FOR THE LOVE OF BIKES

Apart from being a fun source of transportation, the bicycle has become a chic lifestyle accessory both on the road and at home—particulary in small dwellings where, because of the lack of space, it's forced to blend in with the decor. As a result, tons of clever solutions for stylishly storing bikes have been sprouting about in the marketplace. One of my most recent finds is the Kappô, a rack/storage combo that perfectly combines form and function. It was created by a Berlin-based team of avid cyclists, designers, and collectors that have taken it upon themselves to develop bicycle furniture that meet the highest standards of functionality, individuality, and design. What's great about the Kappô it's that it makes a clear statement in the room, even when the bike is not hanging on the wall. Love it's simpliicity and clean design!

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SMALL & SMART

Talk about making the most out of a small space. Interior designer Jimmy Schönning knocked down some walls and reconfigure the layout of his tiny 376 square-foot studio to better fit his needs. By converting what used to be the old kitchen into a small bedroom and moving the kitchen to the hallway, Jimmy was able to create a more convenient flow for his charming pad. He was also smart to preserve the old kitchen cabinets and use them as extra storage above his custom-designed headboard. And of course, the space also benefited by the use of white and mirrors, giving the apartment a bright and airy feeling. Another clever solution to making a small home seem larger, is to keep the color palette to a minimum—something he achieved beautifully by only using white, black and wood accents. Here's yet another proof that style also comes in small packages.

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A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

There's nothing better than Mr. Good Idea hooking up with Ms. Simplicity. That's what I call a match made in heaven. Woudn't you say? Well, meet their gorgeous offsprings. These minimalist and sculptural Clothing Rails are beyond cool. They're so simple and unobtrusive, they're ideal for small spaces or as a conversation piece in a foyer.

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CHANGING EXPECTATIONS

I've always been an advocate of mixing and matching when designing a room, particularly pieces from different eras and styles that can be repurposed. Coincidently, I just came across a wonderful space that's a perfect example of that. When German designer Addy Kapic was hired to decorate a penthouse, one of his client's requests was to have a dressing room that could turn into a guest room for his visitors. For all the right reasons, this is Addy's favorite room in the whole apartment, as it displays clever storage solutions and unexpected touches that make it that more special.

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BRILLIANT INGENUITY

I've come across many multi-functional, space-saver pieces of furniture, but this slick desk is one of my favorites. Deskbox is a brilliant wall-mounted desk/cabinet unit designed by Israel-born, UK-based designers Yael Mer and Shay Akalay of Raw Edges studio for Dutch furniture company Arco. It has a retraction system that allows it to easily open and reveal a comfortable work space, and close to its original compact form. Either way, it's a beautiful piece of furniture.

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THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

What do you get when you leave a stack of cardboard sheets alone in a room with some of Europe’s brightest engineers? How about this amazing line of furniture made completely, you guessed it, of cardboard. Australian company Karton is all about keeping things simple and easy. By following their basic fold and tab system (without the need of any tools or glue), you can put together a whole bedroom essemble, a complete office, funky storage units and even a dining room table that will give your guests plenty to talk about. Besides being an impossibly strong, exceptionally handsome and conveniently cheap way to sleep, sit, store or live, these designs are also 100% recyclable. BTW, if you're digging this fun and unique decor concept, you will also love these other cool versions here and here.

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STYLE COMES IN SMALL PACKAGES

It's hard to believe this jewel of an apartment is barely 420 square-feet. The whole studio was so cleverly planned that they were able to accommodate a living area, an eat-in kitchen, a cozy sleeping quarter and even a small home office—all done exquisitely with plenty of style. The use of black and white was key to giving the space a cohesive look and a feeling of continuity, which makes the pad seem more spacious that it actually is. The combination of styles is delicious, particularly the mix of pendants in the dining area. What's not to love about this charming home?

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A SMALL SWEDISH JEWEL

Studio-apartment dwellers are always faced with the tough challenge of making a small space functional without sacrificing style. But the owner of this precious, 430-square-feet Swedish pad is proud of having accomplished both beautifully. With a little planning and editing, this chic studio was successfully laid out to include a living area, room for a small home office and a cozy corner for the bed. Of course, it also helps that the apartment has a charming foyer/hallway which separates the kitchen and bathroom from the living area and provides extra storage room for the owner. Overall, this little jewel is a winner in my book.

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