When I saw this photo, I wondered how you’d carry on a conversation with anyone sitting on that other sofa, way over there. This is what designers mean when they advise you not to line your furniture up against the wall (I recently heard it called The Spin Cycle Effect when everything is clinging to the edges of a room).
How would you arrange this room differently to make it feel a little friendlier?
(Thanks to Robin at A Bird in the Hand for sending me this!)
{ 23 comments }
Loved Diane Keaton’s house! Gorgeous…and I know exactly what you mean about blogging time. I always feel behind on what I should be doing vs. sitting at the computer. Gotta get some balance!
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Oh, I hope you give us some answers to that sofa situation in that livingroom!! I have a similar layout at my house (I even have the fireplace on the “caddy” like the picture!!) but my house doesn’t feel like that. I have my sofa next to the TV, with a walk-between, and a chair next to the sofa at a 90-degree angle. Where the “love seat” is in the pic is two chairs flanking a table.
I think in order to make the “conversation area” more cohesive, I’d probably put the love seat in front of those bar stools, and make it touch the sofa @ a 90-degree angle.
But I get BORED with the same ol’ layout. I’d be interested in what you and your readers come up with!!
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Oh, I hope you give us some answers to that sofa situation in that livingroom!! I have a similar layout at my house (I even have the fireplace on the “caddy” like the picture!!) but my house doesn’t feel like that. I have my sofa next to the TV, with a walk-between, and a chair next to the sofa at a 90-degree angle. Where the “love seat” is in the pic is two chairs flanking a table.
I think in order to make the “conversation area” more cohesive, I’d probably put the love seat in front of those bar stools, and make it touch the sofa @ a 90-degree angle.
But I get BORED with the same ol’ layout. I’d be interested in what you and your readers come up with!!
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I am also in constant search of balance when it comes to my blog. I love what you said Julia when you wrote that you would rather blog about clean houses than live in one…ha,ha…and I would rather READ about clean houses than clean mine…actually, all of your postings inspire me to take better care of what I have and appreciate the beauty around me. Thank you!
Have a great day!
Smiles ~ Ramona
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I can sooooooo relate to being busy – must be the time of year! I feel equally overwhelmed as you do! Have a great day.
What a strange set up. Perhaps the people who live there don’t like each other.
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My dh insists on the furniture against the walls, too! Ugh! And we have a long living room, not square, too!
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I would probably hang the flat screen above the fireplace, then angle one of the sofas in front of the fireplaces – lining up with the angle of the fireplace. Then make an ‘L’ formation with the loveseat in the area where the current tv cabinet is. If there is space, I would put a chair or two at the window as a secondary seating area.
If they don’t want to hang the flat screen, leave it where it is. Still put the couch across from the fireplace, matching the angle of the fireplace. Then move the loveseat into the ‘l’ position, just moving it up and over a little from where it is currently in front of the window.
As an alternative – can’t really tell from the picture – but you may be able to position the tv and cabinet on the wall where the sofa is currently located. It would be best if it were angled opposite of the fireplace. Then you could flank the fireplace with the sofa and the loveseat on either side. This might make it look more inviting from the kitchen area.
The “Spin Cycle Effect” – Love it!!!
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Oh dear, yes, this does look like you could fit in a game of skittles. But I feel sorry for them having that awkwardly placed fireplace, I’m another one with that ‘feature’ (do builders think it’s clever?) so it makes the room kind of tricky. In my case, the total floor area is very small so no need to shout to be heard!
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Kristin’s solution looks like a good one–then people can enjoy the fireplace and the TV at the same time (if, say, one of the people loves “Law and Order” reruns and one of the people, sigh, does not, then this is just perfect!)
Julia I know that overwhelming feeling a lot too! Hang in there. Now on this room I would anchor the rug in front of the fireplace with one sofa opposite 2 new chairs.Did you give me a budget…oh don’t worry I can’t stick to it anyway…put the table in the middle. Then I would create other seating options for TV viewing with the other sofa (I’m afraid we’ll need more chairs again)and add a game/puzzle table (looks like a family room to me). Without being in the room that’s what I’d do to start.
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We all have those overwhelming times, I’ve had my own lately too. Hang in there and remember to take some time to just relax!
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I’m curious how the people (yes, those invisible people) on the couch in front of the window can see the TV? TV should definitely be hanging over the fireplace….one of the great perks of the flat screen…hello people?! Wall mount.
I’m with you – I’d rather do “fun” projects than laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping!!
~angela @ peonypatch
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You are sooo right– Furniture up against the wall! Ughh. But like one of your commentors said, maybe they dont like one another to talk to one another?… OR I wouldnt want to go into that room cuz of those SCAREYYYY “curtains”… I can just smell the DUST collected in them… and they are SHORT too!
I like spending time being inspired rather than cleaning these days too, infact my elderly mother told me she doesnt like getting into my car cuz its sooo “dirty” (i wont share what a clean-a-holic she is)so to that i say… “darn mom, guess you are going to have to take the bus!”
xo
Claudia
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This title made me laugh.out.loud.
I did 8 loads of laundry yesterday and 2 more today. Talk about “livin the dream”. bwahahah
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I think you got the photo from me: http://bird-in-the-hand.blogspot.com/2008/10/dont-sit-dont-sit-dont-sit-so-close-to.html
It’s from a model home here in the Hartford area. I think I should anonymously drop off Kristin’s makeover!
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Yes, that’s it! Thanks for jogging my memory, Robin. It had been so long since I saw it, I couldn’t remember where it came from. Post amended to credit you! -Julia
I know exactly how you feel with work and life. I took several days off from blogging over Mother’s Day Weekend thanks to my awesome partner Angie:-) It was so nice! Then I discovered I got the most hits I’d ever had that weekend and I didn’t do a thing. LOL! Sometimes these blogs have a life of their own and it’s okay to take a break… we’ll still be here.
Hope you have a nice relaxing weekend!
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hehe- I can really relate to this one! big time!!!
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I hear ya on the blogging thing. I have GOT to get stuff done around here, but when I do I can’t keep up with my visiting. It’s a vicious cycle. Ooooo and people get mad too! Yikes!! LOL
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OMG–I love the bed in the Dali Decals example. Where did they find it?
.-= Amber´s last blog ..weekend recap =-.
Put the TV some where else and then it’s easy to arrange the furniture in at least two different possiblities….
Melissa
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