor last year and I personally fell in love with your space, design aesthetic and elegant yet comfortable vibe. Your house feels very much like a home, one of the main themes I talk about on loving. living. small. How did you create the design for your space and what personal touches have you included in your home that makes you feel great after a long day?


DON’T FOLLOW RULES – EVERYONE SAYS YOU CAN’T HAVE WHITE SOFAS MUCH LESS WITH A BLACK DOG – NOT ONLY DO I, BUT I SERVE RED WINE TOO! A ROOM HAS TO BE LIVED IN...MIXING OLD AND NEW, MODERN W. TRADITIONAL...DO WHAT FEELS RIGHT. 
COLLECTIONS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO ME - THEY ADD SUCH A PERSONAL TOUCH - I TRAVEL A LOT AND LOVE TO BRING HOME “A TREASURE” - OR WHEN GOING TO FLEA MARKETS I DISCOVER 1 SUGAR SHAKER, THEN ANOTHER AND BEFORE I KNOW IT I AM COLLECTING SUGAR SHAKERS. 
SMALL SPACES –I HAVE A LITTLE ROOM THAT I RETREAT TO, THERE'S A SMALL TV (YES, I WATCH PROJECT RUNWAY) MY MAGAZINES STACK UP TEMPTING ME TO CURL UP AND READ THEM...SMALL PRIVATE SPACES ARE THE BEST RETREAT – AND IF YOU DON’T HAVE ONE, MAKE ONE – A CORNER IN A ROOM – A COMFORTABLE CHAISE OR CHAIR AND OTTOMAN.

Thank you, Monelle!

Enjoy more of A SMALL CHAT interviews >>

• Sixx Design
• Peter Walsh
• Ish and Chi
• The Brick House

:: Top images via Elle Decor and all other images by me ::


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NESTING NEWBIES (Issue 4) design bloggers + gorgeous tablescapes + amazing food + incredible landscape

The Design Bloggers - that's me in the back with the dark hair by the grill

Love these vignettes :: that's me in the upper right with the white dress

The meal was insane - amazing - wonderful!

Ok..you have to make the goat cheese stuffed dates. Will. change. your. life.

This honey saffron butter was unlike anything I had every had before - loved it!

Love these girls :: Erin, Emily, Anne and me

I still can't believe how pretty this day was - look at where our "Set" was - wow!

A view of the vines

The design blogger ladies hanging out pre-shoot

Enjoying the meal with sweet friends, Jennifer & Erin

Oh la la - am I excited about this one - the summer issue of NESTING NEWBIES is live! I have been keeping a little secret for a few weeks now and can finally talk about this incredible day with design blogger friends (old and new), the amazing editors behind Nesting Newbies - Lea and Jodi, our day at Fogarty Winery and just the overall fabulousness of this magazine.

I had met Jodi and Lea (seriously talented and nice people) at Blog Out Loud 5 in March 2010 and we followed it up with a great lunch at the SF|DC. They told me about their idea for a morroccan-themed dinner party for their summer issue that would include Lea's *seriously* amazing menu, a beautifully designed tablescape, the Fogarty Winery as a venue and a group of lovely design bloggers. 

"Would I want to be part of this?" 

YES!!!

In late June, 13 design blogger ladies arrived at the Fogarty Winery venue a few miles south of San Francisco. As you can see from my photos above, it was quite breathtaking. We were shown the the tablescape that was designed by talented Jennifer Fraise and it was a sweet pink, green and white palette with both vintage and modern touches - elegant yet light. I personally loved the birdcage as a centerpiece and the floor cushions - a great small space idea. (See page 62 for a full behind-the-scenes video of how Jennifer concepted and created the tablescape) 

After the photo shoot overlooking the valley (did i say WOW already), we moved to the  Fogarty dining room in the main building where we enjoyed Lea's wonderful meal. As you can see from my reaction - it was also a gorgeous tablescape and view! (See a behind-the-scenes look on page 12 at Lea prepping the menu and the bloggers walking and enjoying the meal - what a night!!) 

The entire day and evening was spectacular. and the Nesting Newbies issue 4 is really pretty amazing. Over 200 pages of design, cuisine and style inspiration - Jodie and Lea are total visionaries. Click here to view and also download your own copy for free!

On a personal note, I got to spend time with friends Emily, Jeanine, Anne, Erin, Julia, Jennifer and meet all the other ladies. I began this blogging journey almost three years ago as a place to keep track of my inspiration notebook and now it has become a big part of my life with wonderful opportunities and huge rewards-  like all the new, true friends and e-meeting all of YOU!  Love it!

:: Images 1 - 7 from Nesting Newbies Issue 4 and the rest from me ::

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a small move make your own super affordable custom headboard. a small space d.i.y.

