PRESS: Seattle Times Article

Design hacks and tips to create extra space — or the illusion of it

Aug. 10, 2022

By Bree Coven

Special to At Home in the Northwest

Minhal Baig always wanted an office. In her previous apartments, all she had was a desk pushed up against a wall.

When she moved from Los Angeles to a house in the North Beach neighborhood of Seattle, it was time. “I’m a filmmaker/writer/director in feature films and TV, and this is my first official office,” Baig says. “My job is very stressful, so I wanted it to feel serene.”

The office sits in a small basement with very little light, so Baig’s designer, Pallavi Kale, of Pallavi Kale Interiors in Seattle, created a “Writer’s Lair” to maximize the space and cultivate creativity.

“Six and a half feet is not a lot of height for a basement,” says Kale. “Vertical trees on the wallpaper, which was already there, make the space feel taller.”

The tree motif also helps bring in an outdoor vibe.

“Always bring nature into a space,” Kale says. “Especially a basement.” Baig agrees: “Sometimes the life of a writer can feel quite insular, but bringing in nature helps so you’re not feeling like you’re in a dark cave 14 hours a day. Plants make every space better. It’s a really good investment — makes every room feel a bit more alive.”

Light wood and natural fibers completed the look and kept the color palette neutral. And the space leads to the actual outdoors. “Even though it’s small, there’s a door that leads out to the backyard,” Baig says. “I can hear the creek from my office. It’s the perfect backdrop to writing — very inspiring.”

Along with bringing the outdoors in, here are some other tips from local designers, homeowners and realtors for making the smaller areas of your home feel more roomy.

Built-in bookcases provide lots of flexible storage space in the 180-square-foot Crow’s Nest Cottage in Seattle’s Captiol Hill neighborhood. The space was designed by Seattle firm Board & Vellum. (Courtesy of Andrew Giammarco)

Store it away

To organize Baig’s writing retreat, Kale installed customized built-in oak shelves, working around a tiny 2-by-2-foot window. Baig wanted one area to house the computer, and an open space for an idea board she can look at every day. The modular system hides the printer and other small desk items.
Built-ins are great for containing clutter and maximizing small spaces, says Jeff Pelletier, managing principal and founder of Board & Vellum architecture and design firm on Capitol Hill in Seattle. “We love designing custom built-ins, and they are especially helpful in small spaces because you can really make the most out of every inch in a way furniture just can’t,” he says.

Board & Vellum designed the Crow’s Nest Cottage, a 180-square-foot guest house on Capitol Hill that packs in a loft bedroom, 3/4 bath, bar, washer/dryer, clothes closet and flexible main space that converts from living room to dining room to a second bedroom.

“With small spaces, we encourage you to think not only about how to maximize the use of your space — such as with adaptable furniture or hidden storage solutions — but also how to make it feel bigger than it actually is,” Pelletier says. For the Crow’s Nest, this includes built-in bookcases and a Murphy bed with a drop table, for starters.

“Floor to ceiling shelving is a huge space saver,” says Kale, who often uses the Vitsoe Universal Shelving System for small spaces.

Wallpaper with a vertical tree motif makes the low ceiling in Seattleite Minhal Baig’s basement office feel higher. The room’s design, by Pallavi Kale, also brings in an outdoor vibe. (Courtesy of Cleary O’Farrell)

She recommends hiding things away to create clean, open spaces, and employs the strategy in her own home: “I live in a small space with a large sideboard that hides under the TV,” Kale says. “If kids’ toys have to stay in the living room, they better be in a nice sideboard.”

Get creative in the kitchen

Lindsay McDonald, a real estate broker with Berkshire Hathaway and a stager for Reveal Home Staging in Seattle, recommends dining nooks with built-in bench seats for small spaces — preferably ones that open or have built-in drawers below for storage.

“Bench seating for your dining table takes up less space than chairs,” she says. “In a home we staged recently, we made a cramped dining space hold a table for six by choosing a long, narrow table paired with a large, upholstered settee pushed up to the wall for seating on one side, and three more chairs on the other side. The settee was a space-saver and ended up making the whole room feel cozier and more comfortable than a typical dining room.”

Designer Angie Harpole, of Harpole Home on Vashon Island, says every client asks her about increasing storage space in the kitchen. One technique is to hide the microwave in the pantry instead of allowing it to take up valuable counter space. She also recommends installing cabinets on the back of an island or peninsula in a small kitchen. This storage area can hold lesser-used items like serving plates or canning supplies.

Vashon Island homeowner India Alarcon hired Harpole to fix her problem pantry. “We went from an extremely cramped closet in our kitchen that was hard to access and had shelves that blocked the water heater. With having a designer come in and lay out a proper pantry, we almost quadrupled our storage space,” Alarcon says.

An appliance garage in a West Seattle home houses the espresso machine. (Courtesy of Catie Bergman)

Another big trend in kitchen design is appliance garages, Harpole says. “Everyone wants a clean, clutter-free countertop, and that can only be achieved if appliances and utilitarian items are tucked away,” she says.

