adminHome & Gardening With Talent Gore
ARRANGING furniture can be a daunting task.
When you’re faced with an empty room, filling it in a way that is both practical and pleasing can seem like an overwhelming task.
But, over the years, interior designers have recognised a number of simple, easy-to-apply principles that work.
l Choose a Focal Point
Never underestimate the power of a focal point in a room.
Sometimes they appear naturally, such as if you have a prominent window or a built-in fireplace mantel, while other times you may need to create them yourself, as with media units and televisions.
Whatever your chosen focal point, make a decision and stick with it.
You will want to arrange furniture around it as much as possible.
l Don’t Push Furniture Against Walls
The size of the room will dictate how far you can pull your furniture away from the walls, but even in a small space, you’ll want to give pieces a little breathing room by allowing a few inches between the backs of furniture pieces and the walls.
Despite popular belief, this little bit of space can actually make rooms feel bigger.
Of course, if you have a larger space, feel free to arrange furniture in such a way that conversation areas are created in the middle of the room, leaving several feet between the walls and the furniture.
l Create Conversation Areas
People should naturally be able to talk to each other without having to crane their necks or shout across the room.
Position the sofas and chairs to face each other (not necessarily straight on, but close), and so they are close enough that people can converse without raising their voices. If the room is too large, create multiple conversation areas.
l Find Balance When Arranging Furniture
Balance is always important in decorating, and never more so than when arranging furniture and other items in your living room.
Consider both size and placement of the various pieces, making sure not to group all the large or small pieces in one area or to one side of the room, which can make space feel lopsided and a little unsettling.
Also make sure there’s variety in the shapes — if you’ve got straight-lined seating, for example, consider a round coffee table.
l Consider Traffic Flow
One of the most important things to consider when arranging furniture in any room is traffic flow.
People should not be tripping over furniture, or each other, to pass through the room.
Make sure there are a couple of feet (give or take a few inches) between the coffee table and sofa, and between chairs.
Create a clear path so people can walk from one end of the room to the other without difficulty.
l Use the Right-Size Rugs
Area rugs belong under the furniture — all the furniture, if you can manage it.
Exposing some flooring around the edges of the room is fine, but when using an area rug, make sure it’s big enough that all the furniture in a seating arrangement can rest on it.
l Get a Big Coffee Table
When it comes to coffee tables, more often than not, bigger is better.
A large coffee table in the middle of a seating area is great for both aesthetics and function.
It acts as an anchor for the room and it leaves plenty of space for people to put down drinks or for you to display favoured accessories.
A large table also offers easier access from the seats around it.
l Put Tables at Arm’s Length
Every seat should have easy access to either a side table or coffee table.
Avoid layouts that force people to move from their seats in order to set down or retrieve drinks.
l Let There Be Light
Lighting is one of the most important elements of any room, and it is neglected all too often.
Always use a mix of overhead lighting, floor lamps, and table lamps (and sconces, if you can).
A floor lamp looks great at the end of a sofa or behind an accent chair.
l Use the Right-Size Artwork
Things that are hung on the wall — whether it’s art, mirrors, or sculptural objects — need to be placed strategically, and in proportion to the furniture.
RECIPE OF THE DAY: Mazondo…Delicious Zondo (Cow Heels)
l Ingredients
1.2 kg mazondo (cow heels)
1 1/2 tsp salt
Water
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp tomato paste
1/4 tsp curry powder
Mazondo, cow heels, are one of the favourite meals among us Zimbabweans, both men and women alike, though I think mostly men!
My husband loves this meal, served with sadza and leafy greens.
I know there’s a lot of controversy about how these ought to be prepared but I also know and believe there’s absolutely nothing wrong with trying out new things!
We’ll be keeping this one nice and simple though.
So, go ahead and give this a go, I’m pretty sure you’ll lick the bones dry afterwards!
l What you need
Large pot
Wooden spoon
Chopping board
Sharp knife
Preparations
Get your ingredients together.
These include; 1.2 kg mazondo (cow heels)
1 1/2 tsp salt
Water
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp tomato paste
1/4 tsp curry powder
Put your cleaned heels in a pot. Add enough water to just cover the mazondo.
Season with 1 tsp salt. Bring to the boil then reduce heat to a very gentle simmer.
Allow to cook for about 3 hrs or until the Mazondo are lovely and tender but still holding up their shape. Drain any excess fat that may have come out from the cow heels during the cooking (leaving only about 2 tbsp).
Add chopped onion, curry powder, tomato and tomato paste to the pot together with 100 ml of water (if the water in the pot is finished).
Add 1/2 tsp salt and simmer until the tomatoes and onions are cooked and the soup is not runny. (If you find your soup is runny, mix 1 tsp of flour with water to make a paste then pour into the pot. Give a good stir and allow to simmer for another 5 min).
Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly.
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