Small Cool 2013 is well underway, and we've seen some really innovative space solutions so far. I've been so inspired by all these small homes that I've even begun visiting the archive to get more ideas. Here are some of my favorite small space tricks, drawn from last year's Small Cool entries. 

Name: Sandra & Justin
Type of Project: Kitchen remodel
Location: Arlington, Texas
Type of building: Single-family home, 2,450 square feet

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Name:

Yamini

Location:

Boston, MA

Square Feet:

485

Division:

Tiny

What I Love About My Small Home:

I remember falling in love with this apartment almost instantly as I walked through the doors. It was the windows really: four big windows letting in swathes of gorgeous afternoon sun light. In fact, my favorite thing to do really is to sit under my counter and look at the apartment, taking in the play of light on my turquoise walls. I love that despite being such a small apartment, there’s a proportional division of space between the kitchen, living area, and bedroom without making it look too closed off. It’s also rather quirky in that the walls are uneven and the ceiling is a little crooked, which though made structural changes really difficult, makes it that much more unique. Yet its biggest selling point is really the location. I’m within walking distance to downtown, close to Whole Foods and a whole bunch of restaurants and coffee shops, the cinema and art museum, all whilst surrounded by a whole lot of green!

I was first introduced to the concept of the ex-boyfriend (or girlfriend) box by the one and only Lorelai Gilmore. She advised her daughter Rory to throw all the mementos from her just-ended relationship into a box. That way, Rory wouldn't have to look at them, but someday, when she was old and grey, she could go through all her old boyfriend boxes and think, "My, what an interesting life I've had." Does that work in real-life, or just in Stars Hollow?

One of the most common tasks in photo editing is cropping and clipping out images from backgrounds. Executed correctly, it's not a difficult process, but it is one that requires a deft hand with the Photoshop pen tool, the use of alpha channels, and a discerning eye for what to keep and what to leave out. Now there's a website which simplifies the process...

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Name:

Hollyanne

Location:

San Francisco, CA

Square Feet:

765

Division:

Little

What I Love About My Small Home:

We LOVE the big windows that let in lots of natural light, and the built-ins in the the kitchen are gorgeous. We fell in love at first sight. We also love the French doors leading into every room.

Name: Marisa Vitale and Peter James
Location: Venice Beach, California
Size: 1250 square feet
Years lived in: 3 Years; Owned

Marisa and Peter are a couple of world travelers with a serious case of wanderlust. Beloved souvenirs abound throughout their sunny, airy, one-story, Venice Beach home. Their home’s newest decor, however, speaks not to globetrotting, but to an entirely different sort of adventure, -that of first-time parenthood...times two! Marisa and Peter welcomed their twin babies Macy and Oliver into the world one year ago and it has turned their lives and home upside down in the most wonderful way.

So often fans feel like a necessary evil over the warm months. They're great for keeping you cool but they're often total eyesores that you'd rather hide. This is a group of fans that you won't mind incorporating into your room. 

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Name:

Katie

Location:

Watsonville, CA

Square Feet:

450

Division:

Tiny

What I Love About My Small Home:

It's cozy! It's a funky beach shack, but we have the most beautiful view of the whole Monterey Bay from every room in our house. I love all the windows in our house, it allows so much natural light in. I love a sunny home!

I have a couple pairs of white pants that I always look forward to pulling out of the closet right around Memorial Day. Inspired by my love of white apparel for summer, here's a roundup of white pot and planters. Think of them as white pants for your plants.