~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DecoDreams
Your Guide to Creating Beautiful Spaces, FAST!
-----------------
April 16, 2003
Issue #004
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE MISSION...DecoDreams is the home-decorating-made-
easy.com e-zine that delivers interior decorating tips,
ideas, and solutions to enhance all rooms of your home.
Staying on top of what's hot in decorating has never been
so easy or fun!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DON'T FORGET Your Friends!...If you like DecoDreams, please
do a friend and me a huge favor and "pass it along"...

...or ask them to subscribe by visiting
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DecoDreams
Your Guide to Creating Beautiful Spaces, FAST!
-----------------
April 16, 2003
Issue #004
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE MISSION...DecoDreams is the home-decorating-made-
easy.com e-zine that delivers interior decorating tips,
ideas, and solutions to enhance all rooms of your home.
Staying on top of what's hot in decorating has never been
so easy or fun!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DON'T FORGET Your Friends!...If you like DecoDreams, please
do a friend and me a huge favor and "pass it along"...

...or ask them to subscribe by visiting
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DecoDreams
Your Guide to Creating Beautiful Spaces, FAST!
-----------------
April 16, 2003
Issue #004
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE MISSION...DecoDreams is the home-decorating-made-
easy.com e-zine that delivers interior decorating tips,
ideas, and solutions to enhance all rooms of your home.
Staying on top of what's hot in decorating has never been
so easy or fun!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DON'T FORGET Your Friends!...If you like DecoDreams, please
do a friend and me a huge favor and "pass it along"...

...or ask them to subscribe by visiting
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DecoDreams
Your Guide to Creating Beautiful Spaces, FAST!
-----------------
April 16, 2003
Issue #004
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE MISSION...DecoDreams is the home-decorating-made-
easy.com e-zine that delivers interior decorating tips,
ideas, and solutions to enhance all rooms of your home.
Staying on top of what's hot in decorating has never been
so easy or fun!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DON'T FORGET Your Friends!...If you like DecoDreams, please
do a friend and me a huge favor and "pass it along"...

...or ask them to subscribe by visiting
Home Decorating Made Easy.com Home Decorating Made Easy.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
***********************ACKNOWLEDGEMENT********************

Diversity of creative ideas has always been the hallmark
of home decorating. That's why I've asked designer,
artist, educator and writer, Marney Makridakis, to share
her own unique brand of decorating advice in our "Ask the
Decorator" column. I think you'll enjoy her wit and
original insights.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
***********************ACKNOWLEDGEMENT********************

Diversity of creative ideas has always been the hallmark
of home decorating. That's why I've asked designer,
artist, educator and writer, Marney Makridakis, to share
her own unique brand of decorating advice in our "Ask the
Decorator" column. I think you'll enjoy her wit and
original insights.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
***********************ACKNOWLEDGEMENT********************

Diversity of creative ideas has always been the hallmark
of home decorating. That's why I've asked designer,
artist, educator and writer, Marney Makridakis, to share
her own unique brand of decorating advice in our "Ask the
Decorator" column. I think you'll enjoy her wit and
original insights.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
***********************ACKNOWLEDGEMENT********************

Diversity of creative ideas has always been the hallmark
of home decorating. That's why I've asked designer,
artist, educator and writer, Marney Makridakis, to share
her own unique brand of decorating advice in our "Ask the
Decorator" column. I think you'll enjoy her wit and
original insights.

Submit your questions to Marney by clicking here. Submit your questions to Marney by clicking here. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> TABLE OF CONTENTS

o News

1) The Awaken Your Interior Designer! Collection
Launches

o Featured Article

1) Demystifying Focal Points Once And For All!

o Turning Ideas Into Action!

1) Ask the Decorator
- The DecoDiva Answers Your Question On
Dealing With Multiple Focal Point Areas In A
Room

o Today's Quote

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NEWS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-News--
---1---
-News--

The Awaken Your Interior Designer! Collection
Launches

Hi

I hope you're starting to shake off the last traces of
winter and are getting into the swing of spring. Ahhh,
this is one of my favorite times of the year.

The bright sun.....longer days...lunch near the surf
(I live in Florida)...what could be better than
that?!! :-) But I digress...

In this month's issue of DecoDreams, Marney and I are
going to bring some clarity to focal points and
arranging your furniture around them. So, if you've
been a little hazy about the where's and what's of
this topic, you'll enjoy the feature article.

But before we dive into the exciting details, I want
to update you about our new eBooks. The Awaken Your
Interior Designer! Collection has just been released
and it is available to DecoDreams subscribers at a
special introductory price for the next 7 days until
April 23, 2003.

Trust me, you'll never see this special price again.
Pre-launch feedback has been nothing but gaga! With,
over 1000 helpful photos/images and 700 pages, I
suppose I shouldn't be surprised. So, if you'd like to
take advantage, just visit this URL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> TABLE OF CONTENTS

o News

1) The Awaken Your Interior Designer! Collection
Launches

o Featured Article

1) Demystifying Focal Points Once And For All!

o Turning Ideas Into Action!

