Small Space Japanese Dining Cube

I keep spotting this great Japanese dining set all over the web. I really wish I could read what they have to say about it, but alas I do not speak Japanese.

It is a beautifully crafted wood dining set comprised of two interlocking benches and a small table. The best part is that when not in use, the set closes up into a neat cube. The Japanese have long been dealing with limited space and subsequently they have some amazing solutions.

This set is just another in a long list of Japanese items perfect for smaller living. The set is listed at Dinos for $84,000 yen, which converts to about $820 dollars. Not cheap, but certainly not over the top either.

Inexpensive Flash Alternative: Light Scoop

If you have an expensive digital SLR then you know that that built in flash can make your pictures look terrible. There are conditions where a built in flash can be just what you need, but for the most part it tends to create unnatural skin tones and harsh shadows.

There are alternatives namely expensive external flash units. For example, you can expect to pay more than $250 for a fully equipped flashgun with a tilt and swivel head. There is no doubt that an external flash can do wonders for your picture taking skills.

Now there is an inexpensive alternative — Professor Kobre’s Light Scoop. The Light Scoop is an innovative angled mirror that slides into the hot shoe of your digital SLR. The Light Scoop bounces your camera’s built in flash off the ceiling so a more natural and less harsh light illuminates your subject. I’m actually impressed with how well it works.

There are very specific conditions required for the Light Scoop to function properly. The ceiling should be white or light colored. The surface you are bouncing off must also be fairly low — if the ceiling is to high, the light will dissipate too much to work well.

Below are two shots of a local band, Swagger Back at a local bar. The first photo, the top one, is with no flash; the second one uses the Light Scoop.

Small Space Living: 435-Square-Foot Apartment

Photo Credit Michael Weschler for The New York Time

A recent New York Times article “A Global Sweep On a Tiny Budget” by Elaine Louie showcases a fantastic Greenwich Village apartment.

The apartment, a 435 square foot studio, was transformed into a surprisingly spacious-feeling one-bedroom apartment. The project is an example of the remarkable possibilities in small space living. The entire remodel was accomplished with a $41,000 budget. Not inexpensive, but very reasonable for New York.

The apartment is able to achieve much in its relatively small space. The kitchen is open and nicely equipped. The living room appears more spacious than possible.

All in all it is another great example of living well in a smaller space.

Small Space Self-contained Kitchen

Italian kitchens have always been more sleek and stylish than their American counterparts. Many Italian kitchen components are more like furniture than our built in cabinets. It’s not unusual for Italian renters to take their kitchens with them when they move.

Dada, an Italian Kitchen manufacturer, produces the Tivali line by Dante Bonuccelli. It is a line of completely self-contained freestanding kitchens. The can be used as room dividers or backed against a wall. They are sleek modern kitchens, which can be concealed behind smooth sliding doors that fit neatly into pockets of the unit.

There are several variations of the design with color and equipment options. One even has illuminated glass shelves.

I’d love to be able to close some stylish sliding doors to conceal my current kitchen — then I’m not sure the dishes would ever get done.

Small Space Design Perfection: Oh! My Glass

So with the triumphant return of fair weather I am caught contemplating my summer rituals.

One such ritual is sitting on the patio after work as the sun goes down and enjoying a cold beverage. I have sworn off soda of all kind. I love juice, but it has a ton of sugar. I guess this year it will be iced espresso drinks, as I continue to use my Ascaso Dream. And there is always the old stand by San Pellegrino, the king of all mineral water.

I love to sip ice cold San Pellegrino. We buy cases of the pop-top bottles. One day while shopping I found the perfect San Pell drinking companion, the Oh My Glass by Propaganda.

The Oh My Glass is the perfect plastic drinking glass, just the right size. The kicker is the bottom has a built in bottle opener. So you just need the San Pell and with this glass and you are good to go.

Alternatively, you could drink any number of other pop-top beverages with the Oh My Glass, but that is another post.

Small Space Living Hits 100 Subscribers!

100 Subscribers!

Just some personal business — I noticed this morning while doing my ritualized Small Space Living maintenance that I had reached 100 RSS scribers. In this world of giant web sites and really big blogs it may seem like a small number, but it’s a big deal for me.

100 has been a goal of mine since. I added the RSS Chicklet to Small Space Living. If you don’t use RSS feeds, you should. It’s a nice way to have information you care about delivered to you. It’s likely your browser already has the ability to collect your subscriptions.

So if you have scribed, a great big thanks! If you have not, click the little orange button and help get me to 200.