Small Space Style on World Book Day
It’s World Book Day, so I’m sharing a bit about my book, Small Space Style: Because You Don’t Need to Live Large to Live Beautifully, and my writing experience:
When I began writing the book, West was an infant and Adam was still working at an agency full-time. I never took a single day for maternity leave, because that’s how it goes when you run your own small business. I’d get up at 3am to write the book at a 24-hour diner, and at 6:00 I’d bike back to the Cottage to nurse West. My husband and I would walk the dogs with our son in the baby carrier, we’d eat breakfast, and then Adam would get ready for work. At 8am, I’d take calls with my East Coast and European clients, and an hour later Adam would leave for his job. All day until around 7pm, I’d care for West and the pups, attempt to blog and Instagram, and work for clients when the baby slept. When Adam returned home, we’d put West to bed, eat dinner, and I would get right back on the computer to resume working on the book (while sporting my hands-free breast pumping bra) until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. Then I’d feed West on demand until 3am, when we’d start the whole routine over again.
It was dizzying, but I believe it was worth it. I ended up with a sweet lil’ book that features 200+ tips for folks looking to make the most of their compact quarters.
My book was released in November 2018, and since then I’ve been surprised and thrilled by the ways in which it has unexpectedly connected me with folks all over the world. I’m sending heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has contacted me to share their positive experiences with Small Space Style, and to everyone who contributed in the making of the book.
About Small Space Style: Because You Don’t Need to Live Large to Live Beautifully:
For me, the key to living in a small home or apartment is not figuring out how to Tetris a life’s worth of stuff into limited square footage. It’s about understanding what you truly need — and don’t need— in order to live comfortably and contentedly, day by day. Compact homes aren’t necessarily stepping stones on our path to larger lodgings. Small space living can work (and work spectacularly) for all sorts of evolving family structures and income levels. Plus it can lessen our negative impact on the environment. Living tiny can be fulfilling, comfortable and, yes, stylish.
My intention is for Small Space Style to help you as you embark upon your own journey into the world of small-space living. I hope that the book’s pages provide you with ideas for crafting a tiny space that feels infinitely beautiful, inspiring and welcoming for you and your loved ones.
The book features 200+ tips for making the most of your little home, with chapters centered around the essentials— living, sleeping, eating, and bathing. It offers imagery from our home as well as others, and is brilliantly illustrated by Magdalena Zolnierowicz.
Click here to shop via a small, independent shop that ships with no waste packaging.
Click here to shop via Amazon.
Small Space Gardening for Kids
Earlier this year, Adam and I both read The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis, and felt inspired to make changes to the way we live our lives here at the cottage according to what we learned from the book. As part of that lifestyle shift, we decided to grow much of our own produce here at home. So we began converting our sunny 8’ porch into a tiny grow zone.
I’ve shared the following quote before, but I’m doing so again because it was this particular passage that helped me visualize exactly how I wanted to start our growing efforts:
“Every vacant lot, every grimy unused alley, has been repurposed and turned into a shady grove. Every rooftop has been converted to either a vegetable or floral garden. Windowless buildings that were once scrawled with graffiti are instead carpeted with verdant vines… Things that used to be done individually are now done communally— growing vegetables, capturing rainwater, and composting… In community gardens, on rooftops, at schools, and even hanging from vertical gardens on balconies, food sometimes seems to be growing everywhere.” - The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis
That passage made me feel like every space — no matter how small — is an opportunity to plant and nurture something green and good, both for the planet and for our bodies.
As discussed in a recent post, we got two 6’ tall Farmstand growstands from Lettuce Grow (which we are absolutely loving). But we also wanted to create some raised garden beds so that all three of us could tackle growing fruit and vegetables in containers in our compact outdoor space in this big city.
I’ll share our hack for creating the raised beds in the near future. But first we started out by getting some seedlings going in compostable egg cartons.
We’re attempting to grow several different plants on our little porch, from carrots to tomatoes to squash. We’re expecting plenty of failures, of course, but we’re hoping for some successes as well. To experiment, we’re trying a mix of soil types— some enriched with compost, some peppered with small doses of rinsed coffee grounds, and some sprinkled with fragments of nutrient-rich soil amendment courtesy of our FoodCycler.
West has been helping with it all, planting seeds and tending to the Farmstands. But we also got him a Root Viewer, so he could plant radishes, onions, and carrots and then watch them grow downward over time.
This family activity has been productive and entertaining as we shelter at home during the pandemic. I’ll share more from our experience soon, as this is just the beginning of our greener journey together.
Activities for Sheltering at Home in a Small Space (Week 6)
Sheltering at home looks different for every household. Here at the cottage, we haven’t deep cleaned the house, nor have we started taking new classes, learning new skills, or watching new shows.
Our home is a daycare from 7am - 9pm.
And it’s a small business office from 6am - 11pm.
7 days a week.
I’m not complaining. Being able to shelter from home with my family is a privilege.
And thankfully, to my surprise, West still hasn’t asked to go anywhere the entire time. I was expecting daily questions and requests, but they never really manifested. I find myself holding my breath for a breakdown that has yet to come.
Above: West speaking to our neighbor from across the 8’ porch that separates our homes.
The days go by quickly, some smoother than others.
