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such as veils and flower fascinators. The couple sells their creative wares on Haley’s Etsy store, The Yellow Peony. And of course, the room in which she develops her creations is just as eclectic as the pieces she designs. “My craft room is a garage that was changed to a room by the previ- ous owners. It’s definitely organized chaos,” she laughed. “Now that my Etsy business is starting to take off, I’m working on redesigning it to allow for clients to come in.” One piece that will likely remain in the new room design is the cabinet that houses most of her raw materials like ribbon, tulle and silk flowers. The cabinet was a Good Company find for $75, and though she didn’t realize it at the time, it has become an integral part of Haley’s design process. More than anything, Haley considers her home and her business a direct result of the passion and love for design passed down by the exceptional generations before her. Her family continues to provide her with encouragement and inspiration to do what she loves, and to always take risks, one piece at a time. “There’s a misconception that you can decorate a home with cool pieces in a few weeks,” Haley says. “I’ve been at this a long time, first as a child and now as an adult. I make mistakes and I change my mind all the time, tweaking this and that. But it’s all so low risk, and I love that. If you mess up, you can always just start again.” Kim is a writer, interior designer and sales rep. She is also a complete klutz that can crank out a killer cartwheel on demand. Her favorite place to write is curled up on the couch with her weiner dog and two cats fighting for a spot on her lap. Fol low Haley’s Business Website theyellowpeony.com Etsy theyellowpeony.etsy.com Pinterest pinterest.com/halze Facebook facebook.com/theyellowpeony Instagram instagram.com/theyellowpeony ^
ome of my readers have written to me expressing they experience a certain paralysis at the thought of decorat- ing their small space. They either give up part way or don’t know where to begin. My first piece of advice is to accept that your small space is just that — a small space. As challeng- ing as the task may be, you can really maximize your space with some time and effort. Think of all the things you have said when you walk into a friend’s home that made you feel good: How comfy. It’s so cozy. This is so quaint and charming ... kind of like getting a big hug. Wouldn’t we all like that feeling as we walk into our home. A little planning can go a long way toward getting a giant reward from your tiny space. Remember that function is your best friend and multi-function takes the relationship over the top. You don’t have to sacrifice style either. In my own home my dining room serves as a triple threat. The table is a farm table I’ve dragged from town to town for 25 years, and I still love it. The obvious use is where we eat and enter- tain. A sofa sits along the back side of the table with a small child’s school desk at one end and a book shelf at the other end, both stacked with books. With just the right lighting, my dining room just became my library. Even my grandchildren love to sit there and read. Lastly, I’m from a big family — that sofa just became a comfy, cozy spot for one more overnight guest. Think outside the box! A few tips: 1. Large furniture and fewer pieces: A few larger pieces can actually make the space look much bigger than having lots of small pieces. 2. Show legs on furniture: It feels less heavy than skirted furniture. 3. Light: Use as much natural light as possible, plus good light- ing and mirrors. 4. Give an airy feel: Use lighter colors or tone-on-tone color. 5. Visual barriers: Room dividers, decorative screens, tall, open bookshelves and rugs can all break up a space. 6. Storage and organization: Find storage in everything and the organization takes care of itself. 7. Don’t be afraid: With a plan you can make that tiny space your own oasis in a storm. My space is so smal l. Can I stil l give it big attitude? S
-Deb
Deb Vogler has been creating her own brand of Comfort by Design for more than 15 years. She deals with all aspects of design, from budgeting, to floor plans (renovation or new construction), to furniture, to color at her full-scale design firm. Have a designing question for Deb? Send it to erin@vintagekcmag.com.
VintageKC / Fall 2013 23
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