Garden Mimosas
When entertaining larger groups in small spaces, I find it helps to have mini stations (for food, beverages, a bag/coat drop, etc.) instead of one main area dedicated to this-or-that. Compact entertaining spots positioned wisely around your tiny home and/or garden will naturally break up large clumps of people, and allow folks to move around with greater ease. We did this for our wedding brunch with lil' mimosa stations:
Garden Beverage Station: Sparkling wine for classic mimosas by WINC, H20 by Boxed Water.
I placed a 3-tier bar cart in the shade of our bougainvillea and grapevine to hold our CB2 champagne flutes, baked goods, fresh market produce, plants, and the beverage dispenser with sparkling wine mimosas from Winc. I upcycled an old wine crate top to make a space-saving hanging shelf where we offered Boxed Water that guests could take with them when strolling the canals throughout the brunch. (As I'm midway through my pregnancy, I had to refrain from enjoying the drink stations. While it's obviously well-worth it, I gotta say that I've never been so sad to say no to a mimosa-- especially after hoofing it through a DIY home-wedding!)
GARDEN BEVERAGE STATION: SPARKLING WINE FOR CLASSIC MIMOSAS BY WINC, H20 BY BOXED WATER.
Updating the Cottage Garden with Rolling Greens
Our tiny wedding at the Cottage took place this past weekend! Everything went exactly as we'd hoped, and we couldn't be more grateful. (Wedding photos coming soon!)
In preparing our home and garden for the festivities, I decided I wanted to decorate with live greenery in lieu of traditional floral arrangements as much as possible, so I partnered with Rolling Greens in LA to make it happen:
Above: The stoop and side garden, where we said our vows.
ABOVE: THE STOOP WHERE WE SAID OUR VOWS, and the lil' porch between our cottage and the neighboring house.
Above: The front garden, where we set up our small-yet-mighty bar from the recent Joss & Main daily sale, inspired by The Tiny Canal Cottage. Exceptional bartending services provided by Task Rabbit.
We added three potted trees to the property (which made a HUGE difference on the more barren outside walls), along with about 10 medium house plants (the Silver Philodendron are my current favorites), and about 20 small plants including tropical varieties and herbs.
Above: Bougainvillea surrounding the Cottage garden.
I love wandering around Rolling Greens-- it's completely gorgeous, and feels like a hidden escape in LA. I live closer to the Culver City location, so that's the one I frequent, but there's another on Beverly Boulevard, too. The staff helped me select drought-tolerant greenery, and advised me on how to care for my existing plants as well. They delivered everything to the Cottage on the same day as my visit (which was extremely helpful, as Adam and I share one tiny car). They even provided me with a few tips on what to place where, depending on the varying levels of sunlight throughout our yard. I can't wait to share the rest of the photos with you soon!
Below: Images from my wedding-prep trip to Rolling Greens. (Click on thumbnails to enlarge.)
Images by Whitney Leigh Morris, Ghost Media, Lindsay Hollinger
Gifts for Out of Town Guests
With the wedding around the corner, we've started prepping and delivering lil' gifts to our out of town guests at their hotels, Airbnbs, and One Fine Stay homes. As always, our main aim is to delight our friends and family with goodies that won't clutter up their homes (and, in this case, don't hinder their ability to travel light).
These are the main items I chose. (For various boxes, we added bubbles for kids, and ties by Combatant Gentlemen for select guests.)
Ikea Decorative box with lid ($1.99)
“Venice” History Book from Arcadia Pubishing & The History Press
Freshly Baked Goods from Gjusta and/or Superba Food & Bread
Fresh Market and/or Garden Florals in Reusable/Recyclable Glass Spice Jars
We also made little favor bundles for all parties attending our wedding reception, including the following:
- Venice Greeting Cards by Brittney Banks
- Grow Kits from Shop Terrain (I love the tagline: "Grow Happiness in Small Spaces")
- Chocolate Bars from Nohmad Snack Co.
