One of the biggest challenges in the design of our new home is how to handle seating in the living area. With spectacular views out of both the east and south-facing windows, it makes sense to orient seating to look out over the river but that is at odds with fostering social interaction which favors seating that has people facing each other. Furthermore, we will have a second large flat-screen TV in the living area for when the family gathers and wants to watch a soccer match together for example. That screen is oriented opposite the river. Today, I happened on what I believe will be the perfect solution, one Jeanine was already thinking about. Instead of couches, we will have chairs that swivel. This way you can pivot to look across the river, down the river, make eye contact with a guest, or watch TV. It is really the perfect solution. Of the swivel chairs I looked at, the one pictured above is my favorite (perhaps in a different fabric). It is described as very cozy and I love the simple lines and organic form. Best of all, four of these organized in a partial arc around a coffee table fits exactly into the space we have available and centers perfectly on the windows.