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.
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
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: Read more
Vastu ♥’s Art
Art is one of those design elements that can really take a space from nice to amazing! It’s also an element that our designers take into consideration when working on a client’s space. Check out how we’ve used art in past projects!
Brian Petro - Church Street Flat
It’s National Design Week!
Running from October 15th to the 23rd and sponsored by the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, National Design Week is its “largest education initiative, [which] aims to draw national attention to the ways in which design enriches everyday life.”
As the 2011 winner of the 2011 National Design Award for Corporate and Institutional Achievement, Knoll knows a thing or two about good design.
Generation Chair by Knoll
Whether its an office chair you sit in everyday or a lounge chair that’s equal parts “art and industry”, Knoll products for both home and office are created by some of the best designers on the planet. This is something that Knoll has always strived for since its inception in 1938 by Hans Knoll. He founded the company “based on the conviction that good design enriches and improves our lives.”
Barcelona Chair & Ottoman
So what do you think? Where do you see design improving your daily life?
New Vastu Design Project – the Old Town Modern Townhouse
Check out these great photos from a recently finished design project from Vastu designer, Sarita Peresada.
The Family Room
Located in Old Town Alexandria, this townhouse is full of light, colors, and textures that combine to create a warm and inviting space while keeping a modern design aesthetic.
The Master Bedroom
The Living Room
To see the rest of the photos and to find out what pieces were used to furnish this beautiful home, check out Vastu’s Residential Portfolio.
If you’re ever in need of design help, contact us and one of our designers will assist you in setting up an appointment.
The Knoll Sale: Inspiration
Frank Gehry Cross Check Chair
The Annual Knoll Space Sale started last Friday and the weekend kicked it off just right! If you didn’t have time to make it in Saturday or Sunday, don’t fret because it runs until the end of this coming weekend (the 2nd). To give you some inspiration, Knoll has this great website filled with images of classic Knoll pieces and beautifully designed spaces. Be warned, however, that you can get lost and lose track of time as there are a lot of pictures and they’re all equally interesting and beautiful.
Or as Knoll describes them:
“Classic. In the modern sense.
Modern. In the classic sense.”
Click here for the Knoll Space Inspiration website.
Colorful Glass Eye Candy from the West Coast
Check out what we just got in yesterday to the showroom!
Bulb Incalmo Vase
Tube Top Vase
These glass vases are made in Portland, Oregon and come in different sizes, shapes and colors to suit your fancy. Read more
Back to School
HGTV’s Blog recently had a gallery post on “8 Stylish Dorm Room Updates”. In it, interior designers Vanessa De Vargas, Summer Thornton and Lana Kole shared tips on creating dorm rooms that not only looked great but helped students study hard and get their work done. That got us thinking, even though the back to school season is right around the corner for many (if not already here) these tips could really extend to anyone living in smaller spaces. Read more
Tailored Sofas Done the Vastu Way
Apartment Therapy recently had a post about how tailored sofas can bring a look of elegance and sophistication to your room. They made a good point that “tailored” doesn’t come with a certain color or pattern, but just has to come with a clean-lined, “unfussy” look.
That got me to thinking, “Wait, Vastu’s been doing the tailored sofa for years!”
Here are some great examples of our tailored sofas in beautifully designed spaces.
14th St. Penthouse
See below for more sofas and images.
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