Harpole designed a coffee station in a Seattle home with an espresso machine that slides out in its own tray and plugs in at the back of the cabinet. All of the coffee supplies are located on the shelf above the machine, saving counter space and keeping it looking neat and tidy. Her client, Katie Keefe, loves it.

“My appliance garage for my espresso machine is a game changer,” Keefe says. “When I am bleary-eyed and just need my morning coffee, I can slide the machine in and out and not have to worry about cleaning the coffee grounds on my countertop. I just shut the cabinet door, and there’s no mess.”

Let it float

Sometimes less is more. “Simple things, like opting for a floating vanity in the bathroom, hardly eliminates any storage, but makes a small room feel larger since your eyes — and feet — experience more floor space,” Pelletier says.

A floating vanity in a Vashon Island home helps the room feel lighter and larger. (Courtesy of Sumaira Amber)

Harpole likes that floating vanities make the room feel “weightless.” She also likes to add large mirrors to bounce light throughout the space. Another visual trick is to lay out large-scale tiles vertically to create a feeling of a higher ceiling. “Having floor tiles the same size and same direction as the wall tiles enhances this visual effect,” Harpole says.

Another space-saving measure in the bathroom is to use sliding pocket doors.

McDonald likes floating shelves for any room of the house. “They can work well in any space, but in a small living space they have the benefit of taking up less space than cabinetry and provide a lighter, airier feel,” she says.

Let the light in

We need as much light as possible in our Pacific Northwest homes, Harpole says. “Don’t be afraid to put the bed against windows,” she says. If you do, she suggests a slat-style headboard, since it won’t block light, rather than a tall, upholstered headboard.

Harpole also suggests getting a bed frame that allows for storage under the bed. “This increases space and makes the bed visually lighter in the room, making the room appear bigger,” she says.

Lighter paint colors also help a space feel larger. “In small spaces, it’s best to choose shades of white or other lighter colors that reflect light to make the space feel open,” McDonald says.

Baig also has practical advice for fellow homeowners: pare down your stuff. “One of the things I learned is that I need a lot less than I think I do,” she says. “That minimalist approach has made the space feel more open and larger than it is.”

Her small-but-airy writer’s lair has anchored and inspired her. “In the last two years, I’ve been more productive than the last seven,” she says. “I wrote more pages in two years than I did in the five before.”

Bree Coven: breefoster@seattletimes.com;

3 Essential Features For Your Luxury Kitchen Island

How many functions does your island serve? A kitchen island is an excellent spot for seating but does it heat leftovers, wash dishes, and charge devices? What about serving chilled drinks while storing every day serve ware?

If your kitchen island has limited functions, you could greatly benefit from an island redesign. From homework spots to hosting a dinner party, it’s time to maximize your island's potential. Here’s how… 

1. Space for Seating

First and foremost, an island should seat people. I cringe at islands that just have cabinets with no counter overhang for stools. Everyone gathers in the kitchen, so having a comfortable place to sit encourages great conversation and loving memories. While someone is cooking, everyone else can gather around and watch the magic happen while engaging in conversation. 

2. Drawers are Easier than Doors

Create an island with many purposeful drawers like microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator drawers. Regular and appliance drawers are my favorite things to design on an island.

Why? Drawers are much easier to access than doors. When you pull out a drawer, you can look at everything inside of that drawer instead of trying to fish for items inside a cabinet. 

Pro Tip: For efficiency, place drawers for your everyday dishes next to the dishwasher.

3. Enough Outlets for the Electronics

Everyone has a device these days and is looking for a charger. Try placing outlets strategically on the island. For example, install elegant powerstrips tucked under the countertop. My favorite way is to install charging drawers.

4. Bonus Features!

Your kitchen island is the hub of your home, and you can fill it with so many incredible features that will make your life so much easier. Here’s a quick list of features:

• Pull-out cutting board 

• Primary sink or prep sink

• Beverage fridge

• Microwave drawer

• A garbage bin and recycling center that also includes a compost bin

If you're ready to design your most luxurious kitchen (with an island, of course), reach out to us. We can't wait to hear about your project.

Cheers,

Angie

3 Tips for Creating a Home that Instills Contentment and Peace

In the wake of Covid, our homes became our sanctuaries, our quarantines, and our havens. Our homes are our nests—the places where we now play AND work. Homes must now pull triple duty in making us feel safe from health hazards, relaxed from stresses and daily grinds, and content in our own spaces.

Each of us is different in our needs for feeling safe and comfortable, but having a home that instills peace and contentment is a universal need. Here are some tips on how intentional design can create your own sanctuary.

1. Incorporate Natural Materials

Nothing soothes us like Mother Nature. Just think of how calm you feel after a walk in a park or a hike in the woods. Intentionally bringing nature into the design of your home is the easiest way to create the same sense of serenity you feel outside. Using natural materials like real woods, fibers like wool, and genuine stone floors under foot bring in that nature inspired comfort.

2. Center Functional Design Around Wellness

A skilled designer will understand the way you function in your home in terms of your family’s daily routines, and will seamlessly integrate health and wellness into your design.