Bridal Gifting
The Cottage wedding is less than a week away! Last month, I prepped some Bridal gift boxes for my nearest and dearest friends. But I needed a little extra something for the three hosts of all my wedding-related events. For this round of presents, I worked with TYSA Designs in Malibu, as I love their boho style and California roots. I wanted to give each lady something that was uniquely her own style, but that also shared a common thread with the other hosts' gifts:
These dresses ended up being PERFECT. I had to pick dresses for a tall, willowy brunette, a chameleonic red-head, and a tiny surfer-build blonde. I chose the "Gateway Sunrise" pattern for all three ladies, but there are so many other beautiful options from which to choose.
I prefer to avoid traditional wrapping papers and supplies (why waste the packaging?), so I simply bound each dress with twine, and topped it off with fresh bougainvillea and a mini-bottle of gorgeous found glass from my friend Lynette of Sea & Glass.
While I don't own many clothing items here at our tiny cottage, I do have numerous pieces by Tysa. Here's a look back at some of my favorites from the past year:
Big thanks to Tysa Wright of Tysa Designs for helping me select these wonderful gifts for my incredible friends.
Groom Gifting
Adam and I aren't having traditional wedding parties at our cottage ceremony, but that doesn't mean we don't want to offer tokens of thanks and love to our nearest and dearest friends! For the guys who helped orchestrate Adam's bachelor party, I put together a few little groom's gifts featuring some of my favorite goodies that I know they'll use and enjoy. As always, we strived to select items that are practical, beautiful, and won't clutter up the guys' homes:
We picked Tech Dopp Kits by This Is Ground. They're the most practical leather organization tools, and the company is based here in LA. (I've worked with TIG several times in the past and absolutely LOVE them-- here's a recent video I shot with them at the Cottage.) We added some bites and drinks (the best items for clutter-free gifting!), including small-batch OOLA Whiskey, and locally-made chocolate by our long time friends at Nohmad Snack Co. Lastly, we topped off the presents with ties from Combatant Gentlemen-- the company where we found Adam's wedding suit. We love how they turned out!
The Cottage Bath
Lately, we've received numerous requests for photos of the Cottage bath. While the room is actually larger than you might think, it's designed in a way that makes it tough to photograph, meaning we have very few images available:
I'm often asked how we keep the bathroom organized and uncluttered, given its small size. Here are some of my top tips:
Only buy what you REALLY need:
I know this sounds basic, and it is. But controlling what you bring into your home is the best way to avoid accumulating clutter and wasting your money. We have ONE shampoo dispenser. ONE pet wash. ONE body wash. Etc. You don't have to come up with creative storage solutions when you don't have too much to store in the first place!
Upcycle:
I keep my makeup in an old metal hardware drawer set that I found on ETSY (reference: photo #7). I spray-painted the box, applied liners to the base of each drawer, and used the original metal hardware organizers within the drawers to keep my palettes and tools separated and easy to find.
Functional decor:
If you have limited cabinet space, try organizing your must-have items (such as spare toilet paper, extra cotton, etc.) in containers that fit with your style-- that way you can keep them out on display as functional decor. For example, we stash our extra bath goods in a white metal mop bucket from West Elm.
Save counter space:
Limited surface space? Try organizing your jewelry in slim hardware drawers. They come in varying sizes and depths, and are easy to stash in cabinets and next to sink U-bends. I purchased one like this years ago, which I keep in the vanity in front of our spare towels and travel pouches. It not only saves us counter space, but it also saves us time. This organizer helps me expedite my out-the-door routine on a daily basis, as I rarely have to untangle chains, and I don't have to sift through pouches to find the item(s) I'm looking for.
Let Go:
Don't let expired bottles, nearly-empty beauty products, and samples you've never used clutter up your limited space. Routinely clean out your medicine cabinet and drawers. Donate extra products to your local community housing corp or homeless shelter.
