By Design

Size matters. More and more. Especially in space-challenged homes and apartments.

That apparently speaks to a good chunk of the population, even though manufacturers and retailers have strayed a bit with message in recent years, going for great impact to super-sized sectionals or towering cabinetry, without regard to the dearth of 9-plus-foot ceilings or wide-load elevators in condo buildings. Not to mention narrow doorways.

If not a decided shift at recent High Point, N.C., furniture markets, let us just say that rooms with smaller footprints will not be ignored. The good news is that the commitment poses even more ramped-up challenges to design furniture smartly, with an eye to size and proportions, multitasking, built-ins and visual tricks.

A sign of the times is that RH (the re-branded Restoration Hardware) -- which several years ago went into heavy Belgian industrial and French chateau mode with mega-scale and opulent proportions within the "humble" context of weathered light woods and simple off-white linens -- last spring introduced one of its legendary weighs-a-ton sourcebooks devoted to ... drumroll ... small spaces! Not a compromising aesthetic, this Big Style, Small Spaces is the curated look with pared-down proportions, one suitable for, say, one of 15 lifestyle locations, such as a London townhouse, Paris pied a terre, Boston brownstone, San Francisco Victorian, Milan apartment or River North (Chicago) row house, among others.

So the spring 2013 edition is described as "a scaled-down collection of furnishings in sizes that work beautifully in more intimate spaces."

Relatable scale and clean, modern lines comprise one reason, perhaps, for the appeal of mid-century furniture. This is precisely what grabbed the eye at the Stockholm collection booth at the recent International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), which took place in New York in late May. Inspired by home furnishings from the 1950s and '60s, the sizes of pieces seemed right; add to that comfort, sophistication and style -- in a provocative palette punched up with kellyish or emerald greens and acid yellows -- at affordable prices. The collection will launch at IKEA in August.

Another standout at that show, because of its thoughtful addressing of storage in the bath, was a tub designed by the Canadian firm, Blu Bathworks. In addition to graceful lines, the piece spoke to storage needs in an architecturally savvy way, its front and sides wrapped with wood shelving designed to house essentials like towels, soaps and sponges, and even a decorative piece thrown in for good measure.

One company that always has understood the need for small as well as for large scale is Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. For every 90-plus-inch sofa, there are several cozily silhouetted chairs. For every nearly 4-foot-square cocktail table, there may be dozens of petite martini side tables.

"From our first days," says Mitchell Gold, "we observed how people live and want to live. The reality is every home has small spaces even if the homes are large. We realized people need a variety of proportions."

Scale really is the motivator -- not just the measure, but how the inches measure up; in other words, the proportions of the piece. When Libby Langdon designed her Howell chaise for Braxton Culler, she was reaching out to those who love a lounge option but one that reads more simply, such as a chair attached to ottoman, not a space-hog.

"Often furniture is unnecessarily oversized and overstuffed," says Langdon. "Many standard sofas have large, rolled arms, each measuring 12 inches wide, which means they are taking up two feet of usable space."

Says Gold: "It's about proportion and how you effectuate every detail. By making the arms (on a chair or sofa) trim, for example, you still allow good size, comfortable seating. Bob (Williams) has this incredible sense of proportion -- part self-taught, part instinct. It's what makes our pieces look right in a wide variety of places in a home."

It's telling that some of the most popular categories of furniture in recent years have been small tables, bar carts, etageres and desks. One reason is that houses with less square footage demand flexible furniture, so versatile double duty is welcome. A desk can serve as a vanity. A slim etagere or baker's rack can be ganged in sets of three on one wall or employed in a kitchen or bath for handy items. A piece with doors and shelving inside might be tapped as a bar, TV cabinet, for plates and glassware in the dining room, or folded shirts and accessories in the bedroom. A cart with casters can be used in an entry, holding books, framed photos and flowers, or as a rolling bar.

Another tack for maximizing space and function is a piece that can be pulled apart and reconfigured. A table introduced this spring by French Heritage, for example, has 18-inch components that serve as accent tables that are easily moved about (and stacked); six can be put together to create a handsome 36-inch hexagonal coffee table.

Built-ins long have been a go-to option for designers, as they take advantage of tight corners. When certified kitchen designer Susan Serra was planning a 190-square foot kitchen re-do for her daughter, Kelly Serra Donovan -- without changing the footprint -- she knew that the space at times had to accommodate formal dining. So at the end of the galley-style kitchen in a 100-year-old house on Long Island, she designed an L-shaped banquette, which, along with three chairs, can seat at least eight if need be.

