Welcome to Melanie from San Diego; a blogger trying out for a place on the Apartment Therapy editorial team as a House Tour Contributor. Enjoy her work!
Name: Kelly
Location: North Park — San Diego, California
Size: 550 square feet
Years lived in: 2
Kelly's light-filled cottage is an example of the Spanish Colonial style that is iconic in Southern California. Located in the vibrant San Diego community of North Park, it is within walking distance of trendy shops, restaurants, and of course, Balboa Park. The only possible drawback is the size: 550 square feet leaves little room for excess. Kelly has scaled back her furnishings to fit into this casita, but what she's given up in posessions she has gained exponentially in quality of life.
Owner of Rhapsodie Piano Studio, Kelly is a busy piano teacher and musician whose day revolves around music. Kelly wouldn't be without her piano, violin, cello, or guitars. These well-loved instruments are not just beautiful accessories, but musical necessities that feature prominently in the decor of her home. They don't leave room for much else, so all other furnishings have been pared down to essentials and well-loved art pieces.
Kelly has an appreciation for vintage, kitschy art which she has gathered from years of thrift store shopping. Her home is filled with natural materials, and her collections of antlers and owls add a playful note to the gracefully curved ceilings and traditional arched openings. The effect is simultaneously fun and serene.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: I would refer to my style as Hunting Lodge Bohemian. I collect antlers and all things moose/elk/deer. It makes for an interesting, kitschy style that is not overdone and fits in with the "hacienda" vibe of the traditional stucco exterior.
Inspiration: I appreciate the simplicity of the color scheme. The white plaster walls and the dark wood stains create a continuity that blends together the otherwise disparate pieces. The simple palate allows a few colorful accents to pop. I am also proud of my piano, which was challenging to fit into a 550 square foot apartment. After a lot of trial and error, I finally found the perfect home for it in the living room, where the piano bench can also double as seating.
Favorite Element: I appreciate the simplicity of the color scheme. The white plaster walls and the dark wood stains create a continuity that blends together the otherwise disparate pieces. The simple palate allows a few colorful accents to pop. I am also proud of my piano, which was challenging to fit into a 550 square foot apartment. After a lot of trial and error, I finally found the perfect home for it in the living room, where the piano bench can also double as seating.
Biggest Challenge: Storage is a challenge. With one closet, I have to really, really want something in order to keep it. Most of the things I use daily are part of the decor. Everything else is constantly being evaluated for it's usefulness...if I don't use it, I will give it away because I can't store it.
What Friends Say: Friends say that my playful, comfortable house is a reflection of my personality. They also say that it seems bigger than 550 square feet! I am always throwing dinner parties and hosting band practice, and it's amazing how many people and instruments I can fit into my space.
Biggest Embarrassment: I recently purchased a moose wallhanging that was just "too much moose" for the room - literally. I ended up returning it. I have learned that editing my posessions is important - what you don't display is just as important as what you do, especially in a small space.
Proudest DIY: The bookshelf in the living room was a a thrift store purchase that I sanded and refinished myself. It is now an irreplacable fixture in my home. All of my furnishings were extremely budget-conscious purchases. Most are from thrift stores and garage sales.
Biggest Indulgence: I splurged on my Le Creuset soup pot! This was one of the most expensive purchases for my home, but I cook a lot in my tiny kitchen, and this little luxury was worth every penny. It's the little things.
Best Advice: Matching is overrated. Buying what you love, not what matches, will create an original and interesting home that is a reflection of you. If you love it, chances are that you can blend it together with your other items harmoniously. My other straightforward bit of advice is that your furnishings don't need to cost a fortune to be beautiful!
Dream Sources: I would describe my dream source as a Hunting Lodge estate sale...if you hear about one, please let me know!
