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Friday, July 23, 2010

Looking for Inspiration for A "Someday Room"

From time to time I decide I want to make changes in my home. I am sure you can all relate to that, can’t you? I usually start with a dream plan and go from there. I might go forward with the plan or it might have to wait for awhile. I still hold onto the dream and enjoy the process of the planning and the hunting until it can come to fruition.

I recently did this with my family room. This is the room where we as a family all hang out and watch TV and relax. I joke about how the sofa should be a bed because someone is always laying on it.

I thought it might be fun to share some of my inspiration photos with you. These are images I have in a file that I add too whenever I find something that might work in my, “Someday Room.”

My family room is not overly large but it is just the right size for our home. When we had the home built we added three ft. to its width to accommodate three growing boys that like to lie on the floor to watch TV.

The room measures 17ft.wide by 20ft deep. The end wall has a brick wall half way up with a large white mantle at the end of the room. On the left side of the room is a French slider measuring 8ft. On the right there is one door leading out to the garage. Opposite the fireplace is the opening to the kitchen which has a breakfast bar on the left. On the right is a wall.

family room floor plan 001 (2) (582x800)
First I am starting with the layout of the room in order to figure out what type and how many pieces of furniture I will need.

My idea is to have two sofa’s facing each other as pictured in the following images………
image_thumb31[1]EK13[1]I love the idea of a day bed to separate the room with the two sofas facing each other. What do you all think about that idea vs. two chairs?
eric roth living room white slipcovered sofas tufted leather ottoman casters turned wood legs fireplace mantel glass french doors[1]   This is how I would love my sofas to sit in the room. I think of all the pictures in my inspiration file this is my favorite. I know the ottoman used as a coffee table has been done forever,but I do love this oversized rectangle ottoman.

001_interior-design-styles-ED1009-MARKS31-040[1] 
ADliving[1]
I like the idea of two chairs facing the fireplace I would want these to be able to swivel for easy conversations.

helen Green 3[1]
Another day bed I just really like this idea and the look in the room.

sarah1[1] 
All of these pictures have sofas facing each other and a daybed or two chairs at the end of the configuration. I love this look. Do any of you have two sofas facing each other in a room? Does it work well for your family?

In the next couple of post I am going to go into the details of the room and the ideas for:
room arrangement
architectural elements
colors
sofa
rug
chairs
tables
lighting

I hope you come back for more of my plans for my,"Someday Family room!"


“Enjoy the Process” Of :
Making plans and exploring your dreams!
Kathysue

26 comments:

PAT said...

I like your ideas, Kathysue. Wonderful inspiration images. Can't wait to see how your plan progresses.

Unknown said...

i LOVE the style of the 2nd photo - that's all me - with the mirror tables, modern furniture and all that stuff! ... i see this style "sofa to sofa" more for a livingroom - where it's not ur EVERYDAY room .. like a formal livingroom - i just see family room as not having "sofa to sofa" - FOR ME .. for me the images are more for when guests come over to chit-chat then for family ..

*kiss kiss*
Erika
~Tiptoe Butterfly~

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Before I even read that the room was your favorite I had picked it as mine, too. Great inspiration photos.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Kathysue, I love your room and I think the two sofas would be just fabulous. I keep thinking you could put the overmantel in the living room and then mount a flat screen tv over the fireplace and put your pretty melon couch in the living room. See, I just shuffle furniture from one room to the other. I love the idea of the day bed too. What fun to plan and to dream. Love ya. Hugs, Marty

Allie and Pattie said...

Kathysue, I have the same idea in my head for a future room- I love the facing couches. It didn't work in this house because of the corner fireplace (which I would much prefer NOT to have again!) My husband worries that with the couches at a right angle to the TV, viewing would be difficult. What do you think??
xoxo Pattie

A Room For Everyone said...

How wonderful Kathysue, you are helping me out enormously as I am trying to configure our family room at the moment too..Some great inspiration in your post, looking forward to the next few. Have a a lovely weekend..Rachaelxx

Marcus Design said...

I love your plans so far Kathysue!! I have 'Someday' files as well, and it's really fun to dream and plan until they come to be isn't it? That last photo from Sarah Richardson is my fav, I really love the idea of a division using a day bed. I was lucky enough to see that home in person and the living room pictured here was DEE-vine! And I think the idea of two sofa facing each other would be cozy, pretty, and wonderful for conversation!
Nancy

nannykim said...

