Rethinking the Look of Things No. 62 - Multipurpose Rooms

When we are creating a home, we have a determination to find spaces for all our lifestyle needs. An area to entertain and dine with family and friends is one that can be a challenge. Multipurpose thinking is the key when it seems a lifestyle need isn't possible in our home. Where we don't give up until we have exhausted all options. 

The memories created around a dining table with family and friends is priceless. Even if those times are only several times a year or the every Sunday family dinner. The heart leaps despite an occasional desire to change an attendee or two. So how can one create a space in our home for this precious space. Most of us have mastered the art of multitasking on a daily basis - let's try our hand at multi purposing. Think about the dining surface and how it can be used for an everyday need that allows for it to be uncovered into dining anytime you want.

Why make room for only a dining area or a office area? Why consider the area behind our sofa only console-worthy when by adding another 18" you have a dining surface? Need a craft area or a place to stack your library? Why make room for only a play/study area or a dining area when one can serve both purposes?

Your multipurpose space becomes office/dining, play-study/dining, craft-dining, reading library-dining. Voila! Get those invitations in the mail, create your menu, select that signature drink for the evening, and bake your favorite desserts; because you have a dining area whenever you need it or the mood strikes to entertain.

Call it your superhero piece - the one that doesn't need a closet to change into its "cape" and pick up its superpowers. Living Room by day - dining and after dinner charades by night! 

However, let's not ignore the obvious challenge that stills exists and that is where do the dining chairs go if you don't have the space to keep them around the multipurpose surface when it is not acting as a dining surface? And don't you dare say folding chairs, that's a cop out! Be inspired! 

We are still in the multipurpose mode here. Think multipurpose for the dining seating. Those cool stools you tucked under the table are now dining seating. That occasional chair you have in your bedroom is now dining seating. That bench that is in your hallway is now dining seating. Get the picture? Multipurpose! Who's wearing the superhero cape now?

Play on your multipurpose talent by setting a mix and match table setting to add to the fun of your new found discovery. I think you will walk past your multipurpose dining surface in its day to day form and smile. Smile at planning your next gathering. Formal or casual - the opportunity for memories is reclaimed. 

Rethinking the look of things is a way to never give up on the dreams for your home spaces. Consult a professional interior designer when you get stumped. Don't give up. "To him that wills, wais are not wanting". George Herbert

Sources: House Beautiful, Decor Pad, Atlanta Home & Lifestyle, Gerald Bland, Crate & Barrel, Pinterest

Gotta Love No. 58 - Stacked Wood Walls

 

One of the most attractive things about our home is how it tells our story, reflects our lifestyle, holds memories and brings home things that inspire us from places we have traveled. Stacked wood accent in our home is one of those elements as it can hold a story if we allow it to. This design touch can be reclaimed wood from a barn - but from where - what is the history of the barn? A collector of reclaimed wood should be able to tell you. The story could be where the inspiration came from - someplace you've traveled that had a stacked wood touch that created a link to your adventure.

I fell in love with the organic feature when working on a local symphony showhouse years ago. We were doing the living room of an historic property and the fireplace, though a focal point in the room, had gas added to it and the property owner didn't want that changed during the showhouse design and tour. So we filled it from bottom to top, side to side with stacked wood - the symmetry of the natural shapes and sizes of the logs was an intriguing sculpture-like addition to the formal space and I loved it!

Creating stacked wood accent areas in expected spaces like lodge or industrial settings is a marriage made in heaven. The unexpected spaces, like formal living and dining areas is just as fantastic. This installation works well as a functional room divider or a way to display the perfect piece of art or as a sculptural art in itself!

Planning is important for a stacked wood wall. I highly recommend that a drawing is done so that scale and the right wood is selected. This is a permanent architectural feature so it should be done well. Consider the shape, scale, finish or not, the day to day maintenance of the feature and how much is too much.

If your stacked wood is a feature that is a loose install, like the fireplace stack in the photo above, it is a puzzle that needs to still have the end result look in mind while being developed. Another important factor for any stacked wood install is to make sure the wood is dried, clean and treated prior to being brought indoors for install. 

Like any architectural accent in your home - restraint is important. Too much of a good thing is simply too much. 

What story will your stacked wood wall hold? Old whiskey barrels? Wood from a generational family farm?

Sources: Architecture Art Designs, Norwegian Skifer Hotel, Pinterest, Instagram, Hidden Pond