apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'm moving to a tiny studio (16.5'x12' for main area) in about a week and recently bought the "Span Gateleg Table" and "Convertible Compact Desk" from Crate & Barrel.

The table only has a 9.5"Wx36"D footprint when folded but expands to 65.5"W. Something that I don't see on the website that I did see in the showroom is a note saying something like "This table works best when not used daily" or something to that effect. Still, it looks good and serves my purposes.

The desk looks like a regular drawer in compact form.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=885&f=32913&q=gateleg&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1070&f=28540&q=convertible desk&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1

Just to clarify, I'm planning to get it custom built, but need inspiration for good solutions, both custom built ones and commercially available.

Bort, one of the alternatives I have been thinking about is a table similar to the one you linked to that I could just put inside the wardrobe when I don't use it. There is no Crate & Barrel where I live (Europe), but I have looked at Skovby SM101 http://www.skovby.dk/showpage.php?pageid=2322 . It was well-built and great design. Unfortunately I didn't love any of the finishes (and for $2000 it should be perfect!).

Same thing only $180 at IKEA. I am planning on getting one today. I'll let you know how it is.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20104718

Just read your post in the comments. Show a local carpenter that design and I am sure they could do it in any finish with any wood and do it for cheaper.

If you're thinking of having something built, this drop-leaf table is ingenious for a small space. From a 10-inch footprint, it can open up to 9-feet (and many variations in between) for those times when you want to spread out or have a dinner party.

http://www.etgstores.com/furniture/database/viewlarge.php?id=945

http://www.etgstores.com/furniture/database/viewlarge.php?id=943

http://www.etgstores.com/furniture/database/viewlarge.php?id=941

I bought a small drop leaf table that came with a leaf. A friend of mine and I split the table in two and attached the center to the wall with some brackets. When not in use, it serves as an entry able. If you want, you can saw the corner legs to be even with the skirt of the table and use one of the extra legs in the in the center. You'll have a one legged table that can now house chairs more easily. Total project cost was $25.

Homebody.... those pics of the table are unbelievable. Now that is a drop-leaf table! My big complaint about most gate-leg tables is that the legs take up a ton of room and you can't seat people toward the middle of the table due to the obstructions underneath. So while some tables may look large, you can realistically only sit 4 people.

A custom solution is in order here. I saw the Dwell issue that featured this table. It may work for small family meals but I would think that if you have good ceiling height (and if the extra seating is worthwhile to you), you could get a longer table in this space. I was once in someone's home who had TWO "murphy tables"---one on each side of room. When they were both down, there was a small space between them to be able to walk through the room, but it mimicked the look of a long dining room table. In that way you could have one side down for a small gathering, or two sides down for a large table. Very cool.

By the way... another cool custom solution can be found in my absolute favorite book about Japanese design. Here's the link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Small-Spaces-Stylish-Ideas-Making/dp/4770020848/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257445837&sr=1-1

It was a similar concept to the Dwell photo, but the table was part of a large rolling cabinet that served multiple purposes. Unfortunately I don't have a pic, but you could probably find this book at library. It is an awesome book full of what I like to call Swiss Army Knife Design... lots of function folding out of small places! :)

This may not suit your purposes but I ran across this desk at an antique store that I SHOULD have purchased. (this wouldn't be for daily dining use)
It looked just like a normal writing desk with a set of 3 drawers on each side and a hole in the middle for your legs. It was maybe 30" (2.5 ft) deep and 5' long.
BUT the entire top of the desk folded out to make the table-top twice as large. This part was supported with little drawers that pulled out, like some secretary desks use to support the unfolded lid. Making it a 5' x 5' table.
THEN the back of the desk folded UP (supported by a gate leg underneath) making the table about 7.5' by 5'. It was a BIG table, probably could have seated 8. I loved it because it had storage space for the extra table settings, but it would function as a regular desk 95% of the time.
The down side was that the person in the middle didn't have much leg room (there were the des legs there. But if you had it built for you there might be a solution for that...

Not sure if this will work for you but I love the idea. It comes in white or black.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=881&f=33151