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Make A Rustic Sawhorse Table For Under $40
It makes sense that the most versatile room in the house is the one with the most ambiguous name: We all take baths in our bathrooms and have beds in our bedrooms, but every person has a slightly different definition of "living." And while many of us may make our living rooms out of the same building blocks -- sofa, coffee table, area rug, TV -- it's the actions we take around them that turns the room into our yoga studios, piano practice areas, nap spots, anything. Here, 13 creative people share what their living rooms mean to them and give us a glimpse into their different worlds. We'll tell you now: there's a gnome, a few animals and a diamond.
-Alexis Garrett, Fern & Feather
My Living is My...
Our coffee table was once filled with fresh orchids, fabulous design books and my favorite little antiques. Now, almost two years later, the living room is the center of most our activities: Singing songs, making forts and riding scooters (helmet is a must; clothes are optional).
-Alexis Garrett, Fern & Feather
Just like my apartment renovation is a work in progress, so are my creative projects! A majority of my work is done online, but when something needs to be made, brick and mortar style, I know my living room floor will never fail me. Here's a shot of me prepping stencils for my blog.
-Shayna Kulik, Pattern Pulp
I have a spacious area with minimal furniture, so I can have maximum flexibility when hosting. Be it tea parties, shabbat dinners, ragers, dance nights or yoga time, I need a space that can accommodate anything. On this night that meant a cheerful sign and bike parking.
-Judy Prays
Inspiration can strike anytime, so I keep my fine jewelry mood boards not in my off-site studio, but readily available for set-up in my living room. It's the largest, sun-filled room and I find it easier to design, sketch and spread out while away from the production studio. The boards -- even though they are massive -- are easily stored in a closet when not in use. And our dog, Patu, graciously shares the space with me."
-Vicente Agor, Vicente Agor Precious Jewelry
I'm in a tiny studio, so my bed doubles as a couch, I store shoes in the cabinets and the breakfast bar is my desk (and my dressing table). I wake up to the automatic coffee maker and enjoy it straightaway...mugs are easily within an arm's reach. And when it's time to entertain, no problem! Extra chairs come out from the closet and my living room becomes a party place.
-Laura Jakosky
I do all the writing, editing and photo editing for my blog from my couch. Here's where I flip through cookbooks, surf other food blogs and come up with ideas for the site. I'm surrounded by stuff I love: plants, my record collection and homemade iced coffee...aside from the kitchen, it's my favorite place to be.
-Angela Gaimari, NEWYORKAVORE
My fiancé JP and I live in a small, one-bedroom apartment in the Oakland Hills in California. Our living room gets the most light and serves as our office, dining room, and entertainment hub. And a couple of months ago it became the site of our engagement! He popped the question on a Monday night right in our living room. After considering different proposal spots, he decided to ask me at the place that felt most like home to us.
-Angela Swinderman, Ruby Press
I don't mean that's where my desk is -- it's not. I've got a three-foot niche in the kitchen for that. After I drop my boys at school, I grab my MacBook Air, iPhone and Blackberry and settle in to my well-worn sofa. Yes, the sofa needs to be replaced with a sleeker piece, but surely that wouldn't be as comfy. I love sitting in the bay window, so I can look out onto the city street when things feel too quiet. And Oakley, our cat keeps me company too.
-Marni Katz, style carrot
I swear, our dogs use the living room way more than my husband and I do. Hand either one of them a cookie and they go straight to the living room rug to munch on it. And every time my little guy is missing, I can find him sitting on the blue chairs in the living room. I hope he enjoys the vintage striped pillow fabric! Perhaps us humans should follow their lead and use the room more.
-Camila Pavone, High-Heeled Foot in the Door
I love putting fabrics up on the fireplace so I can live with them for a few days before going forward with the design. It also makes for great inspiration while writing my daily blog. We still entertain in our living room, so I get feedback from our guests -- sometimes too much feedback if wine is flowing. My fiancé thinks I am super messy, but I think of it as more of a controlled chaos.
-Bailey Daniel, Peppermint Bliss
