Customer Reviews

Studio Apartments (Big ideas for small spaces)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found this book to present interesting but completely unrealistic solutions for the average studio apartment dweller. First of all, most the apartment spaces were at least 800 square-feet, much larger than most studios I've ever seen. They also assume that everyone has the liberty and means to knock down and/or build walls, refinish floors, and divide the space into actual separate rooms. I did like that the designers presented the floor plans for all the apartments, thus showing that they were actually full-fledged one or even two bedroom apartments. My perception of a studio apartment is a one-room living space, not the glitzy spaces pictured in this book with penthouse views, loft space for days and state of the art kitchens and baths. This book is the equivalent of browsing through Architectural Digest, looking at fancy rooms that are far beyond your budget and are but an unattainable dream.

This is not a book for the average apartment dweller looking for inspiration to decorate within the boundaries of a studio apartment. It is only for architects and designers who have the ability to manipulate their environment by changing the structure of the confined space. It certainly wasn't meant for the average, Ikea joe who needed advice on making the most out of a small situation. I wish I could find an apartment that looked like these, only the rich could afford what was pictured.

Those who can afford to remodel their studio condominiums to look like those shown in this book can certainly afford to buy bigger homes in the first place!

Okay, maybe I'm biased or old-fashioned or both, but I don't find the apartments shown in BIG IDEAS FOR SMALL SPACES-STUDIO APARTMENTS attractive. The authors are both men with a great deal of knowledge about design, and I am sure their ideas will appeal mostly to men.

The examples shown are minimalist, modern, angular, and seem to belong to hard-working types who drop in only to sleep. For the most part these apartments are lacking in color which is the single most important element in decorating as far as I am concerned. Although the authors show some colorful ideas in their section on "cozy" apartments, for the most part their idea of making a place more homey seems to be adding books on shelves, chunky ashtrays, and sports trophies. In addition to cold, angular furniture and clunky "knickknacks", the minimalist rooms are often without curtains and/or have walls that are downright stark. One idea of "lightening" shows a curtain with a "porthole" in it that allows one to "look out" at the view.

If you're a guy looking for a book on how to decorate an appartment with a modernist "masculine" look this may be the book for you. One other note: the book was printed in China and the photographs looks like those in 1950s era books even though the publication date is 2000.

This is one of my favorite design books. I notice some other reviewers have complained that the apartments shown in this book are beyond their budget (alas, mine too). However, the concepts can be applied with less spendy solutions, and let's face it: a book filled with photos of ordinary spaces would lack the magic that this book possesses and would inspire fewer people (if any) to dream about their own space.

I thought the styles and ideas are wonderful, if you have modern taste with creative resources to pay for the remodeling of your studio apartment. Granted, most the apartments displayed were from individual that could afford to spend a good sum of money to remodel, however, I was able to get good ideas to re-decorate my studio apartment in South Beach (Miami Beach, Florida). The benefit to buying this book was that I did not have to buy 10-20 Architecture magazines in order to acquire ideas. I was able to duplicate a bath room in this book,without "breaking the bank"-if you have the time to research and compare costs.

For example, I shopped on E-bay(vessels sinks/best prices for modern fixtures and sinks: www.aquaimports.com), Home Depot(only the bath tub)and "leg work" for the bathroom tiles (Modern little colorful tiles) (Spanish Tiles Corp, located in Miami, Fl)-called many contractors. Please remember before starting any project, check with your buildings and local zoning requirements, to under-go the projects seen in this book. If you are wondering, no I am not rich, but I did "cash in" my 401K in order to buy the apartment and remodel it, it was better than leaving it in the "stock market."

What first attracted me to the book was the apartment on the jacket--it is breathtaking beautiful, and even more so as I realized that I was seeing a studio. That particular apartment--and others in the book--prove that less can be beautiful. "Before" shots of the apartments would have made the book more interesting. But overall, the book has great on ideas and inspiration--and beauty.

Never would one imagine that so many design options are available within the small confines of a studio apartment. I was extremely impressed with the range of apartments that were illustrated in James Trulove's book on the subject and was heartened with the knowledge that small spaces do not have to be considered unworthy of beauty and sophistication in the world of design.

Excellent combinations of photos and drawings to show off the features of these fantastic units. Before and after plans illustrate how design potentials can be optimized and achieved...