The living room is one area that’s not built for speed. Think of the three Cs – comfort, conversation and character. In other words, furniture should be plump, generous, have good lumbar support and be arranged for quiet companionship.

STYLISH FEEL
A co-ordination of colours, shapes and patterns gives this living room a stylish yet relaxed feel. Upholstered sofas welcome with open arms and geometric-print cushions give a lively accent. An ottoman-cum-coffee table is placed just so and a well-chosen painting completes the scheme.

COMFORT ZONE
A modern, bright red sofa animates the comfortable living room, where classic design is mixed with antiques in a clean, spare yet comfortable style. The timber-framed windows create a rustic mood which is extended with an eclectic collection of tribal artifacts and model boats. Bleached timber details in the armchair and coffee table provide a smart contrast to the dark timber frames and the earthy tones in the dramatic flooring.

LIGHT AND BRIGHT
A casual living room is a haven for family fun all year round. In winter the sun streams through the glass doors that look out to the back garden. A crackling fire takes the morning chill out of the room. A blue and white check upholstery fabric looks fresh and summery against linen-toned walls, and accessories are kept to a tasteful minimum. A country-style pine trunk serves as a sturdy coffee table and provides handy extra storage.

Character comes from the personal touches you give the room- photos, paintings, books and CDs alongside treasured trinkets and family heirlooms.

GO FOR STRIPES
A black, grey and white stripes sofa heaped with cushion and with a matching rug gives the cheery yellow room a dramatic edge. Gloss white paint defines the windows and doors. Glass and stainless steel accessories set against polished floorboards give the room a contemporary design.

JUST FOR NOW
If a three-piece lounge setting is beyond your budget at the moment, consider buying one good-quality couch and adding some smaller pieces. In the well-lit living room, the couch takes centre stage in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, while a spare dining chair and floor cushions provide extra seating.

What does your living room say about you? Of all the room in the house, this is where it’s essential to get the mood right, creating a space that suits your personality, tastes and lifestyle.

A FRIENDLY FIRESIDE
A casual approach to winter style comes up trumps in a NSW country home. Even on the coldest days the inviting room captures the winter sun through recycled windows and doors. The deep honey tones of the refurbished kauri floorboards provide an attractive backdrop for a collection of sofas and chairs. The hot pink upholstery adds a surprising touch and a fascinating collection of accessories gives the room personality.

Spring is about conservatories. The best ones combine indoors and outdoors perfectly and they are also the easiest way to extend living space.

The new conservatory has to be in proportion to the house it adjoins. Get the design right and it will add space, value, and style to your home. But before you go any further, talk a surveyor about what would look good on your kind of property. The rule is that a perfect conservatory must look like part of the original building, not a bolt on.

Whether you are restoring an orangerie on a listed building or adding an extended side porch to a terrace house – both have to work with the overall design of the building if they are not to be an eyesore which reduces the value of the property and a source of architectural regret.

Many conservatories can be built without planning permission but do not take a chance on this. Again, a good surveyor will be able to advise on what you can and can’t do and your local authority will be able to confirm whether or not planning permission is needed.

North, South, east or West?

Think carefully about which way you would like your conservatory to face. A west facing one for example should allow you good sunlight on summer afternoons and evenings; a south facing one might get too hot in summer; east facing is ideal if you plan to use the conservatory as a breakfast room; north facing will call for insulation and heating in winter, although it can be warm and bright in summer. (more…)