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As an interior designer, there is nothing more unfortunate than a beautiful room left unused. Yet, many of us have at least one abandoned space within our homes. Traditional design called for parlors or other formal setting in which to entertain guests. They would have tea, sandwiches, or cakes and a house staff waiting on every whim. Sounds divine, but the lifestyles of today are much more demanding. There is work, family, and all other daily duties in between. And with the array of new technologies, all three blur together, challenging our skills and time to juggle it all... Who has time to polish the silver?
While our lifestyles have evolved, our homes haven’t quite yet caught on. Why are we still using up precious square footage on parlors as if we’ll revisit those days of ceremonious socialization? A few simple design changes can lure activity back to these spaces.
There is good reason why the kitchen is the heart of the home - the food and drinks are there. Today, most of us don’t have butlers or maids, so we station ourselves where we can get it directly. It’s also casual and puts us at ease.
Applying these philosophies to some of our other spaces can help redirect the guest flow. There is nothing like a bar to capture people’s attention. If space or budget constraints excludes a custom built-in, there are beautiful armoire-like pieces that open up. Even a simple bar cart or arranging a console with various tray accessories can do the trick. If you’re not a drinker, opt for a set-up of coffee and tea.
Room set-up is also a crucial factor. With a classic sofa, it’s hard for us to engage because we’re facing front, not each other. Furthermore, many of us prefer the personal space of a chair. A favorite layout of mine is four club chairs with auxiliary seating - poufs, garden stools, and other smaller pieces - that people can pull up in whatever arrangement that feel most comfortable to them. To mix things up, a “cuddler” double lounge chair can replace the traditional love seat, mixing up the scale without losing the intimacy. In lieu of coffee tables, I prefer party-height tables of 27 inches for access to hors d'oeuvres without feeling hunched over or banging limbs.
While luxurious fabrics and delicate detailing are stunning to look at, fancy furnishings can be intimidating. Thus, aesthetic should be matched with durability and a sense of ease - we want to feel comfortable enough to sit back and relax. Some of my favorite pieces incorporate acrylic, a strong material with a light visual effect; lustrous leathers and hair-on-hide for a rustic, glamour factor; exotic woods to bring warmth; and chrome for a chic and shiny touch. Combined together, they create an upscale look, yet maintain a functionality.
Games are a great way to engage and build upon family time. The trick here is to keep them out and on display. With compelling distractions like television and smart phones, it’s out of sight, out of mind for the traditional forms of entertainment. I believe that families enjoy interacting with each other, they just have to be presented the opportunity. Make gaming a central theme with card tables and other playful vignettes. There are beautiful vintage editions of classics to maintain a level of sophistication and smaller pieces, such as dominos, mahjongg tiles, and decks of cards can be kept in accessory bowls or vases. Or trying placing loose family photos in vase - pulling them out from time to time sparks conversation, laughter, and memories.
Music is also a wonderful atmosphere setter. Instruments are pieces of art in and of themselves and should be front and center to inspire an impromptu performance. Miami and Caribbean based, I love showcasing my clients’ bongo sets. For those who aren’t musically gifted, you can still set the tone with surround sound systems that reach key entertaining rooms.
No matter what theme you use to entice socialization, lighting is essential. We can’t relax in a space that’s too bright. My number one rule is to have a dimmer. If the space can handle it, combine with table lamps and candles to cast softer, soothing glows.
Indeed it is a fine balance between beauty and comfort. The key is to fill your space with items you love and schemes that inspire you. If you can’t be drawn in, then how can you expect others to want to be there? So, so long traditional design notions.... it’s time to really start living in our living rooms.
As an interior designer, there is nothing more unfortunate than a beautiful room left unused. Yet, many of us have at least one abandoned space within our homes. Traditional design called for parlors or other formal setting in which to entertain guests. They would have tea, sandwiches, or cakes and a house staff waiting on every whim. Sounds divine, but the lifestyles of today are much more demanding. There is work, family, and all other daily duties in between. And with the array of new technologies, all three blur together, challenging our skills and time to juggle it all... Who has time to polish the silver?
While our lifestyles have evolved, our homes haven’t quite yet caught on. Why are we still using up precious square footage on parlors as if we’ll revisit those days of ceremonious socialization? A few simple design changes can lure activity back to these spaces.
There is good reason why the kitchen is the heart of the home - the food and drinks are there. Today, most of us don’t have butlers or maids, so we station ourselves where we can get it directly. It’s also casual and puts us at ease.
Applying these philosophies to some of our other spaces can help redirect the guest flow. There is nothing like a bar to capture people’s attention. If space or budget constraints excludes a custom built-in, there are beautiful armoire-like pieces that open up. Even a simple bar cart or arranging a console with various tray accessories can do the trick. If you’re not a drinker, opt for a set-up of coffee and tea.
Room set-up is also a crucial factor. With a classic sofa, it’s hard for us to engage because we’re facing front, not each other. Furthermore, many of us prefer the personal space of a chair. A favorite layout of mine is four club chairs with auxiliary seating - poufs, garden stools, and other smaller pieces - that people can pull up in whatever arrangement that feel most comfortable to them. To mix things up, a “cuddler” double lounge chair can replace the traditional love seat, mixing up the scale without losing the intimacy. In lieu of coffee tables, I prefer party-height tables of 27 inches for access to hors d'oeuvres without feeling hunched over or banging limb
While luxurious fabrics and delicate detailing are stunning to look at, fancy furnishings can be intimidating. Thus, aesthetic should be matched with durability and a sense of ease - we want to feel comfortable enough to sit back and relax. Some of my favorite pieces incorporate acrylic, a strong material with a light visual effect; lustrous leathers and hair-on-hide for a rustic, glamour factor; exotic woods to bring warmth; and chrome for a chic and shiny touch. Combined together, they create an upscale look, yet maintain a functionality.
Games are a great way to engage and build upon family time. The trick here is to keep them out and on display. With compelling distractions like television and smart phones, it’s out of sight, out of mind for the traditional forms of entertainment. I believe that families enjoy interacting with each other, they just have to be presented the opportunity. Make gaming a central theme with card tables and other playful vignettes. There are beautiful vintage editions of classics to maintain a level of sophistication and smaller pieces, such as dominos, mahjongg tiles, and decks of cards can be kept in accessory bowls or vases. Or trying placing loose family photos in vase - pulling them out from time to time sparks conversation, laughter, and memories.
Music is also a wonderful atmosphere setter. Instruments are pieces of art in and of themselves and should be front and center to inspire an impromptu performance. Miami and Caribbean based, I love showcasing my clients’ bongo sets. For those who aren’t musically gifted, you can still set the tone with surround sound systems that reach key entertaining rooms.
No matter what theme you use to entice socialization, lighting is essential. We can’t relax in a space that’s too bright. My number one rule is to have a dimmer. If the space can handle it, combine with table lamps and candles to cast softer, soothing glows.
Indeed it is a fine balance between beauty and comfort. The key is to fill your space with items you love and schemes that inspire you. If you can’t be drawn in, then how can you expect others to want to be there? So, so long traditional design notions.... it’s time to really start living in our living rooms.
