apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

when we lived in small apartments, I found that coffee tables and low wall units on wheels were great. If I wanted to exercise or had to vacuum, they easily rolled out of the way.

I always kept a couple folding chairs in a near by closet that were similar in style to my dining set. They changed my 4 seat table into a cosy 6 seater in a matter of moments.

I tended to select low-profile furniture (narrow bookcases, low shelving) becuase it kept the room more open. IKEA was definitely my friend.....
Finally, I always had glass tables. They take up much less visual space, therefore avoiding a cluttered look :-)

I just finished our DIY sofa- a replica of Kim's on Desire to Inspire. For us it was the PERFECT function form piece! The look ges very well with our decor (much better than the old hand-me-down) and we've almost tripled the seating!!

The ottomans can be added to the couch to make a loungey sectional-esque piece, but they can also be moved under the bay window for a window seat! The functionality makes it so much sweeter!

http://cozylittlecave.blogspot.com/2009/10/living-room-close-up-couch_20.html

I forgo the convention of a coffee table and nightstand entirely and it makes my modest sized rooms feel very open and airy. The furniture I do have, I love: my (soon to be) white vinyl daybed and platform bed are perfect for me right now. So what if there's a drink on the floor sometimes? I don't have carpet and that seems to happen regardless.

We wanted to know how many of you...




...consider both the form and function of items in your home?

Just to answer this breathless cliffhanger, I do, and I'm fairly certain that every AT reader does. Why else check out this site?

They say in Architecture School that "form follows function". This is pretty much true in my house where every single piece of furniture is utilized.

What is the function of artwork though? Is it simply to beautify - or to create mood? I guess that is just important.

When we do spend money on new pieces, we always choose things that are durable and can take a beating, but are also beautiful and appeal to us aesthetically. With weekly gatherings of friends, including babies, toddlers, and children, at our house, every piece of furniture we own is multi-purpose and constantly used.

For example, we won't replace our ancient, rock-solid, nuclear-blast-proof coffee table until we find something else that can be also be sat on, stood on, used as a dining table, hit with blocks, spilled on, and have drinks left on sans coaster. And with no sharp corners for little heads to be bumped on.

We may have that table forever.

I like the form of the pillow, but it seems to be impeding upon the function of the chair.

I agree, that pillow is way too big for that chair. I have reupholstered five of those chairs (Selig/Plycraft knockoffs of the Eames lounge chair) and they're all more comfortable without any pillow at all!

kiljowashere and spanky:

That is actually a floor pillow, which we do use when guests come over. We store it on the chair we are aren't using the chair. Gotta be resourceful with storage!

Rebecca