A well designed apartment is scarce, and if you are lucky enough to find one the rent is usually beyond your budget.
The traditional apartment design is as predictable as sunrise during the hot summer holidays. Upon entering the apartment you are immediately confronted by a hideous staircase leading to the second floor. At the same time you see the dining room, dining table, the kitchen and the bathroom. If you are able to view the entire floor at one glance, there is no longer any element of surprise, no mystery. And one of the secrets of excellent interior designing is the element of mystery. If you are the guest, you would ask yourself, "How does it look beyond that divider?" With this thought in mind, let us now proceed to add this element of mystery in the design of your own apartment.
• Do something about that distracting stairway first. The stairs can be hidden by plywood designed in such a way that an interior window opening is provided for one foot above the first stair landing. This provides an illusion of space and ventilation is maintained. This wall portion can be painted a different and darker color from the other walls to add drama. Use wallpaper if it is within your budget. The choice of color should blend with your chosen color scheme.
• The space below the stairs can be utilized for storage. Simple shelving can also be built inside to keep odds and ends in order and for easy location.
• Install a divider between the living room and the dining area. If you wish you may close it with a sliding door, same design as the divider. Another divider system to separate the dining room and kitchen is optional depending on the space available. If scaled and done properly this addition will be an asset and will make a lot of difference to apartment living. You can put shelves to the kitchen side of the divider to accommodate some kitchen utensils which most often have no place in ordinary kitchens.
• Mirrors on both sides of the square opening in the divider system will make the dining room look more spacious. And for vain individuals (most of us are) you can check how you look every now and then. Serving food is also facilitated by the cantilevered buffet shelf. This is practical whether you have two or a dozen guests. (If there are some areas which you want us to further elaborate on, please feel free to write to us.)
Additional Suggestions:
• Retain the couch and have it re-upholstered if you are not satisfied with the present upholstery. The two armchairs may be converted into a love seat for compactness and the coffee table revarnished.
• Two ottoman stools will be handy when you have more guests. Solehia weave on the ottoman seat will be a beautiful change. These will act as accent pieces in your living room set.
• Modular shelving system is versatile on the side opposite the seating arrangement. The stereo system can be housed here together with a collection of accessories which usually define your personality.
• Remove those plastic covers in your couch and chairs. Plastic radiates heat and also gives funny sounds which can only embarrass your guests. Choose upholstery fabric instead of vinyl/leatherette for elegance and comfort. They are soft to touch and cool to the body. If you are reserving the original upholstery for special occasions only and are afraid they will be soiled from day to day usage, have at least one set of fabric covers custom-made. These can be detached and laundered easily.
You can create something out of your drab apartment and make it a better place for yourselves and your children.
