I need some help with a bare area in my livingroom. I will have to make or buy (bargain hunting) whatever it takes to make this area complete (and look good design wise). My style is a eclectic traditional. I will consider any ideas, even structural, for this is in the beginning planning stage.
First I need to describe the area of the livingroom that I am pleased with. My livingroom is 23 feet long and 14.75′ wide. There are two focal points-big windows along the right long wall and a fireplace on the far shorter wall. The windows are composed of one huge single picture window and two small double hung windows on each side, but positioned toward the far 2/3rd of the room. The modest fireplace centered along the narrow end wall (this is what you see when you look straight ahead and to the left when entering from the 4.83′ wide entrance on the right. It took a while to decide which focal point to emphasize, so I made both work. I positioned the livingroom furniture down toward the fireplace and windows in a cozy group with the sofa (and coffee table) facing the fireplace (it is at a right angle to the wall) and the two club chairs, angled (with side table between) toward each other slightly, but facing the big window. (There is an oval side table between the sofa and the one chair). This grouping has an area rug beneath that is about foot from each long wall (so the wood floors are exposed all around).
I am very pleased with the whole effect for it provides a nice conversation area, you can see both the fireplace and the windows easily and you can approach the area easily by walking straight, without any obstacles. However, the problem I need to address is the open unfurnished area, 1/3rd from the entrance doorway, prior to the larger conversation area.
Now, have I completely lost you, or can you can visualize this livingroom sitting area starting 2/3 rd the way from the entrance (8.4′ from the entrance), and a rather bare area room closer to the entrance to the room? (When entering the room, you see the back of the sofa, now with a blanket chest behind it.)
OK, the problem is how to decorate that bare area inexpensively and effectively. BTW, the long left wall (there is a large picture with sconces on each side above the table and a nice lamp on the table between the two club chairs) looks extremely long even though I have broken it up with the sofa at the right angle to it and the picture. (Also, to enter the seating area, you walk straight from the door way, on the right side of the room, passing that empty area on the left, and enter the conversation area on the left).
When looking for houses, I knew this one was going to be a design challenge. It had a grand piano (not in my budget) in the area that needs something now; I don’t remember how they had arranged the LR furniture. But that piano dominated the entire room.
The bare area in question is a total of 14.75′ wide (long wall to window wall) by 8.67′ long (short wall to the sofa). The entrance is 4.83′ wide (all the way against the right wall). So, while maintaining the straight path to the far conversation area (I need to deduct the doorway), the actual bare area to work with is 9.92′ W by 8.67′ L.
Do you have any ideas to make this room more interesting (and, at the same time, lessen the impact of seeing a very long wall on the left)? Thanks for reading all of this and for any help.
Edited 10/9/2003 12:55:34 PM ET by eroomgardener
Replies
How about a small, one-comfy-chair, reading nook, accompanied by a tree, table, small bookcase, and plants to extend the double hung that is nearby? Visually, you'll have plants greeting you as you enter the room and then it will draw your eye to the outside view as you progress down the room into the larger space. The reading area is a nice, quiet spot to sit out of the way of the action, but not totally away, as a sort of room within the room.
Another possibility would be a nice card table (not the cheapy aluminum ones), or a fuzball table - depending on what activities you like. Both of these can fit in that space, and you can have family gaming at one end and firegazing at the other. If you entertain then the card table can do double duty for snack space and the chairs can be dragged down for extra seating.
As for the long wall, there's always a mural!
Thank you, Aimless. That is a good idea, but for now I will consider using the nook in a different place. I may use the idea you mentioned in the future. I will explain.
I didn't describe the accessories (other than the picture and sconces) because explaining the floor plan and furniture placement was getting complicated. Actually the long, long, long wall is on the left and the window wall is on the right when entering the room. The bare area is just as you enter on the left and along the long wall and the wall opposite the fireplace. The fireplace is in the center of the short end wall. The two club chairs and table with lamp, and picture and sconces behind, are positioned against the long problem wall, one-third the length of the room and facing the windows. When sitting in the chairs you can see the nice view outside the windows.
