Small condo? Think big

Downsizing from the family home to a condominium needn’t make you feel as though you’re moving into your car. By understanding space and how it works, you can make even a small space feel roomy and accommodating.

We’ve just finished decorating an 1100-square-foot, three-bedroom condo in a lush neighbourhood near the University of British Columbia. The clients, 20-year residents of Vancouver’s west side, came to a decision familiar to empty-nesters across Canada. With their daughter away at university, was it time to dispense with the big yard and house, the regimen of near-constant maintenance? Indeed, it was.

But there was a wrinkle, and it had to do with transition. Moving into a tiny condo from a house with double the square footage presented several challenges. The biggest: how to go from an XL to an S without feeling squeezed.

Design-wise, a constrained area means high stakes. Arm yourself with these four tips for getting the most out of your small-space condo.

Keep furniture low and avoid visual obstructions

When you want to exaggerate the spaciousness of a room, your goal is to make it feel tall. It’s a case of glass half full, glass half empty – literally. The room is the vessel, and you want furnishings like whisky – two fingers, neat, pinned by gravity to the bottom of the glass.

In the UBC condo, the main living area gave onto floor-to-ceiling windows. Although it’s best to avoid obstructing windows, we had no choice but to do it. The good news for condo-dwellers is that the lowest third of your view – streetscape, concrete ledge, or, in our case, stone-clad deck railing – is usually unimportant. We designed a low sofa (back height of 34 inches) and upholstered it in a soft neutral to match the walls.

The exception to our Keep it Low dictum is the chandelier. Lighting is always tricky in an open-plan design with sweeping views beyond its windows. You want a piece whose structure is forceful enough to make a statement, but its substance can’t block sight lines. The answer, clearly, is chandeliers that let light through (the one in the photo is the Twiggy Chandelier 2097 by Flos.) To this end, go with slender glass cylinders or balls – or chandeliers with wiry, diaphanous frames. Avoid at all costs drum lights or frosted glass orbs. Both will only jar the eye and disrupt the room.

Early Buyers at Golden Oak Get VIP Benefits at Walt Disney World ...

New Residential Resort Community at Walt Disney World Resort Announces Disney Amenities for Homebuyers; Breaks Ground on Clubhouse

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – Early homebuyers in Disney’s unique residential resort community, Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort, will receive Disney VIP park passes to Walt Disney World with no block-out dates, free parking, personalized service when making dining reservations at Disney restaurants, access to special early or late theme park hours each day and select merchandise discounts.

Sales began in January and homes are currently under construction in the one-of-a-kind community. Strong interest from buyers prompted Golden Oak to make available most of the estate, grand estate and village homesites in the initial phase of the 980-acre community. Whether from the United States, South America or Great Britain, interested buyers all have something in common: a strong affinity for Walt Disney World Resort and a desire for a retreat where family and friends can enjoy time together creating lifelong memories.

Families who close on the purchase of a homesite or completed home in the exceptional luxury community before December 31, 2011 will receive one complimentary five-year VIP Pass for the homebuyer, providing admission for the Passholder and up to four guests. The special Golden Oak VIP Pass will allow admission to all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks, Water Parks, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex every day of the year with no block-out dates. Also included are complimentary parking for one car and discounts up to 20% on select merchandise purchased at select Walt Disney World Resort Parks or Downtown Disney area locations.

“The dream of families buying homes at Golden Oak is unique access to Disney,” said Page Pierce, vice president, Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort. “We’re excited to offer these incredible VIP benefits to homeowners in what is a truly one-of-a-kind community.”

GROUNDBREAKING ON THE NEW SUMMERHOUSE

Every homeowner at Golden Oak will be a member of the private social and recreational Golden Oak Club. As part of their Club Membership, homeowners will receive Door-to-Park transportation, complimentary merchandise delivery to their home in Golden Oak, special golf services, and access to the Extra Magic Hours Benefit at Walt Disney World (early- or after-hours access to one of the four Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks daily). Disney-designed holiday décor, golf program and in-park special event tickets will be available for an additional fee.

Arts & Crafts Homes and the Revival

Arts & Crafts Homes and the Revival

Printers' ink

A Home of the Humanities, The Collecting Patronage of Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss

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