1) Ask the Decorator
- The DecoDiva Answers Your Question On
Dealing With Multiple Focal Point Areas In A
Room

o Today's Quote

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NEWS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-News--
---1---
-News--

The Awaken Your Interior Designer! Collection
Launches

Hi

I hope you're starting to shake off the last traces of
winter and are getting into the swing of spring. Ahhh,
this is one of my favorite times of the year.

The bright sun.....longer days...lunch near the surf
(I live in Florida)...what could be better than
that?!! :-) But I digress...

In this month's issue of DecoDreams, Marney and I are
going to bring some clarity to focal points and
arranging your furniture around them. So, if you've
been a little hazy about the where's and what's of
this topic, you'll enjoy the feature article.

But before we dive into the exciting details, I want
to update you about our new eBooks. The Awaken Your
Interior Designer! Collection has just been released
and it is available to DecoDreams subscribers at a
special introductory price for the next 7 days until
April 23, 2003.

Trust me, you'll never see this special price again.
Pre-launch feedback has been nothing but gaga! With,
over 1000 helpful photos/images and 700 pages, I
suppose I shouldn't be surprised. So, if you'd like to
take advantage, just visit this URL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> TABLE OF CONTENTS

o News

1) The Awaken Your Interior Designer! Collection
Launches

o Featured Article

1) Demystifying Focal Points Once And For All!

o Turning Ideas Into Action!

1) Ask the Decorator
- The DecoDiva Answers Your Question On
Dealing With Multiple Focal Point Areas In A
Room

o Today's Quote

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NEWS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-News--
---1---
-News--

The Awaken Your Interior Designer! Collection
Launches

Hi

I hope you're starting to shake off the last traces of
winter and are getting into the swing of spring. Ahhh,
this is one of my favorite times of the year.

The bright sun.....longer days...lunch near the surf
(I live in Florida)...what could be better than
that?!! :-) But I digress...

In this month's issue of DecoDreams, Marney and I are
going to bring some clarity to focal points and
arranging your furniture around them. So, if you've
been a little hazy about the where's and what's of
this topic, you'll enjoy the feature article.

But before we dive into the exciting details, I want
to update you about our new eBooks. The Awaken Your
Interior Designer! Collection has just been released
and it is available to DecoDreams subscribers at a
special introductory price for the next 7 days until
April 23, 2003.

Trust me, you'll never see this special price again.
Pre-launch feedback has been nothing but gaga! With,
over 1000 helpful photos/images and 700 pages, I
suppose I shouldn't be surprised. So, if you'd like to
take advantage, just visit this URL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> TABLE OF CONTENTS

o News

1) The Awaken Your Interior Designer! Collection
Launches

o Featured Article

1) Demystifying Focal Points Once And For All!

o Turning Ideas Into Action!

1) Ask the Decorator
- The DecoDiva Answers Your Question On
Dealing With Multiple Focal Point Areas In A
Room

o Today's Quote

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NEWS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-News--
---1---
-News--

The Awaken Your Interior Designer! Collection
Launches

Hi

I hope you're starting to shake off the last traces of
winter and are getting into the swing of spring. Ahhh,
this is one of my favorite times of the year.

The bright sun.....longer days...lunch near the surf
(I live in Florida)...what could be better than
that?!! :-) But I digress...

In this month's issue of DecoDreams, Marney and I are
going to bring some clarity to focal points and
arranging your furniture around them. So, if you've
been a little hazy about the where's and what's of
this topic, you'll enjoy the feature article.

But before we dive into the exciting details, I want
to update you about our new eBooks. The Awaken Your
Interior Designer! Collection has just been released
and it is available to DecoDreams subscribers at a
special introductory price for the next 7 days until
April 23, 2003.

Trust me, you'll never see this special price again.
Pre-launch feedback has been nothing but gaga! With,
over 1000 helpful photos/images and 700 pages, I
suppose I shouldn't be surprised. So, if you'd like to
take advantage, just visit this URL
http://www.home-decorating-made-easy.com/interior-design-books.html http://www.home-decorating-made-easy.com/interior-design-books.html

And now, let's tackle the touchy topic of focal points.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FEATURED ARTICLE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-------
---1---
-------

Demystifying Focal Points Once And For All!

The term “focal point” is one of the most commonly
misunderstood terms in home decorating.

We all know we’re supposed to have one in our rooms,
but there is much confusion about what a focal point
actually is, and how to use it to effectively master
the concept of emphasis in a room.

The focal point of a room is the one place that the
eye is automatically drawn to when entering or
standing in the room.

A common misconception is that the focal point has to
be something that is inherent in the room’s structure,
such as a fireplace or window. Actually, anything can
be a focal point.

Usually, large items are natural focal points
(furniture, a large sculpture, windows, fireplaces,
entertainment centers), but small objects can be focal
points as well.

