FLEXIBLE SPACES 30 merged ourstreet-facing, main-, 13x14 limb ortwofr slumber par spitoutshriveled snacksfromthelast ally year-old sleepersofa,whichusu- familyroom I fluffy towelsandwrappedsoaps. duvet, adjoiningafullbathstockedwith bed dressedupincataloglinensandadown shown toacozy, tucked-awayroomwith a when you’reanovernightguest?Ilikebeing WHAT MAKESYOUFEELMOSTWELCOME guest r showed myguestshowtoyankopenthe10- When webuiltnew, creatingacomfortable Of course,beforewebuiltournewhome, www.HerHome.com oom wasfor ManhattanCabinetry.com ty RIGHT om aPollyPocket cabinetry provides , photos courtesyof a a hidden storage. featur bookcases and cherry wallunit : When thebed cozy surr balled sockandaplastic This attractive emost onmyagenda.W is down,the es lighted ound. ™ . Fl Multi-Purpose Guest e it cozy or watchasmallT.V. here.Guestshavefound my family. , Everyonelovestoread, work French . chair. with Theroomcan be closedoff the oppositewall,nexttoagreatreading and bedding.Mydeskcomputersiton tablethatstorespillows trunk-turned-coffee comfort!),weplaceda tress testedtoensure Next toanewtop-notchsleepersofa(mat- biographies, children’s booksandphotos. large doublewindowarefilledwithmagazines, guest .Built-inshelvessurroundingthe and square-foot denintoahomeoffice,library ex I’m pr , private andconvenient toourhalfbath. etty thrilledwiththisspace–and sois Ap used asaguestroom.” on aneverydaybasisandalsooccasionallybe office, ahomeschoolroomorcraftroom, a Basics. “Mostofournewdesignsincorporate Rob Phillips,homeplandesignerforDesign focuses inourcurrentdesigns,”comments ee whether itbecomesahometheater, level – top floorofaCapeCo foot. Whetherit’s ina bonusroom,,, who wanttomakethemostof everysquare tr One oftoday’s hottestnewhomebuilding MAKING SPACE ORTWO APLACE– ends, the“flex”r flex roomthatcanbeusedasaden,an “This typeofflexibilityisoneourprimary peal oom appealstohomebuyers d, orfinishedlower by LisaJensen music room, office or place to meditate locate it near the foyer or side entry of the “It’s great ambience for guests, and for – this personalized space can be designed to home, so they won’t have to travel through homeowners as well,” Hughes says. “It’s espe- lessen the chaos of daily life and accommo- other parts of your home to get to it,” advises cially nice over a .” date your changing lifestyle. Jennifer Pippin, a residential design specialist If you homeschool, you can connect your from Cornelius, North Carolina. THE PLUS? T.V. to the Internet. “Kids love surfing the Innovative and packed with surprises, today’s DETAILS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE Internet on a giant T.V., and parents love a flex room can offer perks that yesterday’s Not So Big author and architect Susan bigger display screen for teaching,” Hughes overnight guests – as well as homeowners – Susanka promotes alcoves, which offer an comments. When parents are done browsing never dreamed of. “alternative space within a larger space.” A websites with kids and lessons for the day are sleeper sofa can be nestled beneath the eaves done, homework and learning supplies can be Want to hide a home office that looks “all tucked out of sight in built-in drawers. business?” Consider investing in multi-pur- of a low roofline in an alcove. Or, consider pose . The Re-Organizer adding an alcove in your flex room with a A futon, a Murphy bed or another bed unit from specialty furniture makers like Company in Toronto (www.ClosetOrganiz- built-in desk that can support your laptop and The Closet Re-Organizer Company or Modern er.ca) offers a revolutionary custom cabinetry a T.V. for guests. Add a small table with a Spaces, can keep floor space open when system that can incorporate a table, desk, chair or two for game playing, bill paying or you’re using your flex room for schooling, shelving, storage drawers and space conversation over coffee. sewing or scrap-booking. – in every décor style. If the budget allows, barrel the ceil- The highlight of this system is an orthope- ing in your flex space for interest and a STILL MORE ALTERNATIVES dic, latex mattress that rolls out of the rear of tucked-in feel. Such a nook will offer family Gopal Ahluwalia, vice president for research the or shelf unit base with the touch members and visitors a special refuge. for the National Association of Home of a button – then disappears just as swiftly Whether you’re outfitting a home