West sweetly requests more undivided attention than I can necessarily give, I fall behind on work, I’m out of shape, I’m distracted during most calls and meetings, I’m making more typos in my writing, and days go by without being able to touch base with my parents.
But this is a time for heightened flexibility, compassion and patience— with others, and with ourselves.
WORK
As a far as conducting business is concerned, I stick to many of my Tips for Working Effectively from a Small Home / Apt During the Outbreak. Even though I can’t work uninterrupted for more than a 30-60 minutes at a time, I do try to practice helpful habits like separating myself from the rest of the family, clocking-in for the task and clocking-out when it’s completed, and having necessities and comforts within arm’s reach (and notifications off) so I’m not sidetracked.
PLAY
We are turning nearly everything into an activity to do with West. Our days usually consist of the following:
Reading (about 2 hours each day)
Listening to Pinna audiobooks / stories while playing with trucks, building blocks/tiles, train tracks, etc.
Watching episodes of Sarah & Duck or Puffin Rock with our mini projector
“Painting” the fence with water
Bubbles
Cooking, baking, cleaning and laundry as family games
Dance parties
Playdough (I refer to Erin Boyle’s DIY instructions here)
Building forts (on the couch, with a tablecloth tent, and with play silks / scarves)
Window darts (these are plastic, but I’m glad we have them—- they’re fun for the whole family and we use them constantly)
Running around the house and yard with the pups
Art class (stickers, simple crafts, color pencils and crayons, paper planes, etc)
1 hour of French zoom class with friends, 4x / week
Gardening, Farmstand harvesting and monitoring, and careful watering of the indoor/outdoor plants
Puzzles (we only have 4-5 small ones, but they’re enough at this point)
Basketball
Video / Portal calls with family and friends
Chatting over fences and through windows with our neighbors
“Fishing” in the main room or garden
Switching up meal and snack formats in the PlanetBox for in-home picnics
Outdoor Shower
In searching my own blog recently, I realized I never shared a dedicated entry about the garden shower we installed a year ago. As we receive inquiries about it daily, I figured it was finally time to add this post.
During the warmer times of year, this simple outdoor shower brings us so much joy. Whether it’s being used strictly for cleaning or purely for relaxation, the shower has proven exceptionally useful here at our tiny home. We live a short walk from the beach and right next to the canals, so — when we’re not practicing social distancing, of course — the 5 of us often return home with sand or muck on our skin (or fur and paws), clothes and gear.
By digging out a bit of pea gravel and sliding a shallow potting or boot tray beneath the shower’s built-in teak platform (and by using a simple, organic shampoo + soap bar), we can collect water to then reuse on our non-edible plants.
This particular model uses a basic hose hook-up, and doesn’t have hot a water connection. This actually helps us limit our shower time, and encourages us to turn the knob on/off only when we truly need the water running.
As such, it’s been a great way to teach West about water conservation. (And he’s used to showering since he outgrew his portable folding tub between year 1 and 2 and we don’t have a tub at the Cottage.)
This past weekend I decided to try a sunset shower as a form of self-care. It was a bit cold, but it was well worth it. It found that, when paired with a mug of hot lemon water and some music from our portable bluetooth speaker, a shower under the vines and twinkle lights was a healthy way to sooth my mind and calm my nerves.
9 Years in the Cottage
This month marks the 9th anniversary Adam and I moving into our lil’ cottage. I’ve now lived here longer than any other residence during my life.
Since sheltering in place like countless others across the globe, I’ve received the same question from someone at least once a day: How do I feel about tiny living now that we’re at home around the clock?
The truth is, Adam and I have been practicing this style of 24/7 live-work tiny life ever since he left his digital advertising job 3 years ago shortly after West was born and began working with me at home.
While the virus outbreak is devastating and extremely upsetting on so many levels, the “Safer at Home” order has changed very little for our family in terms of our day-to-day routine. While our hearts are aching for communities across the globe and our minds are racing from current events, our schedule and practices here at home are largely unchanged.
In Hilton Carter’s new book, WILD INTERIORS (which comes out on Tuesday!), the author, filmmaker and plant stylist wrote:
“When I visited [the cottage], I was amazed by the choreographed dance I saw taking place throughout their home. One person steps here so another person can step there... one two, step, one two, step.”
I love doing this dance with Adam every day, and am thrilled to mark this 9th anniversary of living here together. I can’t imagine a more comforting place to be with my husband, child and pups during this pandemic.
Thank you for being here with us. While we’re all physically separate, we remain emotionally (and digitally) together.
Photos by Lucia Doynel.
Growing Food in a Small Space
How do we grow some of our own food in very limited square-footage? Vertically!
We are extremely lucky to have a small but highly usable garden space (which also serves as a shared thoroughfare with our neighbor), but for several reasons we’ve chosen to use it as an outdoor living space.
So, in order to produce veggies, herbs and fruit this year, we’re converting our sunny 8’ porch into a tiny house grow zone!
It’s is still very much a work in progress, but we started it all off with two Lettuce Grow Farmstands, enabling us to grow 72 plants within about 4 sqft.
The stands are made in the USA with plastic recovered from coastal communities lacking recycling facilities.
They require only a fraction of the amount of water needed for growing in soil, which helps here in drought-prone Los Angeles.
We’re just getting started, but already Adam has made meals using greens from the stands.
We’ll continue to share our grow journey with you throughout the year.
