Five or six years ago I wrote an article about the smallest studio I ever designed - a paltry 225 square feet of living space - which seems to have a life of its own on the internet. Rarely does a month go by without a few calls from prospects hoping I will help them figure out how to manage their entire lives in a space that is often dwarfed by what our suburban neighbors usually turn into a walk-in closet.
Although I think a convertible sleeper sofa is fine for the occasional guest, as I said in that article, I'm not a fan of the arrangement for everyday use with its demanding nightly pull-out-the-bed ritual that usually involves rearranging some of the other furniture in the room as well. I've worked with many clients who have just given up, leaving the sofa bed open and the coffee table and other furnishings that had to be moved strewn dysfunctionally around the room. The other seating and oftentimes the tabletops are then permanently occupied by the displaced sofa cushions. The studio may be working as a somewhat disarrayed and cluttered bedroom, but at that point, it has ceased to function on any other level.
So I'm always on the lookout for great convertible furniture - with easy to open and stow beds that minimize the daily inconvenience and disruption, and look fabulous as well.
One of my great finds at ICFF this year was Clei's convertible pieces available from Resource Furniture. Beautifully designed, they are so incredibly inventive that you will find yourself wondering, "Where's the bed?" Many never even alter the footprint of the furniture when opened and all have been designed with an eye towards convenience.
The Cabrio is a spacious seven foot desk which lifts up to reveal a twin bed. No need to remove anything from the desktop!
The Atoll wall system drops the bed over the sofa without displacing anything on the shelf above.
Not what you expect! Two bunk beds from one sofa, available in two sofa styles.
(Click on photos for full sized versions)
This post would go on for days if I showed you just half of what I loved. So if you're local, head into their showroom at 969 Third Avenue in Manhattan. If not, do check out the "Space Savers" section on Resource's web site.
