{"id":2127575,"date":"2025-10-31T19:31:18","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T19:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2127575"},"modified":"2025-10-31T19:31:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T19:31:18","slug":"how-to-design-living-spaces-for-communing-with-people-not-gadgets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/how-to-design-living-spaces-for-communing-with-people-not-gadgets\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Design Living Spaces for Communing With People\u2014Not Gadgets"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Digital entertainment will always have a place in our media-focused world. However, amid all the scrolling and streaming, more people are embracing the analog lifestyle, at least part-time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Although Wi-Fi is a necessity for 21st-century living, homeowners are increasingly outfitting spaces dedicated to screen-free recreation. That could mean curling up with a bestseller, uncorking a cellared bottle of wine, or listening to vintage vinyl.<\/p>\n

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\u201cMore and more people are choosing to leave televisions and tech out of certain rooms in their homes, as a way to reconnect with themselves and with the people they invite in,\u201d says Christie Ward of Ward + Gray, an interior design firm in New York. Ward says there\u2019s a \u201cgrowing desire to create tech-free zones\u201d in her clients\u2019 residences. \u201cIt\u2019s almost become a luxury to have a room without tech and have the chance to unplug.\u201d<\/p>\n

MORE: <\/strong>\u2018Lord of the Rings\u2019-Inspired \u2018Hobbit House\u2019 in Utah With a Private Lake Lists for $43M<\/a><\/p>\n

Beyond a room\u2019s theme, whether it\u2019s playing billiards or imbibing, people expect style and comfort in these entertainment rooms, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cClients are asking for elevated, multipurpose spaces that feel as considered as the rest of the home,\u201d adds Joan Enger of J. Patryce Design in Hoboken, New Jersey. \u201cThese \u2018tech-free\u2019 zones often become the most relaxing and sought-after rooms in the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enger, Ward, and a roster of interior designers with experience curating these unplugged spaces share their thoughts on rooms that cater to various forms of screen-free pursuits.<\/p>\n

Centering a Space Around Music<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re the one playing or the one listening, a musical instrument can be a cultural alternative to surfing the web and bingeing Netflix, and lend an artistic quality to a room without taking over the space.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile you want the piano to feel like an intentional part of the design, it doesn\u2019t necessarily need to be the focal point,\u201d says Marea Clark of Marea Clark Design in San Francisco. \u201cStriking a balance between connection and separation is key.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clark says not to treat the instrument like an afterthought, and ensure there\u2019s seating and enough space for listeners (and singers) to gather. Plus, don\u2019t skip the accoutrements that elevate any room. \u201cArt and decorative pieces around a piano make [it] feel curated and thoughtfully integrated into a space.\u201d<\/p>\n

No worries if you have limited square footage for a large musical instrument\u2014even a turntable can spark interaction and connection. One such example is a room in a New York townhouse that Ward and her partner Staver Gray designed around their client\u2019s record player.<\/p>\n

MORE: <\/strong>Broken Contracts Are Soaring. How to Keep a Buyer From Backing out of a Home Sale.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cOpen shelving was used for record storage, keeping the collection visible and inviting\u2014an ever-present cue to slow down and enjoy some music,\u201d Gray says.<\/p>\n

A cache of custom-designed furnishings and details, a vintage game table found on 1stDibs, Turkish movie posters, and a Ward + Gray\u2013imagined \u201cCheckmate\u201d rug\u2014a nod to the client\u2019s passion for chess\u2014complete the look.<\/p>\n

Making a Room \u2018Game Central\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Billiards, ping pong, and various card and board games can define the space and pack plenty of fun. But amusements aside, a game room can still have panache.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pool table will likely be the focal point of the space, but the surrounding furniture should encourage casual conversation in a comfortable setting,\u201d Enger says. She recommends selecting pool-table finishes\u2014both the wood tone and the felt color\u2014that complement the rest of the room\u2019s decor. She says the room should be functional yet feel inviting.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is key to strike a balance between form and function, especially for this type of room,\u201d Enger explains. \u201cWe often add slim bar tables and stools, comfy vintage lounge chairs, and small drinks tables.\u201d For a game room in a New Jersey home, she incorporated the same level of detail as she would in a formal living room, including the placement of art, collectibles, and window coverings.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe whitewashed the brick, refinished the existing pine floors, and painted the paneling and tin ceiling to give it a moody glow-up,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Likewise, Tracy Morris of Tracy Morris Design in McLean, Virginia, says that a space for table tennis can be chic.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cA ping-pong table can absolutely be part of a stylish room\u2014it just takes a thoughtful balance,\u201d Morris says. \u201cIt\u2019s about treating the ping-pong table like any other piece of furniture\u2014integrating it into the overall design instead of letting it dominate the room.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a game room Morris designed, she chose a sleek, sculptural iteration of the classic ping-pong table as the centerpiece. \u201cIts angular base and matte black finish give it a furniture-like quality, so it feels intentional rather than just functional. We layered in arcade and table games to make the room feel truly interactive and inviting,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