For example, a painting or even a small handcrafted
artifact could serve as the focal point, with the
right lighting and furniture arrangement.

Since furniture pieces are generally the largest
objects in a room, furniture arrangement is an
important strategy for creating the right focus. The
placement of furniture pieces channels direction to
the focal point.

Since the fireplace is a focal point in many living
rooms, let’s use that as an example.

There are two popular furniture configurations that
allow the fireplace to take “center stage” The first
is the “H-shape”, in which any combination of a sofa,
loveseat, or chair(s) are placed across from one
another, with a large coffee table in the center.

The coffee table acts as the center of the “H”, and isAnd now, let's tackle the touchy topic of focal points.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FEATURED ARTICLE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-------
---1---
-------

Demystifying Focal Points Once And For All!

The term “focal point” is one of the most commonly
misunderstood terms in home decorating.

We all know we’re supposed to have one in our rooms,
but there is much confusion about what a focal point
actually is, and how to use it to effectively master
the concept of emphasis in a room.

The focal point of a room is the one place that the
eye is automatically drawn to when entering or
standing in the room.

A common misconception is that the focal point has to
be something that is inherent in the room’s structure,
such as a fireplace or window. Actually, anything can
be a focal point.

Usually, large items are natural focal points
(furniture, a large sculpture, windows, fireplaces,
entertainment centers), but small objects can be focal
points as well.

For example, a painting or even a small handcrafted
artifact could serve as the focal point, with the
right lighting and furniture arrangement.

Since furniture pieces are generally the largest
objects in a room, furniture arrangement is an
important strategy for creating the right focus. The
placement of furniture pieces channels direction to
the focal point.

Since the fireplace is a focal point in many living
rooms, let’s use that as an example.

There are two popular furniture configurations that
allow the fireplace to take “center stage” The first
is the “H-shape”, in which any combination of a sofa,
loveseat, or chair(s) are placed across from one
another, with a large coffee table in the center.

The coffee table acts as the center of the “H”, and is
placed in alignment with the fireplace.

The H-shape is pleasing because it is symmetrical, and
it automatically adds air and space to a room, while
allowing the fireplace to shine as the focal point.

The popular “L-shape” furniture configuration is great
for casual rooms and is a way to maintain the focal
point of the fireplace while making the environment
more conducive to socializing.

The “L-shape” consists of any combination of a sofa,
loveseat, or chair(s) in an L-shape, with a coffee
table or ottoman in the middle. Place the “L” facing
the fireplace to highlight it.

While furniture can be directed toward a focal point
in order to draw attention toward it, there is a
misconception that furniture must always face the
focal point. This is not always the case. The living
room shown here is a perfect example. r> placed in alignment with the fireplace.

The H-shape is pleasing because it is symmetrical, and
it automatically adds air and space to a room, while
allowing the fireplace to shine as the focal point.

The popular “L-shape” furniture configuration is great
for casual rooms and is a way to maintain the focal
point of the fireplace while making the environment
more conducive to socializing.

The “L-shape” consists of any combination of a sofa,
loveseat, or chair(s) in an L-shape, with a coffee
table or ottoman in the middle. Place the “L” facing
the fireplace to highlight it.

While furniture can be directed toward a focal point
in order to draw attention toward it, there is a
misconception that furniture must always face the
focal point. This is not always the case. The living
room shown here is a perfect example.

And now, let's tackle the touchy topic of focal points.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FEATURED ARTICLE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-------
---1---
-------

Demystifying Focal Points Once And For All!

The term “focal point” is one of the most commonly
misunderstood terms in home decorating.

We all know we’re supposed to have one in our rooms,
but there is much confusion about what a focal point
actually is, and how to use it to effectively master
the concept of emphasis in a room.

The focal point of a room is the one place that the
eye is automatically drawn to when entering or
standing in the room.

A common misconception is that the focal point has to
be something that is inherent in the room’s structure,
such as a fireplace or window. Actually, anything can
be a focal point.

Usually, large items are natural focal points
(furniture, a large sculpture, windows, fireplaces,
entertainment centers), but small objects can be focal
points as well.

For example, a painting or even a small handcrafted
artifact could serve as the focal point, with the
right lighting and furniture arrangement.

Since furniture pieces are generally the largest
objects in a room, furniture arrangement is an
important strategy for creating the right focus. The
placement of furniture pieces channels direction to
the focal point.

Since the fireplace is a focal point in many living
rooms, let’s use that as an example.

There are two popular furniture configurations that
allow the fireplace to take “center stage” The first
is the “H-shape”, in which any combination of a sofa,
loveseat, or chair(s) are placed across from one
another, with a large coffee table in the center.

The coffee table acts as the center of the “H”, and isAnd now, let's tackle the touchy topic of focal points.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FEATURED ARTICLE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-------
---1---
-------

Demystifying Focal Points Once And For All!

The term “focal point” is one of the most commonly
misunderstood terms in home decorating.

