Teeny-tiny-thing

Inspired by skateboards, the swing seats are made of European oak. “At first we tried bigger boards, but you can’t sit on them,” Parzyszek says.

The designers sought to create an abundance of storage options—including narrow niches in the hallway, used to hold travel guides. As Di Stefano puts it: “When a client says, ‘I’ve filled allmy wardrobes and still have space left over,’ that means the mission is accomplished.”

While getting budget estimates from contractors is crucial, it’s also important to remember that the final cost for a project may fluctuate due to unforeseen developments or changing needs. For lawyer Paul Andersson, the cost of renovating his tiny New York apartment rose from $150,000 to $250,000 during the process, mostly due to the addition of a pivoting wall system.

West Elm Rope + Metal Hook ($10)

Crate and Barrel Cole Desk Lamp ($179)

Architecture and design by Workshop APD

Hernaez organizes CDs on a modular lapacho wood shelf designed by Sticotti.

The New Project Group renovated a cramped, uninviting space on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The company gave the 400-square-foot apartment a gut renovation, with a new kitchen and bathroom designed for efficiency. A parallelogram-shaped window pane, rescued from an architectural salvage yard, was outfitted with steel edges and casters, and repurposed as a coffee table.