One Space Living Book

One space living is becoming increasingly popular and it doesn't just mean loft dwelling. This contemporary book looks at every kind of single space from a purpose built London apartment to a Belgian beach house. Cynthia Inions is a writer and stylist who is clearly an advocate of this kind of contemporary living as she believes it is more suited to the less formal lifestyle many individuals and families now lead. Inions points out the freedom and flexibility of manipulating space in this way, likening it to the traditional Japanese interior, but working the idea into more Western homes. She focuses strongly on use of light and architectural features and her showcase homes are enviably displayed by Andrew Wood's photography. On a practical level, the book talks you through structural changes and asks if plans for demolishing existing partitions are realistic and if so how best to carry them out. Inions introduces the concept of zoning your space once you have opened it up. She advises separate zones for relaxing, cooking, bathing, sleeping and working and explains how to make optimum use of your space according to your lifestyle. The book makes good use of case studies to illustrate One SpaceLiving and Inions include floor plans which form a practical template if you want to transform your home. One of the most useful parts of the book is a chapter on Storing which is key to successful open plan living. Including a directory of stockists at the end, this is a comprehensive and attractive book that will be invaluable to anyone who intends to live in this style.--Karen HomerRead More