Resources of Note:
LIVING/DINING ROOM
Pedestal Table: Pottery Barn, (purchased at a resale store)
Ottoman: Macy's
Cardboard Antlers: Urban Outfitters
Living Room bookshelf: thrift store
Wire Wall-hanging: Hillcrest Farmer's Market
BEDROOM
Wallhanging: Ross sale aisle
Branch side table: Target
Bed: Ikea
Thanks, Kelly!
Images: Melanie Gilbert
• HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE Check out past house tours here
• Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour Submission Form.
• Are you a designer/architect/decorator interested in sharing a residential project with Apartment Therapy readers? Contact the editors through our Professional Submission Form.
Alexis' Modern Glass House 
Before & After: A Bathroom Goes From Pinky Peach to Sleek and Chic
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Tom Black Espadrille
20 Scrumptious Brunch Recipes 
Magic One-Ingredient Ice Cream 5 Ways: Peanut Butter, Nutella, and More
Comments (34)
I love the picture above your piano and those pillows on the couch. Oh and the Shepard Fairey print too.
and the wire drawing.
A comment on the writing: the ubiquitous but wrong use of 'exponentially' is really off-putting. It is plain wrong to use it when comparing two things. 'Exponentially' denotes a rate, for example how something changes as a function of time.
The wire art is rad!
And I have those V&B "Acapulco" dishes, too. They make me happy.
Love the warmth of this house! But I'm a little concerned about the cello in the corner. I can't tell if there's a hanger or stand for it, or if it's just leaning in the corner on its endpin. If there's not a hanger hiding in the pic, I'd recommend a cello hanger that holds the instrument by the heel of the scroll. That way you can keep the endpin extended for ease of practice, yet also use the cello as a decorative element. They're fairly low profile and cheap (the hangers, not the cellos!) and
If space were no object, I'd go with one of these - http://www.katahdin-online.com/shakincelcra.html - but right now I've got the hanger keeping my practice area from being dominated by a shiny black darth vader cello case.
Except for some of the more trendy pieces, I love this space. I most like the "make art, not war" poster. Very nice.
Simple. And simply lovely. Adore the Arthur Rackham. (One of my favorite illustrators, but on a wall he usually looks twee. Not here.)
Ok, I love this. First, this is one of my favorite types of houses, just architecturally. But what I love so much is that the house is filled with things that look like they have meaning and are at the same time, pleasing to look at and arranged in a pleasant way.
Proof that you don't have to have a ton of stuff to have a lovely, interesting and welcoming home. Which is exactly what you have here. Well done!
@ see....really?
Love the warmth of the home. I particularly love the simple iron bed. Who makes it. I have been looking for a simple queen size hospital style iron bed with no luck
This is exponentially wonderful
hi neighbor! (i live on oregon)
i love how you not only incorporate your instruments, but also the art of locals (i have been stalking the wire art since i saw it in the bathroom at clare de lune, did you really get yours at the farmers market?!?)
great style and great house!
This is such a cute place! It looks so comfy and lived-in.
Hey neighbor (literally)! I love your digs! And I'm so excited to see North Park represented here. I especially love your bright dishes in picture 9 and how they look in that great cabinet.
Refreshing!
Lovely home.
http://girlwhimsy.blogspot.com
http://closetfullofgoodies.blogspot.com
Very endearing space. I enjoyed the decorative objects, though I was expecting to see more antlers and owls. In my hunt for moose/elk/deer I spied bears, horses, an elephant, a flock of birds and even a rooster (I think) - much fun!
I love that the instruments are out and easily accessible. The dishes are wonderful and the DIY bookcase looks great. The single dining chair does look a wee bit lonely...perhaps a salvaged mate could be found. Thanks for sharing!
In the survey, inspiration & favourite element are identical. palate/palette? /sorry
This is a lovely home. So personal and well edited. Also, I'd love to know where you found that beautiful bed. It's perfect.
Melanie, You did a beautiful job framing your photos. Each shot is like a piece of art. Really, really well done.
I love it that a $200 pot that comes with a plastic handle is "one of the little things".
