Small spaces should be jewel boxes.  From New York, London, and Paris, we’d like to share with you some amazing small spaces, and the secrets for what made them so great.

1.  Tear down the walls.  There’s no room to hide, so open up!

2.  Order, order, order!  A small space must always be neat and organized.

3.  Open the shelves and hang the cookware.  This creates more space and makes you look like a real chef.

4.  Every object must be intriguing.  Because your space is a capsule of your life and your dreams.

5.  Treat your fixtures like works of art, and show them off.

6.  Farm.

7.  And the oldest trick in the book: Use a big mirror! It’ll create more light and space:

Small space decorating means making the most of everything.  Embrace what you’re given.  Make every piece, every inch, every moment a work of art.  There’s no place to hide, no room for second best, no time for excuses.

Just like life itself.

We recently finished building a home, and the most fun (and difficult) part of the whole process was in designing the closets.  We had a long list of requirements: separate his and hers closets, plugs for our phones, iPads, and laptops, windows for natural lighting, seating, jewelry drawers, watch cases, open display for pretty shoes, hidden display for running shoes, the list goes on and on.

Anyway, if you’ve been dreaming about a new closet, you’re not alone.  Closets are now the most important rooms in high-end homes, since many of us can’t cook, but who doesn’t love shoes?  So we went straight to the top and here’s what we learned:

1)  Turn your closet into a sitting room by adding plush seating and a fabulous crystal chandelier.

2) Add pull-out telescoping bars or valet hooks so you can easily preview your outfits.

3) Build your closets to the ceiling; store out-of-season items and suitcases high up.

4) Floor-to-length mirrors are key: the more, the better.

5) Properly lit and displayed, everything can look like an art gallery.  And while you’re at it, an espresso machine wouldn’t hurt.

6) Organize everything by type, and then by color.  And all those shoe boxes you’ve been saving?  Get rid of them … they are taking up too much space.

7) Add clear shelves so you can see all your accessories at a glance: sunglasses, jewelry, watches.

8) Good lighting is key: LED hanging rods and backlit displays for a modern feel …

… or picture lights for a classic look.  And while you’re staring at Nate’s closet below, do you see how inviting that yellow ottoman looks?

9) Layer in your favorite accessories: these could be fashion books, pictures of your family, or vintage hats.  And how cool is the helmet in this closet?

10) Keep a pair of laundry baskets handy: one for dark clothes, one for light.  And if you have room, also keep a bag for items to be donated or repaired.

11) Borrow a tip from the pros: keep a locked safe for jewels, cash, and important documents.  You can hide this behind a mirror.

12) Place gowns and special clothes behind glass doors.

13) Add a vase of fresh flowers, fragrance, and a tray for keys, wallet, and phones.

14) Replace all your old hangers with slim, velvet-colored hangers.  You’ll fit more items, and they’ll all hang at the same height.  And while you’re at it, remove all dry cleaning bags.

15) Edit, edit, edit.  If you haven’t worn it in five years, donate it.  If you haven’t worn it in one year, try it on to make sure it fits.  Trust us: you need to clear space so you can go shopping again!

What do you think Jay Z and Beyonce’s house would look like?  Lots of bling and attitude?

Although they were outbid on a home by Minecraft founder Markus Persson (check out his $70 million bachelor pad here) back in December, Beyonce and Jay Z are back in L.A.  Located in ultra-exclusive Holmby Hills, the house – which they rented last summer – has 16,000 sq ft, seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and a gorgeous infinity pool.

We love how it’s both private and filled with light, starting with the front door, which is accessed by a sunken entryway.

The double-height family room is calming, soothing, and surrounded by massive panes of glass and mature landscaping.

Inside, there are lots of huge walls ready for art …

… while the bedrooms echo the outdoor with wood paneled accents.

Outside, expansive terraces are perfect for entertaining outdoors …

… while the side opens on to an enormous infinity pool:

Lots of parking for Bey and Jay’s cars …

… and not another house in sight (just steps leading down to a sunken tennis court).  A tasteful, modern house; perfect while they hunt for their next digs.

Is this what you expected?  Tell us in your comments below.