We all know we’re supposed to have one in our rooms,
but there is much confusion about what a focal point
actually is, and how to use it to effectively master
the concept of emphasis in a room.

The focal point of a room is the one place that the
eye is automatically drawn to when entering or
standing in the room.

A common misconception is that the focal point has to
be something that is inherent in the room’s structure,
such as a fireplace or window. Actually, anything can
be a focal point.

Usually, large items are natural focal points
(furniture, a large sculpture, windows, fireplaces,
entertainment centers), but small objects can be focal
points as well.

For example, a painting or even a small handcrafted
artifact could serve as the focal point, with the
right lighting and furniture arrangement.

Since furniture pieces are generally the largest
objects in a room, furniture arrangement is an
important strategy for creating the right focus. The
placement of furniture pieces channels direction to
the focal point.

Since the fireplace is a focal point in many living
rooms, let’s use that as an example.

There are two popular furniture configurations that
allow the fireplace to take “center stage” The first
is the “H-shape”, in which any combination of a sofa,
loveseat, or chair(s) are placed across from one
another, with a large coffee table in the center.

The coffee table acts as the center of the “H”, and is
placed in alignment with the fireplace.

The H-shape is pleasing because it is symmetrical, and
it automatically adds air and space to a room, while
allowing the fireplace to shine as the focal point.

The popular “L-shape” furniture configuration is great
for casual rooms and is a way to maintain the focal
point of the fireplace while making the environment
more conducive to socializing.

The “L-shape” consists of any combination of a sofa,
loveseat, or chair(s) in an L-shape, with a coffee
table or ottoman in the middle. Place the “L” facing
the fireplace to highlight it.

While furniture can be directed toward a focal point
in order to draw attention toward it, there is a
misconception that furniture must always face the
focal point. This is not always the case. The living
room shown here is a perfect example. r> placed in alignment with the fireplace.

The H-shape is pleasing because it is symmetrical, and
it automatically adds air and space to a room, while
allowing the fireplace to shine as the focal point.

The popular “L-shape” furniture configuration is great
for casual rooms and is a way to maintain the focal
point of the fireplace while making the environment
more conducive to socializing.

The “L-shape” consists of any combination of a sofa,
loveseat, or chair(s) in an L-shape, with a coffee
table or ottoman in the middle. Place the “L” facing
the fireplace to highlight it.

While furniture can be directed toward a focal point
in order to draw attention toward it, there is a
misconception that furniture must always face the
focal point. This is not always the case. The living
room shown here is a perfect example.







The homeowners wanted the large bay window to be the
focal point of the room.

They were not constricted by thinking that the
furniture had to face toward the window. Instead, they
created a semi-circle arrangement, facing away.

The pale colors of the furniture combine with the
natural light from outdoors to draw attention to the
window and its lovely view.

Another misconception is that you must use all of your
furniture at, toward, or near the focal point.

On the contrary, a room is more harmonious when the
furniture is balanced throughout the room. So the
question becomes, what do I do with the rest of the
furniture after I’ve arranged some of it around my
focal point?

Before I go any further, I must emphasize that the
most important consideration concerning furniture
placement is practicality.

A room with impeccable balance and composition means
nothing if a family can’t live in it. A room –
whether it’s a kitchen, bedroom, office, or living
room – needs to be designed with the key tasks in mind
that are performed in the room.

And not just what tasks are performed, but when they
are performed as well.

For example, you should determine if the room is
mostly used in the morning, or at night. Are there
tasks that need special lighting?

For example, if you enjoy reading in the room in the
mornings, it would be natural to create a reading nook
with a chair by a window.

On the other hand, if you enjoy reading in the room at
night, you would need to arrange a chair and lamp near
your chair so that you have adequate lighting for that
task.

But lighting is just one consideration...

You’ll also want to ask yourself other questions, such
as, how many people are usually in this room at once,
and is there adequate seating for them? Do I need a
special task area, such as a tableThe homeowners wanted the large bay window to be the
focal point of the room.

They were not constricted by thinking that the
furniture had to face toward the window. Instead, they
created a semi-circle arrangement, facing away.

The pale colors of the furniture combine with the
natural light from outdoors to draw attention to the
window and its lovely view.

Another misconception is that you must use all of your
furniture at, toward, or near the focal point.

On the contrary, a room is more harmonious when the
furniture is balanced throughout the room. So the
question becomes, what do I do with the rest of the
furniture after I’ve arranged some of it around my
focal point?

Before I go any further, I must emphasize that the
most important consideration concerning furniture
placement is practicality.

A room with impeccable balance and composition means
nothing if a family can’t live in it. A room –
whether it’s a kitchen, bedroom, office, or living
room – needs to be designed with the key tasks in mind
that are performed in the room.

And not just what tasks are performed, but when they
are performed as well.

For example, you should determine if the room is
mostly used in the morning, or at night. Are there
tasks that need special lighting?