I mean really. Think about that.
This space feels naturally lived-in and bright. Very comfy.
The little antler shelf with the birdcage on top is really cute!
I'm pretty sure the bed is from Ikea.
Neat to see those dishes; a friend's mother had them when I was a teenager and I've actually remembered them from time to time and wondered if one could still get them.
Also pretty sure that the wire art guy is at the Hillcrest farmer's market most Sundays. Or one Sunday a month or something.
The place looks charming and the art is brilliant but I don't get a real sense of space from the photography, too many vignettes.
Hey All,
I'm Kelly and I live in the cottage Mel shot for this piece. :)
Just wanted to answer a few questions....
Yes - the bed is from IKEA. I think I got it 7 or 8 years ago.
The 3D cardboard deer puzzle (on the wall) is from Knock Knock online.
YES!!The wire art guy is at the Hillcrest Farmer's Market every other sunday. If you can please go check out his stuff - one of a kind.
And a comment about the Le Creuset soup pot...I got it at Marshall's for $85. It's the real deal so the handles are made of enamel. With the exception of my dresser (also from IKEA and my piano) everything in my house was under $100! I'm a music teacher - so I'm not raking it in :)
Thanks for all the nice words - K.
Kelly, You have done a beautiful job on a small budget. In fact I think your place illustrates how both a space and a budget can be small without being tight. Thanks for sharing!
@janetJackaruso
I have the exact same red Le Creuset dutch oven, have had it for over 30 years, and use it a least a couple of times a week, so its cost-per-use is just pennies. It still looks great sitting on my stovetop, has turned out incredible soups, stews and pasta dishes over the years and I have never had to replace it. So -- it's beautiful, useful and economical. I mean really; think about THAT.
I think the most successful house tours are those that show the rooms as a whole, with very few vignettes. I like the place, I like the stuff, but I'd much prefer to see how it all relates.
And in general, I wish AT bloggers would stop the cheerleading for "I threw out all my stuff and now I'm free!" in the posts. Do people who regret downsizing not make the house tour list.
Kelly's place is great, my comments are more about the post.
I love that wire art piece!! I may have to make a trip down to SD in order to get one for myself! Wonderfully simple space - congrats!
Hey, I have that same "Make Art, Not War" poster. I got it at a feminist bookstore in Austin...
I love all the use of natural materials--wood, glass, horn, tin. I also love the focus on important things: the instruments and access so they can be used, common space for socializing, notes and reminders on the side of the fridge. The color balance looks calm and homey. I also like the Mexican spots of color, the plates and Catholic kitsch. It really works in the setting.
It looks like the home of someone who is focused on the important priorities in their life.
Do people who regret downsizing not make the house tour list.
In my experience, the only people who "regret" downsizing are those who did so involuntarily: a relative threw out all their stuff when they were sick, they lost their job and house and had to squeeze into a smaller place, etc.
Actually, I've even heard people say they didn't regret losing all their stuff in a fire/natural disaster. (These are people who had insurance and good jobs and didn't lose anything but the stuff.)
I think when things are taken away because of calamities in our lives--as opposed to by choice--we become very upset because the event represents a loss of control (to some other person).
Letting go of stuff can be very emotionally freeing.
The word exponentially as it was used by the writer is correct. There is more than one definition to the word, and it isn't only math related.
I liked the apartment. I find it inspiring to see what others do with their small spaces, so kudos to Kelly for making it work.
The article itself was also well done, so kudos to Melanie for sharing.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exponentially
http://oxforddictionaries.com/view/entry/m_en_us1245667#m_en_us1245667.004
@see
ubiquitous: http://oxforddictionaries.com/view/entry/m_en_us1301399#m_en_us1301399
She used "exponentially" once.
Lovely home.
@ kate b. I know the meaning of 'ubiquitous'; I was referring to the 'found everywhere' meaning in your link--as in on the radio, in newspapers, in blogs...