The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page E1

INSIDE Go ahead, ignore them HOME GARDEN SECTION THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2007 INDYSTAR.COMH0MEANDGARDEN Resilient succulents don't need much help to thrive just about anywhere. E6 TV: Fall's fantasy newcomers. E13 Downtown and Fountain Square residents come up with lofty ideas for their living quarters KELLY WILKINSON The Star EYE APPEAL: Marty Klaper (below) uses artwork in his Downtown loft to bring the eye down in the tall room, making it more intimate. In the main living room, maple blocks hold art pieces to partition the area. They are arranged in a curve to soften the room.

Defining spaces Designer tips: Making the most of your space Stories by T.J. Banes tj.banes(3indystar.com alking into the expansive living area of Marty and Julie Klaper's Downtown loft is like walking into a geometry lesson. Sizes, shapes and dimensions all play a role in the space that is tastefully filled with contemporary art and antique collectibles. A wide-open living space needs visual definition. Here are some tips from interior designer Shannon Glassley of Boheme Design: "When we moved in here, it was like a cavern.

There was an echo, no warmth," said Marty Klaper, 60, a local attorney. "You take the art out of this room and the furniture looks like doll furniture. A decorative screen in the Klaper bedroom. Half-height walls help divide areas. Think in terms of transitioning from a kitchen space to a living area.

v. iw kmr -row "We used art to bring the volume of the living space down." A golden hardwood floor dominates the open room, where the primary living space is defined by several works, including "Circus Scene," a 4-by-3-foot oil on canvas by Indiana native Jan Boyer. Hoosier-made sculptures rest on maple blocks, which bookend a defined seating area. "A lot of people think you want to leave a loft as open as possible because it makes it look bigger, but actually you draw attention to the fact that it is one room and actually seems small," said interior designer Shannon Glassley, of Boheme Design. Fabric and drapes can seal off areas but still allow light to flow through.

Use fabrics to cover open shelving so clutter is concealed. Furniture groupings and bookcases can create zones. Arrange furniture according to function such as reading or entertainment areas. Varied lighting styles offer definition. For instance, bright white lights might work best in the kitchen, but soft incandescents on dimmers are better for the living room.

Backlighting a bathroom mirror or cabinet gives the illusion of added space. Uplights or angled lights give an open feel. Glassley and her business partner, Kathleen Lemaster, are in the early stages of defining 1,000 square feet of living space at the Wheeler Arts Community in Fountain Square. The end result will be showcased during See Spaces, Page E7 WARMING THE SPACE: Large pieces, like this Amish tapestry quilt, long bench and art rug, anchor a section of the large open space. A PEARL OF GARDENING WISDOM JUST REMOVAL TIPS Removing wallpaper is a dreaded task, but it's not impossible.

Darcy Westlind, a home maintenance expert with HGTV, says to start by breaking the sur face wifh sandpaper, then spraying the wallpaper with water (mixed with a few drops of dishwasher detergent) three times and letting it soak for 30 minutes. Still having a tough time? Use a steamer, Westlind says. SMALL SPACES Is your garden space defined by a deck, rooftop or balcony? The National Gardening Association recently launched "Moss in the City," a monthly e-newsletter for urban gardeners or anyone who gardens in small spaces. Find tips for growing food for your table or for your soul within the constraints of time and space by visiting www.garden.org urbangardening. T.J.

Banes How does Pearl Fryar's topiary garden grow? Find out when the Indianapolis Hosta Society hosts a lecture and workshop with Fryar, the man at the center of the documentary "A Man Named Pearl," on Sunday at the Holliday Park Nature Center auditorium, 6363 Spring Mill Road. The 2 p.m. lecture is free and open to the public; the workshop is for Hosta Society members only. For more information, call society president Nick Carter at (317) 299-6256. Shelby Roby-Terry MINUTE SENIOR EDITOR, MY LIFE Jacqueline Thomas PHONE: 317.444.6267 LABOR DAY SALE CASTLETON 8708 Castle Creek Pkwy.

East Dr. (317) 915-2630 Open Monday Saturday 10 a.m. 9 p.m. Sunday Noon 6 p.m..