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 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.
For more information about
global sourcing
visit on http://roseateinteriors.com/int-sourcing.php
