Had never heard of these gals before, but as I perused the decor aisle at the library I liked the cover, the premise and the authors. They are purveyors of the blog of the same name, Good Bones, Great Pieces. I knew I would love this little gem when I saw it was written by a creative team – a mother and a daughter – AND when in the first paragraph of the first chapter, they were quoting the doyenne of the profession: The great Dorothy Drapery.
“Every women in her secret heart believes herself to be a potential interior decorator, but usually when she get started, she loses her nerve…She becomes confused by the great variety of material that confront her when she shops. She loses confidence, becomes timid, and falls back on the drab and mediocre because she is afraid of doing wrong.” (is this you???)
The premise of their book is this: Seven basic furniture pieces, they term essentials to last you a lifetime of good decor…kind of the like the same idea for building a wardrobe or stocking a kitchen. I agreed with most of their seven and may, at a later date, add to this basic list, but here are the ones they recommended!
The Slipper Chair
If you’ve ever had me in your home, at one point I probably suggested one of these little beauties. A slipper chairs is basically and armless side chair. Because they don’t have arms, they tuck nicely in smaller spaces, are great in a bedroom. The are great visual interest piece that you can get creative with on fabric/color in an otherwise neutral room. They have always been MY go to chair!
The Bench
A Bench is another super versatile piece. I have one in my front hall…you should too! Perfect place to put on shows, stow baskets underneath for shoes. It can add color and texture to spot where another piece of furniture just won’t fit. In a pinch, you can pull a bench up to the dining table to accommodate extra dinner guests. And of course they’re awesome at the foot of the bed.
The Chest of Drawers/Dresser/Bureau
Now not ALL of them need to be as glammy as this one (although this IS kind of fun, don’t you think??). Any chest will do. Personally I use two 30″ wide, three drawer bureaus that match as night tables. It keeps all the clutter at bay! These are great as entry hall pieces, media storage, a sideboard next to the dining room table or in your living room to stash blankets, and magazines and a great ‘surface’ to display photos and trinkets and lighting.
The Love Seat
Smaller than the space swallowing sofa and more forgiving, the love seat is called this because it holds two, well, ‘seats’! It’s basically a two-seater sofa. Pick your style, your shape, your fabric. You name it, this versatile piece has been around for ever! Let’s face it, a three seater sofa really never holds three people…do we want to get THAT close? Nope. A pair of these facing each other in from a fireplace? Great look. In a bedroom? Awesome. Even in the guest room. Love (seat).
DemiLune Table
I must concur, so far these is not much on this list I don’t own…this is no exception. Have a barren little wall? A demilune table, with art or mirror above and a lovely arrangement on the surface is just the ticket. In a pinch or if it’s just not the perfect piece…this or great behind a sofa! Even pair them up as bedside tables. My favorite practicality of a demilune is the way it softens hard edges in a space and is the perfect piece where quarters are tight and you’re concerned about running into a sharp edge.
Occasional Chair
So maybe I should have started with this piece as it’s my most guilty pleasure. Who hasn’t seen a sad little chair someplace – the leftover from a dining set. The remaining un-broken piece of a set. You can pick them up for a song (or a symphony, too!) and have a creative time making it your own little piece of art. Paint it, stain it, faux it, re-upholster it. These great little items fit anywhere! A lonely corner, a fill in night stand, a place to put your shows on, even a bathroom can take one. So start with this if you’re feeling like a creative project is in your future.
The Side Table
Side tables are another of the indispensable pieces. If you have a seat, you need a ‘place to put things down on’.
Your coffee, your iPad, your magazine. They can be any style or a statement piece on their own.
You can find them inexpensively or spend a bundle or even repurpose something else to be a side table. Whatever. Another requisite piece!