For example, if you enjoy reading in the room in the
mornings, it would be natural to create a reading nook
with a chair by a window.

On the other hand, if you enjoy reading in the room at
night, you would need to arrange a chair and lamp near
your chair so that you have adequate lighting for that
task.

But lighting is just one consideration...

You’ll also want to ask yourself other questions, such
as, how many people are usually in this room at once,
and is there adequate seating for them? Do I need a
special task area, such as a table for doing paperwork?

Will we be eating or drinking in this room, and if so,
are there places to put drinks and food items? And
the like.

Once these key determinations are made, I think the
easiest way to balance furniture in a room is to
create several “inner rooms”, each one serving a
specific purpose.

As previously mentioned, you should arrange furniture
around your focal point, first. Then, start with your
chairs.

If you have several to use in the room, you can break
them up into different areas to provide more options
for seating, as well as a more interesting
arrangement. Try placing two at a drape table, one at
a desk, and two behind a console table.

As you arrange your furniture, there are two things
you should watch out for. First, make sure that your
focal point is maintained.

~~~~~~~Important Note~~~~~~

If a large picture window is your focal point, and you
create a reading nook as an “inner room” on the other
side of the room with a loveseat upholstered in a very
bold pattern, this might take attention away from the
window.

~~~~~~~Important Note~~~~~~

I’d suggest, instead, using the boldly-patterned
loveseat in front of the window, coupling it with a
lively, coordinating window treatment to ensure the
focus is where you want it to be.

The second thing to be aware of as you arrange your
furniture is to keep your eye out for negative spaces,
or “holes” in the room.

If you have large gaps in the floor plan, you should
consider adding another inner room. It can be as
simple as adding several plants and grouping them in
that area, to create an organic-themed “inner room”.

Keep stepping back to look at the whole room from a
distance. Walk in from the various entrances at
different times the day.

Stay flexible. When the right arrangement hits, trust
yourself… for doing paperwork?

Will we be eating or drinking in this room, and if so,
are there places to put drinks and food items? And
the like.

Once these key determinations are made, I think the
easiest way to balance furniture in a room is to
create several “inner rooms”, each one serving a
specific purpose.

As previously mentioned, you should arrange furniture
around your focal point, first. Then, start with your
chairs.

If you have several to use in the room, you can break
them up into different areas to provide more options
for seating, as well as a more interesting
arrangement. Try placing two at a drape table, one at
a desk, and two behind a console table.

As you arrange your furniture, there are two things
you should watch out for. First, make sure that your
focal point is maintained.

~~~~~~~Important Note~~~~~~

If a large picture window is your focal point, and you
create a reading nook as an “inner room” on the other
side of the room with a loveseat upholstered in a very
bold pattern, this might take attention away from the
window.

~~~~~~~Important Note~~~~~~

I’d suggest, instead, using the boldly-patterned
loveseat in front of the window, coupling it with a
lively, coordinating window treatment to ensure the
focus is where you want it to be.

The second thing to be aware of as you arrange your
furniture is to keep your eye out for negative spaces,
or “holes” in the room.

If you have large gaps in the floor plan, you should
consider adding another inner room. It can be as
simple as adding several plants and grouping them in
that area, to create an organic-themed “inner room”.

Keep stepping back to look at the whole room from a
distance. Walk in from the various entrances at
different times the day.

Stay flexible. When the right arrangement hits, trust
yourself…you’ll know it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TURNING IDEAS INTO ACTION!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-------
---1---
-------

Ask the Decorator
DecoDiva, Marney Makridakis, Answers Your Decorating
Questions

Q. I have a large living room with too many focal
points, and am stumped about furniture arrangement.

One end of the room has a large window, a large
fireplace, and a built-in TV cabinet, each on one of
the three walls at that end of the room. If I
position the furniture focusing on one, it is
impossible to see the others.

The short wall at one end has a fireplace with bricks
to the ceiling. On one of the long walls at the
fireplace end, there is a built-in bookcase and
entertainment center, which contains the TV.

Across the room from the TV is a large window which
looks out into the woods behind our house – a nice
view.

The other end of the room is basically an 8’-wide
traffic corridor, open to the hall on one side, with
the other side open to the dining room with sliding
glass doors to the deck.

A. The first thing you need to do is choose one of
these three spots to be the one focal point of the
room, and then create “inner rooms” from there. I
would suggest the fireplace, since it is already in
the center of the room.

I’d start with creating an arrangement in front of the
fireplace.

But since the room has other attractions, I’d make
the seating open out to the room, instead of being
focused directly to the fireplace.

To do this, I’d create a modified “H” shape by placing
a sofa directly across from the fireplace (#1 in the
diagram below) and placing two slipper chairs just in
front of the fireplace, facing in at a slight angle
(#2 and #3).

