The 'Good' Room: In Praise of Formal Spaces
There's something civilised about having a room in your house that is perfectly serene and always at the ready
There’s a new interest in creating – or in the case of terraces and many other period homes, recreating – a formal drawing, living or dining room. Perhaps it’s a reaction to how keenly we have embraced open-plan spaces in Australia… and the privacy we may have compromised along the way. Many of us have developed a hankering for a retreat room to take our guests to when we want to get into the bones of a good conversation, or where we can simply enjoy our own company.
Far from the madding crowd
Perhaps this is because 21st-century living is intense. We are surrounded by gadgets that maximise our output and are constantly busy. Even on weekends, when we should be relaxing, we feel an obligation to entertain.
Arguably this is why there is a hankering for houses that are full of places to hide, and layouts that hark back to a time when there were designated rooms for cooking, eating and conversing.
Perhaps this is because 21st-century living is intense. We are surrounded by gadgets that maximise our output and are constantly busy. Even on weekends, when we should be relaxing, we feel an obligation to entertain.
Arguably this is why there is a hankering for houses that are full of places to hide, and layouts that hark back to a time when there were designated rooms for cooking, eating and conversing.
What is a drawing room?
The Oxford Dictionary defines a drawing room as “A room in a large private house in which guests can be received and entertained.”
The Oxford Dictionary defines a drawing room as “A room in a large private house in which guests can be received and entertained.”
Creating drawing rooms, formal living and dining areas in our homes doesn’t require borrowing from Downton Abbey to create dark, smokey rooms full of Turkish rugs and unread tomes.
Modern drawing rooms, generally smaller than formal living rooms, can be light and airy. A set of armchairs, a side table and a beautiful rug can define this room from others in the house and make it an inviting space to discuss matters of the day, or to read a book in peace and quiet with no television to distract.
Browse contemporary living rooms
Modern drawing rooms, generally smaller than formal living rooms, can be light and airy. A set of armchairs, a side table and a beautiful rug can define this room from others in the house and make it an inviting space to discuss matters of the day, or to read a book in peace and quiet with no television to distract.
Browse contemporary living rooms
Drawing room accessories
A simple throw to pop over your lap on a cold day, a few well-considered cushions, perhaps even a coffee table book or two…
A simple throw to pop over your lap on a cold day, a few well-considered cushions, perhaps even a coffee table book or two…
… Your drawing room is also the place to show off your artwork. And why not discuss those artworks over a drink from your vintage drinks trolley? Hang a beautiful lampshade or, better still, position some standard lamps to create a soft warmth, and enjoy the serenity of this quiet, restrained room.
Formal living rooms versus lounge rooms
The formal living room is not where we all sink into the sofa with dinner on our lap and cast our eyes up to the mounted television to watch the latest Netflix series. There is a place for this room in our house, but the formal living room is designed with peace and civilised entertainment in mind.
The formal living room is not where we all sink into the sofa with dinner on our lap and cast our eyes up to the mounted television to watch the latest Netflix series. There is a place for this room in our house, but the formal living room is designed with peace and civilised entertainment in mind.
Old ideas, new spaces
Cast aside memories of ‘good’ rooms with their chintzy furniture, collections of Wedgwood plates and figurines on display and replace them with images of a comfortable lounge setting, an ottoman, a low coffee table that suits pre-dinner drinks or a comfortable spot for dessert.
This is not the place you invite the neighbourhood kids to have a sleepover, rather a place you might invite your parents over to in order to sample your latest collection of dessert wines.
This might also be the spot for your state-of-the-art discreet sound system through which you can pipe Debussy, or perhaps a place to place your piano or collection of acoustic guitars.
Cast aside memories of ‘good’ rooms with their chintzy furniture, collections of Wedgwood plates and figurines on display and replace them with images of a comfortable lounge setting, an ottoman, a low coffee table that suits pre-dinner drinks or a comfortable spot for dessert.
