Your family living room should be a comfortable space where everyone gathers to relax, chat and watch television. With careful planning, you can create a practical, attractive interior and the set need not dominate the scheme

A television screen will always suit a modern setting but avoid it taking over the room. Colourful fabrics and interesting artwork will help distract the eye, and built-in storage, where possible, will hide videos and DVDs. A comfortable sofa is essential for viewing and entertaining. To balance the contemporary look, choose a traditional buttoned chair on castors, so that the chair can be moved to face the television when “show time” begins.

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK
• Build a streamlined storage unit to hide DVDs and music systems.
• Play down the television by grouping it with framed prints and favourite objects.
• A modular L-shaped sofa works well for a family room such as this.

FURNITURE Opium corner sofa in Denver Ecovceuni, H85 x W265 x L165 x D100 cm; Bobine side table, H50 x top diameter 70 cm; both Ligne Roset. Houston coffee table, H46 x W100 x D100 cm, Louise Bradley. Howe chair, H99 x W64 x D64 cm, in Brancusi Cappuccino, William Yeoward. Similar screen, panel H180 x W70, Ellwood Haigh.
FABRICS Screen in Samudra Mandarin FW041-01, William Yeoward at Designers Guild. Floral cushions in Anichov Nutmeg F1320-05, Designers Guild. Orange cushion in Ramita 2829, polyester, 145 cm wide, Harlequin.
ACCESSORIES Jukes plain velvet cushion, Habitat. Cream blanket, 120 x 240 cm, SCP. Table lamp base, H55 x diameter 12 cm; shade, H23 x diameter 40 cm; both Heathfield. Suede bag on floor; Venice print by Denis Thorpe; Tinguely Tate poster; all The Conran Shop. Double Top screen print, Sophie Coryndon Screen Prints. 81-cm television, Samsung. Standard Pyramid floor lamp base, H150 x W35 cm, KA International. Linen shade, H26 x diameter 40 cm, Vaughan.

STYLING ANNABEL SMITH
PHOTOGRAPHS TIM YOUNG
OCTOBER 2006