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Creating a Cozy Space That\u2019s All About Books<\/strong><\/p>\n

A book collection is only one element in a home\u2019s reading area. To curate a true escape, designer Sara Swabb, founder of Storie Collective, a boutique interior-design firm in Washington, D.C., advises starting with comfort.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t want a reading room to feel like a study hall. It should feel like a retreat,\u201d Swabb notes. \u201cDeep, upholstered chairs or a window bench with layered pillows can make all the difference.\u201d Swabb also suggests placing a low table adjacent to the seating area, providing a spot to keep your book or a drink. Meanwhile, a textured or patterned area rug can \u201csoften acoustics and ground the furniture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Color is the most straightforward design element to forge that inviting aesthetic. Swabb references a project in which she specified a high-gloss teal for the walls, ceiling and millwork. She says that the \u201cinky\u201d color adds drama but also makes the room feel like a little jewel box\u2014cozy and collected, but not buttoned up. Likewise, she enveloped an elegant yet relaxed reading space in a warm, soothing terracotta. \u201cNeither space takes itself too seriously, even though they\u2019re both quite tailored,\u201d Swabb says.<\/p>\n

From Mansion Global Boutique: <\/strong>Outdoor Spaces Should Shine in All Seasons, Says Fernando Wong<\/a><\/p>\n

Styling is the final piece of the design puzzle. \u201cBookshelves should hold more than just books. Mix in ceramics, framed art, found objects\u2014things that reflect personality,\u201d she adds. And don\u2019t neglect lighting. She recommends layering table lamps, sconces, and a floor lamp with overhead lights. \u201cIt creates warmth and makes the space feel more dynamic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Designing an Area for Wine, Cocktails, and Convo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Areas dedicated to drinking and socializing are more popular than ever. The pandemic sparked the realization that we all need connection, and what better way than with a glass of your favorite wine, spirit, or brew in hand?\u00a0<\/p>\n

David Ries of Ries Hayes, an interior design studio in New York, says large home bars are making a comeback\u2014upscaling the bar carts we\u2019ve seen in recent years\u2014as more people are entertaining and mixing cocktails in their residences again. These rooms should provide comfortable seating, warm and flattering lighting, and details such as vintage glassware and art, so the space encourages interaction, he says.<\/p>\n

For avid wine collectors, Kristy Nye Nicholas of Ramsay Nye, an interior design studio with offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Athens, Georgia, advises taking stock of your collection to accommodate existing wines and any forthcoming bottles. Also, consider how you\u2019d like your bar room to function and what kind of atmosphere you\u2019d like it to have.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there a memory of a grandfather\u2019s Chesterfield leather sofa and whiskey that they want to serve as the inspiration? Or is it the bar at an incredible boutique hotel where they spent their honeymoon? We love to use [a client\u2019s] personal story as a jumping-off point for the design concept. It never fails to lead us to a space that is wholly unique to them,\u201d Nicholas says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Likewise, Ries muses about a project his team did on Eastern Long Island.<\/p>\n

\u201cPersonal touches like a small Persian rug and a hand-carved African sculpture bring warmth and character, reminding our client of their travels and experiences,\u201d he notes. \u201cThe goal is to create an environment that invites people to slow down and savor both the drinks and the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2025 Issue<\/a> of Mansion Global Experience Luxury.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.mansionglobal.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Digital entertainment will always have a place in our media-focused world. However, amid all the scrolling and streaming, more people are embracing the analog lifestyle, at least part-time.\u00a0 Although Wi-Fi is a necessity for 21st-century living, homeowners are increasingly outfitting spaces dedicated to screen-free recreation. That could mean curling up with a bestseller, uncorking a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2127576,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[22220,22442,379296,401475,401484,401477,401486,404307,21741,22118,306499,21791,401470,401479,21818,348707,401478,21800,21825,345559,375873,404308,404303,404302,404306,404305,358561,25432,322777,404304,401487],"class_list":["post-2127575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-arts","tag-arts-entertainment","tag-beer","tag-content-type-content-type-article","tag-content-type_content-type-article","tag-credited-by-mansion-global","tag-credited_by_mansion_global","tag-drink","tag-entertainment","tag-food","tag-food-drink","tag-general-news","tag-integration-apple-news","tag-integration_apple-news","tag-lifestyle","tag-living","tag-living-lifestyle","tag-music","tag-north-america","tag-political","tag-political-general-news","tag-spirits","tag-subject-subject-design","tag-subject-subject-lifestyle","tag-subject_subject-design","tag-subject_subject-lifestyle","tag-synd","tag-united-states","tag-wine","tag-wine-beer-spirits","tag-wsj-pro-mansion-global"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/How-to-Design-Living-Spaces-for-Communing-With-People\u2014Not-Gadgets.avif","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2127575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2127575"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2127575\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2127577,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2127575\/revisions\/2127577"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2127576"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2127575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2127575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2127575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}