In front of the larger window I placed an unusual shaped ceramic green birdbath (filled with and black smooth rocks) and have a beautiful fern sitting on the rocks and flowing out and down the sides of the green birdbath. It looks like a plant pedestal. (It was a bargain and just too beautiful inside to put it back in the garden this past spring. Besides the surface is very smooth and the birds never used it.) Because the window is facing north, I have a plant spot light on the floor shining up to accent and light the cascading fern. I also have a variegated Dracaena and another plant in pretty pots beside the birdbath, but in front of it as you walk to the conversation area. You are right to suggest having plants there and it worked out better that using the birdbath outside.
Also, straight ahead, just as you enter, and before the window and the plant, there is a small rectangular table with a small lamp and knick knack shelf with tea cups, small ceramic vases, and other attractive items. So when looking in the room from the doorway but toward the right, you see the table and shelf, the window with its neutral flowing satiny curtains and valance and the plant area in front of that. Beyond the plants, you see a medium height cabinet placed at an angle that looks like a chest, sort of, but has the TV and VCR hidden within (it does not look like a TV cabinet). When the cabinet doors are open everyone can see the TV from the chairs and sofa (that floor arrangement was quite a challenge having the window, fireplace and TV easily seen by all!). Also, there are two tall corner shelves with decorative glass pieces, one in each corner of the fireplace wall. so you can see that in the far 23 foot distance when entering the long room. I am sorry I do not have a camera, but Santa may bring one in a few months.
How about a small, one-comfy-chair, reading nook, accompanied by a tree, table, small bookcase, and plants. .
While the bare area is not along the window wall at the end, but to the left as you enter, I think your idea would be very good for the area in question. There are no windows in that bare area, but I could always get another spot light to highlight the tree. (I wonder what kind would do well with only a plant light?)
Meanwhile, sometime in the future, we are hoping to convert the formal dining room into a sitting/TV/comfy room that would be next to the kitchen. I believe I just read about that somewhere on the Inspired House site (the latest magazine or book excerpt). When that gets done, we can move the TV cabinet from the living room and design the reading nook idea as you mentioned. I really like the idea of being warmed by the fireplace.
Although the idea of a mural is excellent, I am afraid a mural would take away from the fireplace and window view. The room is all neutral now and could use new paint. Any ideas about that and how to lighten up a north-facing room with paint or break up that wall attractively? I have neutral off white window treatment, a rose sofa and matching chair and a neutral chair and matching ottoman. The oriental looking rug is cranberry with off white, seafoam green, and just a touch of country blue (not our favorite decorating color). A mural on the end wall could fill the area, and not detract from the other focal points of the room, but what about that long wall problem? What other ideas can we toss around?
Edited 10/9/2003 7:36:21 PM ET by eroomgardener
Edited 10/10/2003 1:12:34 AM ET by eroomgardener
Book/display cases...especially revolving ones or wall or floor mounted with internal lighting to break up the length you mention. I really feel like I get a picture of someone's interests when I see which books they have to have handy and what stuff they love so much it has to be part of their atmosphere. Maybe bonsai or indoor fountain?
Ooh, man, next time take a pic...lol....that was tuff for me read.
I sorta have the same set up. I think.
I am thinking vertical scale...something tall!
A big palm tree thingie? Wanna borrow my parrot cage?
"...my home is going to sell within 30 days for a whole bunch over our asking price" (thats somewhere between asking price and fantasy island)
Thanks for sifting through all of that! I tried my best by breaking it up with paragraphs. Sorry.
Wanna borrow my parrot cage? You are right about something tall.
I just wish I had a window there, but the walls back up to the hall stairway and bedroom. If I win the lottery I'll put in a skylight.
Great idea! A tall book shelf!
I was looking again at the long wall and tossing ideas: a tall shelf, a china cabinet, tree, bird cage, etc. Actually your idea of the mural is really good. I read somewhere not to have multiple focal points in a room. But actually, that big empty wall is away from the fireplace and window. You would never see both at the same time, so why not a mural? It may be cheaper than a book shelf. I already have my books in my home office on tall shelves.
