Outside the Box

by Laura Casey Interiors on January 27, 2011

I’m always looking for new ideas on how to use furniture and various spaces in unexpected ways. I spotted this project by Phoebe & Jim Howard on Splendid Willow and love the unique way this bookcase is utilized.

Picture 7 Outside the Box

What an innovative use of space by Amanda Nisbet I saw on Tobi Fairley’s blog.

Screen shot 2010 11 08 at 9.30.26 AM Outside the Box

What a great way to create a gallery. No wall space? No problem.

Hattie Wolfe Abby Rizor Outside the Box

Hanging curtains in an interior doorway adds an element of warmth and texture.

Jeffrey Bilhuber Outside the Box

The reclaimed doors below conceal a media cabinet. This is a great example of using every opportunity to create visual interest in a room.

Kay Douglass 2 Outside the Box

Don’t be afraid of putting an antique chest in a bathroom. It adds just the right amount of character.

Paolo Moschino 2 Outside the Box

This coffee table is a Vietnamese bed, and using furniture in unintended ways can result in a unique and creative space. This is also a great example of mixing woods, a topic I discussed a few days ago.

Robin Bell Outside the Box

Standing an etagere on top of a kitchen island is an ingenious way to use every bit of your space. The all-white serving pieces keep the open shelving from feeling too exposed or cluttered.

Screen shot 2011 01 24 at 4.24.23 PM1 Outside the Box

I love seeing collections, like these perfume bottles, displayed in interesting and open ways.

Screen shot 2011 01 24 at 3.40.41 PM Outside the Box

What a clever idea to put books in the fireplace.

Screen shot 2011 01 25 at 5.31.27 PM Outside the Box

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box!

Photo Credits: Jim & Phoebe Howard via Splendid Willow (1) Amanda Nisbet via Tobi Fairley (2) Hattie Wolfe (3) Jeffrey Bilhuber (4) Kay Douglass (5) Paolo Moschino (6) Robin Bell (7) Darryl Carter (8) Renzo Mongiardino (9) Matthew Patrick Smythe (10) Apartment Therapy (11)

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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Sally@DivineDistractions January 27, 2011 at 6:57 am

I think repurposing pieces and being creative with how we use things is one of my most favorite aspects of design. I love seeing things as something else, and I’m always inspired by the creativity of others. Fun post, Laura!

2 sunny goode January 27, 2011 at 7:36 am

I LOVE this!!
Laura- once again you find just the perfect visuals that create unique and visually exciting interiors, and explain it so simply and so well!! The reclaimed doors for the media cabinet are my favorite….but I have to say I will keep this post forever!!! have a great day!! xx

3 Caroline January 27, 2011 at 8:09 am

Great post, Laura! I LOVE that bathroom with the gorgeous chest and beautiful bathtub. Hope y’all are doing well.

4 pve January 27, 2011 at 9:59 am

I am doing a lot of thinking outside the box….during the renovation.
Living out of boxes! Just the sort of inspiration I need.
pve

5 Mona Thompson January 27, 2011 at 10:22 am

Great post. I love thinking outside the box as well. I just read an interview by Vincent Wolfe where he was talking about drawing inspiration from images vs. copying the image exactly. I think that clients sometimes don’t get that. For most of us bloggers and design enthusiasts that are constantly searching it is the “idea” not the actual thing. I’m not sure that made sense but I think this post illustrates that thought beautifully.

6 Kathysue January 27, 2011 at 10:57 am

Great post and wonderful examples of great design using pieces in clever but decorative ways. Love the first image, but I am a big fan of Phoebe Howard’s work , she can do no wrong!!Thanks for the inspiration!! Kathysue

7 Carrie Waller January 27, 2011 at 11:05 am

Gotta say the kitchen with the tower of dishes makes me nervous:) But some of the others were fab, love the fireplace full of books. Hmmmmm, I may have to rethink some things!

8 Splendid Willow January 27, 2011 at 11:26 am

Clever post Ms. Laura! The media cabinet with the old doors is very unique and impressive. And the Vietnamese bed!

And I wish I could do the bar- book shelf myself. I live in a large house but I have hardly any wall space! Maybe I need to think out of the box and create a wall!

Hugs to you, Mon

9 Pretty Pink Tulips January 27, 2011 at 3:14 pm

I need to remember to think outside the box. Use things for purposes not originally intended. Such great spaces to inspire me!

xo elizabeth

10 LLH Designs January 27, 2011 at 10:33 pm

Love those reclaimed arched doors. Awesome hardware! My neighbors have a pair of gorgeous Italian doors in their family room and it just makes the whole room…maybe even the whole house!

11 karah January 28, 2011 at 1:02 pm

LOVE all these…especially the wall of newspapers:) very unique! thanks for sharing!

12 Michelle Corrao January 28, 2011 at 1:57 pm

Beautiful photos ! I love the books in the fireplace, clever idea.

xx,
Michelle

13 Amy Vermillion January 31, 2011 at 5:35 pm

Hi Laura….I adore the perfume bottle display!

14 Liz February 1, 2011 at 11:23 am

I love all of these different ideas and especially the curtains in the doorframes. It makes the entire spaceseem much more warm and inviting.

15 Sarah's Fab Day February 14, 2011 at 10:41 am

I loved all of these ideas. Curtains in a door way, love.

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