Tag Archives: ottoman

Home decor: Go big or go home with overscaled furniture

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When it comes time to decorate any room in your home, scale and proportion are one of the hardest things to determine.  We often get hung up on whether something is the correct size or we don’t think about it at all and end up with something that looks way out of place.  In these rooms, the homeowner said “to heck with scale” and chose a piece that has big impact in their rooms.  What do you think of their choices?

This large red leather chair is clearly oversized for the other furniture in the room but it sure looks comfy, doesn’t it?  You will notice that the seat height is the same as the sofa so it doesn’t look like a giant’s chair in a fairytale.  The other pieces are neutral in color and style, allowing the red chair to become the focal point without any competition.

from book "Undecorate" by Christian Lemieux
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The oversized ottoman certainly makes a statement in this room designed by Jamie Drake .  It works because the room is large but also because of the scale of other pieces including the artwork and the extra long sofa.

Designer Jamie Drake, photographed by William Waldron for Elle Decor
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It takes a lot of volume to create a bookshelf like this but I am sure it is every booklover’s dream.  Any furniture piece will be dwarfed by this piece but the volume of the room can handle it.

 

Have you struggled with scale or do you have one large piece you just love?  We would love to see your photos!

ABC’s of Decorating: “O” is for ottoman, organdy, outdoor fabric etc.

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I could not come up with just one decorating topic that begins with the letter “o” so let’s just review several popular items.

  1. Ottomans:  We have discussed this very versatile piece of furniture many times.  You can review the latest blog post here.  But they are so popular it bears repeating.  An ottoman can be used as a soft place to rest your tired feet, as a multi-functional coffee table, as an additional place to sit or as a “filler” piece of furniture in a hallway or odd corner.
  2. Organdy (or organza):  This very pretty fabric is most often associated with wedding gowns or baby’s christening outfits but it can be used in home decor as well.  Some ideas might be a tablecloth for special occasions such as bridal showers or formal dinners, a topper for a bedside table in a romantic bedroom or a pretty canopy over a crib.
  3. Outdoor fabric:  This durable and versatile fabric has come a long way since the days of stiff, dark green fabric.  Today’s selection offers a variety of patterns and colors that can work just as well indoors as it does outdoors.  It is fade and stain resistant and can resist moisture and mildew making it the perfect choice for a busy family room or playroom.  But the colors are so pretty that you can use it in any room in your home and no one will know!
  4. Etc.:  Let’s think of other design ideas that begin with the letter “O”.  Orange, overhead lighting and organization come to mind.  Can you think of any?

Upholstery-Ottomans, Footstools and Hassocks

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There are some pieces of furniture that are simply workhorses in your room because they can be used in so many different ways.  Ottomans, footstools and hassocks fall into this category.  But is there a difference between these three pieces of furniture?  The simple answer is—not really.  They are all small pieces of furniture whose purpose is to provide a spot to rest your feet.  That being said, ottomans tend to be larger and are often used in lieu of a coffee table; a hassock is smaller and rounder and a footstool is usually a bit lower to the ground and smaller in size.  Let’s take a look at the various ways these furniture pieces can be put to work.

Ottomans

It is common to find an ottoman used as a coffee table.  They can be made into any shape including round, square and rectangular.  The legs can be fitted with casters allowing you to move it out of the way or around the room as necessary.  Placing a tray on top of the ottoman will provide a spot set a drink glass or to corral all those necessary items such as eyeglasses, books and the ever present remote.  The top can be removable, exposing lots of storage space for extra blankets, magazines etc.

This trend of using an ottoman in place of a coffee table will work in any interior.  A tufted velvet ottoman with brass casters is lovely in a traditional setting.  For a contemporary space, a sleek black leather ottoman on polished chrome legs fits the bill.  In a country, eclectic or transitional interior, choose a fabric that coordinates with other fabrics and colors in the room for a coordinated look.

Hassocks

Really just another term for an ottoman, a hassock is generally a bit smaller in size and is often round in shape.  These, too could be used as an end table by placing a piece of glass on top.  You may consider sliding two hassocks under a console table for use as extra seating when needed.  Placing one in front of a fireplace provides a nice spot to warm your toes without taking up too much space.  Like ottomans, they can be upholstered in any fabric of your choice.

Footstools

A footstool’s sole purpose is to provide a spot to rest your weary feet.  They sit low to the ground, ranging from 9-12″ in height and 12-15″ deep.  They can be placed directly in front of a chair, sitting between two occasional chairs or up against a wall holding books until they are needed.  Since they are so small you can upholster them in a fabric that you would not want to use in large volume such as an animal print, a bright color, a custom needlepoint etc.  Have fun with these.

Tassel trim, braid, gimp and nailheads can all be used to embellish your footstool, ottoman or hassock to add a unique look to your home.