Question: My husband and I are in our 70s and have lived in our house for 42 years and the grandchildren come to visit. Our small living room opens directly onto Market Street. It accommodates through-traffic and is more of an expanded hall than a room. Two couches and the table must go. I was thinking of an eclectic selection of chairs. Can you help me?

Inez Scourkes  
San Francisco, CA

Answer: Grandchildren's visits are a wonderful incentive to make changes in your home's decor.

Your living room is a high traffic area and you want chairs instead of the predictable sofa, so I've designed this plan to include lots of flexible seating yet still allow for comfort and function.

The large window and the arched doorway are the room's two strongest architectural features. We'll create a sense of balance in the space by placing the main seating area in between these two elements.

Room for all ages With plenty of seating and soft surfaces, this living room allowsadults to visit or read while grandchildren play nearby. The little desk saves space, and the upholstered piece serves as a coffee table without sharp corners.

In front of the window use a pair of large, comfortable club chairs. They'll anchor the entire furniture arrangement of the room. Put a pair of smaller chairs opposite the large chairs. These could be wing chairs or smaller club-style chairs, depending on your preference. In the middle of the four chairs is a coffee table that's a round, upholstered ottoman. Its fabric is sewn on the diagonal with seams, to add interest and keep it from looking like an oversized mushroom. I've specifically used an upholstered piece for this table because of its softness. When small children play near it, you won't have to worry if they bump into it; they won't hurt themselves. When grown-ups visit, you'll use a tray on top of the ottoman table to serve cocktails or tea. In front of the wall as part of this area place a pair of small sit-upons for additional guest seating. As a bonus, children love to play on these, so if the kids get restless, you have a place for them to amuse themselves. In the corner put a floor lamp. I've added one large chair on the opposite side of the room. This can be a comfortable recliner or a well-upholstered chair. With a small end table next to it and a floor reading lamp casting light over your shoulder, it's an ideal reading corner. On the wall to the side of this chair is a console cabinet. This is a perfect multifunction piece: it's both a foyer table on which to put your keys when you walk in the door and a storage cabinet for the grandchildren's toys. They'll have easy access to them for play time, and the toys are out of the way when the children aren't visiting.

Over the console is a large framed mirror that helps make the room seem larger. A pair of console table lamps and a few lovely accessories finish this piece nicely.

I've replaced your larger table with a writing table and its own chair and tucked them against the wall near the arched doorway. And next to the desk is your dictionary stand. On the writing table is a task light to illuminate this area.

A large piece of art is hung on the wall opposite the console mirror to balance the two sides of the room. Another piece of art is on the wall behind the reading area.

For a transition from the outside, let's add some green plants. In front of the large window I've put a row of medium-size potted plants. They help soften the street view. To the left of the console near the front door is a large plant in a pot. Uplights on the floor below the plants will illuminate the room as well as suggest texture on the walls from the shadows cast by the plants.

Be sure to choose plants that are safe for children to be near. Check with your local garden store for recommendations.

When selecting upholstery for a home where children will visit often, take care that the fabrics are durable, easy to clean and preferably of darker colors, the better to hide little smudges.

  

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