I regret over and over about a purchase I didn't make. Two years ago at a charity function I saw a huge painting of a fabulous scene. It was selling for well under its value--$100. What a lost opportunity! No frame though. That sure would have set me back. (I'm just looking for an out for that big mistake.)
bird cage,
This advice is null and void...unless you have a real live parrot.
Just so yanno...lol....
"...my home is going to sell within 30 days for a whole bunch over our asking price" (thats somewhere between asking price and fantasy island)
;-]
How about long rectangular glass mirrors (vertically) along that long wall? It would bring in light from the window on the other side of the room (hope I understand your description.) You can still put furniture in that area when you decide what you want. I've seen the use of these mirrored panels in two different homes and it's amazing how they can open up a room.
Thanks, Rip
Mirrors could possibly help, but not in the way you describe because the windows are farther into the room. Also, are mirrored panels contemporary? Would they be floor to ceiling and fill all eight feet? As you enter the livingroom, the windows begin at 8.4 feet from the entrance, on your right. The area in question is immediately to the left as you enter. So the windows begin where the bare area ends.
Another way to explain the livingroom is as follows:
The livingroom is more like two rooms in one. (1) The bare area (the near part or, 1/3 of the livingroom) with no windows and (2) the conversation area (the far part, or 2/3 of the livingroom), with the wide window area and the fireplace wall.
As you first step into the livingroom, you are on the the "path", for there is no furniture (other than a small entry table and curio shelf on the wall to your right). If you take two more normal sized steps and turn to your left, you will be facing the middle of the empty area with the empty wall straight ahead. This area is the size of a very small room, approximately 8 1/2' x 10'. Now, the wall behind the path (behind you), has no windows. While still standing there, you can see the sofa's back on your right (The back of the sofa could be the invisible dividing line between the two areas.)
Did I describe the livingroom better this time? Next time I will make a sketch--this is too difficult to describe.
I vote sketch...lol.
"...my home is going to sell within 30 days for a whole bunch over our asking price" (thats somewhere between asking price and fantasy island)
Of interest is that your primary space and the subspace your having trouble with are both very close to the golden spiral/golden rectangle, with a proportion of 1 to 1.618. This is good, as this proportion is found everywhere in nature. For example the relationship of the first digit to the second digit of our fingers is roughly this same 1:1.618 ratio.
Not sure if anyone has asked this, but are there beams on the ceiling. Keeping in mind that a beam represents an implied wall, subtle though it is, having an influence on defining implied subspaces within a room. If beams exist, possibly there location could be used to help define desired subspaces within this long but well proportioned space.
Or, possibly a beam supported on two surface installed columns or pilasters, strategically located could be used to better define this subspace.
Other options to add to this tool are the use of light and area rugs.
If you''re interested in these ideas, please let me know.
Regards.
Ewan,
Thank you for your kind comments. I am very interested in your ideas. What is the concept of the golden spiral/golden rectangle?
I do not have beams. But I really like your ideas on defining the second space with pillars, pilasters, a rug, or lighting. After reading your comments, I even thought of a ceiling treatment, as for example, using textured wall paper, bounded by molding with central lighting (over that area). I have a pan ceiling in my foyer. Perhaps that would be nice in the area, too (maybe?). Another rug would be great, if not necessary, but a rectangular one would not be very interesting. I am not really sure about the best shape, or color, but round or oval comes to mind. This is complicated for I do not know how similar or different I can veer from what has already been done in the first space, the conversation area.
-------------
After trying various arrangements of the furniture and aware that placing the sofa against the long wall just accented its (the wall) length I did some research. Other people suggested getting another sofa and more chairs, and placing the seating around the perimeter of the room (to provide room for "everyone"). But all I could visualize was a doctor's waiting room or people shouting to one another when conversing. This is how two neighbors and one friend have arranged their long livingrooms. But this was not what I felt the best way to use the space. Also, why arrange a room for one or two times a year when usually only one or two people visit at a time? (We can move things around, and add seating for special occasions).
After living in the house for a while, I spent a lot of time thinking about how we live and how we want to use the livingroom. I studied other people's livingrooms and their furniture arrangements, and I skimmed through photos in books, magazines, and online, and read lots of decorating ideas. Finally, things started to come together.
