Kitchens with fabulous water views require a design that is central to the view. In this case, Bilotta designer, Randy O’Kane, working with Rachel Laxer of Rachel Laxer Interiors, Robert Keller of Keller Eaton Architects, and the homeowner, quickly established that the focal point would be the outside, thus there are really no wall cabinets. The cooktop and main sink are situated on the island so that they face the water with wall ovens and refrigerator/freezer behind. The lines of the Bilotta Collection cabinetry are sleek and there is little to no hardware; drawers have a channel system in place of hardware. A tall pantry area hugs the wall and disappears with only glass pulls giving it away. The natural quartzite countertops have the undulating feel of moving water. The bar area is tucked away with the same clean lined cabinetry, but with an added touch of antique mercury mirrors to help reflect the lovely views. Soft seating by way of a custom banquette and sectional makes this kitchen not just a place to eat, but a relaxing area to watch the boats go by. Contemporary painted casing trims an extra-large pocket door into a formal dining room beautifully detailed by Rachel Laxer and continues the soft color scheme with added pops of color. This is definitely a great space to entertain in or just enjoy! Additional people involved include Staci Ruiz of Staci Ruiz Lighting Consultant and Bobby Noonan of Noonan Construction. Appliances are a mix of Miele, Sub-Zero and Gaggenau; sinks are Franke and faucets by Dornbracht. Bilotta Designer Randy O’Kane with Rachel Laxer for Rachel Laxer Interiors and Robert Keller of Keller Eaton Architects. Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope: Transform a little-used room in the client’s lower level into an entertainment center, featuring a 1,500-bottle refrigerated wine cabinet, a wet bar, a custom-made bookshelves surround for existing hearth, and television hanging built-ins. Challenges: Primary technical challenge was to find a way to unobtrusively install a large “split system” chilling unit to service the wine cooler. Solutions The contractor started with a rectangular space that was appreciably stripped down, except for the fireplace at the far end. An adjacent room housed a professional pool table. The client’s primary concern was how to situate the custom-built wine rack were to specify and fabricate. Although there was plenty of space in niche to the left of the stairway, there was no obvious way to locate the wine rack’s chilling unit for ducting and chiller unit. Both client and contractor agreed that the logical setting for the rack would be along the short wall adjacent to the room’s entrance. But the short wall afforded no room for the chiller, a “split system” unit that needed adequate “breathing room” to avoid overheating After many design sketches, the contractor had a tentative solution: house the chilling unit in a utility room behind the stairs leading to the basement. This would keep the unit out of sight and muffle the sound of the compressor. Then question was how to “circumnavigate” the stairwell and run plumbing lines from the utility room – which was about 20 feet away — to the rack. A floor-level path would be exposed to possible damage and aesthetically unpleasing. Installing the line in the concrete slab flooring would be difficult and expensive – and any repairs to the line would mean tearing up the floor.The only alternative, the contractor suggested, would be to route the lines overhead – run them straight up from the chilling unit, over the joists above, and around the back of the stair case. Once past the staircase, it was straight shot above the joists to the short wall; the lines would then run behind the wall to the wine cooler resting on the floor. This highly creative solution pleased the client greatly: it not only isolated the chilling unit, but allowed it to be easily serviced; the lines were protected and out of sight; and the wine rack – situated as it was in the room – seemed like it was part of the original house design. At that point, the contractor needed a wine rack design that seemed equally “original” to the home – and here, too, the challenge was met. Custom-built cabinetry span the length of the wall, with two floor-level cabinets flanking the wine cooler. Above, twin glass-facing walnut displays – lighted and rising nearly to the ceiling – rest on a black marble countertop, showcasing the client’s impressive wine collection. On the long wall perpendicular to the rack, a widescreen television hangs between two built-in bookcases designed by the contractor. The firm also fabricated the two bookcases now flanking the original fireplace in the far end wall – as well as the glass-faced hanging cabinets which are lighted above the newly installed wet bar.

Kitchens with fabulous water views require a design that is central to the view. In this case, Bilotta designer, Randy O’Kane, working with Rachel Laxer of Rachel Laxer Interiors, Robert Keller of Keller Eaton Architects, and the homeowner, quickly established that the focal point would be the outside, thus there are really no wall cabinets. The cooktop and main sink are situated on the island so that they face the water with wall ovens and refrigerator/freezer behind. The lines of the Bilotta Collection cabinetry are sleek and there is little to no hardware; drawers have a channel system in place of hardware. A tall pantry area hugs the wall and disappears with only glass pulls giving it away. The natural quartzite countertops have the undulating feel of moving water. The bar area is tucked away with the same clean lined cabinetry, but with an added touch of antique mercury mirrors to help reflect the lovely views. Soft seating by way of a custom banquette and sectional makes this kitchen not just a place to eat, but a relaxing area to watch the boats go by. Contemporary painted casing trims an extra-large pocket door into a formal dining room beautifully detailed by Rachel Laxer and continues the soft color scheme with added pops of color. This is definitely a great space to entertain in or just enjoy! Additional people involved include Staci Ruiz of Staci Ruiz Lighting Consultant and Bobby Noonan of Noonan Construction. Appliances are a mix of Miele, Sub-Zero and Gaggenau; sinks are Franke and faucets by Dornbracht. Bilotta Designer Randy O’Kane with Rachel Laxer for Rachel Laxer Interiors and Robert Keller of Keller Eaton Architects. Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye

