Inspiring Spaces | Design Happens

ALL POSTS TAGGED "[Inspiring Spaces]"

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow

by March 23, 2009 4 Comments

The first day of spring was Friday. Here in NYC it snowed. That being said, the two days preceding the snow were beautiful. I am SO excited for spring. I love checking out amazing gardens in and around the city. So, until the weather catches up with the season, I get my fill of spring by looking at beautiful pictures of gardens. I print these pictures out and I put them around my desk and immediately, I’ve got a sunny disposition.

No matter where you live, you can find amazing gardens. Even here in the urban jungle that is NYC there are amazing gardens. Two of my favorite places to go to soak in the greenery: Brooklyn Botanical Garden and Governors Island. Also, this summer here in NYC we have a special new space to enjoy, The Highline. It’s a huge planted park that is built on the old raised railroad tracks that run along the west side of the city. I was lucky enough to take a private tour of the work in progress, and I can honestly say that it’s breathtaking!

What kind of gardens do you love? How are you hyping up for spring? Check out more brilliant landscape designs at Knibb Designs!

Size Doesn’t Always Matter

by siteadmin November 10, 2008 9 Comments

When I meet someone at a social gathering and they find out that I’m a Director of Original Programming for HGTV, they always assume I’m living in a large, highly-decorated estate. I’m HUGELY flattered, always honored and somewhat guilty to admit that my abode is no such place. I leave the big jobs to my friends Taniya Nayak, Monica Pedersen, Angelo Surmelis, etc.

My home is modest and yet what I would consider fabulous at the same time. I have a very manageable home (it’s a 2 bedrooms/2 bath ranch built in 1950) — and it’s less than 1600 square feet.

However, I’ve managed to turn it into a bit of a real-world showplace that fits my own personal taste. Nothing in it is extravagantly expensive or incredibly unique — but when I walk through my front door each day, I LOVE what I see.

So what’s my style? I love contemporary furnishings that are still somewhat affordable (www.crateandbarrel.com) with little flashy indulgences of what I call “the awesome factor” (www.mogullife.com) — this website has inspired me to no end. Put it all together, and you have a comfy, cozy, personal and very “me” home.

Bottom line, you don’t need a mansion to feel like a mogul — trust me, I’m trying to live it by example. How have you been inspired to turn your real-world home into a showplace too? I especially love to hear about stylish, smaller homes — after all size doesn’t always matter!

Tiny Houses

by siteadmin October 30, 2008 8 Comments

I’ve always considered myself something of an expert in small living spaces. After all, I lived in Manhattan for five years. But the members of the small house movement have put me to shame with their 100-square foot havens.

Tough economic times are putting them in the news lately. I saw a post on Strollerderby today, and it references a recent CNN profile of two different home owners. If you check them out you’ll read a lot about how these people give up space in order to save money or even to make a political statement. The element I think they both miss is that these homes are beautiful. The architecture, both the modern and the traditional, is lovely and on such a small scale every single detail shines.

Check out this sweet bungalow. It’s a mere 250 square feet.

You can get a tour of two interiors courtesy of CNN.

I love the cozy space, the rigorous organization, the elegant efficiency. Some day, admittedly after my son is grown, I could see myself happily ensconced in my own perfect 250 square feet.

If you decide to downsize, Small Space, Big Style has what you need to make it work.

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