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Small Cool 2009: Lynda's Playhouse
Small Division #17

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Who Lives Here: Lynda Andrews-Barry + the mister + black lab Oto
Location: Kensington, Maryland
Size: 1,100 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? My favorite element in this house is the amount of sunlight that flows in everyday. I switch out my accessories every few weeks, including the sheers covering the windows, and the different colors act as light lenses, completely changing the feel of the house depending on the scheme. The fuschia theme is like being inside Jeannie's bottle!

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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? The biggest challenge in furnishing this house was dealing with my very opinionated and knowledgeable husband. I worked around it by nagging him, and then I eventually just did it my way. He has come around, though! We did buy a few pieces together at Georgetown Flea Market and Eastern Market, both in DC. Many of the tables, mirrors and accessories came from my grandmother, so he couldn't argue with that! The sofa and chairs are my design based on "I Love Lucy". I think we both relish the fact that they were handmade in North Carolina when there used to be a vibrant furniture industry there. The crazy "Peewee's Playhouse" paint scheme was a stretch for him at first, but once my paintings were hung, I think he got it: this is a happy and joyful place! I have had a few old-timers comment it would be a trip to drop acid here, though.

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Small Cool 2009, Small, Maryland

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Comments (41)

I love those bright paint colors -- one person's acid trip is another's bright and cheery.

"I worked around it by nagging him, and then I eventually just did it my way."

That's my approach, too. Love it!

posted by heather77 on April 14th 2009 at 11:25am
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You had me at the first photo. Dreamy. Amazing. Delicious.

posted by Curtis on April 14th 2009 at 11:31am
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I clicked through the samples before reading the article and did a big double take!... thought *I* was tripping. But no bedroom shots? Ah, well...

posted by whytephoenix on April 14th 2009 at 11:36am
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eek!

posted by PRU on April 14th 2009 at 11:46am
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I love the fuschia room (although... a feather boa on the chandelier? really?), but I'm not a fan of the blue with the tangerine paint. I like the profusion of clocks in the kitchen.

posted by Gvinton on April 14th 2009 at 11:47am
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lynda - i LOVE it!!!!

what is the shade of orange paint please???

posted by rouquinne on April 14th 2009 at 11:59am
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In the first picture, the colors are not working for me, the tangerine seems to be at war with the fuschia. Loved all the rest of the photos though. Lovely bright colors. Would have liked to have seen the bedroom though.

posted by suzy8track on April 14th 2009 at 12:02pm
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i'm sorry, but 1000 sq ft is NOT small!!!

posted by jmck on April 14th 2009 at 12:17pm
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Wow, old-timers dropping acid. I thought Timothy Leary was dead.

posted by Carder on April 14th 2009 at 12:25pm
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Love the purple rug, love the kitchen.

But, advocating nagging? Meh...can't do it. If/when my boyfriend eventually moves in, I want him to feel like the space is equally his, rather than him feeling like a tenant in my apartment. If you nagged your husband into tolerating your design aesthetic, is he actually comfortable in his home?
I don't mean to be critical, I'm actually just really curious. Because I'm sure I'm going to have some negotiating to do when/if my boyfriend moves in, and I want to do it in a way that gives us both a sense of comfort in the space.

posted by jplee on April 14th 2009 at 12:38pm
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The first and second picture are the same, with different paint, curtains, and a different rug under the table. Are these before and after shots? I'm confused.

posted by Matilde on April 14th 2009 at 12:52pm
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I don't believe in letting men have a say in the decor. That's what a man-cave is for.

I didn't like the intense color at first, but it's growing on me. I really like the blue floral rug.

posted by jooly on April 14th 2009 at 1:01pm
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your husband let you pink out like that? good on you!

posted by Lady J on April 14th 2009 at 1:04pm
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Jplee, get back to us when the negotations have begun. I'd be curious to see how it goes.

posted by heather77 on April 14th 2009 at 1:05pm
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The first image made my eyes water. Like cutting onions...

posted by JulieLeanne on April 14th 2009 at 1:30pm
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Re. comments: what's up with all this gender stuff about "man caves" and "nagging"? And I'm entirely with jmck, the square footage of this home is palatial.
I'm feeling you, jplee. Often I've feared that if and when I share my home with a beloved that there might be too much 'me' here and not enough room for him. In the mean time though this is my kingdom (well, mine and the dogs and cats!) I'd enjoy seeing AT focus on this topic.

posted by Vincent B. on April 14th 2009 at 1:41pm
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Why dont we stick with the comments on the house itself and not how Lynda nagged her husband to decorate the place. I mean really, who cares?

