Small Spaces by Christine Brun

Remodeling is on the backburner these days, right along with vacations, spiffed-up fall wardrobes and new cars. With the economy on life support, high jobless rates and plummeting housing prices, not too many folks are planning to revamp their homesteads or planning moves at the moment. Fewer Americans are moving than in any year since 1962, which is an indicator of how stagnant the building industry and real estate has become.

Michael Hicks, an economist at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. — a city where unemployment is now near 11 percent — tells The New York Times, "At the end of the day, we'll get back to migrating." Until that time, you could consider planning for the type of change you would ultimately like to see in your home. It is the perfect time for turning a future project into a pleasant pastime.

My neighbor and I walk 2 miles every afternoon and eventually the subject turned to her dated kitchen. Pretty soon, I had her excited about the possibilities for removing a wall, creating a new island in the room for a much more open feel. Now she is seriously contemplating the project, but I advised her to move slowly. One of the problems that I have with numerous shows on HGTV is that they make the work look like a snap. Everything is quick and solutions seem based on speed instead of good design. In reality, generating a first-rate design that satisfies all client requirements takes quite a bit of time. In this society where everyone demands instant gratification, careful planning doesn't sound appealing; but in order to get a value-engineered and aesthetic standout result, you need to spend some effort.

Our example takes an odd space and works with the physical reality until an efficient design solution is attained. The angles in a wall section likely hide something like plumbing or ducting that cannot be rerouted inexpensively in an older home. What you do with awkward elements like this is figure out a solution that works with the oddity.

Here, the small window seat-storage shelves are tied visually to the angle.

Because these windows are low to the ground, neither the sink nor a toilet would have been optimally placed in front of the glass. Whenever your eye can run underneath an object, you perceive the room as larger.

Color has been masterfully applied with simple paint on the lavatory wall. Extra-wide plank floors, which are a terrific feature of an older house, have been hand-painted in a harlequin fashion to add style. By creating the visual angles on the floor, the eye again moves instantly towards the windows, thereby extending the room visually without moving any walls.

Understanding the best solution for each space does take thought and time. Very often, the first impulse that I've had for a room I keep to myself as I mull it over and toss around other possibilities in my own mind. Take your time. Test out colors. Get samples and live with them for a while. Price out the different options for your room such as fixtures, plumbing options, windows, flooring, lighting or wall coverings.

The only negative to waiting to execute your plan is that prices may go up on a certain item or it could be discontinued. We are noticing that fewer products are being stocked these days and therefore the waits can be longer to get faucets, toilets or sinks. Nevertheless, armed with all of the prices and details, it will be much easier to get bids for the work if you have all of the individual elements selected beforehand.

Another point is this: If there is a certain part of the work that may be done safely ahead of time without any worry that you will change your mind one more time before attacking the entire project, go ahead and deal with that one part. It will encourage you and give you the satisfaction of being productive.

Christine Brun, ASID, is a San Diego-based interior designer and the author of "Small Space Living." Send questions and comments to her by e-mail at christinebrun@sbcglobal.net. To find out more about Christine Brun and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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