Dressing the Tiny Greenhouse for the Holidays
This holiday season, I wanted to create a little bit of magic for our 5 year old, who has shown immense compassion, understanding, patience, and love this year. As were still between homes (our small ADU cottage is under construction, and the farmhouse roof is being replaced/restored), I figured that decorating our tiny, mixed-use greenhouse would do the trick:
We’ve long kept all our holiday decor in a vintage suitcase, with the exception of the live tree, and garlands made from discarded clippings, which we get locally.
In celebration of our tiny cottage and the canals, we got one new ornament this year: a green canoe, just like the old one we had when living in Venice.
(Pictured below: A sampling of hand-me-down, add-on, and handmade stocking-stuffers for the kids. They don’t have to be new, pricey or flashy to be exciting for the littles.)
The greenhouse is powered by an extension cord that leads to the main house. There’s one plug-in, multi-strand string of warm, twinkling lights for the tree and stockings, and three battery-powered strands for the garlands. (I use rechargeable AAs, as well as carbon neutral batteries from Better Battery Co.
Here are some of our ornaments, most of which we put on the sprawling garlands, rather than on the little tree. Our tree is decorated with small brass bells, and wooden snowflakes and deer that were intended to be used as gift-topper tags.
We don’t leave the lights on too long so as to minimize the disturbance of wildlife. But when the strands are switched on, they reflect off the angled panes of glass, amplifying the glittering glow.
It’s a happy little place, and I think we’ll make this holiday dressing a yearly event whenever we’re in the States for December. (The farmhouse needs to be further winterized, which is a project we’ll have to tackle later down the road for budgetary reasons.)
(Pictured below: The yearly stocking-stuffers I get for myself.)
Although we are extremely eager to have a house of our own soon — either the farmhouse or the ADU — this special space is certainly making us feel at home for the holidays.
A Dramatic, Space-Saving Holiday Table
Creating a space-saving, dramatic, festive table of live greenery for the holidays.
(Originally posted in 2019)
Gathering with friends and/or family around a table in a small home or apartment can be such a uniquely intimate experience. But during the holidays— when we tend add extra decorative touches and welcome more people to the table than usual— surface space needed for tabletop essentials can suddenly become extra challenging to preserve.
Certain items can help with this, such as rectangular plates and pedestal/cake stands. (Skipping some of the superfluous things you don’t need, such as napkin rings, chargers and placemats can save inches as well.) But if you want to add some wild branches or lush floral/greenery/dried bouquets to your table, you might be out of luck. As such, I wanted to demonstrate an easy, low waste way to add striking decor to your table without sacrificing your dining surface. (I also offer up additional suggestions in my book: Small Space Style.)
This display cost me about $150. I bought the garland and branches from a local shop, and used an over-the-table adjustable iron rod and battery operated twinkle lights (with rechargeable batteries) to create an overgrown and glittering display indoors. (I used real candles for the photos, but swapped them out for battery operated versions for safety after we snapped the images.) A bit of floral wire (and a vacuum) were the only other items I needed to attain the look.
Setting up the iron display rod took only a few minutes. The height is fixed, but the width is adjustable. When the setup is no longer needed, it breaks down easily for slim storage.
I used all living branches and clippings, so everything can be composted when the time comes.
Adding the clippings to the garland took the longest, but was simple enough.
The entire process took about 90 minutes, and it was a surprisingly relaxing activity for me.
I (still) don’t really cook, nor do we host that often these days, so I enjoyed going out of my way to do something special for the guests we’ll have over in the coming days.
I’ll share a small space, low waste holiday decor video and post in early December.
In the meantime, I’m looking forward to spending time with our friends and family here at home. (And I’ll be following along with The Conscious Kid for insights and information regarding Native American Heritage Month.)
Whatever you and yours are doing this holiday, we wish you a safe and happy long weekend.
Festive, Outdoor Vibe for Indoor, Small Space Dining
Gathering with friends and/or family around a table in a small home or apartment can be such a uniquely intimate experience. But during the holidays— when we tend add extra decorative touches and welcome more people to the table than usual— surface space needed for tabletop essentials can suddenly become extra challenging to preserve.
Certain items can help with this, such as rectangular plates and pedestal/cake stands. (Skipping some of the superfluous things you don’t need, such as napkin rings, chargers and placemats can save inches as well.) But if you want to add some wild branches or lush floral/greenery/dried bouquets to your table, you might be out of luck. As such, I wanted to demonstrate an easy, low waste way to add striking decor to your table without sacrificing your dining surface. (I also offer up additional suggestions in my book: Small Space Style.)
