Do you have a Design Dilemma? Building a new home or renovating an existing one? We’ve got an expert here at LKNConnect — Margi Kyle. A professional Interior Designer for over 45 years, Margi has an extensive portfolio, a brilliant vision for color and style, and a willingness to help the design-deprived among us! If you have a Design Dilemma, write to Dr. Margi at DesigningDr@gmail.com and ask your question. Include pictures and details, and Dr. Margi will respond to your Design Dilemma with a perfect solution!

Photo courtesy of Deborah Young Studio

Dear Dr. Margi,

I just moved here from California and am renting a one-bedroom studio apartment. My dilemma: I don’t need a traditional dining room, and I love to play chess. I need a work area in the living/dining room combo, and I also want a sectional for stayover guests. I do not like clutter. My go-to colors are aqua and taupe. My studio is 24 x 17 (and I’ve included a rough floor plan). I don’t have a clue where to start. Can you help?

Thanks in advance, Susan Smith

Dear Susan,

Using 3Dream.net I created the space. A sectional is perfect in this space and will work well for occasional guests. Get an ottoman on wheels for easy moving. The chair could also be a convertible chair/bed.  A console table behind the sofa and across from the desk is great for eating or extra workspace. It will get lots of use. A corner unit or a bookcase can work as storage for office needs instead of china.

Why not get a game table and use it for both playing chess and eating? I suggest at some point in time to have a tabletop extension made that will fit over your game table to seat 4. Then you can pull that out when you have guests over for eating.  Have a handyman make it if you cannot find it online. Pull your desk chair and console chair over and you have a small dining area.  Greenery always brings life to any space and put-up lighting behind them. Go back to my other article from Amanda and see how we incorporated lighting in her space. Here is your room with aqua walls.

Here is your room with taupe walls.

These fabrics from Greenhouse Fabrics are fun and in your colors.

The fastest and easiest way to see what color you might want to use on the walls is:

  • Using PowerPoint, copy and paste your fabrics into them. Size them to what they are going on. Sectional fabric should be larger than the occasional chair fabric. If desired, the area rug is on an angle. In PowerPoint, right click in the slide and change the background color to what you are thinking about.
  • You can also get large samples of the colors in question from the paint store. Get several and put them together.

Live with it for 24 hours and see how it looks in different lighting.  Susan, I so enjoyed working with your use of space and colors.  Welcome to the Lake Norman area.  You will love it!

–Dr. Margi

If you have a design Dilemma and need some help, please email me at DesigningDr@gmail.com.

Or call me at 704-661-5223. I look forward to helping you solve your Design Dilemma!

For over 45 years, Margi Kyle, “The Color Doctor”, has built an astounding portfolio from the ever-important ‘Designer’s perspective’. Never idle, this Professional Interior Designer has contributed to this industry as an Interior Designer, Television Host, Mentor, Keynote Speaker, Educator, and Writer.  Margi has Taught Interior Design of over 45 years and is the executive director for We Make Color Easy, The Dewey Color System.  As well as one of the  founders of a new E-Mentoring Co-op Company called DesignVisions2020.com.

To contact John McHugh regarding his photography, you can reach John at Ocaid Photography at 8712 Lindholm Dr. Ste 300 in Huntersville. You can reach John by phone at (425) 947-4546 and via email at jmchugh@ocaidphoto.com.

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