5 Ways to add interest to a dining room

When someone says dining room, what picture appears in your mind?  Try  it.  List the elements.<br /><br />For many of us these words conjure up a dining room set with everything matching, a chandelier and some sort of hutch or maybe buffet.  Probably a picture of some sort will be included.  I bet matching is the most obvious characteristic. <br /><br />It doesn't have to be that way unless that's what you like. <br /><br /> Here are 5 ways you can  make your dining space stand out a little.<br /><br /><h4>Mix and match your chairs and table</h4><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNYnjfClMkssF5IvJ0AJIiJkVo7IVgY6EvbbXvrWSi_hdygSX6tG6wyGqFqImZ-3C8djfZSNGNp-x4jY68-VqXYHfVScTLuxhHNoawk3NEJD9iMAJ4NszgkBR24Yj3QscEp1Z1-kIKlit/s1600/different+dining+chairs+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dining table, upholstered chairs, " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNYnjfClMkssF5IvJ0AJIiJkVo7IVgY6EvbbXvrWSi_hdygSX6tG6wyGqFqImZ-3C8djfZSNGNp-x4jY68-VqXYHfVScTLuxhHNoawk3NEJD9iMAJ4NszgkBR24Yj3QscEp1Z1-kIKlit/s1600/different+dining+chairs+.jpg" title="Designing Home: 5 ways to add interest to a dining room" width="261" /></a></div><br /><br />The days of dining sets have moved behind us.  In many magazines you will see all sorts of mixing of styles, materials and colours. I love the look of upholstered chairs with a wood table. They soften the hard edges and provide some relief in the "wood" department. Some adventurous types will go for two different styles of chairs.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC19D_QUOeOKZwznmH9ljoAdwC_wOuy2tqJHLmplwAUi1gnM6AQ4BIKnLPLRS4tOr032ijpSAVxfu4YmkJeMWyMk88L7siw9ojBk5N6JwEcFcqWTDD6052Qt5IT-NGGoqiQfUfId-Ch6rN/s1600/how-to-mix-and-match-dining-room-chairs-adore-magazine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mixing modern table and traditional chairs" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC19D_QUOeOKZwznmH9ljoAdwC_wOuy2tqJHLmplwAUi1gnM6AQ4BIKnLPLRS4tOr032ijpSAVxfu4YmkJeMWyMk88L7siw9ojBk5N6JwEcFcqWTDD6052Qt5IT-NGGoqiQfUfId-Ch6rN/s1600/how-to-mix-and-match-dining-room-chairs-adore-magazine.jpg" title="Designing Home: 5 ways to add interest to a dining room" width="333" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Adore magazine</div><br /> Another option if you aren't too adventurous is to upholster each of your wooden chairs with a different, but co-ordinated fabric.  Note how this room sports more traditional chairs with a very simple table. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI7eqqdAOqcEe5Q2rZa4tTay-LongHT4uMOdZGIK-hm4s0X5v8FywwSoqOPgmgYPKOzyIp46ZGc_KNUqNRzIhyphenhyphenrDXvK8yC70MS03PoS5vGjgvOYqMy9kgnUjUfAtAG4EY5WJCDRnwfrJm/s1600/dining+from+doorway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mid century modern dining chairs, charcoal dining chairs, buffets" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI7eqqdAOqcEe5Q2rZa4tTay-LongHT4uMOdZGIK-hm4s0X5v8FywwSoqOPgmgYPKOzyIp46ZGc_KNUqNRzIhyphenhyphenrDXvK8yC70MS03PoS5vGjgvOYqMy9kgnUjUfAtAG4EY5WJCDRnwfrJm/s1600/dining+from+doorway.JPG" title="Designing Home: 5 ways to add interest to a dining room" width="308" /></a></div><br />In the case of my own dining space, I painted my matching chairs charcoal  and upholstered them with a much lighter fabric to make them the centre of interest in  my sea of golden tones. I am trying to get up enough nerve to paint the solid ash buffets the same colour.   I'm not there yet.  It's difficult when your furniture is all hand made with love. <br /><br /><h4>Look for a harmonious  buffet </h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Forget about having a matching buffet (I wish I could!).  Look for one with the same undertone as your table  or chairs and similar lines if you like, or go for something painted or a different style entirely.  Some element of it should relate it to the room as a whole: wood tone, style, or colour of other objects in room.</div><br />Here are two I would choose for my space to work with my chairs.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdzA55fPWtbbQYafQzIV9oGysArtxqVSpFYapON0x_yGFq-vWNTInYoJfruxPzfoK8epmKExabyGSVZH9gY9APRj1w0xQb3xkHrpin2zmIHuloORW8UQOQmL2lzqv6yPAN2Ri1U1eYmLl/s1600/geo-charcoal-buffet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdzA55fPWtbbQYafQzIV9oGysArtxqVSpFYapON0x_yGFq-vWNTInYoJfruxPzfoK8epmKExabyGSVZH9gY9APRj1w0xQb3xkHrpin2zmIHuloORW8UQOQmL2lzqv6yPAN2Ri1U1eYmLl/s400/geo-charcoal-buffet.jpg" title="Designing Home: 5 ways to add interest to a dining room" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjOMqUqYggXwsc8E5xvTN8eQiGpEha89_i0Uk0DCJvTGQ5_X3GZ10WneIfstJoRqQiV9v2yMMXHg5cUbFxjaLLUELPBfr-x7TAuppTD7sYJIDkYDJhCPVwIVSw95PutGcAj0civWQWH2R/s1600/5-Jessica-Hasten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjOMqUqYggXwsc8E5xvTN8eQiGpEha89_i0Uk0DCJvTGQ5_X3GZ10WneIfstJoRqQiV9v2yMMXHg5cUbFxjaLLUELPBfr-x7TAuppTD7sYJIDkYDJhCPVwIVSw95PutGcAj0civWQWH2R/s400/5-Jessica-Hasten.jpg" title="Designing Home: 5 ways to add interest to a dining room" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They certainly harmonize with the darkness of the chairs, the style is mid centuryish like the table and I like the fact they are both raised off the floor.  