"Treat corridor as gallery"
Expert advises building new closet and have it open into the hallway
Donna Jean MacKinnon, Best Laid Plans, Toronto Star, June, 2008

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Pauline, a downsizer, does not want her new 754-square-foot condominium to look cold. So she plans to start with a "clean slate."

Space in this elongated suite (13-feet wide) is so tight, interior designer Sharyn Kastelic recommends starting with a few structur­al changes. Another problem is not enough closet space for two adults to hang clothes, never mind stash sports equipment, luggage, household products and linens.

Kastelic advises Pauline to construct one closet from the two useless ones opposite the laundry, and have it open into the corridor.

"This will create some decent storage and provide a wall for a console table, for keys and mail. Adding a mirror above will bring in some light," Kastelic says.

She would treat the corridor as an art gallery and hang a collection of exciting pieces from the bathroom door to the pantry and then install track lighting above.

Pauline writes she has chosen a dark wooden floor throughout. Kastelic suggests laying light stone or tile in the foyer and the bath­room, to delineate the entrance and break up the bowling alley from the front door to back windows.

Pauline had best forget a den and use that area to make a bedroom closet. This involves moving the bedroom wall two feet into the den designation and building a closet the full length of the wall.

These initiatives leave Pauline with space to extend the kitchen counter one foot beyond the stove-top. If the (three-foot by six-foot) island doesn't have an overhang wide enough for dining chairs on the right side and ends, Kastelic urges Pauline to extend the island top, as this is the only place she has for dining. (The chairs are a necessity for extra living room seating.)

"I'd install a narrow rectangular fixture or a row of funky pendants above the island, and a horizontal mirror high up on the right wall, so it reflects the lighting and adds glitter while dining," Kastelic says.

Pauline indicates she and her hubby enjoy reading and watching movies. Therefore, they need comfortable seating and decent reading light. Kastelic suggests investing in his-and-hers chaises (recliners maybe), placed with backs to the right wall, so they can stretch out while reading and viewing. Alternatively, they could have a sofa with matching storage ottomans that double as footrests.

"I would add two generously-sized end tables for reading lamps, as well as track lighting for more reading light and for accenting art work (behind the sofa)," Kastelic says.

The left wall is free for a media unit and bookcase combination that needs to be designed to house a 42-inch plasma television. An eight-by-10-foot carpet would add texture and warmth.

"In a small space with minimum natural light, I would have preferred light flooring to expand the space," Kastelic says. "Also, most sophisticated furniture is dark and plays best against a light floor."

Kastelic recommends placing a large plant in the top left corner (of the plan) with an uplight behind it, and buying sunscreen roller shades and sheers for privacy.

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