Since I stopped working with clients over a year ago, I haven't been able to do the other thing I like best (besides blogging), which is to figure out and furnish rooms for people. Lately, however, I've developed a second act, designing rooms for our advertisers, which is almost as good. Besides the fact that I can choose whatever I want (as long as it's in their store) and don't have to worry about a budget, the advertisers let me design pretty much whatever I want, which clients never do...
Here's the straight on. To define the space I chose a bright, high texture rug to pop against the dark floor and centered almost everything. The metal side tables are visually very light (these come in many shapes and sizes) and the blue lamps are by Klein Reid. Though everything is basically centered, the mismatch of the lamps, my Squiggle Art and the oversized Soho mirror make it surprising and playful.This is a room I just did for Room & Board for our Small Cool Contest, which they are sponsoring. To give me a challenge, they chose the smallest room they had in their NY store and told me to go at it. The only thing I had to keep was the sofa. My goal was to fit a social living room with a television and an office into this nook and I think I did a pretty good job. Along the way, I got to use some of my favorite pieces. The captions give the lowdown, the links below take you to the contest and R&B's small furniture giveaway. Enjoy!
>> The Small Cool Contest
>> Room & Board's Small Spaces Big Ideas Giveaway
To open up the space I used two slim Saarinen tables for a coffee table and a Wegner stool to round out the seating. In the background is a really great wood media cabinet, The Grove. The pillows are Galbraith & Paul, and the cute little light on the right is a Noguchi. As you can see, I play back and forth between big and small elements.
Of course, our book looks delightful in this setting....
For the office, I juxtaposed a small desk and chair with a large vintage map, and used their Henley runner to give it warmth and color. To get a side table and a chair in, I chose an armless chair, the Delia, and another thin pedestal table, the Dixon. The background bookshelf is another good space saver. Called Gallery Shelving and made of wood and natural steel, it leans against the wall.
More of the big map, with one of my favorite task lights, the Tolomeo.
To provide a little more seating and complete the circle I went with a Hans Wegner stool, which can easily move around and double as a side table if necessary.
I love these little art pieces that they are selling. Vintage block collages. I chose three and stacked them on this wall.
I love what you did with this space. I've considered purchasing this couch. I think I will now : )
view nycbound's profile
Love that little office set-up and the media cabinet (I've been spying on that one myself for a while now).
view some1else's profile
I drool for the office. The TV seems awkwardly placed for viewing. Guess that's one of the downfalls of designing store spaces.
view quiltmaster's profile
Very nice and I like the choices.
I like how you mixed iconic pieces for their space usage/size and style to help create this little room that is to do 2 functions.
view ciddyguy's profile
I love your color combos; I could live in this space!
view neutopian's profile
hm it's not my style but if you like it good for you! :)
view vintagedress's profile
The two lamp sizes are driving me nuts.
view BillyRes's profile
Maxwell, Recently you mentioned the rule of 57" regarding hanging pictures. What is that about? Pictures are always a problem and I have recently moved so I am having to figure this out all over again! If there is a rule?...lead me to it. Please!!
view aligal's profile