KEEP SMALL SPACES SIMPLE
Blogger Erin Boyle recommends using second-hand sources for furniture and other items
Erin Boyle is the writer and photographer behind the Reading My Tea Leaves blog. Her first book, Simple Matters, is a nod to the growing consensus that living simply and purposefully is more sustainable not only for the environment, but for our own happiness and well-being, too.
Q Do you have any suggestions with how to work with a partner or housemate who is not as enthusiastic about the simple, sustainable, clutter-free life?
A I think talking openly about this is the first step — no letting the proverbial dishes fester in the sink while you quietly explode on the inside! Then I think it’s helpful to organize your space so that it’s set up for success. If, for instance, someone continually leaves change on the kitchen table, set up a central spot where that change can be deposited instead. In terms of sustainability, I think the more folks know, the more committed they get.
Q I have an 800-square-foot house and a toddler. Any tips for controlling clutter, especially the extra car seats, bikes, strollers, etc.? I have no garage and feel as if I could drown in toys. I am trying to maximize vertical space; any other tips?
A Having kids definitely means contending with a fair amount of clutter, even for those of us who try to keep it at bay. We’re in less than 500 square feet with two kids, so we’ve started from a place of trying to do without as much as possible. For things we can’t live without, we’ve done our very best to clear places in closets and under beds for stashing unsightly gear. If there’s something I don’t mind looking at, I’ll take that out of storage and put something less attractive (a car seat, for instance) into that spot. We’ve also gotten creative: A small scooter instead of a bike, for instance, takes up much less storage space.
Q Let’s say you want to find something for your home, and you want it to be from an ethical source. Do you have any specific search terms you use online?
A I love starting with vintage, antique or second-hand sources. It always feels good to give a piece of furniture a second lease on life instead of buying something brand new. If you don’t have time to wait for the perfect vintage piece to materialize, you can try searching for fair trade, artisan and ethical furniture. Going small in terms of company size is also a good bet; a small workshop or single producer making pieces slowly is likely to be paying fair wages (or getting paid directly by customers) and you’re better able to have a sense of what your money is going toward directly.
Q I’m curious about your views on placeholder objects. When you’re just starting out, is it better to have a gallery wall of pieces that you’re not totally in love with, or a sad blank wall with just one or two things on it? Any ideas for how to fill a space inexpensively until you find those forever pieces (wall, couch, coffee table, etc.)?
A I always opt to build slowly rather than to fill a space with things I don’t really love. That said, it’s understandable that you don’t want your space to be sad. This is one of the main reasons that I’ve opted to buy second-hand furniture inexpensively. A good example right now is my kitchen table. It’s not my favourite object in my home, but it’s functional and practical and looks good enough to work until I find something I love more. Because I bought it second-hand from a small consignment shop, I know I’ll likely be able to sell it again for exactly what I paid for it when I’m ready for it to find a new home.
In our current space, we don’t have the space for bedside tables, but we do have the space for a small wooden crate.
It’s not an expensive design object, but it serves a functional purpose of keeping a cup of water and a few books next to the bed and it matches my esthetic.
Even better: If we ever find ourselves with more room, it’ll still be useful for another storage purpose.
For small objects and decor, I’ve often gone the route of even more temporary fixes: A few dried flowers taped to the wall look pretty while I’m building my art collection; a poster tacked up with bulldog clips can stand in until I have the resources to get it professionally framed; a little washi tape and a vintage postcard brighten up a dark corner, etc.
Q I’m struggling with spaceplanning in a small apartment. The living spaces form an L shape, and the front door opens at the bottom of the L. It seems to make sense to put the dining room at the top of the L (across from the kitchen) and the living area in the corner of the L, but I’m stumped on how to handle the space around the front door.
A I wonder if it might make sense to create a little “landing pad?” Even though we have no hallway to speak of, I’ve tried to create a little “entryway” near our front door where we can immediately deposit keys and hang up toddler bike helmets. A chest might be a nice thing to find and could be functional as both storage and seating.
Q My husband and I will be moving from a 3,000-squarefoot house to a 1,700-squarefoot house with no basement and two floors. We want an open-concept kitchen, living area and dining space. Any suggestions on how we can combine an open space with nooks and crannies for privacy? We’ll be seeing a lot of each other!
A Nooks and crannies for privacy sound great! I want one of those! I wonder if there’d be a way to incorporate a built-in reading nook or window seat that could offer a little quiet corner for a bit of solitude?