An At-Home Cinema in a Small Space (Without a TV)
We don’t have a television at the Cottage. I haven’t had one in nearly 11 years, and I genuinely have never missed it. However, I will wholeheartedly admit that since we’ve been following the Safer at Home protocol for the past 3 weeks, I have absolutely wished for a larger screen while watching the occasional random Netflix show or movie. (We used to use my old iMac — even while in the garden — but that machine has since passed on.)
So instead of caving and getting a television, which I really, really don’t want, we got a tiny, wireless, portable CINEMOOD, which is basically a stay-at-home cinema. (Update: Cinemood saw this post and provided me with a promo code to share with readers for a free smart cover: tinycanalcottage.)
Suddenly we are able to watch movies and shows in the living room, bedroom, porch, and garden on a giant scale. (Where has this thing been for the past 9 years?!)
But my favorite thing of all is that there’s no bulky screen to attempt to hide (or roll up for storage) when we’re through. The projector itself can fit in the palm of my hand. (And we added a playful little case to keep it safe while West is holding it.)
Plus there are no cords. A quick charge is all that’s required, and then the device can go anywhere.
And, since our house and garden are so tiny, we can project from nearly any point on the property and the picture makes it clearly to the viewing wall. (The set-up was easy, but the app and functionality took me a bit to get used to. But I got there!)
West still watches shows sparingly. (His favorites remain Sarah & Duck and Puffin Rock.) Projecting the CINEMOOD on to the ceiling, walls, or even our closet and window curtains prevents our child from having to droop his lil’ neck to watch a show on a handheld screen.
I also feel like the cinema-style projection adds a new dose of magic to our normal day-to-day activities. That extra spark is particularly welcome in this odd time of being tethered so completely to our homes during the COVID-19 outbreak.
(Above: West’s Casa Straw Clutch by Olli Ella, which we turned into a nightlight with battery-operated twinkle lights.)
Since we’re practicing strict social distancing, we can’t gather with friends or family for a movie night, of course. But I do hope that I can come up with clever ways to watch something on the porch with our neighbors during the warmer months to come. (I’ll definitely share photos if we do.)
I’m all for creative solutions for simplified small space living, and this lil’ gadget is a perfect example of a way to think beyond a traditional setup without sacrificing comfort or style.
Note: This post was not sponsored.
Tips for Working Effectively from a Small Home / Apt During the Pandemic
I recently published a post entitled: Creating a Makeshift Home-Office in a Small Space, and it sparked further questions from readers who are feeling cramped and distracted while trying to maintain a productive workflow since relocating their workspaces to their compact, shared residences due to COVID-19..
Above: Screenshots from our 1-minute IGTV video about streamlining a small home-office.
Many of you have requested help with establishing and maintaining more efficient practices for working in tight quarters with a partner, roommate and/or children ever-present, so here are 14 accessible tips I’ve learned over the course of a dozen years of operating a business full-time from small residences.
Photo from 2017
Keep in mind that some days will undoubtedly be more challenging than others, but the privilege of working from home is something to acknowledge and keep in mind. So many people are suddenly out of work across the globe, and medical professionals, delivery personnel and workers tied to essential businesses are putting themselves at risk to keep the rest of us safe. Staying home— even if it’s not your preference— is important for our communities, so let’s make it work.
Make your bed
Studies show that people who make their beds tend to be more productive. But in a small space, I think that making the bed is doubly important. With limited square footage, the bed can become a useful surface for random tasks throughout the day, such as sorting/filing/printing papers.
Carve out time for self care
Whether it’s as simple as brushing your teeth, washing your face or taking a shower— or more involved, like doing Yoga, making coffee/tea/a smoothie, putting on makeup if that’s your preference, and/or taking your pets for a (responsible!) walk, make sure to carve out time in your morning before work to accomplish the things you’d normally do before leaving your home for an office job.
Get dressed
I know this is often recommended to the point of exhaustion. Still, it really is helpful— even if you’re not on Zoom / FaceTime meetings during the day.
Set up a pop-up workspace if you don’t have a dedicated one
If you have a dedicated desk or dining table, fantastic. If not, create a pop-up workspace. Depending on your living situation, this might mean converting an end table into an office, employing a collapsible bistro table, or using a lap tray in bed. Whatever it is, set yourself up with the tools you’ll need throughout the day, so that you won’t loose your train of thought or productivity by having to get up and find supplies (and thus risk getting distracted) while you’re in a positive workflow. If possible, set up shop by a window, or place a mirror nearby to reflect the natural light from the closest window. In situations like these, I believe it can be emotionally beneficial to get some exposure to nature and/or your community while you work.
Clock-in
Set a time to start and stick to it. I believe this is why I have been so productive at working from home over the past dozen years. When I first began working remotely, I had a client with whom I had to check in every morning at 8AM, and that obligation provided a me with a sense of formal structure, much like a standard office does.
Set your phone timer for scheduled breaks
When you’re working from home, it can be tempting to hop up and take care of chores around the house. Overall, it’s a great gift to be able to check off your personal to-do list while simultaneously addressing your professional duties. But the reality is that this can be distracting and derailing. Instead of succumbing to the urge to steal random moments to manage chores, set timers on your phone to coincide with the times of day you’ll likely need a brief break to stretch and use the bathroom. At those intervals, allot an extra handful of minutes for calling a friend, getting a snack, doing the dishes, watering the plants, tending to personal matters, etc. Let your parter / child / roommate know when these breaks are scheduled so you can touch base or get out of each others way if needed. When your timer sounds again to signify the break is up, back to work!