This display cost me about $150. I bought the garland and branches from a local shop, and used an over-the-table adjustable iron rod and battery operated twinkle lights (with rechargeable batteries) to create an overgrown and glittering display indoors. (I used real candles for the photos, but swapped them out for battery operated versions for safety after we snapped the images.) A bit of floral wire (and a vacuum) were the only other items I needed to attain the look.
Setting up the iron display rod took only a few minutes. The height is fixed, but the width is adjustable. When the setup is no longer needed, it breaks down easily for slim storage.
I used all living branches and clippings, so everything can be composted when the time comes.
Adding the clippings to the garland took the longest, but was simple enough.
The entire process took about 90 minutes, and it was a surprisingly relaxing activity for me.
I (still) don’t really cook, nor do we host that often these days, so I enjoyed going out of my way to do something special for the guests we’ll have over in the coming days.
I’ll share a small space, low waste holiday decor video and post in early December.
In the meantime, I’m looking forward to spending time with our friends and family here at home. (And I’ll be following along with The Conscious Kid for insights and information regarding Native American Heritage Month.)
Whatever you and yours are doing this holiday, we wish you a safe and happy long weekend.
Embracing a Green Holiday Season
This blog post was sponsored by Garnet Hill. As always, the images and words are my own. Any photographs of my son and/or the pups were taken as they interacted happily in their own natural ways.
If you’re living in a small space and/or trying to be more eco- conscious, the holidays can feel a bit like a bit of a trap. The idea of additional, decorative home goods, mounds of gifts, and festive attire can squeeze compact square-footage while generating unwanted waste— from production, to transport, to (ultimately) removal.
Plus, when you’re in a region similar to ours here in Southern California, the weather doesn’t help you cut corners. If you want it to look and feel like the romantic start of a snowy-white winter season we see in movies, you have to get creative. To all of this I say— why not embrace a green season?
Here are a few enjoyable and easy ways to welcome a “greener” winter into your home, wardrobe and gifts.
Green Home
No room to store oversized decor year-round? You’re not alone.
However, throw pillow covers, strands of lights, minimal garlands, and lightweight linens are tiny-yet-mighty ways to liven up your home for the season— particularly when paired with organic decor, such as potted plants and fresh clippings.
Tea towels and mini or lightweight festive throws and covers can be layered on top of your everyday home goods, adding a touch of warmth and forming a seasonal theme. We’ve gotten almost all of our tiny holiday touches from Garnet Hill. Most of these items can be folded away in a small, space-saving travel or “vacuum” bag when not in use.
I stash all manner of holiday strands (lights, bunting, etc.) behind our paperback books on the shelves after the season is through.
Don’t forget to compost or recycle your clippings and other such seasonal greenery per your regions specifications come January 1. (Or even better— opt for potted plants that can take root in your home or garden and become part of the family.
Green Gifting
I prefer to gift edible goods and beverages over the holidays, as they take up no space over time, and generate little-to-no waste. But for the rare occasions when I want to gift a more permanent item, I look for eco-friendly, versatile items that can adapt to a myriad of environments and roles.
A simple yet stylish scarf can be worn and put to work in many ways, and can be displayed as functional decor when not in use. A neutral cashmere scarf/wrap, for example, is flexible for numerous wardrobe looks, and can last a lifetime when properly maintained.
Breathable, twisted, two-ply yarns can reduce piling and prolong lifespan, all while getting softer with age. When gifted in tandem with a favorite beverage, a charitable contribution, or locally-grown specialty produce, a gift such as this can be suited to nearly any recipient. Simple twine and/or reusable produce bags or bread pouches are every bit as beautiful as wrapping paper, but can be used as daily household items again and again.
Green Fashion
For our little ones: West has finally outgrown the overnight jumpsuits that we relied upon so heavily these past two years (sob!), so we ordered these eco-friendly, stretchy-yet-snug, Green Cotton® pajamas for him. For over a quarter of a decade, the makers of these particular PJs have upheld strict environmental standards for harvesting, processing, dyeing, and finishing their cotton. (West loves their holiday hedgehog set the most.)
My goal is for this set to last him as long as possible, and then either be handed down to a friend’s child, or kept in case we have a second child.
