My new subscription to House Beautiful hasn’t kicked in yet, so I am super happy that I picked up the latest issue at the store. They featured several different homes, all which are relatively small in size, but the one that I couldn’t get enough of was the 390 Sq Ft one-bedroom apartment of interior designer David Kaihoi, his wife and their daughter. I can relate to this since my husband and I lived in a one bedroom of similar size with 2 cats for 2 years. However, this one just blew me away in its ingenuity and style. They did not hold back at all! They managed to infuse over the top glamour into 390 square feet. Amazing. This is what makes me love interior design. The fact that you can take an apartment that a family of three would run away from and turn it into a space of envy is incredible. It goes to show that rather than sprawling out in a huge McMansion, we can be perfectly satisfied and even envied in a much smaller place. While this one bedroom apartment isn’t a long-term solution for a family of three or a viable solution for everyone, it does show you how far you can take good design – space planning, looks, and all.
Also, for all of you naysayers who think you can’t paint small spaces dark colors, here’s that notion being disproved.
The console table folds out and doubles as a dining table. Genius!
Purple on purple on navy – who’d have thunk? But I’m loving it. The banquette (or couch) was custom built and also doubles as storage and dining seating.
Breakfast time. I could easily curl up there and take my morning coffee.
More storage and entertainment console complete with a library ladder. The lacquered black really helps enforce the luxe/glam vibe and ties back to the chandelier.
An entryway is defined by the painted floor and its pattern.
I’m green with envy!
Storage in the banquette.
A pop of red to make your closet (and laundry room!) more fun.
Lots of hidden storage in the bathroom behind a graphic print wallpaper.
Antique doors are used as closet doors upping the luxe ante.
A close-up of the incredible antique Chinese wallpaper. If only I could see this in person!
Finally, where their daughter sleeps! The trundle is pushed back under the bed each morning. All images are courtesy of House Beautiful
Awesome article! I will be back to read more of your articles.