Libby Langdon's small space solutions : secrets for making any room look elegant and feel spacious on any budget

197 Pages·2009·50.92 MB·English

by  Langdon

Libby’s Favorite Paint Colors
L A celebrity designer offers
angLIB simple, smart solutions to
dB
oY
n
small space quandaries
W
Moody Maroon Brown Mauve Heart Dream Cream hen someone says they live in a small house
or apartment, the image that comes to mind
is all too often negative—“cramped,” “cluttered,”
L
or “confining.” But america’s leading small space
I
B designer, Libby Langdon, knows just how to counter
B that stereotype. In Libby Langdon’s Small Space Solutions,
Bedroom Blue Good as Gold Mellow Yellow
Y she offers a practical, user-friendly guide to deco-

L rating small spaces so they look stylish, beautiful,
A and larger than their actual dimensions.
N Libby provides hundreds of tips—or decorating
G “tricks of the eye”—for solving all small space
D challenges. Setting out from the premise that an
Citron Drop Polite Pink Icy Blue
O inviting and yet functional space is achievable even
N on a tight budget, she delivers practicality and
“Whatever Libby Langdon takes on, whether it be designing “Like having a high energy designer and personal organizer by ’ LIBBY LA NGDON’S inspiration that’s affordable. She covers it all—
S
a New York City restaurant or decorating a Hampton’s hide- your side, with this book Libby offers chic and stylish solutions from how to find the “theme” of your room to

away, you know the end result is going to be done with style. for all your decorating needs. It is a must read if you are seek- S styling and arranging items in a wall unit, from
M
Navy Night Entrance Hall Gold Lovin’ Lavender This instructive book is no exception.” ing to simplify, organize, and bring beauty into your apartment how to go green (using plants) to layering your bed
—BoBBY FLaY, chef and cookbook author, owner of or small home. Sure to become a style book staple, this is one A SM A L L SPAC E SOLU T IONS linens for a luxe look.
Mesa Grill, Bar americain, and Bobby Flay Steak reference guide you will turn to again and again for practical L With step-by-step instructions, each chapter
L
advice and inspiration.” addresses the most common problems encoun-
Secrets for Making Any Room Look Elegant
“Libby Langdon’s book is absolutely packed with solutions for —BoB KerreY, President, The New School S tered in a particular space—living room, dining
Gunmetal Gray Eye Popping Orange Spa Aqua small-space living, from high-end custom designs to clever PA and Feel Spacious on Any Budget room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, office, or
and affordable ideas for every budget.” “We appreciate any woman who makes small things look a lot big- hall—and presents real solutions. Hundreds of
C
—SuSaN VICTorIa, Senior editor, ger. and Libby’s interior decorating ideas are awesome, too!” E stunning full-color photographs illustrate vari-
Expert commentator and leading designer, HGTV’s Small Space, Big Style
architecture and Design, Metropolitan Home —PeTer & BoBBY FarreLLY, Writers/Directors ous design ideas and transformed spaces. Libby
S
also spells out the top ten mistakes people make in
O
small spaces.
Guest Room Green Magic Mushroom Gray Haze L
U Whether you are an apartment dweller, first-
time homeowner, or are just looking to downsize,
T
I Libby Langdon’s Small Space Solutions proves that living
O
with less doesn’t mean living without luxury.
N
S
Comfy Khaki Mystical Mint Perky Periwinkle
Libby Langdon is an interior
designer and expert commentator
on HGTV’s hit show Small Space, Big
Style. Previously she hosted and was
lead designer on the FoX makeover
Choc-o-holic Brown Seeing Red Backyard Rust TV show Design Invasion. Founder
of Libby Interiors, Inc., she has
completed numerous commercial and residential
™
design projects across america. a small space con-
sultant for Woman’s Day and Better Homes and Gardens,
US $24.95 / CAN $29.95
Knack Books is an imprint Libby divides her time between New York City and
Year Round Tan Smart as Sage Green Safe Hunter Green TM of The Globe Pequot Press
Guilford, Connecticut | www.KnackBooks.com Sag Harbor, New York.
Cover image of author by Noël Sutherland
Printed in the united States of america
TM
Tear off this sheet and take it with you to the paint store!
C
L
E
A
N
H
O
M
E
,
G
R
E
E
N
H
O
M
E
DELANEY
Libby’s Favorite Paint Colors
L A celebrity designer offers
angLIB simple, smart solutions to
dB
oY
n
small space quandaries
W
Moody Maroon Brown Mauve Heart Dream Cream hen someone says they live in a small house
or apartment, the image that comes to mind
is all too often negative—“cramped,” “cluttered,”
L
or “confining.” But america’s leading small space
I
B designer, Libby Langdon, knows just how to counter
B that stereotype. In Libby Langdon’s Small Space Solutions,
Bedroom Blue Good as Gold Mellow Yellow
Y she offers a practical, user-friendly guide to deco-

