Adulting issuu

real life in a tiny house h o w to c r e at e a g a l l e r y w a l l i n e x p e n s i v e k i tc h e n m at e r i a l s

dwell irresponsibly

Beth Holmes

from our editor 2

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hen I was young and knew little about design, I was certain of one thing: Every interesting and stylish house had to contain at least one item from a Paris flea market. It was there in the captions of all the shelter magazines I was beginning to devour— “from the Paris flea market.”

I envisioned that mythic place as some kind of giant parking lot or grassy field, full of stalls manned by people with Gauloises hanging from their lips, haggling under their breath—Brimfield with a French accent. When I finally made it to Paris’s famous Clignancourt years later, I could not have been more surprised by the labyrinth of highend dealers and bric-a-brac merchants, the grand mix of Roman artifacts, French country pieces, Empire and w, and Victorian kitsch that awaited me.

The place was certainly not like any flea market I had ever encountered, and the prices were a bit of a shock as well.

Since then I’ve shopped in the souks of Marrakech, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, and the stalls of London’s Portobello Road. I’ve been dazzled, overwhelmed, and lucky enough to find a few treasures. This is, after all, one of the reasons we travel—to be surrounded by the art, architecture, and sheer stuff of life of other cultures, and other people.

contributors

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DABNEY FRAKE dabney@yaliving.com

Dabney is a Southern-born, New England-raised, current Midwesterner who writes about design, obsesses over dogs, and can easily read a book a day. She’s currently raising a mutt named Grim.

LINDSAY TELLA lindsaytella@yaliving.com

Lindsay is an architect and photographer. She enjoys partaking in the food scene of San Francisco, where she resides, and escaping to the surrounding mountains and beaches whenever she has a chance.

ADRIENNE BREAUX adrienne@yaliving.com

Adrienne loves architecture, design, cats, sciencefiction and watching Star Trek. In the past 10 years she’s called home: a van, a former downtown store in small town Texas and a studio apartment rumored to have once been owned by Willie Nelson.

LEELA CYD leelacyd@yaliving.com Leela is a photographer, photo educator and blogger with a focus on food, travel and lifestyle.

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in this issue of

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Real Life in a Tiny House

07

Walls Going Over to the Dark Side

10

Eco-friendly Habits to Start Today

11

How to Create a Gallery Wall

14

Seven Stylist Skills to Master

16

Succulents: The Ideal Houseplant

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Inexpensive Kitchen Materials

dwell responsibly

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Adulting

Nancy Mitchell

real life in a tiny house “Honest about the particular challenges of living in a really small house.”

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iny houses are currently a sort of national obsession, which is not really that surprising because they are a novel, sustainable way to live, and also they are adorable. But most writing on tiny houses focuses a great deal on how small and cute they are, without spending much time examining what it’s really like to live in one.

Enter Lora, a Georgian blogger who lives in a 230 square foot Tumbleweed Tiny House. In her blog, she talks about her life philosophy and why she decided to downsize, but also tackles more practical, nuts-and-bolts topics like like where she parks, how she gets mail and how she does laundry.

She’s honest about the particular challenges of living in a really small house.

Last year, Lora had a shoulder surgery that left her unable to use her right arm for several weeks. Her mom offered to stay and help out, but there was one problem: although Lora was fine with sleeping in a chair, mom didn’t feel comfortable climbing the stairs to the loft every night. So they stayed in a hotel for a couple of weeks. In future, Lora plans

to replace her chair with a custom one that folds out into a bed, so overnight guests have a place to crash.

Anyone who’s ever felt inept when looking at the perfectly styled, perfectly uncluttered interior photos you see on blogs and in magazines will appreciate Lora’s post where she shares photos of her home in a not quite photo ready state. (Spoiler: it can get pretty cluttered.) And she admits to using a cargo trailer (which also gets parked at the RV park) to store Christmas decorations and off-season adultingmagazine.com

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clothes, and that despite having cut down on belongings when she moved into the small space, she still has to do regular purges.

Despite all the challenges, Lora appears to be loving living in her tiny space — and sharing a refreshingly honest look into her alternative lifestyle with the rest of us. You can see many more photos of her home and read more about her tiny house adventure on her blog, Tiny House Teacher.

