Creating an Entertaining Space

I'm the author of the interior design blog, FROM THE RIGHT BANK. When I'm not rearranging the furniture in my own house, I consult on interiors projects and contribute to various shelter publications and websites. You can follow my adventures in creating a global modern home at http://www.fromtherightbank.com
I'm the author of the interior design blog, FROM THE RIGHT BANK. When I'm... More »
Happy holidays and welcome to my living room! Throughout the year, this room is used mainly as a library and to host small parties. But the holidays mean bigger gatherings and here's how I rework the room to accommodate them while still keeping it presentable.
eclectic living room Living Room
Here is what the living room normally looks like. With this configuration, it seats six people comfortably.
eclectic living room Living Room
Here's another look at the room as it looks most of the year. The antique piano belonged to my parents and sadly it doesn't get played very much in our house. All those years of lessons were apparently a complete waste! Luckily it can play itself. :)
eclectic living room Living Room Rearranged
The piano not only provides live music for parties but it also serves as the perfect serving station. (My mom would be horrified at what's become of her beloved piano!)
eclectic living room Living Room Rearranged
When it comes to seating, I have three goals: 1) to provide as much as possible; 2) to create different conversation areas; and 3) to do all this while keeping the room balanced. Here, this ottoman was separated from the lounge chair and it's wide enough to seat two.
eclectic living room Living Room Rearranged
By separating the chair and ottoman in a corner with a side table in between, it creates a great little conversation area.
eclectic living room Living Room Rearranged
I also bring in these extra chairs which are normally in the dining room. I usually like to keep this area clear but it's a good way to expand the central seating area and accommodate more people.
eclectic living room Living Room Rearranged
Here's another view of the chairs and as you can see, their backs are to the entry to the room. If you're struggling to add more seating, look for spaces like this where you normally wouldn't place furniture.
eclectic living room Living Room Rearranged
The last piece I add to the room is this bench which is normally in the guest room. "Shop" your own home for small pieces like stools, benches and ottomans that can serve as seats. With items like these, I always like to add pillows for comfort.

Comments

sherry hart Love all of these ideas to create a more intimate space for entertaining.....
18 months ago ·
artgirl62 terrific ideas and love that just right amount hit of orange!
18 months ago ·
mbwhite618 Love the idea of splitting the chair and ottoman to create a conversation area.
18 months ago ·
mbsr Love all your holiday changes Ally.
18 months ago ·
monikacjansen The multiple seating/conversation areas is a great idea, especially if a lot of people are invading your home. All 15 of you are not going to join in on one huge conversation all the time.
18 months ago ·
Erin Quinn I like the idea of using the piano as a table!
18 months ago ·
wbstowers3 From the right bank does everything right! Lovely.
18 months ago ·
st2f Love love love Ally!
Want to be part of all holiday parties in that very room.
xoxo,
&2
18 months ago ·
Karlie Riess Munro Love utilizing the piano not only for music but as a table!!!!
18 months ago ·
abport I love citrus at holiday time and these happen to work well with your orange chair and ottoman!
18 months ago ·
mvgirl1 Always love "From the Right Bank"!!! Cheers to the holidays.
18 months ago ·
Heather McCaulley Such a gorgeous space. I love the pop of orange!
18 months ago ·
laurasp I like the idea of being sneaky to add extra seating w/o looking like you did. Great tips, shopping your own home for extra seating! Happy Holidays!!
18 months ago ·
Leigh_Anne Sims Great space! I love all the different types of seating as well as using the piano as a serving place for drinks!
18 months ago ·
Two Ellie So very beautiful!
18 months ago ·
shannona fantastic! nothing in my mind better than a piano used for live music.. ESPECIALLY around the holidays! Let it snow!
18 months ago ·
Chelsea Babin This is awesome! It's good to see a room that has plenty of seating for the holidays without overcrowding it (after all, you have to leave some room for the people!)
18 months ago ·
amybs i really love all the extra little ways of creating seating in this space. and all while keeping a beautiful design.
18 months ago ·
trisstal I definitely ADORE this space!! So many different uses available in one room and it's so versatile. I love the pops of color and the use of different styles of furniture, they all end up working so well together.
18 months ago ·
ccsf Beautiful! I love the piano idea.
18 months ago ·
christianac So, so pretty! I think I might be compelled to hog that fabulous orange chair :) I can imagine sitting there for hours drinking champagne and listening to the piano!
18 months ago ·
lt33 I love how simple all the changes are.
18 months ago ·
venicebeach I love Aly's orange chair! The seating is very versatile and looks very comfortable. Lots of options for small, intimate conversations or one big party.
18 months ago ·
lizreckman I love the pop of orange. I also like using the piano as a place to serve as well as the potential for some great music!
18 months ago ·
Julie Khuu Interior Design Love all the orange bits in the space...feels like an ode to Hermes...who can one resist?! Great styling Ally, comfort and casual elegance...perfect for the holidays!

xo-Julie
Peace. Love. LOL!

