GOING TO THE SMALL SIDE: ALIXE LAUGHLIN

Ever since I saw Alixe's apartment featured in Matchbook Magazine, I've come back to her photo spread again and again. The small size and bizarre soffit-ing gave me a boost of hope that I could pull off a similar vibe of beachy chic and casual elegance in my own digs. The rooms also showed new nesters how to slip in a lot of style with little stuff; the apartment is actually fairly spare and packs all its punch in color. Bold, beautifully patterned color. Secretly, I think I love this apartment because it looks like an ad campaign for Quadrille. Of course, it helps if, like Alixe, you work for Quadrille and have access to the world's most wonderful (and presumably deeply discounted) fabrics. But I digress.

Lucite lamps! Chinoiserie! Java grande fabric! Zebra! What's not to like?

A small selection of fabrics are the only tête-à-tête  in this space - the walls, coffee table, and art in soft neutrals simply listen in.

The sideboard is from Circa Who, a marvelous store in West Palm Beach, but they deliver anywhere. Such as my DC living room. I love the side table I ordered from them!

Fantastic saya gata walls. I can't help feeling that some images in simple white (or RED) frames would heighten the drama.

Love this bedroom - the balance of frilly linens with chinoiserie lamps and a striking headboard - and that wall hanging you could just walk into. 

/All images/ Matchbook Magazine/ Unabashedly Prep/

GOING TO THE SMALL SIDE: NAOMI'S HOME

Since I'm decorating a small (minuscule) living space, I spend a lot of time digging through photo archives of everything from diminutive houses, to one-bedroom apartments and studios, looking for what looks best when your aspirations are big and your canvas for realizing them is small. One of my favorite new inspirations is the apartment of Naomi of Divine Manifest blog and interior design. You'll note it's fairly spacious, but many of the design elements would translate beautifully to the small side - especially the fabulous accent walls!

/All Images/ Design Manifest/