Big Style in a Small City Apartment
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HEIDI CARDELLI’S top 4 tips
The vibrant cosmopolitan lifestyle that comes with inner-city living usually comes at a cost, as real estate can be expensive in urban areas, often making floorplans a little more snug. Property stylist, Heidi Cardelli shows how easy it is to create big style in small spaces with her recent makeover of a chic city pad on Flinders Street in Adelaide.
London sofa, Carlson Dining Table & Bastion Oak Dining Chair in black
1 Let it flow
Start by realistically assessing the dimensions of the space. Ease of movement and overall flow are key considerations when styling small areas. You want to be able to collapse into the sofa after work without stubbing your toe on the coffee table, and ensure your guests can glide their dining chairs in and out without knocking over plants.
“It’s essential to choose furniture that is proportionally appropriate for the floorplan,” says Heidi. “Styling apartments and other small spaces often require a little creativity, but it’s all about keeping it simple with proportional furniture choices and not over-cluttering the area.”
Selecting smaller furniture that fits the room paired with the right size rug and then optimising the placement for maximum ease, flow of movement and functionality will make the space feel elegant and practical.
“We want the end user of that space to feel like the area is comfortable, functional and not at all cramped, while also being visually inspiring. If you can achieve both of those goals, you are creating a sense of an aspirational lifestyle.”
Styling apartments and small spaces often require a little creativity, but it’s all about keeping it simple with proportional furniture choices and not over-cluttering the area.
— Stylist Heidi Cardelli
Carlson Dining Table & Bastion Oak Dining Chair in black
2 Maximise the light
Using a lighter colour palette is a great trick for decorating small spaces, as too many dark pieces can make rooms appear smaller. Lighter colour schemes give the appearance of more space.
“Often a carefully placed mirror can extend sight lines and draw in any external spaces and natural light.”
Heidi suggests swapping out any dark window dressings for lighter coloured window treatments or blinds. And the use of secondary lighting in the form of floor lamps in dark corners can create more ambience and warmth in a small space.
Often a carefully placed mirror can extend sight lines and draw in any external spaces and natural light.
— Stylist Heidi Cardelli
3 Assess the architecture
There’s often a little less stylistic freedom in decorating smaller spaces than, for example, large residential homes. A French farmhouse theme, for instance, may look odd in a small Art Deco apartment.
Work with your space by taking cues from the architectural style of the residence and the existing colour palette.
“I am lucky that my passion for interiors and my formal training in design allow me to quickly assess what any given space requires aesthetically,” says Heidi. “This can often result in a surprisingly satisfying outcome that speaks to the era of the architecture.”
It’s incredibly satisfying when a stylistic vision comes to fruition and you’re able to tick all the boxes for a client.
— Stylist Heidi Cardelli
4 Pop in your personality
Most importantly, you want your home to be a personal sanctuary that reflects your interests and character. As with every abode, no matter the size, it’s all in the personal details, such as prized artworks, framed photos, a precious vase or even treasures from your travels.
To help tease out the client’s personal style, Heidi’s method is to consider, for instance, their favourite piece of artwork and then mimic the colours in the choice of cushions, throws, rugs and accessories.
“This is where you can create a visually cohesive theme whilst retaining your own unique decorating preferences. In a small space, you only need a few carefully chosen items to visually pull everything together.”
Heidi says one of the most exciting parts of her job is the initial rush of excitement when inspiration hits, and then watching it play out in the finished spaces. “It’s incredibly satisfying when a stylistic vision comes to fruition and you’re able to tick all the boxes for a client.”
In a small space, you only need a few carefully chosen items to visually pull everything together.
— Stylist Heidi Cardelli
CREDITS: The property was styled by Heidi Cardelli for developers Guava Lime to be listed on the real estate market with Julianne Price Real Estate.
Heidi Cardelli is an Adelaide-based property stylist who specialises in providing turnkey property styling services for real estate agents and developers.
Whilst she mostly services the apartment and newbuild market, she also has experience across the suburban homeowner market.
Heidi holds a Design degree from the University of South Australia and brings a wealth of experience in sales and visual merchandising to the styling process.
You can view Heidi’s work @heidicardelli_propertystylist.
MORE IN-STORE AT EARLY SETTLER
Visit Early Settler in-store or online to see all of the pieces Heidi selected to transform this small city apartment. Get more small space styling ideas here and don’t miss Heidi Cardelli’s gorgeous olive grove makeover.
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