Situated in rural east Templeton is the Santa Barbara style estate that is the Castillo Residence. It exemplifies the classic nature of old world Spain, sporting massive timber trusses, authentic terra cotta tile flooring and pristine white washed walls. The entry to the residence is suitably grand, with a sweeping stair case up to a landing that overlooks the antique wood front door. The house boasts lofty ceilings in the great room, and a two story library complete with spiral stair case. This house was not only designed to suit its human residents but also its canine residents, and they have their own room off of the 5-car garage at the lower level. The master suite occupies a full wing of the residence, at a mere 1,700 square feet, providing space for a master sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, and sprawling walk in closets with laundry facilities. There are a plethora of outdoor living spaces, including a full outdoor kitchen, reflecting pool water feature and massive covered porches overlooking the Templeton countryside.

Situated in rural east Templeton is the Santa Barbara style estate that is the Castillo Residence. It exemplifies the classic nature of old world Spain, sporting massive timber trusses, authentic terra cotta tile flooring and pristine white washed walls. The entry to the residence is suitably grand, with a sweeping stair case up to a landing that overlooks the antique wood front door. The house boasts lofty ceilings in the great room, and a two story library complete with spiral stair case. This house was not only designed to suit its human residents but also its canine residents, and they have their own room off of the 5-car garage at the lower level. The master suite occupies a full wing of the residence, at a mere 1,700 square feet, providing space for a master sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, and sprawling walk in closets with laundry facilities. There are a plethora of outdoor living spaces, including a full outdoor kitchen, reflecting pool water feature and massive covered porches overlooking the Templeton countryside.

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope: Transform a little-used room in the client’s lower level into an entertainment center, featuring a 1,500-bottle refrigerated wine cabinet, a wet bar, a custom-made bookshelves surround for existing hearth, and television hanging built-ins. Challenges: Primary technical challenge was to find a way to unobtrusively install a large “split system” chilling unit to service the wine cooler. Solutions The contractor started with a rectangular space that was appreciably stripped down, except for the fireplace at the far end. An adjacent room housed a professional pool table. The client’s primary concern was how to situate the custom-built wine rack were to specify and fabricate. Although there was plenty of space in niche to the left of the stairway, there was no obvious way to locate the wine rack’s chilling unit for ducting and chiller unit. Both client and contractor agreed that the logical setting for the rack would be along the short wall adjacent to the room’s entrance. But the short wall afforded no room for the chiller, a “split system” unit that needed adequate “breathing room” to avoid overheating After many design sketches, the contractor had a tentative solution: house the chilling unit in a utility room behind the stairs leading to the basement. This would keep the unit out of sight and muffle the sound of the compressor. Then question was how to “circumnavigate” the stairwell and run plumbing lines from the utility room – which was about 20 feet away — to the rack. A floor-level path would be exposed to possible damage and aesthetically unpleasing. Installing the line in the concrete slab flooring would be difficult and expensive – and any repairs to the line would mean tearing up the floor.The only alternative, the contractor suggested, would be to route the lines overhead – run them straight up from the chilling unit, over the joists above, and around the back of the stair case. Once past the staircase, it was straight shot above the joists to the short wall; the lines would then run behind the wall to the wine cooler resting on the floor. This highly creative solution pleased the client greatly: it not only isolated the chilling unit, but allowed it to be easily serviced; the lines were protected and out of sight; and the wine rack – situated as it was in the room – seemed like it was part of the original house design. At that point, the contractor needed a wine rack design that seemed equally “original” to the home – and here, too, the challenge was met. Custom-built cabinetry span the length of the wall, with two floor-level cabinets flanking the wine cooler. Above, twin glass-facing walnut displays – lighted and rising nearly to the ceiling – rest on a black marble countertop, showcasing the client’s impressive wine collection. On the long wall perpendicular to the rack, a widescreen television hangs between two built-in bookcases designed by the contractor. The firm also fabricated the two bookcases now flanking the original fireplace in the far end wall – as well as the glass-faced hanging cabinets which are lighted above the newly installed wet bar.

A Hampton style sofa has become a necessity in home decor as people become more familiar with the Hampton interior style. Hampton style sofas are a good choice for timeless design if you are replacing or buying a new one. When you are uncertain of what you want, buying a sofa can seem challenging. If you're trying to select La maison hampton furniture for one of your home's most important rooms, you have a lot to take into account. It maust suit your taste and function.

Couches require thought and consideration. It is important that you choose a style and a color that goes well with your living area, along with a durable material that meets your needs. The front door must also be able to accommodate the rug. So, don't forget to familiarize yourself with the different sizes, fillings, and textures before creating your budget. You don't have to spend a lot of money on a new sofa, but while there are some places where you can save money, there are others where you should invest.

