It’s been a while since last we helped out with a Design Dilemma here on Style Sheet, but we’re back none too soon. Today, our designer-in-virtual-residence, Glen Peloso, advises a mom-to-be on how to maximize her great room to suit her growing family. As it stands, Emma is enjoying the luxury of having a dramatic, formal dining room. But, as baby due date approaches, space premium is at a high and formal dining room needs to also make room for a living area. How to make two spaces where once there was one? Glen always knows…
From Emma:
"I have a Design Dilemma: my Dining/Family room. This room is approx. 20' X 13'. There is only one full wall, the rest are windows or open areas. Though it was defined as dining and family room, we can only use it as a dining room as you may see from the attached pictures.
"With a new baby born, we really need to split this room up to add a family room, could you please help?
"Also,
I chose dark grey as the wall color but looks like it did not make my
chocolate brown furniture pop -- is there any way to make the furniture
look more elegant?
"Thank you for the help"
Glen suggests: Congratulations on the addition to the family! I’m sure that must make the house seem alive and happy! You are right, it is a good sized room for sure and I believe it can be successfully divided up to give you two functional rooms:
- The dining space should obviously be closest to the kitchen space and the family room furthest away from the kitchen. I am a little concerned that you asked about the table and chairs popping with the wall colour, because you may have to lose it – it will not be possible to keep a dining table for 8 as well as having a family room. If your table collapses enough to a table for 4 or 6, then it is possible for the room to do double duty.
- The living/family area can be created with a couple of chairs and a sofa on the long wall to create a conversation area. A padded ottoman can double as a coffee table with the addition of a tray. With a child in the family you want to be sure that you leave a reasonable amount of ‘play’ space, and avoid any sharp table corners.
- Seeing as the space is not big enough to separate into two rooms, open concept is the way to go. You may sacrifice some of the formality of the dining room but it will achieve the multifunction that you require. I have attached a simple floor plan to give you an idea.
Two carpets, one under the dining table and one in the living room, help to define the two areas. Placing the sofa and side tables with table lamps against the wall, takes this grown-up furniture out of the way of little ones running around. Placing two soft-upholstered chairs between the dining room and living area helps to further divide the space.
- In terms of pop – I would consider changing the fabric on the seats of
the chair. Perhaps something in a red and grey stripe, in a cotton
velvet. Really, any colour that appeals to you will work with the wall
colour – I would match the same colour to create a centre piece for the
table as well, and perhaps add a table runner in a coordinating fabric.
The pop is in the details, not the wood of the table, or the wall
colour.
Remember, homes are about the people that live in them – the joy children can bring will far outweigh that picture perfect beauty we strive for!
Hope this helps,
Glen
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