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How to create the perfect living room

Iorels Iorels
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We all strive for perfection. In this feature we are going to look at ways in which to create this illusion of perfection in the most sacred of places - the living room.

Firing up the living space

Patio Salomé Knijnenburg Interiors Patios

Firing up the living space

The daring fire parading over and bragging about the stylish, elegant lounge layout. It screams winter wonder! Next to the fire, in front of the stacked pillows, there is a little corner - a place for contemplation! The earthly brown, greyish carpet complements the fireplace perfectly. If you didn't know that fire and earth are two of the five great elements, then don't say it out loud. How wonderful the way in which the dark colour (black) has been used to make the chairs' armrests stand out against the lighter colours to show durability and quality. 

The items on the table are well spaced out and create an atmosphere of serenity and understatement. It's unbelievable how the wine bottle looks like it's leaning against the glass, because of the different shape and height. 

The daring fire parading over and bragging about the stylish, elegant lounge layout. It screams winter wonder! Next to the fire, in front of the stacked pillows, there is a little corner - a place for contemplation! The earthly brown, greyish carpet complements the fireplace perfectly. If you didn't know that fire and earth are two of the five great elements, then don't say it out loud. How wonderful the way in which the dark colour (black) has been used to make the chairs' armrests stand out against the lighter colours to show durability and quality. 

The items on the table are well spaced out and create an atmosphere of serenity and understatement. It's unbelievable how the wine bottle looks like it's leaning against the glass, because of the different shape and height. 

Expanding my horisons

The Fairway Hotel , Nowadays Interiors Nowadays Interiors Commercial spaces Hotels

Expanding my horisons

The effective lighting emphasises the slick layout of the room. Coffee tables are not what they used to be - a substitute bookcase and an effective way of getting your knees knocked into shape when you sit down! The table fits in perfectly with the L-shape of the sofa. Notice how the carpet is claiming the space to be his territory. The length of the carpet exceeds the length of the sofa.  

Since the living room should cater for living, it should be the ideal space in which to engage in real life activities. 

So what exactly are real life activities? 

A family movie night springs to mind. Could there be any better way of family members exploring each other's different personalities than watching TV together?

The effective lighting emphasises the slick layout of the room. Coffee tables are not what they used to be - a substitute bookcase and an effective way of getting your knees knocked into shape when you sit down! The table fits in perfectly with the L-shape of the sofa. Notice how the carpet is claiming the space to be his territory. The length of the carpet exceeds the length of the sofa.  

Since the living room should cater for living, it should be the ideal space in which to engage in real life activities. 

So what exactly are real life activities? 

A family movie night springs to mind. Could there be any better way of family members exploring each other's different personalities than watching TV together?

Entertainment

House Morningside, Principia Design Principia Design Living room

Entertainment

The TV is not hidden or displayed as something to feel ashamed of. Entertainment and relaxing are essential parts of life and should be celebrated openly. The compact flat screen television is functional and soft on the eye. The long, rectangular shape makes the room look wider and bigger. Although the TV is in the centre of the room and thus the focal point it is not cluttered with other devices such as decoders, VCRs etc. With a white cupboard supporting and complementing the black TV the scene has been set for visual and graphic entertainment. Someone is bound to sit out this family occasion, so the chair close to the window is exactly what the doctor ordered!     

But what if I need something that's more intellectually stimulating? 

The TV is not hidden or displayed as something to feel ashamed of. Entertainment and relaxing are essential parts of life and should be celebrated openly. The compact flat screen television is functional and soft on the eye. The long, rectangular shape makes the room look wider and bigger. Although the TV is in the centre of the room and thus the focal point it is not cluttered with other devices such as decoders, VCRs etc. With a white cupboard supporting and complementing the black TV the scene has been set for visual and graphic entertainment. Someone is bound to sit out this family occasion, so the chair close to the window is exactly what the doctor ordered!     

But what if I need something that's more intellectually stimulating? 

Time to converse

Nettleton 199, ARRCC ARRCC Living room

Time to converse

It's an open invitation and you're invited as guest speaker!

This setting simply opens up opportunities for you to sea (pun intended) and explore. 

The two separate seating units allow for two different conversations to take place. Someone is sure to stop in mid conversation and comment about the spectacular view, but that's exactly what you want in order to bring a bit of perspective into things. A balance between engaging conversation and more subdued reflection would have been what the architect had in mind when he designed this room.

It's an open invitation and you're invited as guest speaker!

This setting simply opens up opportunities for you to sea (pun intended) and explore. 

The two separate seating units allow for two different conversations to take place. Someone is sure to stop in mid conversation and comment about the spectacular view, but that's exactly what you want in order to bring a bit of perspective into things. A balance between engaging conversation and more subdued reflection would have been what the architect had in mind when he designed this room.