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Who Lives There: Shanni and her husband
Location: Los Gatos, California
Size: 764 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? My custom dining nook that I built with the aid of my all-too handy parents. My husband is in the restaurant industry and loves cooking and entertaining. For such a small space it only practically fit 4 with a standard table and chairs, but with the custom built-ins we can fit a cozy 8 hungry patrons!

The bench seats double as storage which us little home people know is a godsend! I built the boxes and painted them white, sewed the cushions, and got the accessories (antique mirrors, fern urn, etc.) from a local swap meet.

What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? I honestly have a hard time narrowing down what I wanted to do. It was hard to commit to one theme for the living, dining, and kitchen area that are all connected, while still personalizing each space. I've learned with time, your site, and magazines that commitment isn't to be feared- and accessories can always be swapped out!