Live in compact space? Make it do extra duty

September 21, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

Not everyone can afford to live in a McMansion, and frankly, not everyone wants to.

In “25 Apartments & Lofts Under 1,000 Square Feet” by James Grayson Trulove (Collins Design; $39.95; paperback), you’ll find ideas for compact homes with fully equipped kitchens, spalike bathrooms, entertaining spaces and offices.

Featuring the latest architecture and design innovations in styles ranging from classic to contemporary, the book highlights the importance of creating space or the illusion of it with materials such as glass, plastic, steel and stone.

One of the keys to getting away with this, according to Trulove, is to make living spaces do double and even triple duty.

Photography, site plans and architectural drawings are included.

Peekaboo lighting offers a modern alternative

Your kids are grown, so playing peekaboo with them is no longer fun—or even an option.

Here’s an alternative that is almost as cute: The Peekaboo modern pendant lighting and hanging candle holder collection by J Schatz.

These handcrafted ceramic fixtures have three symmetrically composed circular openings that allow light to peek through, creating a vibrant display of colorful lighting.

Candle holders are designed to be used with tea-light candles and are $95. Pendants can be installed as a canopy ceiling light or Halo-compatible track light and are $235. The products are available in six colors.

For more information, visit JSchatz.com or call (866) 344-5267.

Home tour this weekend

The 2008 Home Builders-Remodelers Association of Mahoning Valley’s Fall Showcase of Homes will be today, Saturday and next Sunday.

Mahoning Valley residents have the opportunity to see firsthand the premiere of 19 new construction and remodeling projects throughout Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. The HBA will host the showcase from 1 to 5 p.m. each day.

“This event is the largest new-construction open house of the year,” says Paul Dieter of PMD Builders and 2008 HBA president. “This event gives the consumer the opportunity to see new-construction homes, villas, condos, developments and even remodeling projects throughout the Mahoning Valley.”

For more information, visit www.hbamv.org, or call (330) 965-9779, ext. 404, for directions to site locations. Community sponsors include Armstrong and Mahoning County Green Team, The Vindicator and Vindy.com.

Vindicator staff/wire reports