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So Long, Living Room
The old family mainstay is being replaced by a more casual gathering space
By Cassandra Wentworth
 Stuffy, unused living rooms are
a thing of the past. These days, families are opting for more casual seating areas with warm color palettes and furniture that is more functional than stylistic. “The living room is gone,” says Debbie Pegher, an Interior Design Society designer with Colonial Modern Furniture. “Everyone is entertaining more casually.”
One option for abandoning the
formal living room is to create a great room — an extended space ideal for entertaining, watching TV or simply unwinding at the end of the day. Because great rooms are often
large, Pegher suggests creating several separate seating areas, such as a main conversation area with sofas, a smaller seating area perhaps with a leather chair or chaise, and a small table and chair set. “I’m a big fan of having multiple surfaces,” she says, adding that they are particularly helpful when entertaining.
In the main seating area, furniture
is moving away from the walls to create more intimate groupings. L-shape arrangements are a thing of the past, with wedge-shapes taking over in modern homes. Trees and plants function as ideal dividers. Strategic placement of greenery behind a couch provides a vertical visual element while separating seating areas. Rhonda Kifer, member of the Interior Design Society, calls this “creating episodes.” “Homes are becoming more and more of a haven,” she says. “It’s where you come home to after a long day and you want to feel warm and safe.”
Because the seating areas are all
within one room, Pegher suggests choosing furniture and flooring that flows without being overly obvious. An easy way to accomplish this effect is with large, multi-colored area rugs that can be distributed throughout the space. To complete the look, Pegher suggests incorporating items the homeowner loves that work well with the room’s theme. “Accessories are the finishing touches,” Pegher says. “I love working with people’s possessions. Then, it’s really, truly about them. Otherwise, it looks staged.” She suggests bringing out family photos, antiques
and artwork to highlight throughout the home — these pieces often have stories behind them and make for good conversation starters while entertaining.
Making It Happen: Creating a Great Room
As guests round the corner leading to the great room in Lynn and John Williams’ Peters
Township home, their eyes immediately fall on the brilliant splash of color hanging above
the mantle. Bright oranges, greens and reds converge to create an impressionist
depiction of tulip-like flowers sprouting upward on this Oda Walendy matted scarf, which
the couple had specially made while living in Germany. This piece inspired the entire space,
resulting in a warm, eclectic great room the family uses frequently.
The scarf hangs on a white mantle, which is book-ended by tall, rounded shuttered windows on either side. The entire wall was the brainchild of the Williamses and designer Debbie Pegher. Instead of letting the mantle stand alone, the couple opted to expand it with two arched and shuttered windows. The finished project allows in more light while creating an aesthetically
pleasing vertical element that serves as the focal point for the large room.
Under the mantle, black and tan marble accents the fireplace, in front of which rests
two black leather ottomans. A warm, red wedge sofa creates a casual look, and the television is discretely hidden in a white cabinet accented by leaf-shaped hardware. The TV table is portable, and can be easily rolled over the hard wood floors to accommodate
a viewer.
Tucked behind the couch is an unobtrusive work space, in addition to a small seating area
complete with oversized chaise and cafe table set. The setup allows the couple to entertain
easily, as well as to keep an eye on grandchildren who like to play in the more private
spot. “We wanted to be able to see everyone,” Lynn says. “This way, they still have room to do
their own thing.”
The Walendy scarf is not the only design influence in this space. The couple’s eclectic
taste includes an emphasis on Asian decor, courtesy of their half-Chinese, 2-year-old
granddaughter, Emma (who they’ve affectionately dubbed their little China doll).
“There’s more interest in living rooms and great rooms for a look that is stylish and well done, but less fussy. The trend is for a relaxed feel and cleaner lines. Both traditional and
transitional looks are strong. Homeowners are demanding higher and higher-quality furnishings – unique pieces with beautiful detailing and finishing. The movement toward green design has
slowed the “disposable” furniture mentality – clients are more interested in purchasing furniture as a long-term investment, perhaps reupholstering or refinishing pieces rather than throwing away pieces. Thanks to both technology and global access, we have an incredible selection of new fabrics, ranging from metallic weaves and embroidered silks to super-cleanable,
anti-bacterial fabrics. The concept of mixing materials, colors, finishes and styles is as strong as ever. The overly matched looks of years ago now seem to be lacking in richness
and character.”
Cathy Davin, Davin Interiors LLC
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