Room with Leaning Bookcases
Landing that first good job out of college is a momentous event. For many twenty-something urbanites along with the joy of employment comes a bit of a reality check when it comes to finding a place to live. The realization hits that they now likely have to learn to live in one or two rooms that are compact and yet still expensive. Sometimes they are fresh from a stop over at home, between college and their first good job, where often the house offered a level of comfort not destined to be recreated on their own for some time to come. Comforts of suburbia and sprawling real estate are hard to come by in the city, and certainly not affordable for most young professionals who feel lucky to score a gym in the building and a security entrance.
While most alumni of college dorm rooms remember the stacked and packed freshman
year, not too many people want to literally re-live that time. Fortunately for college kids
the excitement of making new friends and acquiring a new identity far out weighs the
lack of privacy and space.
No, it is vitally important that the budding professional feel a sense of order and that they have a place to sleep, watch TV, and eat. In one aspect there is a similarity to college days: A cramped apartment or studio often drives a person right back out onto the neighborhood streets to eat, hang out, use the internet, or grab a drink with friends. A tiny place does tend to force you out into more public spaces just like college kids congregate in the lounge spaces of the residence halls. It is much more appealing to relax with people outside of the restricted space of a tiny apartment.
However, there are times when nearly everyone longs for quiet and space to be alone.
The mid to late twenties is a time in life for a little bit of an upgrade over college years.
Young people want design that looks good and is affordable, but won’t wear out and won’t get thrown out quickly. They, like a lot of their Boomer parents, are sort of addicted to stylishness. These two rooms demonstrate very simple and classic modern lines in furnishings that will last for years to come.
Some will label this look as retro and I am just old enough to have seen it in its’ first iteration, so I must reluctantly agree that this is a sort of re-cycled style. The dresser is a solid wood construction with stream lined drawer pulls. Such simple and basic lines will never go out of fashion.
If a dresser or a cabinet piece is made of maple, cherry, or teak, and is completed by straight lines the very simplicity guarantees timelessness. You might use this piece in the future in totally different context: Perhaps in a dining room with a great vase of fresh flowers or a silver tea set resting comfortable atop the dresser that will hold linens for the table.
The cocktail table and the bedside table in this arrangement are an example of another
classic modern design: Perfectly straight metal frame with a top of glass, natural stone, or some wood species. Cutting edge, this particular table top is made from 70% recycled materials and each top is one of a kind. The only rather trendy item is the space-saving gallery shelving that is politically correct by using reclaimed wood for shelves that eliminate the end panels and thus save timber.
Remember the essential lesson that keeping everything simple and basic allows for many years of re-use in many different settings. If one thinks in terms of longevity and spends just a little more on each furniture piece, as your living environment stretches you can be confident that each piece can be re-used in years to come.
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Copyright © Copley News Service. Used with permission.