This openness will give the illusion of space, always an added plus in a small room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4>Have at least one hand made/original item</h4><br /> We live in a mass produced economy where the answer  to everything is in a big box store.  Not so.  Save your pennies, visit an antique shop, a fine craft store or gallery.  Look for something you love, made by the hand of an artist, and place it with pride knowing it's unique.  It doesn't have to be large.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GF3fosUSIy_jo6mseUlroF3_7lGrCkWlPvgOf5wetzhsC8vZ1n2hqnoFKUI_xWWcCku6rfmfDqNrsVSb4T7Zhngh-O3njohw5PLKh9EkQoNcfvmg-uJCmNuFSu6EAOIbZdfobcVjIGtN/s1600/DSCN0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ceramic pot, Anita Singh, barnacle " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GF3fosUSIy_jo6mseUlroF3_7lGrCkWlPvgOf5wetzhsC8vZ1n2hqnoFKUI_xWWcCku6rfmfDqNrsVSb4T7Zhngh-O3njohw5PLKh9EkQoNcfvmg-uJCmNuFSu6EAOIbZdfobcVjIGtN/s400/DSCN0904.JPG" title="Designing Home: 5 ways to add interest to a dining room" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This month I have a lovely pot on my buffet created by an artist friend, Anita Singh.  I love her work </div>because it always relates to the natural world.  Barnacle is always a conversation piece.  It is also the perfect example of my next point. <br /><br /><h4>Use a variety of textures</h4><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKlG2RTn0LPhYAUmP_zKk3O1Gf1yGpGm8yHDJ2I3V6DcTws4z88R-lQfbBajdKlOu02VkZXnItp66NcUOOIRTUhVDJXOyLviZaLImWB6aldcMRfxyOpX0kEn2WSdIYRc5dOwLbRu9Cl5-/s1600/vase+and+candlesticks+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="white textured vase, silver candlesticks, mother of pearl" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKlG2RTn0LPhYAUmP_zKk3O1Gf1yGpGm8yHDJ2I3V6DcTws4z88R-lQfbBajdKlOu02VkZXnItp66NcUOOIRTUhVDJXOyLviZaLImWB6aldcMRfxyOpX0kEn2WSdIYRc5dOwLbRu9Cl5-/s400/vase+and+candlesticks+.JPG" title="Designing Home: 5 ways to add interest to a dining room" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeAVDxY3HlcZ4cOmDyOiYx8yd0y53o0XKbouzXAcj0K6WNk5u_-JafyshquU6C1mH2ttxNyhwSp6kP4lC10Twi9xV8TSZ2tWLCP7bvEzXfMFTPQRp6CrEWnNnNZNgbBhjf1XHHdkAAPPh/s1600/DSCN0901_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeAVDxY3HlcZ4cOmDyOiYx8yd0y53o0XKbouzXAcj0K6WNk5u_-JafyshquU6C1mH2ttxNyhwSp6kP4lC10Twi9xV8TSZ2tWLCP7bvEzXfMFTPQRp6CrEWnNnNZNgbBhjf1XHHdkAAPPh/s400/DSCN0901_01.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Textures make the most interesting addition to spaces, and it is the element that I see under-utilized  in homes. In my space I have silk drapes, lots of wood grain, a highly textured plant container made from ceramic, a white wavy vase, metal candlesticks with mother of pearl, and two plants.  I love texture!</div><br /><h4>Choose one unexpected element</h4>Right now the pot my ferns are in is my an unexpected item.  It is so rough and worn looking and I have it paired with silk drapes. Other options could be your light fixture, a painting, something on your tabletop or a small piece of furniture in a corner.  Some would say it should have bling, but I'll leave that up to you.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDnzV8-tjcKKbygpqt6oqxtWIpVqkTcpB-CFKRFpwVD6Kq4GZpUuA0FJxqvI5mMK-3fDTKM4esH1kDy4poHbSOPW_Q5O0CvVONVAuEGx5FAemR7Iv89ELlWDHidGo1klJRR2rcytd-eEH/s1600/DSCN0905+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="textured trough, boston ferns " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDnzV8-tjcKKbygpqt6oqxtWIpVqkTcpB-CFKRFpwVD6Kq4GZpUuA0FJxqvI5mMK-3fDTKM4esH1kDy4poHbSOPW_Q5O0CvVONVAuEGx5FAemR7Iv89ELlWDHidGo1klJRR2rcytd-eEH/s400/DSCN0905+2.JPG" title="Designing Home: 5 ways to add interest to a dining room" width="300" /></a></div><h4>What's your "interesting " score?</h4> This is a very arbitrary checklist, based on what is "current"  in my  decor reading and viewing.   Hardly scientific!<br /><br />No my dining room isn't perfect but hopefully it is interesting.<br />Just because I write about design doesn't mean my space is perfect (whatever that means) or that it even lives up to what I know about the elements and principles of design.  There's the small matter of competing priorities including: budget, interest and energy, connections to objects and furniture, beliefs about your role consuming and junking, and the desire for good old predictability in your environment etc.<br /><br /><br /><br />

5 Ways to add interest to a dining room

When someone says dining room, what picture appears in your mind?  Try  it.  List the elements. For many of us these words conjure up a dini...

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Choosing a drapery colour

Ah, the dreaded question.  What colour draperies should I have? <br /><br />Part of being a decorator is making informed decisions about design.  Keeping current with trends  through reading and viewing is a must, but trend knowledge is not enough.  You have to understand what affect your choices will have on a space. <br /><br />I posted this picture on Designing Home Facebook Page as an example of a style board I create for clients.  I am not one for vivid colour, but I didn't have to live with the colour, a young lady who loves rich colours did.   Should I have argued with her and said you shouldn't have bright draperies. NO!  I have to balance my client's likes with the principles and elements of design. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qxHCjWVbqhzMWc2MQWFGDoFJF6ndshQ6Q42ZmGvYJU6zK85qKjntZ-s2CSFkm297I2TXkd4hRUUCBhIZCwpbeDmKSHJv6K9Uq7RgRFWL0pZH71hTfvkb35vl7MoiNtPw2BNLlpBtbPeJ/s1600/10801479_784548268251340_5666604175270465016_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="vibrant drapes, turquoise drapes, vibrant living room, Designing Home" border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qxHCjWVbqhzMWc2MQWFGDoFJF6ndshQ6Q42ZmGvYJU6zK85qKjntZ-s2CSFkm297I2TXkd4hRUUCBhIZCwpbeDmKSHJv6K9Uq7RgRFWL0pZH71hTfvkb35vl7MoiNtPw2BNLlpBtbPeJ/s1600/10801479_784548268251340_5666604175270465016_n.jpg" title="Designing Home: Choosing a drapery colour" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vibrant  draperies </td></tr></tbody></table><br />Let's look at what this colour choice  did for this room.<br /><br /> You can't ignore this window treatment, it's not only the vibrant colour, it's the placement and amount of it. That means a lot of colour jumping forward in the space. The draperies also serve to  frame the artwork and the sofa. The more muted sofa is anchored and held captive, and you need an equally vibrant art work to compete with the windows. When you look at this space blue is primary and everything else is secondary. <br /><br />The overall effect is focused and the room appears smaller than it actually is.  That's a great tip if you have a large space that you want to appear smaller/cosier.  Go for darker/brighter  window treatments that draw the eye. <br /><br /> I see this as a lively, energetic scheme that is equally matched to a sparkling, vivacious young lady. <br /><br /><br />On to number two example....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQobZGpESAL9vydqzGRkYdRpKG93LxaaSImX2mJ_4Z5q25xvijOwwl6iAAeaLpZtz3A5EAT4d0JoLBn3FSaFm6P33ZyFXjm-DvkYBI0olRGAEcMWc0yI5X6kliRoDNp_FD6QT_BsZkE_K/s1600/OB-Green+and+Turquoise+Living+Room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="soft white drapes, roman shade, fresh living room scheme, Designing Home" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQobZGpESAL9vydqzGRkYdRpKG93LxaaSImX2mJ_4Z5q25xvijOwwl6iAAeaLpZtz3A5EAT4d0JoLBn3FSaFm6P33ZyFXjm-DvkYBI0olRGAEcMWc0yI5X6kliRoDNp_FD6QT_BsZkE_K/s1600/OB-Green+and+Turquoise+Living+Room+2.jpg" title="Designing Home: Choosing a drapery colour" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I removed the vibrant draperies and choose something more in line with my personal taste.  I like my spaces to be expansive, and tone -on tone- window treatments  (keeping the colour of the drapes and the walls very similar) is  one way to achieve that look/feel especially in a smaller space.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now the sofa and artwork stand out as they didn't before.  Your eye connects the light colour in the chairs with the draperies and you visually wander the space. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On to example number three....  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq20zcs0fo5Yz0Zdh6GO61tJuLvzIeUK-_LD3q1MrDmbZ8AqHJtgzZfcpTjRKXTs-6d0pxNXzdar8e734MUB_HS-5VoG0pTgs7YAqnLQQkGQfV2dFVyHME_PYhgN9jVLykKZAadz46rA6L/s1600/OB-Green+and+Turquoise+Living+Room3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="fresh living room scheme, fresh green, turquoise " border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq20zcs0fo5Yz0Zdh6GO61tJuLvzIeUK-_LD3q1MrDmbZ8AqHJtgzZfcpTjRKXTs-6d0pxNXzdar8e734MUB_HS-5VoG0pTgs7YAqnLQQkGQfV2dFVyHME_PYhgN9jVLykKZAadz46rA6L/s1600/OB-Green+and+Turquoise+Living+Room3.jpg" title="Designing Home; Choosing a drapery colour" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Same window treatments, but I'm tweeking a few other things. Without the blue pillows on the chairs,  and the blue vase on the table, the space is even even more opened up.  The overall effect is fresh and inviting,  reminiscent of a summer garden - always a look I gravitate to.  The wooden tables help that feel too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So there is no right answer to the question "What colour draperies  should I have?"  It all depends on how you want your room to look/feel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you wan to find out more about current trends in window treatments check out this <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.ca/2014/01/current-trends-in-window-treatments.html">post</a> and several others in my side bar. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What's your preference when buying  window treatments ?  Are you a neutral or a colour lover?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Choosing a drapery colour

Ah, the dreaded question.  What colour draperies should I have? Part of being a decorator is making informed decisions about design.  Keepin...