office or Builders, says the most popular spot for guest when it’s not needed. The multi-functional an “away” room – Susanka’s coin phrase for a rooms and flexible extra living space is the system can also house high-tech media more secluded quiet space – shelving on bonus area over a three-car . equipment or transform into a . either side of a seat and drawers below “It’s a great multi-purpose space,” he com- Based in San Francisco, design-and-build it provide practical and eye-appealing use of ments. “You can make it a playroom, a home firm Modern Spaces (www.ModernSpaces each square foot. Cantilever the seat out fur- office, or a media room – it can change as your .com) is the U.S. distributor for ip20, a Euro- ther to accommodate a twin-sized sleeping family grows. Teens especially like to hang out pean manufacturer of high-end, space-saving niche with a built-in mattress. Add over-sized in this area. And when you add a full bath, it modular wall components that can define a throw pillows to create a cozy study spot or makes a great guest room for the college work space, provide ample storage, and reading nook. student home on weekends, or a mother-in- include a contemporary wall bed system. Got books? Beyond in a wall of law suite.” (You can search for plans with finished rooms over the garage by visiting You can easily cozy up a home office that’s shelves, you might also drop a shelf a foot or so down from the and encircle the HerHome.com/homeplans and checking used primarily for paperwork and personal “F.R.O.G.”) projects. A trunk that holds files can double room’s perimeter. If your ceiling height is as a coffee table. A computer can be rolled taller and space allows, add a rolling ladder High-tech media components including out on a cart, hidden in an armoire or closed for easy book access. Ensure plenty of natural surround sound, computer stations and wall- into a ready-to-assemble closet organizing light by adding transoms above shelves. mounted plasma screens can be added to this system. A sleeper sofa can be paired with a For guests, look for over-sized reading trendy bonus space. cushioned window seat that flips up to reveal chairs that transform into twin sleepers; add Such a room is a far cry from the sleeping linens, pillows and storage space for guests. two in your library, or combine one with your . Depending on where you live, this might be yet another option to consider – Phillips comments on the importance of window seat retreat. particularly if you love the sounds of crickets in a guest room that doubles as a A home office, library or frequently used and wind chimes, looking at stars and enjoying work space. “High, transom-type hobby room can share a two-sided fireplace a light night breeze. or corner windows retain maximum wall with your – a perk your guests space for furniture placement, while reducing will love during brisk autumn visits or the Historically, a located on the chance for glare on computer screens. A Christmas holidays. the second floor above a ground-level , the sleeping porch was a common place to combination of general and task lighting is In a media room, Grand Rapids, Michigan keep cool in the twentieth century. needed, and drama can be added with light- architect Eric Hughes notes that a wall-mount- ing accenting special ceiling details, ed plasma T.V. screen can “hide” behind one Today, including a sleeping porch in your a bookcase or a window seat. Incorporat- of VisionArt’s fine art prints. When the T.V. blueprint just might lend a little magic for ing a dimmer switch can create a soothing, is turned on, the specialty ink-sprayed canvas guests staying overnight during summer evening atmosphere for guests. I also suggest subtly rolls up into a customized months or in a climate which is warm year- including multiple access locations for hardwood frame. With a touch of a button at round – and become the perfect place for you data/communication wiring to allow for more the show’s end, the canvas elegantly drops to rejuvenate, too. than one furniture arrangement.” back down to conceal the screen. (Visit No matter which kind of space you create, “If it’s a home office that needs access for www.digitallyenabled.com and click on be careful. If it’s planned out too well, guests clients coming to it from the front , “VisionArt.”) won’t want to leave.

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