Sectional vs Sofa
Pick a seat, any seat!
When it comes to your living space, you’ve got to offer your family and friends a variety of seating options…but which to choose? When you’re deciding on sectional vs sofa and everything in between, there is a world of options to choose from. Are you looking for something elegant and formal, or for a chance to cut loose a little more in your design style? Remember, the more pieces in your space — a sofa and an assortment of chairs, say — the more opportunity you have to play with color and pattern. By contrast, a sectional is a great way to showcase one special fabric that you’re truly in love with over a larger area. Think of how you use your living/entertaining spaces the most: do you throw lively parties or intimate book club gatherings? Is your living room the family entertaining hub? Thinking about how your space will be used will help determine what size, shape and style will best suit the room.
Ethan Sofa | Design: @stjamesdesign
The original sofas and couches were just simple wooden benches piled high with cushions and blankets, but home furnishings have come a long, long way since then! Let’s walk through three simple scenarios to help work out the sectional vs sofa question once and for all…
Sofa & Chairs Combo
An absolute classic is born! Perfect for those who entertain, and designed around conversation and physical flow, this combo provides lots more walking-around space for all those cocktail party moments. When it comes to the decision of sectional vs sofa, this is possibly the most flexible design, since it allows you to easily rearrange the space to fit the occasion — especially if those chairs swivel! This is also one of the best looks for a small space, since the chairs can cozy up to the sofa from an intimate distance…but it can also be customized for the largest living or family room, just add a few more chairs, swap chairs for loveseats, or even add an additional sofa!
Ethan Sofa
The beauty is always in the details, and Ethan’s crisp button tufting and wooden base are the kind of details that make this piece stand out like a well-tailored suit. The Ethan Sofa is the star of any room it is placed in, and would make an attractive centerpiece in your own living space!
Thermador Interviews Lindsey Brooke Design
The incredible Lindsey Brooke Design (@lindseybrookedesign) is teaming up with Thermador for the Kitchen Design Challenge. Lindsey’s sharing her expertise when it comes to designing functional, beautiful, and timeless luxury kitchens for clients, establishing a client’s vision, what to splurge on, and design rules she loves to break!
T: 1. Can you tell us about your favorite project you’ve designed in the past year? What makes it stand out?
LBD: Our North Ranch project we just started to reveal has been a big favorite. It’s so hard to choose one, but this one is for some very near and dear friends of mine and we put a lot of passion into the design. We all (LBD team and the clients) pushed our boundaries with the design and I think that shows.
Photos by Amy Bartlam.
Design by Lindsey Brooke Design.
T: 2. How do you work with a client to establish their vision? What questions do you ask to ensure the final product will be what they’ve always imagined?
LBD: We have a very detailed homework assignment for each client that helps us define their style/needs/wants. It starts with a questionnaire about what kind of lifestyle they have, where they like to shop, things they like to do, colors and patterns they love etc. Then we have them fill a Pinterest board up with inspiration pictures and comments to what they like in each photo. We have lot of open dialogue with our clients to make sure we know exactly what they are wanting for their home.
T: 3. What three words come up most often when clients are explaining their vision?
LBD: Bright, livable, timeless.
T: 4. Is there a design rule you love to break? Can you give us an example?
LBD: I love breaking rules all the time! Mixing metals, and patterns are my favorite! Also using a room for a different purpose then its intended for is really fun. We once turned a formal dining room into a music room because they had a large eating area off the kitchen. I say do what works for you and make it functional for your lifestyle as long as it will still make sense.
T: 5. If you had one piece of advice for someone starting a reno or remodel, what would it be?
LBD: Take your time in the planning stages, get all design work done first so you can get accurate bids from contractors and then make adjustments after if needed. It’s always easier to edit down than to add later.
T: 6. How are you seeing clients incorporate connected appliances and features in the home?
