Good Things Come in Small Packages

I always look forward to the House Beautiful Small Spaces issue as it always gives creative inspiration on how to live in a smaller footprint smartly- or just be more organized and crafty with design! This year I was pretty blown away by one space in particular, a 700 square foot apartment on Park Avenue in NYC owned by designer Amir Khamneipur.  No doubt the renovation of this space cost a fortune as it’s all very, very high end (I can’t even imagine per square foot costs)- but there is such genius in the layout and overall design concept that certainly could be translated into a more modest budget.

First of all, super high ceilings  and good windows always make a small space feel so, so much bigger. Secondly, painting the entire space (including the crown and baseboard) the same color- particularly a light grey like this will also aid in adding visual square footage.  Third, mirrors are your friend- in this case he mirrored an entire back wall to create the illusion of a bigger room.  The streamlined drapes in a similar tone to wall emphasizes the ceiling height.  Anything too bulky would make the room feel crowded.

INSANE GENIUS- the banquette serve as sofas, a place to eat and entertain AND turn into two twin beds for guests! I mean, brilliant.  Also I love that he did not shy away from making a grand statement with the fireplace.  Small does not have to mean subtle.

The kitchen has massive amounts of storage thanks to the floor to ceiling cabinets (all painted the same color as the walls to keep things feeling open and seamless). In another genius move that borders on magic- he mirrored the facing panel of the island (set back from the furniture style legs) to make it appear to be a open table, when really there in storage on the other side.  A design optical illusion at it’s best (and this guy must buy stock in Windex).

Looking towards the bedroom you can see how the color scheme continues- grey, white, wood and gold.  Another large mirror above the bed (which has storage in the base) tricks the eye yet again.

In the “study” there are even more storage cabinets in the same style as the kitchen, and mirrored pocket doors to close off the bedroom for privacy when entertaining.  The ladder moves from room to room to access the upper cabinets.

A brilliant use of these tall built in cabinets next to the bed (note the pull out shelf for books and water).  And with even more cabinetry in here I am confident this tiny apartment has more storage than my entire house!

The bathroom is sleek with an extra deep mirrored medicine cabinet for linen storage.

Take Aways for Your Own Space:

• one singular paint color makes a small space feel so much better.
• use mirrors to trick the eye into thinking there is more space than there is.
• Keep the color scheme of the decor similar from room to room not only to unify the space but make the decor interchangable.
• Built in cabinetry that utilizes every inch possible is a brilliant investment in a small space.  Always go to the ceiling when building in cabinetry.
• Make furniture serve double duty- banquettes are good for this as well as small ottomans/stools, daybeds and accent chairs.

Get the look with pieces like these:

1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5. // 6. Ben Moore Light Pewter- a great light grey// 7. // 8. // 9. // 10. // 11. // 12.