This morning I visited a client with whom I have been working for many years. The icy path to her door was treacherous, so it took a few deep breaths for me to notice her front room. But once I trusted the ground below my feet and was able to gaze straight ahead instead of at my feet, I was pleased.
A few months ago I had suggested to her that she rearrange her Living Room. Her sofa was positioned against a wall not viewable upon entry to the space. A large armoire loomed, smack center of the sight-line. The complaint from this family was that this space, with its wonderful furniture and global decor, was seldom used.
My suggestion was very simple. Move the armoire to the corner of the wall not seen. Place the sofa on the wall opposite the entry, and flank each side with chairs. Position the rug beneath. Creating this conversation U draws occupants in.
And she confirmed this is now the case, and this Holiday season the room was used more than ever before.
My camera motor is dying. Unfortunately I have no photos to illustrate this post. But in the spirit of yesterday’s post, I will borrow a few from Domino, The Book of Decorating.
Recently released by Domino editors Deborah Needleman, Sara Ruffin Costello and Dara Caponigro, this book covers the fundamentals of decorating enough to be useful for the most design challenged. I find the layout to be sloppy and a little chaotic, but if it is read like the magazine from which it came, in little bits and pieces, than it is navigable.
Three photos drawn from the book illustrate my earlier point. In the first illustration, the sofa back is impeding entry (if we assume entry is at our viewpoint.)
In the second, the conversation area is closed.
In the third photo beacons. “Come in. Sit and talk to me.”
