I've said it a lot, I know, but I feel very strongly about how important a good entranceway in a home is. It creates your first impression and it welcomes you into the house. Dael & I are working with a client whose first point of entry is through a set of French doors straight into the living room. I know there are a lot of homes that don't have a foyer or entry hall, but that doesn't mean you can't still create an illusion of an entranceway. There are two ways to do this... create a physical barrier, or a visual one. You can use furniture pieces to create a physical barrier. A sofa can be positioned so that it's back creates a walkway, or mini hallway. You could also use a large (securely fastened) bookshelf or cabinet.
A visual barrier is created by giving you something to instantly focus on as you enter the house. A console or hall table gives you a place to pause as you enter, also a place to pop your keys or the mail.
A long stool works well too - it provides a place to put your shoes on as you're heading out, or pop your bag down when coming in. Again, the art helps define the space and the rug welcomes and leads you in.
This little round table (below) is placed just inside the doors, working in the same way as the console tables and stools. The cowhide rug is the anchor this time, stopping the table from floating aimlessly in the space.
The room our clients first walk into is large and open plan, so we will be using quite a long credenza. Plenty of drawers will provide storage for mail and bits and pieces they want to hide away. On top we'll be able to create a lovely welcoming vignette, and hang a favourite piece of art behind.
If there's one piece of furniture that I recommend you invest in, and don't scrimp on, it's your sofa. Other than your bed, it really is the furniture piece you're likely to use the most, and it needs to be quality and comfortable as well as looking good.
You can't go wrong with a great neutral sofa. If you're brave try white (many now come with removable slip covers for washing), otherwise a light grey or oatmeal colour. Don't get me wrong, I love a coloured sofa, but by choosing a neutral colour it's really easy to change the look and feel of your living room. Add a throw, swap your cushions, a new side table and a piece of art, and you've reinvented your space while retaining your fabulous sofa.
To create a welcoming and cohesive living room you need to have a starting point and work from there. Choose a piece of art, a rug, or a favourite piece of furniture and let that determine the style and colour palette. These first three images have a strong piece of art as the focal point, and everything works around it. Pick two or three colours from the art to use in furniture and accessories. This will create a common thread to tie it all together.
A rug is another excellent starting point, and is like a work of art in itself. If, like me, you love a patterned rug, then let that be the 'hero' and everything else should compliment it. Using the same rule as the artwork, let the rug dictate your colour palette working with three main tones.
You'll often find that you unconsciously create a common thread with your colour palette as you're drawn to certain colours. Mine is blue with accents of pink and yellow. That doesn't mean you can't have the odd splash of green, or a touch of black, but keep your top three consistent and you'll have a harmonious room.
