Roundup: Conversation Pits and Loungy Living Rooms

Yesterday, when we posted a modern Indiana home, there were a lot of oohs and aahs over the conversation pit designed by Alexander Girard. As commenters noted, conversation pits, although cool, aren't the most flexible designs for a home, but their loungy look continues to inspire the sectionals and floor cushions of today...

1 Polly and Ben's home includes a beautiful white wraparound sectional.
2 The Miller House in Columbus, Indiana features the ultimate conversation pit.
3 This living room by Galo Verdesoto Design uses armchairs and a sectional to create a cozy conversation area.
4 Jonathan Adler's design for Parker Palm Springs was inspired by 60s and 70s style.
5 A loungy room from Living Etc is a modern interpretation of the conversation pit.

Photos: Gregory Han, Art Babble / Indianapolis Museum of Art, Jonathan Adler, Galo Verdesoto Design, Living Etc

Comments (6)

does anyone know where they got those low couches in the fifth photo?

posted by undeadmouse on September 11th 2009 at 1:26am
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LOVE #3 and #5... so clean and airy!

posted by jeffnyc on September 11th 2009 at 11:50am
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Back in my day, a conversation pit was a sunken area. So only #2 really qualifies by that definition. But I like the idea of arranging furniture to facilitate conversation. #1 is very nice.

posted by aj on September 11th 2009 at 12:07pm
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I will never tire of seeing Polly and Ben's lovely living room.

And yeah, we had family friends growing up who had a really intense sunken living room pit. It was like 4 ft. deep at least! With lots of cool built-in seating and a TV wall. I thought it was the future!

posted by ridge_van_winkle on September 11th 2009 at 1:41pm
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I remember seeing Polly and Ben's home in Ready Made magazine a few years ago, and managed to save that issue. Covet that white sectional sofa. Such a lovely home.

posted by suzy8track on September 11th 2009 at 7:32pm
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those low couches in the last photo are by edra (undeadmouse)- they are amazing. i have them in lime green

posted by Sondy on September 12th 2009 at 11:52pm
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