January 25, 2011

Practical & Pretty Mudrooms

by Amitha Verma Interior Design, www.amithaverma.com

What is a mudroom, my husband asks? Mudrooms are a room I actually spend a lot of time designing! They are the rooms usually off the back entrance of a house, where we drop our keys, mail, bags, backpacks, boots and so on. For me designing a mudroom space is like putting together a puzzle. We are always trying to get the optimal storage solutions for all the clients’ backdoor items. Some homeowners have a separate mudroom while others are mixed with the laundry room. Regardless, clutter control is always a key priority.

Personal items need to be easily accessible as one heads outside. Keeping these items organized and the room looking pretty is achieved in a few different ways as you’ll see below.

If you have kids, lockers are a great way to keep things organized. They can hang their jackets, backpacks and sports items in their “own” locker. This ensures they will know where to find their belongings next time they need them, instead of searching around the house at the last minute. There are several different types of lockers available.

Mudroom/Laundry Room Combo
CornerstoneDevelopment

This laundry, in a custom construction by Cornerstone Development, had great basket storage. Baskets are a great way to add storage and a little cozy touch to these rooms. A little counter space helps create a work area.

You don’t have to have a new house to take advantage of mudroom storage ideas like these below:

Image 2 Mudrooms
BallardDesigns (via)

This entry cabinet is replete with everything you need to keep all of your family’s things organized and easily found. Outfitted with separate compartments, brass hangers for coats and hats, baskets and drawers, you’ll never be at a loss to find a place to keep everything you need coming and going from your house.

BallardDesigns (via)

This five drawer stacking cabinet makes a perfect addition to your home if you are looking for extra space to tuck away items such as backpacks, school books, work satchels or anything else you need readily accessible. This unit is stackable so you can add additional storage space right on top.

Image 5 Mudroom
Decorpad (via)

Talk about storage heaven! This mudroom design from Charlie & Co Design is ideal with separate compartments, hanging storage, basket storage and upper storage easily accessible by sliding ladder. This design would be perfect for a big family.

Posted in mudroom | Leave a comment
January 21, 2011

Creating a Warm and Cozy Space within a Great Room

by Amitha Verma Interior Design, www.amithaverma.com

The way homes are being constructed these days, living spaces are conceptually very different from houses of the past. Gone are the compartments and divided spaces for separate formal and living rooms. Homes now have a more inviting great room, which is usually much larger than a typical living room. However nice the extra space, it can be overwhelming to decorate such a large room.

Homeowners are always coming to me with their frustration of how to make the furniture fit in their great rooms, as one “typical” seating arrangement makes the room feel awkward. The solution? I love to create multiple seating areas within these large rooms. People want to be cozy in their conversations and sitting area, and not feel like they are shouting across a room to chat. So, to that end, I tend to create smaller more intimate groupings of furniture for people to sit around and talk, converse or maybe be in the room, but not necessarily a part of the conversation.

There are many ways to create intimate seating and activities areas. The typical arrangement of sofa and chairs with end and coffee table is just one of the many arrangements to incorporate in a great room design. A small round table with two chairs works well in a nook or a corner. Built in shelves, a library table and chair make for a small library along one wall. I suggest exploring the activities you will be performing you in your great room, then furnishing to answer those needs.

ElleDecor (via)

This beautifully appointed traditional great room has several seating areas as you can see, a main area in the forefront of the photo and a secondary area in the background.

Great Rooms 1.2ElleDecor (via)

This is the area in back of the main one above. It has a charming, additional conversation area, a desk and chair and a round table and chairs for tabletop activities.

3.2 Great RoomElleDecor (via)

This room boasts a high ceiling which can make it difficult to design for a cozy feel. However, the designer lowered the ceiling with the lovely chandelier above the main conversation area and added a plush tufted sofa upholstered in a soft and welcoming hue.

3 Great RoomsElleDecor (via)

This angle of the great room above shows us a secondary seating arrangement in back of the sofa for dining or other activities.

4 Great RoomsVeranda (via)

This lovely great room features multiple intimate sitting areas for differing activities as well. The pale pink chair in the background is at the ready for the homeowner and guests to enjoy a chat by the fire. We can just get a peek of an additional sitting area in back of the sofa in the foreground. The sofa table is a great way to divide the room. A cozy seating area has been created around the fireplace and to admire the gorgeous Picasso above! One thing I love about multiple seating areas, is that we get to use a variety of fabrics to give the room texture, and interest.

Posted in greatroom | Leave a comment