The Beauty of Banquettes

Don't you just love a comfy, chic banquette where you can enjoy your morning coffee or a glass of wine with friends?  Banquettes provide a great way for lots of seating and great conversation, as well as plenty of room for storage.  Seating can be designed in a small nook of your 1920's home or in a large breakfast room that is open to your gourmet kitchen.  Whatever your space allows, your desire for a banquette can be achieved.  Check out some of these banquette designs...

Check out this banquette from Ballard Designs. If you don't want a permanent, built-in banquette, this furniture piece is a great option. The design also has the option to add more seating to make it fully customized and you can choose a fabric that complements your decor. With it's high back and nail head trim accent, this banquette is classic and sophisticated, and would fit in any decor!

(images courtesy of: Old House Online, Belle Maison, Elle Decor, Ballard Designs)

BOOK SUGGESTION: Built-in Ideas

Here is suggestion for a book on built-ins: New Built-in Idea BK

Commentary: " Do-it-yourself home projects have become a national pastime, and nothing satisfies that urge more then creating built-ins. The fact that they are a permanent part of a house makes it more critical that they be done with as much skill and imagination as possible."

(image courtesy of Amazon)

Built-in Cabinetry for your Home

Last weekend I went on the Showcase of Homes tour in Saratoga and a common thread throughout each house was the use of built-in cabinetry.  Built-ins were very popular in the 80's with their shiny, laminate, contemporary design, but today's aesthetic is much simpler, sophisticated, and will change any room!  Your first step is to think about where you are going to put a built-in.  Built-ins are great for almost any space in your home, but it depends on the room available and what you are trying to achieve.

If you have a fireplace that is centered on your wall with two empty alcoves on each side, that would be perfect for built-in bookcases with the option of closed cabinetry for things you don't want to see.  If your sofa faces the fireplace, you can also incorporate your flat screen TV into the cabinetry, either above the fireplace or to one side.  It's not always "pretty" to see the TV, so a design idea is to conceal it by having retractable / folding doors as seen in the picture below by Design Hole.  

Another location for built-ins could be in your home office.  You can incorporate a built-in desk, file drawers, closed cabinetry, open shelving, etc.  Keep in mind how YOU are going to use the space, otherwise it's not going to be functional.  

Areas of your home that are empty and unusable, make the best spots for built-ins, especially shelving for all your books!  A narrow alcove makes the perfect spot for a built-in!  Years ago, I worked with a client who wanted to use every nook-and-cranny for storage.  We actually designed and built large file drawers under the stairs (similar to the picture below), and in the gym we designed outcoves in the wall between the studs for water bottles and weight storage. 

Built-ins tend to cost more or equal to a good quality piece of furniture, so keep in mind that you won't be able to take them with you when you move.  Your options for built-ins are limitless, so design away!!

(Images courtesy of Design Hole, Canadian House & Home, Better Homes and Gardens, Crownpoint Cabinetry, Floor 2 Ceiling)