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Ready to welcome the new season? Here are our 5 favorite spring essentials to freshen your home in the blink of an eye.

1. Layer vases of fresh blooms on your dining table, countertop or bedside table.

2. Use floral prints and clean whites to brighten your bedroom.

 

3.  Pop some pastels into your bathroom.

 

4. Bring new life to your entryway or coffee table with your favorite Spring creature!

 

5. Go barefoot on a spunky new rug.

Love what you see? Take a look at all 16 of our best Spring Essentials here!

 

We found a house last year whose architectural style was officially listed in the MLS as “Teardown.”  The selling agent insisted on showing us the house personally so that we “knew what we were getting into.”

We loved the neighborhood, so we bought it anyway.  Since we weren’t ready to do any major work on the house, we limited ourselves to cleaning and decorating, and we were surprised by how far that took us.

The entryway and staircase area was quite dark, so we used lamps and mirrors to brighten up the dark spots:

To the left of the entryway, we had an oversized living room.  Here, we removed all the curtains, painted the window and door trims blue, and set up different seating areas to make it warm and inviting:

In the dining room, two hutches from our previous house gave us much needed storage.  They also lent stronger architectural lines to the room.

Here’s what we learned:

– Clean everything.  Trim the trees, wash the house, and remove old carpet, wallpaper and curtains.

– Remove all unnecessary doors and shelves.  Chances are, you won’t miss them, and the spaces will feel larger and more open.

– Paint every wall, including the insides of your closets. If you’re moving into an older home with a lot of existing detailing, it’s fine to paint it all the same color.   In our case, this also helped unify a recent addition with the original structure.

– Use rugs to bring in warmth and color.  They are also great for outdoor areas.

– Create intimate spaces with comfortable seating nooks.  Finish these up with pillows and throws.

– Add table lamps and floor lamps.  Older homes usually don’t have great overhead lighting; lamps will bring in soft light and add height to every room.

– Flowers (whether in a vase or on the wall) will brighten up any space.

– Use mirrors everywhere (entryway, staircase landing, living room, dining room, hallway) to bring in more natural light.

– Bring in soft scents.  Layer in your favorite candles and diffusers.

– Add new plants to your entryway.

If you have any other tips to share, we’d love to hear them!

 

So you’ve been dating for a while, and you’d like to show her your place.  Great idea, but there’s more to preparing your home than just throwing everything in the dishwasher. Read on for the 10 key points that can make or break her visit.

1. Curb appeal. Initial impressions mean a lot. Still have those Christmas lights up from last year? Swap them out for a clean, new welcome mat. If the mailbox is overflowing with junk mail, go through it now.

2. Clean up! This might sound obvious, but you need to get it done. Start by removing clutter from all surfaces (kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room). Once these are clear, wipe everything down and only put back essentials like your coffee maker or remote control.  Also, don’t forget to vacuum your floors, wash all your linens (sheets and towels), and make your bed.

3. What’s in your fridge? Yup, she’s going to look. If you only have beer and hot sauce in your fridge, at least wipe down the shelves so they’re nice and clean. Toss out all leftovers and anything past its expiration date. A good rule to live by: if you have to smell it to remember what it is, it’s too old. Extra Credit: Surprise her with a bottle of bubbly for a romantic nightcap!

4. Bathroom necessities. Your bathroom should be spotless. Always (and we mean always) close your toilet, have lots of toilet paper available, refill the hand soap, and place towels next to the sink. Extra Credit: Clean up your medicine cabinet. In case she takes a peek, this is not the place to hide anything you took off the countertop in step 2.

5. The TV. If you have dusty equipment or a maze of wires surrounding your screen, tidy them up. Video games and movies are fun for certain occasions, but don’t really scream romance, so store these in a drawer or basket. Extra Credit: Go through your DVR. Are you really ready to explain to her that you secretly love watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta?

6. What’s on your bookshelf? Books can be an excellent conversation starter, so start that conversation off right. If you have a passion for poetry or an extensive library of Russian literature, this is the perfect way to show her. But be careful: don’t put lofty books there just to impress her. If she asks about the influence of neo-realism on 20th Century Italian film, you’d better have an answer!