First, Let's Talk about the Vibe of sofa style

First and foremost, you should consider the style of your sofa. Choose a sofa whose style fits the current theme of your home. It may seem very obvious, but many people simply buy whatever suits their fancy, and unfortunately, the style of the room is a lot of the time different from what suits their fancy.

If the rug or the art above the sofa don't go together, it might not work in the room. It's imperative to get the look right before adding the rest of these elements. Make sure you consider how you wish the room to feel when you're in it. If you're looking for something more colorful, or you have a particular style in mind, such as mid-century (then googling 'Hampton style sofas' will prove valuable). A sofa that looks great but is super-comfy might end up looking completely out of place if you skip this step.

Next, We will Discuss Functionality of sofas

It is important to consider what you will be doing with the sofa. Although I am convinced that the answer is "to sit on", we need to dig deeper. Can you, for instance, sit down for drinks in this formal sitting room when company comes over? Do you watch television in this room every day? There is a rumpus room upstairs for the kids to interact with their friends and eat and drink on it? There might be Hampton style sofas in the guest room.

For your convenience, I have compiled a full list of Hampton style sofas here. Depending on the situation, each sofa style needs to be different. Typically, formal couches tend to be less comfortable. They're usually more rigid and upright. Couches for watching TV should be cushier; they should be comfortable. We know that many teens are not concerned about Hampton style sofas maintenance, so kids zones need sofas that are able to withstand more wear and tear. This is something high schools should teach.

This story shows you the importance of not skipping this important ‘how will it be used? At this point, you should have an idea of how you'll use the Hampton style sofas. Consider, for instance, a sofa with a bold color and a formal feel for your living room. If you want a couch with a relaxed feel, choose a neutral shade with a cushy feel.

Dimensions of an ideal hamptons style sofa

Before you buy a Hampton style sofa, you must measure the size of your current living room. You will probably not fit it if you don't do this. A large one will either overwhelm the room and leave no room for a coffee table, or a small one will look dwarfed in comparison. When a pandemic strikes, scale is everything.

You should be able to fit the sofa into the room comfortably without it feeling too large or small. Measure the width of your La maison hampton furniture style sofas first with a tape measure. Consider if you'd like side tables beside your sofa. In that case, you would need to measure the width of either side of your sofa and add around 50cm to either side (most decent side tables have a width of about 50cm).

In addition to measuring Hampton style sofas depth, you should also measure the width. There are some sofas that can be as deep as a metre (from the front of the sofa cushion to its back). Since your sofa will need an allowance of 50cm from the edge of the coffee table to the front of the sofa, and a minimum of 50cm on the other side of the coffee table, you might want to measure your current coffee table to ensure it matches.

Another Important Factor is Height

In an open-plan living room, this element is particularly important if your sofa crosses the space. When you have a sectional sofa, for example, one of the ends will likely cut across the room, so the back should be low so your eye can still pass over the back.

One of the top 10 living room design mistakes I make is to place tall-backed Hampton style sofas across the room, a mistake that really cramps the style of the whole space. It happens way too often.

Although the height won't be a major issue if the sofa is backed up against a wall, it is still worth considering the size of the art you want to hang above it. If you want neck support whilst watching TV, a low-back sofa might not be for you. My neck tends to become less and less flexible as I get older. It's a sad fact, but true nonetheless. If you find yourself in the same situation, you should consider high-back Hampton style sofas.

Sofa Cushions: How Low are They?

Many people don't think about this dimension when purchasing a sofa online, especially if they're doing so for the first time. If you're road-testing the sofa in-store, you'll know if it's too low for you right away, but an online purchase is something else. Low-profile sofas have a seat height of 40 cm or less. The sofa's 60cm seat height will make it much more difficult to get up and out of it. The importance of this factor increases as we age or if we have mobility problems.

The seat you're sitting in should allow you to stand up comfortably, without feeling like you need assistance. Additionally, the height of your coffee table should not be higher than the seat cushions on the sofa, because the table should never be higher than the seat cushions on the sofa. They should never be higher than each other. Make sure you take notes!

What Else is There in the Room?

A good idea when choosing a sofa is to consider what other elements will be in the room. For a well-designed, elegantly-resolved living room, you'll need a sofa, rug, coffee table, side table/s, lamp, TV unit, and wall art. The room will not feel right if you buy a massive sectional sofa that takes up the entire room and leaves no space for a coffee table or side tables.

You should measure out your sofa, keeping in mind that the other pieces La maison hampton furniture and decor will also need to fit into the space. All pieces of furniture need to have enough space to breathe. It's best not to have all the furniture crammed into the point where sitting down means hitting your legs or feet against pieces. You probably now understand that choosing a couch is more about the couch itself than with how to choose it. So think of the big picture whenever you choose something.

Two Two-Seaters, or a Sectional Sofa?