I learned that several factors would make our home more comfortable and useable. I learned, among other things, that it was important to place seating within easy speaking/hearing range. I thought we should be able to watch TV, but not have the room look like a family room. I was looking for comfort, coziness, but did not want to sacrifice looks for comfort. I like a formal, but, at the same time, casual, traditional look. It was important, also, for everyone to see the outside view, and enjoy the hearth. After lots of arranging and rearranging, it turned out that we could satisfy all of these situations by centering the rug in front of the windows and placing the furniture as explained above.
While satisfied with that area, I must work on the second space to complete the whole livingroom. The second space is a very big challenge for me. I know it has to coordinate and flow with the existing space. But it isn't easy! I really ideas and suggestions.
Edited 10/14/2003 7:17:58 PM ET by eroomgardener
The golden spiral or rectangle is derived from nature and has been used over 1000's of years in architectural design and especially sacred architecture. It's use, whether to proportion spaces or create a pleasing facad, results in a sense of balance and harmony.
The ratio of 1:1.618 creates a shape or space that is neither static nor too long and excellerated - but just the right amount of both.
Your first task in developing this secondary space wihin the prime space is to identify what additional function you wish to accommodate there. Drop the labels, like "dining space", or "living room", or "music room",,, and, instead, look at what activities and feelings you wish to experience. A great book at the library: A Pattern Language.... all about patterns of behavior, that once defined, make creating spaces to support these patterns very easy.
Then once a function or functions have been identified, bring the major piece(s) of furniture that support that function(s) and place it in the quiet zone within that subspace. Quiet zones are those spaces that are not riddled with circulation patterns. Often the prime place within that space of subspace has views of the maximum number of entry doors and windows. Also known as the power place,,, something that our ativisitic/primitive selves are very sensitive to.
Then use an area rug that defines a subspace within this subspace that holds or supports this desired activity,, like possibly the dinning room table, or a game table... or a small more intimate seating space for two. This area rug should be round, octagonal, oval, square, or rectangular (but not longer than necessary and hopefully perpendicular to axis of overall living room). This rug should also be at least two shades darker than the floor it lays upon.
Next, if dining space, install a fixture dead center of table at about 30" from table top to bottom of non-glare fixture. The goal is to not see the light source when sitting. The pool of light created in tandem with area rug will help define a subspace within the subspace within the overall living room.
Next, using other sub furnishings,,, plants, etc.,,, create the arm of the chair... or in other words,, reinforce this implied subspace by creating arms (alla arms of a chair) that support and hold this subspace.
Then install art work, preferrably horizontal rectangular pieces of art,, such that the top of the frame is aligned with arm/hand extended upwards while sitting on required furniture for desired function. {{Vertical artwork would be used for standing spaces within your hosue, horizontal for laying down spaces.}} Often this elevation also aligns wth meeting rail of upper and lower window sashes.
As two dots on a piece of paper create an implied line, and two lines an implied plain,,, so to will aligning two or more pieces of art work at suggested height create an implied plain that will additionally support sitting,, assuming that sitting is required for the main activity in this room. If it were sleeping in a bedroom, then the pictures and implied plain would be installed such that top of frames would align with extended arm/hand while lying flat on the bed.
An upgrade to the above would be to select art work with strong horizon lines or vanishing points. If you can find the right pictures so the top of frames align as mentioned above and the horizon line also aligns with eye level of person seated, standing or lying down (whatever the primary body position required for desired function), the person is honored. The added benefit is that there is an implied view as well.,,, remembering that the horizon line always follows the eye of the perceiver. Select art work wisely!
You're very right about not arranging furniture along the walls, a very American approach, but instead arrange for intimate conversational areas, a very eastern/Japanese approach. Anyone sitting outside a 10' diameter will not feel included.
Another trick is to paint or install textured wall paper (as you suggested) on the ceiling to help define that space. As this is the smaller subspace, I'd suggest a value that is at least two shades darker than the adjacent ceiling, and/or a color that is warmer than adjacent ceiling color. The darker/warmer ceiling will feel lower (easily handled in smaller space) and the adjacent ceiling will, by contrast, feel higher than it actually is (likely ideal for this larger subspace.