www.HauteKhuuture.com
18 months ago ·
karlee05 beautiful room! i love the way you utilized the piano!!
18 months ago ·
The Marion House Book That chandelier and the hits of orange are just lovely!
18 months ago ·
savvygab I love this living room! The orange accents make it really stand out but the overall feel is so classic and perfect!
18 months ago ·
kristenl This living room is the perfect mix of modern and traditional French. I love it!
18 months ago ·
Tonia Bozeman Your living room space is a fabulous mix without being overdone. Great flow.
18 months ago ·
bluepiranha Really like your changes here. Holidays are less stressful when you can figure these things out ahead of time!
18 months ago ·
highheeledtraveler Your space looks so elegant! Love the colorful wine goblets on the piano. And the tiny tree, of course.
18 months ago ·
raynaj I love the idea of creating multiple conversation areas in the same space.
18 months ago ·
chasingemerald Beautiful room and beautiful updates for the holidays!
18 months ago ·
donna you're my girl. my favorite is the orange chair and ottoman separated. looks like a million. donna
18 months ago ·
Deborah Peterson Milne Your family piano is what I covet. The injection of orange, neutrals, the chandelier, and your fabulous woodwork, all equate to a lavish but liveable room. Your crystal stemmed glasses on the baby grand, are exactly like the ones my mother owned. Gorgeous Ally..gorgeous!!
18 months ago ·
classic•casual•home Very pretty...Love the festive feel with the colorful glasses.
18 months ago ·
huli Everything is just so beautiful. I love all the different glasses and chairs :]
18 months ago ·
Travis Snyder Love. Love. Love.
18 months ago ·
Remy Fin Your blog was the first decorating blog that I began following and I have been hooked ever since. You have fabulous taste and a great vision. thanks for sharing your work!
18 months ago ·
katep Pops of color, elegant details, just plain fab!
18 months ago ·
mkboston I absolutely love and am inspired by your style! Love the pops of color.

(I cringed at the piano a bit too! hehe)
18 months ago ·
charmainen I love your living room!
18 months ago ·
catmolly The room is really beautiful, and the design is still great with the added seating for extra company. I love the chairs. Happy holidays.
18 months ago ·
Samantha Baldwin Nice job Ally
18 months ago ·
lolabullock Wonderful space!
18 months ago ·
Cheryl Vieira I love the different seating it goes but isn't too matchy. I love entertaining as well so these ideas really helped.
18 months ago ·
heatherinarles A piano is always such a welcoming element. I love how yours is featured but not in a show off-y way. I also want that chandelier!
18 months ago ·
Travis Snyder An ideal home!
18 months ago ·
Courtney Vandenham love love love the orange accents
18 months ago ·
gb73 Big fan of Ally's home---love love love that orange chair and love her idea of using the piano top as a serving station.
18 months ago ·
samipat I live in a small house and appreciate suggestions on extra seating. Other than the pure contrast of orange on white, what I like best about this room are the uncluttered windows.
18 months ago ·
thecurtiscasa Beautiful!! Love the arrangement on top of the piano and the orange chair and ottoman separated like that. Gorg!!
18 months ago ·
Chedva Looks great, Ally!
18 months ago ·
Aimee Richardson Sulser Love the great balance of traditional and modern in the space. Really lovely, Ally!
18 months ago ·
textiles Adding your bench... brilliant and beautiful!
18 months ago ·
meisen325 Creative and tasteful. Love it!
18 months ago ·
Christine Elia Love love love.
18 months ago ·
8Foot6 GORGEOUS!
18 months ago ·
leahmoss Ally, i love any glimpse of your gorgeous home! you have the best sense of style
18 months ago ·
Phoebe Hinton Love the combination of styles!
18 months ago ·
ceciliawalker Laughed at the piano comment as a serving table. My mom would kill me too! (I'm a former piano player as well - no piano at home to practice). I do, as others have commented, love the mix of modern and traditional pieces.
18 months ago ·
chicncheapliving Great look Ally and I love the easy change in feel from the additional chairs (which are GORGEOUS!)
18 months ago ·
Jessica Root Amazing! I love the warmth, but modern feel of the room. It's very cozy. I also like the tangerines that match your chairs!
18 months ago ·
sparkykelly LOVE the pop of orange! And beyond the great color aesthetic the functionality is fantastic, too!
18 months ago ·
mvgirl1 Looks like you are ready for holiday company! Always look forward to reading FTRB daily blog!!
18 months ago ·
Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors Those moldings are TDF! So where are you inviting us over for the entertaining, huh??
18 months ago ·
Karen Albert Ally truly gorgeous!! I hope you are the winner!

xoxo

Karena
Art by Karena
18 months ago ·
sydney85 Love your clean line approach to decorating with a burst of color. Looks fabulous.

Good luck.
18 months ago ·
ericarobinson07 Love it!
18 months ago ·
joelled Love the idea of the bar tray on the piano
18 months ago ·
thefrugalhostess Lovely!
18 months ago ·
sparkykelly I read your blog every day for great ideas like this and so much more!!!
18 months ago ·
sparkykelly Oh, and please share more photos of your Frenchies! My Frenchies enjoy seeing yours on FTRB!! :-)
18 months ago ·
pieterct The Pop chair from Ligne Roset is perfect! Great space!
18 months ago ·
mvgirl1 Love reading your blog. I want to party in this room! Great ideas for extra seating.
18 months ago ·
sallyleonard LOVE your living room with the piano in front of the gorgeous bay window. Sure you
spend tons of time there. Also love the orange--my favorite color!
18 months ago ·
angelatph Perfect balance of modern, classic, and Christmas cheer.
18 months ago ·
Birdhouse Interior Design It's very inviting and not overdone. Nice balance and very soothing color scheme.
18 months ago ·
lisami Beautiful room! Lisa Mintz
18 months ago ·
Cristin Priest {Simplified Bee} Such a beautiful room! I love the mix of period styles and pops of color.

xo,
cristin
18 months ago ·
Kristina Martinez I LOVE the bench and the pillows you chose to go with it. It is beautiful!
18 months ago ·
jeepers This is such an informative site.
18 months ago ·
cisco123 Nice!!!!
18 months ago ·
mizzkarlata beautiful space, so warm and inviting!
18 months ago ·
Atelier 2 It's cozy and somewhat sofisticated in the same time. Christmas greetings!
5 months ago ·
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