We asked associate designer Holly Boling Ruiz of Philpotts & Associates for her top tips for making the most of small spaces. As one who has lived in a tiny Manoa cottage, in addition to helping numerous clients stretch the look of their small homes, she has given space issues a lot of thought.

Scale: "Dump the dinky stuff. Our mantra is less is more." Use fewer pieces of furniture, but make them larger. Keep furniture lines clean and simple. Choose pieces such as open-back chairs that enable you to look through them so your eye can move through the space effortlessly. When arranging furniture, use tighter layouts, placing pieces closer together rather than spreading them around the perimeter of the room.

consolidate collections: "People in Hawai'i are notorious for collecting things. Consolidate your collections, minimizing the clutter." Let them speak to a theme. If you have several collections, revolve them as a gallery would. Store a couple away, keeping only one out at a time. When beginning a collection, select fewer items in bigger forms: A series of three green vases will have more impact than 10 mini vases. If you have a collection of small things, try putting them in a frame. Ruiz, for example, has her antique I salt cellars on a silver platter that "frames" the collection.

Outdoor spaces: Maximize a lanai, courtyard or deck as an extension of your living space. Treat the exterior with respect, making it a place you want to go rather than a dumping place. A little paint, a lauhala mat and decorative plants can help.

Patterns and textures: Create a quiet setting by employing complementary and harmonious textures and patterns rather than high contrasts, so your eye follows a rhythm throughout the space and doesn't start and stop. You can punctuate the space, but it's more effective to have just one strong focal point. For example, one wall can be a stunning color or a beautiful Chinese red chest can make a statement at the end of a hallway.

Creative storage: Versatile furniture can perform two or more functions. A tansu (chest) can serve as storage for books, papers and bills while becoming the focal point for a small space. An armoire can hide games, a TV set, VCR or stereo — you close it up and everything is out of sight. Beds can conceal drawers under them or hide in a wall until it's needed for a guest. Closets can be easily renovated by adding drawers or horizontal shelves and dividing them into zones. Give a closet a decorative treatment by enclosing it with soft drapery or beads rather than a bi-fold door.

Color and light: Use a monochromatic palette — one color in different tones and shades — on all surfaces: walls, floor, fabrics, window treatments. An alternative is "to celebrate the small space by using richer colors and heavier textures to create a cozier environment. Make it feel like you're getting a hug from that space."

Mirrors: "They're the oldest trick in the book. They instantly double the space." A strategically placed mirror can reflect light, color or a view and repeat them, creating a simple rhythm for your eye to follow.

By Paula Rath, Advertiser Staff Writer

Parade of Homes welcome mat is out

Looking for a new home or just curious? The annual Parade of Homes continues this weekend with a variety of models and ideas for decorating.

The entries are in 'Ewa Beach, Hawai'i Kai, Kapolei, Makakilo, Mililani, Wai'anae and Waipahu.

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and tomorrow.

Check it out at www.paradeofhomeshawaii.com.

Handcrafters showcase gift items at fall fair

Is it too early to shop for holiday gifts? Of course not, and the Pacific Handcrafters Guild's fall fair at gracious Thomas Square might be just the place to do it.

Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. tomorrow.

Admission is free.

The guild's next fair is Dec. 6-7.

Celebrate Chinese culture, movie, crafts at festival

The Honolulu Academy of Arts hosts a Chinese Cultural Festival, featuring traditional music, dance and song, mahjong, tai chi and arts and crafts for the keiki, 1-4 p.m. tomorrow.

As part of the celebration, the Doris Duke Theatre will screen "Qui Ju Da Guan Si (The Story of Qiu Ju)," from 1992. Directed by Zhang Yimou and set in modern China, it's the tale of a woman (Gong Li) who is determined to right a wrong committed against her husband. Film critic Roger Ebert gave it three and a half stars.

Admission to the festival is free.

The film, screening at 2 and 4 p.m.,is $5.

Kahala fun run will strike up the music

Support the folks who support the Honolulu Symphony at the 22nd annual fun run and walk beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow at Fort Ruger Park, Kahala, rain or shine. About 2,000 participants will raise money for the orchestra's community programs.

Jim Nabors is grand marshal. With 25 musical groups on hand to entertain the runners/walkers and spectators, the event is almost an outdoor concert. It's a pet-friendly walk for friendly pets, too. Post-run/walk festivities include music, food, games and prizes.

Oh, what the heck: Don't just watch, go ahead and join in. You can register at 7 a.m. tomorrow: $25 adults ($50 if you want a T-shirt), $15 children 12 and younger, with T-shirt.

Sustain yourself with science at SOEST's family open house

Today, kids, we're going to go out and learn something about our world. And we can do just that at the seventh biennial open house at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. The event — themed "Science for a Sustainable Future" — is a feast of hands-on demos, videos, lab tours, high-tech equipment displays, all sorts of creative learning activities.

The open house continues at 11 a.m.-3 p.m. today at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics, the Marine Sciences and the Pacific Ocean Science and Technology buildings, near the East-West Road side of campus.

Bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it. Hey, it happens only every other year! And it's free.