This is not the place you invite the neighbourhood kids to have a sleepover, rather a place you might invite your parents over to in order to sample your latest collection of dessert wines.
This might also be the spot for your state-of-the-art discreet sound system through which you can pipe Debussy, or perhaps a place to place your piano or collection of acoustic guitars.
Multi-purpose if one must
Let’s face it though, we might be pinched for space on occasion and there is nothing wrong with the formal room quickly converting to a spare room via a comfortable sofa bed that’s ready to go at a moment’s notice. It’s so much nicer to have your guests tucked away in a defined private space than left on display in your open-plan living area after all.
Let’s face it though, we might be pinched for space on occasion and there is nothing wrong with the formal room quickly converting to a spare room via a comfortable sofa bed that’s ready to go at a moment’s notice. It’s so much nicer to have your guests tucked away in a defined private space than left on display in your open-plan living area after all.
Withdraw to the drawing room-cum-study
Try adding a discreet desk to your drawing room if you need to work at home but aren’t fortunate enough to have a home office – just don’t be tempted to load it with papers and a large computer. Keep your drawing room simple and stylish, and hold on to the serenity of the room by having a simple laptop that can be folded away.
Try adding a discreet desk to your drawing room if you need to work at home but aren’t fortunate enough to have a home office – just don’t be tempted to load it with papers and a large computer. Keep your drawing room simple and stylish, and hold on to the serenity of the room by having a simple laptop that can be folded away.
The formal dining experience
If you have the room to create a formal dining area, you will soon see why these had their place in elegant homes of the past. A certain atmosphere is generated when a group of friends and family dine together in a cosy room (that is why private dining rooms are always booked out at restaurants). If you are lucky enough to have a room in your house you can designate as a formal dining area, you can recreate this feeling.
Formal dining rooms make inviting people over somehow easier; there are no adjustments to be made. The room is complete, table and chairs are just ready to be dressed.
12 elegant dining rooms to inspire you
If you have the room to create a formal dining area, you will soon see why these had their place in elegant homes of the past. A certain atmosphere is generated when a group of friends and family dine together in a cosy room (that is why private dining rooms are always booked out at restaurants). If you are lucky enough to have a room in your house you can designate as a formal dining area, you can recreate this feeling.
Formal dining rooms make inviting people over somehow easier; there are no adjustments to be made. The room is complete, table and chairs are just ready to be dressed.
12 elegant dining rooms to inspire you
Dining, crafting, studying
Again, sometimes it’s necessary to make our rooms multi-functional. A large table and chairs in an empty room have myriad uses. Many a sewing project has been completed on a dining table. However, because this dining room is separate from the rest of the house, everything can be left undisturbed until the next time it’s put to use.
Again, sometimes it’s necessary to make our rooms multi-functional. A large table and chairs in an empty room have myriad uses. Many a sewing project has been completed on a dining table. However, because this dining room is separate from the rest of the house, everything can be left undisturbed until the next time it’s put to use.
Creating a more formal area or room in your house will give you a unique and quiet space. Whether you choose a lounge or a dining room, having that division immediately lends the room a different, calmer tone. Like in the days of old, you’ll come to love your ‘good’ room.
Tell us
Do you have fond memories of relatives’ ‘good’ rooms and the myriad treasures on display there? Share them with us in the Comments below.
Tell us
Do you have fond memories of relatives’ ‘good’ rooms and the myriad treasures on display there? Share them with us in the Comments below.
In the 1850s when terraced houses were first introduced to capital cities, they were built in the traditional Edwardian and Victorian styles that were prevalent in London. Often long and narrow, they had a formal living room at the front and a galley kitchen at the rear, with the the second and third storeys given over to bedrooms and bathrooms.
As housing trends changed, so too did the interiors of our terraces, with walls routinely knocked down to create open-plan areas. But these days, terraces are changing again; the walls are being rebuilt and formal areas are once more putting their stamp on our layouts.
How to make a formal dining room feel welcoming