Tag Archives: interior design

Designing For Small Spaces

The increasing number of small flats, apartments and living spaces throughout the world is a result of the on-going growing population and migration of people to cities and the urban housing development.  The increasing prices for property and the continuing climb in urbanization is forcing people into less space, particularly in cities like London, Paris, New York and Hong Kong where land is priced at a premium due to its limited supply.  The human needs are still the same, so how does the lack of space affect human wellbeing?  Over the last 30 years, the perception of what constitutes small apartments has totally changed.  Historically, small apartments generally offered floor space  of about 55 square meters.  Today, it is very common in large urban cities to find apartments as small as 10-15 square meters.  According to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA, 2012), lack of space is the most common cause of dissatisfaction people cite in relation to their homes.  According to the United Nation’s Urbanization report from 2014, the number of people living in big cities will increase with 66% by 2050 (United Nations, 2014).  The projected increase in demand for home will inevitably lead to an increase in property prices too. 

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Good as Gold — René Dekker has the Midas touch

Think of the word “gold” and images of glamour, luxury and opulence spring to mind – usually in the form of personal accessories such as jewellery, or possibly the odd item hanging in your wardrobe.  Most people aren't afraid of wearing a little bit of this precious metal, but does this confidence translate to using the colour in their home? The simple answer is no, or at least not intentionally — there may be the odd gilt-framed mirror or trim on a lampshade, but using it deliberately and successfully requires confidence and decorating know-how.

Interior designer René Dekker believes there is never a wrong time to introduce gold to a scheme.  And used correctly it can, and should be, a timeless classic.

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