Sitting Areas for the 21st Century

Just what is a “sitting area”? Well for my blogging purposes, when I say sitting area I mean an area for sitting (ha) that is distinct from a living room. This may be a whole sitting room (sans TV, like a formal living room), or it may just be a little nook carved out somewhere, like a window seat or a lounging area in the bedroom.

The formal sitting room of days past is not something you find in most homes anymore, but I love it when the concept is modified for the modern home. A place to sit and chat, read a book, or sip some tea and collect your thoughts is something we could all benefit from, and by no means does it have to look old fashioned.

Fresh white walls are contrasted beautifully by a glossy black fireplace. Modern art and simple accessories keep this sitting corner feeling up-to-date. Well that and the very cool Mid-Century Modern lounge chair. This is the kind of chair that I would not pick for my own home but I can totally appreciate it’s appeal.

I would replace that burlap-skirted chair, get a more appropriately sized coffee table, and switch out the pillows, but this really is a fun and interesting room. We have trendy charcoal gray walls, rustic moments with the wooden tables, a traditional and feminine sofa, a bright pop of yellow from a National Geographic collection, a vintage light pendant, and to top it off a handsome portrait of Abe. This is what you call eclectic. And this is what you call lovely. An updated sitting area for the 21st Century.

one // by the McGill Design Group decorated by My Plum Design via dustjacket attic
two // the home of designer Lauren Seeman via Shop Talk
three // designed by Barbara Kurgan via Country Living