Place a coffee table (#4) in the middle of the
confiyou’ll know it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TURNING IDEAS INTO ACTION!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-------
---1---
-------

Ask the Decorator
DecoDiva, Marney Makridakis, Answers Your Decorating
Questions

Q. I have a large living room with too many focal
points, and am stumped about furniture arrangement.

One end of the room has a large window, a large
fireplace, and a built-in TV cabinet, each on one of
the three walls at that end of the room. If I
position the furniture focusing on one, it is
impossible to see the others.

The short wall at one end has a fireplace with bricks
to the ceiling. On one of the long walls at the
fireplace end, there is a built-in bookcase and
entertainment center, which contains the TV.

Across the room from the TV is a large window which
looks out into the woods behind our house – a nice
view.

The other end of the room is basically an 8’-wide
traffic corridor, open to the hall on one side, with
the other side open to the dining room with sliding
glass doors to the deck.

A. The first thing you need to do is choose one of
these three spots to be the one focal point of the
room, and then create “inner rooms” from there. I
would suggest the fireplace, since it is already in
the center of the room.

I’d start with creating an arrangement in front of the
fireplace.

But since the room has other attractions, I’d make
the seating open out to the room, instead of being
focused directly to the fireplace.

To do this, I’d create a modified “H” shape by placing
a sofa directly across from the fireplace (#1 in the
diagram below) and placing two slipper chairs just in
front of the fireplace, facing in at a slight angle
(#2 and #3).

Place a coffee table (#4) in the middle of the
configuration to finish the “H” shape and make it
compatible for socializing. The slipper chairs are
faced outward so people seated in them can enjoy the
window and the entertainment center.guration to finish the “H” shape and make it
compatible for socializing. The slipper chairs are
faced outward so people seated in them can enjoy the
window and the entertainment center. The homeowners wanted the large bay window to be the
focal point of the room.

They were not constricted by thinking that the
furniture had to face toward the window. Instead, they
created a semi-circle arrangement, facing away.

The pale colors of the furniture combine with the
natural light from outdoors to draw attention to the
window and its lovely view.

Another misconception is that you must use all of your
furniture at, toward, or near the focal point.

On the contrary, a room is more harmonious when the
furniture is balanced throughout the room. So the
question becomes, what do I do with the rest of the
furniture after I’ve arranged some of it around my
focal point?

Before I go any further, I must emphasize that the
most important consideration concerning furniture
placement is practicality.

A room with impeccable balance and composition means
nothing if a family can’t live in it. A room –
whether it’s a kitchen, bedroom, office, or living
room – needs to be designed with the key tasks in mind
that are performed in the room.

And not just what tasks are performed, but when they
are performed as well.

For example, you should determine if the room is
mostly used in the morning, or at night. Are there
tasks that need special lighting?

For example, if you enjoy reading in the room in the
mornings, it would be natural to create a reading nook
with a chair by a window.

On the other hand, if you enjoy reading in the room at
night, you would need to arrange a chair and lamp near
your chair so that you have adequate lighting for that
task.

But lighting is just one consideration...

You’ll also want to ask yourself other questions, such
as, how many people are usually in this room at once,
and is there adequate seating for them? Do I need a
special task area, such as a tableThe homeowners wanted the large bay window to be the
focal point of the room.

They were not constricted by thinking that the
furniture had to face toward the window. Instead, they
created a semi-circle arrangement, facing away.

The pale colors of the furniture combine with the
natural light from outdoors to draw attention to the
window and its lovely view.

Another misconception is that you must use all of your
furniture at, toward, or near the focal point.

On the contrary, a room is more harmonious when the
furniture is balanced throughout the room. So the
question becomes, what do I do with the rest of the
furniture after I’ve arranged some of it around my
focal point?

Before I go any further, I must emphasize that the
most important consideration concerning furniture
placement is practicality.

A room with impeccable balance and composition means
nothing if a family can’t live in it. A room –
whether it’s a kitchen, bedroom, office, or living
room – needs to be designed with the key tasks in mind
that are performed in the room.

And not just what tasks are performed, but when they
are performed as well.

For example, you should determine if the room is
mostly used in the morning, or at night. Are there
tasks that need special lighting?

For example, if you enjoy reading in the room in the
mornings, it would be natural to create a reading nook
with a chair by a window.

On the other hand, if you enjoy reading in the room at
night, you would need to arrange a chair and lamp near
your chair so that you have adequate lighting for that
task.

But lighting is just one consideration...

You’ll also want to ask yourself other questions, such
as, how many people are usually in this room at once,
and is there adequate seating for them? Do I need a
special task area, such as a table for doing paperwork?

Will we be eating or drinking in this room, and if so,
are there places to put drinks and food items? And
the like.

Once these key determinations are made, I think the
easiest way to balance furniture in a room is to
create several “inner rooms”, each one serving a
specific purpose.

As previously mentioned, you should arrange furniture
around your focal point, first. Then, start with your
chairs.

If you have several to use in the room, you can break
them up into different areas to provide more options
for seating, as well as a more interesting
arrangement. Try placing two at a drape table, one at
a desk, and two behind a console table.