LBD: People love the latest and greatest. I think if it can make their life easier, they want it. We all need some extra help and I think it’s great to incorporate them into the things that will help you with everyday things. Smart TV’s, lights, faucets, refrigerators. If I can tell my coffee machine to make my coffee from my phone and that could save me 5 minutes in the morning, then sign me up!
T: 7. What’s the biggest trend you’re currently seeing in the kitchen space?
LBD: Paneled walls for sure are a trend we are seeing in kitchens more, also creative ways for storage rather than just cabinets. Especially for the upper cabinets. Whether it’s open shelving, steel shelves, glass, I think the European/French look is very big right now. People want their spaces to feel unique and special and feel less formal.
T: 8. Is there a secret to balancing new trends with timeless design?
LBD: I think just a healthy mix. You have to know where to draw the line. We like all our big pieces to be timeless UNLESS doing something more trendy will make a big impact on the design. We always want to be cautious of how long that trend will last though. Some trends have lasted 5 or more years and are turning into timeless trends, so we aren’t afraid to then use them in more permanent ways
Lindsey is so incredibly talented! For more exceptional design inspo, follow Lindsey on Instagram: @lindseybrookedesign
This blog post was written by Stephanie More and shared with us by @Thermador.
https://blog.thermador.com/lindsey-brooke-designer-spotlight/
Best Kitchen Renovation Fisher & Paykel Brooklyn Brownstone
BROOKLYN BROWNSTONE
A Greek Revival townhouse in the historic Brooklyn neighborhood of Cobble Hill
took three years to complete. The owner is a cook and lifestyle writer, making the
kitchen central to the renovation.
THE FOOD STYLIST’S WORKROOM
The owner uses her own kitchen as a stage for developing and shooting stories, and needed products and technologies that would deliver perfect results, were configured to support her work, and that wouldn’t compromise on looks. This kitchen is designed to create highlights, with Professional-style appliances taking center stage while the remaining appliances are integrated for a seamless look.
RESTORATION, CUSTOMIZATION
The townhouse had been converted to separate apartments, so much of the original detailing had been removed. However, the owner salvaged as much as she could, including the original mantelpieces and the ornamental medallion in the living room ceiling.
The owners customized the space with ceiling speakers and by demolishing walls in the ground-floor living area to create a completely open space for entertaining. They opened up the kitchen walls with bi-fold glass doors leading into the terrace beyond, generating a flow between the inside and out that’s unusual in a New York City home.
CONSIDERED LAYOUT
The layout of the kitchen also considered the owner's work with natural light entering from the side, while incorporating a square island rather than a rectangular one as a more useful base for food photography. A strikingly simple backdrop was chosen – Calacatta Paonazzo marble countertops above gray cabinetry, and open shelving that runs the width of the space.
DUAL-FUEL RANGE ON SHOW
The French Door Refrigerator, CoolDrawer™ and a Double DishDrawer™ Dishwasher are integrated into the cabinetry, allowing the robust Dual Fuel Range to take the starring role. Out on the terrace a high-performance DCS Grill with a rotisserie mirrors this focus on cooking. The bulk of the storage is contained below eye-level in the cabinets and island, maintaining a light, airy feel.
6 Inspirational Reading Nooks
Chicago's crisp weather will be here soon with an excuse to curl up and get cozy in your very own reading nook! At Cole's Appliance & Furniture Co. we carry many styles of chairs, ottomans, plush pillows and 100's of fabrics to choose from to create your unique one-of-a-kind dream nook.
Photo: Apartment Therapy
Christophe Chair
Modern Hepburn.com
SugarandCharm.com
Thisoldhouse.com
Domino Magazine
Birkin Chair
Bryton Chair
Sophie SlipCover Chair
Finley Chair
Boyd Leather Chair
We hope you enjoyed our Reading Nook inspiration! Visit our showroom on Lincoln Avenue to see a wide variety of chair and ottoman styles, plush pillows and fabrics to create your one-of-a-kind space! For more 'Nook' inspiration please visit our READING • NOOKS pinterest board.