On Saturday's episode of Home by Novogratz, a Long Island City family needed help making the main room of their apartment function as living room, dining room, home office, and kid's play area. It's a problem many of us have experienced, and one of Apartment Therapy's primary directives. How do you squeeze the most function out of a small space in a stylish way? Let's see how Bob and Cortney tackled it.
The design anchor in this room is the Vitsoe shelving. One long wall became home office, tv nook, and hidden toy storage. And the super modern design of the shelves fit just right with the clients' request for sleek, mid-century modern. Cortney chose white to keep the look super clean, and we got to see her work with the Vitsoe consultant, who made the process seem really easy and definitely something to save up for when I'm a grownup someday. (Read more about Vitsoe here and here.)
With half the purposes of the multi-purpose room checked off the To Do list, Bob and Cortney completed the room with a long, low comfy sofa for lounging and a round, vintage dining table for eating. The chairs tuck right up under the table to save space, and the carpenter built a clean-lined cover for the eyesore airconditioner.
I grinned from ear to ear when I saw the daughter's reaction to the her "hidden shelves" and how she explained that there were "quite a few things I like" about the room. If you missed the episode, then this video will definitely make up for your lost ear to ear grin. It's by Jeff Scher, the watercolor artist who created the pieces above the sofa. Enjoy!
(Images: Matthew Williams)
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I'm always drawn to those "hidden"-dining-chairs-under-the-table kinds of sets, they seem so space-saving, but I also wonder about the comfort of the triangular shaped seats...
I like the idea, but there are quirks that I find amusing. Where's the cable box/TiVO/Roku, etc? Is that a thermos on the bookshelf above the TV? Teeny guitar on a pedestal...
I'm curious about these tables too. Love the look and space savings it can give. Would love more info!
Does AT have some kind of agreement with Novogratz that they'll be featured once a week?
Pi: We have a remote extender eye. All of our components are behind a wooden door and there is an eye on the TV that relays the I/R to the appropriate device. It keeps things clean and tucked away. The eye is barely noticeable on the TV. Its kind of like this http://www.amazon.com/Next-Generation-Infrared-Control-Extender/dp/B001AZPZTK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_3
Our cable box and computer are in cabinets and we have a repeater and a bluetooth set up. It works great since I loathe the look of wires and electronics. I like this room a lot.
Is that Porco Rosso on the TV? Million billions hearts if it is.
"teeny tiny guitar" is a ukelele.
Does anyone know a source for the turquoise side chair or something similar
The dining table set is Frem Rojle for Hans Olsen. I have the set with the additional leaf and 6 chairs. It is gorgeous to look at but the chairs are not the most comfortable. They are not for heavier people- and I wonder what i will do when faced with a heavier person who will want to sit on it at a dinner party or smething. Still, when you are limited on space, it is the best option, as it is only 42" in diameter (without the leaf)
funny, not only do i have the exact dining set, i have that exact coffee table too. My living room is still not unpacked and laid out though and was wondering where i would place everything in my room to make it all fit. Does anyone have dimensions on this living room space?
I have the dining set as well, except my chairs aren't 3 legged triangle chairs--I have the square seat, 4 legged chairs. MUCH nicer. And yes, the chairs arent the most comfortable, but there no less comfortable than a lot of other dining chairs that don't have a lot of padding on them. I spent a RIDICULOUS amount of money on my table and chairs, and I have absolutely NO regrets. They make my tiny dining room look about 10 times bigger! Well worth the investment.
HOly crap STACEKAT- I need this so badly. I think it will change my life......Ok maybe only my living room.
This is beautiful! What a clever way to use space.
I love that dining table but all the sets I have found are EXTREMELY expensive. I'm so jealous of anyone who has that set. All of you are very lucky.
@kayonyc Where is the coffee table from??
What am I missing about how fabulous this room is? VERY expensive shelving unit, very expensive dining set, designer ceiling fan, designer furniture. It isn't hard to solve a design problem with lots of money and a designer.
I coveted that dining set for a while and had a chance at one for $700 (not hans olsen but a vintage knockoff, apparently) but the urge passed, thank goodness.
That said, there's nothing remarkable about what they've done here. The furnishings are nice, but as far as innovative solutions go this looks like 90% of the model homes at ikea.
Dining table envy, couch envy, and blue chair envy. Where can I find it all????????
My favorite thing about the room is the coffee table. Where can I get it? :)
All I can say is... beautiful! If the Vitsoe shelving is the anchor I suppose it is also the focal point of the room. Isn't it?
Probably infared set up