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Starting From Scratch: Kyle Schuneman’s First Apartment Tips

by Liz Gray October 11, 2012 15 Comments

From the discount futon and pinned-up Salvador Dali poster, to the loosely Eastern-themed bedroom, I have to admit I was pretty proud of my first post-dorm apartment. Looking back, it was kind of a disaster. If you’re just getting the keys to your first place, you don’t have to be like me. Designer Kyle Schuneman‘s book, The First Apartment Book: Cool Design for Small Spaces, shows you how people across the country created beautiful, functional spaces on a budget — and includes easy projects so you can live stylishly, too.

Kyle Schuneman - The First Apartment Small Space Design Ideas

Designer Kyle Schuneman

The book gives you a peek inside 10 very different first apartments, from an art lover’s teeny-tiny NYC pad to a Bohemian attic apartment in Atlanta. Each makeover includes how-to projects to help you get the look, like wall stencils, DIY headboards and ridiculously cute succulent book planters.

Make Your Own: Get the Full How-To for the Succulent Book Planters

Succulent book planters from The First Apartment Book.

“I wanted to do this book because I’m fascinated by how people live,” Kyle says. “Sometimes people don’t want to invite designers over because they’re worried about us judging their spaces. I’d rather make a statement and have you not like it than be ho-hum about it, because I think that life is too short.” That’s why he filled his 700-square-foot first apartment slash office with carefully-curated pieces he loved, like a live-edge coffee table and textural, menswear-inspired accessories, all on a tiny budget. He also disguised what he didn’t love, like the heater hidden behind the faux bois wallpaper panel. Read on to get his tips on creating a space that speaks to your style — completely from scratch.

Kyle Schuneman's Los Angeles apartment living room.

Daily Delight: Micro-Living (Apartment in a Box)

by Grant Dudley September 12, 2012 9 Comments

Have too much stuff? Need to downsize? Here’s an option for you.

From Architizer News

More Itty-Bitty Chatter From Design Happens:

Live in a Tiny House
Small Space Design Inspiration
Design Guide: Super Small
Little Houses

HGTV How-To: Turn a Dresser Into a Media Console

by Kayla Kitts May 1, 2012 12 Comments

Do you remember when hiding your TV was the best way to keep your living room looking chic and polished? Well, now it’s the other way around. A sleek flat-screen can easily be an aesthetically-pleasing focal point in a space. Whether they’re mounted on the wall or situated on a stand, TVs still need the perfect console to house (and hide) all those clutter-inducing media components, wires and remote controls.

I know what you’re thinking, media consoles aren’t cheap. (Although the high-gloss red unit that I’ve been coveting from IKEA is a refreshing $249.) That’s why our very own featured blogger, Brian Patrick Flynn, has come to the rescue with a project that’s simple, stylish and most of all, affordable. Now, you can get a designer look without the price tag.

multipurpose family room small space Making the Most of a Small, Multipurpose Space

OK, raise your hand if you stalk the furniture section on Craigslist every day. (Raises hand!) I thought so. Now, how many times a day do you see a wooden dresser for a killer price but you just don’t need another dresser? Give that dresser a whole new life, my friends, as a media console with high-end style that’s perfectly suited for spaces both large and small. Here’s how:

small space media console repurposed Before :: Dresser

This vintage dresser was picked up at a flea market for $35. As you can see, it has some flaws on the exterior but nothing a little sanding and paint can’t fix.

small space media console repurposed After :: Media console

First, remove the drawers and pre-drill pilot holes into drawer base and drawer front for each. (This will be where the hinges go.) Remove the drawer fronts from each drawer base using a jigsaw or table saw. Add screws through holes in hinges. Drill holes in backs of drawers for cords and wires. Sand the exterior of the dresser, and then paint to add a fresh, new finish.

Get the Full Step-by-Step Instructions >>

We turned an old dresser into a modern media console. Have you embarked on any repurposing projects recently? Share them with us!

Daily Delight: Over-the-Faucet Shelf for Small Bathrooms

by Briana Mowrey April 21, 2012 7 Comments

I live in New York City where square footage is at a premium, so I’m always on the lookout for clever storage solutions. The cabinet under the sink in my bathroom is bursting at the seams and there’s almost no counter space left, which makes this Over-the-Faucet Shelf very appealing to me.

over the faucet shelf

Very crafty, Walmart! Now city dwellers will no longer have to carry all their personal grooming supplies into their tiny bathrooms every morning in travel toiletry bags that they store in their hall closet. (Not that I do that. Not at all.)

Daily Delight: Murphy Craft Table

by Briana Mowrey March 7, 2012 12 Comments

Living in New York has made me obsessed with space-savers. If every piece of furniture I owned was like a mini-Transformer and turned into something else useful, or disappeared into the floor at the push of a button, I would be a happy girl. This is probably why I am so jazzed over the concept of Murphy beds and Murphy tables/desks. (FYI, Resource Furniture is a great place to start if you’re in the market for this kind of thing.)

On one hand, they’ve still got a cool wow-factor, like you’re living in the apartment of a super-swinging bachelor, and on the other hand, they’re just extremely practical. Apparently they’re having a moment right now, because I saw a great Murphy dining table in this month’s issue of Dwell, and then I spotted this clever fold-away craft table from Bubblewrapp’d.

murphy craft table

Not only is this cute little table not taking up any extra space, but when it’s folded into the wall, it’s got an inspirational saying on it with vinyl lettering! So, literally, it’s a piece of art that you can use to help you create more art. Genius!

[Via: Pinterest]

Style Jolt: Double-Duty Rooms

by Kayla Kitts August 23, 2010 No Comments

As more and more people swap their spacious floor plans for something more compact and cozy, making the most out of every square foot becomes essential. A double-duty room doesn’t have to mean “cramped space.” Take advantage of wall space and built-ins, and figure out what rooms you can comfortably combine. While you’re brainstorming, take a look at these gorgeous and inspiring double-duty spaces.

Bedroom - Office

Inspired Rooms

Weekly Tour: Bob Richter’s Eye-Popping Kitchen

by Karli Sanders Cook June 10, 2010 11 Comments

Bob Richter’s love affair with antiques started at age 7 when he began his personal collection. He is a hopeless collector, admitted shopaholic and a lover of all things Art Deco. This week, Bob gives us a tour of his own NYC kitchen — a tiny space with a big personality.

design-happens-richter-portrait533x400