Try earbuds or noise-canceling headphones
Whether you prefer to listen to music, need silence, or simply can’t stand another minute of your housemate’s keyboard clacking, invest in a pair of earbuds or noise canceling headphones if possible.
Consider a curtain or screen
It might be worthwhile to use a makeshift curtain, accordion screen or a room divider of some sort to cordon off your work zone. (There’s plenty more about this topic in my book, Small Space Style.) Beyond adding a sense of privacy, this can provide physical and symbolic boundaries for those with whom you share your home. It can also keep your eager eyes in check when they’re tempted to wander over to the snack shelf or laundry pile when they should be focused on your work instead.
Practice In-House Texting
This might seem absurd in a small home or apartment, but consider texting your partner/roommate/etc. or asking them to text you if something needs to be discussed. That way you will see the text when you choose to look at your phone and can then respond accordingly, rather than being yanked abruptly from a focused moment. (Adam and I often do this, even though we live in under 400 sqft… it works.)
Explore storing your administrative supplies in more than one area if you’re feeling cramped
While it’s handy to keep your must-haves within arm’s reach (as mentioned in tip 4, above), you don’t need to cram ALL of your supplies into one area in your small home office. If you rarely use a printer but have one, perhaps store it somewhere else so that you don’t feel like your work zone is taking over your home. (Examples of this can be found in the IGTV video linked at the start of this post.) Same goes for bulky files, business tools, etc— especially if you’re sharing them with someone else in the home. Spreading accessories out will aid with storage, but it will also allow all parties to use the same items throughout the day without distracting each other when crossing zones to borrow this-or-that.
Temporarily delete apps that distract
If you’re tempted to check non-essential apps on your phone, consider deleting them during the work day, and reinstalling them after you’ve “clocked out”.
Clock out
Just like clocking in, a clocking out routine can be useful for maintaining a live/work divide. Stow office items until the next work day, freeing up your home for personal activities and family time.
The night before, set up an activity for your kid(s) for the morning
If you’re feeling like the mornings are too hectic, analyze why. Do your kids need something to keep them safely occupied while you go about your self care routine and/or prepping your workspace? Perhaps plan and set up an activity for the morning that will keep them happy so you can stick to your schedule.
Prep Meals
If you find yourself hanging out in the kitchen more than you normally do, perhaps prep your meals and snacks in advance. This can prevent wasted time, and while potentially encouraging a healthier diet since we all need to keep our immune systems healthy while this virus circulates through our communities. Not only that, but preparing food in advance is a wise way to ration food within your household, limiting possible exposure from potentially avoidable grocery shopping trips and/or deliveries.
Remember: We’re all in it together. You’ve got this.
"Small Wonder" Feature in "Wild Interiors"
Despite the fact that Adam and I have been together for more than a quarter of my life (WHAT IS TIME?!), we really have so few photos together. Our extraordinary friend Hilton Carter (@hiltoncarter) took this portrait here at the cottage while he was snapping imagery for his new book, Wild Interiors.
Above: Outtake photo from the Cottage by Hilton Carter for his new book, Wild Interiors.
At one point during the photoshoot, Hilton paused to adjust the settings on his camera, and Adam and I kept standing there in the garden, arms locked around each other. Hilton eventually looked up at us and said: “you two know I’m not taking photos now, right?”
Above: Outtake photo from the Cottage by Hilton Carter for his new book, Wild Interiors.
We knew. But even after being in such close proximity to one other for day and night, year after year, we still want to wrap ourselves together and hold one another up. I’m so thankful to Hilton for capturing that love, and for including us in his second book.
Above: Author, filmmaker, and plant + interior stylist Hilton Carter at the Cottage in 2019.
Hilton’s newest book, Wild Interiors, is as stunningly beautiful to look as it is informative (and often hilarious) to read.
The pages are overflowing with his signature texture-rich photographs, layered with depths of lush greenery and brilliantly orchestrated interiors.
Above: The outdoor shower at the Cottage featured in Wild Interiors.
Wild Interiors opens with Hilton guiding readers through his own epic plant journey, and sharing his inspirations and favorite house plants. It then showcases the residences of 12 plant parents (Adam and myself gratefully included), that demonstrate the versatility of decorating with plants.
Above: Photo from the Cottage by Hilton Carter as seen in his new book, Wild Interiors.
From there, Hilton ushers audiences through a room-by-room profile of the plants that are most suited to each type of space within a home.
About the book:
Wild Interiors is my follow up to my first book, Wild at home. Instead of showcasing my home and studio, I traveled the world to show you the beautiful spaces of others. First I take you through my own plant journey, inspirations, and my top ten favorite house plants of the moment. I then grab your hand and take you along with me on a Journey in Greenery where I showcase the homes of 12 inspiring plant parents that demonstrate the versatility of decorating with plants. From a tiny house in Venice, California and a light-filled loft in New York City, to a Berlin apartment decorated with vintage finds, and the Barcelona home of a ceramic artist, there are ideas for all types of spaces and budgets. I then set you off on your very own plant journey, taking you room by room, profiling the plants that are most suited to each: those that thrive in the tropical humidity of bathrooms, the erratic heat changes of kitchens, and plants that can live happily in the indirect light of an entryway or bedroom. Packed full of interior design advice such as using “statement plants” like Fiddle-leaf figs to create a focal point, how to layer your greenery by using hanging baskets, and how to assemble the perfect plant shelf, I show you how bringing houseplants into your home creates instant impact. Be inspired to create your own Wild Interiors with my styling advice, plus my hints and tips on plant care that take the mystery out of looking after your green friends.
