TAKE a good look at the space you live in. Is your home a comfortable retreat or a place where you and your possessions are in constant “competition for space? ‘Assuming. that if it were desired and possible vou would already have moved toa larger place, there are ways to live comtor tably in small spaces. “Since it’s always best to stir with the rules, number one is to. reduce clutter. Interior decorator and design instructor John Richards says clutter can be reduced by limiting furniture. “Use a desk asa nightstand, trvto make vour furniture do double dun” says Richards. Yes, that will mean get- ting rid of or finding a home for, ervthing thar resides j in, or on, the’ : ; * whites, “night table. : “Pay attention to lighting. “Too few lights’ can create shadows thar con- sume visual space, so nuke sure there enough lighting to reduce the shad- ows,” says: Richards. Position ‘ean lighting on the floor behind plants, so it shines up, cating the shadows. Also “try: walle mounted fights to. free up 5 able top space and “simplify interior : “heavy textures sparingly. The 3-D effect of rexcures visually pands into. the= space, so: lots’ of “heavy, textures will create a closed-in i That said, do use texture in “smaller irems, as ‘accents that will add interest; especially in a. neutral -or monochromatic colour scheme. Flooring provides an excellent way to fool the eye and open up a spe If sod flooring in a long narrow se wider nian k into dining, living and set them. to run parallel to “the shortest wall to” hen use area rugs to ~ of heart.” areas, always look. tor a Larger, “rather than smaller tile and think about set- ling thent on.a diagonal fine to expand the space by drawing eves to the cor ners of the room, In low ceiling rooms, visual space can be created by using vertical lines. Adding vertical lines includes things as simple as vertical blinds, a tall narrow bookcase. a tall curie cabinet or paint- ed stripes or wallpaper. Lengthen a room with horizontal lines of a Jong soma, narrow horizontal art and rect angular fables r0draw the> eve along the length of a room. Mouldings are an excellent way to add horizontal lines — from) chair sail mouldings to cornice (crown) inoue: ings. Essentially there are three ‘colour schemes that work best’ in’ smail spaces. A neutral scheme“ — with blacks, grevs. beiges. and: creams — uses tint, tone and sh ade to add interest. A monochromatic scheme uses one hue, or colour, creating interest by adding white to the colour to light- en, grey to soften and mute, or black to darken and warm the colour. Texture, and some | favourite colours for contrast, play a larger role in neutral or monochromatic colour schemes. More’ difficult and colourful, an analogous “scheme can be used in ; three or five colours: The essence is to choose -a-colour and then ‘use the colours on cither side of it on a colour wheel... For example choosing blie would result in blue, blue green and green being the three colours. “Although much brighter than the other ‘colour schemes, it works beeause the colours blend into cach other, It’s a very tricky colour scheme tO use in five colours,” says-Richards, “and is not recommended tor the faint ‘finé-to’ make ‘a_ place ersvall'v — like window Photos Christopher Stanford By following some » simple guidelines ‘you can make any room into a larger and more comfortable retreat. Colors, textures and where you position smaller pieces of furniture are key elements. look bigger — but one still needs to find a pla Jace to put the vacuum ¢lean- eh “Any and all organizers are absolutely necessary,” says Richards. “All closets should” have’ good orga- nizers in them.” Look for ways to build in storage wars with under, seat _ storage, or shelves and cupboards in the living room, and use smaller pieces © ~ of furniture. “Sereens area lifesaver for small spaces,” says Richards. He suggests placing. a sturdy, decorative screen in a. comer and then using ® the space* behind for storing items. “Put hooks on the back of the screen and in the summer you havea pertect place for winter, coats that Trees up closet space.” The Jeaner, more : simple lines of a contemporary stile are better suited toa small space | but don’t be afraid to mix styles and pieces. Be heartened to. know’ there is a‘style. called eclectic, ° - which, in the true sense of the word, * shall. remain undefined - ee Concrete. © auction | - Adult Building”