All the above, plus other more subtle finetunements that I'm unable to grok from here will create a very strong subspace within your very large living room.
Regards,
Ewan of SpaceTherapy
My idea is to have the mirrors at waist high and about 1 foot from the ceiling. As you described in your later post, even though that part of the long wall is not directly across from the window, the mirrors would allow more light into that area. As for a contemporary design, you could visit a designer to ask if they have any other ideas.
Actually my decor is more traditional, not contemporary. I like your placement of the mirrors, but I am not sure how wide they should be, or how much wall space would be showing on the left and right of the mirrors.
The first of the two houses I mentioned had 4 mirror panels about 3 feet wide and about 1 foot between each panel. As you can tell, it was a good size wall.
Very interesting, Ewan. As I see it, your ideas convey a very different and innovative view of interior design.
When analyzing the unused space in question, it seems intuitive to have a function that is unique from that of the adjacent area (conversation/TV area--active, stimulating versus reading/hobby area--quiet, contemplative). You are right that I should determine the use for that area. I'll study the possible uses before proceding to the next step.
Should the convergence of the spiral be used in a particular way as, for example, the location of the chair in the quiet reading area? Or should an accent, for example a dramatic floral arrangement be placed in that spot?
I would not worry too much about the application of the golden spiral or what is also known as the Fibonocci Spiral (see jpg attachment below- if you can open it) as you will find on . Just that your primary space and developing subspace is close to that proportion is auspicious in itself.
I'd focus more on defining nature of activity (ies) and then apply techniques I last mentioned.
My approach, as an architect/spacetherapy consultant, has everything and yet nothing to do with interior design. Regardless of style or cost of one's personal environments, the spaces that are created - including all the not-so-subtle and subtle subspaces - has a profound impact on feeling, behavior and performance. It is working knowledge of these principles that I share with you.
For me, it's also an opportunity to learn how other people care for and nurture their personal spaces.
May the spiral descend upon you!
Ewan
p.s. not sure if i know how to attach a jpg to this reply. i've tried though. let me know if your receive it.
Ewan, thanks for offering to share a jpg. I didn't receive it.
To post photos, click "reply" as usual. Once in the message reply box, write about the photo and cite where you found it or give credit to the artist. Then scroll all the way to the bottom. Click the button that says "Attach files." A box will pop up that says "Attach Documents" on the very top. Then follow the instructions. (1. fill in the name of the .jpg that you wish to share, or browse your files to find the one you want to share and double click it. 2. press "Upload". Wait a while (sometimes it takes a few minutes), until you see the name of the jpg file listed. Then you can repeat this if you have other files to share. (3) click "done". You will not see the files listed in the message area. (you might be able to see them by clicking "Preview" below, but I am not really sure about that). Once you post the message and can access it, you should see the photos listed.
eroomgardener,
thanks for the attachment directions. while i believe i did as you suggested, i will try again, now.
"Sorry, SPACETHERAPY, you've exceeded your personal document space allocation." In reading further i see that my file is 20KB whereas i can only upload 3MB.
the image of the golden rectangle is from the website i gave you, which i assume you got, right? therefore you'll see it there. good luck.
Ewan
Hmmm, I wonder if they need to change a configuration in this forum. When Taunton first switched to Prospero forums there was an issue with the space allowed for pics. Since we all tend to post alot of pics Taunton got Prospero to change this so that we could post more. Maybe it's a per forum configuration??? Sysop-you reading this?? :-)
AnnL; MotherHen/Hobby Farmer
Ewan,
1 MB=1,000 KB, so I don't think space is your problem. Well, at least not in this case since there are 150 times the space you need for your file. I'd say that maybe prospero didn't set up any photo space for house chat but Newf and I have both successfully posted a couple. You might send a message to SYSOP and see if they can figure out the problem.
Amy
I received the same message, ". . . you've exceeded your personal document space allocation", when I attempted to post. I really do not believe I have used that much space. Many others have posted far more photos than I have. Must be something wrong.
