Tiny homes, micro-suites, studios, small space living is becoming a North American norm and in many cases a preference.  Below are a few furniture ideas to maximize your small space without compromising on comfort or design.

1. Whether you like to entertain of not, this dining table is a perfect space saver with enough seating for guests. With built-in shelving for your cups and knickknacks, this wall mounted table neatly hides away when not in use. This table is constructed from solid fir but is also available in oak, teak and birch.  

2. Living in a small space doesn't mean you need to compromise your comfort. This modern Murphy bed provides maximum functionality while helping you get a good night's sleep. It's constructed in birch and can be stained or painted to preference. The bed easily folds away, bedding and all, so you can dance the night away, practice yoga or simply keep your space clutter free.

3. Does your living room double as your eating area and office?  If so, here's a practical solution for you. This coffee table made from birch has storage hidden within and a tabletop that hinges up to become a table top. Stick a laptop on it or a dinner plate, the choice is yours. Available in a variety of finishes and material. 

My daughter often shakes her head when she sees me using my phone or computer.  For her, Facebook is a thing of the past and she gave up on texting long ago.  She's often having multiple conversations at once, using Snapchat, Instagram and God only knows how many accounts she has.

She's four.  No, no, she's sixteen.  

The one thing she has taught me is that there is a wealth of inspiration online for home renovations, furniture and decor.  From Pinterest to Etsy to Instagram, she is continuously showing me innovative and creative ideas to share with my clients.  She is also always reminding me of the importance of good quality images, both before and after, when it comes to my renovations.  

Too bad, when I ask her if she wants to work for me, manage my website, social accounts and photography, she seemsed to have better things to do with her time.  Oh well, I guess I'm on my own for now.  

Visit my Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Houzz accounts as I try to keep up with the plethora of social media and home improvement sites. I am just getting started and would love to know what type of content you would like to see.

 
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​My partner is often pondering projects and adding items to what would seem a never ending list of things to do.  Usually, those items fall into the category of clean the gutters, plant garden, but can also include replacing windows, add tiny home and renovate the kitchen.  

Brace yourself for impact if you're like me and tell them "I just want to relax this weekend and the last thing I want to do is contemplate an expensive project that will take up all of our time and energy".

You see, I get the desire, but don't share in the urgency.  So how do you keep your relationship in check while also maintaining your sanity and free time?  

Here are some pointers to keep the love alive and the frustration to a minimum.

1. Don't keep lists, make a timeline. A well-hatched plan will save you time and money in the long run and turning that plan into a timeline will help you prioritize and confirm if that project is really worth it. If you know how long you intend to live in your home make that the end of your timeline.  If you plan to stay a while, say 10 or 15 years, you may decide tackling ten wish list items in one year is unrealistic and unnecessary. 

2. Decide on what's really important. Do you work crazy hours and crave those weekend days off? Do you have kids or a loving pet that needs your attention?  Tackling a project yourself sometimes comes at a greater cost than hiring someone with the expertise and efficiency to get the job done. Only take on a household project if 1) a delay in completion doesn't affect your quality of life 2) it's safe to do so 3) you're willing to learn and seek help when required. 

3. Don't be a follower. Just because your neighbour reads Modern Farmhouse and has a hankering for all things white and wood doesn't mean you have to.  Didn't your parents ever ask you about your friend and that bridge? We too often get caught up in what others are doing and lose focus on our own priorities.  Consider function, form and longevity over the latest trend when it comes to an update or adding a new custom piece to your home.    

4. Keep design clean and simple. If you or your partner like browsing the latest home improvement and decorating magazines, I'm not judging (we do it too), but just a word of advice.  Stick to evergreen and simple design for large-scale renovations, like kitchens and bathrooms, to increase the shelf life of your renovations.  You can update hardware, a light fixture and paint colour much easier than tile and cabinets. 

​5. Create a project plan.  From start to finish a good project manager can anticipate time and resources required to complete a project. This should be no different when you are planning your home renovations.  Keeping your goal in mind, budget materials, estimate time needed and be realistic too.  Often projects, even when completed by seasoned professionals, go over time and budget.  Add at least 10% contingency. Using a project plan will help you if you are asking for professional quotes by allowing you to question discrepancies between your estimates and theirs. 

It's been a busy summer so far with lots of interesting projects to keep me busy.  This railing is made of a secure wire anchor system and fir.  It gave a modern updated look to a North Shore house that was cost effective and safe.  The nice thing is that the wire doesn't show up from street view.  It really keeps people guessing!

If you are looking for something similar to transform your deck, give me a call.  There's plenty of sunshine days left this summer to enjoy. 

Tony
Parker Carpentry Designs.

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