Before great rooms and family rooms entered the interior design vernacular, the living room used to be the place to gather. But today, in many homes, this room has become a bit of an afterthought, coming to life only a few times a year for special occasions. Venerable interior designer Bunny Williams has spent her career treating clients to an opulent yet comfortable style that has become a hallmark of her work. What are the keys to creating an alluring living room? Williams shares her thoughts with Gilt Home. In her words;
 
—A living room should promote conversation, so arrange sofas and chairs in such a way that guests have an easy time talking to each other. If you’re inclined to push a pair of sofas against opposite walls, resist. Arrange them at right angles to each other for a more intimate grouping.
 
—Make it easy for guests to set down a drink, book, or cup of tea. Place side tables wherever there is a seat. Not only are they ready surfaces, but they add immeasurable style to a space.
 
—Not everyone is nimble enough to get out of a deep sofa or chair; include a variety of comfortable styles in a group, including a straight or open armchair. 
 
—Make it seamless for guests to adjust the depth of a deep sofa by arranging lots of big pillows across the back that can easily be shifted around.

—Avoid the hotel-lobby look by varying the shapes and silhouettes of furniture in the room. A boxy piece loves a spindly piece, and vice versa. Too many muscular pieces look heavy; too many delicate legs look frail.
 
—A comfortable, classic sofa is timeless. Not only will it never go out of style, but it provides the all-important anchor in a room.

—Good lighting is key. The easiest to overlook are classic reading lights placed next to sofas and chairs. They won’t obscure the design scheme, and will provide necessary light.
 
—Avoid choosing furniture that is all the same height. By varying the highs and lows in a room, you add visual interest.
 
—There’s nothing like a jolt of unexpected color to speed the pulse of a room. It can bring an entire scheme to life. I use orange in my work a lot; it makes everyone feel upbeat. Rooms need to feel upbeat, too!
 
—Let it shine. I’m nuts about lacquered finishes. The trick is to use them carefully to give a modern edge to a space that is outfitted primarily with upholstery and wood. A roomful of slick surfaces, on the other hand, can read as antiseptic and cold, which is the opposite of what a living room should feel like.

Click here to visit Bunny William's Boutique on Gilt.

 

(From top, photos by Fritz von der Schulenburg and Widner Creative)