As you arrange your furniture, there are two things
you should watch out for. First, make sure that your
focal point is maintained.

~~~~~~~Important Note~~~~~~

If a large picture window is your focal point, and you
create a reading nook as an “inner room” on the other
side of the room with a loveseat upholstered in a very
bold pattern, this might take attention away from the
window.

~~~~~~~Important Note~~~~~~

I’d suggest, instead, using the boldly-patterned
loveseat in front of the window, coupling it with a
lively, coordinating window treatment to ensure the
focus is where you want it to be.

The second thing to be aware of as you arrange your
furniture is to keep your eye out for negative spaces,
or “holes” in the room.

If you have large gaps in the floor plan, you should
consider adding another inner room. It can be as
simple as adding several plants and grouping them in
that area, to create an organic-themed “inner room”.

Keep stepping back to look at the whole room from a
distance. Walk in from the various entrances at
different times the day.

Stay flexible. When the right arrangement hits, trust
yourself… for doing paperwork?

Will we be eating or drinking in this room, and if so,
are there places to put drinks and food items? And
the like.

Once these key determinations are made, I think the
easiest way to balance furniture in a room is to
create several “inner rooms”, each one serving a
specific purpose.

As previously mentioned, you should arrange furniture
around your focal point, first. Then, start with your
chairs.

If you have several to use in the room, you can break
them up into different areas to provide more options
for seating, as well as a more interesting
arrangement. Try placing two at a drape table, one at
a desk, and two behind a console table.

As you arrange your furniture, there are two things
you should watch out for. First, make sure that your
focal point is maintained.

~~~~~~~Important Note~~~~~~

If a large picture window is your focal point, and you
create a reading nook as an “inner room” on the other
side of the room with a loveseat upholstered in a very
bold pattern, this might take attention away from the
window.

~~~~~~~Important Note~~~~~~

I’d suggest, instead, using the boldly-patterned
loveseat in front of the window, coupling it with a
lively, coordinating window treatment to ensure the
focus is where you want it to be.

The second thing to be aware of as you arrange your
furniture is to keep your eye out for negative spaces,
or “holes” in the room.

If you have large gaps in the floor plan, you should
consider adding another inner room. It can be as
simple as adding several plants and grouping them in
that area, to create an organic-themed “inner room”.

Keep stepping back to look at the whole room from a
distance. Walk in from the various entrances at
different times the day.

Stay flexible. When the right arrangement hits, trust
yourself…you’ll know it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TURNING IDEAS INTO ACTION!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-------
---1---
-------

Ask the Decorator
DecoDiva, Marney Makridakis, Answers Your Decorating
Questions

Q. I have a large living room with too many focal
points, and am stumped about furniture arrangement.

One end of the room has a large window, a large
fireplace, and a built-in TV cabinet, each on one of
the three walls at that end of the room. If I
position the furniture focusing on one, it is
impossible to see the others.

The short wall at one end has a fireplace with bricks
to the ceiling. On one of the long walls at the
fireplace end, there is a built-in bookcase and
entertainment center, which contains the TV.

Across the room from the TV is a large window which
looks out into the woods behind our house – a nice
view.

The other end of the room is basically an 8’-wide
traffic corridor, open to the hall on one side, with
the other side open to the dining room with sliding
glass doors to the deck.

A. The first thing you need to do is choose one of
these three spots to be the one focal point of the
room, and then create “inner rooms” from there. I
would suggest the fireplace, since it is already in
the center of the room.

I’d start with creating an arrangement in front of the
fireplace.

But since the room has other attractions, I’d make
the seating open out to the room, instead of being
focused directly to the fireplace.

To do this, I’d create a modified “H” shape by placing
a sofa directly across from the fireplace (#1 in the
diagram below) and placing two slipper chairs just in
front of the fireplace, facing in at a slight angle
(#2 and #3).

Place a coffee table (#4) in the middle of the
confiyou’ll know it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TURNING IDEAS INTO ACTION!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-------
---1---
-------

Ask the Decorator
DecoDiva, Marney Makridakis, Answers Your Decorating
Questions

Q. I have a large living room with too many focal
points, and am stumped about furniture arrangement.

One end of the room has a large window, a large
fireplace, and a built-in TV cabinet, each on one of
the three walls at that end of the room. If I
position the furniture focusing on one, it is
impossible to see the others.

The short wall at one end has a fireplace with bricks
to the ceiling. On one of the long walls at the
fireplace end, there is a built-in bookcase and
entertainment center, which contains the TV.

Across the room from the TV is a large window which
looks out into the woods behind our house – a nice
view.

The other end of the room is basically an 8’-wide
traffic corridor, open to the hall on one side, with
the other side open to the dining room with sliding
glass doors to the deck.

A. The first thing you need to do is choose one of
these three spots to be the one focal point of the
room, and then create “inner rooms” from there. I
would suggest the fireplace, since it is already in
the center of the room.

