Modern Italian

The sofas and armchairs in the comfortable living area were chosen to complement each other, rather than match, for visual interest. This is a flexible mix of seating; comfy but uncluttered for family lounging, and able to be reconfigured for entertaining. Seven people can sit happily together, with the wooden storage stools pulled into use and the soft desk stool creating an extra perch or, with the tray on top, serving as a useful side table. The long, generous sofa actually helps the room feel bigger —small sofas can make a modest space appear even smaller — while a large rug anchors this section, subtly defining the living area as separate from the dining space. Its teal blue colour brings warmth to the neutral scheme without standing out boldly and the colour is repeated on the charming cloud shelves above. The coffee table provides another useful surface for drinks or books, echoing the long shape of the sofa without dominating the floor space or reading as a centrepiece.