A Modern, Bright, Calming Small/Cool Space
A Modern, Bright, Calming Small/Cool Space
Name: Denise Bayron
Blog or website: https://www.bayronhandmade.com/
Instagram: @bayronhandmade
Size: 280 sq ft
Home type: Tiny house - ADU
Location: Oakland, CA
Years lived in: 1 year, 9 months, rented
Household: No one
Have any design professionals worked on this space: Me! I am a knitwear designer and sewing patternmaker.
Describe your space:
I wanted my home to feel like a light-filled atrium. My first goal was to create a functional layout by selecting the larger furniture pieces as a foundation. Then I added accessories and my plant buddies. What makes it special is that it is both a home and a studio. It is cool because of the location. It is tucked behind a larger house in the middle of a bustling city. It feels like an oasis with a tiny, glass house tucked in a garden. This home has become a gathering place for the people I love the most. I’ve been able to host friends around a fire even during the lockdown.
Did you DIY anything in your space? And, if so, what's your favorite DIY?
I put up the shelves above the desk alcove for maximum use of the vertical space. I managed to get them up there while standing on a 6-foot ladder and balancing the shelves on my head. I knit the blanket that is at the foot of my bed. I also designed the macrame plant hanger in the bathroom. My “favorite” is always the most recent project I’ve made. Right now it’s the cable-knit pillow on the sofa, which is one of my pattern designs.
How do you make your small space work for you and feel bigger than it really is?
The large table, when folded, is only 8 inches in depth. When open, it is a large surface for drafting and cutting fabric. It also doubles as a dining table when friends come over. The shelving unit alongside the bed functions as a credenza, storage for my knitwear samples, and also forms a little bed nook for privacy. My platform bed has a foot of clearance underneath it so that I can store my shoes, laundry, and even an elliptical under there! Further, I have a collection of custom-made hats. I hang them on the wall where they serve as decor while making use of the vertical space!
How does your home reflect you?
My home reflects my desire to live sustainably, as 90 percent of the furniture was purchased secondhand. My sofa was the most amazing find! I bought it (new in the box) off of Craigslist from someone who purchased it from West Elm but was unhappy with the color. Can you believe it?