naked notes

When living in New York City space is always an issue and getting the most out of your space for outrageous rents in these economical times can be a nightmare.

There’s nothing worse than moving into a new apartment with the baggage from your old, only to find that you have half as much room, and thus ultimately, twice as much stuff…..with nowhere to put it.  Not all of us have a knack for utilizing a space to it’s full potential, but there is always one  trick that can be easily honed by any novice to create a more expansive feel to a constricted home.

Cornering is an essential tool for increasing the look and feel of any space.  Take a look at this studio apartment which literally consists of one room offset by a kitchen nook, closet and a bathroom.

It was the wish of the inhabitant to keep the bed planted in the center of the room, and so, inspired by the light from the windows, Carl and I began at this center point to create four different lifestyle areas.  With some imagination and an attention to what the tenant had acquired, it seemed natural to separate areas with a centered entertainment / storage area so one could watch television from bed or from the “den” situated in the opposite corner.

The cornering technique is used a little differently here by accenting the power of the angle and placing mirrors and decorative items on the wall to give the illusion of expansion.  Also, because of the partition of the kitchen, one can now easily converse with friends while preparing appetizers and drinks.

What once used to be a corner of books piled to the ceiling on the other side of the entertainment unit was transformed into an ultimate bistro area for that morning coffee or inviting a friend over for dinner.  Originally the dining table was being used as the entertainment system and the dining chairs served as end tables at various places in the space.

Russell and Carl own RepopNY 95% Recycled in Brooklyn, where they showcase their innovative design taste.

Category: Redesign Redone

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