HOME INTERIOR DESIGN-LIVING ROOM DESIGN

{Photo via Readymade}

Oh my goodness, I almost fell out of my chair when I saw this AWESOME travel-trunk-turned-rolling-bar over at Readymade (our fav new DIY site)!!! It might just be one of the most unique DIY's we've seen in a long time.

Just watch me roll this into work or to the fam's house to the holidays, sit down and whip myself up a cocktail! I think this is just the thing that Karen from Will & Grace wished she had! ;)

It's pink, it's less than 50 bucks and it's from Walmart...it's mine.

Inspired by P4D reader Caitlin who asked us to help her in her search for an affordable "hutch" that can replace a broom closet and provide a lot of storage in a small space, we decided to explore the options of small space storage.

If you live in an apartment or don't have a lot of room to work with in your house, tall and thin furniture is your friend. They take up less room and maximize the height of a wall that tends to not get utilized. These storage options can make up for a lack of dining room, kitchen or bathroom storage. Depending on what you want to store, here are some good space saving options in various design styles to maximize your space and match your look.

Some good storage options for things you would want to display (wine glasses, dishes, books, etc.)

Liatorp from Ikea


Target's Celtic Baker's Rack.


Green Curio Cabinet from Pier1 Imports


Storage options with doors to hide away some of the unsightly clutter!

Hampton Bay Cabinet from Home Decorators Collection


Fieldcrest Armoire from Target


French Country Cabinet from Home Decorators Collection available through Amazon)



Cadet Cabinet from CB2


If you have a little more space to work with....
Brady 2-Piece Closed Entry System from Pottery Barn

These distressed Cassie Stools from JC Penney are so versatile. Use traditionally as extra seating, as a bedside table or use it as a console table next to a couch or a chair. They are on SUPER sale, only $30 each!

{18 x 18 paper collage floral burst wall art}

Check out this awesome hand-made floral design from box64studio's etsy site. The white background is textured wallpaper that she trims out the flower shape, and then she uses handmade papers from all around the world to appear in the cut-outs. So beautiful! It's part quilt, part wallpaper, and all fun!

The Rinjani Basket from Crate and Barrell caught our eye immediately. Its a great storage piece as well as an eye catcher. Guests in your house will ooh and awe over this basket!

This beaded crystal chandelier from Shades of Light is soooo romantic. The hanging crystals come in various colors, I fell in love with the emerald green shown above. For that much opulence, the price will leave a little green in your wallet also! :)

Elke of International Feng Shui shares more feng shui tips with P4D readers!

In feng shui the main entrance is very important and is known as the "chi mouth" which translates as the entrance of chi (energy) into the property. The main door is like the mouth of the structure and is generally defined as the door that is most frequently used to enter the home or building. Here are some tips in the form of feng shui no-no's to help the flow of good chi into your home.

No-no #1- Steep straight stairs to/from the main door.

I can imagine in the property developers mind that this was a good idea based on maximizing living square footage based on limited land availability, but from a feng shui perspective this is known as "Pulling Nose Sha Chi". The effects of the steep decline from the main door created by the stairs are that all the chi inside the home will eventually drain out. Additionally the garage is located under the living quarters. This is also to be avoided if you seek good feng shui as unstable energy is generated from the in and out entrance right under the home.

No-no #2- Having a drain directly outside the main door.
is known as a "chi puncture" problem. In this situation chi will not be able to accumulate in front of the door. Chi accumulation is associated to prosperity. In feng shui it is believed that a feature like this drains wealth from the house.

No-no #3 - A pole, tree or lamp post directly across from the main door.
Now standing in the main entrance to your home look out from the inside and in from the outside. For good feng shui you want to see a clear open path in both directions. Nothing should create an obstacle to the entrance of your home. The worst example is if there is a light post or telephone pole directly opposite your main door. Likewise, if there is a column inside the home that is visible directly across from the main door looking in. This feature is always avoided as it is detrimental to any occupants of the building. This photo from Istock Photo perfectly demonstrates a blocked main door with a tree.