Feature: Growing Passion for Sustainable Tiny Living
Our friends at Olli Ella invited me for a Q & A regarding small space, sustainable living. The full feature is on their blog, and a preview is below.
“Sustainability warrior, interiors guru and long-time friend of Olli Ella, Whitney Leigh Morris is setting the example for everyday folks who hope to lead a fuller life, with less. Whitney's now famous Venice Beach cottage (which measures in at 400sqft) is loved by people near and far for it's clever use of space and her blog and Instagram have become a constant source of inspiration for many thanks to her small space styling hacks, incredible eye for design and the environmentally fueled ethos by which she lives; you don't need to live large, to live beautifully. We chatted with Whitney about her family, her home and her growing passion for Tiny Living.” - Olli Ella
Q: The merging of interior design and styling with your passion for sustainability has really become the heart of your brand. Is this passion a result of living in The Tiny Canal Cottage, or is this an area that you have always been interested in?
A: I’ll admit that the focus on sustainability is newer to me, and is a direct result of living in the Cottage. I wish I'd been dedicated to leading a greener existence much, much sooner, and I still have so much to learn. Being in this small space as a family, coupled with reading more environmental impact reports and studies, sparked our awareness about the amount of waste around us, and our determination to get more involved in finding and sharing solutions for individuals and families in this time of climate crisis. Tiny Living can significantly reduce the environmental impact of a home - from the amount of materials used in crafting the structure, to its daily operations once occupied, which is one of the reasons why we love publishing images and stories about the routines we share here in under 400 sqft.
Q: When it comes to storage, nothing seems to be more daunting than tackling the wardrobe. Living in The Tiny Canal Cottage, what are some handy storage hacks you have come across to make wardrobe organization a breeze?
A: Rarely do folks enjoy this reply, but if I’m being honest, the “hack” is simply to own less stuff. The fewer belongings we have, the fewer storage solutions and space we require. In my mind, that’s a positive thing, as it lessens both our physical and environmental footprint. Having shared that, we all have stuff, of course, and we need a place to put it. I think that versatile and adaptable baskets and shelving are key, so that we can always adapt our space (such as a closet) to suit our current and evolving needs. For example, our single closet has changed over the years from a wardrobe for 2 people, to a nursery for one child, back to a closet again… this time for 3 people!
View additional images and the full interview via Olli Ella. The three dresses pictured in this post are all from Olli Ella’s new WARES collection. Several of the baskets pictured are also from Olli Ella, and we use them daily here in our tiny home. (Our recent basket roundup post can be explored here.)