L rating small spaces so they look stylish, beautiful,
A and larger than their actual dimensions.
N Libby provides hundreds of tips—or decorating
G “tricks of the eye”—for solving all small space
D challenges. Setting out from the premise that an
Citron Drop Polite Pink Icy Blue
O inviting and yet functional space is achievable even
N on a tight budget, she delivers practicality and
“Whatever Libby Langdon takes on, whether it be designing “Like having a high energy designer and personal organizer by ’ LIBBY LA NGDON’S inspiration that’s affordable. She covers it all—
S
a New York City restaurant or decorating a Hampton’s hide- your side, with this book Libby offers chic and stylish solutions from how to find the “theme” of your room to

away, you know the end result is going to be done with style. for all your decorating needs. It is a must read if you are seek- S styling and arranging items in a wall unit, from
M
Navy Night Entrance Hall Gold Lovin’ Lavender This instructive book is no exception.” ing to simplify, organize, and bring beauty into your apartment how to go green (using plants) to layering your bed
—BoBBY FLaY, chef and cookbook author, owner of or small home. Sure to become a style book staple, this is one A SM A L L SPAC E SOLU T IONS linens for a luxe look.
Mesa Grill, Bar americain, and Bobby Flay Steak reference guide you will turn to again and again for practical L With step-by-step instructions, each chapter
L
advice and inspiration.” addresses the most common problems encoun-
Secrets for Making Any Room Look Elegant
“Libby Langdon’s book is absolutely packed with solutions for —BoB KerreY, President, The New School S tered in a particular space—living room, dining
Gunmetal Gray Eye Popping Orange Spa Aqua small-space living, from high-end custom designs to clever PA and Feel Spacious on Any Budget room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, office, or
and affordable ideas for every budget.” “We appreciate any woman who makes small things look a lot big- hall—and presents real solutions. Hundreds of
C
—SuSaN VICTorIa, Senior editor, ger. and Libby’s interior decorating ideas are awesome, too!” E stunning full-color photographs illustrate vari-
Expert commentator and leading designer, HGTV’s Small Space, Big Style
architecture and Design, Metropolitan Home —PeTer & BoBBY FarreLLY, Writers/Directors ous design ideas and transformed spaces. Libby
S
also spells out the top ten mistakes people make in
O
small spaces.
Guest Room Green Magic Mushroom Gray Haze L
U Whether you are an apartment dweller, first-
time homeowner, or are just looking to downsize,
T
I Libby Langdon’s Small Space Solutions proves that living
O
with less doesn’t mean living without luxury.
N
S
Comfy Khaki Mystical Mint Perky Periwinkle
Libby Langdon is an interior
designer and expert commentator
on HGTV’s hit show Small Space, Big
Style. Previously she hosted and was
lead designer on the FoX makeover
Choc-o-holic Brown Seeing Red Backyard Rust TV show Design Invasion. Founder
of Libby Interiors, Inc., she has
completed numerous commercial and residential
™
design projects across america. a small space con-
sultant for Woman’s Day and Better Homes and Gardens,
US $24.95 / CAN $29.95
Knack Books is an imprint Libby divides her time between New York City and
Year Round Tan Smart as Sage Green Safe Hunter Green TM of The Globe Pequot Press
Guilford, Connecticut | www.KnackBooks.com Sag Harbor, New York.
Cover image of author by Noël Sutherland
Printed in the united States of america
TM
Tear off this sheet and take it with you to the paint store!
C
L
E
A
N
H
O
M
E
,
G
R
E
E
N
H
O
M
E
DELANEY
LLFMCh1.indd 1 12/11/08 1:52:23 PM
LLFMCh1.indd 2 12/11/08 1:52:25 PM
Libby Langdon’s
small space solutions
Secrets for Making Any Room Look Elegant
and Feel Spacious on Any Budget
Libby Langdon
™
Guilford, Connecticut
An imprint of The Globe Pequot Press
C
L
E
A
N