People often have to wrestle with the question of whether they should buy two sofas or one sectional when figuring out how to choose a sofa. Sectionals are usually preferable to two separate two-seater sofas. However, the corner piece is rarely occupied anyway. Often, the corner piece of a sectional is so tiny that it is impossible for a person to sit there comfortably. Therefore, think about whether you actually need this over getting two x two-seater sofas and arranging them into an L-shape.

If you don't have a large living room, you might prefer 2 x two-seater sofas instead. Sectional sofas are best for larger rooms. With the visual break of all that fabric dominating the corner, it will do the room a world of good. Furthermore, you can use the space between your sofas to put a side table so you can place drinks, or a table lamp, there.

You may want to consider getting 1 x two-seater sofa and an armchair instead, if you have a really small living room. Even though you want to seat as many people as possible, you should let the room determine how many people the sofa can accommodate.

A Guide to Picking the Right Material

The material of the sofa is obviously very important when it comes to picking out the right one. The best advice I can offer is to consider who will use the sofa and how that will impact maintenance.

Leather sofas are easier to clean than fabric ones when kids or pets are present. Leather has the disadvantage of retaining heat in the winter and being cold in the summer. Cushions work well with leather sofas, but velvet ones work better with leather sofas. Leather will show up claw marks more easily on some pets (like my cats).

It is true that fabric sofas are softer and cozier, but they can also be more difficult to clean. Having a slipcover sofa is a godsend if you have pets or toddlers, but they're not too easy to maintain.

You should consider how much patience you have to keep the sofa clean and who uses it. That will make it easier to decide what material to use. I work with a sofa supplier who has bomb-proof fabric that is so easy to clean that you can literally serve dinner right onto the cushions without making an utter mess.

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope: Transform a little-used room in the client’s lower level into an entertainment center, featuring a 1,500-bottle refrigerated wine cabinet, a wet bar, a custom-made bookshelves surround for existing hearth, and television hanging built-ins. Challenges: Primary technical challenge was to find a way to unobtrusively install a large “split system” chilling unit to service the wine cooler. Solutions The contractor started with a rectangular space that was appreciably stripped down, except for the fireplace at the far end. An adjacent room housed a professional pool table. The client’s primary concern was how to situate the custom-built wine rack were to specify and fabricate. Although there was plenty of space in niche to the left of the stairway, there was no obvious way to locate the wine rack’s chilling unit for ducting and chiller unit. Both client and contractor agreed that the logical setting for the rack would be along the short wall adjacent to the room’s entrance. But the short wall afforded no room for the chiller, a “split system” unit that needed adequate “breathing room” to avoid overheating After many design sketches, the contractor had a tentative solution: house the chilling unit in a utility room behind the stairs leading to the basement. This would keep the unit out of sight and muffle the sound of the compressor. Then question was how to “circumnavigate” the stairwell and run plumbing lines from the utility room – which was about 20 feet away — to the rack. A floor-level path would be exposed to possible damage and aesthetically unpleasing. Installing the line in the concrete slab flooring would be difficult and expensive – and any repairs to the line would mean tearing up the floor.The only alternative, the contractor suggested, would be to route the lines overhead – run them straight up from the chilling unit, over the joists above, and around the back of the stair case. Once past the staircase, it was straight shot above the joists to the short wall; the lines would then run behind the wall to the wine cooler resting on the floor. This highly creative solution pleased the client greatly: it not only isolated the chilling unit, but allowed it to be easily serviced; the lines were protected and out of sight; and the wine rack – situated as it was in the room – seemed like it was part of the original house design. At that point, the contractor needed a wine rack design that seemed equally “original” to the home – and here, too, the challenge was met. Custom-built cabinetry span the length of the wall, with two floor-level cabinets flanking the wine cooler. Above, twin glass-facing walnut displays – lighted and rising nearly to the ceiling – rest on a black marble countertop, showcasing the client’s impressive wine collection. On the long wall perpendicular to the rack, a widescreen television hangs between two built-in bookcases designed by the contractor. The firm also fabricated the two bookcases now flanking the original fireplace in the far end wall – as well as the glass-faced hanging cabinets which are lighted above the newly installed wet bar.

Situated in rural east Templeton is the Santa Barbara style estate that is the Castillo Residence. It exemplifies the classic nature of old world Spain, sporting massive timber trusses, authentic terra cotta tile flooring and pristine white washed walls. The entry to the residence is suitably grand, with a sweeping stair case up to a landing that overlooks the antique wood front door. The house boasts lofty ceilings in the great room, and a two story library complete with spiral stair case. This house was not only designed to suit its human residents but also its canine residents, and they have their own room off of the 5-car garage at the lower level. The master suite occupies a full wing of the residence, at a mere 1,700 square feet, providing space for a master sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, and sprawling walk in closets with laundry facilities. There are a plethora of outdoor living spaces, including a full outdoor kitchen, reflecting pool water feature and massive covered porches overlooking the Templeton countryside.

A Hampton style sofa has become a necessity in home decor as people become more familiar with the Hampton interior style. Hampton style sofas are a good choice for timeless design if you are replacing or buying a new one. When you are uncertain of what you want, buying a sofa can seem challenging. If you're trying to select La maison hampton furniture for one of your home's most important rooms, you have a lot to take into account. It maust suit your taste and function.