Above: Author, filmmaker, and plant + interior stylist Hilton Carter at the Cottage in 2019.
I am in such awe of Hilton Carter and his myriad of talents, and I’m honored that the Cottage and my family are part of his gorgeous new book. We are lucky and endlessly grateful that Hilton and his wife, Fiona, are part of our lives.
Keeping Our Small Space Organized While on Lockdown
Our family was practicing strict social distancing for a week prior to Los Angeles issuing its “Safer at Home” lockdown order. And while life beyond our walls has changed drastically— as it has for everyone— our existence at home is oddly similar to how it’s been for years.
For example:
We are used to being mere inches from one another for days on end.
We rarely use the car, as we have no daily commute and are lucky enough to be able to bike around town instead.
We don’t use disposable goods (such as tissues, paper towels, toilet paper, cotton rounds, tampons/pads, disposable razors, or ear swabs), so there’s no need to stock up.
We’ve long spent the majority of each week with our son here at home as we balance the full-time operations of our small business. As such, we’re used to both the challenges and joys that such a situation presents.
In recent months, while working from home as usual, I found myself perched at the kitchen counter more, and seated at my desk less. Since West usually plays in the main room (behind my desk chair), it no longer felt natural to sit with my back towards that area. By contrast, from the kitchen counter I can observe him while going about all of my administrative work, which is why started to transform it into my office every morning.
Above photo: February 2019
In its neglect, the area around my desk began to get visually overrun from oversized toy trucks, canvas bags of puzzle pieces, instruments and so forth. While I firmly believe that it’s better for the planet and for our wallets to focus on curbing our belongings rather than constantly searching for storage solutions, sometimes adjustments simply need to be made to furnishings and accessories in order to cultivate comfort and calm in a small space.
Above photo: September 2019
So, despite the fact that I really love my convertible desk that transitions from a standing workspace to a seated one, I loaned it out so that I could replace it with concealed storage. (In doing this I broke one of my own rules— holding on to something that we no longer need. But one day I know I’ll require a desk again, and the lift desk has been perfect for me.)
Before selecting anything new, Adam and I reviewed how we wanted to be able to better navigate the main room, starting with the rug.
The old rug deliberately divided our multi-purpose room into 2 zones: the play space and the work space. There was just enough wiggle room for me to scoot my desk chair back on our worn hardwood floor before bumping into the “living room” rug., where West plays for several hours per day.
We decided we wanted a few extra inches of exposed floor by the front door since we have no entryway or dedicated landing zone. And while the old rug served us beautifully in this immensely high-traffic room for years, it had become too dirty to deep clean, and it was too close to the front door to fully escape grimy shoes and muddy paws.
At the same time, we wanted a few extra inches of rug where my desk chair used to be, so that the room felt like the unified space into which it had naturally evolved.
I knew I wanted a vintage piece, but I was having a hard time finding something in the abnormal size our funny little space requires, which is around 5’ x 6’. Eventually I found THE ONE via Lulu & Georgia, which has numerous vintage home goods, as well revolving capsule collections of vintage rugs.
I’d also had my eye on some vintage dressers to put in place of my beloved desk, but I kept running into hurdles. They were too big, too restrictive in the design of the cubbies/drawers/slots, or they weren’t the right height, color or shape.
Since I was getting the rug from Lulu & Georgia, a business with which I worked in the past to outfit parts of Amy Adams’ production offices, I asked them if they had a flawed or damaged version of their Maci Dresser that they couldn’t sell that I could take off their hands. The Maci measures very close to the dimensions I’d wanted, and has 9 practical drawers. To my delight, we were able to rescue a piece, which we then introduced it to its new (tiny) home.
Above photo was styled for a shoot, rather than set up for our standard use.
The instant we brought the Maci into the cottage I knew that it was the right piece for our needs, but it still took some getting used to. We’ve always had an open-backed, slim-legged desk in that space, which kept the line of sight open.
But after about 2 days, our routine has greatly benefitted from this new addition.
Throughout the drawers, I’m able to store West’s sofa-bed linens and our guest bedding, our reusable to-go food and beverage supplies and bulk shopping bags, and all of West’s toys and supplies. We even have some drawers to spare for the future.
These pieces have allowed us to function more efficiently and comfortably within our compact space, and are particularly helpful as we hunker down in our tiny home-office together.
Making Space for Schooling in a Small Home / Apartment
At 8 a.m. every morning, I prep our tiny house for a hodgepodge of learning activities for our little one. It’s not homeschooling. It’s... what? Home learning? I’m not sure what to call it. But whatever it is, I hope I don’t mess it up, and that I grow and learn right by my child’s side.
