Hi, Gabrielle from Savvy Home here again! Here’s a bedroom by Carrier & Company, designed for Town & Country magazine for Hearst Designer Visions. This bedroom is set in a small New York apartment, and what I love about it, is that the small space doesn’t compromise the big style present in the room.

This goes to show that you don’t need a lot of space to create an elegant designer style. All you need is a little art, a few antiques, some color and a bit of decor courage.

1. Oversized art can really add dimension to a small room.

2. If using smaller artwork, try to display it in a symmetrical fashion for more impact.

3. An antique armoire can hold a lot of storage and it always looks chic in a bedroom.

4. Don’t forget to decorate the top of the armoire with bigger items like vases and urns or baskets.

5. Chairs are useful in a bedroom to drop some clothes or your purse on, or to stack books and things.

6. In a bedroom, especially one with furniture in front of the window, curtains left open finished with a simple black out shade works like a charm.

7. If you find yourself challenged by your bedroom’s layout, putting the bed underneath the window is totally acceptable. Choose a statement headboard, like this one from Oly Studio.

8. A couple of throw pillows covered in a bold fabric is a simple way to add style to an otherwise all white bed.

9. Don’t hesitate to layer furniture in front of curtains, just pull them away a few inches to leave enough space to open and close them.

10. No space for storing winter throws? Display them at the foot of the bed.

How have you saved space in your bedroom?

See you next week!

Gabrielle | Savvy Home

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Hi, Gabrielle from Savvy Home here again! With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it seemed fitting to talk about peaceful bedroom retreats, for those few moments moms get to themselves in a day. Luckily, I recently stumbled upon just the right space. No need for fancy extra-large master suites with expansive dressing rooms and ensuites here. This space is all about the simple comforts that make a house a home.

Southerners have mastered the art of hospitality and so it seems logical that Charleston-based southern belle  Hanna Seabrook of the beautiful blog Gadabout knows a thing of two about southern comfort.

1. An upholstered headboard is by far the most comfortable type of headboard there is.

2. Quality sheets really make a difference. I’d love to get a set of Matouk one day, but these sheets are soft too.

3. A variety of pillows ranging from european to throw pillows makes it easier to get comfortable in bed.

4. Antique chests make great bedside tables if your space is limited. They’re spacious and always look good.

5. Bedside lamps are a must. Opt for classic shapes and quality shades.

6. Gallery walls can really frame a bed if it looks lost against a big white wall.

7. Fresh flowers in the bedroom are extra special. I love waking up to a fresh bouquet.

8. Trays and catch-alls are practical for throwing jewelry or loose change away at the end of the day.

9. Wicker Baskets stored underneath the bedside tables are incredible for quickly putting away the mess. They’re especially useful when you have children.

10. And because it’s Mother’s Day, you should always have a large tray at hand for breakfasts in bed, or simply for reading essentials.

Do you like the southern charm of this feminine bedroom?

See you next week!

Gabrielle | Savvy Home

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Hi, Gabrielle from Savvy Home here again! Do you miss Domino magazine sometimes? Any die-hard decor fan does. Although my decor style has evolved since then, every once in a while I find a space so unique and visually interesting in a Domino-esque way, that it brings me right back.

Understated grandeur is what I call the look of this house, set in a historical house in NOLA (New Orleans). The house belongs to Sara Ruffin Costello, former creative director of Domino magazine, so you can see where the edgy style inspiration comes from. If your house is full of historic architectural features, these tips are for you.

1. Go the extra mile and choose a custom paint color that will look more rich. Paint the mouldings the same color for a more modern effect.

2. Recycle old family heirlooms, from paintings to furniture.

3. Especially in a classic space, a whitewashed floor will really help modernise the room.

4. Velvet sofas are the best kinds. They’re incredibly soft and they age well. Choose a good quality velvet.

5. Roman shades are my personal favorite. They give a more formal space a modern and relaxed vibe.

6. Scour for antiques in your local shops or online. An antique or two will always elevate a room.

7. Throw in a modern piece of furniture in the mix just to create visual tension.

8. Personalize your space with books and things.

9. Everything doesn’t have to match. Mix fabrics fearlessly, from velvet to chintz to linen.

10. Art lighting really does wonders for a piece of art you want to showcase. And it makes your home feel like a museum. Win-win.

Are you channeling the Domino look in your home?

See you next week!

Gabrielle | Savvy Home

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Hi, Gabrielle from Savvy Home here again! There are times when Vanessa and I have diametrically opposed taste and other times when I feel our styles meet perfectly in the middle. Interior designer Rita Konig‘s Manhattan apartment featured on The Selby is one of those placces that I feel is a perfect blend of both our tastes.

Her apartment has the kind of quirky new-traditional meets preppy look that I love, and the eclectic vintage bohemian vibe that Vanesssa loves. Bottom line, it features great ideas for decorating a rental apartment on a budget, which at the end of the day is something we’re both fans of.

1. Greys with a subtle hint of purple are the perfect moody neutrals. Try a color like Violet Dusk.

2. Always be ready for entertaining by having a well stocked drinks tray.

3. A touch of velvet adds richness and texture to any room.

4. Lamps really flatter a room. Try at least three lamps positioned in a triangular position around the room.

5. Layering rugs is a decorator’s best kept secret. Start with a large inexpensive sisal rug and layer a smaller colorful rug on top.

6. Speaking of rugs, vintage kilim rugs are colorful, fun and they’re inexpensive (try eBay)!

7. Fresh flowers will always brighten a room. Always.

8. Even in a small space, a large coffee table can do wonders. Use it do display your favorite items or host a cocktail party around it.

9. A gallery wall is a great way to add visual interest to a room. Finding a few pieces of smaller scale art in flea markets or online is also usually less expensive than investing in one large painting.

10. A comfortable chair is adamant to any living room, but it’s even more important when you don’t have the space for a deep comfy sofa.

How have you zhushed up your apartment on a budget?

See you next week!

Gabrielle | Savvy Home

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram