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Magical Thinking: Ingenious Storage in a Small Work/Live Loft

Is it possible for a couple to live and work together harmoniously in 650 square feet? Robert Garneau of Studio Garneau takes us through intelligent urban living in his design of a small apartment in New York’s neighborhood of Chelsea.

Whatever the budget, every urbanite grapples with not having enough space. With a few sleights of hand and some hardworking hardware, Garneau (his firm is a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory) plays magician, seeming to pull living and storage space out of nowhere effortlessly, transforming a 650-square-foot studio into a one-bedroom live/work apartment for a couple who run their office from home. Beware–when you’re not looking, he may just transform it back again.

A sliding wall hides the bedroom beyond and reveals built-in storage and bookshelves (instantly transforming the studio apartment into a one-bedroom apartment).
Above: A sliding wall hides the bedroom beyond and reveals built-in storage and bookshelves (instantly transforming the studio apartment into a one-bedroom apartment).
Once the sliding wall is pulled back, the bookshelf is hidden and the one-bedroom apartment becomes an open studio space.
Above: Once the sliding wall is pulled back, the bookshelf is hidden and the one-bedroom apartment becomes an open studio space.
Another view of the loft with the sliding walls pulled back, revealing an open reading of the space.
Above: Another view of the loft with the sliding walls pulled back, revealing an open reading of the space.
Every opportunity for storage has been used, including drawers under the couch.
Above: Every opportunity for storage has been used, including drawers under the couch.
In the kitchen area, Garneau designed a table which can be adjusted to three heights for three functions; kitchen island (shown above), dining table, and work surface.
Above: In the kitchen area, Garneau designed a table which can be adjusted to three heights for three functions; kitchen island (shown above), dining table, and work surface.
The table has been adjusted to work surface height. All office equipment is stored in the white cabinet to the side of the table.
Above: The table has been adjusted to work surface height. All office equipment is stored in the white cabinet to the side of the table.
A Murphy bed pulls down to reveal a niche lined in walnut veneer that acts as a headboard.
Above: A Murphy bed pulls down to reveal a niche lined in walnut veneer that acts as a headboard.
Nightstands have been built into the headboard niche. The walnut veneer on the door is an aesthetically unifying detail.
Above: Nightstands have been built into the headboard niche. The walnut veneer on the door is an aesthetically unifying detail.
The sliding wall is pulled back and the Murphy bed has been stored away. Beyond the wall with the painting is the dressing area and bathroom.
Above: The sliding wall is pulled back and the Murphy bed has been stored away. Beyond the wall with the painting is the dressing area and bathroom.
A floor-to-ceiling closet is located on one side of the dressing area.
Above: A floor-to-ceiling closet is located on one side of the dressing area.
Above L: Across from the closet is a shallow built-in dresser for storing folded clothes. Above R: Storage niches are carved into the bathroom walls.
Above L: Across from the closet is a shallow built-in dresser for storing folded clothes. Above R: Storage niches are carved into the bathroom walls.
The factory-style windows are typical of the industrial buildings in the neighborhood.
Above: The factory-style windows are typical of the industrial buildings in the neighborhood.
Every inch of available space has been turned over to storage in the bathroom.
Above: Every inch of available space has been turned over to storage in the bathroom.
The architect as magician.
Above: The architect as magician.

N.B.: This post is an update; it was originally published on Remodelista on July 14, 2012.

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