Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

29sqm Apartment Features Space-Saving Stairs & Loft Bed

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 10:00 AM PDT

With just over 300 square feet to work with, every inch becomes precious. Multi-functional rooms are critical, but make it difficult to maintain privacy – a conflict creatively resolved in this case via a lofted bedroom space.

But even lofting the bedroom was not trivial for the designers of 3XA (images by S.Zajaczkowski) - the ceiling is only 12 feet high, making a fully split-level approach impossible. As a compromise, the sleeping space sits above the hallway and bathroom, but also is not fully standing height.

The staircase to the loft zone doubles as shelving, and both the steps and loft are materially differentiated by use of a light plywood that provides some contrast to the otherwise-white interior without darkening the space.

The kitchen, dining and living rooms are blended together with a small dining and working table forming a conceptual barrier in between. A small desk in the living area doubles as a side table for the couch – almost no space or surface fails to find a second function.

Curiously, a door to nowhere was added to one of the walls – a bit like a mirror in a restaurant or bar – to make the overall space seem larger than it appears.

Keep Going - Check Out These Great Related Dornob Articles:

Loft Bed turns Single-Floor Studio to Two-Level Apartment

Not Just for Kids: 7 Space-Saving (& Adult-Sized) Loft Beds

Small-Space Living: Simple Loft Bedroom Design Idea

Elegant Efficiency: NYC Shoebox Studio Apartment Solution

Folding Wood Furniture: Elegantly Slim Table & Chair Pair

Posted: 01 Jul 2013 04:00 PM PDT

Folding furniture gets a bad reputation, perhaps deservedly if you consider the typical flimsy stuff you find at the local big box store – but there are more refined alternatives, and here are two.

First, from Lodovico Bernaradi, an extremely flat-pack folding table that is elegantly detailed, its metal mechanisms contrasting with a simple plywood structure. Instead of tucking up under, the legs wrap around the tabletop when the piece is flat.

Second, from Folditure, there is Tilt – a folding chair with the same aesthetic premise: extremely flat and compact, wooden structure and metal details highlighting how it works. As a bonus, it contains a built-in hanger for easy storage.

From its creators: “The Tilt is a uniquely comfortable multi-purpose chair. Folditure’s patent-pending folding mechanism allows for a higher and more ergnonomically inclined backrest and a sturdy feel.” Check out their website for additional flat-folding design ideas.