Published on 7/25/08
Published on 7/24/08
Video
1. Dana Nicholson, owner, Dana Nicholson Studio Inc.
On…
Audiovisual entertainment systems
An iPod, with a simple docking station, works. Not only is its small size conducive to the New York cubbyhole, but it looks sexy, and there's an ever-growing range of dinky little ad-ons to choose from.
Beds
Hafele, a German manufacturer, produces the Rolls-Royce of concealed bed mechanisms; the finished product is not dissimilar from a Murphy bed but light-years away in terms of sophistication. Complete this with a Charles Beckley mattress, which is thin, dense (horse and hog hair), upholstered and heavy. If you are maneuvering your bed daily, you are in for quite a workout.
Sofas
Borge Mogensen, a great Dane of design, has always been a good source of slender sofa inspiration. John Saladino is another designer who places importance on scale, making sofas with depths as minimal as 24.5 inches.
Bookshelves
Asymmetric bookshelves are functional and self-contained; the variation in shelf dimensions means you can store books alongside pieces of art or entertainment systems, at will.
Tables
In small spaces you will want to float furniture in the room. Rounded edges are not only safer but require less clearance space.
Space-saving tips/mistakes we make
• Don't fixate on making the fireplace the centerpiece of the room; this creates dead space all around it. Ridding yourself of this notion will automatically open space for other things.
Dana Nicholson Studio is at 515 Broadway between Broome and Spring Sts, (212) 941-6834.