Dishin' on Design Dilemmas No. 2

Hello, Hello!
I'm so excited to have started this new little installment.  It's fun to hear everyone's design dilemmas and try to come to the rescue to solve them!  There were so many I wanted to answer today, but because of time {make that lack there of...} I'm just doing one.  Normally I'll answer two or three.  Look out next week for more!


This week, I was intreguied by my pal Ashley from Run With Me, when she said:


"My dilemma is this big empty corner in my apartment. It's supposed to be the "dining room." Apparently midgets were supposed to live here because there's NO way a dining set could fit there...what's your recommendation? It's big enough for a piece of furniture but not a dining set?!" 


She's funny. I like her  a lot.


I asked her to send me a few photos so I could see this little space.  Here they are:

Here's what I've come up with:



Option 1: Dining Corner
I know she says the space is small, but I'd be willing to bet this smaller-than-average dining table would fit if placed at the correct angle.




A fun rug, two small dining chairs, some floating shelves for added storage and display, and her cute mini existing gallery wall- and she's set.  I chose this table because not only does she need a physically small table, she also needs a visually small table.  This table doesn't take up too much space to the eye, and the chairs covered in the lighter fabric will help this cause as well.  Pillows are always a fun way to embellish (:  Floating shelves are great for a small space because they provide vertical storage without taking up any floorspace.  I could see some fancy cups and bowls up there...or just some pictures and books.  The rug helps define this little space.


Option 2: Reading Nook




This is also a great option! I would place this tall Ikea bookshelf right next to the TV console in order to make that area look more like a built in media center.  I added a fun wall paper behind the bookshelf to take it from ordinary to personalized. Of course she can choose to wallpaper, paint, or leave it!  Then, I'd angle the chaise lounge out into the room a tad to add some depth.  Throwing down the same cute rug at an angle will help define this little reading corner.  Filling the bookshelves with books, vases, and knick knacks is a great way to display things she loves.  The existing photo wall would be a great finishing touch.


{Next time I promise not to use purple in a design board. I may be addicted. #help}


What do you think? What option is your favorite?  What is YOUR design dilemma this week?!
Love,
Photobucket
ps. my best friend from home is coming to visit me tomorrow! Can't wait. If you think of her- pray for safe travels (:

47 comments

  1. aww this is awesome! I love Ashley, and it was super cool to see inside her abode.

    Michaela, I love both your ideas. If I had to choose one, I'd choose the dining corner. That'd be a nice little area to eat in with a friend.

    CarissaExplainsItAll

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  3. You are so talented lady! Both of these options are awesome and I love the colors you used... I am color and creative challenged so I will definitely be emailing you for one of your upcoming posts :)

    If I had to choose I think I'd choose the dining area... but the reading nook also looks super nice :)

    xoxo
    Jenna

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  4. Love both ideas! I'd chose the dining too. She could have a friend for coffee, work, read, or play board games in that area!

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  5. I absolutely love both of these ideas! But I'm definitely partial to the reading nook! How can you not picture yourself curling up with a good book in a comfy chair?

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  6. I like option number1! IT looks like it would fit perfectly!

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  7. Both ideas are absolutely stunning! But I think I love option number one the best!

    xo

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  8. awesome ideas! I love option 1, but at the same time option 2 is just as amazing...bah! Can she choose both!?

    I love Ashley too and loved creepin' her apartment

    is she watching E!?!? K I'm a creep

    xoxox

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  9. perfect ideas! and not sure if I've said it but LOVE LOVE LOVE your new blog design! looks AWESOME!
    xo:: Lauren @ tickled.

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  10. cute ideas! i think my favorite one is the reading nook! :) oh and i just love all the purple on your blog. it always makes me happy!!!

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  11. Cute ideas! If only my college apartment were that cute back in the days! I tried though you can ask my college roommates! Everything was brown and old hand me downs but for some miracle it mathced and I was happy! I've always had the decorating bug! Love it don't you! Have fun these are great times for you! You apt is going to look marvelous! Have a great day! Oh and I tried you headband braid! Hair everywhere of course but it looked super cute!

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  12. Michaela you are awesome at these!
    I love both of these spaces!
    #1 is cool because it gives a feel of an eatery which is not quite a dining room but in the same category;)

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  13. Chick, you have some mad talent, loving the dining option:)

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  14. I love both ideas but I would choose the reading nook if it were up to me! such a fun idea!

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  15. Both are great but I'm partial to the first one. It's so multi-purpose. Love your choices. Aside from the actual function of it, it's stylish...naturally!

    Really looking forward to more of these installments, Michaela! :)

    Sophisticated Steps

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  16. OH both ideas are great!!! I especially love the dining nook...great size for the space and fabulous style, of course!

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  17. Both are great ideas, but I really like #1. It almost reminds me of a little bistro.

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  18. Michaela, WOW...your new blog design is gorgeous. The prettiest one I have ever seen. =)

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  19. Love it! I am going to have to start bookmarking your tips!