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Where to put your TV

<div style="text-align: center;">Where should I put my new TV?</div><br /><div>This is  my most dreaded decorating question because my answer never seems to please people.There is nothing subtle or appealing about a big black rectangle dominating a room, and that is what happens as TVs become larger. My first instinct is to come up with ways to hide the TV except when it is in use.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/18241/Mahoney-Architects---Interiors--More-than-cookies-in-the-oven----contemporary-family-room-san-francisco"><img alt="Mahoney Architects & Interiors: More than cookies in the oven... contemporary family room" border="0" height="550" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/18241_0_8-7109-contemporary-family-room.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small>  <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/309/Mahoney-Architects-and-Interiors" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Mahoney Architects and Interiors</a></small></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/18580/James-Wagman-Architect--LLC---Apartment---Riverside-Dr-eclectic-living-room-new-york"><img alt="James Wagman Architect, LLC - Apartment - Riverside Dr eclectic living room" border="0" height="545" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/18580_0_8-2031-eclectic-living-room.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/new-york" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">new york </a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/2025/James-Wagman-Architect-LLC" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">James Wagman Architect, LLC</a></small><br /><br /><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/12169/Powell-Kleinschmidt--modern-family-room-chicago"><img alt="Powell/Kleinschmidt. modern family room" border="0" height="375" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/12169_0_8-0856-modern-family-room.jpg" width="500" /></a><small> </small></div><div style="color: black; text-align: center;"><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/family-room" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a>  <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/1711/PowellKleinschmidt-Inc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Powell/Kleinschmidt, Inc.</a></small></div><div style="text-align: left;">These are  perfect solutions as far as I'm concerned.  Close the doors and the TV disappears and the room becomes more about living as a family and less about "control by the box".   </div><small><br /></small><br /><div style="text-align: left;">When you place a TV above the fireplace you create two black rectangular "holes" .  How attractive is that?  In a perfect world we would all have media rooms and then the TV could dominate all it wanted to, but most of us don't have the luxury of a special room for TV viewing.   </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>  Putting design aesthetics aside, there is an even more important consideration for TV placement that leads me to  never suggest placing it  over the fireplace -it  is just too high for sensible viewing.  When your chin is perpetually jutting up in the air, there is constant strain on your neck - it's an unnatural position. <br /><br />When viewing a TV, you want to be able to look at it from a level angle, without that constant neck craning. I suggest sitting down in your chosen viewing spot and finding  the spot on the wall that is parallel to your gaze. Place a piece of tape on the wall at that point to mark where the  centre of the screen should be. You can adjust up or down between 6-12 inches without  causing discomfort. That usually means  you will need some type of  low cabinet to hold the TV and all its "stuff". Here are some suggestions for various layout problems. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/19824/Interior-Design-Los-Angeles---ASD-Interiors-contemporary-living-room-los-angeles"><img alt="Interior Design Los Angeles | ASD Interiors contemporary living room" border="0" height="338" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/19824_0_8-9290-contemporary-living-room.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designer/los-angeles" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">los angeles interior designer</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/2227/ASD-Interiors--Shirry-Dolgin-Owner" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">A.S.D. Interiors </a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Often small rooms demand that you  be creative in your room layout to even fit in a TV.   Mounting the TV behind furniture is a good solution. If more seating is required when you have visitors, it is simple to move the two chairs around to create a more theatre style setting. