Filed under: Your Home, Living Room, Furniture
We asked four designers how your home can help you make (and keep, and enjoy) friends.In our latest bid to show you how your home can help solve your problems, we're exploring how it can help you make friends. We reached out to the New York Design Center's new Access to Design designers to get their thoughts and tips on how your home can inspire you to get more creative. (You can also get great advice and find a designer at accesstodesign@nydc.com.)
Courtesy of k.brant interiors
Kirsten Brant of k.brant interiors wants you to focus on seating.
"In this space I built a banquette that wrapped around the entire room so there would be seating for everyone and their friends. A great place for conversations! There are televisions and drink tables for your snacks as well as a bar with a wine fridge and soda storage right next door. Any space with a lot of seating is great for being with your friends and making new ones."
Courtesy of Christopher Coleman Interior Design
Chris Coleman of Christopher Coleman Interior Design is committed to color.
"Create a welcoming hang-out place. Mix and match to bring the friends home! Look for pieces that are eclectic, colorful and modern. Mix shapes and sizes and don't forget the accessories that add a dazzling interest and create conversation."
Stools from PROFILES via NYDC
Richard Lee of Richard Lee Interior Design relies on "portable furniture".
"What I like to use are little benches that can go behind a sofa or under a table, that can be pulled up and perched upon. I call it 'portable furniture', and it can be used to augment other furniture arrangements ... instant conversation-seating additions."
Courtesy of Tara Seawright
And Tara Seawright of Tara Seawright Inc./Interior Design has her eye on materials.
"When designing a room for entertaining, I want to be sure that guests will feel at ease. This space is glamorous, yet still comfortable, and offers surfaces made of marble, glass and mirror -- all of which are appropriate for guests to place glasses on without wondering "do I need a coaster?". The fabrics are also durable, and the rug is patterned to avoid seeing all spills or crumbs. This room also allows the hostess to be at ease, and when your hostess is relaxed everybody has a great time."