DIY:
Save money and get creative! Try making your own racks and/or curtain rods. Instead of buying a standard metal towel rack, I opted to craft one of my own. All it required was jute twine, S hooks (to hang towels and accessories), screw eyes (to secure the unit into the ceiling), and a wooden branch I found at my sister's wedding in Idaho. My good friend Lindsay over at Casa Joshua Tree did the same thing while renovating her house in the desert, and look at how great it turned out:
Our bathroom is a little too long for a standard bathmat to cover the necessary floor space, but it's definitely too small for two throws or a larger area rug. I searched Etsy and easily found alternatives to typical bathmats that have all worked beautifully over the years.
Lastly, for some strange reason, there is a recent story circulating that claims the Cottage is a converted garage or guest unit. That is inaccurate. While our home has been updated over the decades, it has always been its own free-standing house, consisting of a main room (including a kitchen), a bedroom, and a bathroom. So no-- we did not have to add the bathroom to our home. The Cottage was one of four identical, neighboring houses built in the 1920s. Three of those four are still standing today.
Photos by Whitney Leigh Morris & Monica Wang Photo.
Cottage Fence Makeover with TaskRabbit
A few months ago, we replaced our low fence at the cottage with a higher design. We didn't want to get rid of the old set-up, but the pups kept leaping over the gate, which became problematic for numerous reasons. We opted for a higher design to help keep #StubsandSoph safe.
Before:
(We loved this lil' old gate and bougainvillea, but they unfortunately had to be removed for safety reasons.)
After:
(Our new, taller fence. Finished & painted by TaskRabbit, primer & paint by Dunn Edwards.)
The fence was unfinished for months. I got pregnant around the same time I'd planned to paint, and my doctor advised against me tackling the task myself. But with the cottage wedding drawing nearer (we're only three weeks away), it needed to get done.
Sophee REALLY loved the brushes, but we had a feeling she'd make a lousy painter, so we hired a professional named Andrew from TaskRabbit.
It took Andrew about four hours to complete the job. First he had to sand down the rough and splintered sections of the fence, and then apply the primer. After the primer dried, he added the paint, and then replaced the hardware on the fence and gate. He was even mindful to avoid the grape leaves and budding concord clusters, which I really appreciated:
I chose "Play on Gray" paint from Dunn Edwards because I wanted a hue that worked with the cottages, without being SO white that it clashed against the old wooden fence beneath the grapevine. Andrew really did a wonderful job, and we're thrilled with how everything turned out. It's amazing what a difference the fence color makes for the overall appearance and feel of the garden.
I'm looking forward to using TaskRabbit again soon, as they're helping me do some extensive prep-work and day-of jobs for the cottage wedding... but more on that later! For now, it's time to relax in the improved garden with Adam and the pups.
Small Office Space Feature on Domino
I was happy to see our cottage featured twice on Domino this morning! Both in a home tour, and again in a helpful round-up of small-space desk ideas.
This is one of our extra office set-ups, which I add to the bedroom & back stoop if we have an overnight guest staying in the main room of the house. We can comfortably fit 5 work stations inside our tiny home. You don't need to live large to live beautifully!
Bridal Gifting
Our wedding at the Cottage is less than a month away! While we don't have a traditional bridal party or groomsmen, Adam and I are of course celebrating with our nearest-and-dearest this month in anticipation of tying the knot.
I wanted to gift something practical and beautiful to my closest friends, so I decided to make them little gift boxes featuring some of the goods I use daily here at home. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out, but Sophee is quite the critic:
Inside the boxes:
Lulu & Georgia Acrylic Sheepskin Throw
I use this Sheepskin Throw daily to cover my desk chair. At night, I move it out into the garden when I lounge around with Adam and the pups. I have another that I placed in a willow basket and turned into a spare pet bed.
