A limited amount of space can be a problem in a home-especially when the life style includes both the entertaining of friends and a need for quiet study unless thought, originality and ingenuity are applied. Two married students, living in Bonn, wanted to make the most of the living space available to them and, with professional advice, tried to achieve both an attractive and practical home design.
The flat originally consisted of two rooms, kitchen and bath. The larger room measured 174 feet by 11 feet and was not only difficult to work with because of its size, but also because of the disadvantage of having four doors, which put wall space at a premium. The couple used this room for entertaining, dining, and studying so, quite understandably, they found that their furniture arrangement left them with a sense of congestion and over-crowding. The initial error in strategy resulted from using a complete wall surface as a cupboard for storing books and records-this meant that most of the remaining-and heavy-furniture was put on the other side of the room, leaving a sense of unbalance. The narrowness of the second room was further emphasized by placing the two beds next to one another, thereby creating no visual break in line.
The need for change was obvious. As well as requiring a freer flow of space and a better sense of balance, a second work/study area was to be built in the bedroom. The furniture was in good condition and, with the addition of a few inexpensive acquisitions, the relocation of furnishings, and the introduction of a new color scheme, an entirely new look emerged.
The skilful use of color can do more than any other single aspect of design to make a dull room bright, or a commonplace flat seem original and sophisticated, In smallish areas very bright colors are used in moderation so that they have the maximum impact without any irritating ,side-effects'. Muted greys and tans provide a restful background for the more hectic reds, oranges, and yellows-the ‘sunshine' end of the spectrum-which form the eye-catching mural, and are echoed throughout the flat in the accessories such as the cushions and ashtrays.
This gives a bright and vivid effect without being too overpowering.
The wall cupboard in the main room was taken out and the dining area put in its place.
----- Top. The desk unit, seating group and bedroom-co-ordinated
by the brilliant touches of yellow, orange and red. A wall cupboard unit and
bookshelves ill the space between the beds. --- Center left. The dining area
now occupies the space where the wall cupboard used to be. The dramatic swirl
of color gives the room a distinctive character. --- ABOVE. The shiny yellow
paper in the bedroom makes it look larger and lighter.
--------- Above. The original floor plan. Space in the bedroom was lost by bad
placement of furniture. In the living room all the heavy pieces were put on
one side of the room, leaving a sense of in-balance. --- Above right. The new
floor plan. The beds along the walls make the room look less tunnel like. The
cupboards serve as room dividers.
The strategic placement of the dining table gives the main room better balance.
This was one of the most important changes because not only did it create a new living space, but also opened up the room by making a third focal point. The table is extendible and can seat six people. The shelves behind-easily assembled by a do-it-yourself expert--are practical for storing china and add an intriguing pattern to an otherwise unimaginative wall.
The other two focal points are the sitting area and the working unit. The dramatic swirl of the yellow and rust colors reaching up to the ceiling give a distinctive character and a sense of co-ordination to the sitting area. The repetition of these colors in the dining area creates a good tie-in. The work unit has been cleverly constructed by its use of angles and planes. The high solid-looking vertical cup boards give a sense of privacy and make an interesting contrast to the other areas used for relaxation and entertainment.
The problem of narrowness in the bedroom was solved by projecting cupboards into the room and by rearranging the beds. The cup boards not only served as valuable storage space, but they also define a much needed sewing/work area. The beds are arranged in a head-to-foot fashion, brought together by shelves which provide head support. A warm and luxurious atmosphere is achieved through the use of light colors, lacquered wall paper and multi-colored cushions which pick up the color motif of the main room.
Wall lamps effectively create a warm and intimate feeling--the light reflects gently off the walls providing indirect lighting which gives little glare. Indirect lighting is best for a bed room, or any room that requires a restful atmosphere. The familiar central pendant light tends to cast shadows, and provides a harsh overall lighting which does little to enhance any interior. Far better to use the many types of local lighting now available on the market, such as spotlights, down-lighters or dimmer switches, if you want to change the mood of a room.
Subtle use of lighting can be the most effective way of creating an intimate atmosphere.
The sewing area is arranged in front of the window so that there is plenty of natural day light to combat eyestrain. The privacy of this work area is assured because it is beyond the bedroom-the last place a visitor would wander into.
What originally appeared to be a cluttered and limited living area has been converted into a useful, elegant and comfortable home-and at a very nominal cost. The effect has been achieved through a selection of furniture with simple straight lines and a lightness both in appearance and actual weight. The strategic placement of furniture has created distinct areas of activity and well-balanced rooms. The color scheme is rich and warm and, when combined with the various textures and building materials, a tasteful and consistent appearance results. The cupboards used for storage are distributed in such a way that they also function as room dividers and headboards.
A limited amount of space a problem? Not if imagination, a bit of know-how, and effort are applied. The home above is a living example.
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