I keyed in some of the terms you mentioned in my brower's search and found the golden rectangle, but I am not positive it was the site you wanted me to see. Other than the placeperformance link, was there another? Also, is that where you work?
Would you please look into the problem we are having, discussed above, about posting photos? Thanks.
Or it this a job for our IT man?
This is a problem for our IT man, Sysop, but he appears to be away. They're having the same problem over in the CT forum, so it's system wide, not just this forum. Jean found a work around. Go to Sandbox and post the pics over there. Then, you can open the pics from there, right click on the pic when it comes up and select COPY. Then come over here and compose your messge. CTL-V will copy the pic into the post here, not as an attachment, but as part of the message.
AnnL; MotherHen/Hobby Farmer
I was looking for some info on Knots and Breaktime, and it's happening over there, too, so it truly is systemwide. We need a help-line to Prospero!Ellen
I agree. We should have a link at the top for forum problems or a "help" folder on each forum for questions and suggestions (specific to each forum). Or, Help could be combined with the Feedback folder? Actually, I am not sure where we are supposed to make suggestions or mention problems. However, it is nice that we can make suggestions openly right here on the forum and talk things out. That seems to really work. Right now my spell check is not working. I am not sure if it is a problem with my computer or a problem with the site right now.
Thank you, Ann,
Now Ewan can post that photo.
Dear Ewan of SpaceTherapy,
Where were you when I was living in an RV on the road...lol...
Signed,
Not any more
Reality check.....30 days is up.Le Sigh
Hey Not Any More,
I was probably doing that consultation for a lady and her pet goat. So RV's are not off my list:-)
Signed,
Always
hahahaha!
I got a neighbor who has about 12 parrots and she just bought a 40ft motor home for traveling to shows...
Gotta tell ya, I have seen some interesting space therapy in some interesting RV parks. Oh the horror of it all...
Reality check.....30 days is up.Le Sigh
"Gotta tell ya, I have seen some interesting space therapy in some interesting RV parks. Oh the horror of it all..."
Not too mention the horror that is being spread across the country with very dead and horrifying housing developments, filled with horrific buildings hoping to pass as good architecture - that being spaces, rather than areas, that truly support one's goals and objectives, that speak to who we really are.
but hey, i'm an architect with interest in the space/behavior connection, so what else could you expect from me, right?
not that you're interested, but if so, go to PlacePerformance @ <http://www.placeperformance.com/features/chap101.htm>.
signed,
a lot more.
Read the first part.
And that's why kids love to play in boxes. (you are gonna have to go to Cooks Talk for an explanation on that one)
And Yeah on the fung part!
Reality check.....30 days is up.Le Sigh
Ewan,
Thanks for adding that link.. I have spent the last hour and a half reading about Place Performance. It is amazing. I loved the first chapter of his book. Have you read the rest of the book? Can I buy it from Borders/Amazon? or do I have to buy it directly from him?
I have never read about environmental psychology before but it makes perfect sense.
Thanks!
Just found this place and read thru your first posts only. I hope that I am visualizing this right.
I wonder if this has been mentioned already. We have the same situation and will build a bookcase starting at the entrance that has 12" wide 30" high solid cabinets on the bottom and open shelves you can see thru into the fire place corner above that, the shelves being 7' tall the fist two or so feet, then dropping the next one shelf down for the next 2', then again and so until the last 2' is the 30" only.
We think that this will channel the traffic from the entrance into the middle of the long room and so give a chance to choose between the SW corner fireplace seating on one side or the sofa/TV on the other end and still keep the open feeling in that area.
The other side of the entrance has a lightly scalloped SW style solid wall with two three tile accents and the dining room/kitchen are behind that.
By that wall, the ceilings also go from 8' to 10" in the living room that will have peeled logs along that higher ceiling.
That open top bookcase could be another solution for your entrance that will not make it too "long and narrow" there.
Now I know what everyone was going through reading my descriptions.
Before I comment I want to be sure I am understanding your description of your room. Are these statements correct? If not please correct me (1) Your entrance is on the right of the room? (2) The shelf is on the left of the entrance (but parallel to the long wall). (3) The shelf stops in the middle of the room? (4) At the end of the shelf, people turn to the left, take a step forward and choose to go left (or back on the other side of the shelf) or right toward the end of the room? (5) The shelf is built like a step in that it gradually becomes smaller as you enter the room (and it is open so you can see into the room)?
Please pardon me if my description of your room is difficult to understand, or if I didn't quite understand it completely. This is a challenge, learning to describe things to others (novelists must do this) and understanding the descriptions that other people write.
Yes, that is right. That "bookcase" will be some 8' or 10' long (the other, right wall of that entry is 10').
The living room is 26' by 16'. That entry is 6' wide. Without that "bookcase", half of that room would not be 16' but 22' wide but the entry would be right into that living room and we wanted to isolate it a little, give people time to gather themselves before entering any group already there.
We have another entry to the house by a back porch that will be where most everyone comes in, by the garage and where cars will park.
I understood your "long and rectangular" living room to be somewhat similar to the one we will have and that is why I was mentioning that "bookcase", as another option, if it was like I was seeing from your description.
Thanks, Ruby,
I had thought of a bookcase, or even a wall, but discarded the idea because it would be too tight like a hallway, especially after coming through the small foyer. I had not thought of an open shelf, though. That is such a great idea! Thanks. Do you have any photos of your shelf? Are you very happy with it? I am going to study and experiment with that concept.
The idea of a shelf is very workable, but I would need a more pronounced, finished entrance to the living room first, before the shelf would be viewed. To explain, as you enter the house from the main entrance, there is a small foyer. The living room is on the right, the dining room is on the left. Several people can congregate there, but it is tight and, unfortunately, the stairway to downstairs is straight ahead from the door, taking up what could have been usable floor space where I could have extended the back of the livingroom (and made it into two separate rooms). After stepping into the foyer, you turn to the right, take a couple of steps and you are at the entrance to the living room (the opening to downstairs and a railing is on the left, similar to a split foyer, but not).
I wish the entrance to the living room were not so far to the right though. There is not an entire frame surrounding the livingroom entrance because the right livingroom wall or front wall of the house extends into the foyer. When entering the living room, the left side of the entrance is framed by the side of the back livingroom wall and there is a thin bulkhead above. The space at the entrance isn't wide enough to add a wall to frame the right side, but I could put some molding, or wallpaper border, or contrasting paint on the right and bring it above and down the left wall, turning it into more of a complete doorway entrance. Then a shelf would work nicely for us.
The shelf idea really has great potential. Thank you very much!
Will try to post a picture that shows a neat arrangement that may give you more ideas, other than a narrow cabinet/shelves arrangement:
Well, it seems that the files on Paperport are not the right ones.:-(
I will e-mail you that picture, if it is ok.
Edited to say that thru this site e-mails can't carry pictures either!
Guess that I will have to think about this a little longer.:-)
Edited 10/21/2003 12:20:54 AM ET by Ruby
That would be great. Thank you.
Will try to post directly here:
<IMGsrc=http://images.snapfish.com/338993%3A%3B23232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2326%3D77%3A%3D823%3DXROQDF%3E2323459467285ot1lsi.jpg>
Hmmm...
Edited 10/21/2003 1:22:58 AM ET by Ruby
I got the ever-so-annoying "this page cannot be displayed" message. (I say that because I had some problems a few months back which had taken a good a week of work to resolve.)
Hi Ruby,
Use your export button in paperport and convert it to a jpg.file.
Export the pic you your desktop, then try to attach the file here.
Paperport, been there done that.
Curtsey,Fledge
Reality check.....30 days is up.Le Sigh
Thanks, will try it this evening.
Just stopping by the computer for a minute now.:-)
Thanks Ruby for sharing your house plan. Good luck with all the work. Hope everything goes smoothly.
Thanks for the good wishes. Today the builders are getting the plans to bid on from the architect. I had to finally get an architect so as to get builders on the same page on the bidding.
My plans were very detailed, with cabinets, electric, etc. but the bids came all over the place, some double others and so had to get professional help to have a chance at a fair deal for all.
I didn't want someone to cut corners if their bid was too tight or a high bid to be overbuilding for this site, with too many fancy details.
