Saving floor space was a crucial move in the smallish home. To leave enough room for furniture, the Hilpipre women reached for the ceiling to hang curtain panels and even shelves. That way, floor space is cleared for tables, chairs, and love seats.

Industrial-Chic Curtain Rods
Chains looped through grommets and over ceiling-mounted conduit pipes allow the tops of the fabric panels to hang about 1 foot below the top of the windows. This approach lets light and views into the room—even with the panels closed—and creates the illusion of a higher ceiling.

Shelving Units
To keep the look of both the dining area and living room uncluttered, the women included shelves that are as sculpturally appealing as they are functional. Shelves constructed of plywood are suspended from the ceiling using threaded rods—a ploy that saves precious floor space.