What is your favorite furniture, idea, tip, or accessory for family living?
The Peekaboo coffee table from CB2. I love that it’s design-forward but with a low price tag! Also, no pointy corners, so it’s ideal for [families with] toddlers.
—Lorri Elder Dyner of Return to Home
A round dining table, where everyone is equal and sharing the day’s successes.
—Rob Springer of Stickley Audi & Co.
Lee Jofa has an ottoman, which can be on wheels, with childproof, slow-closing hinges. It rolls around easily for extra seating. It’s great for in front of the fireplace and large enough to conceal kids’ toys, so they are out of sight.
—Susan Marocco of Susan Marocco Interiors
A generously scaled chaise lounge like the Conway [from Ethan Allen] is a creature comfort that gets lots of enjoyment in a family room. Cuddling up with the kids or alone when they’re in bed is one of the best ways to cap off a busy day.
—Amani Thorpe-Lee of Ethan Allen Westchester
My favorite thing for a family room is a large, custom-made bulletin board framed in a painted molding. What I like most about it is that clients add their own photos of family and friends. I have one in my home, and it is a treasured feature, not because of its monetary value, but because it is filled with an ever-changing array of photos, precious moments of everyday life.
—Lisa McTernan of Lifestyles and Interiors by Lisa
Right now, my favorite design element for families is built-in bookcases with a window seat. [They provide] great storage for children’s toys and accessories while [also having] a design element in the space and [adding] extra seating while not taking away floor spacefrom the room.
—Elissa Grayer of Elissa Grayer Interior Design
The Galet ottoman by Christian Liaigre in leather. It’s big and bold and indestructible.
—Dorye Brown of Dorye Brown Interiors
Open-concept living. When you can, take down walls! It creates a shared living environment [perfect] especially for young families. The most common [configuration is] the kitchen, dining, and family room spaces becoming one while still having a distinctive purpose for each area.
—Pia Rivera of Violet Designs