Small Space Solution: Nesting Tables

Some people find it surprising I would rather design a small space than a larger one. 

In fact, I personally would never want to live in a space more than about 2,500 square feet.  

Large McMansions just eat up furniture and it's hard to create a 

warm inviting environment that's on a human scale.  Living in a smaller space 

doesn't mean living without, though, one just needs to know how to optimize the space you have.

One of the best ways to optimize a small space would be to utilize

NESTING TABLES.

These versatile pieces can be scattered about the room when extra surface area are needed 

(cocktail party anyone?) or you can store them nestled together to free up valuable space.

Check out some killer options I've been spotting lately:

 

 

 

  

The king daddy of all small space end tables would be a set of lucite nesting tables. 

The clear waterfall form would virtually disappear and take up no visual space.

 The above set is vintage circa 1970 but you can find some screaming deals on look-a-likes

(check out the Peekaboo nesting tables from CB2 or these cuties from Amazon).

 1. 1960s White Lacquered John Widdicomb Nesting Tables via 1stDibs

2. 1950s Italian Set of Brass Nesting Tables via 1stDibs

3. White Lacquered Nesting Tables via Jonathan Adler

4. 1970s Brass and Glass Nesting Tables via 1stDibs

5. Made Goods Liela Nesting Tables via Clayton Gray Home

6. 1970s Lucite "Waterfall" Nesting Tables via 1stDibs

Jonathan Adler Channing Collection

Now that I purchased a desk for my living room, I have started focusing on the finding the perfect credenza to coordinate.  I've scoured 1st Dibs (you know it's my favorite!) and other high-end furniture websites looking for a vintage-y but not too traditional and not too modern credenza.  I was actually sitting at a park up the canyon yesterday afternoon when I stumbled across this little guy from Jonathan Adler on my iPhone:

Perfection.

Unfortunately, the price is not perfection.  My plan is to recover from the latest curtains+desk+(hopefully)chair purchases and then custom build a credenza quite similar to this to keep costs down (maybe twice as long with 4 doors?? Hmm...).  Until that great day happens, here's a look at the coordinating pieces to Adler's stunning Channing collection to dream about:

Remember this philly from this post?  I still adore it.

I'm CRAZY for this screen.  I may have to attempt a DIY to recreate look.  It couldn't be too hard, right?

This chair isn't a part of the Channing collection but it was too pretty not to include.

There are no words...

{images via Jonathan Adler}

Desk Lust List

I'm on the lookout for the perfect white desk for my living room and while a white Parsons desk is perfect in every way (clean, timeless, functional, plays well with others, etc.) I can't help but have a roaming eye for some other beauties on the market.  I may have more than a slight crush over these pieces.  Here is my lust list of hottie-patatty desks (there no budget in my dreams!!):

5. Lilly Pulizter for Horchow

 Polish with a little glam glitz.

4. Barbara Barry for Henredon

Tradition with an Art Deco vibe.

3. Jonathan Adler's Channing Desk

Retro-chic personified in a desk.

2. Milo Baughman Vintage 1960-70s Desk

Milo Baughman. 'Nuff said.

1. Vintage 1960's Campaign Desk

The definition of high style and design.

Sigh.... one day....

{images via Horchow, Barbara Barry, Jonathan Adler & 1st Dibs}

Perfect Pair: Jonathan Adler + Charlotte Moss

Greatest. Interview. Ever.  I have always adored Jonathan's quirky mod spirit and I fell in love with Charlotte's southern charm when she visited my university.  Who thought the two would be so great together?

Jonathan Adler & Charlotte Moss for TradHome from David Land on Vimeo.

Thanks TradHome!

Perfect Pair: Pink + Gold

How can you make pink even more glam? Pair it with gold, of course (and zebra, and mirror, and capiz shell...)

{Jonathan Adler via Elle Decor & Fuschia Pink Full Blossom}

Look for Less: X-Bench

There are a handful of pieces that will never date.  Chesterfield sofas, starburst mirrors, trestle tables are a few examples.  One of my absolute favorites is the X-bench (remember when I used one in this Louis Vuitton inspired room?).  Whether your style is contemporary, traditional, country, or something in between, I bet you could find a place for this design staple.

Like the master bath...

...the master bedroom...

...the living room...

...and even the dining room!

 William-Sonoma X-bench in leather (starting at $1700)

As you can see, they can cost you a pretty penny.  It's a great investment if you have the moo-lah, but most of us don't.  Let's take a peak at some looks for less!

 Jonathan Adler X-Bench (starting at $495)

Ballard Designs X-Bench in Domino Chocolate Fabric (starting at $275)

Serena & Lily X-Bench in Antique Linen (starting at $850)

Ballard Design X-Bench in Suzanne Kasler Linen Flax (starting at $275)

Where would you place one in your home?

{images via Decor Pad, Elle Decor & William-Sonoma Home}

Can This Be Made Into A Room? Gucci Pre-Fall 2011

Gucci's Pre-Fall 2011 collection combined my current two loves- shades of grey and updated 1970's silhouettes.  The collection made me think 'can I make a room that's entirely void of color and still make it seem warm and interesting?'  It's a challenge I took on so let's see how it turned out.

{images via FRG}

The trick to designing monochrome (one color) or achromatic (no color, which grey is technically a neutral so it's not a color) rooms is varying shades and textures.  I started my room by finding the perfect modern sectional in a charcoal grey wool flannel (Room and Board).  To ground the room, I would add a large and luxe flokati rug in a lighter shade of grey (Teak, Wicker, and More).  On top of this, I'd place a sleek and streamlined cocktail table in chrome with a grey quartz top (Room and Board).  The polished look of the cocktail juxtaposes nicely against the heavy pile of the area rug.  Mixing opposite textures like this is what gives the room interest.

Now for the finishing touches.  I'd place multiples styles of pillows on the sectional for more added visual interest.   I wouldn't worry that some of the fabrics are warm (Etsy) while others are cool (West Elm) as mixing the diverse tones adds the variety an achromatic room so desperately needs!  I would dress any window in dove grey velvet curtains that puddle elegantly on the floor (Pottery Barn) and add a shiny starburst mirror (Arteriors) for some dashes of glamour.  The crowning moment in the room?  Jonathan Adler's Meurice chandelier (I new I'd find a room to use it in!).

So what do you think?  Could you live in a room completely void of color?

Meurice by Jonathan Adler

I Love Lamp. Well, chandelier, that is.  Jonathan Adler's Meurice fixture is a modernist's dream.  So sleek, so chic, so perfect.  I want one in every color.

 And of course I'd pair the nickel versions with Jonathan's Meurice Butler Table in nickel. 

Sigh... a girl can dream, right?

{images via Jonathan Adler & Houzz}