BTW, the place is cute.

posted by JulieM on April 14th 2009 at 2:02pm
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this is the most unique home I've seen yet - like the idea of changing out the curtains occassionally - very cheerful and fun!

posted by loveoldstuff on April 14th 2009 at 2:21pm
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The dining room is total Malibu Barbie! How fun.
Katy
http://fengshuibyfishgirl.com

posted by fishgirl on April 14th 2009 at 3:36pm
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I looked through the pictures before I read your notes, and I thought you had two dining areas! Wow! I really like them both. What is on the rug in the kitchen? Is it ants?

posted by aaakid on April 14th 2009 at 3:45pm
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Beautiful Lynda!

posted by kpglassjewelry on April 14th 2009 at 4:02pm
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very cute -- love the bold use of color!!

posted by spagirl on April 14th 2009 at 4:05pm
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It is absolutely beautiful....but I drink too much on Friday night to face that much color on Saturday morning. LOL!

posted by baileyb on April 14th 2009 at 4:09pm
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What a fun place! Love all the color. I noticed your paintings immediately--love those, too!

posted by parhelia on April 14th 2009 at 4:31pm
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The first picture sort of worried me, probably because it made me feel like I had walked into a lava lamp, but you really pull it all together. I love it!

posted by bether on April 14th 2009 at 5:50pm
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It's certainly a vibrant series of spaces. But, if I'm allowed to be pedantic, it is neither small nor cool. Cool is all about what you don't do - it's the archly raised eyebrow rather than the "LOOK AT MEEEEE!".

posted by Blandwagon on April 14th 2009 at 10:43pm
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oh yaahhh! love the switchouts, inspiring.

posted by orangered on April 15th 2009 at 12:14am
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LOVE IT!!! That switch out idea is great. This is what I love to see on this site. I skip through posts to find color like this. Too bad more people don't use it. I especially love the fuschia and orange.

posted by madk on April 15th 2009 at 1:40am
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How can you not walk around with a smile on your face all day? What fun...thanks for sharing.

posted by Byrdca11 on April 15th 2009 at 7:36am
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An eclectic melange of color and objects. A one-of-a-kind personal space. A creative, adventurous, spritely spirit shows through. The kitchen a contrasting oasis of calm amid the flurry of color.

posted by Br0wn1e4 on April 15th 2009 at 8:56am
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What's "acid"?

Looks GrrrrrrrrrrrrEAT! I's eat a bowl of Frosted Flakes (or anything else for that matter like burgers with caramelised onions) in that room anytime. Like a good dog, Life and Creativity only improves with age.

posted by tim420 on April 15th 2009 at 9:38am
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I always liked combining colors in the same family, and orange and fusia is one of my faves!

posted by MOCAShop on April 15th 2009 at 3:03pm
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The house looks great!

posted by kathleen0122 on April 15th 2009 at 7:22pm
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Okay... I LOVE COLOR!! I like the living room and kitchen okay but even for me the dining room is too much... plus I would never force my husband to live in a place like that. Poor guy! Maybe it wouldn't be so bad with some calmer curtains... But really... is that a feather boa on that lamp? really? I dunno...

posted by Lafferteezy on April 15th 2009 at 10:19pm
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I think I might just need that ant (I think?!?) rug. Awesome. Where'd ya get it?

posted by jocasta02 on April 16th 2009 at 3:21pm
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I love all the color - although MY taste would be more along the lines of how you tastefully used bright yellow on the kitchen cabinets to echo the yellow wall in the next room. Very cheery!

And I like the idea of switching out color schemes...if I had room to store the alternate pieces in my tiny Brooklyn apt. ;P

http://www.fthats.wordpress.com

posted by misscorinne on April 16th 2009 at 4:16pm
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your dining room is definitely a study in color. would be fun to try. i like the fuschia phase best. also, the plants really give the room a far-away, luscious jewel-in-the-jungle quality. to me, that's kinda cool.

posted by moonbeam on April 17th 2009 at 10:44pm
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BAM! The color would wear on me day after day. But it's a treat to look at. I don't think this is easy to do and you've made it vibrant, fun, and very YOU.

posted by kelleyk on April 18th 2009 at 11:31am
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You know, I hate orange but something about this is really pleasing.

posted by teapotrose on April 18th 2009 at 8:35pm
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Certainly a funky motif. A bit over-the-top for my taste. However there are some very nice aspects.

posted by Fluffy McFlufferson on May 11th 2009 at 6:47pm
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I love the pictures of your kitchen, fresh and warm. How many carpets and curtains have you got for the dining room?

posted by emal on August 24th 2009 at 10:26am
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