7. The dog. Find out beforehand if she is comfortable around pets. A well-mannered dog is the sign of a devoted trainer, so be sure your best friend’s on his best behavior. If she’s afraid of animals or just a bit shy, be respectful of her boundaries and keep your pooch behind closed doors.

8. Take out the trash! Empty out all trash cans in the house and check surfaces for old receipts, empty beer bottles, ashtrays, or anything else that should say sayonara. Extra Credit: Light some candles or pick a handful fresh flowers to clear the air. These subtle details will not go unnoticed!

9. The Ex. There should be absolutely zero evidence of any other woman ever entering your home. Exceptions are your family, your housekeeper, and me, in spirit (see all other steps).

10. Show your personality. Your home is a reflection of you, so keeping it tidy will allow your favorite pieces to shine. If you play a musical instrument, love to surf or have a knack for painting, showcase your interests and talents through your home. Extra Credit: Invite her further into your world by playing her a romantic tune or cooking a sweet treat. Whether you have a passion for wine, sports or astronomy, show her how much you care through an outlet where you thrive.

 

2015 welcomes in the Year of the Sheep!

What does it mean?  If you or a loved one were born under any of these dates, the Chinese believe that people born under this Zodiac sign are tender, polite, clever, and kind-hearted:

Feb 1, 1919 – Feb 19, 1920

Feb 17, 1931 – Feb 5, 1932

Feb 5, 1943 – Jan 24, 1944

Jan 24, 1955 – Feb 11, 1956

Feb 9, 1967 – Jan 29, 1968

Jan 28, 1979 – Feb 15, 1980

Feb 15, 1991 – Feb 3, 1992

Feb 1, 2003 – Jan 21, 2004

Feb 19, 2015 – Feb 7, 2016

While Chinese New Year doesn’t start until February 19th this year, here are some of our favorite finds to remind us of this peaceful, nurturing animal throughout the year:

Happy New Year from all of us at Gracious Style!

I’m always thrilled when my boyfriend volunteers to do the dishes… until I hear the chilling sound of another glass shattering in the sink! Between him and his brother, those 4 hands have broken a good 20 or 30 glasses over the past year. My solution? Mario Luca Giusti‘s durable, beautiful, boyfriend-proof drinkware.

In so many colors and styles, these glass-like acrylic pieces were just what our kitchen needed. Now, when I hear something tumble into the sink, I keep my feet up and remote in hand, knowing he’ll never break another glass.

 

For more fun and easy styles by Mario Luca Giusti, click here!

Taking a turn from tradition, the folks at Mothermag.com put their heads together to create a tabletop that is super fun and colorful. Using our delightfully versatile Jars Tourron Jade Dinner Plates, a bright Modern Fiesta scene came to life. Here, we share some of stylist Natalie Bowen’s tips on creating this fun and festive look in your own home…

“If your napkins don’t match, don’t worry. Mixing bright hues and prints in the napkins—and all over the table—adds to the colorful, fiesta feel, perfect for birthday parties, baby showers, and the like.”

“Using a statement coaster adds a nice finishing touch, as does an assortment of vintage, mis-matched silverware.”

“Use fresh mint or herbs from the grocery store or your own garden as part of the floral decor topping the plates.”

“We love the “fiesta” theme, because almost anything goes when it comes to the color palette. This is a real opportunity to use several of your favorite flowers for an awe-inspiring centerpiece or smaller arrangements.”

A special thanks to Mothermag.com for these stunning images!

For more from our Jars Tourron Jade Collection, click here.

After our recent trip to visit Peter Marino’s new Chanel stores in Paris, we’ve been seeing gold everywhere.  But this time around, it’s more chic and textural.   The trick?  Find a softer gold that’s infused with champagne, so it feels warm and organic.  You want to bring just enough luster into a room to make it come alive, but not so much that it feels overdone.

Here are three ways to do it:

1. Combine gold with neutrals.

2. Combine gold with faded antiques.

 

3. Combine gold with anything exotic.

Interested in learning more?  Check out our Gold Rush board on Pinterest.