FINDING A PIECE OF PLYWOOD AT HOME DEPOT

THE NICE GUY AT HOME DEPOT HELPED ME CUT THE WOOD TO SIZE & TO FIT IN MY CAR

LOVE THE IKEA FABRIC TO WRAP THE BOARD

AND IT WAS ONLY $4/YARD

DRAWING THE SHAPE & USED A STRING TO MAKE THE ROUND SECTIONS PERFECT

LOVED THE HOUSE OF FOAM

THE SWEET OWNER OF 40+ YEARS HELPED ME CUT THE FOAM TO SHAPE

WHEN I GOT HOME, I MADE THE HEADBOARD THE FULL SIZE

IT WAS A GREAT TIP TO CUT IT SMALLER INITIALLY TO FIT IT IN MY CAR

THE BRACKETS WERE SIMPLE TO PLACE

GETTING READY TO WRAP THE BOARD

AND FINALLY IT'S UP IN MY BEDROOM

IT'S COMFY TO LEAN AGAINST

ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT PERFECTLY WRAPPED OR EVEN {I COULD USE A "WRAPPING ROUND SECTIONS" TUTORIAL}, I REALLY LIKE MY HEADBOARD

AND MY ENTIRE COMFY BEDROOM

GOOD NIGHT :)

so I've been living in my new small space for a few weeks and am finally feeling settled in, getting into my routine, enjoying visits from friends, getting ready for dinner parties and all that good stuff. Although I am loving my dining room-turned-office and my main room, I really love my bedroom. It's really comfy - steadily cool temp, cozy vibe and, finally, my new custom-made headboard.

I've always loved Grace of Design*Sponge's headboard. I had downloaded the template and kept it in my inspiration notebook for years until I had time and space. When I recently moved, I knew that my new apartment was the perfect opportunity to make my own version. I wanted to share my d.i.y. with all you lovely small space dwellers because it really is easy to do, surprisingly affordable, I could fit all the project pieces in my small car by myself and it's a great piece for your bedroom that feels and looks good.

I did this project when I was in Northern California spending time with my brother, sister-in-law and nephews and my bro helped me with some of this. I headed over to Home Depot to buy a $12 8 x 4 ft piece of plywood. The Home Depot guy cut the wood lengthwise to size for me for free. I also knew that the piece wouldn't fit in my car so he cut it in half lengthwise again to transport it. I bought 2 x $0.89 brackets that I would use to put the full board back together later.

Once home, I began to draw the form of the headboard on the wood. My brother suggested using a string tied to the marker to get a perfect round shape. (great tip - it worked for the round top of the headboard and the other dips in the board) Once the shape was drawn out, my brother helped me cut the wood with a jigsaw. I sanded down the edges and hopped in my car with the newly cut headboard shape (still in 2 pieces so it would fit in my car) and headed out to get some foam.

I had done some research and - wow - is foam pricey! I was able to find a local shop in Palo Alto called House of Foam (love the name!) that had a large enough piece for under $100. The owner was so helpful and very nice. He cut the shape of the headboard for me for free - also with a jigsaw. I loaded everything back into my car and headed back to my brothers. I set up a table outside, loaded up the staple gun (boys have tools) and got ready for the next steps.

I was ready to put the full board back together and used the brackets to fasten the two pieces back together. I then glued down the foam and wrapped the entire board/foam with $6 batting that I had picked up at Joann Fabrics. I ironed my Ikea fabric that I picked up for $12 ($4/yard) and placed the board, foam/batting side down, onto the fabric. I was now ready to staple gun the fabric. Ok, this is the deal, it is actually not easy to round those edges. I did a bit of tucking and stapling but as I got to the last section, the fabric wouldn't really pull. Let's say that this headboard could have been wrapped a bit (ok a lot) better. But it worked out and I liked the end result. I fastened a hook on the back and, when I got down to Los Angeles, I was finally able to hang my brand new, king-sized headboard up and love it! I definitely recommend this project for all design lovers. With a little help, research and a day, you can have your very own headboard for your small space - love it! And a little love for design inspiration, tear out and save anything and everything that inspires you so when you are ready, you can create your very own style.

Check out more of my moving adventures in my little series - a small move.

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USING YOUR WALLS: Mirrored headboard

I've already done a few posts about headboards here and here but I had to include this neat one - mirrors used in a dimensional pattern. This look allows your small space to achieve vertical depth and spacial depth all-in-one. Plus what a super cool visual display in you bedroom!?! I'm also loving the pops of orange and magenta accents. (picture source unknown - part of my Inspiration Notebook).

Enjoy!

ADDITION TO MY DREAM HOUSE FILE: Convex Mirror

This convex mirror will be in my dream house. It's interesting, chic with a whimsical edge....l-o-v-e it! Therefore, it's added to my dream house file. Have you started your dream house file? Flip through your favorite magazines and sites and start that inspiration notebook. {via Hudson Furniture}