The living room is probably my favorite part of the house, and if you remember not long ago I met George Arnold Foster-Vincent, head interior designer at Ethan Allen Dubai, so I asked George for a couple of tips to pass on to my doozy readers that will instantly make your room look better and here's what he had to say.
1) The rug dilemma
George explained that this is a mistake that almost everyone does.
The role of a rug in a sitting room is to define the sitting space, not the coffee table area. Instead many are guilty of using a rug that's too small and which ends up to only sectioning the coffee table. I am currently guilty of this as well, but actually it's only for my current set up because I got a different rug, the previous one I had, it was placed correctly. So, how to set up your sitting/living room space correctly?
First of all, have a rug that is big enough for your area. If you have only a 3 seater sofa then it should be big enough to cover the width of the sofa, if like me you have a suite made of a 3 seater + 2 seater + armchair, you are most likely to require a bigger rug to ensure all of the seats are enclosed.
The rug has to go 6 inches under your sofa or at the very least, the front two feet of all your seating whether is a sofa or a corner chair, should be comfortably placed ON the rug. This creates a sense of an enclosed space. When you invite someone to sit with you into your seating room, this type of setting makes a person feel like he/she is invited into your space, your circle.
| 2) The coffee table Square or round the important thing about your coffee table is for it to fit the scale. Huge seating space with a small table or small chairs with a majestic coffee table are no-no's. Also always look out for glass top tables as they instantly add depth and style to the space. |  |
3) Scale
I already mentioned this, but it is something that George stressed the importance of and this is valid for every room in your home.
Don't buy furniture just because you like it, if you have a small room, a massive sofa has no business being in there.
Keep in consideration the measurements not just from a literally aspect but also from an eye point of you. How would an elephant look into a 4X4 meters room? Out of place, that's how!
Equally for your sofa, your bed, your dining table, anything that goes into your home, always buy to scale.
I already mentioned this, but it is something that George stressed the importance of and this is valid for every room in your home.
Don't buy furniture just because you like it, if you have a small room, a massive sofa has no business being in there.
Keep in consideration the measurements not just from a literally aspect but also from an eye point of you. How would an elephant look into a 4X4 meters room? Out of place, that's how!
Equally for your sofa, your bed, your dining table, anything that goes into your home, always buy to scale.
 | 4) Bold colors Over the years trends have emphasized different colors and accent walls etc, however when you look at interior design magazine or features about interior designers' homes, you will see that the walls are either brilliant white or, dark, very dark. "Don't be afraid to paint your walls dark" - says George whose apartment in |
Dubai is currently painted in dark stormy grey -"the darker the wall the better your colors and accents will stand out".
Dark colors are also creating a sophistication and mysterious effect, so even if you haven't got a big budget to spend on furniture, colors can help you create the elegant look that you may be after.
Dark colors are also creating a sophistication and mysterious effect, so even if you haven't got a big budget to spend on furniture, colors can help you create the elegant look that you may be after.
| 5) Accents. Use colors accents cleverly with pieces that can be easily retired and don't cost a fortune to change. Think table runners, lampshades, throws, cushions covers, curtains sheers (which are back with vengeance, by the way!!) |  |
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