Despite the fact that my mom was an educator for nearly 50 years, I’m terrible at this sort of thing. Not even just with West, but for myself as well. I’ve always been better at working and reading than at formal schooling.
I should note that my child is only 3½, so I’m focused on making sure he’s exposed to new experiences within our tiny home in the months to come, as opposed to focusing on a curriculum. And, of course, Adam is doing all of this with me.
Some resources we’ve found useful this week:
Authors and actors reading children’s books on Instagram Live. This helps enhance our library since we can’t go to the library for new books at this time. Some examples are Save with Stories and Oliver Jeffers, but there are SO many more.
Running spreadsheets, texts and DMs with friends, family and our Instagram community.
As the days and weeks progress, I’ll share more snippets of what we’re doing, and how we’re navigating this new version of life within our limited space. In the meantime, stay safe and well.
Note: The folding desk + chair pictured in this post was a vintage find on Etsy. I searched for months until I discovered the exact item I’d been envisioning. I aim to responsibly produce a handful of small space items like this for those who want them. Hopefully once we’re on the other side of this thing...
(The photos featuring Whitney were taken at the cottage by tinylicious.co.)
Working From Home: Creating a Makeshift/Temporary Home-Office in a Small Space
With so many people practicing social distancing and suddenly working remotely from their small homes/apartments, I wanted to share this 1-minute Tiny Takeaways episode (embedded below or viewable via my IGTV channel on Instagram) that I created last year about streamlining a compact home office.
Our tiny home-office has been the full-time workspace for my small business since we moved into the Cottage 9 years ago. And, for the past 3 years, Adam has worked here with me as well.
We float all over our tiny house, working from the desk, the breakfast counter, or on a folding table around the interior and exterior.
The video demonstrates a few tips and tools that help us make it work. More small space office solutions are available via my book, Small Space Style: Because You Don’t Need to Live Large to Live Beautifully.
Physical Distancing (Weekend 1)
In the coming days and weeks, I’ll share organizing + decluttering guides for those remaining inside their small homes or apartments, coupled with stories and images showing what we’re doing in this time of physical separation. In the meantime, a few thoughts…
“Our mindset is so powerful that it can convince us that a scarcity exists, throwing us into unnecessary competition and thereby objectively creating the scarcity we initially feared. Key to this shift away from competition is that giving makes us happy, so while we act primarily in service to others during times of great hardship, we are also, in fact, acting in service to ourselves. In times of profound suffering and great need, we rise to the occasion, we stand shoulder to shoulder in support. The impulse to gather in a circle of care for one another must be extended to our efforts to address the climate crisis.” - The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis
On our first weekend of social distancing, we’ve kept busy inside our tiny cottage as welcome storms have rolled through our region. We connected with our next door neighbor across the porch (through our Dutch door and his closet window). We chatted with the couple on the other side of the fence. We reached out to thank friends in the medical field. We offered assistance to some nearby folks who might need it in the weeks to come. We FaceTimed family. We group texted friends. I caught up on some DMs.
We are physically at a distance, but we’re all emotionally joined. Let’s remain together, shall we? Not just through this crisis, but through larger one that encompasses everything…
Photos taken at the cottage by tinylicious.co.
Jewelry handmade by Maddalena Bearzi.
Saving in Small Ways
One of the many things I appreciate about small space living is the way it helps us save both time and money. Still, as in any setting, either can slip away all too easily.
As part of our recent lifestyle shift rooted in going deeper with both sustainability and saving money, we’ve hugely reduced our rate of dining out and getting to-go meals.
From brewing our morning our morning coffee here at home (rather than getting it to go in our S’well thermoses) to opting to take a walk on the beach rather than dine by it, we’re slowly saving our pennies and reclaiming lost minutes, which we’ve been using to read more, dance with West in our tiny living room (holiday songs remain his favorites, despite the fact that we’re nearly into Spring), and be even more engaged with the pups.
I’ve also been paying increased attention to our food waste.
We started composting last year, but there was still wasted food that headed straight into the compost.
I’m a failure with multitasking, and the number of times I’ve burned food, ruined pour-over coffee due to distraction, or stepped away foolishly leaving food within a particular beagle’s reach (AHEM, SOPHEE), is ridiculously high.
For me, slowing down means focusing on fewer things at a time, working to enjoy the activities as they flow.
(Having said that, we got a Ratio Six coffee maker so that I wouldn’t get distracted and walk away during the pour-over process. We picked the Six due to its unique design that is equally as beautiful from any angle (helpful in a small, awkward kitchen), its handblown glass carafe, its reusable metal Kone filter, and its smaller tabletop footprint.)
Adam has started making oat milk, green juice, vegetarian dog food*, kale chips, and more from home, and plans to tackle bread baking next.
On a related side note: We learned that there’s an oil, sweetener and herb refill/bulk store in LA called Wild Terra.
It can be tempting in a city like LA to go out for meals, since there’s such high quality food in such diverse formats. But so far it hasn’t felt like a sacrifice.
In fact, it feels like we’re getting back some precious slivers of time that we hadn’t realized we’d been missing.
Postscript: For those who are interested in our Ratio Six coffee maker and our low waste coffee routine (form sourcing the beans to cleaning our cups), hop on over to Ratio’s journal for a Q&A interview and additional images from the Cottage.
