compact living

2015 – Year of the Transformation Part II

One of the things I love about writing this blog is connection with others. I have connected with people from all over the world. Some of the blogs I follow aren’t about design, decorating but finances, funny stories, story telling or just sharing tales of life.

I look forward to meeting more people in 2015. Over the last three years I have transforming my life. We moved to Texas, I started a branch for a company that I worked for in St. Louis which has ups and downs, and a rocky foundation. So in to order to fill the time and make new friends I hung out my shingle for a small interior design residential business. Over the last few months it has grown and that is very exciting.  I am meeting new people and making new friends and thinking about what life can be for the future.

Check out my new blog/website directionsindesign.wordpress.com Looking forward to a new year.

Itty Bitty in the City or Country

 

Example 2 - 1014 square foot home by Mr. Rowan

Example 2 – 1014 square foot home by Mr. Rowan

Example 2 - My redesign. I added a small vestibule with storage, created an open living, dining and kitchen wing, a study/bedroom with built in cabinets. I love builts in small spaces because it keeps the space visually organized. I expanded the deck to incorporate more living space.

Example 2 – My redesign. I added a small vestibule with storage, created an open living, dining and kitchen wing, a study/bedroom with built in cabinets. I love builts in small spaces because it keeps the space visually organized. I expanded the deck to incorporate more living space.

this is a 912 square foot cottage. The living area is open, however the furniture plan is terrible. tons of open space in the middle of the room. Furniture doesn't have to cling to the walls.

My re-design of example 1. The entry features a table for mail, keys etc. The living room can actually be used for entertaining or relaxing. Galley kitchen with long work island. Two bedrooms with buill

My re-design of example 1. The entry features a table for mail, keys etc. The living room can actually be used for entertaining or relaxing. Galley kitchen with long work island. Two bedrooms with built-in dee

I recently checked out Compact Living by Gerald Rowan. The book feature home designs 1400 square feet and under.  As interior designer I think you can live well in any size space. It takes planning and creativity to make a small space work. Storage, privacy and feeling cramped are issues or perceived issues in living in a small space.

Once I started reading the book I noticed how many design opportunities were missed in Mr. Rowan’s plans. Now I am going to plug the benefits of being an interior designer and NOT an architect.  Architects are not trained to think about the interiors and how they function which is a very important factor in homes and work spaces. People live and work in the interior space. I am amazed at how little planning goes into planning the interior.  I could go on for a while on the benefits of working with an interior designer, but I will save that for another posts. Annoyed with the designs found in the book Compact Living  I took it upon myself to redesign the interior space with in the same foot print.  I just hand sketched a few ideas.   The plans in the book are awkward, wrong proportions on furniture and rooms sizes. Clearly these plans were designed by someone not trained in interior spaces. I am thrilled that Mr. Rowan is championing smaller living spaces, however I think