sitting on storage

While we tend to use chairs for sitting and sometimes as stepstools or the interior structure of a childhood blanket fort, some wise folks have discovered the practicality of using them for storage. As I was perusing the internet for a storage ottoman I came across a number of these storage chairs, from the practical to the whimsical. Here are a few that caught my eye, either thanks to their style or their price. I'll start you off with the most adventurous of the group.

Bibliochase by nobody & co.

Modular Armless Storage Chair via Target

Skirted Storage Chair via HSN

My Bedside Chair by Lewis Taylor

curved wooden storage chair via Michelle Kaufmann

What other out of the box ideas do you have for extra hidden storage?

my mini library

Just as I mentioned yesterday, storage is extremely important in my tiny studio. As a big fan of books and magazines of all sorts I know that I am in desparate need of a place to store and display them. Lucky for me there is a spot just to the right of my sofa that can use something with some decent vertical height. Unlucky for me there is a baseboard heater (that I'll never turn on) that sticks out a good number of inches and limits my options.

a sneak peak into my tiny pad - process

Thanks to Crate and Barrel's wonderfully fantastic mobile site (I was stuck without proper online access for a month, so all online browsing was done via iPhone) I discovered their Sloane Leaning Bookcase. It met all my needs and requirements: width, height and the lean which meant it would avoid the heater. I decided on the grey finish over the white to add some warmth and contrast to all the other white furniture in the room.

Sloane grey Leaning Bookcase by Crate and Barrel

Of course there is no way that I can fit all my books on a bookcase only 25.5" wide, so only my favorite and most used books will grace the shelves. The rest of my collection will be tucked neatly away on wall mounted shelves in the extra vertical space over the clothing rod in my closet. That's definitely one of the bonuses in a small space of having vaulted ceilings that top out around 12'. . . extra storage up high.

via flickr

I also have to make sure there is room to display a few of my favorite accessories on the shelves. My Jonathan Adler bull cannot be cooped up in a box forever. As Nate Berkus said just this morning on Today, "A bookcase should never hold just books unless it's in an actual library."

a personal design dilemma

Just because I spend my days solving other people's design dilemmas doesn't mean I always have an easy answer for my own. I recently moved into a tiny studio, like 375 sq. feet tiny, and I just love the challenges it provides me. I'm quite pleased with how it is all coming together and yes, I'll be sharing the transformation with you soon enough.

a sneak peak into my tiny pad - before

So, here is my challenge. I have a spot just to the right of my front door and below a large window that could use a little something. I've considered one of my many thrift store chair finds, but I keep coming back to the fact that I could use some more storage, specifically file storage. After doing a bit of online window shopping I came across this beauty, unfortunately at $999 it's a bit more than I'm willing to spend right now, but that doesn't stop me from sharing it with you.

Cognita Storage Bench by Herman Miller

What I feel I'm leaning towards is a vanity under which I could tuck two storage ottomans. I love the versatility of this combination. Not only do I gain a spot to sit down each morning and apply my makeup by beautiful, natural sunlight (instead of by ugly compact fluorescents) but I also gain storage for my files (yup, inside those little storage ottomans), extra seating and occasional tables (yay for the versatility of the ottoman). I've fallen head-over-heels for the simple modern lines of West Elm's Narrow Leg Vanity in white. Also can't beat the fact that it will look fantastic placed just a few feet away from my West Elm Jay desk and it's a third of the price of the Cognita Storage Bench.

narrow leg vanity by West Elm

I'm now on the lookout for the perfect little storage ottoman. The Seville Rush Cube Storage Ottoman from Target.com caught my eye as I love how the natural rattan exterior will soften up all the white.

via target.com

What's your opinion? Any other storage ottoman suggestions?

color tease

If you are even considering painting any room in your house in the near future you must go out and pick up a copy of House Beatiful's 500+ Favorite Paint Colors for some wonderful color suggestions and inspiration. Still stumped on what color to paint? I'm always here to help.

photo courtesy of House Beautiful

Oh and don't think this is last you'll see of this color-filled magazine on here . . . I'll be bringing you some of my favorite colors and inspiration from it in the coming weeks.

a hairy situation

Those of you who know me know I am a fan of facial hair . . . not on me, but on my men of course. So, when I saw this totally fabulous print at Urban Outfitters I just knew I had to have it for my colorless little bathroom.

The World Needs More Stache - Urban Outfitters

Well, when I first saw it there was only one left and the frame (yup, it comes with the frame) was quite damaged, so I passed on it. Oh yeah and they wanted full price for it, $38 bucks. Lucky for me when I did a little online search for it the other day, there it was on the Urban Outfitters site, on sale for $19.99. I gave a call to the other store in my area to see if they had any instock and sure enough they did and on sale as well. So, now my previously all-white, blah bathroom will have a pop of color and a sense of humor to go with it. Photos of its new home will be up soon.

where my mind is

Mother Nature teased me with a few beautiful days of sunshine last week before bringing back the rain today. Well, those wet drops haven't stopped my mind from wandering off to some outdoor retreat.

What I wouldn't give to be curled up in that lounge with a good book or my design magazines in hand. I'm working hard on creating a mini getaway spot similar to this on my patio.

Where do you picture yourself right now?