Drawing rooms

We asked three architects to render layouts for three New York personalities, using the same 300-square-foot space. Which suits you?

The fashion maven

Designed by Rob Berry and Clover Linné of berry & linné

Also see: The media junkie | The entertainer

For this chick, clothes come first: We added a wall of two-foot-deep closets along one side of the space to accommodate the client’s extensive wardrobe. The closets are just deep enough to fit rows of hangers but not so deep that they’d significantly cut into the main living space.

Blueprint

1. The closet doors are made of plastic sheets (a 4'x 8' sheet of Coroplast, which works well here, is $17 at Canal Plastics) that slide in inexpensive aluminum tracks (available for about $1 per linear foot at building and metal supply shops around the city). The translucency of the plastic creates a nice visual effect along the wall, as it reveals the shapes and colors of the closet’s contents. To make the most of this feature, the client should arrange her wardrobe by color.

2. The kitchen (which she never uses) is behind a translucent wall, concealing it from the main space so that it can be used for storage. Shoes are kept on the counter, while seasonal items like sweaters go in the kitchen cabinets. It’s tempting to use the oven for storage, but that would present a fire hazard.

Interior

1. There’s also a slot in each closet door that lets one see the clothes. As color trends change from season to season, the feel of the apartment changes too.

2. Shelving takes the form of a skinny vertical unit installed on its side. During the day, the bed, which is on wheels (and is typically available at most home stores), can be rolled under the shelf to create a daybed to be used for lounging and reading magazines. This makes the main space feel more open. At night, the bed can easily be pulled out for sleeping. Other furniture in the room should be spare and clean to give the space an open feel (check out Ikea or Muji for affordable goods with a simple aesthetic).

For more info, visit berrylinne.com

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Time Out New York / Issue 629 : Oct 18–24, 2007

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Comments

Posted by Kathleen on Wed, Dec 19, 07, at 2:26pm

Am I the only person who thought the fashion maven's place looked barren and cramped? I have just such a studio so I appreciate the tips and think the 'Entertainer' made the most of the space -- though ya cheated with the murphy bed (how many of us can afford the thousands of dollars they cost to install?) More practical solution is the sofa bed with an upgrade to an air mattress.

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Posted by Nancy Ferguson on Tue, Oct 30, 07, at 11:12am

Original approach to using the wardrobe of the "fashion maven" as a design and color element.

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Posted by BGraft on Mon, Oct 29, 07, at 5:52pm

I want that closet!!! The kitchen might be a bit difficult. How does one get a glass of wine there?

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