layering a coffee table and ottoman

Our new sofa should be arriving in just a few short weeks and I am the hunt for a new coffee table. Currently, we have a table that Jeff made for me for my 22nd birthday. It has a wood top and tubular steel base. Its a great piece that I plan on having for a long time to come but it no longer works as our main coffee table. Namely, its quite narrow and lightweight meaning the dog can easily knock it over. Also with the large scale of the new sofa, I think its going to look pretty dinky (technical designer speak).

I am drawn to the idea of a layering a coffee table with an ottoman (or benches) as we have/will have two chairs opposite the sofa. This set up will allow for footrests for those chairs as well as serve as more seating when we have people over. I am thinking a parsons style table to contrast the soft and curvy lines of the sofa. I love the configuration Lauren Liess had in the loft of her old home (image 1) as well as the set up designed by Nate Berkus (image 8). 

Craigslist here I come....

from top left - home of Lauren Liess via Domaine Home - via Elle Decor - source unknown - source unknown - design by Vicente Wolf via House Beautiful - via Better Homes and Gardens - home of Margot Austin via House & Home - design by Nate Berkus via My Domaine -  design by Tom Scheerer

Want to read more? Check out one or all of these related posts.

ming/kang tables
july 14, 2014

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may 25, 2015

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july 10, 2015

industrial barn lights for our back hallway

Last Friday's post sent me on the search for our back hall flushmounts. I looked around at a lot of different styles and am on the fence as to whether I want to just go classic/traditional or do something with a bit more interest. Currently, I am gravitating towards an industrial barn light fixture. 

Two great lighting sources for this particular style are Barn Light Electric and Industrial Light Electric. My favorites from Barn Light Electric are the Wallaby and the Sydney. Both are super customizable with multiple shade dimensions, 20 finish options and different glass options as well. 

Wallaby Ceiling Light // via The Place Home

Sydney Industrial Flush Mount

From Industrial Light Electric, I really like the Industrial Metal Shade Light and Glass Shade Light. Both have only the option to choose white or black which I think I am ok with since I am leaning towards just doing white. These two options are also slightly less expensive than either of the Barn Light options which is always a plus. 

Industrial Metal Shade Light

Glass Shade Light

The style is so iconic that I am sure there are so many new and vintage options out there but, at least for the moment, I am limiting my selection which will hopefully make my decision a bit easier.

Like this post? Then check out lantern lighting, a flushmount light four the office or hallway sconces. 

in favor of a distinct room plan

via about.com

Living in an old home, I have come to appreciate the value of having distinct rooms. And while yes, we are looking to start a renovation that will open our living room up to our back hall and kitchen, our first floor while remain four distinct spaces - kitchen, dining room, den and living room (we also have a back mud room which currently is just a dump space). We spend the majority of our time in the kitchen and living room but we also get really good use of our dining room and den. We have just a small bistro table in our kitchen so any time there is more than just the two of us, we use our big table. I also love the convenience of being able to fold laundry on it, spread out work or just drop things on it as we come in the back door. Our den gets the most use in the colder months making it more of our "winter room". It's where we put up our Christmas tree and where our wood burning stove is located. Its a great space to watch the fire or curl up and read a book. Down the road, I could see it becoming more of a cozy office/adult space when kids come into the picture. The draw of the living room is our TV and our new sofa which we are eagerly anticipating (especially because I am pretty concerned about it fitting through our front door). Each room has its own use and feel yet isn't so zoned off to only get used one or twice a year. I think for us this means we are in the right size of house. Its also a promotion for the distinct room plan which is almost never featured or designed these days.

In today's residential design world its all about the open floor plan - tearing down walls, creating full sight lines with one big space and no separation. And while, I understand the advantages of this approach - I question it. A few drawbacks I see are:
- an inability to create cozy, intimate spaces that draw people in
- a loss of usable space to circulation i.e. awkward dead space
- a greater infiltration of TV into daily life as there is basically no escaping it
- less encouragement for people to get involved in a particular activity (cooking, watching the fire etc.) because they can be in the same room but doing something else
- no privacy
- rooms outside of the "big open space" getting no use for example the dining room
These are just a few things that I have thought about and while it might seem that I am really hating on the open floor plan - I am more just trying to give pause and question what has become such an accepted trend. Some food for thought on this Monday....

Like this post? Check out wood stoves, antique home style or resource review: the distinctive floor plan.