For him: Adam is at home most of the time, though he spends more time with West than I do, and less time at a desk. Since we don’t have want too many items crowding our single, shared closet, he usually wears one of two pairs all day long— so much so that no matter how often we wash them they still seem to maintain a hilarious, lived-in shape. So, as an early holiday gift, I got Adam a long, organic cotton robe, and a pair of plaid pajama pants, which are much cozier for days spent around the Cottage and our garden.
For her: I want to embrace the season with my attire, but I live in sunny SoCal, and I’m always carrying around a child, chasing after the pups, working alone from my home-office, or biking around town. So I need versatile, no-fuss wardrobe staples. Despite the fact that I work from the Cottage, I don’t want to look like a zombie. I find that I’m more confident and more productive when I feel put together, though I never want to spend more than a couple minutes picking out an outfit and getting dressed. (I mean, I found my wedding dress within an hour.)
An organic-cotton plaid shirt in a flattering cut can blend such needs and realities beautifully, and do so without containing harmful pesticides, GMOs, or chemical defoliants. It breathes, it adapts to both warm and cool temperatures, and feels good against your skin all day. It’ll get a lot of milage this time of year, and that’s the whole point.
Simple Holiday Gifting
As I look back at 2017, I'm eager to show gratitude and appreciation to my friends, family, and collaborators for their incredible love and support throughout this year of explosive growth and change. But I find myself more reluctant than ever to gift "things" to my loved ones-- especially since so many of them have expressed the desire to downsize (and the holidays are the primary time of year when decluttering can feel borderline impossible).
My family and I agreed-- no gifts, except a few for West. He's receiving a beautiful handmade set of toys, a bike basket, and some wonderful books in his present sack.
I'll be giving our friends and neighbors freshly baked bread wrapped in reusable linen cloths. In my mind, it's the perfect holiday present: simple, delicious, beautiful, and clutter-free.
I feel as though this year rushed by at a breakneck pace. For me, there's nothing I want more than to lounge around with my husband, son, parents, and pups, enjoying good food and swapping stories instead of presents.
However and whatever you're celebrating this season, Adam and I wish you and yours all the best from our tiny home!
Small Space Holiday Tablescape
We've always loved hosting dinners at the Cottage, but now with our new expansion, we're planning on hosting more than ever this holiday season. I wanted to try something a little different this year by designing an all-clear tablescape with pieces from my long-time friends at CB2. I love this glittering, delicate, and uncluttered look, which is perfect for compact spaces. Plus the glass reflects candlelight in such a magical and festive way. ✨
Our collapsible indoor/outdoor table (which we use constantly) measures about 23” deep , which allows it to fit into our tiny living space, or into the sliver or an outdoor dining area between the two cottages. We usually use a mix of CB2’s rectangular Cuatro Platters, which fit well on such a narrow tabletop, without visually weighing down the surface. But I wanted to make everything feel a bit more festive for the winter months, without going overboard and without feeling too formal.
I decided to design the tabletop around the Bari Glass Dinnerware, because its crystal-clear appearance takes up almost no visual space. I paired the plates with the Sophia Optic Wine Glass, the Winter White Luster Ornaments, Paz Clear Glass Trees in staggered heights, the Bolt Linen Napkins, and this two-toned flatware set. I added a mix of winter greenery between the Bari Dinner Plate and the Bari Salad Plate in order to add texture, color, and contrast.
For those of you in LA: Visit the CB2 in West Hollywood now through 11/29 to enter to win the same pieces (for a table of 8) used in my tablescape design. (Just ask an associate for details.) If you stop by the store on Wednesday 11/29 from 5-8 PM, you can also enjoy flash sales, giveaways, gift wrapping, and in-store assistance from CB2’s personal shoppers.
This content was created in partnership with CB2. All images and opinions are my own.
Christmas at the Cottage
December was a beautiful daze at the Cottage. The weeks rushed by, and West grew so much that Adam and I can hardly believe our eyes. I posted most of my content from the month on Instagram Stories, which allowed me to share moments from the Cottage without requiring me to spend additional hours at the computer away from West. My goal this holiday season was to spend less time fussing over presents, and to spend more time focused on my family. It was wonderful, and some of our highlights are below. Happy, happy holidays to you and yours! Thank you for making our entire 2016 so very merry & bright.
Holiday Decor with Architectural Digest
We're delighted to be back on Architectural Digest! This time we're sharing some small-space, outdoor holiday decor ideas. Click here to view the feature.
Thanks, AD!
