“Oh my god, where was
the space to sit in the living room, it sit so crammed with stuff.” How many
times have a gone to someone’s drawing room or the living room (as it is called
in US) and felt that half the things finding place there should actually be out
of the area.
The living room is the
place where we entertain guest, the room where the family members congregates
to share their lives, watch television, listen to music or just simply relax.
It is normally the best decorated room of the house; we always want to show our
best side to the world.
Whenever
we think of the interiors of a room, we have to keep a few simple principles in
mind.
1.
What is the purpose of the
room, do we get a lot of guest or do we basically use it family room.
2.
Do we have lot of space
where we can have separate formal entertaining area and an informal family area?
3.
What is the climate where
we live; if it is cold then we need warm fuzzy interiors, with woolen cushions
and throw. If it is tropical with lot of rain, then we need to have furniture
which does not get mildew easily, like cane or simple wood.
4.
Is the living room a space
where we also sit for long hours, watch television, read, play indoor games,
then it has to be comfortable and not a show case.
5.
The basic facts of doing
interior and the same world over. The most important fact that you have to know
is the optimum fact that you have to know is the optimum use of the space. If
it is used a lot get the wall painted in neutral shades so that you can have
colorful soft furnishings like curtains and rugs. Again if it used extensively,
the floor should be easily cleanable.
Weathered’ choice
Choice of materials is
another important factor. Marble is a good idea in hot climate as it stays cool and
can be cleaned with a brush and mop. Durries and rugs can add colour
to a marble floor. In warm climate wall-to-wall carpeting should be avoided as
it only adds to the temperature. Moreover, if the room is used a lot it will
get dirty easily and then it will be a tedious process to take wall –to- wall
carpeting out and get it dry cleaned.
In colder climate wood
is used a lot as flooring as it gives a warmer feel. Here wall -to- wall
carpeting can also be used to keep out the draught coming from the ground. But
the areas, which are used more in the living room, should have can dust and
clean the smaller ones easily and keep the carpet cleaner and less given to
wear and tear.
Tiles are one of the
commonest things used as flooring, especially in India but the problem with
these is that areas where the tiles join, where grouting is used, becomes dirty
and black. Secondly these are slippery and can break and cannot be replaced
easily. With a renewed interest in getting the antique look materials like
bricks, terrazzo floors etc also have a lot of following now.
Furniture finesse
An important element of
any room is furniture; again furniture has to be decided keeping in mind the
climate and use. Furniture has been part of a home even during the hunter
gatherer days; they used to make benches from tree trunks and small stools from
rocks. In contemporary times there are innumerable kinds and variety of
furniture. Gothic, Baroque, Colonial, Scandinavian, traditional Indian,
contemporary modernistic. In India itself every region has its own unique
style.
The key is to by and
large stick to one style. You can add one or two pieces which are antique or
part of family collection but to confusion. Imagine, Straight line modernistic
sofa, made of leather and chrome with a Rajasthani centre table Or South Indian
décor with Scandinavian furniture. If the room is used a lot use furniture
which is easily maintainable, having heavy sofas with light floral tapes try
will not do here, you need thick tapestry in shades that would not look dirty
soon. Curtains and tapestry should be, by and large, bought together, so that
you can coordinate colours.
Now you have the
materials to suit all pockets and remember spending on charging old dirty sofa
covers is essential, maintenance is more important than just purchasing.
Gadget show
If you have an informal TV watching room, do not keep a
television in the drawing room. People come to meet and interact with you not
watch your favorite serial, that they can do in the privacy of their home.
But if that is the only
room you have to keep the idiot box, turn it off when the guest comes. Now you
have wall-mounted ones but even the stand alone ones can be kept on a well
appointed table or console. TV does become the centre piece but it can be kept
in such a way that it does not take over the whole room, remember it is a
useful thing but not a beautiful thing.
Similarly keep your
music system in a cabinate to save it from dust and to avoid clutter in the
room. One important thing to remember is that the wires of electrical and
electronic items should not be seen. In an old house you can be seen cover them
or even if it means repair work, get the wires hidden inside the walls.
Decorating a living
room requires times and thought. Designs and patterns can be made on paper, do
a lot of race of the market, keep space for future acquisition and then take a
plunge.
It is not rocket
science, it can be done by yourself and will give you lot of creative
satisfaction.
Go easy on ACCESSORIES
As for artifacts and
accessories, keep minimum. In India we tend to showcase everything we like in
our drawing rooms whether it is a doll or a vase. We have memories attached to
most items, in one home there were memorabilia from all their journeys, so you
have a fan from Mizoram, a cane basket from Tripura, a paper Mache box from
Kashmir and the list goes on and on. Five minutes into such a room and you have
to listen to the story of the acquisition of each item in detail. While there
may be some beautiful items, when cluttered together they look like scrap.
We might love what we
buy, we might think we have the best taste but can’t put everything out.
Remember that you have to choose the right spot of display in accordance with
the dimension of the piece lighting and other items in the room.
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