Turning a Calgary Apartment into a Slow Home – Part 4

Posted on: May 4th, 2011 | 12 Comments


After displaying all the remodeled floorplans submitted by viewers in yesterday’s episode, John and Matthew spend today’s segment revealing their own renovation ideas for Jodie in Calgary’s apartment/loft unit.

  • Jesse S.

    I like the plan and I think keeping the plumbing in the existing spot makes a lot of sense because this is a project for an existing home and a real person. Keeping it simple yet addressing need is what makes this an achievable plan and therefore a successful one in my eyes.

    I found this a challenging exercise because of the small size. I liked how it pushed all of us to really concentrate on every sf and mitigate focal point and circulation issues. It would be fun to do a small townhouse (both floors) and deal with all the issues that arise in those. I also suspect that having the time to work on this one was a big reason there was so much participation.

  • Terri

    Matthew and John,
    I see how the focal point is a major consideration for a well-balanced living space, and in an apt this size is very difficult to pull off adequately. I am with Brad W with his comment a couple of days ago, saying that looking straight on to a sofa upon entering an apt is a bit of a downer, so I avoided that too. I keep wondering if the kitchen-living area could somehow be incorporated on one side by having a small u-shaped kitchen extending from pillar to window. Then the dining over to the right, sort of tucked into that alcove. That way the living area could be in the front corner, with the big window as a focal point (shelves with media storage could be built below, as I had originally planned). In my opinion, a dining table is not a place where one spends vast amounts of time, so does it really deserve prime location beside the only window? Any thoughts?

  • Ally

    Just wondering, since Jodie doesn’t have a TV (I don’t, either) — might she be interested in an aquarium, a piece of art or maybe a plant in the spot John and Matthew designated for a focal point?

  • Brad W

    Nice restraint with the budget Matthew and John!

  • Brad W

    Nice restraint with the budget Matthew and John!

  • jim baer

    Nice work everyone!

    i am going to argue that the living area does not need an external focal point, but could rather be internally focused and anchored by a coffee table or an area rug.

  • http://slowhomestudio.com Matthew North

    Hi Terri……the challenge of the long view from the entry lives on! I think you are right that the dining space could work where the notch is. That notch really has me intrigued. I was also playing with the idea of having the kitchen in the notch (same as Jesse did in his first scheme) but then add a good sized island in front. That would mean the living space would be in front of the big window with the dining table centered on the bedroom wall. This works perfectly in my head…..of course I haven’t tried to draw it up yet!

  • http://slowhomestudio.com Matthew North

    Hi Ally – yes I think an art piece would work. I also think a floor to ceiling book case with some display in it would do the trick. If Jodie has a stereo or an ipod dock – that would work in that space as well.

  • http://slowhomestudio.com Matthew North

    Hi Brad…..don’t you love how in some Slow Home design projects reality talks and in others….the sky seems to be the limit! Going forward, as a general rule, we are trying to always promote the most modest solutions that have the largest impact.

  • http://slowhomestudio.com Matthew North

    Hi Jim – nice to hear from you! You have a lot of “small space” design expertise and I think you make a good point. I think an area carpet in an open concept space helps to ground the furniture and define the living space without the need for a built focus. Looking forward to your contributions on the next project.

  • http://slowhomestudio.com Matthew North

    Hi Jesse – your plan submissions were a great contribution to the exercise – these small projects can be a real challenge. They are kind of like a puzzle where you have to perfectly fit all the pieces. Thanks for the suggestion, we are going to do a town house in a future design project.

  • Brad W

    Not opposed to the unlimited sky solution but I certainly favour the bang for your buck approach.

    Great to see some old friends commenting here. Also big thanks Matthew for your participation…I really appreciate it.