H
O
M
E
,

G
LLFMCh1.indd 3 12/11/08 1:52:28 PM
R
E
E
N

H
O
M
E
DELANEY
™
Copyright © 2009 by Libby Langdon
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing
from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to The Globe Pequot Press, Attn: Rights and Permissions Department,
P.O. Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437.
C
L Knack is a registered trademark of Morris Publishing Group, LLC, and is used with express permission.
E
A Text designed by Sheryl P. Kober
N
H All photos courtesy of Libby Langdon and Noël Sutherland
O Noël Sutherland Photography/www.noelsutherland.com
M
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.
E
,
G ISBN 978-1-59921-424-5
R
E Printed in the United States of America
E
N
H 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
O
M
E
DELANEY
LLFMCh1.indd 4 12/11/08 1:52:29 PM
This book is dedicated to my Mom and Dad, Mary Ann, and Fran,
who gave me an opportunity at a young age to follow my dreams, find my voice, and
spread my wings. Their ever-present love and support has allowed me to live many lives,
re-create myself, and discover what I want to do and who I want to be. The ease in which
they’ve taught me their incredibly positive outlook and enthusiasm for life has been
inspirational, and I take that glass-half-full attitude with me everywhere I go. They created
a warm and wonderful home for me to grow up in, filled with lots of style, love, and
laughter, so it’s a natural path for me to want to help people create that for themselves.
I will never be able to repay them for all they’ve done, but I will be able to take the gifts
they’ve shared with me and pass them along to others who might need them.
I also dedicate this to my late grandmother, Chickie, who got my imagination of
“what could possibly be” up and running. She was a writer, teacher, volunteer, who had
plenty of sass, wit, and showmanship, and the twinkle in her eye always let you know fun
was just around the corner. She was strong willed and she was a survivor, yet her creative
spirit taught me to believe in magic places where truly incredible things could happen.

LLFMCh1.indd 5 12/11/08 1:52:30 PM
Contents
Libby’s Note to the Reader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Chapter One: The Nitty-Gritty of Design—
Layout, Color, Light, and Organization/Storage . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter Two: Living Rooms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Chapter Three: Dining Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Chapter Four: Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Chapter Five: Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Chapter Six: Bedrooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Chapter Seven: Home Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Chapter Eight: Hallways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Epilogue: The Grand Finale! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Appendix: Libby’s Greatest Color Hits: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Libby’s Glossary of Design Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
LLFMCh1.indd 6 12/11/08 1:52:34 PM
Libby’s
Tricks of the Trade
Announce Your Personal Style—How to Find the
Theme of Your Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Forget “Matchy-Matchy”—How to Use Contrast
in Your Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Styling Like a Pro—How to Style and Arrange Items
in a Wall Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Go Green—How to Effectively Use Green Plants in
Your Space (Real or Fake!). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Don’t Break the Bank—How to Affordably Change
the Look and Feel of Your Small Bathroom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Luxurious Beds—How to Layer Your Bed Linens
for a Luxe Look . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Clean Your Space and Clear Your Mind—
How to Declutter Your Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Get the Hang of It—How to Install Art in Your Home. . . . . . 150
LLFMCh1.indd 7 12/11/08 1:52:37 PM
Libby’s note to the Reader
Hey!It’s so fantastic you picked You’ll see that this book is chock-
up my book. You probably full of things you can do yourself to make
want to know what this book is all about. I changes to your home that will work
have so much I want to tell you! First, some whether you’re in a tiny studio apartment,
questions. Do you live in a small space? a compact condo, or a little house (or you
Do you want some fresh design ideas and just want some cool, cost-conscious ways
inspiration that won’t cost you an arm to create your own chic space). You won’t
and a leg? Do you want great tips on how need a custom carpenter or loads of cash
to make your space function as well as how to implement my ideas, which range from
to make it look beautiful? (It must seem ways to visually trick the eye and make your
weird that I’m asking all these questions, rooms seem larger, to easily incorporating
because you can’t answer me. And even if systems of storage and organization that
you did answer me, I am not where you are will let you capitalize on the space you do
right now, so I wouldn’t really be able to have. In addition to helpful hints, there
hear you.) Okay, at this point if you’re still are loads of great pictures that will illus-
reading, you might think I’m a little crazy, trate, illuminate, and inspire the redesign
but you also must be looking for some of your space (some of them aren’t teeny-
hard-and-fast information that you can tiny spaces, but I believe you’ll be able to
use to create the space you envision your- use the images as a springboard to discover
self living in and loving. I just so happen to the best way to announce your own per-
know how to help you do that! sonal style).
Maybe you love your bedroom, but you Take a flip through of what I have in
can’t get a sense on how to make your living store for you. I think interior design should
room work; or your kitchen area is great, be fun, easy, and accessible. Most of all I
and you really hate the vibe of your bed- want to give you the tools, support, and
room. I’ll help you identify and rectify the encouragement to design the most beauti-
problems by figuring out what you like and ful, comfortable, and practical house that
don’t like as well as encourage you to think you can call home no matter how small it
about the room in your home that you like is! I’ve really loved our time together just
the least (you know the room that made now; let’s do this again real soon; you’re so
you go into the interior design section of much fun! I feel like I’ve done all the talk-
the bookstore and look for some solutions ing . . . now it’s time for you to read which-
in the first place) and how to convert it ever chapters speak to your most urgent
into your favorite room! It’s not all about small-space interior design needs and get
starting from scratch (unless you want to) cracking on your small space!
but more how to transform, rework, and
incorporate your existing furnishings into
your new design scheme as well as add some
simple solutions to update your overall
look.
viii
LLFMCh1.indd 8 12/11/08 1:52:38 PM