Living Rooms: creative expression

LIVING ROOM INSPIRATION

Now we are into the autumn months, many of us will be retreating to our living rooms, instead of the outdoor spaces, to while away the evenings – and even more so as we get closer to winter. It is at this time of the year when we focus on and start to make a few tweaks to this key living area of the home. From entertaining to some self-indulgent movie watching, this room needs to be inviting, comfortable and practical. Adding personality and your own artistic flair is essential, with layout and functionality being equally as important. Textiles such as rugs, cushions and curtains are a great way to add cosiness and a splash of creative expression. Choosing suitable seating solutions that fit the space is a good place to start. Invest wisely in a good sofa and armchairs and they should last you for years. Pouffes not only serve as footstools but they are also great for adding extra seating when unexpected guests come by, and depending on their shape they can also make handy side tables. Ensure you have adequate resting areas for drinks, table lamps and electronic devices so that everyone is seated comfortably and there is no need to get up every time they need to place something on a table. Keeping clutter to a minimum provides a calming feel to theroom and take advantage of natural entrance ways and windows with heavy furniture is obviously a no-no. So ensure there is plenty of space for people to walk around the room and allow natural sunlight where possible, to maintain the room airy and light during the day. Here are some ideas to inspire you…

Opposite Page The LC2 seating system by Cassina features a metal frame around the outside of the seat, giving a unique industrial look. It is shown here with their LC10 square coffee table, which features a top textured or tinted in thermoformed glass and painted in numerous colours from the Le Corbusier palette. Cassina is available through Siesta Interior Design in C. Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com).

The Cloud sofa from Gervasoni’s Nuvola collection is heavily padded for extra comfort so you sink into it when sitting down. It is shown here with their three-legged Gray coffee table and iconic Brass pendant lamps. Gervasoni is available from Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu).

The Ile Club sofa from Living Divani was designed by Piero Lissoni. It has a thin metal frame as its base, making the sofa appear like it is floating and adding a lightness to its aesthetic. Living Divani is available through through Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu).

Opposite Page The charming Ditmar sofa by Eichholtz, upholstered in cream-coloured bouclé, comprises deep channel stitching to give it its distinctive and contemporary look. This stunning sofa comes in various versions and suits any style of home. It is shown here with their Artemisa coffee and side table, which has a bevelled mirror tabletop and metal frame in a brushed bronze finish. You can by all Eichholtz products directly from the Eichholtz Monobrand showroom, situated in Centro Comercial Azalea in Nueva Andalucía (www.idehouseonline.com). Eichholtz is also available through The Art in the Marbella Club (www.theart-interiordesign.com).

Right The Tearoom sofa and club chair set from Menu is sophisticated and contemporary yet timeless. Its embracing shape is inviting and suits any style of room, not only in private homes but also for hotels and clubs, for example. It is shown here with Menu’s Androgyne lounge table in their Calacutta viola marble version. Menu is available through Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu).

Below The design of the Cosy sofa from MDF Italia was focused on having a warm and inviting look as well as offering the ultimate in comfort. This modular sofa provides great versatility as it can be arranged in an array of ways to suit the room’s specific space. Shown here with their

ICONIC SEATING

Left In July this year at Nomad Capri, Draga & Aurel together with the Rossana Orlandi Gallery presented Coralia, a project inspired by the magical island of Capri and the infinite colour tones of the sea. The design tells a playful and vibrant story that combines art and design, in which the transparent coloured flowing resin, illuminated by neon lights, is juxtaposed with the solidness of raw concrete treated with sea salt and Ragmate-salvaged hand-knotted fabrics that represent marine fauna. Shown here is their Rive armchair and Golia side table (www.draga-aurel.com).

Below Left Pebble Rubble, by the Swedish design duo Sofia Lagerkvist and Anna Lindgren of Front Design for Moroso, offers a wonderful sensory experience. Its eye-catching appearance, inspired by nature and organic shapes, complements the comfortable seating system. Moroso is available through Acoola in Polígono Industrial San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu) and Siesta Interior Design in Centro Plaza, Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com).

The Lotus sofa, by Manzoni & Tapinassi for Arketipo, features a soft contour and low back with a distinctive metal frame that wraps around its middle. The Lotus really makes a statement, offering superlative comfort and style for any living space. Arketipo is available through Siesta Interior Design situated in Centro Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com), Alison Bethell-Collins Interior Design in Avda. del Mediterráneo, San Pedro de Alcántara (www.alisonbethellcollins.com), and Acoola in Polígono Industrial San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu).

Lounge comfortably into this three-seater Gravità sofa, which was designed by Bendik Torvin for Missoni Home Collection and can be customised with your favourite fabrics from the Missoni Home range. Missoni Home is available from The Art located in Marbella Club on the Golden Mile (www.theart-interiordesign.com), Alison Bethell-Collins Interior Design in Avda. del Mediterráneo, San Pedro de Alcántara (www.alisonbethellcollins.com), and Darch & Co Design Studio in CC Sotomarket in Sotogrande (www.darchandco.com).

ARMCHAIR IDEAS

Right Artwood’s Jade nubuck leather swivel chair offers padded seating that makes a distinguished statement. Artwood is available through Factory 58 in Avda. de Mare Nostrum 3, La Cala de Mijas (www.factory58.com), and Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu).

Below Right Verzelloni’s Zoe collection offers casual armchair lounging with a matching pouffe. The upholstery comes in a wide range of materials for both indoor and outdoor use. Verzelloni is available through GC Studio in Centro Comercial Camoján Corner in Marbella (www.gc-studio.es), Siesta Interior Design in C. Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com) and Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu).

Below The Flamingo lounge chair from Sybartum is made from strips of rattan, and its imperfections are what give this unique model its distinctive character. The Sybartum showroom is located on the Mijas Road or you can buy online at www.sybartum.com.