*Note: Making dog food at home is something we opted to do after consulting with our vet, and reading several books and websites. The meals have been tailored to our dogs, and are supplemented with extra nutrients in powder form. Consult with professionals before trying at home.
Above: My to-go coffee cup sleeve gifted to us years ago featuring custom art of StanLee. I use this most when taking mason jars on to the canoe or on walks with the pups.
In Anticipation of Spring
I almost never bring new decor into our home any more. While The Tiny Canal Cottage got its start in the home decor category, we’ve progressed beyond style alone into comfortable, sustainable small space living. Still, when I find a unique handmade or vintage item that I think will enhance our experience here at home while fitting within our budget, I do appreciate the occasional new housemate…
I recently picked 3 small additions from Connected Goods for the Cottage:
An item for the interior: For the main room, we introduced a handmade dried flower bowl, crafted in a small female-run studio. This bowl is a particularly practical replacement for a vessel of flowers, given the realities of living with a 3 year-old who is always knocking over water-filled vases of fresh blooms on our coffee table. Plus market flowers have gotten expensive (the bundle of wax flowers below cost more than I can normally spend), and often travel wastefully long distances to reach their final destinations. But dried stems are easy to come by and last for so much longer.
An item for the exterior: For the garden, I selected a handmade tea light chandelier in anticipation of the warmer evenings to come. The flickering candles cast enough glowing light that we don’t have to turn on the twinkle strands in order to illuminate the bistro table or outdoor sofa, allowing us to conserve some electricity.
An item for my everyday use on-the-go : For my routine treks around Venice and beyond, I picked a generously-sized cotton canvas utility tote, which can hold my work accessories, some toys/books for West, and all of our zero waste to-go necessities (like bottles, cups, produce bags, cloths and utensils).
These are tiny little spring touches that bring our home warmth and joy. (Additional photos below.) Remember: you don’t have to live large to live beautifully.
The Future We Choose - Regenerative Small Space Living
I recently finished reading, The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis, which is a cautionary but inspiringly optimistic book about the future of humanity in this crucial time for our planet. Written by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac (lead negotiators for the United Nations during the Paris Agreement), this incredible book offers two scenarios for the near future: one in which we fail to meet the goals set forth by the Agreement, and another in which governments, corporations and individuals confront the climate crisis head-on and create a carbon-neutral and regenerative world.
Needless to say, I want to live in the scenario in which humanity and wildlife survive and thrive. But hope is not enough— action is required across all levels. It might not seem like there’s much we can do on a household basis, but Figueres and Rivett-Carnac provide a very clear and compelling argument for why every individual’s actions matter in this moment, and what our culture can do to enact immediate change.
My family and business are adjusting our ways accordingly.
I will continue to center my business upon sharing stories and solutions pertaining to living comfortably and contentedly in small spaces. After all, as humanity adapts to the necessary changes required to combat the climate crisis, we will need to learn how to better share, and live with less stuff (yet with no less abundance). Additionally, Adam and I are also diving headlong into learning about regenerative gardening and practices for small urban spaces.
We want to be more than just a resource for comfortable and adaptable small space living. We’re also striving to be a resource for those who are interested in self-sufficient and restorative small space living, requiring less of the Earth, while also giving back to it.
According to The Future We Choose, we must create a greener planet in every space possible. Cities can become exceptional, with more trees, more parks for our children and wildlife, fewer cars, and plenty of urban agriculture.
“Every vacant lot, every grimy unused alley, has been repurposed and turned into a shady grove. Every rooftop has been converted to either a vegetable or floral garden. Windowless buildings that were once scrawled with graffiti are instead carpeted with verdant vines… Things that used to be done individually are now done communally— growing vegetables, capturing rainwater, and composting… In community gardens, on rooftops, at schools, and even hanging from vertical gardens on balconies, food sometimes seems to be growing everywhere.”
Adam and I will share what we learn as we go. We’re starting with our own research online and at our local libraries, and taking courses via Kiss The Ground. We’ll listen to folks who’ve had their hands in the regenerative practices for years (such as our friends at Apricot Lane Farms). We’ll also work towards making our home more efficient via renewable energy whenever possible within our financial means.
And we will, of course, continue to bike over drive, refuse single-use plastics, be mindful of our clothing and food, cut back drastically on unnecessary air travel, use our voices as citizens and consumers, vote at the ballot box, and vote with/without our hard-earned dollars.
Let’s see what folks in small urban spaces such as ours can do to take less, give more, and create the future we choose.
* The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis, by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac
Some Items You Can Probably Go Without (Part 14)
In recent years, the average size of the American single-family home has grown to over 2,600 square feet. As I walk around our neighborhood and see the smaller, still livable, single-story bungalows being torn down and replaced with zero-lot-line behemoths, I can’t help but wonder why… (For investment purposes? And if so, to what end, ultimately?)
Not only are we living in an unprecedented time during which we have to do everything necessary to curb our emissions and consumption to combat the climate crisis, but we are also living in a technological era in which entire collections of goods that once lived in our homes are now contained within our smart devices.
If we’re spending more time absorbed in our phones and less time interacting with the tangible, and if items such as movies, music collections, reference guides, books, photo albums, and more all live digitally, why do our homes need to further expand? And expand in ways that are often highly environmentally burdensome?