Sourcing custom materials and suggesting radiant heating underneath stone floors for maximum comfort are a couple of examples of functional design centered around wellness in your home. Functional design and designing around your own wellness are highly personal, and can merge effectively when working with a skilled designer.

3. Create a Sensory Experience

Not only are natural design and functional design important, but you must include design that appeals to your senses. Again, a great example is heated natural stone floors for your feet. There is nothing more comforting than sticking a toe out from the covers on a cold morning and stepping onto warm stone.

What colors do you see around you? Are they calming and cool in the bedroom? Are they invigorating and appetizing in the dining area? Can you smell your lilac trees from your windows in the spring? Can you hear frogs croaking in the evenings? How soft is your bedding? Is it comforting to the touch? That is all part of intentional design.

A Home Designed for Wellness

This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what functional design and design centered around wellness can do to create a sanctuary in your home. It doesn't happen by accident— it is carefully planned in a new build or large remodel.

Take inventory of your current space. Does it bring calmness, or are you agitated on a regular basis? If the answer to the latter is yes, then you could greatly benefit from functional and wellness design offered by a skilled designer.

If you're ready to create a wellness-inspired home that encourages relaxation, reach out to us. We can't wait to hear about your project.

Cheers,
Angie

3 Steps to Creating Your Outdoor Entertaining And Living Areas

Studies prove that people who spend a significant amount of time outdoors are more likely to be happier and healthier mentally and physically. Those of us living on Vashon Island and in the Pacific Northwest have gorgeous landscapes that allow us to find serenity and tranquility when we spend time outside. 

You may love the outdoors but also want to entertain at home. You can achieve that inner contentment by creating outdoor living and entertainment spaces that provide the best of both worlds. Here’s how…

1. Plan Your Space

Consider how your family spends their time. For example, if your family prioritizes reading and yoga, why not create a space outdoors that can offer more tranquility. If your family loves to play board games and cards or have friends over for drinks, make sure there is lots of seating and a stocked beverage fridge.  

2. Create Functional Living Areas

Creating an outdoor area that provides the same function as your indoor living area is ideal for those who want additional living spaces. You plan the outdoor living the same way you’d execute a livable indoor design by deciding which areas to add based on your family's needs. Will you be adding just an outdoor living space, or will you create a second dining area and kitchen? 

3. Choose High-Quality Materials

My number one tip? Invest in high-quality furnishings and exterior fabrics.

There is nothing worse than buying items for your exterior space that cost less and look good temporarily but look sad and worn out the following year from weather, wear and tear. Then, you’ll have to restart and spend time and money to figure out how to repair, paint or resurface.

Excellent exterior furniture materials include:

• Polywood/HDPE plastic

• Teak 

• Aluminum 

• Polypropylene fabrics will be the best go-to for upholstery on your lounge furniture, cushions, and umbrellas.

Need Help?

Do you need help creating an additional living and entertaining area outside? You may have ideas but are finding them challenging to execute. Or do you need help building a concept or vision? I’m here to share creativity, and ideas, so you can create a functional and enjoyable space.

Get more beautiful and impactful tips sent to your inbox monthly by signing up for our newsletter.

Cheers,

Angie

4 Ways to Invest in Your Home's Design for Now & Later

Remodeling a home to age in place is an investment in your future and increases the home's resale value. Have you ever shopped for a new home with an older friend? The first thing they look for in a house is a primary en suite on the first floor. That's one way to "age in place." Age in place describes how to remain safely in your home as you start to slow down.

Here are 4 features that you can incorporate into your home’s design for a desirable setting to age in place… 

1. Spacious Doorways & Hallways

Create ample space for wheelchairs and walkers. By having ample space in passageways, anyone can get through easily. And a home that is more accessible for everyone increases resell value. A designer can help you assess your home for future functionality and suggest the best use of your space.

2. An Accessible Home 

If you can get a single-story bungalow, great! If not, hire a designer to help create a primary en suite on the first floor. There are also other solutions you can consider. For example, would your home benefit from an elevator? You would be surprised to know that elevators aren't that expensive and can integrate pretty seamlessly when designed correctly.

Do your full bathrooms have tub/shower combos? Stepping into a shower isn't the easiest when you have mobility issues. A designer can help you design a thoughtful first-floor bathroom without steps into the shower.  

3. Built-In Balance Assistance 

Evaluate your home to determine if there are locations where balance is tricky. When you hire an expert, like an interior designer, we can help you assess where grab bars might help. And designers know how to specify great-looking mobility accessories that won't make your home look like a hospital. 

4. Prioritize Functionality 

It's essential to design for functionality in an aging-in-place home. Consider these functional updates:

• Accessible light switches

• Motorized drapery

• Eliminate or limit upper cabinetry so people in wheelchairs have full storage access 

It's the list of things like this that a designer can help prioritize in your home.

Designing for aging isn't only important for retirees. Young homeowners can increase their property value if they have an ADA-compliant home. And hiring a designer will help ensure that adding functionality to your home won't take away anything from the aesthetic value of your home. 

If you're ready to create a functional and fashionable home that lets you age in place, please reach out to us. We can't wait to hear about your home.

Cheers,

Angie