True & Co "Best Lace Hipster Ever" Panties in assorted colors
The team over at True & Co. is completely delightful, and their underwear is 🔥🔥🔥.
Nohmad Snack Co. Chocolate
The makers of Nohmad Chocolate and I have been close friends for years. Their chocolate is my absolute favorite, and is my go-to gifting item from the Cottage.
Aquiesse Candle Travel Tin in my favorite scent, Luxe Linen
I burn these Luxe Linen candles daily-- I even pack one for road trips. The smell relaxes me, and the branding is simple and beautful.
Urban Decay NAKED products
I use Urban Decay any time I put on makeup. Naked 2 is my preferred eyeshadow palette, and I always have one of their Naked On the Run boxes in my purse.
California & Venice Cards by Brittney Banks
I recently discovered the California-inspired illustration of Brittney Banks in a local store, and it actually made me laugh out loud. She created a compilation card of iconic Venice Beach visuals, and it's spot on. Not only did I get these cards for my Bridal friends, but I also got one for every party attending our wedding.
Cinch Belts
Since the ladies range from sizes 0 to 12, and since some of us are pregnant-- from the first trimester to the third-- I included a selection of Cinch Belts for us all. I've been using my Obi Belt Long (in Camel) a few times per week to help accommodate my rapidly-changing waistline (I'm currently at week 16). These compact and versatile wrap belts make for handy gifts and accessories.
Fresh flowers, bread and satsuma mandarins from the Venice Farmers Market
I love our little Venice Farmers Market, just a block away from the Canals. (Click here to view my #WLMMarket series.)
Click on the images below to enlarge:
Discussing Venice & the Canals Neighborhood with Shinola
Check out my latest Venice guide via the Shinola blog! This wonderful company just opened a new store on Abbot Kinney (about a 10 minute walk from the Cottage), and we're delighted to welcome them to the neighborhood!
Tiny Live/Work Office Space
Lately I've received numerous inquiries about my live/work office space. (Does it REALLY look like that? Where's all the stuff? What is it like working and living in the same tiny space?) In this post, I'll provide a list of my go-to supplies that help keep the room organized and uncluttered.
Here is how the office generally looks on a daily basis. Sometimes it's a bit messier, sometimes it's a bit more simplified, but this is usually the norm:
First off, I should mention that nearly all of my business work is done digitally. My office is not a traditional artist's studio, so I don't have to house hundreds of materials and tools. Having said that, I do store craft supplies, a printer, a scanner, my business documents and standard materials, chords and tech accessories, reference materials, and other such office items my tiny home-office.
This is what is in, on or around my desk at all times:
1. Apple AirPort Time Capsule
Like so many people, I've experienced a total loss of my main hard drive... and it was pretty devastating, both personally and professionally. For better or worse, our computers are now our record collections, photo albums, filing cabinets, bookshelves and more, so I will never again make the mistake of failing to back up my machine. The Airport Time Capsule by Apple looks clean and minimal while backing everything up in case of calamity. Plus it provides a strong WiFi signal (with multiple network logins) so my collaborators and team members can work throughout the cottage and garden with me.
I got this particular Airport Time Capsule from ENJOY, which just launched here in LA (they're in numerous other cities as well). One of their experts (Umair) brought it to the cottage and installed it for me at no additional cost. Umair set up the Capsule and reworked the new WiFi networks within 30 minutes. (We also arranged a special discount code for $50 off any Apple product from Enjoy.com to share through 6/30/16: RAF-WHITNEY)
2. Big Jambox Bluetooth Speaker
The Big Jambox Speaker is great for small spaces. It's about 10" x 3" x 4", and comes in a variety of colors. This one blends into the cottage perfectly-- I keep it in the corner of the main room, above the kitchen cabinets. I can hear it clearly throughout our home and garden. It's wireless, and the charge lasts for around 15 hours. I stream Spotify or iTunes to it from the iPad and my old iPhone all day long.
