Small space, big plans

If you live in close quarters, you don't need me to tell you that every bit of space counts. However, a lack of square footage needn't cramp your style or the desire to live large. Recently a new client challenged me to dream big even though her 1,100 sq. ft. condo featured rooms that were modest in scale. Ambitious plans included finding a home for several rather large pieces of furniture already owned (a baby grand piano, an enormous 8' sofa, and a newly acquired wine refrigerator) as well as creating a backdrop for a series of cell animation artworks she and her boyfriend had collected together. In addition to a thorough list of physical requirements, my client also determined the mood she desired to create for her "oasis in the city" - dramatic, glamorous, cozy, comfortable, and totally personal.

During the initial tour of the condominium I was confronted with an empty, all white shell; something many homeowners face with trepidation at the outset of decorating projects. Resolved to get started without delay, I suggested an immediate visit to Woven Art Studio where we chose an area carpet that in fact, dictated the entire colour palette. The bold geometric print also proved fit for the task of balancing the visual weight of the ebony, baby grand piano that would arrive in two weeks' time.

Once the colour palette was established and I had a workable floor plan, the rest of the decisions for the living room were quite easy. The sofa was indeed too large for the room, but by shaving the arms down a mere 6" we were able to keep what she considered to be "the most comfortable sofa in the world". Newly upholstered in a chocolate brown antique velvet from Robert Allen, the inviting sofa helped define the room's only seating area, and provided an ideal perch for watching the large screen television (now hidden behind a custom cabinet). The glass coffee table was purchased by the client whose guiding wisdom; "I wanted glass so I could see my new carpet," was spot on. Additionally, glass or Lucite or Plexiglas furniture is excellent for providing service without impeding eye lines, helping to "open up" small rooms.

Draperies needed to be luxurious and dramatic without looking out of context during day light hours. I chose a champagne sheer in golden tones and asked my drapery workroom (La Beaute) to fit the hem with an 18" cuff of satin. The additional weight "finished" the drapes, as sheers on their own almost always look unfinished.

For the walls, a buttery yellow tone pulled all the elements together. The mid-toned 1040 by Benjamin Moore look fresh in daylight and will deepen to a velvety luster by nightfall. The foyer, given its narrow proportions and lack of natural sunlight, appears to have a slightly darker wall colour than the living room, although it's the same colour. The kitchen by contrast is painted in a lighter shade of yellow, Benjamin Moore CC-150 to brighten the utilitarian workspace. By varying the range of tones on walls, even within a monochromatic colour scheme you can give a home the illusion of more depth.

Creative people love this kind of challenge and small spaces can certainly be just that. The good thing is, they also force us to use our creativity; to search for furniture that does double duty (like the table/serving tray beside the island) and to make the most of every inch of space. Don't let small spaces get the best of you. Meet the challenge boldly and you'll enjoy a triumph of style over size.