Of course it's important to note that a bigger house doesn't necessarily mean more stuff, and that I am indeed excited about green construction in the future. Homes that operate with renewable energy, “smart” features that keep energy down and efficiency high, and self-sustaining systems that better manage waste while generating power and resources are possibilities on the horizon. I’m not suggesting that tiny houses/apartments are “the” answer or suitable for everyone.
Our child is only 3, and as I type this post, he is the only child in our household. I have yet to live this tiny life as a parent of a pre-teen/teen or of multiple children. One day, one way or another, my family's needs and tastes will change, and I have no idea what’s next for us.
But as we adapt to the future, I plan to keep in mind that leaving behind a sprawling home filled with stuff for my kid is not my goal, whereas leaving behind a healthy Earth for his entire generation is.
With that, here are some home / kitchen items you can probably go without, whether you live in a big house or a small one. (View all the entries in this series here.)
Bathtub Caddy, Shower Novelty Stands/Holders
If you regularly relax in the tub with a book and some tea or wine and that’s your form of self care, then good for you— keep it going. But if you only take a bath every now and then (hooray for conserving water!), perhaps consider skipping the luxury bathtub caddy and novelty suction cup drink holders. A little table or stool pulled up next to your tub can work juuuuust fine.
Tea Bag Coasters, Holders, etc.
A tea bag can survive on a plate or saucer and certainly doesn’t need it’s own dedicated accessory, such as those over-the-rim slings or ramekin-style holders. Better yet, skip the tea bags altogether and opt for looseleaf to reduce waste and avoid the microplastics and nanoplastics that can be released into your mug from the bags.
Encyclopedias, Translator Guides, Dictionaries
While I love a good wall of books in a home or office, I have to admit— most of them aren’t necessary. (Like I’ve said before, I still prefer to read on paper, but that doesn’t mean I need to buy or hold on to every title like a beautifully bound trophy.) Thanks to libraries and digital resources, perhaps we can stop acquiring brand new volumes of encyclopedias, dictionaries, translator guides, and so forth.
Dish Drying Rack
A simple drying mat (or even a towel) or an over-the-sink roll-up rack can function just as well without eating up inches.
Nail polish + lipstick holders
As with any dedicated organizer, these sorts of things (usually made of acrylic) frustrate me. Due to their specific dimensions and design, they basically serve only ONE (unnecessary) function only, rendering them useless for anything else if your beauty needs, tastes or habits change. It’s likely that numerous items already available within your home can hold these products for you— no new purchase required.
New Podcast Interview Live
I was delighted to be a recent guest on the “What We Said” podcast, and the episode was released today: listen here.
We discussed tiny living and sustainability (and actionable tips for navigating both), as well as family life in under 400 sqft.
Thanks for having me on your show, Jaci and Chelsey!
Video: New "About Us" Video
I uploaded a new 2-minute "About Us" video here on the site, briefly recapping our journey since we moved into the Cottage, and explaining why we share what share.
As always, thank you for being here and experiencing life in under 400 sqft with us.
Preschooler Sofa-Bed Updates
About a year ago, we began converting our sofa into a bed at night for our child, who’d previously been bed-sharing with us since we removed his closet nursery. Now that he’s transitioned from a toddler to a preschooler, we’ve made some minor yet meaningful changes to the space to reignite his excitement about his “bedroom.”
A full post about the sofa bed can be found here. (It’s similar to the same setup we create for our overnight guests, but with a dedicate set of sheets, a safety bumper and no privacy curtain.)
West often prefers to sleep with us in the built-in queen bed within our single bedroom. My husband and I welcome those moments— such time with a child is precious and finite.
But in order to renew West’s excitement about his dedicated sleep space and keep him comfortable in either bed, we’ve added a “big kid” pillow at his request.
We opted for a king size pillow that has just the right amount of give and support, and also fits the size of the sofa cushion perfectly..
(On a side note, Adam and I liked the pillow so much too that we’ve since gotten ourselves a set for ourselves.)
We also upgraded his sheets to natural linen to match the ones he’s used to in our bed:
We topped the update off with a soft, richly-textured throw blanket made entirely of recycled yarn:
I picked these pieces from Tuft & Needle after visiting their new store in Los Angeles. As I got to better know the company, I felt compelled to inquire if they’d be interested in helping me get a selection of their quality products to some children and youth in need. (I’ve spent years outfitting spaces for myself and others who are in a place a privilege— it’s high time I redirect much of that energy to assisting organizations that help individuals and families in need.) To my absolute joy, they were enthusiastically on board.
View the full post about West’s second-hand folding desk + chair here.
Tuft & Needle helped us supply mattresses, pillows and sheets to children entering foster care in Florida as they await reunification with their biological families. Not only that, but the company also helped us provide new bedding and pillows to several of the wonderful youth at The RightWay Foundation here in LA.
As I curl up with my son— whether on his cozy sofa bed or in our delightfully crowded “family bed” — I can’t believe our extraordinary fortune. We are safe, comfortable and surrounded by love. It’s our privilege and duty to pay that forward— to our neighbors, to strangers, and to the earth. So many resources aren’t equally accessible to all, and the climate crisis further exacerbates social inequalities and injustices. We won’t look away.
This post was not sponsored. As mentioned, product was generously gifted by Tuft & Needle. For anyone wishing to make a contribution to The RightWay Foundation, please use the cottage contact form to get in touch with us.