3. Brother DS-620 Color Mobile Scanner
This little gizmo is one of the best purchases I've ever made. I scan all of our financial records, medical documents, pet paperwork, cards and notes. It saves me from accumulating piles of paper around the cottage, and helps my business run more efficiently. It measures 11.5" x 2" x 1.5" inches-- basically the size of a thick ruler. I highly recommend it, or a similar model.
4. Muji Handy Paper Shredder
After scanning all our documents, I need to shred a good deal of them. Usually it's just a page or two, along with a few receipts per day, so I use this amazing mini shredder from Muji to get the job done. It measures about 7.5" x 2", and is sleekly designed.
5. Poppin Supplies
Poppin is pretty much the best. They make modern, beautiful office supplies in a variety of colors to suit your taste. For those of us in small spaces, it helps when functional items are also pleasing to the eye-- that way we can leave them sitting out (as storage is so limited), while maintaining a clean and mindful space.
6. Cord Taco by This Is Ground
(See item #8 for details)
7. BackPack for iMac by Twelve South
The BackPack for iMac shelf is probably the handiest tool in my office. It stores my portable scanner, hand-held shredder and client hard drives-- all safely and out of sight. I recommend it to everyone with an iMac, no matter what size space you have.
Here's the description from their website: BackPack is a sleek, sturdy shelf designed exclusively for your iMac or Apple Display. This gorgeous slice of steel makes a perfect perch for hard drives, USB peripherals or business cards. Included vertical support pegs prop up tall drives, Time Capsule or even your MacBook Air. BackPack hangs on the back (or front) of your iMac using two clips and gravity. Built-in cable management rails hold your power cords in place for grab-and-go convenience. BackPack is here to help you create the minimalist zen-like workspace your Mac was made for.
8. Tech Dopp Kit by This Is Ground
I'm obsessed with This Is Ground-- they make the greatest leather organizational tools I've ever used. I also love the team behind the company-- they're based in downtown LA, and I've worked with them on several occasions in the past. This is the regular-sized Tech Dopp Kit, and I use it to hold my mirrorless camera's accessories. I also use their Cord Tacos, Mod Laptop and Mod Tablet daily.
9. Not Pictured: Organizational Pouches in Baskets
Lastly, I keep organizational pouches containing miscellaneous tools, cords, envelopes, etc. in zippered toiletry cases from West Elm (but you can get these pretty much anywhere). I keep them in baskets throughout the living room. Much like the printer, the baskets are stashed in the few built-in cabinets (some exposed, some covered) surrounding our couch.
#LoveMyCity Venice with Shinola
Our friends at Shinola invited me to partake in their #LoveMyCity campaign in celebration of their new Venice location, which opens this April on Abbot Kinney Boulevard (just a 5 minute walk from the Cottage). Adam and I are both sincere fans of the brand, so I was delighted to join in. (And you know I love any excuse to share photos of our beloved 90291...)
Based in Detroit, Shinola is dedicated to producing American built products of the highest quality. I've tried their watches, leather goods, pet products, and their bikes. Everything I've used is beautiful and meticulously crafted.
Here are some recent pix that Adam and I snapped of our Shinola favorites around town (at the farmers market, canals, beach, and local businesses).
The Cottage on POPSUGAR
The Cottage is currently featured on POPSUGAR! (Click here to view the story.)
The Cottage on Style Me Pretty Living
The Cottage is currently featured on Style Me Pretty Living! (Click here to view the story.)
The Venue Report: My Guide to Venice
Our friends over at The Venue Report invited me to do a round-up of my favorite businesses and activities in and around Venice:
Click through the story to see some of our favorite local imagery, as well as a list of my go-to spots for food, plants, homewares and more!
We're Expecting!
This week was a good one. #StanleeStubs cleared his senior wellness exam with healthy results, I booked some exciting new clients, Adam was promoted at work, and we finally feel safe and comfortable enough to start sharing the news that I'm pregnant! Our baby boy is due in early October.
