Living Large in Small Spaces: Expressing Personal Style in 100 to 1,000 Square Feet

I first read this book while I was in Design School, way back in 2007, a year before the GFC (Global Financial Crash) 'had to happen for us'. Back in 2007, I lived in a small space (as I now still do again!) and in between college assignments, I read this library book, cover to cover.I enjoyed the lavish, colour photographs, the abundance of colour and the creativity of owners of these tiny to medium apartments whom discovered that "Small doesn't mean Cramped". Inside this book, the reader will be happily surprised at the diversity of well designed and liveable apartments, ranging from just 100 square ft to 1,000 square ft!As a dweller of a small space myself, this book is both a practical collection of creative examples and a treasure trove of colour, form and function! This publication has literally opened up my eyes to dozens of ways to express my own personal style in an other-wise tiny space. (barely 250 square ft) Within the pages, the reader will discover the personal style of artists, architects, writers, publicists,a retired ballet dancer, even students whom had a clearly defined sense of expression and determined practicality in making the best use of limited space.The majority of living spaces, the World over are built 'Big' and resemble mansions with their 5 and 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 lock up garages and kitchens large enough to contain 100 people! For people whom cannot afford or choose not to spend hard-earned money on enormous homes, this book is for the creative at heart, those folks whom for them, 'small means BIG' in character and lifestyle. This book well deserves 5 Stars.I've often wondered what happened to the people featured in this book, during the GFC, did they keep their beautiful spaces? I really hope so ......!

If you're okay with just looking at a lot of pretty pictures of pricey redos then you may want to get this book, but if you're looking for practical tips or ideas for a small place that won't require an architect, custom made walls and furniture and a ton of money then you may want to skip this one. Was disappointed.

This is a good reference book for the price purchased. It is an idea maker and also provides choices for the person who is living in small places to do their own interior decorating. Happy to have received this book which is being used as a gift. Many thanks.

I rated this second best of the 7 "small space" decorating books Ibought. The author says the average American apt. is less than 800 sq ft.,the average NY city one is less than 400. Most featured here are in NY, but there's a healthy mix of other US cities. Pros: Gives square footage, helpful photos, units more like what Americans live in then in many other decor books; with 398 pages, it's hard not to find ideas you can use.

As a studio apartment dweller, I'm drawn to books on living well in small spaces. I've found that many are aimed at those who own their own space and have unlimited budgets. While some of the apartments featured in this book clearly fall into that category, others are a bit more realistic, focusing on the renter who doesn't have the ability to knock out walls and raise ceilings. More of a 'this is what this person's apartment looks like' than a how-to or suggestion guide, I still picked up some good tips that will translate to my apartment. Many of the apartments featured do seem to lean more toward the modern look; FYI if you know that's not your thing.I gave the book five stars because I think it does very well what the title suggests: it offers good photographs of different living spaces sized 100 sq feet to 1000.

Perhaps it's my misunderstanding of the purpose of this book. or the implication of the title. In sum, it's stuffed with pretty pictures of overdecorated spaces - and nothing, & I mean N-O-T-H-I-N-G remotely useful for utilizing small spaces.I thought I was purchasing a book on interior design, instead, it's strictly interior decoration - & more often than not - embarrassingly self-conscience decoration at that. A complete & utter waste of money for anyone researching small space design solutions.

You'll keep this book for a long time. You might not think so but it's captivating. Lots of photos and colors to inspire anybody. I've bought more than one as gift.

Overall, a good visual design book. The majority of the spaces are not characteristic of buildings completed in last 5 years...studio condominiums in these newer buildings do not have separate sleeping areas defined, the kitchens are an integral part of the living space, so I was hoping for help with design ideas for that kind of space from a fairly recent publication.