Tight Space, Abundant Ideas
(Originally written by Becca Milfeld. Appeared in the Express on January 27th, 2012)
In the middle of his 400-square-foot studio, in a small space carved out between a bookshelf, sundry chairs and a bed, Jeff Watkinson, who is 6 feet 1 inch tall, balances on a 2 1/2-foot imitation surfboard with a roller underneath it, lurching back and forth across the floor.
“This is a very strong workout; it just mimics surfing,” he says.
His objective is not so much to demonstrate his athleticism as it is his knack for saving space via multifunctional furniture. Having moved into his Kalorama studio 18 months ago, the 32-year-old who works in investment sales has employed a number of tricks to create room for activities like exercise. He stores his clothes in his TV console, he converted his bookshelf into a bar, and he has a gateleg table that, unfolded, seats seven or eight.
Watkinson’s apartment represents one of the most fundamental ideas in small-space living: multifunctional decor. Considering the minimal square footage of a studio, furnishing one requires an inordinate amount of thought.
“Rarely would we design a studio where a piece of furniture only serves one function,” says Jason Claire, the co-owner of furniture and design store Vastu (1829 14th St. NW; 202-234-8344), which has been fashioning Washington interiors, teensy and grand, for almost a decade.
Design Services Page Re-Design!
If you’ve checked out our web page for Vastu Design Services you may have noticed that things look a little different now.
To better showcase what our interior design consultations can achieve we’ve added a simple slideshow of Before & Afters from past client projects.
The best part of this re-design is that you can go from a before & after slide to the actual project within our Portfolio, see the pieces our designers used in the space and then head to product page to get dimensions, pricing and other information!
If you haven’t visited our website in awhile, be sure to check our new Design Services page today.
(And if you have any friends or family who have recently moved or are looking to redecorate, send ‘em our way!)
Ladies’ Night at Ace Hardware
It’s almost time for the Second Annual Ladies’ Night, hosted by the 5th Street Ace Hardware.
RSVP and attend for a chance to win 2 hours of interior design services from Vastu (among other great raffle prizes)!
When:
February 7th, 6:00-8:00PM
Where:
5th Street Ace Hardware
1055 5th Street NW
RSVP Here by January 30th
Wallpaper in 2012
Check out this cool video from one of our favorite wallpaper vendors:
The Sleeper Sofa
The sleeper sofa, love em or hate em they’re most definitely useful as they can make any space multi-functional. However, people don’t always find them to be comfortable or all that stylish, something that can be discerned by reading the comments section of a recent Apartment Therapy post on the same subject.
Frankie Sectional
A little known fact is that a majority of the custom hand-made sofas we carry can be made as sleepers. All it requires is that you choose a frame that has loose seat cushions (so that you’re able to remove them) and that you pick a size that meets the minimum size requirements (66″ W for a full and 78″ W for a queen, in most cases). And if you’re worried about being able to see the sleeper component at the bottom of the sofa when it’s not in use, then don’t! We increase the size of the lower portion of the sofa (the apron) to conceal everything.
BAM! Now it's a Frankie Sleeper Sectional
The sleeper component consists of a 4″ innerspring mattress and a 4″ inflatable air mattress. That gives you 8 inches of mattress that prevents you from feeling a crossbar making it comfortable to sleep on.
Co-owner Eric Kole actually has a Metro Sleeper Sofa in his own home that’s used by friends and family when visiting.
Disguised in this beautiful den is actually a guest room waiting to be used...
The best part of being able to custom make sofas is that we have full control over the design of our furniture. If you want a sectional sofa with a sleeper inside, in a grey fabric with wood legs and tufting on the back…it’s totally doable. Just for you.
New to the Showroom: Ottomans, Tables and Rugs (Oh My!)
We’ve received some brand new things for the Vastu showroom in the past week and we think you’re going to like them!
First up is the Risom Amoeba Table from Knoll in Light Walnut.
Next we have the new Henry Storage Ottoman from Gus* Modern. Available in black or white leather, the ottoman features a soft-closing lid and enough room for blankets, throw pillows or anything else you’d like to hide away.
Closed
Open
Also from Gus* Modern is the Ossington Coffee Table. How great is that lower shelf? Perfect for stashing your TV remote.
Inspiration: Wallpaper & Classics
Check out these great images I found on the website of one of our wallpaper vendors. Merging big, bold and beautiful wallpapers with mid-century classics definitely seems to be the way to go!
Wall & Deco’s Monsoon Wallpaper with Herman Miller’s Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman
Wall & Deco’s Wild Giraffe Wallpaper with Knoll’s Saarinen Dining Table and Tulip Chairs
Is Bigger Really Better?
Mark Veltman for the New York Times
The New York Times had an article last week titled “Relax. There’s Plenty of Room” by Steven Kurutz. Apartment Therapy highlighted it and posed the question “Is Bigger Furniture Better?”
When it comes to interior design, the short answer is “no”. However, this doesn’t mean that smaller is a more suitable choice when choosing furniture for your space either. You need to find the happy medium and go with pieces that are in the right scale for your home and lifestyle. Continue Reading
Design Direction
“I have a cape cod contemporary two story on the water with large windows facing east. We have a beautiful whitewashed cedar ceiling. The floor has stark white 10″ floor tiles that are very hard to keep clean. I’d like to replace it with porcelain floor planking that looks like wood. I’m stuck trying to decide on the color for the floor. There are so many options. By the way, the doors are all whitewashed with a bright white wood trim. My style is classic with a bit of contemporary thrown in. We are planning on a redo of the fireplace as well as well as the kitchen.
Here is a summary of my decorating challenges:
- What color floor planking (porcelain) to put on the floor.
- What color to paint the new wood around our new fireplace.
- The kitchen cabinets are white washed. I’m selecting white painted ones. What color granite – light or dark for more or less of a contrast?
- The wood doors are all white washed too. As is the railing going up the stairs. Do I paint the railing white or?
- Do I paint the walls a lighter or darker color?
Whitewashed Cedar Ceiling
Here’s what Vastu senior designer Sarita Peresada had to offer: Continue Reading
More Changes to Come for 14th Street
Besides all of the new construction that can be found up and down 14th St, looks like our great street will also be getting some new features thanks to the District Department of Transportation.
On the menu for 14th:
- “twin-20″ Washington Globe lighting
- teardrop pendant lighting for street illumination
- dedicated bike lines
- pedestrian “bulb-outs”
- for key intersections, like those at Rhode Island Avenue, Florida Avenue and U Street, crosswalks and sidewalks will get special iconic identification
- cement sidewalks will give way to London pavers
- new street furniture such as garbage bins, tree boxes and bike racks
While 14th street was designed as a major thoroughfare by L’Enfant, it does have to wait until DDOT finishes the other projects that are part of the Great Streets Initiative.
To read the full article by DC Mud, click here.
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