8 Designer Tricks Every Apartment Dweller Should Know

A lava-rock lamp, which is among his favorite pieces in the apartment, complements the dining table's sculptural shape.

In true small-space fashion, Shawn's dining table pulls double-duty as his work desk. "Everything about it is perfect—I call it sort of Continental dining height. It's only about 26 inches tall, so when you're sitting at it, it feels a little more loungey than a regular dining table," says Shawn. The low profile of the curvy, triangular piece has one additional advantage: "It gives the illusion of taller ceilings." Rather than traditional dining chairs, Shawn surrounds the table with stools from his furniture collection.

Source: Manuel Rodriguez for One Kings Lane