The living room is just what its name implies – an area in the home where the family can be at ease, receive guests, rest in quiet amid cheerful surroundings, and be entertained. It is usually the largest and most important room in the house. It should be as comfortable as possible. In contrast to the old-fashioned “parlor,” which was used only on state occasions, and the sitting room, which was only slightly less formal, today’s room is used every day.

The living room must be so arranged that many activities can take place at one time if necessary. On entering a living room in today’s house you may find one person reading, another studying, a third listening to the radio, and several others carrying on a conversation. These are all normal activities and you must provide space for them.

Sometimes the living room is designed with definite areas established for specific activities. However, this is not too desirable, since family needs vary from to time. Usually the living room is best designed with adequate space for many activities but with no fixed space for any one activity.

If soon-to-wed couple is not having a wedding party and concern like what should they do with the rings; who should hold the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony?

Traditionally, the bride hands her bouquet to her maid of honor, who stands closest to her during the ceremony, and the best man is responsible for the rings. In the absence of a wedding party, however, there are several alternatives.

One option is to ask a family member or close friend to perform both tasks. This person can remain standing at the side while bride and groom exchange vows, or that person can be seated until it’s time to return the bouquet to the bride. Just be sure to reserve a front-row seat for whom-ever you assign this role.

If rather not involve another party, the couple can ask the officiant to hold the rings, or can carry themselves. The groom can place the ring in his pocket (best to keep it in its box, so he can find easily), and can wear his on your thumb. In either case, a small table placed near the altar will provide a convenient resting spot for the bride’s bouquet while exchange rings.

The best way to find a florist is to ask for recommendations. Consult your caterer or wedding coordinator for suggestions, and talk with recently married friends about their experiences. Then have an introductory meeting with a few florists to see samples of their work and photographs of weddings they have done in the past. Be especially attentive to the florist’s style. If all the arrangements are overflowing with wildflowers and you are thinking of a tailored, formal look, that florist is not for you. Also, be honest about your budget. Prices can vary widely among vendors, and you will want to find one who can accommodate both your vision and your budget.

During your first meeting, discuss your ideas, and if possible bring pictures to illustrate them. A florist with wedding experience is preferable, since she will know to ask you about things you may want but could otherwise overlook, such as petals for your flower girl to toss.

After an introductory meeting, a florist will usually follow up with a proposal, which can then be fine tuned. If you want flowers on your cake, arrange for your florist to work with your baker. Establish what, if any, other decorations the florist will provide. All these details should be included in the contract.

A room or an event venue in the dark is not a beautiful place no matter with what exquisite care it has been decorated.

A decorating scheme, like a stage set is not complete until it has been properly lit.

By day, nature controls the lighting, and if it have decorated a place for use in daytime it should be considered how nature will light it and have developed a décor to accommodate nature’s lighting plan for the place.

But by night, and on days when nature’s light is too low, you are the controller of the lighting. The effects you can achieve are not the same as natures but the range of mood and effects to be created is just as wide.

Lighting is a necessity. But is also a major decorating and styling element. It should take full advantage of its possibilities.

The decorator or event stylist who thinks that lighting consists of providing a few lights of good lines and colors to go with the decorating or styling scheme is missing an important point. The true professional gives a lot of thought to the great potential effect of lighting upon the décor, as well as lighting to meet the client’s or project’s needs.

The outdoor living areas should be properly related to your program for living and to the living areas in the house. In fact, specific outdoor areas should be so related to individual rooms as to be visual extensions of these rooms while expanding their usefulness. The outdoor areas should be designed to supplement the areas within the house, and at the same time they should be properly related to the overall house-garden plan.

You are now familiar with such considerations as financing, the selection of the site, indoor-outdoor living, and the requirements of the main areas of the house. Keep in mind that the space for the living, sleeping, and work areas of the house should be planned so that each area is clearly accessible and at the same time has some privacy. Begin to think in terms of space rather than in terms of rooms and partitions.