A living room in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, by Nina Etnier.
About 50 percent of the world’s population lives in cities. By 2050, it’ll be 70 percent. More people in cities means less room for everybody, which means we all need to learn how to live well in smaller spaces.
That’s why we talked to interior designers Nina Etnier and Kelly Martin about how to put together an awesome, if tiny, home.
Here’s what we found out.
Let’s start with layout. “Scale is an important thing that most people don’t think about when laying out their apartments,” says Martin, who’s based in Los Angeles.
A living room by Kelly Martin.
It’s important to measure out the apartment so no piece of furniture overpowers the room — it should strike a balance.
A dresser (and bar!) by Kelly Martin.
If you’re moving from apartment to apartment every few years, Etnier, who does a lot of work in New York, says to invest in pieces that are easier to move.
A Manhattan penthouse by Nina Etnier.
“A beautiful side table, a nice dresser, coffee tables,” she says. “Pieces that are going to work wherever you land.”
I guess peek-a-boo it is to make him happy. Nap time is overrated anyhow #butimsotired #arentyousleepyyet #morecoffeeplease
“Get nice floor lamps and table lamps,” Etnier says. “Ambient light really affects things a lot.”
Our global eclectic self has fallen HARD for Danish design studio, @designed.for.living , founded by @noormeyjes and @jantiennunnikhoven . These superstar designers take vintage Moroccan baskets and place beautiful handmade silks stop them as their gorgeous shades. Shop their collection by heading over to their site: – first lamp is the “rainbow”, second is the “dots” and the third is “genie”. They also have our favorite magenta pink one that is jaw droppingly good. Wallpaper (drool!) is “wild trellis” #wallpaper #lamps #bhdecorscouting #designedforliving #dutchdesign #homedecor
A photo posted by Bedford & Hyde (@bedfordnhyde) on Jan 14, 2016 at 8:33am PST
“Artwork is a really good thing to spend money on,” Etnier says. “That can elevate your space more than an expensive side table.”
Our new night butterfly on a wall. #butterfly #night #interiors #bedroom #frame #graphics #sketch #tattoo #dotwork #cosy #blackandwhite #homedecor #home #wieprzstudio #design #wood #nature #animals
And buy used. “You can get really nice things on auction and on Craigslist,” Etnier says. “Keep your eyes peeled, look for things that are really exciting for you.” Like this Instagram user did.
Reading #styled by @em_henderson this weekend got me inspired to dress up that mantel a little. Nothing feels better than changing up the look of a room using pieces you already own!
A photo posted by Anna Smith, Interior Designer (@annabode) on Jan 18, 2016 at 8:34am PST
Source: The Real Deal