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/9891/Ehrenclou-Architects-contemporary-living-room-los-angeles"><img alt="Ehrenclou Architects contemporary living room" border="0" height="274" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/9891_0_8-1214-contemporary-living-room.jpg" width="386" /></a><small> </small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small></small><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/567/Ehrenclou-Architects" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Ehrenclou Architects</a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">When you have a fireplace in the room and you need to fit in a TV it is often a very difficult challenge because you often end up with competing focal points. You then have to decide what you will do to ensure one stands out more than the other. Using a darker colour or larger scale for the TV cabinet  or  using  both are good solutions. In the room above the fireplace is light and no attention is drawn to it .  The TV wall is darker and more commanding. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/93185/Lindy-Donnelly-traditional-family-room-san-francisco"><img alt="Lindy Donnelly traditional family room" border="0" height="640" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/93185_0_8-1339-traditional-family-room.jpg" width="427" /></a><small> </small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small> </small><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designer/san-francisco" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">san francisco interior designer</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/12500/Lindy-Donnelly" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Lindy Donnelly</a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><small> </small>Built in cabinets  that contain a swivel shelf that allows TV viewing from various angles often solves design dilemma. This solution by designer Lindy Donnelly is a great example of a practical and sophisticated design.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/9367/La-Dimora-Design-contemporary-family-room-san-francisco"><img alt="La Dimora Design contemporary family room" border="0" height="307" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/9367_0_8-8266-contemporary-family-room.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">  <small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/showroom/san-francisco" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">san francisco showroom</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/1871/ladimoradesigncom" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">ladimoradesign.com</a></small></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><small> </small>This room is beautifully designed.   Usually TV units have the appearance of "making do" but this unit adds to/ strengthens the overall design of the room.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small>  </small></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/43613/Amoroso-Design-contemporary-family-room-san-francisco"><img alt="Amoroso Design contemporary family room" border="0" height="334" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/43613_0_8-3140-contemporary-family-room.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designer/san-francisco" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">san francisco interior designer</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/4479/Amoroso-Design" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Amoroso Design</a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> I like the clean lines of this cabinet.  It looks like it has sliding doors which must be opened to have access to technology when the TV is on. <br /><br />What happens when there is no other solution except putting the TV over the fireplace? If you are remodelling or doing a new home build, you have some control over the height of the fireplace. In the room depicted below the fireplace is kept low and simple and a niche was created for the TV.  <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/123937/Waterfront-Penthouse-contemporary--boston"><img alt="Waterfront Penthouse contemporary " border="0" height="490" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/123937_0_8-3383-contemporary-.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small>  <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/16321/Melissa-Miranda-Interior-Design" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Melissa Miranda Interior Design</a></small></div><br /><div>Is there ever a time when a TV works over a fireplace?  I would say yes if all the seats were reclining and stylish!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1GmlXv_PCwW34kz_iYJTAOAGQe72WxyOJ5lMQySLiufm_j1FhQx4zpJ0IpL7kR44IBGXELNIRgWRiLgyJMOq5nvkPGPiweUzOTscMRsllNp3atvUDQmDOgov47LAn-glQ_MrQyvkqsCa/s1600/the-Amalfi-Leather-Recliner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1GmlXv_PCwW34kz_iYJTAOAGQe72WxyOJ5lMQySLiufm_j1FhQx4zpJ0IpL7kR44IBGXELNIRgWRiLgyJMOq5nvkPGPiweUzOTscMRsllNp3atvUDQmDOgov47LAn-glQ_MrQyvkqsCa/s320/the-Amalfi-Leather-Recliner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.furniturekue.com/amalfi-the-leather-recliner-by-macys-furniture/">source</a></div></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary/living-room" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a></small></div>

