Urban Condominium
Winner ASID Design Excellence Silver Award 2008 / Residence Under 2,500 SF
Given a very small space (1,028 SF) with a limited construction budget, the designers were presented with the challenge of achieving an urban sophisticated interior that felt spacious and made effective use of a very tight floor plan. The project is located in a condominium complex constructed in the 1980s. The unit is located on the ground floor with few windows and limited natural light. The original plan was altered by removal of an entry coat closet to create a formal Foyer. Further alterations were made in the Master suite to increase spaciousness by removal of linen closets and replacement of standard swinging doors with cased openings and pocket doors to relieve congestion. The original textured ceiling was completely removed and replaced with a new gypsum board ceiling with recessed lighting. A continuous two-piece crown with the majority of the crown attached to the ceiling was added to create the illusion of height to the low eight-foot ceiling. This was further achieved by the addition of full-height window panels. The original fireplace surround and mantel were replaced with a simple moulding profile. This provided more height above the fireplace for a large mirror, again adding height to the ceiling. Base trim was painted a dark brown to match the doors with an accent white cap to match door trim and crown moulding. Old carpet was replaced with wall-to-wall sustainable seagrass to create a continuous, natural fiber flooring to complement wooden parquet that was added in the Foyer and Kitchen. All walls were painted the same khaki color to create continuity throughout the project. Full height mirror was added to the wall in the Dining Area to visually create more space and reflect light. Punches of deep Chinese red were added as accents — first by encasing the Foyer in a custom wallcovering and then by painting select custom furniture pieces the same color. This color is repeated in placed accessories throughout. Interest and focal points are achieved by placement of large pieces of art and sculpture from the owners’ collection. The furniture that was placed is a grab bag of high-end pieces and antiques mixed with flea-market finds to create layers of texture and interest. This also helped to stretch the furniture budget by spending money on a few expensive pieces while saving on other found items. Custom cocktail/storage cubes were created for the Living Area to provide needed storage. A full-height custom upholstered headboard and desk were created in the Guest Room/Office to add a sense of height to the small 12’x14’ room. The cumulative effect of this design transforms what was originally a dark, drab and imposing interior into one of light, height and spaciousness.
Given a very small space (1,028 SF) with a limited construction budget, the designers were presented with the challenge of achieving an urban sophisticated interior that felt spacious and made effective use of a very tight floor plan. The project is located in a condominium complex constructed in the 1980s. The unit is located on the ground floor with few windows and limited natural light. The original plan was altered by removal of an entry coat closet to create a formal Foyer. Further alterations were made in the Master suite to increase spaciousness by removal of linen closets and replacement of standard swinging doors with cased openings and pocket doors to relieve congestion. The original textured ceiling was completely removed and replaced with a new gypsum board ceiling with recessed lighting. A continuous two-piece crown with the majority of the crown attached to the ceiling was added to create the illusion of height to the low eight-foot ceiling. This was further achieved by the addition of full-height window panels. The original fireplace surround and mantel were replaced with a simple moulding profile. This provided more height above the fireplace for a large mirror, again adding height to the ceiling. Base trim was painted a dark brown to match the doors with an accent white cap to match door trim and crown moulding. Old carpet was replaced with wall-to-wall sustainable seagrass to create a continuous, natural fiber flooring to complement wooden parquet that was added in the Foyer and Kitchen. All walls were painted the same khaki color to create continuity throughout the project. Full height mirror was added to the wall in the Dining Area to visually create more space and reflect light. Punches of deep Chinese red were added as accents — first by encasing the Foyer in a custom wallcovering and then by painting select custom furniture pieces the same color. This color is repeated in placed accessories throughout. Interest and focal points are achieved by placement of large pieces of art and sculpture from the owners’ collection. The furniture that was placed is a grab bag of high-end pieces and antiques mixed with flea-market finds to create layers of texture and interest. This also helped to stretch the furniture budget by spending money on a few expensive pieces while saving on other found items. Custom cocktail/storage cubes were created for the Living Area to provide needed storage. A full-height custom upholstered headboard and desk were created in the Guest Room/Office to add a sense of height to the small 12’x14’ room. The cumulative effect of this design transforms what was originally a dark, drab and imposing interior into one of light, height and spaciousness.
Country: United States
