Small Space Skylight
In less than 400 square feet, we’re lucky to have, not one, but two beautiful skylights. The window over the main room (which is the space that serves as our living room, kitchen, office, dining room, playroom, guest room, entryway, and more,) is generously sized, and is the unsung hero of our lil’ home. It permits the SoCal sunlight to pour abundantly into nearly every area within the Cottage.
I can’t imagine our house without this skylight, but during the winter months it poses a bit of a challenge for my workspace. The sun moves in a path that lands smack on my monitor for about two crucial hours of the workday (10-12), meaning that I can’t shoot, adjust photos, or edit videos at my desk during that time.
Obviously this is a great problem to have, and clearly there are several easy work-arounds, such as moving the iMac or using the laptop. But more often than not, I end up jumping up on the roof and throwing an old tablecloth over the window so I can continue my work uninterrupted.
I took to Instagram Stories to make fun of myself for doing this when my friend Hilton Carter (the talented creator of Jungle By The Falls) sent me a DM suggesting that perhaps I block the bulk of the temporary, problematic light with… plants. (I’ve suspended plants from our beams before, but I’d never, ever thought to dangle them from the skylight as a decorative solution to harsh sunlight.)
I’m a big fan of Hilton’s. He possesses such a rare blend of talent, humor, kindness, creativity, and style. (And his feature in our book, Small Space Style, is one of my absolute favorite parts of the entire publication.)
All it took was a sturdy tension rod, ever-handy s-hooks from the toolbox, a couple of my favorite hanging baskets from around the Cottage, and some variegated English Ivy to bring his recommendation to life. Et voila:
Problem solved— and solved simply and beautifully, with minimal purchasing.
The tension rod and s-hooks are only clearly visible if you’re standing directly under the skylight when the plants aren’t in the baskets. Within moments, everything can be scooted over to block transitioning sunlight, or taken down for watering or alternative placement.
And hallelujah— I can finally see my desk for the duration of the workday!
Thank you, Hilton. (As always.) Our house is a happier place because of you!
Small Space Style - Lil' Giveaway
Gifting is usually a simple affair over here. I almost always prefer to give food— such as freshly baked bread and grape preserves from the Cottage vine— wrapped in a reusable napkin. Presents such as local food or beverages reduce waste, don’t contribute to clutter, and can easily be adapted to suit seasons, recipients and occasions.
However, every now and then for special occasions I like to create little gifts made up of a samplings of goods that we have here at the Cottage. I did this for my closest girlfriends before my wedding, and I’m doing it again now in celebration of the release of my book, Small Space Style: Because You Don’t Need to Live Large to Live Beautifully. Some of these bundles are being given to folks who helped me in my career and/or with the book, while others are reserved for a lil’ giveaway as a way of saying thank you to the readers of this blog and my corresponding Instagram account.
When deciding what to include in this little gift box to accompany a copy of the book, I chose some of the items that I enjoy daily, including:
A vegetable tanned leather file folder from Graf & Lantz, handmade here in the USA
A blonde wood S’well Bottle (no more new, disposable plastic bottles, folks!)
A natural fiber wrapped pen
A linen hand towel or canvas bag from Maptote (exact styles for giveaway will vary)
A set of (toddler-friendly) coasters
A simple handheld fan
A handmade raffia bottle cover from Seavibe Design
I am giving away 3 of these humble bundles. Just complete the simple form below to be entered for a chance to win.
Giveaway info + rules: Continental US residents only, please. Giveaway will be closed at 11:59 pm PST 11/01/18. Winners to be announced on 11/02/18 via @WhitneyLeighMorris’ Instagram Stories. No purchase necessary. (UPDATE: Giveaway now completed / closed.)
If you already bought a copy of the book, THANK YOU so sincerely for helping support our tiny business and family.
Below are images of the giveaway items, paired with visuals of how we use them in our home:
Here’s a snap of Adam packing everything up here in our garden— when I say we’re a small business, boy do I mean it.
Again, many thanks for helping us share the message that you don’t need to live large to live beautifully.