I’d start with creating an arrangement in front of the
fireplace.

But since the room has other attractions, I’d make
the seating open out to the room, instead of being
focused directly to the fireplace.

To do this, I’d create a modified “H” shape by placing
a sofa directly across from the fireplace (#1 in the
diagram below) and placing two slipper chairs just in
front of the fireplace, facing in at a slight angle
(#2 and #3).

Place a coffee table (#4) in the middle of the
configuration to finish the “H” shape and make it
compatible for socializing. The slipper chairs are
faced outward so people seated in them can enjoy the
window and the entertainment center.guration to finish the “H” shape and make it
compatible for socializing. The slipper chairs are
faced outward so people seated in them can enjoy the
window and the entertainment center.







To create an “inner room” for the entertainment center,
I would use several chairs on swivels (#5,
#6, #7).

This way, the chairs can face the entertainment center
as an “inner room” for watching television, and they
can also turn around to face toward the center of the
room when you are entertaining.

Creating a window nook as an “inner room” sounds ideal
for your lovely view of the woods.

I would situate a sofa loveseat (#8), easy chair (#9),
and coffee table (#10) in an “L” shape around the
window. Within such a large room, it is nice to have
a cozy spot that feels warm and inviting.

I hope this is helpful! Good luck to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ***************** TODAY'S QUOTE ***************************

"The most wasted day of all is that during which we
have not laughed."

-Sebastian R. N. Chamfort

*********************************************************** ***********************************************************

Wishing you all the best,

Michael J. Holland - President
Home Decorating Made Easy
Copyright © 2003

P.S. Don't forget your fr*ee chapters of Awaken Your
Interior Designer. You'll get 72 pages, filled with
lots of ideas and photos to put you on the right
decorating path.Click here to download your copy right away ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To create an “inner room” for the entertainment center,
I would use several chairs on swivels (#5,
#6, #7).

This way, the chairs can face the entertainment center
as an “inner room” for watching television, and they
can also turn around to face toward the center of the
room when you are entertaining.

Creating a window nook as an “inner room” sounds ideal
for your lovely view of the woods.

I would situate a sofa loveseat (#8), easy chair (#9),
and coffee table (#10) in an “L” shape around the
window. Within such a large room, it is nice to have
a cozy spot that feels warm and inviting.

I hope this is helpful! Good luck to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ***************** TODAY'S QUOTE ***************************

"The most wasted day of all is that during which we
have not laughed."

-Sebastian R. N. Chamfort

*********************************************************** ***********************************************************

Wishing you all the best,

Michael J. Holland - President
Home Decorating Made Easy
Copyright © 2003

P.S. Don't forget your fr*ee chapters of Awaken Your
Interior Designer. You'll get 72 pages, filled with
lots of ideas and photos to put you on the right
decorating path.Click here to download your copy right away ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To create an “inner room” for the entertainment center,
I would use several chairs on swivels (#5,
#6, #7).

This way, the chairs can face the entertainment center
as an “inner room” for watching television, and they
can also turn around to face toward the center of the
room when you are entertaining.

Creating a window nook as an “inner room” sounds ideal
for your lovely view of the woods.

I would situate a sofa loveseat (#8), easy chair (#9),
and coffee table (#10) in an “L” shape around the
window. Within such a large room, it is nice to have
a cozy spot that feels warm and inviting.

I hope this is helpful! Good luck to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ***************** TODAY'S QUOTE ***************************

"The most wasted day of all is that during which we
have not laughed."

-Sebastian R. N. Chamfort

*********************************************************** ***********************************************************

Wishing you all the best,

Michael J. Holland - President
Home Decorating Made Easy
Copyright © 2003

P.S. Don't forget your fr*ee chapters of Awaken Your
Interior Designer. You'll get 72 pages, filled with
lots of ideas and photos to put you on the right
decorating path.Click here to download your copy right away ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To create an “inner room” for the entertainment center,
I would use several chairs on swivels (#5,
#6, #7).

This way, the chairs can face the entertainment center
as an “inner room” for watching television, and they
can also turn around to face toward the center of the
room when you are entertaining.

Creating a window nook as an “inner room” sounds ideal
for your lovely view of the woods.

I would situate a sofa loveseat (#8), easy chair (#9),
and coffee table (#10) in an “L” shape around the
window. Within such a large room, it is nice to have
a cozy spot that feels warm and inviting.

I hope this is helpful! Good luck to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ***************** TODAY'S QUOTE ***************************

"The most wasted day of all is that during which we
have not laughed."

-Sebastian R. N. Chamfort

*********************************************************** ***********************************************************

Wishing you all the best,

Michael J. Holland - President
Home Decorating Made Easy
Copyright © 2003

P.S. Don't forget your fr*ee chapters of Awaken Your
Interior Designer. You'll get 72 pages, filled with
lots of ideas and photos to put you on the right
decorating path.Click here to download your copy right away ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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