Functional Living Room
Design on a Dime : Episode DOD-510 -- More Projects »
Dawn Futrell needs a space as versatile as she is. In addition to her full-time job, she makes jewelry and has started dabbling in fashion design and her living quarters aren't set up to accommodate her hobbies.
The DilemmaInterior designer Kristan Cunningham arrives to check out Futrell's mismatched apartment. She needs a better arrangement to work on her hobbies and wants her living room to be both modern and functional. As a renter she's not permitted to paint or remove the white blinds, so color must be brought in through other means. The window treatments need updating and her wobbly coffee table doesn't work well for her dining needs. Cunningham then meets with design coordinators Spencer Anderson and David Sheinkopf to discuss the issues and divvy up the projects. Anderson is put in charge of creating a sewing table that'll double for dining space and Sheinkopf volunteers to update the coffee table making it stylish, sturdy and large enough to use as an informal dining surface. Cunningham is responsible for bringing color into the room without painting the walls.
The SolutionThe design team completes their mission on the $1,000 budget--here's how they do it:
- To bring color into the room, Cunningham creates floor-to-ceiling wooden wall panels with sconces. The panels are set behind the sofa to break up the abundance of white space. The panels are created out of 24-inch pieces of luaun and 1x3 planks of pine. The pine planks are nailed onto the luaun side-by-side and a second row of planks is used to create a frame for additional dimension. Cunningham also sews floor-to-ceiling curtains to hide the vertical blinds and to bring color to the far end of the narrow space.
Sheinkopf exchanges the metal tray that's acting as a coffee table with a new mahogany plywood top. He takes the wood top to a furniture refinisher where it's treated with a durable lacquer finish. As an added bonus, he also constructs a moveable buffet top to use as an extra surface for eating or storage. Small wooden squares are attached to the underside to give it height; felt pieces are attached to the wood squares with spray adhesive to prevent scratches.
Anderson constructs a sewing table outfitted with compartments for storing supplies. The base is constructed out of medium-density fiberboard and poplar is used to create the series of compartments on the top. A piece of oak is attached in the center to hold the sewing machine. The compartments are topped with individually-cut pieces of Plexiglas secured with small hinges. Casters attached to the table base make the table mobile. The table can also serve as a proper dining table when topped with a tablecloth.
 |
|
 |
|
The accent colors of the throw pillows, area rug, artwork, shelving and new TV stand brighten the room and tie it together. The artwork is pieces of decorative paper framed in simple black frames. The orange hue inside the entertainment center is carried over to the couch with pillows in the same color. Fluffy floor pillows are set in front of the coffee table.The Cost
Furniture - $559
- white chairs for sewing table: IKEA - Herman, White #38062210
- orange and white TV cabinet: IKEA - Dromme, Orange and White
- finish for coffee table: Nantucket Woodworking
Accessories - $259
- decorative paper for wall art: Michaels - #935703051951
- floor pillows: Linens 'n Things - Supersoft Floor Cushion White, #047218095077
- brown suede sofa pillows: JC Penneys - Brown Suede, #7387902121218
- pillow inserts: Jo-Ann Fabrics - Travel Pillow, White #5722665
- wooden picture frames: IKEA - Ram, #30028842
- hanging wall mirrors: IKEA - Stave, Birch
- pillow fabric: Michael Levine
- pillow fabric: Maple Tex
- green floor rug: Urban Outfitters - #05210811807691207
Window treatments - $84
- fabric: Michael Levine
- fabric: Maple Tex
- chocolate brown fabric: International Silks
Hardware and supplies - $73
Lighting - $22
- wall sconces: IKEA - Kvintett, #00025958
Project Total - $997
Resources decorative project materials
Ikea
Website:
www.ikea.com
decorative project materials
Linens 'n Things
Website:
www.lnt.com
fabricMichael Levine, Inc.
Website:
www.mlfabric.comdecorative project materials
Michaels
Website:
www.michaels.comdecorative project materials
JC Penney Co. Inc.
Website:
www.jcpenney.com
fabricMaple Tex
phone: 213-892-0747
fabric
International Silks
Website:
www.iswfabrics.com
decorative project materialsUrban Outfitters
Website:
www.urbanoutfitters.com/
finish for coffee tableNantucket Woodworking
We apologize no contact information is available.decorative project materials
Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts / Jo-Ann Etc.
Website:
www.joann.com
Also in this Episode