While savvy about maximizing workspaces, Serra points out: "This kitchen is about aesthetics and function having an equal place at the table."

Built-ins offer storage as well. The top of a new platform bed at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams lifts to reveal stash-away space equivalent to a six-drawer dresser, according to Williams.

Visual space-saving is another clever device for inhibited square footage. The etagere is a good example, or a cabinet with slender proportions and transparent backside, which allows the wall paint or covering to peek through and become part of the piece.

Going up the wall, of course, is becoming a useful way to conserve space. We see it in floating shelves, wall-mounted cabinets (particularly vanity and storage pieces in the bath), and in wall-hung toilets, such as the newest model from Kohler, Veil, introduced at ICFF -- fabulously compact with a concealed tank and minimal footprint that saves up to 12 inches of floor, a boon for cleaning.

Rails on kitchen backsplashes also are an excellent way to get pieces off of the counter. In Serra's New York kitchen design, those rails don't remain static; rather, they're armed with spices, tools and the like. Contents are changed out for formal entertaining, substituting with flowers and paintings -- decorative elements to "dress" the space.

Designers do have an arsenal of tricks that are practically trompe l'oeil ("fool the eye"). Designer Libby Langdon, author of a book on small space solutions, and host of HGTV's "Small Space, Big Style," actually likes to use bold color as a backdrop. In designing a guest bedroom in her own home, she painted the walls in a shade of vivid chartreuse, complementing the hue in black and white. A black four-poster bed made of rattan surprisingly anchors the space, but its simple design and open weave feel light. Another device, which she often favors, is doing draperies from ceiling to floor, which visually stretches out the height of the room.

"In my (Washington) D.C. condo," says Gold, "relatively small -- 1,850 square feet -- we used a large 100-inch (long) Chesterfield sofa" because it actually makes the small scale feel more sumptuous. "We also used a 96-by-38-inch dining table instead of a console to serve as a place for media equipment. Putting it up against the wall makes it look generous, not at all overwhelming.

"On the other hand, in the bedroom we used our specially designed small-scale bedside tables, which are (only) 20 inches wide. For many condos, bedroom walls are just too small for a queen-sized bed and a pair of tables. For us the key is that nothing should 'hang over.' Furniture shouldn't go past a wall's border."

In age of smartphones and devices, that's just smart living.

Sources

-- Blu Bathworks, 1-866-907-0122, www.blubathworks.com

-- CB2, 800-606-6252, www.cb2.com

-- IKEA USA, 888-434-4532, www.ikea.com/us

-- Libby Langdon Collection, Braxton Culler, 336-889-7333, www.braxtonculler.com (see website for dealer locations); also visit www.libbylangdon.com

-- Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Home, 800-789-5401, www.mgbwhome.com

-- Norwalk, 419-744-3200, www.norwalkfurniture.com

-- Restoration Hardware, 800-910-9836, www.restorationhardware.com

-- Susan Serra, CKD, Bornholm Kitchen, 631-754-0454, www.bornholmkitchen.com

-- Universal Furniture International Inc., 336-822-8888, www.universalfurniture.com

-- West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com

SIDEBAR

GIVE YOUR SMALL SPACE A BIGGER LOOK

Libby Langdon long has been a master of small spaces. From an HGTV show to a book on the subject, the designer has plenty to dish:

-- Unclutter and clear out! Holding on to too much stuff can make even a large space feel small, so when in doubt, throw it out! Being surrounded by stuff all over the place makes us feel confused, cramped and overwhelmed. Pretend you are moving and think about what you wouldn't move into your new home. Changing your frame of mind helps to see the uncluttering process as an opportunity instead of a chore. It's actually liberating. Living with less "stuff" is the ultimate luxury. People want style, elegance and comfort -- and that begins in a clean, organized space

-- Think vertically. Get your walls to work for you. Mount shelving or storage systems to display collections and store items so you won't waste precious floor and surface space. Use full-scale shelves and cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling to visually draw the eye upward, make the ceiling seem higher and the space live larger. Hang drapes all the way to the ceiling, and if possible, extend the width of the rod on either side, so the drapes hang outside of the frame rather than inside. That makes the window and the room seem more spacious without blocking natural light.