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  20. Hmm..that's a toughie. I guess I'd choose #1, although #2 is just as great!!

    x

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  21. Hi Michaela!

    Where's the chaise lounge of the second board from?
    My bedroom is kinda of empty too, so I was thinking about something like that! :)
    Great ideas!!!

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  22. I love this installment! You get to use your design skills and we get to learn fun options for home. (:

    Both of the options look great. It might be nice to have a small dining area, but before I even read #2 I was thinking oh a reading area with seating and bookshelves would be nice! But that's just me. I love books! So my favorite is option 2, but I love both of your ideas Michaela!

    That zebra print rug is amazing by the way. Love it. I kind of really love that purple flowered pillow too.

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  23. I love Ashley! She's funny! I love both ideas! I do like the chaise lounger! But both ideas are fab! Just like you! :)

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  24. I love the first option! I had a similar small place just like that when I lived in an apartment! And I ended up getting a small 2 seater from World Market, and it worked out perfectly!

    I have a dilemma I want to send you! Do you want us just to email you?

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  25. loving option one! keep the purple coming :)

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  26. Those are such great ideas! You are so creative and I can tell you will be so successful! Love both designs!

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  27. I can't even write a full comment right now, I'm just grinning from ear to ear. This post is amazing, M! My favorite ever, I think. You are super amazing and I cannot wait to see what you do in the design world. Promise you'll remember me when you have a show on HGTV? I probably sound more like your mom than a blog bff right now, but I'm so proud! xoxo

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  28. I wish i could design things like you do! =) i love option 2! =)

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  29. Love both your ideas Miss Talented! I would have never thought of a reading nook but loves it! and Oh how I heart a zebra rug!

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  30. michaela you are a genious!!! i feel like i should take you out to dinner for these design boards! i ADORE that table & those chairs are exaclty like the ones I've been creeping on at Ikea. However - I'm totally digging the idea of lounging queen sheeba style on that chase!

    geez - i should have thought before about the popularity of your blog and cleaned my apt for all these eyes to see ;)

    oh and i adore purple too - i'm obsessed with it just like you!


    thanks friend! i have some shopping to do!

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  31. i love your blog design! it is seriously cute! :)

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  32. girl you are SO talented. you have such an eye for design. those two little re-designs you came up with are seriously awesome. did you make them in photoshop? love love love them both!

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  33. LOVE these ideas! SO cute! I'm dying to have a reading nook in my house.....but it's super tiny and I'm not sure how to rearrange things to make it work. Maybe i can send you some photos and we can see what we come up with??

    ~Tiffany
    http://tiffanyd22.blogspot.com

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  34. Love love love this new little post series!! I am totally in love with option #1!! Especially if she doesn't have anywhere to sit and eat.

    I actually have a little reading nook and chaise lounge, so I'm loving option #2, too!!

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  35. I love both of them...but I'm pretty sure I'm leaning towards the reading nook. It may or may not be because I'm just in love with chaise lounges...(c:

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  36. I am really, really digging the ideas. So cute. I'd go with the reading nook if it were me. :)
    x

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  37. Great ideas! I'm a big fan of a reading nook. Have fun with your bestie!

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  38. ok so first time at your blog and I'm in love already!!! Why haven't I found you sooner? You seem totally talented, I am interior design horrible. I just have no clue. Now I will be coming HERE for ideas :)

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  39. I love the reading nook!! I think that would truly maximize the space and warm the place up!!

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  40. Ooooo WOW!!!! Oh WOW!!! You are so talented. I thought of writing in to you and sending photos of my whole house full of emptiness (just the basics, tables, chairs, lounges and lamps etc)...but I thought I would wait and see your interior ideas for other bloggers first....and what lucky ladies they are, to have you helping them!!! Your ideas are funm, fresh and fabuous and so easy to recerate in many homes or areas. Just the inspirations give me ideas and I feel inspired to finally start my own. I am so glad you introduced this little part of your blog to bloggers world, and will definitely be following you more closely. A big well done xx

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  41. I love your ideas!! I'm really liking the reading nook space :)

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  42. OMG! these are both awesome options, i don't think i can pick a fave!! you did awesome job styling the space!

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  43. Aww-loved the dining nook idea! I'm new to your blog and looking forward to looking around and getting to know you better. xoJess

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  44. Fabulous ideas! I can't wait to see what she decides to do with the space! xoxo

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  45. Hah! You use purple the way I use blue. Can't be helped when you love a color so much! I dig the reading nook. If she's not going to get much use from a tiny dining area, why not have some extra comfy seating and storage? Both are great looks. I heart those floral pillows.

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  46. I love the little dining corner you designed for her! I bet it would fit just perfectly! What a cozy little spot for dinner. :)

    Super cute blog, by the way! Found you via Megan (Mackey Madness). :)

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Thank you for stopping by! If you have a specific question, please email me at hello@michaelanoelledesigns.com. I always reply to emails! Have a blessed day! xoxo

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