Hi all! Gabrielle here from Savvy Home here for another top 5. I’m spending the week at Blogfest 2012 in New York City, so I thought it would be fun to talk about decorating styles in the Big Apple and share a few space saving tips.

Space in Manhattan is limited. That being said, limited space does not equal limited style! In fact, in New York City, it’s quite the opposite!

I am constantly amazed at how Manhattan apartments manage to look so full of character and so well decorated while, in their natural state, they most often consist of white boxes with very few windows.

A lot of thought goes into transforming these boring and restrained spaces into masterpieces. Here are a just a few of my tips to achieve this quintessentially Manhattan look.

1. Think dark and moody! New York apartments are often devoid of any character. White walls only emphasize that plainness, so be bold in your wall treatments! Think lacquer, patterned wallpaper, grasscloth, silver leaf, anything to give the room some depth and texture!

2. Do something different in the kitchen! White and bright kitchens are great in large expansive spaces with beautiful vistas. If your kitchen is on the small side, do something completely different to create visual interest.

3. Mirrors are great to reflect light and double the illusion of the space. Use them small, big, wall to wall, floor to ceiling, or in any other way you can think of, but make sure the elements being reflected are worth seeing in double.

4. Repetition and symmetry is calming for the eye, and establishes order in a cramped space, giving the illusion of a wider space. Use pairs of lamps, chairs or tables to achieve this soothing symmetry.

5. Consider double purpose furniture. A dining room can double as a desk and library table. Ottomans can double as seating and coffee table. Be creative with how you use your furniture . It will save you a lot of space and make the space less cramped.

What are your space saving tips? I would love to know!

Gabrielle | Savvy Home

Sources: 1. Miles Redd’s House 2. Carrier and Company 3. James Andrew’s apartment 4. Miles Redd  5. Alexa Hampton’s Kips Bay 2012 Bedroom 6. Miles Redd Kitchen 7. Lazaro Rosa Violan 8. House Beautiful 9. James Andrew’s apartment

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