I am constantly moving our couches. I did it this week. I did have them facing each other for a while, but we like more space. Right now I have them in an L shape--which I do like. The problem when they face each other is that it is only good for tv viewing if you are lying down , or sitting lengthwise, not so good with your feet on the floor. The day beds don't look too comfy to me and a family room should be about comfort--I would prefer the chairs.

diane@onlinefabricstore said...

Great photos. The reason the ottoman/coffee table has been done to death is because it works so well...especially with boys in the house. While I love the sophisticated look of the daybed and I think it would complement all the symmetry you have going on in the fireplace mantel I would think the daybed idea may not work so well as the boys get bigger and the two chairs are more versatile. Just some thoughts.

Sarah said...

All of these have great ideas, but the second photo gets my vote. Good luck with your project. ~ Sarah

Shannon @ What's Up Whimsy said...

I don't have this configuration, but I love the look of the two sofas and a daybed. I say, do that for sure!

Unknown said...

It maybe a choice between looks and functionality. I think the daybed is beautiful, who's going to sit on it for an extended period of time? I can see the grandkids rolling from side to side or hopping over top! I think you'll get more seating with the chairs. In the pic with the chairs I noticed that the sofa arm cut into the chair space, so make sureyou have plenty of room for walk paths. I'm all about the extra large ottoman. I use them all the time because they work so well. All of your inspiration photos are so lovely, and I'm totally sure that your space will be as well. Your taste is just too good for it not to be!
www.divinedistractions.blogspot.com

Jemsmom said...

Beautiful inspiration pictures! I had my two sofas facing each other, but the room was really wide and the husband hated them too far off the wall. It also made it a pain in the neck (literally!) to watch the t.v. when it was over the fireplace. I love the look, but it didn't work in my room. :-(

Will @ Bright.Bazaar said...

I always start with a dream plan, too, Kathysue! Your plans are fun from these fun inspiration pictures!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Kathysue, love these pics. The 2 sofa plan is great....I have a friend who has that setup and it is fabulous. I love the look of the daybed, but in reality, I couldn't sit there with no back support. Plus, the family members would probably be the only ones to recline...guests would feel weird reclinig. Anyway, whatever you do will be gorgeous. I'm going back for one more look! Linda

Kim said...

Loved the post! I am looking forward to the follow-ups.

Mona Thompson Providence Ltd. said...

Fabulous inspiration photos. I have had a pair of sofas facing each other and really liked it. Just doesn't work in my current house. I think it is a very clean , yet comfortable look. I adore daybeds. I would place one anywhere that is appropriate. Your family room arrangement is perfect for one. Can't wait to see the rest of your dream details. Have a great weekend.

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

I don't have two sofas facing each other but love the look. And, I really like the idea of the daybead to break up the space....and the addition of extra seating....cannot wait to see more of the inspiration. Have a great weekend.

chisenfam said...

Love your someday pictures with the couches facing each other. I have always loved that look in a room. My two favorites are the first one with the black sofa and striped rug and the one with the piano in the back of the room with the taupe furniture. I have a file of pictures from magazines that I still pull out from time to look at and drool over. I can't wait to see your ideas coming together. Carol

Unknown said...

Our newly remodeled living room has two sofas facing each other in front of the fire place and a day bed...I love the look! One day I hope to post some photos! Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

How cool to be able to look at the layout like that! I love the idea of a daybed in lieu of two armchairs. It's such an effortlessly chic look that goes against the grain without breaking the bank. Sometimes matchy-matchy armchairs can seem so stiff and formal so I think it would be brilliant to do something a little different. I can't wait to follow the process!

Blooming Rose Musings said...

I see we have the same desire for our "Someday Room". That picture has just struck a chord with me. So lovely.

La Dolfina said...

I love this look... and love the idea of a someday room :)
Someday....
xo

Beach House Living said...

17 x 20 room how wonderful. I like the facing sofas in front of the fireplace but our room is has odd breaks e.g. a window or the wall opening and it looks awful.

Cashon&Co said...

I have a small room with two sofas facing each other and it such a comfortable, intimate feeling room. I say go for it!

Anonymous said...

I have two sofas facing each other in my family room and its worked out well. In addition to turning the seat cushions, I can swap them between sofas and switch the sofas back and forth for more even wear. Weird probably, but I think it will help them last longer.