We took this photo at the first Venice farmers market of April. At 13 weeks, I do have a tiny bump. I've been relying on boho tunics and leggings to keep me comfortable in this time of awkward growth. (It pretty much just looks like I ate a massive burrito...)
At 35, I'm considered to be of "advanced maternal age," which I think is simultaneously hilarious and scary. But our experience thus far has been uncomplicated and a pure joy. (Knock on wood.) Everyone has been incredibly wonderful and supportive already, and I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by the most loving people on the planet.
We've received the following two questions several times recently, both in person and via Instagram:
- Will we stay in the Cottage?
- What will we do with the pups?
First off, YES! We will be staying in the Cottage, and we can't wait to introduce our tiny boy to our tiny home! Living in a house that's under 400 square feet with two (tall) adults and two medium-sized dogs has thus far been a surprisingly easy and rewarding experience. We see no reason why we can't welcome the baby into this environment. As he grows into being a toddler, we'll review our options. But in the meantime, I am delighted to tackle the challenges of raising a baby in a small space.
Now for the pups, Stanlee and Sophee (#StubsandSoph):
Stanlee, who I adopted when he was 2, has been by my side day-in and day-out for over 7 years. This may sound juvenile, but he's my best friend and I can't imagine my world without him. He has been great with my nephew Finn, who lives in LA and spends a significant amount of time at the Cottage. (Some of my favorite photos of Finn and StanleeStubs can be seen here). We believe Stanlee will be equally as terrific with our newest family member.
Sweet Sophee, who is still a puppy, will go through professional behavioral training and baby-preparation with a local trainer this summer. She's a quick learner and a complete love. We are confident that we will be able to safely introduce her and our son to one another this fall.
Thank you all for your kind messages, and for sharing so much love. We feel it all, and are so sincerely grateful.
Friday Mornings at the Venice Beach Farmers Market
I'm so grateful for our little Friday morning Farmers Market here in Venice.
This morning was particularly wonderful-- check out the blooms and herbs we found today.
View the rest of the market series via Insta: #WLMmarket
Another favorite "tiny house" in Venice
What do you do when you need a mini-vacation, but you don't have enough time to travel? Airbnb! In-town vacation rentals are perfect for unique staycations. Adam and I just spent a couple days at my other favorite "tiny house" in Venice (which I first discovered on Airbnb), and I completely fell in love with the space:
Meet the @craftsman.mini.me by @shophbleu. Isn't it a dream? The fig vines creep in at every corner, stretching from the outdoor shower, which is the most gorgeous little place to relax and breathe:
At 400 square feet, this house is only slightly bigger than our Tiny Canal Cottage. But, much like our home, the numerous windows and doors make the space feel open and airy.
Learn more and/or book the house here.
(My camera is currently being repaired, so these photos are mainly iPhone. Sorry for the less-than-ideal quality, but the subject is so amazing that it hardly matters. Enjoy!)
Dealing with a Built-in Couch (while having 2 Dogs)
For those of you who’ve inquired about how we keep the house so clean while having two dogs, here are the honest answers:
- We simply don’t own much stuff. With fewer belongings, we naturally make less of a mess.
- Everything is washable.
For the past 5 years, we’ve used throw blankets to cover our white, built-in couch, which helps us handle the pet hair and paw prints. But I recently received THE BEST PRESENT that anyone has ever sent us for the cottage— custom couch cushion covers from @rachelashwell by @officialshabbychic:
When I first got the swatches, I literally rubbed them on the pups to see which cloth hid the most hair. (Our 9 year-old rescue beagle-mix Stanlee sheds A LOT.) I best loved the results and the overall look of the Grain Linen:
We've now had the covers on for two weeks, and they look and feel amazing. They've weathered the wear of the pups perfectly, and they help our little living room / dining room / guest room / office look clean and bright.
This is not an advertisement, nor a paid post.