I would just like to say again how pleased I am that Scott McGillivray was gracious enough to set aside some time to help us with Design Dilemmas. He is so busy, with his zillion properties to manage not to mention his show Income Property, that I can only chalk it up to Style Sheet's importance in the design world that he saw it prudent to help us out. :)
Horn-tooting aside (though really, it's from the heart), I'm sure many, many, many of you can relate to today's Design Dilemma, tackling a small "butterfly" condo layout and its absence of a clear living and dining room. Rebecca is understandably perplexed, and who better to the rescue than the man who can turn virtually any space into a place you'd want to rent? See what Scott has to say!
From Rebecca: "Here is my situation...
I bought a two bedroom condo from a blueprint, which I initially intended to flip but now decided to stay & make it my home.
At first I was excited about the butterfly layout but did not realized that the 821 sq. ft. space did not have a living room nor a dining room. This was reinforced when a guest commented “where’s the living room?”. All I have is a kitchen and a centre island. I desperately need a “visionary” who's familiar with small spaces. Can you help me fix my birdhouse?"
Scott suggests:
Rebecca,
It’s hard to go on just photos, but my first thought is to float the sofa in the room, facing toward the sliding doors. Providing there is enough room for circulation, placing the sofa with its back to the kitchen would help divide the open plan into a living space and a kitchen area, instead of the existing set up that looks as though the kitchen never ends.
The TV could go on a swiveling wall bracket above the poinsettias. The piece of furniture that's currently there would have to be moved.
BrandLighting.com; photo via Food & Femininity Blog
As for a dining area, a smallish table, perhaps with a drop leaf for the option to expand, with seating, could go on the wall where the existing pine hall bench and shoe rack are.
A great way to distinguish a proper 'dining area' is to hang a pendant fixture over the table. An easy way to do this in a building where the ceilings are most often concrete and wiring a new ceiling fixture can be complicated, is by using a swag or plug-in pendant lamp. Drill (or have someone drill for you) a ceiling hook where you want your lamp to hang and from there run the chord -- in a swag -- to the nearest wall and outlet. If you have a permanent fixture close to the spot you want your pendant to hang, then you can wire the base of your pendant there, and swag it over to the new spot. If not, plug-in ceiling lamps are widely available, as are plug-in kits if you're eager for a project. Ask for help at your local lighting store if you're not sure.
To complete the look, hang an art piece or even a mirror to reflect the light of the pendant lamp on the wall above the table – it should not be left bare.
Hope this helps,
Scott McGillivray
Income Property
What would you do? Any one solve a similar dilemma?
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