Where to put your TV

Where should I put my new TV? This is  my most dreaded decorating question because my answer never seems to please people.There is nothing s...

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Design Tip: photograph trouble spots

<ul style="text-align: center;"><li>Do you want to discover trouble spots in your interior design? </li></ul><ul style="text-align: center;"><li>Do you have a room where something seems off but you don't know what the problem is? </li></ul><ul style="text-align: center;"><li>Are you wondering if your room is completed?</li></ul>Take a photograph of the  room in question and have a critical look at what is happening.  There is something about the two dimensionality of photography that makes problem areas pop out especially scale /proportion. (Proportion involves the relationship of size between objects. Proportion  also includes the relative sizes of surface areas of different colors). Here's a telling photo of  my own living room.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcj1xlBFx-G-JqPF11v2OkTg_xu7uuSDKBtjj-yuK48dGWnullYP-AdIy0WiGOwXpGq8BqLyzPU300-InsFitYNGKfmpAD-xyOCaB18ytRIoUr6SMh0zMSReLKUJoeJnQrrJgklyfRaWo/s1600/DSCN544566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcj1xlBFx-G-JqPF11v2OkTg_xu7uuSDKBtjj-yuK48dGWnullYP-AdIy0WiGOwXpGq8BqLyzPU300-InsFitYNGKfmpAD-xyOCaB18ytRIoUr6SMh0zMSReLKUJoeJnQrrJgklyfRaWo/s640/DSCN544566.jpg" width="522" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />This tiny chest of drawers looks minute and lost  next to the chair.  The area need something more substantial to balance the weight of the chair next to it. I'm still looking for the perfect piece and that is how it goes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>

Design Tip: photograph trouble spots

Do you want to discover trouble spots in your interior design?  Do you have a room where something seems off but you don't know what the...

Read more »