Room Of The Week
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Room of the Week: A Pretty Family-Friendly Living Room
The desire for a contemporary space that could withstand children and dogs set the tone in this living area
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Starting point
The client was open to updating everything, however, the furniture plan was important. The room is used for morning yoga, so space is key. She also wanted a really comfortable armchair as she prefers an armchair to the sofa.
The client was open to updating everything, however, the furniture plan was important. The room is used for morning yoga, so space is key. She also wanted a really comfortable armchair as she prefers an armchair to the sofa.
Key design aspects
Materials palette: Dulux ‘Natural White’ is on the walls throughout.
Elliott Clarke SOHO ‘Marle’ fabric is on the sofa.
Key pieces of furniture: The Archie armchair in Acre Wool ‘Sky’ and Iluka sideboard in American oak are from Jardan. The Tripode G5 floor lamp and Aia ottoman in ‘Grey Melange’ are from AJA and the Neville Rug is by Tribe Home. The Reuben coffee table in American oak is from Arthur G. The Natural Choices ‘Quartz’ Carpet is from Chaparral Carpets. The artwork is by Spacecraft Studio.
Materials palette: Dulux ‘Natural White’ is on the walls throughout.
Elliott Clarke SOHO ‘Marle’ fabric is on the sofa.
Key pieces of furniture: The Archie armchair in Acre Wool ‘Sky’ and Iluka sideboard in American oak are from Jardan. The Tripode G5 floor lamp and Aia ottoman in ‘Grey Melange’ are from AJA and the Neville Rug is by Tribe Home. The Reuben coffee table in American oak is from Arthur G. The Natural Choices ‘Quartz’ Carpet is from Chaparral Carpets. The artwork is by Spacecraft Studio.
This chair is one of a pair and, with the ottoman, faces inwards towards the coffee table.
Challenges worked around
The room is long and narrow so the proportions of the furniture were important. Small furniture in a large space will look even smaller, so we opted for larger items and ensured that the furniture was not backed up against the walls. Layering a light rug over the carpet was another way to make the space feel cosier.
Using indoor plants is the ideal way to fill ‘empty spaces’ in a room, hide unattractive cables and give height where it’s needed. They also have a positive effect on the environment and general wellbeing. Finally, it was important to choose materials that were forgiving, so that if the dog was on the sofa or there was a spill on the carpet it wasn’t the end of the world.
Challenges worked around
The room is long and narrow so the proportions of the furniture were important. Small furniture in a large space will look even smaller, so we opted for larger items and ensured that the furniture was not backed up against the walls. Layering a light rug over the carpet was another way to make the space feel cosier.
Using indoor plants is the ideal way to fill ‘empty spaces’ in a room, hide unattractive cables and give height where it’s needed. They also have a positive effect on the environment and general wellbeing. Finally, it was important to choose materials that were forgiving, so that if the dog was on the sofa or there was a spill on the carpet it wasn’t the end of the world.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture
As the room is long and narrow, there weren’t many options for the furniture placement. The sofa needed to be placed against the long wall and, because of all the cabling, we left the TV (not pictured, but usually on top of the credenza) hidden on the back wall. It works well because it’s not the first thing you see when you enter the room, but the TV is still a necessary part of a living room for the family.
As the room is long and narrow, there weren’t many options for the furniture placement. The sofa needed to be placed against the long wall and, because of all the cabling, we left the TV (not pictured, but usually on top of the credenza) hidden on the back wall. It works well because it’s not the first thing you see when you enter the room, but the TV is still a necessary part of a living room for the family.
The chair and credenza.This chair is not pictured on the room plan.
Why do you think this room works?
The design met the brief in that it is completely family friendly. The materials chosen are hardwearing and the fabrics are commercial grade. The large-scale artwork adds colour and interest, and the furniture placement suits the family’s individual needs. The furniture chosen was of high quality and sourced and made locally.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like the story, and join in the conversation.
More
Did you miss last week’s Room of the Week: High Glamour in Kardashian-Inspired Living Area?
Why do you think this room works?
The design met the brief in that it is completely family friendly. The materials chosen are hardwearing and the fabrics are commercial grade. The large-scale artwork adds colour and interest, and the furniture placement suits the family’s individual needs. The furniture chosen was of high quality and sourced and made locally.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like the story, and join in the conversation.
More
Did you miss last week’s Room of the Week: High Glamour in Kardashian-Inspired Living Area?
Answers by interior designer Julianne Bull of The Den Interiors
Styling by Julianne Bull and Michelle Hart of Bask Interiors
Who lives here: A couple and their five-year-old daughter, as well as the family dog, Billie
Location: Maribyrnong, Victoria
Room size: 4.5 x 6 metres
Brief
An updated contemporary space that could withstand the wear and tear that comes with having young children and pets. The client has a love of artwork and wanted to inject some colour and personality into the space. It was also important to choose locally made quality furniture.