Living Rooms: cosy versatility

Cattelan Italia’s clever Orlando coffee table transforms itself into two heights. When it is closed, it is 32 centimetres high, serving as an attractive coffee table, but when opened the table doubles in height – revealing a useful compartment in its base to store digital devices and books. Also shown here are their Billy side tables. Cattelan Italia is available from Alison Bethell-Collins Interior Design in Avda. del Mediterráneo, San Pedro de Alcántara (www.alisonbethellcollins.com), and through GC Studio in CC Camoján Corner in Marbella (www.gc-studio.es).

LIVING ROOMS WITH A LITTLE LOVE

The living room has to be a versatile space, not only offering comfort but also showing off your finest design skills to guests who come to visit. The space should accommodate a multitude of elements to make the room work at its best. From seating, tables and storage to textiles and artwork, there’s a lot to consider. If you feel your living room needs a small update, simply changing your coffee table can sometimes make a huge difference as they are usually placed in the centre of where all the action is – therefore receiving a greater focus than you might realise. Adding storage to your living area is a great way to make the room look more organised and easier on the eye. If your living room is short of space, consider tables with built-in storage or wall shelving. The trend for minimalism doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. However, it doesn’t mean that the room has to be cold and bare. The addition of cushions, rugs and throws creates a feeling of cosiness, which every living room needs for a welcoming look. Neutral-coloured rooms are also becoming increasingly popular, evoking a sense of calm and relaxation. Of course, this can sometimes result in a room looking lacklustre so, if you are someone who prefers to avoid bold colours, consider adding rich deeper tones to provide more warmth to the space. Here are some ideas…

La Isla by Sancal comes in three heights with either a round or an oval tabletop. The fumé glass tabletop allows for the base – shaped like a blade and available in five contemporary colours – to take centre-stage (www.sancal.com).

Architect Antonio Citterio created the Esosoft sofa for Cassina, then completed the collection with a series of coffee tables in various sizes and two different heights. The polished aluminium or painted matte anthracite base accommodates a tabletop in marble or fluted glass, in a huge range of colours. Cassina is available through Siesta Interior Design in C. Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com) and Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu).

Skagerak’s folding Fionia stool is a contemporary Nordic interpretation of the ancient X-chair. It has a simple triangular construction with a stable surface that can be used as a bedside table or a useful side table or foot stool, making it highly versatile. Skagerak is available from Your Home Styling on the Mijas Road (www.yourhomestyling.com).

The Le Mura seating system by Mario Bellini represents design in Italy throughout the seventies: aesthetics, proportions, ergonomics and social interaction (www.tacchini.it).

The new BonBaron Mingle easy chair from Fatboy offers durability, comfort and contemporary style. The backrest can be adjusted with the two large buttons situated at the back. The upholstery is made from 100 per cent polyester protected with FibreGuard for stain-resistance. Fatboy is available from Siesta Interior Design in Centro Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com), Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu) and De Tropen Autovía del Mediterráneo A7, Exit 953, Vélez-Málaga, or you can buy online at www.detropen.es.

The modular Cosy seating system by MDF Italia was designed to ensure it would suit any style of living room. Cosy comes in varying heights, depths and lengths, making it highly versatile. Available through Siesta Interior Design in C. Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com).

This living room has been furnished by New Life Home. The combination of sand tones and natural materials gives an overall organic aesthetic. New Life Home is situated in Avda. de Velázquez in Málaga, or you can buy these products online at www.newlifehome.es.

The Studio modular sofa is the newest sofa in the NORR11 collection, which pays tribute to the timeless era of the seventies. It is shown here with the Big Big armchair, with its voluminous shapes divided into four playfully oversized objects, and their Gear sculptural side tables. NORR11 is available through Siesta Interior Design in C. Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com).

Designed by Christophe Pillet, the Soho sofa by Enne was created with simplicity in mind, offering the ultimate in elegance and artistic appeal. A modular seating system with various options for armrests, Soho has a metal frame, slightly elevated to give the appearance of floating and covered in leather, nubuck, bouclé and velvet – with stitching on certain modules reminiscent of the traditional French padding capitonné. The Majlis by Monika Woodley, situated in CC La Poveda on Marbella’s Golden Mile, is an exclusive retailer of Enne (www.themajlis.es).

ORGANISING YOUR HOME WITH CHIC SHELVING

The Secret TV shelf by Omeo Design has black-slatted wood panels that create a simple and practical cover to hide the television when not in use, while assimilating into the bookshelves either side when opened. Omeo Design is situated in Avda. Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer in Nueva Andalucía (www.omeodesign.com).

This stunning open bookcase by Modulnova is madeto-measure using the finest materials. It offers unlimited possibilities, making it highly versatile. The system serves as a bookcase or as a partition for the room. Also, as the shelving is completely open, light can pass through without being blocked out. Modulnova is situated in Avda. de Salamanca 12 in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.modulnovamarbella.com).

PRACTICAL POUFFES

This ethnic pouffe is made from 100 per cent natural and ecological materials. Available from Sybartum on the Mijas Road (www.sybartum.com).

This elegant pouffe design by Cecilie Manz for Fritz Hansen is both functional and beautiful, coming in a wide range of interesting colours and two different sizes. Fritz Hansen is available from Your Home Styling on the Mijas Road (www.yourhomestyling.com).

Designed by Jacques Deneef for Ethnicraft, the Barrow pouffe is made with Italian fabrics in a range of beautiful tones and doubles as additional seating and a large footstool. Ethnicraft is available through Siesta Interior Design located in Centro Comercial Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com) and Metamorfoza in Polígono Industrial Nueva Campana 53 in Nueva Andalucía (www.metamorfoza.be).