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walls going to the dark side Adrienne Breaux

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hat’s more peaceful than a bedroom draped in light, white hues? Why, one that is cocooned by dark colors, of course. If you’re still not sure if you would like a bedroom with black or dark blue walls, check out all the evidence in this article. It’s clear that going to the dark side can pay off in a big design way in the bedroom.

“Black walls are very current right now, but people shy away from them because they have this sort of macabre reputation,” says Amy Devers, a carpenter on The Learning Channel’s Trading Spaces. “But depending on how you do it, it really doesn’t have to be that way at all. Ultimately, black is always chic, and though it’s dark, it is a neutral and goes with everything.”

Think of a black wall as the equivalent of the little black dress for your home: It takes many forms and can really shine when paired with the proper accessories. Devers offers her tips for successfully dressing up – and pulling off – the black wall in any room.

Start small The bathroom may be the perfect place to branch out with black. “The mirrors and typically chrome fixtures that are already in there really pop against the black and create a dynamic environment,” Devers notes, adding that fireplace surrounds, trim, and window and door casings are also good places to experiment with black paint.

“Think of a black wall as the equivalent of the little black dress for your home.”

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Choose the right lighting

Use patterns & textures

Picking the right type of lighting for a black wall is important, since it will absorb light. “Track lighting can work well because you can angle the lights to hit the dark spots,” Devers says. She also likes to use big, bold light fixtures in tandem with black walls.

Her choices: opulent chandeliers (vintage ones look particularly beautiful, she notes) and pendant lights with mini bulbs. Also, consider using high-gloss paint rather than a flat or eggshell finish, because glossy paint reflects light, multiplying it and adding sparkle to the room.

“I like the idea of painting one whole wall black and then framing it with profile molding painted in a gloss black,” Devers says. “It’s like a giant picture frame on one wall.” She also recommends buying pre-stretched blank canvases and painting them black, and hanging them on a wall covered in black flat paint.

Experiment with gradation

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“If you have a large, well-lit room, particularly one with high ceilings, paint the walls black up to about eye level, switch to a gray up to the ceiling, then finish off the room with a white ceiling,” Devers says. “The black anchors the wall while the gray creates the impression that the room is opening up to a white sky. The effect is stunning. When used on one wall or two adjacent walls in a smaller room, it can really make the room seem much bigger, and the gradation is very uplifting.”

Treat the wall like an artwork Consider painting a wall a flat black, then covering it with a sheen in the form of a graphic repeating pattern. Devers suggests vintage floral or geometric ‘80s pop art patterns. “The sheen change is very subtle and elegant,” she says.

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inding the resolve to break out of a wasteful routine is generally not easy.

But it can be. These three eco-friendly practices seem tough to take on at the start, but there are simple tricks you can employ to make them stick at home. And trust me, it’ll be worth your while if you do–they’re bad for the environment and bad for your wallet.

It’s time for a shift of habit.

Use only cloth napkins. It’s not any harder to grab a cloth napkin than it is to grab a paper towel whenever a mess happens. You’ll just toss it into the laundry instead of the trash when you’re done. Go cold turkey. Use the last paper towel and vow to never buy any more. If you need some motivation

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to make the switch, treat yourself to a new set of napkins you really love.

Stop buying plastic straws.

If you use plastic drinking straws at home, you know it’s a pretty wasteful habit. Opt to go without, or, if you prefer living the straw life, get a set of washable and reusable stainless steel drinking straws. Also keep your new straws in a cup or jar on the counter so they’re easy to grab. And make sure there’s enough for every member of the family.

Taryn Williford

eco-friendly habits to start today

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how to create a gallery wall Adrienne Breaux

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ave you wondered how to put together an interesting gallery wall? I think we all have visions of family photos, wedding photos, or art we have collected that would look really great if it was put strategically on the wall. This process is actually very simple. With a little planning you can have the gallery wall of your dreams in a flash!

Start by laying out the pieces you want to use on some butcher paper that is cut to the size of the wall you will be using. It’s like putting a puzzle together. Move your photos and art around until it fits in a way you find appealing.

Next, cut out each frame with the paper so you can create a template for your gallery wall.

This will prevent you from putting unnecessary holes in your wall. Use some painter’s tape and arrange your photos with the paper on the wall.

