When it comes to today's condominium layouts, the commonly heralded “plus den” versions always sound appealing, but the actual “den” spaces often have new occupants scratching their heads in confusion.
Typically lacking windows, a fourth wall and a door, these so-called den areas usually take the form of wide-open boxes leading off kitchens, living rooms or foyers.
“A lot of people just don't know what to do with them,” says Rob Whitfield, owner of the Toronto home store Casalife. “They become storage dumps in some cases – neglected and misused spaces within spaces.”
Architect and interior designer Dee Dee Hannah, who specializes in residential interiors and currently has three major penthouse projects on the go, calls these dens “pokey, funny little rooms.”
“I truly believe it's leftover space that they [developers] don't have a name for,” Hannah says. So builders call these light-locked nooks “dens” because that looks attractive on feature sheets. “But you know, they are a little extra square footage, so you can attempt interesting things with them if you're inventive.”
Specializing in small-space furnishings and space planning, Casalife has done just that, creating six design scenarios for getting the most out of condo dens in its Den Trends exhibit at this weekend's Metro Home Show.
Keeping these den designs accessible meant avoiding the typical model-suite plans seen at condominium sales centres, where high budgets allow for site-specific custom furniture and built-ins.
“I thought it would be more appropriate to give people some ideas on how to decorate the spaces using furniture that's off the shelf, so to speak,” Whitfield says, adding that his ideas aren't just more affordable than custom solutions but also reusable if a condo owner decides to move.
Eschewing the usual home-office scenario – and let's face it: desks and filing cabinets are what people usually plunk down in these spaces – Whitfield's 1,500-square-foot exhibit offers concepts inspired by a variety of lifestyles.
Ranging from seven by 10 feet to 10 by 10 feet in size, the den spaces were outfitted with brand-new versatile pieces and transformed into everything from a funky games room and playful second bedroom to an elegant dining room and glamorous dressing area.
Two inventive home office-cum-guest rooms prove just how multifunctional these challenging little spaces can be.
In one, a modular wall unit made of chocolate oak, white lacquer and white glass comes with underlit shelves and can be reconfigured myriad ways.
Casalife's Devon Sleep Chest, which has two doors that open to unfold a comfortable inner-spring mattress, is on display in the other room, which also boasts a portable gas fireplace unit.
Plenty of storage ideas can be gleaned from the room designed for the single parent who might have a child visiting on the weekend. It features Casalife's new, twin-sized Liberty drawer bed with storage space underneath, a small stainless-steel and oak-veneer flip table that doubles in size and a modular wooden wall unit with open shelves and three drawer boxes.
In the “Sex and the City-style” dressing room, a glass table serves as a vanity, while two modular armoires, which can be outfitted with any combination of shelves, drawers and hangers, provide closet space.
As functional as the dens may be, though, they are also supremely stylish, showcasing Casalife's clean-lined, contemporary look.
The elegant dining room, for instance, is decorated in a sophisticated black-and-white palette. Stark white walls provide a clean backdrop for sculptural, white-lacquer chairs and round tulip dining table, a black crystal chandelier and a black-glass and white-lacquer credenza.
All are surrounded by three ornate black-lacquer-framed mirrors – always good for expanding a space and bouncing light around.
The games room, which is decked out with a 52-inch TV, Sony surround sound system and PlayStation console, has a mod, funky look with a shag carpet, retro-style pod chair, black leather sofa and chic, fifties-style BDI Marina home-theatre cabinet.
The dressing room's gold-velvet chaise and sparkly crystal floor lamp add glamour, while the second bedroom's curry-orange walls provide a fun hit of colour.
Hoping that the dens inspire today's condo owners to create spaces based on individual needs, Whitfield encourages decorators to unleash their imaginations when it comes to these areas. “People are reluctant to stray from traditional function,” he says. “But lifestyle is important” when every square inch counts.
Let the transformations begin.The Metro Home Show (www.metrohomeshow.com) concludes tomorrow at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Special to The Globe and Mail