Maybe now we will be able to have a good, well considered bid and start ASAP, before winter sets in. The general contractors are familiar with the plans and said that they would have the bid in in a few days and whoever get's it can start preparing to pour in a week. We already have the dirt work done and tested.
I can say that if we didn't want to live on this farm, to be by the animals to care for them, if we were living in town, I would never build a house if I could find one already there to buy.
I now think that the building process is a nightmare for a homeowner. Best let builders build as they wish and stay out of their way and then look for those houses already built we may adapt to our wishes.
Hope everything works out efficiently and speedily. But after all the problems and frustrations of building are over, you will be very happy with your decision. Remember, finding a home with specific features is not that easy. It took us two years of active searching to find our thirty year old house. We had to make some big compromises.
Let the fun begin.
;-)
Reality check.....30 days is up.Le Sigh
As a SpaceTherapist , I too was interested in his book and agree completely with his thoughts. While I've sought a copy of his book, only available through his site, I have not yet heard back.
Good luck.
Ewan
Could you explain what you do as a Space Therapist? I have never heard of that before.
Thx!
SpaceTherapy¯ is our consulting tool that we use with residential and corporate clients wanting to understand the space/behavior connection and how one's personal living and working environment is influencing performance, behavior and well-being. We use highly integrated principles from architectural and interior design, environmental/architectural psychology, psychneuroimmunology, biobiology, feng shui, vastu shastra, and not-so-common sense to inform our clients on how to use basically what they already have to better support THEIR life's objectives and sefl actualization.
We also often get referrals from the counseling professionals who see the relevance of what we are offering, and how adjusting their clients personal environments to support their desired behavior patterns can be of valuable support to clients who typically, after their weekly or monthly counseling session, step right back into the old spatial mold reinforcing the very behavior patterns they are trying to change.
Chang Your Space- Change Your Life.
Ewan
That sounds like a very cool and poorly understood discipline. I admit that I have been trying to address some of those basic issues with my house and have been re-working it so that I will live in it better. While I love my house and it is quite beautiful, the main living areas of the house are quite dark. We are adding two huge windows next week that I am so very very excited about. More light!
Cool yes, provocative always, positively received always, poorly understood definitely. Large windows a good idea,,,,,,, keep in mind that a window similar in size to window you might put in the middle of a wall, if placed at the end of wall up against adjacent wall, will provide three times as much light,,, reflected light that is less glaring....... So consider carefully size and location of windows.
Windows can also be placed to optimise best view from most powerful place within any space.
Possibly two small windows at each end of wall, next to adjacent wall for reflected light and one larger window in middle or wherever for the perfect view.
Sounds like a plan analysis could be helpful.
Where is your domain?
Ewan
Our house is a very traditional house from the mid 60s in Atlanta. We love the large sizes of the rooms (for that time period, but not overly large like houses built post 90s) and the flow or feeling of the house is very uncomfortable. We did not like the very dark and uncomfortable kitchen that it came with or the lovely family room separated from the kitchen by a wall. We have had a wonderful architect who has been invaluable in creating a lighter, more modern and more informal house.
If you have an architect who believes in the space/behavior connection and he/she is a good designer, you are in good hands.
Ewan
"Windows can also be placed to optimise best view from most powerful place within any space. "
Is that powerful place the Northernmost?
What type of feng shui did you study?
Your job sounds very fun and rewarding.
No, not necessarily the Northernmost,,, nor the Souternmost or anyothermost.
From an ativistic/primal perspective (we are primates remember), the power place (read most secure place) is that place from which occupant has protective walls behind, thus allowing for views out the entry door and as many windows as possible. Of course, other interior/exterior site factors can alther this rule a bit.
While I did study BlackHatTantricFungShui,, our approach is with the highly integrated use of principles from architectural and interior design, environmental/architectural psychology, psychoneuroimmunology, ecology, feng shui, fastu shastra, not-so-common sense and whatever else informs quality design choices.
In other words, our spacetherapy work is to fengshui as astronomy is to astrology.
Yes, we do have some fun with this approach to creating truly supportive environments.
Ewan