This will allow you to make sure you like the look before it’s all put in place.

Finally, it’s time to hang each piece. I am very indecisive and sometimes will use stickies on my initial hang just to make sure I like the wall before committing to nails in the wall. But if you love it....go for it!

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featured house tour

Name: Nina Bakos

Leela Cyd

Size: 500 square feet

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Years lived in: 2 (rented)

ina has lived in the Portland, Oregon area most of her life, with stints abroad in Spain and a handful of other countries. Her home design is informed by her international travels and European parents as well as the natural woods that envelop so much of the Pacific Northwest.

Her most treasured objects are either handmade by friends or family: the strange inside-out-bears hiding in the closet made by sister Andi, the “yes” poster from a recent wedding, Mom’s gold purse

Location: Portland, Oregon

My Style: Modern Inspiration: I’m passionate about traveling and am always inspired by the places I go and the new things I see. Also growing up in a Slovak and Finnish family was extremely inspiring. I love Scandinavian design.

Favorite Element: The windows, there is always so much of light in my place. I love it!

Biggest Embarrassment: My closets.

They are stuffed to the brim.

Biggest Indulgence: I’m addicted to succulents and small plants to decorate the apartment. They add such a nice touch to a space.

Best Advice: Keep it minimal, less is more.

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dangling off the blue bike or picked up in Finland or while traveling, like the lovely terrarium planter in the kitchen. The mix of eclectic items makes Nina’s apartment distinctly hers - giving you a window into her interests, plans, past and passions.

Nina’s space also has great, open air flow from the studio’s windows and the cross breeze coming from the original 1930s style kitchen. Light streams in, filtered through rustling tree leaves and her Valenti Luce Pistillo lamp bounces light back in the most magnetic way. The cast shadows on the slate grey walls are dramatic and interesting. The lamp shadows combined with the patterned rug and her plain white bedding showcase a strong range of textures, colors and mood — giving an effect that is really lovely, especially with the tulip stool as bed side table and vintage purse hanging just so. With its impeccable style and spot–on taste, Nina’s home is unique, beautiful and comfortable for an afternoon drinking cocktails and listening to music.

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seven stylist skills to master Adrienne Breaux

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fter you’ve picked out the architecture (or are working with what you’ve been stuck with) and after you’ve chosen the major furnishings and the paint colors, there’s the other thing that can make a room sing: skillful styling. This year, make each room pop like never before with these potent styling tricks for stand-out spaces!

Add texture We’re tactile beings. From birth we seek out things to touch so we understand the world around better.

A home without a variety of textures for our hands and eyes to explore is a boring and sad space. Mix up different materials in the same small room. Put textures on the wall. Put textures on top of textures.

Make them rough textures, and smooth textures and soft and fluffy textures.

Highlight height Add visual height to your spaces — all of them.

From color on the ceiling to hanging plants to stacks of books on shelves to wall collages that inch ever higher, adding height is one of the most powerful ways to spread style throughout the entire room and make your space feel sophisticated.

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Just enough stuff

Minimalism is great, and look — this might be a slightly controversial suggestion — but many rooms that stand out tend to have more than just a handful of items in them. Not stuffed to the gills, but they have enough stuff. That kind of arrangement of elements creates little stories all throughout a room, giving the eye something to soak up.

Layering

Want a room that looks like a paint-by-number kit?

Then don’t just place everything into a room by itself. Layer elements on top of each other. Shove plants in front of things. Add stacks of books to benches. The point is to connect everything so you create cohesion in your rooms.

Casually perfect imperfection Art not lining up perfectly. A book just a little off-center. A chair not pushed in all the way. A forgotten frame leaned up again the floor behind a mirror. These things that seem imperfect actually make perfect sense in a room that you want to feel comfortable and cozy and not like a stuffy museum or catalog spread. Aim for an air of casualness in your rooms — things aren’t a mess but they don’t look as neat as if your in-laws were on their way.

Touches of personal quirk

Want a room that really stands out? Channel your inner weirdness to connect with whatever it is that you like that makes you unique. A sci-fi nut? Really love old photos? Connect with the sort of elements that scream “you” and then find a way to add it into a space, even if it feels weird. This is the essential element of quirk and the sort of stylish secret that will take your rooms over the top.

