Strut Your Stuff

(Page 2 of 5)

September/October 2004
By Laura Daily 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

Margo’s Living Room

RELATED CONTENT

Problems:

  • Furniture placement is not oriented toward the fireplace, the room’s architectural focal point.
  • The TV is positioned for viewing from one chair only.
  • The corners of the room are not equally weighted so the room is not in balance.
  • Without color or pattern, the room is not warm and inviting.
  • There is only one randomly placed piece of art.
  • The mantel is cluttered with small objects; the beauty of the mirror is lost.
  • The bookcase contains a hodgepodge of accessories, all of the same height.

Solutions:

  • The two sofas are placed around the fireplace (focal point), creating an intimate conversation area.
  • The rug, bought at a garage sale, visually holds the furniture grouping together, establishing the palette and providing a pattern.
  • Decorative pillows and a throw connect to the color scheme and soften the heaviness of the solid navy sofas.
  • A glass-top coffee table, made from an old iron gate, holds a few favorite and well-chosen accessories.
  • The vintage poster of a circus elephant, moved from another room, adds color and interest, as well as giving height and weight to the corner. The TV, placed on the diagonal in the opposite corner, becomes part of the furniture grouping, balancing the sofas and strengthening the focal point.
  • The mantel and top shelf of the bookcase are cleared of clutter. Accessories are placed thoughtfully, creating shape by varying the heights (with some objects put on pedestals), and theme by grouping the elephant statues near the poster.
  • The chair and ottoman are placed diagonally in the far right corner to balance the TV (in the far left corner), creating a comfy reading area. Art, a standing lamp, and a plant add to the vignette; two pillows make the color relationship.

Sarah’s Multipurpose Room

This beautiful room serves many functions: home office, TV room, bedroom for occasional guests, and storage for art and craft supplies. Yet one purpose was not served: There was no work surface for Sarah’s art projects.

Problems:

  • There is no focal point. The antique pie safe, a potential focal point, is jammed into a corner.
  • The room “tips” badly to the left.
  • Lack of color, pattern and art.
  • Office alcove lacks a strong focal point; the central window is just a hole between bookcases.
Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Next >>
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe today and save 50%
First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Subscribe to Natural Home

Welcome to Natural Home, the authority on green lifestyle and design. With an up-to-date outlook on current trends in sustainable building and wholesome living, Natural Home gives today’s eco-conscious homeowners the information they need to live in nurturing, healthy homes. Subscribe to Natural Home today to get inspired on the art of living wisely and living well.

Save money and a few trees by paying with your credit card now. Take advantage of our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You’ll save an additional $4.95 and get six issues of Natural Home for just $15! (Offer valid only in the U.S.)

Or, choose Bill Me Later and pay just $19.95