Design Recipes: Benches, ottomans provide form and function

Benches, Ottomans provide form and function

By Cathy Hobbs

A bench serves as the ideal additional seating in this living room space.

Photo courtesy Scott Gabriel Morris/TNS

Looking for a way to add both form and function to a space? Consider a bench or ottoman. Not only do these smaller scale furniture pieces provide functionality, in many cases they can be the best fi t and furniture solution in size and scale. Need ideas on the best way to incorporate benches and ottomans into your home? Here are some top tips!

1. Do consider ottomans in entry areas. They can serve as an alternative to a case good such as a console while still helping to convey a point of entry. 2. Do use benches or ottomans as additional seating in social areas such as living and family rooms. 3. Do use benches and ottomans as a way to infuse color and texture into a room. 4. Do use ottomans and benches in areas in which small-scale furniture selections are appropriate. 5. Do use benches and ottomans to make a design statement.

1. Don’t ignore opportunities to use benches and ottomans as a fi nishing touch in a space such as at the foot of a bed. 2. Don’t use ottomans and benches in overly large rooms. They may appear too small in large spaces. 3. Don’t use ottomans and benches in ways that don’t provide function. Avoid using them in a purely decorative way. Function is best. 4. Don’t ignore opportunities to use benches and ottomans in unexpected ways such as a coffee table. 5. Don’t forget that ottomans and benches are modular and versatile and can be used in pairs or groupings if needed.

A small ottoman provides both a pop of color and additional seating in this family room.

Photo courtesy Handout/TNS

NEW LISTING | 4910 BASELINE AVENUE, SANTA YNEZ CA 93460

PICTURE PERFECT 5.5± ACRE RANCHETTE IN RANCHO ESTATES, SANTA YNEZ | OFFERED AT $3,600,000

Behind a private security gate and nestled among mature trees you will find this charming farm on 5.5 acres with a newly renovated house, barn, and pastures. A large circular driveway leads to this quintessential rambling ranch house that has been extensively remodeled and reconfigured in the past year by renown designer, Joe Lucas. The homes as updated with high end finishes but with the idea of preserving the charm by keeping the original scalloped trim and closet doors. The warm and energetic home has 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ unique and charming bathrooms. The impeccable kitchen with large eat-in island is open to the dining room and fireplace. The living room features gorgeous built-in cabinetry as well as a decked-out bar for entertaining. Additionally, there is a bunk room for extra guests with hang out area and fireplace. Almost all the rooms feature airy French doors that lead to a sprawling veranda and on to the backyard. No expense was spared when choosing finishes such as Urban Electric lighting, Cle Tile, and Waterworks fixtures throughout. The gravel driveway meanders past open grassy lawn and past pastures to the rustic barn. There are 6 nicely appointed stalls with paddocks going to pastures. Half the barn has cement flooring which would allow for storage, cars, workshops, etc.

CAREY KENDALL 805.252.9763 | carey@clkre.com careykendall.com | DRE 00753349