Couches require thought and consideration. It is important that you choose a style and a color that goes well with your living area, along with a durable material that meets your needs. The front door must also be able to accommodate the rug. So, don't forget to familiarize yourself with the different sizes, fillings, and textures before creating your budget. You don't have to spend a lot of money on a new sofa, but while there are some places where you can save money, there are others where you should invest.

First, Let's Talk about the Vibe of sofa style

First and foremost, you should consider the style of your sofa. Choose a sofa whose style fits the current theme of your home. It may seem very obvious, but many people simply buy whatever suits their fancy, and unfortunately, the style of the room is a lot of the time different from what suits their fancy.

If the rug or the art above the sofa don't go together, it might not work in the room. It's imperative to get the look right before adding the rest of these elements. Make sure you consider how you wish the room to feel when you're in it. If you're looking for something more colorful, or you have a particular style in mind, such as mid-century (then googling 'Hampton style sofas' will prove valuable). A sofa that looks great but is super-comfy might end up looking completely out of place if you skip this step.

Next, We will Discuss Functionality of sofas

It is important to consider what you will be doing with the sofa. Although I am convinced that the answer is "to sit on", we need to dig deeper. Can you, for instance, sit down for drinks in this formal sitting room when company comes over? Do you watch television in this room every day? There is a rumpus room upstairs for the kids to interact with their friends and eat and drink on it? There might be Hampton style sofas in the guest room.

For your convenience, I have compiled a full list of Hampton style sofas here. Depending on the situation, each sofa style needs to be different. Typically, formal couches tend to be less comfortable. They're usually more rigid and upright. Couches for watching TV should be cushier; they should be comfortable. We know that many teens are not concerned about Hampton style sofas maintenance, so kids zones need sofas that are able to withstand more wear and tear. This is something high schools should teach.

This story shows you the importance of not skipping this important ‘how will it be used? At this point, you should have an idea of how you'll use the Hampton style sofas. Consider, for instance, a sofa with a bold color and a formal feel for your living room. If you want a couch with a relaxed feel, choose a neutral shade with a cushy feel.

Dimensions of an ideal hamptons style sofa

Before you buy a Hampton style sofa, you must measure the size of your current living room. You will probably not fit it if you don't do this. A large one will either overwhelm the room and leave no room for a coffee table, or a small one will look dwarfed in comparison. When a pandemic strikes, scale is everything.

You should be able to fit the sofa into the room comfortably without it feeling too large or small. Measure the width of your La maison hampton furniture style sofas first with a tape measure. Consider if you'd like side tables beside your sofa. In that case, you would need to measure the width of either side of your sofa and add around 50cm to either side (most decent side tables have a width of about 50cm).

In addition to measuring Hampton style sofas depth, you should also measure the width. There are some sofas that can be as deep as a metre (from the front of the sofa cushion to its back). Since your sofa will need an allowance of 50cm from the edge of the coffee table to the front of the sofa, and a minimum of 50cm on the other side of the coffee table, you might want to measure your current coffee table to ensure it matches.

Another Important Factor is Height

In an open-plan living room, this element is particularly important if your sofa crosses the space. When you have a sectional sofa, for example, one of the ends will likely cut across the room, so the back should be low so your eye can still pass over the back.

One of the top 10 living room design mistakes I make is to place tall-backed Hampton style sofas across the room, a mistake that really cramps the style of the whole space. It happens way too often.

Although the height won't be a major issue if the sofa is backed up against a wall, it is still worth considering the size of the art you want to hang above it. If you want neck support whilst watching TV, a low-back sofa might not be for you. My neck tends to become less and less flexible as I get older. It's a sad fact, but true nonetheless. If you find yourself in the same situation, you should consider high-back Hampton style sofas.

Sofa Cushions: How Low are They?

Many people don't think about this dimension when purchasing a sofa online, especially if they're doing so for the first time. If you're road-testing the sofa in-store, you'll know if it's too low for you right away, but an online purchase is something else. Low-profile sofas have a seat height of 40 cm or less. The sofa's 60cm seat height will make it much more difficult to get up and out of it. The importance of this factor increases as we age or if we have mobility problems.

The seat you're sitting in should allow you to stand up comfortably, without feeling like you need assistance. Additionally, the height of your coffee table should not be higher than the seat cushions on the sofa, because the table should never be higher than the seat cushions on the sofa. They should never be higher than each other. Make sure you take notes!

What Else is There in the Room?

A good idea when choosing a sofa is to consider what other elements will be in the room. For a well-designed, elegantly-resolved living room, you'll need a sofa, rug, coffee table, side table/s, lamp, TV unit, and wall art. The room will not feel right if you buy a massive sectional sofa that takes up the entire room and leaves no space for a coffee table or side tables.

You should measure out your sofa, keeping in mind that the other pieces La maison hampton furniture and decor will also need to fit into the space. All pieces of furniture need to have enough space to breathe. It's best not to have all the furniture crammed into the point where sitting down means hitting your legs or feet against pieces. You probably now understand that choosing a couch is more about the couch itself than with how to choose it. So think of the big picture whenever you choose something.

