Let it be known, I love design books, especially those that can bring exciting and innovative ideas to our New York apartments. Even more I love the challenge of turning a small room into a space with both auspicious function and as much comfort as possible. Those of us who have moved from apartment to apartment searching for raw materials in which to make this dream come true (i.e. the right lighting, layout, noise level) know this to be far from easy.

Yet books like the Small + Modern + Urban= Home (SMUH) can help us get that creative imagination moving and well…designing.  This book is perfect for the single person, couple, or small family looking to bring new design ideas to their small homes. Focused mostly on new construction of interiors rather than decoration, SMUH provides 28 examples of interior transformations from all over the world. What is so fascinating about the range of ideas and stunning photography presented in this book is how it speaks to the recent design emphasis on small spaces; and in these small spaces, we see design principles reflecting the changing of the family model.

As many parts of the world have increasing populations living or moving to the city, and in these cities, a greater number of people are having children later, the usual requirements for design have changed. Since fewer people respectively are living under the same roof, this has increased the demand for more but smaller homes. And this leaves cities with two options, increase its city limits or take advantage of its already existing spaces. So more and more we see the desire for lofts, studios, and one or two-bedroom apartments to accommodate all of one’s needs in a much smaller space.

But how to increase functionality without giving up aesthetics? This is the question that SMUH helps to respond to. Whether it’s clever distribution of space, increasing natural light flows, or creating new storage solutions, all of it is here as you work your way through beautifully photographed lofts in New York and apartments in Paris, Brussels, or Andora.

Small + Modern + Urban= Home, Collins Design and Loft publications, 2008, $29.95