Arrangements

Use decorative accessories or furniture pieces to quite literally establish the sort of traffic patterns that flow occupants into seating arrangements, deposited in front of a vignette and through each room to another.

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succulents: the ideal houseplant Taryn Williford

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ove over, love fern, you’ve been officially overtaken by a much cooler plant that’s proven to outlast the most neglectful of owners (we see you, Ben Barry). Oh, and you have probably been seeing them everywhere for what seems like several years now.

So what the hell is a succulent?

Succulents are a family of plants with thick, fleshy leaves that trap and hold water, making them easy to care for and hard to kill. They’re the camel of the plant world, if you will.

They’re also the botanical star of the Instagram world, the backdrop to our tablescapes and the greenery accenting our #latteart photos (before matcha came into our lives, of course).

As far as decorating trends go, there aren’t many that transcend the realm of high-end décor magazines and end up going viral, particularly among

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“Move over, love fern, you’ve been officially overtaken by a much cooler plant”

people with minuscule decorating budgets.

So what gives with succulents?

Marino’s theory is very much supported by the existence of targeted blogs such as Succulents and Sunshine and popular home décor sites like Apartment Therapy, which feature succulents as sleek, modern design accessories. Succulents have crept so far into the botanical zeitgeist that you can even buy them from IKEA. Said Marino, “Their no-hassle manner, combined with their striking and unusual appearance, makes them great ornamental plants, even for beginners.” And young adults decorating their own homes are almost guaranteed to be beginners. Tifford

said succulents are popular with kids in college dorms and young adults because they fit nicely into a busy lifestyle and are easy to maintain. They only require watering once a week (or even once every two) and can survive in both bright and low light.

They also are a healthy decision, because they help keep your living space stress-free. And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that plants suck carbon dioxide out of the air, creating oxygen.

It does, however, take one to figure out what other poisonous compounds plants filter out. In the 1980s, in an effort to discover which plants to take aboard spaceships, NASA scientists tested several different plants to find out which were best at pulling contaminants from the air. Amid the top 10 list of plants that rid the air of toxins? Look no further than the aloe plant for a succulent with the space agency’s stamp of approval.

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Nancy Mitchell

inexpensive kitchen materials

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f course you can design an amazingly designed kitchen if you have massive amounts of cash: what’s really remarkable is doing the same thing on a limited budget. But the good news is that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get a countertop or cabinets or a backsplash or a floor that looks great. Here are eight examples of humble, inexpensive kitchen materials looking great.

The cabinets above, in a kitchen from Dwell, only look expensive — they’re IKEA Akurum cabinets, electro-painted with a smooth black finish. New cabinet pulls complete the streamlined look.This Scandinavian kitchen from Entrance features IKEA cabinets with stainless steel cover panels. These countertops only look like marble: they’re actually covered in Formica, which cost only $850 for the entire kitchen. (And laminate is a lot more low-maintenance than marble, to boot.) You can see the whole renovation at My Old Country House.

These boldly patterned tiles are just plain old square tiles with a little paint applied. DIY from One Kings Lane. Subway tile is notoriously inexpensive, and also notoriously ubiquitous. But even if you’re a little bored with the traditional brick-laid pattern, there are still plenty of things you can do with this super versatile tile. Try laying

it in an unusual pattern, or using a dark grout, or maybe both.

VCT, or vinyl composite tile, may be more prevalent in elementary school classrooms and government buildings than private homes, but that doesn’t mean it can’t look great in your kitchen. It’s durable, comes in lots of colors, and can be laid in interesting patterns (like in this kitchen from Glitter Guide). In this kitchen from Canadian Living, vinyl tile was used to create a traditional checkerboard pattern. Vinyl tile is much more budget friendly than ceramic tile.

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photo credit: apartmenttherapy.com; homepolish.com; peytonlambton.com; runnersandroses.com; squarespace.com; inwiththenu.com; spoonflower.com; shopify.com; etsy.com; lexiwestergarddesign.com; custommade.com; pinimg.com

aritcle credit: apartmenttherapy.com; peytonlambton.com; mic.com; elledecor.com

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A deline R hodes 7248 D ahlgreen A ve .

A u s t in , TX 73301