Let's face it, the dream of living - let alone owning - a cavernous property (such as Kelly Wearstler's home) with superfluous space, endless storage and limitless possibilities of moving yourbedaround will remain a pipe dream for many of us. But that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the same luxuries as those blessed with more square feet of living space. What you make of your small spaces is all about being as inventive and as savvy as possible. Want to know how to turn the nooks in your home into stylish corners? Here, four creatives share how they've turned small into mighty spaces.
Henry Holland, Designer: The Power Of A Great Carpet
Hallways and staircases can be forgotten spaces but not at the home of designer Henry Holland. ‘They are the main artery of the home – everyone sees them and passes through them, so I think they deserve to be treated as any other room,’ he says. ‘For my home, I wanted to create something really impactful and a look that fills the house with personality.’ Holland has done this with a custom-made stair runner from his collection with rug brand Floor Story. The finishing touches are the wall colour and artworks, all of which complement the rug. ‘We chose Matt Irwin and Polly Borland photography prints with primarily red colours in them to contrast with the Danbury Blue paint from Sanderson,’ says Holland. ‘We also mixed in some ceramics from John Booth and an oil painting from Chantal Joffe for a mix of media and texture.’
Business Owner, Sasha Sarokin: Make Use Of Heights
This dressing room may look super-luxe, but the floor-to-ceiling wardrobes and drawers are made from birch plywood that has been stained to resemble expensive burr wood. ‘It’s great to have made something beautiful out of a humble material, but it was also a budgetary thing because we could never have afforded to do this with a glamorous wood,’ says owner Sasha Sarokin, co-founder of slow fashion brand Cloth.Work. Designed by her friend, interior designer Lucy Meyer, who also works for Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, who did the joinery, the plywood is elevated by chunky brassware from Foundryman. The drawers cleverly conceal plug sockets. ‘The pendant from Vinterior creates a lovely ambience,’ says Sarokin. ‘It is my favourite room.’
Nick Hughes, PR Manager: Don't Underestimate The Impact Of Colour
This downstairs loo is a stunning jewel box of a space, created using a quartet of green materials, almost all of which are reclaimed. ‘With a space this size you only need small quantities of salvaged materials, which means you have more options to choose from,’ says Nick Hughes from Retrouvius, the design studio and store that created this space, and which specialises in reclaimed and vintage materials. The splashback tiles are made from vitrolite, an opaque glass that was popular in the 1930s, their smooth surface a contrast to the highly textured 1930s original wallpaper. The mirror is Italian vintage and backlit to illuminate the room. Out of sight of this picture are new green floor tiles in a herringbone pattern. ‘The downstairs loo is what guests see and you can more easily change it if you don’t like it – so have some fun!’ says Hughes.
Interior Designer, Melissa Hutley: Make Use Of Even The Less Obvious Spaces
Tucked in beneath a flight of stairs, this statement bar brings style, drama and fun to an open-plan living room. With luxe finishes and plenty of storage, it combines good looks with practicality. ‘The rich mustard yellow cabinetry paired with antique mirror panels enhances the feeling of depth, while brass accents and fluted detailing add a sense of warmth and craftsmanship,’ explains Melissa Hutley, co-founder of Hutley & Humm, the interior design studio behind the bar. Storage includes a wine rack, fridge and small timber drawers as well as larger ones on either side of the fridge to hide away accessories. ‘Stick to a minimal display of spirits and glassware and invest in high-quality decorative elements, such as a stylish ice bucket or cocktail tools,’ says Hutley.
Taken from Grazia Casa, on newsstands now.