Two Two-Seaters, or a Sectional Sofa?

People often have to wrestle with the question of whether they should buy two sofas or one sectional when figuring out how to choose a sofa. Sectionals are usually preferable to two separate two-seater sofas. However, the corner piece is rarely occupied anyway. Often, the corner piece of a sectional is so tiny that it is impossible for a person to sit there comfortably. Therefore, think about whether you actually need this over getting two x two-seater sofas and arranging them into an L-shape.

If you don't have a large living room, you might prefer 2 x two-seater sofas instead. Sectional sofas are best for larger rooms. With the visual break of all that fabric dominating the corner, it will do the room a world of good. Furthermore, you can use the space between your sofas to put a side table so you can place drinks, or a table lamp, there.

You may want to consider getting 1 x two-seater sofa and an armchair instead, if you have a really small living room. Even though you want to seat as many people as possible, you should let the room determine how many people the sofa can accommodate.

A Guide to Picking the Right Material

The material of the sofa is obviously very important when it comes to picking out the right one. The best advice I can offer is to consider who will use the sofa and how that will impact maintenance.

Leather sofas are easier to clean than fabric ones when kids or pets are present. Leather has the disadvantage of retaining heat in the winter and being cold in the summer. Cushions work well with leather sofas, but velvet ones work better with leather sofas. Leather will show up claw marks more easily on some pets (like my cats).

It is true that fabric sofas are softer and cozier, but they can also be more difficult to clean. Having a slipcover sofa is a godsend if you have pets or toddlers, but they're not too easy to maintain.

You should consider how much patience you have to keep the sofa clean and who uses it. That will make it easier to decide what material to use. I work with a sofa supplier who has bomb-proof fabric that is so easy to clean that you can literally serve dinner right onto the cushions without making an utter mess.

Kitchens with fabulous water views require a design that is central to the view. In this case, Bilotta designer, Randy O’Kane, working with Rachel Laxer of Rachel Laxer Interiors, Robert Keller of Keller Eaton Architects, and the homeowner, quickly established that the focal point would be the outside, thus there are really no wall cabinets. The cooktop and main sink are situated on the island so that they face the water with wall ovens and refrigerator/freezer behind. The lines of the Bilotta Collection cabinetry are sleek and there is little to no hardware; drawers have a channel system in place of hardware. A tall pantry area hugs the wall and disappears with only glass pulls giving it away. The natural quartzite countertops have the undulating feel of moving water. The bar area is tucked away with the same clean lined cabinetry, but with an added touch of antique mercury mirrors to help reflect the lovely views. Soft seating by way of a custom banquette and sectional makes this kitchen not just a place to eat, but a relaxing area to watch the boats go by. Contemporary painted casing trims an extra-large pocket door into a formal dining room beautifully detailed by Rachel Laxer and continues the soft color scheme with added pops of color. This is definitely a great space to entertain in or just enjoy! Additional people involved include Staci Ruiz of Staci Ruiz Lighting Consultant and Bobby Noonan of Noonan Construction. Appliances are a mix of Miele, Sub-Zero and Gaggenau; sinks are Franke and faucets by Dornbracht. Bilotta Designer Randy O’Kane with Rachel Laxer for Rachel Laxer Interiors and Robert Keller of Keller Eaton Architects. Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye

Situated in rural east Templeton is the Santa Barbara style estate that is the Castillo Residence. It exemplifies the classic nature of old world Spain, sporting massive timber trusses, authentic terra cotta tile flooring and pristine white washed walls. The entry to the residence is suitably grand, with a sweeping stair case up to a landing that overlooks the antique wood front door. The house boasts lofty ceilings in the great room, and a two story library complete with spiral stair case. This house was not only designed to suit its human residents but also its canine residents, and they have their own room off of the 5-car garage at the lower level. The master suite occupies a full wing of the residence, at a mere 1,700 square feet, providing space for a master sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, and sprawling walk in closets with laundry facilities. There are a plethora of outdoor living spaces, including a full outdoor kitchen, reflecting pool water feature and massive covered porches overlooking the Templeton countryside.

Kitchens with fabulous water views require a design that is central to the view. In this case, Bilotta designer, Randy O’Kane, working with Rachel Laxer of Rachel Laxer Interiors, Robert Keller of Keller Eaton Architects, and the homeowner, quickly established that the focal point would be the outside, thus there are really no wall cabinets. The cooktop and main sink are situated on the island so that they face the water with wall ovens and refrigerator/freezer behind. The lines of the Bilotta Collection cabinetry are sleek and there is little to no hardware; drawers have a channel system in place of hardware. A tall pantry area hugs the wall and disappears with only glass pulls giving it away. The natural quartzite countertops have the undulating feel of moving water. The bar area is tucked away with the same clean lined cabinetry, but with an added touch of antique mercury mirrors to help reflect the lovely views. Soft seating by way of a custom banquette and sectional makes this kitchen not just a place to eat, but a relaxing area to watch the boats go by. Contemporary painted casing trims an extra-large pocket door into a formal dining room beautifully detailed by Rachel Laxer and continues the soft color scheme with added pops of color. This is definitely a great space to entertain in or just enjoy! Additional people involved include Staci Ruiz of Staci Ruiz Lighting Consultant and Bobby Noonan of Noonan Construction. Appliances are a mix of Miele, Sub-Zero and Gaggenau; sinks are Franke and faucets by Dornbracht. Bilotta Designer Randy O’Kane with Rachel Laxer for Rachel Laxer Interiors and Robert Keller of Keller Eaton Architects. Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye

Windlestraw is a picturesque Edwardian manor hotel overlooking the Tweed Valley, near Walkerburn in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. One of the bathrooms in the manor was in the process of being refurbished when two layers of floor tiles were removed, unveiling an original Marble tiled floor dating back to the 1920s. After the top layers of tile had been removed the Marble was still covered in old adhesive and cement and although Marble is known for its quality and durability the hotel owner didn’t want the building contractor to proceed any further in case they damaged it. The owner was keen to restore the Marble floor as an original feature so we were called in to set the situation right. To restore the floor I used two processes known as milling and burnishing. Milling literally involves grinding down uneven or rough surfaces using very coarse, diamond encrusted pads. The pads are usually used to resolve lippage issues on natural stone but in this case we needed to use the very coarse abrasive pads to grind off the adhesive and cement. I used a set of three coarse milling pads rinsing with water between each pad and starting with a 50 grit pad, before moving on to 100 and 200 grit pads. This process was very effective and ground off the cement and adhesive, while also removing any lippage in the tiles to leave a completely flat surface. Milling leaves the surface of the Marble tiles clean but in a rough condition and this is where the second process Burnishing comes in. Similar to milling, burnishing focuses on achieving a polished finish with the application of ever finer grades of polishing pads and is often used to bring back the polish on Limestone and Travertine as well as Marble. Moving on to the burnishing, I worked my way through the four diamond encrusted pad system lubricating with a little water and again rinsing between each pad to remove the slurry. The grits go from Coarse (400 grit), Medium (800 grit), Fine (1500 grit) and then eventually Very Fine (3000 grit) and come in a 17” pad for use on a rotary floor machine and were applied twice in sequence to achieve a fantastic polished shine. The floor was given a final rinse and then dried with a wet-vacuum before we proceeded to seal the floor using Tile Doctor Shine Powder which is a crystallizing powder that is applied directly to the floor and worked in using a buffing pad fitted to a rotary machine. Shine Powder provides a very high shine (as you can see from the photos), along with a tough durable finish. On top of this, it is suitable for sealing all natural stone, including, of course, Marble, along with Limestone, Granite, Slate and Travertine. The customer was absolutely delighted with the results as were we although it’s now up to them to ensure the bathroom fitters take appropriate care when completing the room which I’m sure will look absolutely fantastic when complete and no doubt add to the allure of this magnificent hotel in the Scottish Borders. Thomas Wilson Edinburgh Tile Doctor

Kitchens with fabulous water views require a design that is central to the view. In this case, Bilotta designer, Randy O’Kane, working with Rachel Laxer of Rachel Laxer Interiors, Robert Keller of Keller Eaton Architects, and the homeowner, quickly established that the focal point would be the outside, thus there are really no wall cabinets. The cooktop and main sink are situated on the island so that they face the water with wall ovens and refrigerator/freezer behind. The lines of the Bilotta Collection cabinetry are sleek and there is little to no hardware; drawers have a channel system in place of hardware. A tall pantry area hugs the wall and disappears with only glass pulls giving it away. The natural quartzite countertops have the undulating feel of moving water. The bar area is tucked away with the same clean lined cabinetry, but with an added touch of antique mercury mirrors to help reflect the lovely views. Soft seating by way of a custom banquette and sectional makes this kitchen not just a place to eat, but a relaxing area to watch the boats go by. Contemporary painted casing trims an extra-large pocket door into a formal dining room beautifully detailed by Rachel Laxer and continues the soft color scheme with added pops of color. This is definitely a great space to entertain in or just enjoy! Additional people involved include Staci Ruiz of Staci Ruiz Lighting Consultant and Bobby Noonan of Noonan Construction. Appliances are a mix of Miele, Sub-Zero and Gaggenau; sinks are Franke and faucets by Dornbracht. Bilotta Designer Randy O’Kane with Rachel Laxer for Rachel Laxer Interiors and Robert Keller of Keller Eaton Architects. Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye

Situated in rural east Templeton is the Santa Barbara style estate that is the Castillo Residence. It exemplifies the classic nature of old world Spain, sporting massive timber trusses, authentic terra cotta tile flooring and pristine white washed walls. The entry to the residence is suitably grand, with a sweeping stair case up to a landing that overlooks the antique wood front door. The house boasts lofty ceilings in the great room, and a two story library complete with spiral stair case. This house was not only designed to suit its human residents but also its canine residents, and they have their own room off of the 5-car garage at the lower level. The master suite occupies a full wing of the residence, at a mere 1,700 square feet, providing space for a master sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, and sprawling walk in closets with laundry facilities. There are a plethora of outdoor living spaces, including a full outdoor kitchen, reflecting pool water feature and massive covered porches overlooking the Templeton countryside.

