The Inspired Intermedia digital book collection
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17 Living Spaces L iving spaces are chameleons of sorts—they adapt and conform to a variety of needs. They are the rooms for intimate conversation, the venues for parties and gatherings, and the personal family spaces for a wide range of activities. Because of this, they are important areas of a home that require thoughtful design. Kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, offices, dining rooms, and specialty spaces such as theaters or home gyms have specific purposes. They are designed and appointed with appliances, hardware, lighting, storage, and furnishings that establish and enhance their singular function. But living spaces do it all, and can therefore be a challenge to design. They must provide flexibility by creating enough comfort to curl up with a book during a Saturday afternoon, yet give off the energetic vibes for a cocktail party that same evening—this dynamic is what I love about designing them. To make a living space successful, I focus on three key elements: comfort, lighting, and furniture placement. Comfort is different for every person, and this aspect can be specific to the homeowner or rely on logical details such as including a firm armchair for an elderly family member. A room can be beautiful, but if it's not comfortable, what's the point? Next, lighting should be considered for the flexibility of the space. If a television is present, for example, does the natural light need alteration? And lastly, furniture placement, particularly seating, should be designed for ease of conversation and line-of-sight to individuals, or television viewing, if desired. If the space will serve as an entertainment spot or a holiday gathering room, some of the furnishings may need to be movable to accommodate. Keep flexibility, comfort, space arrangement, and, of course, beauty in mind if you're looking to create your own living spaces. And don't forget to take advantage of the opportunity for self-expression that interior design allows. Always have fun with it. Linda Knight Carr Knight Carr & Company Greensboro, NC see page 388 KP Designs, page 388 Shannon Antipov, page 391 Design Milieu, page 385