Small Home Design – A California Rental Bungalow
Small home design can be challenging for today’s modern family. See how the lovely and creative Toni updates her home with loads of vintage charm!
It’s one thing when you peruse the picture perfect homes in the pages of books and magazines, but another to create a beautiful home on a budget. I’d like to introduce you to one of the most lovely and genuine home decorators that I’ve come across who has managed to do just that! Meet Toni of the Instagram account Toni_Marianna who shares her home with her husband and two adorable young sons.
Small Home Design – A California Rental Bungalow
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Toni has lots to share about her small home design life and style, so I’ll let her take it away!
“How we ended up in our home: When my oldest son was 8 months he came down with an immunity disorder and I quit my job to stay home and take care of him. We went down to one income and had to move. A friend told us about the rental and the rest is history!
We have been Renting our home since April of 2013. Seven years this month!!!
I’m a big believer that you can make a rental feel cozy and add lots of your own charm and character!”
She’s definitely not a rule follower. “I love mixing styles and buy items that speak to my heart.”
“Rustic and romantic is always the vibe I’m going for!”
“Lots and lots of layers of cozy goodness too!!!”
“I love to decorate on a budget with my favorite yardie/fleamarket/estate sale finds. My fave spot for treasure hunting is located at our local dump (The Last Chance Mercantile).”
“My staples when decorating are fresh flowers, candles and a touch of vintage!”
“Even though our home is a rental and tiny, we have made some budget friendly updates so it feels more like us and super cozy!! I’m also a big believer that you don’t have to have a huge house and/or a huge budget to make your home feel like you!”
The boy’s shared bedroom is full of those vintage flea market finds that Toni loves to score!
Taking Small Home Design Outside
Not only inside, but outside Toni knows how to layer to perfection in her small home design stylings.
Completed updates
Toni painted the entire interior one shade for a cohesive look. She used a favorite of so many designers, in Simply White by Benjamin Moore.
Living Room Projects
Painted the fireplace in Benjamin Moore’s Simply White.
Added shiplap above fireplace and along with that, she uses this mantel for some fabulous seasonal vignettes.
Added DIY drop cloth curtains.
Dining Room Projects
Added DIY barn door and new lighting.
Master Bedroom Projects
Completely updated last summer
Painted all walls
Painted the floor
Shiplap on walls
New lighting(found for $20 at my fave The Last Chance Mercantile)
DIY faux mantel
Completed the room makeover with antique finds from Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and yardies!
*TIP* Mantels are the perfect way to display seasonal and favorite vintage pieces. Adding shiplap allows for easier nailing into the walls. This faux fireplace mantel was a DIY project made to look old to go with the character of the bungalow!
Boys Room
Added chair rail molding/painted
New rug/bed/bedding
Vintage artwork
Toni and her husband are in the process of renovating the main bathroom. She’s still on the lookout for those perfect vintage pieces, as always! If you love small home design, head on over and follow the delightful Toni over on her Instagram page at this link > TONI MARIANNA.
If you enjoyed this nifty thrifty home tour, then you might like to visit these below!
What a wonderful small home!! I love everything about her design, and am now a new Instagram follower!!
Janet, thank-you for sharing.
She’s a lovely and delightful person and I know that you’ll enjoy following her Pamela!
Thank you Janet for introducing Toni and her beautiful home. Heading over to IG to follow her. You are finding some of the sweetest homes for your Home tours. Love love love this.
Hugs,
Kris
Kris…she is a true delight and I know that you’ll love following Toni!
I enjoy always looking at your blog. Don’t usually post anything. Thank you much for sharing your home, it’s beautiful.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy this tour of Toni’s home!
What a charming home. I think she must live close to me “the last chance mercantile” sounds very familiar! Thanks for the tour Janet!
So glad you think so too Cindy and I believe that she lives in Monterey, or thereabouts.
Beautiful home! Do you know where the two rustic flower wall picture panels are from?
I think so too! Unfortunately I don’t know where any particular item comes from Irene.
Stunning! Beautiful job, brave mixing of ideas but they all work!
She’s quite talented indeed Karen!
Wow – I love Toni’s Instagram, but I didn’t realize her home was that small! And with kids! My hat is off! Thanks for the beautiful share, Janet. Hope you’re not going too stir crazy down there! 🙂
She’s my kind of gal! I love re-purposing and taking something that was to be thrown away and making something beautiful and useful from it. What an inspiration she is.
While I share all sorts of inspiring homes in our tours here, I love Toni. She’s just the best!
This home tour is absolutely wonderful. Thank you for sharing it with us, as well as the other home tours, all of your wonderful ideas and your wonderful home too. I always look forward to seeing your blog.
I’m so glad that you enjoy the tours! Happy weekend Miche
Love! I read she painted all with BM Simply White. Did she use a different sheen for woodwork compared to walls?
I would say that she used satin on the woodwork and flat on the walls, but not 100 percent sure
Another favorite! I would love to know how she created her mantel to look old. Concrete smeared over parts of it?? It turned out so nice and love that jute type rug!! She is very creative and a joy to view her home. Thank you for some more beautiful posts Janet!