-- Lighting has the power to make a room feel brighter, therefore bigger. By using various light sources, you create layers in a room, and a richer ambience. The more natural light you can bring in, the better; take care to not obstruct light or the views that lead the eye beyond the room. Use lower pieces such as benches, ottomans and stools to keep the space open. Use translucent shades or sheers on windows. Make sure light reaches every corner of your room. For artificial light, try four or five larger lamps, which add height and scale. Avoid harsh overhead lighting, but if you must use it, add a dimmer switch. Light should be inviting and create a feeling of warmth. Hanging large mirrors reflects light, adding depth and dimension.

("Daykeover with Libby Langdon," a new television series that features an interior design makeover in 12 hours, is set to air on NBC this summer.)

From all-weather wicker, modern mesh and other open weaves, to teak in all shades from honey to warm grays, to metal in sleek stainless steel, to rustic wrought-iron looks to a range of painted hues, the selection has never been greater or more stylish for outdoor furniture.

It reaffirms a desire for a seamless transition from well-appointed interiors to al fresco spaces. And it's a transformation that's become a little less rigid, following a more eclectic approach to mixing up materials rather than buying everything to match -- which also makes it a bit easier to add single pieces such as a chair, ottoman or small table to freshen existing outdoor decor.

In the last year, particularly, there has been a fairly significant move to modern in outdoor furnishings, with a spike in contemporary accessories. Even melamine dinnerware is sporting bold geometric patterns.

In addition, gray, especially weathered looks, is making a strong statement in frames. Some bright colors and patterns beautifully complement this new neutral. White also is gaining traction, both in matte and slick high-gloss finishes. One favorite teaming is with cobalt or navy blue.

In fabrics, retro patterns are emerging as well as more engaging geometrics and vivid, stylized florals. And, of course, there's been an infusion of color, from brights like lime and turquoise to mustard, saffron, oranges, corals and bright purples.

But there are so many ways to spruce up what you have, as well as to accessorize a new outdoor room.

You might start with a rug. As in interiors, a rug can anchor a seating group, and one with a kicky pattern, such as a striking black and white chevron, can bring solids to life. Classic geometrics, such as motifs characteristic of wool kilims, go a long way to add character to the outdoor space. Some of the rugs are hand-tufted and soft, dense and plush enough to surprise that they are synthetic. They all can be hosed down for easy maintenance.

You might consider reviving tired cushions with new covers. Sunbrella fabrics are widely available for purchase by the yard on websites including Frontgate, Ballard Designs and Grandinroad. Calico Corners features a considerable selection of outdoor fabrics, and a trend noted for at least a couple of years now, points to many buyers considering fade-proof, stain-resistant, mildew-proof performance fabrics for use in a high-traffic area like a family room.

So many designer brands have branched into outdoor (Donghia, Robert Allen and Dwell Studio, Waverly) that the level of sophistication has soared. High-end companies such as Janus et Cie have their own fashion-forward textiles in unexpected palettes, including hot pink, orchid, orange and olive, some in arresting stripes, from awning to skinny -- and even in teamings of the two.

Besides cushions (and slipcovers for worn or dated-looking dining chairs), curtains are another option for fabric, especially because of the ambiance they add. Hanging from a pergola or framing it, as the backdrop to a seating area, curtains lend a softness, perhaps billowing in the wind. If you're handy, you can stitch them up yourself (with tabbed or a shirred top), or purchase them ready-made.

Among the easiest difference-makers are pillows. Popping prints with strong graphics are making the most noise. Both solid-color and patterned pillows in square or elongated lumber forms also may sport dressmaker details such as contrast piping, buttons and fringe.

Another oft-overlooked source for color is the ottoman, pouf or small table that doubles as a place to put a drink or snack or to put up your feet. This is a category that really has taken off, and the range of styles is full. First, there was a spate of porcelain garden stools in fresh colors like orange, lime and turquoise. Now, some of those stools are embellished, such as one at Pottery Barn that adds a nautical note with oversized "netting" detail.

Also at Pottery Barn are drum tables made of cast aluminum that produces a look of wrought iron or bronze. They feature a relief pattern detailed with frogs and come in three sizes, ranging from 12 inches to 24 1/2 inches in diameter.

Glass mosaic-topped tables at West Elm lend another handcrafted look -- one that also features color and pattern.

These small-scale tables are a must-have accessory, and not necessarily an expensive one. Mix several different styles and materials for the most impact.

In addition, planters have evolved from simple terra-cotta or not-so-attractive plastic, to better synthetics and stone lookalikes. They come in a variety of shapes, which can also add interest to a grouping, especially when used in tandem or in multiples.

