New Apartment

There comes a time for most young urban dwellers when they tire of futons on the floor and brick-and-board bookshelves. That's when they discover that decorating an apartment comes with a unique set of problems. Most people don't want to spend a lot of money renovating a place they may live in for just a year or two, and landlords can be picky about renovations such as enlarging rooms by knocking down walls. The New Apartment Book illustrates how to create a stylish home in limited space on a middle-class budget, whether your preferred look is upscale-funky or clean and spare. Though many of the examples feature light, roomy, well-proportioned apartments, many are also designed around elements that one might consider a problem: a tiny kitchen, a bathroom with no storage, an odd brick wall, or a single living/sleeping area. Treat these as interesting design features and use the space creatively, as this book does, and bingo! No more problem. The "smart tips" scattered throughout are easy and fast. Although there are a few rather dull step-by-step projects for lampshades and the like at the end of the book, The New Apartment Book really shines as an inspiring guide to the possibilities of an average apartment or condominium.