DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWLETTER--more tips on how to do many things better YOUR way, YOUR style!!
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INTERIOR DESIGN HOW TO'S FOR A BETTER ROOM!!
EVER BEEN to someones home and they took you into the room that you were going to spend the evening in---and thought to yourself " NOT HERE, please not here!" BECAUSE IT JUST DIDN'T SEEM COMFORTABLE?
Then you know HOW IMPORTANT SPACE PLANNING a room is! It isn't JUST about the furniture--though that's part of the equation. HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK:
ARE THERE ENOUGH DIFFERENT TYPES OF SEATING?
Your grandmother would appreciate a chair with arms to get in and out of easily, and so would the man who just had back surgery. Not everyone wants a cushy chair or sofa to sit on. You need some firm pull-up chairs, beside those soft club chairs and sofas. The count for your living room seating should be the same as how many you have for dinner,unless it is a big party. There is a story about a famous NYC hostess that couldn't understand why everyone left after dinner--she had 16 for dinner--BUT only seating for 8 in her drawing room. I'd leave,too. It makes for a LONG night.
WOMEN GRAVITATE TO DIFFERENT SEATING ACCOMMODATIONS THAN MEN--DO YOU HAVE THEM?
Men are more picky about their personal space--they always try to get the single chairs. BUT, I solved it on a long sofa by making bolsters that divided up the cushion sections--that was all they needed to sit and share the couch. Some men like to perch on the arms--so make sure they are well made! They are also the ones who will sit on an ottoman in the group just fine--as long as they can get the snacks and a drink.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU RUN OUT OF CHAIRS?
I have always relied on ottomans by the fireplace or hidden under a console table--that are there to bring into the group. If that isn't an option--then by all means bring in some dining chairs for your guests.It is rude to not offer some place for them to sit. When planning the room--do some layouts that will accommodate enough people--without being a sea of furniture.
DOES THE ROOM SAY " WHAT' YOU CAN DO IN IT?
Is it for gathering and playing the piano? Have friends over--enough conversation groups?
View the yard, lake ,or forest and watch the wildlife? Is there a bird feeder outside to see?
DOES IT WORK FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN"so this is the living room?"
You could put a table behind the couch and use it for quietly working on papers,play piano and enjoy a glass of wine, study your COIN collection books, showcase some great family photos and memories...maybe it doubles for your meditation routine area..lot of things
DOES IT SAY "HANG OUT HERE"?
Having books stacked under the coffee table --says pick me up--sit awhile, a nice music system helps you unwind after a long day in comfort. (One of the greatest compliments was when I stopped by after hours to see a client--and the husband was in the living room--having a glass of wine--listening to his favorite tunes--with a big smile on his face-his wife says he comes in there every night after work just to unwind for a bit in comfort--makes for a happy family man). A special place to be with your family and just talk, pillows with everyones initials say --you are home. Family personal touches speak volumes here--so show you're proud of them for all to see.
HEY, OVER THERE, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
You would be surprised how close seating can be and still look correct. A typical coffee table is between 12" to 15" in front of the sofa--within easy arms' reach for snacks and the drink put down. So don't float your pieces like an island--pull them closer to get cohesive relationships of groupings for talking. If you can, break up the room into a couple of conversation areas. Two chairs with a table between is enough for two people to get along and have fun. Yes, the sofa flanked by two chairs is standard--but you can also carve out smaller groups behind the sofa or across the room with a loveseat and one chair, or a game table with 4 pull-up chairs for overflow. Or face two chairs that share an ottoman in the middle,in front of the fireplace or window.Give people variety to move about and find that next group to chat with.
bradley interiors,inc -2007
DOES THE HOST/HOSTESS KEEPJUMPING UP LIKE A KANGAROO--GETTING COASTERS AND OTHER NECESSITIES?
This all comes down to funiture planning! In each grouping there should be a drawer OR box that she can tell guests-"Oh, that's in the drawer--help yourself." This is also great for those cocktail napkins ,small pad of paper and a pen--George LOVES to draw diagrams of his work for the guys, and other little touches--that shows-YOU thought of them before they EVER came! I want to come back to THAT house and hostess! And BOY, did I feel comfortable--got my needs met without having to bother her to get up.
AS YOU TAKE A BREAK FROM THE CONVERSATION AND LOOK AROUND--DO YOU SPY SOMETHING REALLY INTERESTING TO ASK ABOUT?
Some people are better than others thinking of something to say--give them an "ice-breaker". That funny photo, an odd piece of rock or shell, artifacts from your last trip,YOUR PEZ dispenser collection from when you were a kid,antique fan collection..anything that could cause comment. Contrary to what they tell you--most people WILL NOT comment about your ART.Either they don't know anything about the artist or technique to feel confident talking about it--AND assume YOU DO, or they don't want to say the wrong thing--art being a VERY personal expression. (I personally know this is true--I ran an ART Gallery)So find other ways--tuck things around for them to discover and pick up and ask about--much more comfortable all around--also can be a great laugh when someone FINDS that CRAZY tin toy MONKEY that still winds up. Hey, we are all still kids at heart--let it out.
FINALLY, DOES THE ROOM MAKE YOU FEEL SPECIAL?
JUST BEING THERE is a treat! I had people that came up to me at parties and said-"Coming to your house is like a vacation for my soul! I feel like I am someplace else for awhile."My inspiration was a Special town in Colorado( close to my soul) and an "exotic trade route" feeling with lots of global elements from my travels--- all mixed together.( before I went English country) Those parties lasted forever--no one wanted to go home. We played the piano--taking turns,some did backgammon that was set out, people found my funny toys and stood back as they ran in circles--laughing, global religious objects opened discusion about peoples various beliefs--and we all got to know each other better--closer as friends and family.
SO DON'T TELL ME IT'S JUST ABOUT FURNITURE---it provides a PERSONEL backdrop to creating a full life --so gather your world around YOU!!!
in another issue we will talk about how color can promote desired "states of mind"--creative, thoughtful,reflective,festive(it's not just red!, and feelings of security for raising that family or in the work place. Color is VERY powerful--along with music!
fondly,
sally
BRADLEY INTERIORS,INC.-2009
239-298-0745
Call if this was of help OR you'd like help with YOUR interiors!
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KEY ELEMENTS INCLUDE: FURNITURE
LIGHTING
TEXTILES
ODDS AND ENDS
ART & ACCENTS
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