Some of the taller pieces lend an architectural structure. Modern, tapered metal planters, for example, can frame the entry to a garden or to a door on a deck. Curvier shapes also can be embellished, like one plaster lookalike from Janus et Cie, which adds texture. Ornamented Anduze-style pots, which echo European or classic styles (at Ballard Designs in attractive green, gold or cream shades), offer authenticity with easy maintenance and wearability because of the synthetic material.

Finally, lighting offers another opportunity to add a warm touch. Candles, of course, do this romantically, and there are any number of lanterns and decorative containers, including porcelain, some with pierced surfaces like that of metal, which allow the light to dance through.

Some sculptural floor lamps feature LED lights that can be set to change colors, offering still another engaging element to the landscape.

All of the new offerings are furthering the ability to carve out vacation-like resorts in your own backyard. West Coast-based designer Richard Frinier believes that doing that actually is good for your well-being.

"Be mindful in the moment," says Frinier. "Be aware of your surroundings so you can make better choices." Frinier says that the kinds of "wellness" packages and mindful getaways being promoted at hotels and spa resorts are contributing to the way we think about our own outdoor spaces.

"This mindful lifestyle movement is driving the desire for people to rethink how we live inside and outside our homes, and how style and trends translate into more thoughtful products to help us live more holistic and naturally rich lives."

SIDEBAR A

LIGHT THE WAY

Lighting for the outdoors includes lanterns, pendants and chandeliers, and table and floor lamps fitted for candles and soft, romantic illumination or designed for outdoor electrification.

SIDEBAR B

DEPTH BY DESIGN

Planters and decorated sculptures for the outdoors also can provide architecture, shape and color.

Sources

-- Ballard Designs, 800-536-7551, www.ballarddesigns.com

-- Calico Corners, 800-213-6366, www.calicocorners.com

-- CB2, 800-606-6252, www.cb2.com

-- Crate and Barrel, 800-967-6696, www.crateandbarrel.com

-- Dwell Studio/Robert Allen, 877-993-9355, www.dwellstudio.com

-- Elaine Smith, 561-863-3333, www.elainesmith.com

-- Experienced Materials, 503-380-0289, www.experiencedmaterials.com

-- Frontgate, 888-263-9850, www.frontgate.com

-- Grandinroad, 866-668-5962, www.grandinroad.com

-- Janus et Cie, 800-245-2687, www.janusetcie.com

-- Laurie Bell, 336-362-4133, www.lauriebell.com

-- Liora Manne, 212-989-2732, www.lioramanne.com

-- Patio Living Concepts, 866-736-0796, www.patiolivingconcepts.com

-- Pottery Barn, 888-779-5176, www.potterybarn.com

-- West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com

A well-designed garden, like an interior, reflects the balancing of color, texture, scale and use of materials. And whether a garden, terrace, deck or the house itself is the backdrop for an outdoor room, keeping it simple is key to furnishing.

Which is why when the media are mixed, the message, more and more, is modern. Not modern just for the sake of being edgy, or even minimal. It has more to do with clean lines -- straight, curved, sometimes tailored.

Wovens, some with the desired look of something hand crafted, show an exciting range, stretching in new directions beyond wicker and rattan clones. There's also a bit of retro styling, in some instances actually revisiting a previously introduced design and tweaking it for today.

Even slipcovered looks, which have really gained traction in recent years, feature updated upholstered silhouettes with squarish or curvy shapes.

Increasingly, consumers are finding that it's kind of cool to mix materials and even styles -- and manufacturers are beginning to get the message. In other words, the idea of totally matched sets can be as boring outdoors as it is indoors. So even those whose vocabulary is more traditional might be attracted to something more contemporary, and a single piece can really pop if it's deftly integrated.

That commitment to being fresh and relevant and reaching out to younger buyers while keeping its core customers happy is especially apparent when a company that's more than 100 years old is doing it. The newest batch of furnishings introduced by Lloyd Flanders daringly teamed stainless with the woven wicker that is a signature, and it pushed the envelope with other designs that feature mesh looks.

Not coincidentally, some of what's driving the expression of more modern designs is advancing technology -- both in terms of how indoor items have been adapted for outdoor use as well as how the building blocks themselves have evolved with new sophistication.

"Virtually anything that was previously used exclusively indoors has been adapted for the outside," says designer Richard Frinier, who is based in Long Beach, Calif. "Kitchens, TVs, rugs, lighting, sculpture, artwork."

Frinier is particularly excited about textiles, not only because technology now allows such innovations as stretch and tight mesh weaves, but also hybrids like a linen and burlap that he recently designed for Glen Raven. Best of all, for this designer, is a value-added sustainability.

