Good Things Come in Small Places

Architect Justin Korhammer and his wife Florencia Kratsman purchased an apartment in a century-old building, but the 700-square-foot space had absolutely no character. The couple renovated to create a functional, livable space with a fluid, loft-like feel. They decided against including transition spaces in the design. Everything has to have a function; for instance, the corridor outside the bedroom became a changing room with the installation of floor-to-ceiling closets. They love the results: "It's our little jewel box."

Dark bookshelves, a black plaster wall and black and metal furnishings with only a few accent colors give the living room the reflective feel of a library. It is also a place to hang out and watch movies. This couple has cleverly hidden their TV by placing a video projector in a cutout in the wall above the couch, which also allows natural light to filter through to the rest of the apartment. A huge screen pulls down in front of the windows. A video projector is a great way to save space and money; it is usually about one-third the cost of a flat screen TV.