Palm Springs Condo Living: Hi Lisa, thanks for joining me today.
Lisa Sullivan: Thanks for having me.
PSCL: Here at Palm Springs Condo Living we're all about condo living and how to do it spectacularly. My issue today is related to size. Given that the typical condo is about 1000 to 1300 square feet, with many even smaller, are there design issues or tips that homeowners can put to use to make the most out of their space?
LS: Definitely. When designing for smaller spaces there are certain things to keep in mind. One really great design tip that I love to see people embrace here in Palm Springs is Mid-Century Modern Design.
PSCL: Why's that?
LS: A couple reasons. First, it was a design style that originated and came of age in Palm Springs. It's part of our history, so I think it's awesome to honor it. Second, it's a design style that works well in smaller spaces. When you think of Mid-Century you think of open, uncluttered rooms. That's exactly what someone with smaller spaces should keep in mind. When you put a lot of large furniture and accessories in small spaces it makes them appear even smaller, but if you strategically place a few key items with clean, simple lines in a room it makes the room appear bigger.
PSCL: So, it sounds like you're saying, "less is more", right?
LS: Exactly. Less of everything, from the size of the pieces, no overstuffed or bulky furniture, to the amount, do more with fewer really cool streamline pieces that are to scale in the room.
PSCL: What else?
LS: With flooring, homeowners should have the same hard surface floor throughout the entire condo. By having the same hard surface flooring it won't seem choppy. Chopped up spaces don't feel right to people and seem smaller.
PSCL: The concept of a single surface makes sense, but why hard surface, why no carpeting?
LS: Carpet is okay, but this is the desert. Carpet gets dirty easier and is harder to keep clean. Also, carpet doesn't wear as well as hard surface. Finally, since I'm suggesting one flooring throughout are you going to have carpeting in the kitchen and bathrooms? I don't think so!
PSCL: Enough said. Hard surface flooring it is. What other ideas can you share?
LS: Larger spaces have a lot of drama, just because of their size. So my next suggestion is to create drama in smaller spaces.
PSCL: How do you do that?
LS: There are a few ways. First with color. I always recommend a color consultation with a professional because color is so important and a good color can make a room and a bad color can kill it. With smaller spaces I'd recommend basic colors, but with pops of dramatic colors on an accent wall. Not too much color, because that would be overpowering, but just enough to give the room some visual interest.
PSCL: I like that look a lot.
LS: Another way to create drama is through lighting. Appropriate lighting can change the ambiance of a room. Also, lighting can help define architectural features in a room, for example, an archway. But don't overdue it. A little goes a long way.
PSCL: Any more ways to create drama in a condo?
LS: One more way is with window treatments. As with flooring I recommend using the same window treatment throughout the condo. A variety of window treatments will make the condo feel choppy and smaller. The same treatment throughout will be clean and make it seem larger. And keep it simple. Blinds or curtains are fine, but shutters in a smaller space are too much, they're just too big for the window and room.
PSCL: What about using glass furniture in condos? I heard that glass makes a room feel bigger, too.
LS: Glass may help with making the room seem bigger, but again, this is the desert. Glass is difficult to keep clean. I actually don't recommend glass much in the desert.
PSCL: We're just about out of time for this week, Lisa. Any further ideas for making the most of condo living?
LS: I have a great idea for condo living. If you have common walls with an adjacent condo a library or bookcase is a beautiful and interesting look and all the books help cut down on noise. After all, how noisy is your local library? Books deaden the noise in a space.
PSCL: That's an awesome idea, Lisa...I never knew that. Thank you so much for talking with me today.
LS: It was my pleasure.
Lisa Sullivan
Swank Interiors
462 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
760-327-1731
If you have any questions or concerns for Palm Springs Condo Living please contact me.
Alan Wilke
Condos@PalmSpringsCondoLiving.Com
760-464-6693
I think it is a very beautiful condo interior designing in this time. This must be a nice place to live. I like very much these photos and the others.
ReplyDeletecondo Philippines