"The Origins collection, which I did for Glen Raven, has Renaissance recycled yarns with a rich, mottled color palette. We are living in a time when people are more interested than ever in reducing our carbon footprint."

Fabrics, of course, can introduce color and texture, in solids or bold or subtle patterns. In addition, dressmaker details such as piping (especially contrast), fringe and buttons (tufted looks) add more of the touches we're accustomed to seeing indoors.

But form, like the architecture of a home or shrub, is especially compelling with some of the newest designs.

The modular collection from the British manufacturer Gloster, for example, has a familiarity, yet is oh so fresh with its overscale weave. Add to that a rich curved shape with deep seating, all on a powder-coated frame, which makes it cocoonlike. Not surprisingly, the concept was imagined by German textile designer Mathias Hoffmann, as its wide straps channel fabric more than synthetic wicker.

Also cradling is the chair from Gloster's new Dansk collection. Designers Povl Eskildsen and Philip Behrens nod to 1950s Danish style for inspiration in frames that are solid teak with tapering legs and upholstered in faux leather.

Outdoor furniture designers also are taking note of interiors trends. In some instances, as with the Marin dining and lounge collection from Brown Jordan, its credenza is handsome and stylish enough to be welcome inside. Designed by Los Angeles-based Michael Berman, who calls his signature style "American Trans-Modern," in natural plantation teak wood, the chairs feature striking details, such as cording through stainless steel eyelets on the sides of the chairs.

"Marin brings to mind elegant precedents like Art Deco furniture," says Stephen F. Elton, chief brand officer for Brown Jordan. "It can work in a California beach house, a garden in Connecticut or an upscale resort in the mountains."

A move to warmer metals, particularly a burnished brass that's less strident in color and finish than in the past, is reflected in a collection that actually is a new iteration of the iconic Kantan, which was designed in 1956 by Tadao Inouye for Brown Jordan. Richard Frinier reimagined the mid-century pieces in brass frames with the company's proprietary Suncloth straps.

"Mid-century designers pushed materials and form to the maximum," says Elton, "but stayed true to the practical needs of people -- who will use the product and where and how? Kantan II is as fresh, stylish and human-friendly as ever."

Many of the modern styles are inviting, perhaps more approachable. One style that embodies the cozy factor is the Nomad seating from Gloster. The armless chairs are wide and serpentine, and they draw style points with horizontal striped fabric cladding.

Skinny horizontal stripes are garnering attention in mesh, as well. Mamagreen, a Belgian manufacturer, introduced a striped collection whose upholstery is quick drying mesh, made from a strong polyester or hemp non-stretch yarn coated with vinyl, all mold and UV-resistant. The design actually was inspired by Navajo textiles.

Mesh as upholstery also is part of the innovative design for the Luna group from Lloyd Flanders. Its taut form is relieved with gentle curves, but even more intriguing is the material's sheerness, with a peekaboo to the frame. Shown in a shade of taupe, the hue signals a strong color shift to grays that's also happening in kitchens and surfaces, for example.

The other potentially seismic shift is to white. In Paris, at the twice-yearly international furniture show, Maison et Objet, white was more than a blip in exterior furnishings. In the United States, it is starting to show up both in frames and in upholstery.

The teaming of marine blue and white is especially crisp. An updated classic strap design called Flex from Brown Jordan features Suncloth straps hand-woven over a sleek white powder-coated aluminum frame -- a design from Richard Frinier.

At Tropitone, white faux leather is a sexy entree into the contemporary category. Even more drop-dead, is a chair that combines white cushions in a supple frame of rich red faux leather on polished stainless-steel legs.

Splashes of color can lift neutral groupings. In showing off two of its slipcover looks, Lane Venture teamed an armless chair with a wide seat in raspberry and a beige sofa, highlighted with a touch of yellow and raspberry accent pillows. It's a simple design concept borrowed from interiors that resonates equally in the al fresco landscape.

Sources

-- Brown Jordan, 800-743-4252, www.brownjordan.com

-- Fermob, in French -- click "EN" for English version, www.fermob.com

-- Gloster, 434-575-1003, www.gloster.com

-- Lane Venture, www.laneventure.com

-- Lloyd Flanders, 800-526-9894, www.lloydflanders.com

-- Mamagreen USA, 415-279-7895, www.mamagreenusa.com

-- Tropitone, 800-654-7000, www.tropitone.com