Bold moves help in downsized home

Q: We have recently downsized, and our new condo is great. But we're not sure how to combine spaces. We have boxes of books we don't want to part with, but no den. Any ideas?

A: Sometimes it takes a leap of faith to combine furnishings and personal belongings that lived in separate quarters in a home. When that space shrinks, smaller rooms are required to take on several roles. The challenge is easily met with a few well-designed pieces and a new plan.

The dining area in your condo can comfortably be your library, study, work station and quiet eating nook. Build two full walls of shelves for your books.

Find a round dining table that can be extended when you entertain. Hang a chandelier or pendant lamp over the table with a dimmer switch.

And why not try out some new colors? I love to travel, and I discover brilliant elements of design wherever I go. One of today's hottest designers is Kit Kemp, whose daring and selective style is seen in many world-class hotels, including The Pelham in London.

Kemp takes the style of a country house and blends it into a chic townhouse. Her passion for color is evident in the Pelham's dining room. The modern turquoise bookshelves are thicker than usual, which gives them the right weight to balance with the traditional wood wainscoting.

Playful pink chairs and contemporary artwork create an inviting space to relax and enjoy whatever's on your agenda.

Q: After 15 years in a home we redecorated in the '90s, I feel the need to update some furniture and redo a master bedroom. Although our current off-white carpet still looks OK, the magazines show a more contemporary look, with low-pile carpets (Berber) or carpet on wood floors.

Would changing the carpet give an immediate update to our formal living room and bedroom?

A: One big change, such as switching wall-to-wall carpet for hardwood, will have a huge impact on everything in the room. The furnishings, area carpets and even the lighting will take on a different aspect.

For a more contemporary look, light wood tones are popular right now, but I suggest you research the variety of shades and grains available in hardwood and laminate floors. I enjoy both modern and traditional designs in my home, and still love my dark hardwood floors.

Once the floors are done, then consider how you want to proceed with other elements, including wall color and furniture.

Q: In one of your past columns, I read your advice to Leslie, who wanted to mount her flat-screen TV over the fireplace. We have done this, and the angle for viewing is very tiresome. I wouldn't recommend it even though it's the hot trend right now.

A: You make a good point. You shouldn't have to crane your neck in any direction, either up or to the side, to watch the TV.

The angle will change depending on how far you are from the set. Comfort is the priority, so experiment with a picture over the fireplace, and if you are too close, either change the seating arrangements or look for options.

The new lean, flat-screen design also works well framed by a wall unit or set on a low shelf, and the new TVs can also be turned or angled.

Debbie Travis' House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. E-mail questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.