3 Ways to Make a Small Space Multifunctional

(AS SEEN ON STEVEN AND CHRIS)

Most of us have had to deal with a small space in our home at some point in our life, whether it's an awkward nook in your house or maybe you live in a small city condo. Jo Alcorn joined Steven and Chris to show us how you can make one room serve many purposes to maximize your space.

Jo says:"One of the biggest questions I get is how to maximize small spaces. Working with a limited amount of space can often scare off a lot of people because they assume they won't be able to get full use out of it BUT with a little creativity, small spaces can actually be easier to design, even more so than larger spaces. Seriously! Over the past few years, retailers and manufactures have been more accommodating by creating a variety of pieces that are multifunctional. This allows you to get the most out of each room - make those rooms work for you! An office can function as a reading nook or a dining area and a living room can turn into a guest bedroom - it really can be easy, just think about these 3 things before you get planning."

Jo's Top 3 Tips for Creating Your Own Dual-Purpose Room

1. Space plan properly - measure, measure, measure! 2. Use light, moveable furniture where possible - wheels work wonders. 3. Source multifunctional pieces of furniture for your room.

Jo's Multifunctional Picks:

1. Chair Bed LYCKSELE HAVET in Hanen BlackSeen on the show courtesy of Ikea $339.002. Stow Storage Ottoman Lemongrass Leather Storage Ottoman Seen on the show courtesy of Crate and Barrel $149.00

3. Swivel Coffee Table Picasso SIGNE Seen on the show courtesy of Structube $499

Until next time,

w&c designer girl

Kimberly Seldon

Oh I just love her! I had the pleasure of hosting Kimberly in my design class at Humber College North Campus this semester. She is such a powerful speaker, the wisdom she has to share in this industry is awesome. She is such a sweetheart and straight to point kinda gal, I just think she is an awesome business mentor to us all! I went home that night and re-jigged my business plan with her tips in mind. If you get the change to attend one of her seminars, DO IT!!

Thanks so much Kimberly for your time, the students enjoyed it and the faculty really enjoyed it!! xo

Kimberly with a couple of my students.



http://www.kimberlyseldon.com/

Until next time

w&c designer girl! xo

Great Canadian Design Blog Event!

Hotel le Germain 30 Mercer St., Toronto, ON M5V 1H3 T: 416.345.9500

Had a great time putting a face to all the great bloggers and twitter friends out there! Food, drinks, and location was awesome let alone meeting new friends! Thanks Vitania and Daniella for organizing a fabulous event!
check out more photo's at http://cdndesignbloggers.blogspot.com/

Until next time,

w&c designer girl! xoxox

Great Speakers!

This Fall my new adventure has been teaching part time at Humber College North Campus! Which I am really enjoying, especially my one course where I bring in speakers to inspire the up and coming designers with professionals in the industry sharing their experiences and knowledge. My latest speaker was my good blogger friend Vitania!
It was like meeting my pen-pal for the first time. Vitania and I meet through twitter and blogger and instantly became advocates of each work! http://verdigrisvie.blogspot.com We constantly communicate through social sites but never in person, so it was such a fabulous meeting. She talked about her path on she got to where she is now in the design industry which was so interesting! I have never heard the students be so vocal with questions before! My favorite part was her final words to the students which I have to share with all of you:

I am so excited to have her back next semester and to see her at her Blog Event in a few weeks! Kimberly Seldon is speaking next week which I am so excited about as well! Some of the other fabulous speakers have been;

http://peeltile.com/

http://www.richelieu.com/produit/index.php?id=-1&lang=An

http://kitchenvision.ca/

http://www.robertallendesign.com/index.aspx

and so many more to come! In Vitania's message of embrace , I am so excited to embrace what teaching has in store for me in the future!

Until next time,

w&c designer girl!

Jo's on the Steven & Chris Show Again!

Jo is doing another segment with Steven & Chris about small space design. With a quick visit to the luxurious five star, Hazelton Hotel in Toronto, to inspire you with some great space saving ideas! If you haven't been to the Hazelton Hotel you should go for sure . . . check it out!! http://www.thehazeltonhotel.com/

The rooms are decorated with dark, rich warm colours but it still has an open and airy feel to it at the same time. They really broke the rules when they mixed multiple bold patterns and materials however, it works in the space and keeps it interesting and fresh. They were quite humorous with their space saving solutions when they designed the TV in the bathroom mirror, so cool! They were really thinking on their toes when they made all the windows and doors sound proof, its about time someone did that! The coffee table books are chic and fabulous to read, the hugh walkin closet hall with a kitchenette mixed in, is a pure example of double duty rooms, and the remote control to closes the drapes and turn off the lights from bed is just another detail they didn't miss. Overall the hotel has a chic interesting design the moment you walk in to the exit with the valet offering you water for the road. The food is to die for and so are the prices, however when I took a bit of that $29 Burger, it was all worth it in the end! All I have to say is I can't wait to go back . . .

Until next time,

w&c designer girl!

Jo will be on the Steven & Chris Show.

Jo is doing a piece on the Steven & Chris show about small spaces and multi-functional pieces! Check out the photo's from the field piece. Show will air October 1st!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21534953799

Until next time,

w&c designer girl!

Pencil Art!

Now that's what I call 'Miniature Art'!!
it amazes me what people come up with to make their art.....

Stay Green and Creative!

Until next time,

w&c designer girl!