Wednesday, June 19, 2013

unexpected solutions...that work

Thinking outside the box can be tricky, leaving you to question if your ideas are
ingenious and innovative or downright crazy! 

Would you, could you,
 should you arrange your furniture and artwork in front of doors? 

anniemahoney.com

Would you, could you,
should you use an entry as your dining space?

mix and chic

Would you, could you,
should you place a tv and cabinet in front of a bookcase?

lovinglivingsmall.blogspot.com

Would you, could you,
should you squeeze your furniture into a room without an inch to spare?


I think the unexpected solutions used in these rooms are brilliant,
 and only enhance their uniqueness!
Do you agree, or think they bent the rules too far? 

30 comments:

Unknown said...

What a fun post! I would have answered no to all of the above--until I saw the photos.

Thehouseofhampton said...

Yes, yes, and yes! Do what feels right! Break the rules and enjoy!
Great photos....
Sharon
@novaraway

Scrappy Pink Corner said...

ALthough they all look great, I doubt I would be able to do it. Loving the dining area and the squeezed L shape sofa set area. I guess if you have an apartment in New York that is what it would look like.
Thanks for sharing. Ana

Luci @Bungalow At Home said...

Love your examples Pam and yes! Only one really looks odd to me (the TV cabinet in front of the bookshelves) it's an easy fix to customize those shelves to accommodate the TV.

Cassie Bustamante said...

these are great and sometimes it is ok to toss rules out the window! most of the time it's ok. ;)

Cindy @ a curious gardener said...

Each example is tasteful and well done. Love the dining room!

Cindy @ a curious gardener said...

Oops dining entry!.That was the point, no room!

Julia@Cuckoo4Design said...

I have the dining room in my entry! Don't love it but have no choice ;)
So I'm all for breaking the rules. Love the sofa and painting in front of the window!

Vel Criste said...

I agree with all of it Pam! The dilemma would be the execution, but you gave perfect examples of 'how to properly do it'! I actually did some rearranging in my home for the summer and placed a gigantic mirror against one of my windows! I"ll show it off soon and will let you know, but I think it 'works'! :-) Thanks for the inspiration!

Kim @ Plumberry Pie said...

Sometimes breaking the rules is the only way to make a space work. The trick is making it work well. I'm all for a little rebellious design. ;)

Unknown said...

I think these are great examples.. I wouldn't be a fan of squeezing a sectional into a room without an inch to spare, but bravo for the idea and it works! as they all do....
xo Nancy

Anonymous said...

it all works! it just comes down to be bold enough to try :) Especially loving the first photo with the art and sofa in front of the door. stunning.

Pat@Life At Lydias House said...

In general, I am a rule follower but when it comes to décor, that's a whole different story. All of these examples work very well which shows that you sometimes need to carefully consider the situation before applying any hard and fast rules! Great post!

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...

I love these ideas. Thinking of solutions like this are what make a home unique!

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

Yes and Yes over and over.
I have had a large piece of art over a wall of windows with the sofa. Just moved it to enjoy the view of greenery in the Summer. Will probably do it again come Winter! If the door isn't used of course I'd do it...Looks smashing!

Haley said...

For some reason, the TV in front of the bookshelves really bugs me. The big couch in the small room looks really cozy and I would definitely do that.

Karena said...

Hi Pam,
I love all of these unique rooms. I have always liked seeing art hung on windows, and if the doors aren't being opened (as i this photo), why not! The dining in the entry looks as if it will go well with the vibe of the home, so go for it.

As others have mentioned I would rather see the bookshelves arranged to accommodate the TV.

The Family Room looks well loved and lived in.! If adults were coming over the various toys can always be put away!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
NOVICA Giveaway

Leslie said...

Great ideas Pam. I have a friend that did this. She is using her living room as her main living space.. or family room. She changed her layout and styled the living room with a totally different look. xxL

Unknown said...

I say yes!!! If it makes you happy you should always do. :-) I decirate in front of a door. We have a sliding glass door leading to the sun room and only use a half, so to me the other half is a 'wall' and I use it as such.
I say if an entryway is large enough and the dining table will not impede traffic, go for it!
I am all about using your space to suit your way of life... So yes I would and I could .
Luv this post Pam!!!
Hugs, Gee

Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt said...

Why not...as long as it feels right.

Nicole Scott said...

Heck yeah...maybe not for everyone...but I think these examples totally work. I esp love the sectional tucked into that room...I secretly long for a smaller house and I would totally do that one!

FraniQ said...

Yes! Great ideas-thanks for sharing!

Angela said...

I love them all except for the TV in front of the bookcase. I think I would have mounted the TV on the bookcase with a swing arm so you could still access all the shelves and then put my console items on the shelf with al the cords carefully tucked out of sight.

StagerLinda said...

I like 'stacking; furniture in my own home. I have a big Bombay chest next to a couch with a small end table in front of it. A mirror over top the Bombay chest creates a great vignette. I don't think the TV in front of the bookshelves works at all!

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

It shows you that you can break the rules and still have a great room or area...you nailed it on the examples...I love the first image...brilliant.

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

I would definitely squeeze a dining room into my entry. I actually think that is cool.

Stephanie said...

All are great solutions if you ask me..except the one where there is no walking room..

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

I love that idea of using the entry for a dining space, if that's what you need to do! Why not - some foyers are just huge and wasted space!

Elisa of Fancy Free Me said...

Ooo this is a mind bender of a post! I love when breaking the rules works! These are great examples.

Kristin@bliss-athome.com said...

I LOOOOOVVVVEEE that first picture!!! xo Kristin

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