Modern Multipurpose Living Room: Get the Look

This home, designed by previous Small Cool contest winners David and Im, combines smart DIY solutions with modern multipurpose furniture. The couple's source list is a valuable guide for anyone looking to streamline their living space.

DIY Supplies

• Industrial Metal Supply : David and Im sourced materials for their DIY projects from this Southern California distributor. (They have 5 locations in SoCal and Arizona.) The stainless steel dining table is made from 4 x 10 sheets cut to size.
• InPro : This architectural supply company is headquartered in Muskego, Wisconsin, and they offer a range of building products online. David and Im used them as a resource for two "Clickeze" curtain tracks, from which they hung a sailcloth.
• SailMaker's Supply : Look for sailcloth by the yard at any sailmaking supply store. Just google "sailcloth" and see what hits come back. CurtainTracks.com is another good resource—they sell tracks and fabric.
• McMaster-Carr Supply Company : The shelves are made from 1-inch-thick MDF planks with stainless steel aluminum L brackets from industrial supply catalog McMaster Carr. The MDF came from Dixie Line, a building supply store with multiple locations in Southern California.

Lighting

• IKEA : The lamps flanking the dining table are from IKEA, which is generally a good source for affordable modern table, floor, and task lamps. The Anitfoni work lamp has a halogen bulb, a steel frame, and it's just $25.
• Lowe's : Track lighting is a big space-saver and allows you to place spotlights where you need them. David and Im bought theirs, the MR-11 Track Lighting System, at Lowe's. Bulbs were purchased at Lightbulbs Unlimited.

Furniture

• Eames Office : The living room and dining room chairs were designed by Charles and Ray Eames. You can find licensed reproductions at the Eames Office store, and vintage versions on craiglist, eBay, and in antique shops. We found this vintage chair for $225 at Brooklyn-based Sit and Read Furniture.
• Velocity Art & Design : David and Im's sofa is a discontinued model: La-Z-Boy's "Snap Couch" by Todd Oldham. For an alternative, try the $1,800 Blu Dot Paramount Daybed, from online and Seattle-based store Velocity.
• Lekker : David and Im built the coffee table when they were in architecture school. For a similar form, try the the Teak Groove Coffee Table ($1,850) from Lekker. It's a solid block of wood with storage drawers.

Rug

• Crate and Barrel : The sisal rug was purchased at Crate & Barrel outlet a few years back. They continue to sell these types of rugs, and right now they have a Sisal Almond Rug available for $30-$500, depending on size.

• To see the full tour of David and Im's home, click here.
• You can also read more about this home and its resources in Apartment Therapy's Real Homes book.

Photo: David Schafer