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope: Transform a little-used room in the client’s lower level into an entertainment center, featuring a 1,500-bottle refrigerated wine cabinet, a wet bar, a custom-made bookshelves surround for existing hearth, and television hanging built-ins. Challenges: Primary technical challenge was to find a way to unobtrusively install a large “split system” chilling unit to service the wine cooler. Solutions The contractor started with a rectangular space that was appreciably stripped down, except for the fireplace at the far end. An adjacent room housed a professional pool table. The client’s primary concern was how to situate the custom-built wine rack were to specify and fabricate. Although there was plenty of space in niche to the left of the stairway, there was no obvious way to locate the wine rack’s chilling unit for ducting and chiller unit. Both client and contractor agreed that the logical setting for the rack would be along the short wall adjacent to the room’s entrance. But the short wall afforded no room for the chiller, a “split system” unit that needed adequate “breathing room” to avoid overheating After many design sketches, the contractor had a tentative solution: house the chilling unit in a utility room behind the stairs leading to the basement. This would keep the unit out of sight and muffle the sound of the compressor. Then question was how to “circumnavigate” the stairwell and run plumbing lines from the utility room – which was about 20 feet away — to the rack. A floor-level path would be exposed to possible damage and aesthetically unpleasing. Installing the line in the concrete slab flooring would be difficult and expensive – and any repairs to the line would mean tearing up the floor.The only alternative, the contractor suggested, would be to route the lines overhead – run them straight up from the chilling unit, over the joists above, and around the back of the stair case. Once past the staircase, it was straight shot above the joists to the short wall; the lines would then run behind the wall to the wine cooler resting on the floor. This highly creative solution pleased the client greatly: it not only isolated the chilling unit, but allowed it to be easily serviced; the lines were protected and out of sight; and the wine rack – situated as it was in the room – seemed like it was part of the original house design. At that point, the contractor needed a wine rack design that seemed equally “original” to the home – and here, too, the challenge was met. Custom-built cabinetry span the length of the wall, with two floor-level cabinets flanking the wine cooler. Above, twin glass-facing walnut displays – lighted and rising nearly to the ceiling – rest on a black marble countertop, showcasing the client’s impressive wine collection. On the long wall perpendicular to the rack, a widescreen television hangs between two built-in bookcases designed by the contractor. The firm also fabricated the two bookcases now flanking the original fireplace in the far end wall – as well as the glass-faced hanging cabinets which are lighted above the newly installed wet bar.

Situated in rural east Templeton is the Santa Barbara style estate that is the Castillo Residence. It exemplifies the classic nature of old world Spain, sporting massive timber trusses, authentic terra cotta tile flooring and pristine white washed walls. The entry to the residence is suitably grand, with a sweeping stair case up to a landing that overlooks the antique wood front door. The house boasts lofty ceilings in the great room, and a two story library complete with spiral stair case. This house was not only designed to suit its human residents but also its canine residents, and they have their own room off of the 5-car garage at the lower level. The master suite occupies a full wing of the residence, at a mere 1,700 square feet, providing space for a master sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, and sprawling walk in closets with laundry facilities. There are a plethora of outdoor living spaces, including a full outdoor kitchen, reflecting pool water feature and massive covered porches overlooking the Templeton countryside.

Kitchens with fabulous water views require a design that is central to the view. In this case, Bilotta designer, Randy O’Kane, working with Rachel Laxer of Rachel Laxer Interiors, Robert Keller of Keller Eaton Architects, and the homeowner, quickly established that the focal point would be the outside, thus there are really no wall cabinets. The cooktop and main sink are situated on the island so that they face the water with wall ovens and refrigerator/freezer behind. The lines of the Bilotta Collection cabinetry are sleek and there is little to no hardware; drawers have a channel system in place of hardware. A tall pantry area hugs the wall and disappears with only glass pulls giving it away. The natural quartzite countertops have the undulating feel of moving water. The bar area is tucked away with the same clean lined cabinetry, but with an added touch of antique mercury mirrors to help reflect the lovely views. Soft seating by way of a custom banquette and sectional makes this kitchen not just a place to eat, but a relaxing area to watch the boats go by. Contemporary painted casing trims an extra-large pocket door into a formal dining room beautifully detailed by Rachel Laxer and continues the soft color scheme with added pops of color. This is definitely a great space to entertain in or just enjoy! Additional people involved include Staci Ruiz of Staci Ruiz Lighting Consultant and Bobby Noonan of Noonan Construction. Appliances are a mix of Miele, Sub-Zero and Gaggenau; sinks are Franke and faucets by Dornbracht. Bilotta Designer Randy O’Kane with Rachel Laxer for Rachel Laxer Interiors and Robert Keller of Keller Eaton Architects. Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye