Open living - as it is

Thought I would take some photos of our open living as I haven't posted any since we acquired some hand-me-down furniture, such as the antique 3 seater, 2 armchairs, which are currently in our family room until we decide what to do with them. The round table we also acquired from MrB's mum will be painted white and will stay where it currently is in my photos below, in the meals area.

Our formal lounge we are currently using as a family room, as that's the only place that our current lounge configuration works in ...

Here I am standing in our future family room and what you see is meals, dining and then formal lounge (currently family) room:

Here, I am standing in our dining room and in front of us is our meals, kitchen and future family room (currently occupied by some hand-me-down furniture):

PS. Have you entered the MOROCCANOIL Treatment Giveaway?


B 

Formal living room - focal point?

We don't have a fireplace, and won't be having a tv in the formal lounge room ... Since it is a part of one large open living area, do we still need a focal point in each room?

If so, do you think making the window a focal point would be a crazy idea... especially since I am not planning on having any "out there" prints or fabrics? Or would you recommend something else as a focal point, eg. some art work above the sofa for example?

The formal lounge room is on top, in front of that window, below it is our dining room.

This is the window/room in question. It is currently used as a family room until we've furnished our actual family room.

This photo was taken quite a while ago...

PS. Have you entered the MOROCCANOIL Treatment Giveaway?

B

Formal lounge - mixing furniture styles - How to get it right?

I’ve been thinking about the seating furniture for our formal lounge and think we are going to have problems … MrB has likes contemporary and I like a mixture of both contemporary and traditional…

These are the sorts of things I like… Mr B doesn’t mind the traditional pieces (as long as they are black leather LOL!). But let’s ignore that point because really… it’s just silly!

So what do you think of the pieces I like? Could the traditional ones work with the contemporary sofa? Would love to hear your thoughts and/or suggestions as to what you would suggest instead?

What Australian based sites would you recommend for furniture shopping?

Images from Freedom, West Elm & Interiors Online

B

Formal lounge furniture arrangement - Continued

I have finally had a chance to draw up some of your suggestion from my Formal lounge furniture arrangement post. Thank you so much for all those who commented <3

You've helped me realise that I love the look of armchairs and a sofa. However, the reason why I originally wanted two sofas was because I see them as value for money and can seat more people that way. We have a relatively big immediate family (brothers, sisters and their little ones) and although I originally wanted to be able for us all to fit in this space maybe that is not such a good idea ... I mean I am not a fan of separating generations but it looks like this might be the only solution...

So what do you think of some of these suggestions now that they've been drawn up? I hope I was able to correctly represent your suggestions :)

I am also thinking about combining the first image with a bench (similar to the one Brooke is getting). I would obviously have to move the chairs further down first... and then have the bench in front of the window... However, my concern is that because the window is so low, and with no backrest people would be leaning on the window (and possibly breaking the window, or the very least getting the curtains dirty *shy*).

There will be no TV in this room.

Suggested by the lovely HMB

Suggested by both KP and Trish :)

Suggested by Anna

Suggested by M

Another suggestion by Trish

B

Formal lounge furniture arrangement - what to do?

Which of these two sofa arrangements, if any, would you suggest for our formal lounge? I am also thinking of some armchairs or just chairs, and maybe a rug as well...

To answer your questions ... We will be purchasing new sofas, coffee table etc for this room and there will be no TV in this room :)

I would love to hear your suggestions and feedback, as always :)

Also, would you recommend floor lamps or side tables with lamps on them? If so where would you place them?

Or

Our formal lounge room is a part of a large open living space and right next to the dining room.

And here is a slightly outdated photo of the space before we moved in and while the kitchen was still in progress.

And the floor plan:

B