Q Having recently retired, I purchased a small condominium downtown that I would like to decorate. I’ve decided to start from scratch, although I’d like to incorporate an antique desk, some bookshelves and a small TV into this tiny living room.

Although I don’t do a lot of entertaining, I’d like a dining set for at least four, and I was thinking of buying seating for at least five, hopefully without overcrowding the space. I realize this may be a tall order.

A A small, one-bedroom apartment should offer enough space to accommodate a comfortable lifestyle in an urban environment. As you mention, your new living room is not exceptionally large, although it does offer some interesting opportunities if you’re creative in choosing its furnishings.

For example, a conventional floor plan would mean installing a dining table and four chairs near the kitchen door, a wall unit for the TV and books, a sofa and a few occasional chairs. This room would have been snug, but perfectly livable.

But I believe multi-purpose furniture is the key to a successful design in any space like this one, and my floor plan offers two dining options. When alone, the desk can double as a dining surface. It’s close to the kitchen with a nice view out the window and close enough to the TV.

The wall in front of the desk is a perfect spot for a framed mirror that will reflect natural light into the room.

When you have dinner guests, a few inexpensive folding chairs nestled around an occasional table (shown in front of the window) will convert the living room into a casual dining-room suite.

When looking for this occasional table, ensure that it be a standard dining table height (about 75 centimetres) and that it has enough surface area for four to dine comfortably.

Depending on your taste, this table might be an antique drop-leaf piece, a modern, oversized sofa table, or a drum table.

Bookshelves on each side of the large window wall will offer a dramatic focal point for the room and shift some emphasis away from the large windows.

Here, you might consider painting that feature wall a medium to light tone that complements the bookshelves.

My plan shows the TV directly opposite the main seating area, housed in a small, low cabinet.

If you choose, this could be a larger piece, such as an armoire.

But whatever you choose, the material and finish for the stand should be a fairly close match to the finish of the bookshelves, otherwise the room may appear more like a hodgepodge than an eclectic mix.

source : www.thestar.com