Mixing furnishings of different styles can create an eclectic living room that truly comes alive and a dining room that feeds the social soul. Home design may seem like it’s simply about buying pretty things, but experts know there are deeper reasons for why spaces are inviting or efficient. Human beings respond to situations for a number of reasons, both emotional and physical. Visitors to a home will seek out the spot that makes them feel most at ease in the environment.
This is why designers begin with a series of questions. What purpose will the space serve? What tasks will be performed? How will the space reflect the personality of the people who live there?
For instance, will a living room be used for intimate conversation or large gatherings? Studies focused on human communication have found that the scale of the room, its size in relation to the number of people in the space, influences conversational distance. The smaller the room, the closer people will tend to be. Noise levels and other distractions will also influence how close people sit to one another.
If a living room is intended for conversation, an arrangement of four chairs in a sort of circle will support social interaction. Study results have found that people prefer to sit across from one another when conversing, rather than side by side. Further encourage relaxed sharing of information by providing comfortable furnishings that are not too formal.
Source: Anatomy for Interior Designers – January 1, 1962 by Julius Panero (Author), Nino Repetto (Illustrator)
According to Anatomy for Interior Design, a classic work by Julius Panero and illustrated by Nino Repetto, place seats within a conversation area roughly four to eight feet apart to support conversation at a normal tone of voice.
A report on physical space and social interaction found that it is best to choose furnishings that do not convey status within a group. This will maximize social exchange so that it doesn’t seem as if one person is in charge or at the center of attention.
For instance, picture a typical formal dining room. The person at the head of the table, whose chair may be slightly larger than those along the sides, will seem to be the leader of the conversation and in charge of what direction the evening will go.
A societal shift away from formal dinners (not to mention a move away from patriarchal ideas of who’s at the “head of the table”) has led to more homeowners furnishing dining rooms with an eclectic mix of chairs and tables that are round or square. The status conveyed by each seat at the table is one of equality.
As more people embrace diversity in society, they want that same sense of variety and diversity in their homes. A Wall Street Journal story on mixing dining room chairs points out that the repetition, the sameness, of dining room chairs can create a staid environment. New York interior designer Vicente Wolf told the Wall Street Journal, “You wouldn’t want all your guests to be too similar, that wouldn’t make for an interesting evening. You want variety – yet compatibility. Same with your dining chairs.”
Throw out the old rules! But – yes, there’s always a “but” – design experts know there are still rules to follow to create a dining space with eclectic and pleasing aesthetics:
Keep all seat heights the same, about 18 inches.
Don’t vary back heights by more than two inches.
A gorgeous example of how you can throw out the old, formal rules and still follow these design rules is this blending of several chair styles with a round table of pleasing natural stone and metal (King Dining Table). Note that no chair’s “status” is above another’s. Another helpful hint: When you mix a variety of dining chairs at one table, make them part of the same harmonious family by matching upholstery.
When you have this mix of styles, it can be fun to see which guest gravitates to which chair. Our style choices say something about us, after all. Or, get the decorative name cards ready and do as Wolf told the Wall Street Journal: “When entertaining, I match guests with the seat I think best suits their personality.”
Source: Laurie Joliet for The Wall Street Journal
Creating these spaces made for lively chatter or intimate discussions isn’t just about arranging furniture. The colors and natural elements of the space are vital to setting the right tone.
And the thing that will work every time is to introduce something like sleek gold or beveled glass, a sophisticated element, and pair it with a natural element, unpolished stone or nubby natural fabrics.
Just like a guest list with just the right mix of personalities, a room is all about balance.
For instance, a high-backed presidential style armchair, such as the Reagan Swivel Chair, has a regal presence. Upholstered in delicious cream, its formal roots are balanced and softened, offering an invitation not to run a country but to snuggle up next to a fireplace.
The physical appearance of a chair or a table does more than convey the utilitarian nature of the piece. It creates a sensory experience for the user. The best design is a give and take of sleek versus textured, with warm elements like gold in happy partnership with natural stone.
Again, psychological studies show that these things matter in ways beyond appearance. A 1976 study on the effect of room environment on people’s comfort levels and willingness to self-disclose found that participants in “warm” and “intimate” spaces reported a higher degree of relaxation than those in “cold” rooms (bare walls, straight-back chairs, harsh lighting).
Another study from the University of Rochester suggests that nature and its elements make people more caring and generous, providing social benefits. By bringing natural elements such as unpolished stone, large leafy plants, and other earthy materials into your home, you can foster better social exchange. Exposure to natural environments, or just the reminder of it through key elements in your home, can reduce stress and encourage human connection.
Source: Gabby
For instance, a round table of recycled reclaimed elm wood (Cyrano Coffee Table) can be the perfect natural piece at the heart of a circular conversation area. The Mercer Table, iron and marble, can serve as a side table that is undoubtedly sophisticated but made of the best materials of the earth.
As you create the layers of your space’s design, don’t forget lighting. No matter how well designed and comfortable your living or dining space is, no one wants to sit around and talk under harsh lighting. No one wants to eat a meal in the dark.
Psychological studies have also found, unsurprisingly, that a room that is well-lit with natural light encourages social interaction. Windows (the bigger the better) enhance any activity taking place in that space.
So as you plan your space, add lighting for a variety of tasks and interactions. You may want to have soft lamplight from a piece like the Morton Floor Lamp for your sitting area. The retro feel of this table floor lamp, a piece that will most certainly inspire memories of a parent or grandparent’s home, will inspire ease among guests and spark conversation. (And who doesn’t love when a visitor says, “Ooh, where did you get this?”)
In the dining area, a chandelier can be like a piece of jewelry for your room. The Catalina Pendant, with its classic drum shade of chocolate-colored fabric, introduces an antique-gold iron that is equal parts eclectic and glamourous.
Again, it’s all about balance, which is of utmost importance. This idea of balance can be illustrated in something as simple as one table lamp. The Corinne Lamp is the perfect example of balancing sleek elements with natural. Its alabaster stone sphere plays off a clear glass base. Its linen shade plays off a gold foil interior.
Which brings us to one final psychology note, this time on color: Gold is associated with prosperity and elegance. It adds an element of warmth to any room. Remember what those psychologists said about a “warm” room. In addition to that, color psychologist claim that gold inspires knowledge and “a deep understanding of the self and the soul.”
But, again, remember all those important rules of balance. Gold is an easy way to add classic sophistication to any space, but it must be done with care.
In carefully moderated accents, it will add just the right touch of natural, warm sophistication. Gold accents must always be balanced by softer, natural elements. Add this rich element as the nailhead trim on the Victoria Swivel Chair. Add gold in the form of a metal side table like the Mason Side Table.
Source: Gabby
“Moderation in all things, including moderation” is often attributed to Oscar Wilde (who never knew a day of moderation in his life) or Mark Twain or Benjamin Franklin. Whoever said it could also have added, “Moderation…and gold.” Because too much, and you can end up with an interior that looks like Donald Trump’s gold bathroom.
By using sleek gold in your space as an accent, rather than an all-out blitz, you allow it – and your fantastic, balanced, eclectic design choices – to truly shine.
References:
The Rules of Mixing Dining Room Chairs (Wall St Journal)
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