As the heart of any home, the living room's main objective should  be to make the inhabitants feel welcome. The above images are examples of how one doesn't need to compromise on design to create great living spaces. Using a combination of the old and the new creates both a personal and inviting space.

By employing the popular technique of tufting, the designer has created a softer aesthetic by using this treatment. The Edward sofa is by Carlo Colombo for Poliform.

Poliform is available from Studio Italia.

Described by the artist as a sculpture with purpose, the Monolith transforms from a cabinet into a table that seats 10. The entire piece is constructed in stainless steel that's finished with a mirrored polish. The seats of the chairs fold up in order to slot into the table when returning the table back to it's sculptural form.

For more information on Gioia visit here.

There's nothing better than drawing on wallpaper when you're young. The Adopt A Monster custom wallpaper designed by artist Sonja Schneider for Roll Out provides some excellent creative opportunities for children who enjoy taking to the walls with gusto, grasping their colourful felt tip pens.

For more information on Roll Out go here.

The new DDC - Dedon Dress Code collection launched at Milan this year, took the Slim Line range by Jean-Marie Massuad and added fashion patterns to the woven fibres. The Edinburgh takes it's influence from London's punk era personalities like the Sex Pistols and Vivenne Westwood.

The DDC collection is available from Domo.

The Arflex Ball Chair by Carlo Colombo is constructed from durable polyurethane to make it suitable indoors and out, and has a flexible seat that molds to the body.

Arflex is available locally at Cite.

Egg  Vase by Marcel Wanders for Droog.

Do Egg Vase by Mathieu Mainguard.

“Rag Chair” by Tejo Remi for Droog.

Do Rag Chair by Mathieu Maingaurd.

Milk Bottle Lamp by Tejo Remy.

Do Milk Bottle Lamp by Mathieu Maingaurd.

Do Chest Of Drawers by Mathieu Maingaurd, referencing the original Chest of Drawers by Tejo Remy for Droog.

I'm not normally a fan of fakes, but the "Do Pirate" art project by french artist Mathieu Maingaurd is more of a tongue and cheek play on recreating well known design objects in a do-it-yourself manor using everyday household objects.

Local designer Jamie McLellan's Twig Coat Stand was selected by english designer Ed Barber, of BarberOsgerby fame, as the winner of the Home magazine 2009 Design Awards. Manufactured locally by Fletcher Systems, the stand has a sculptural, yet functional appeal.

Check out www.fletcher-systems.co.nz for more information.

This stack of suitcases is in fact a cunningly disguised wardrobe system by Belgium designer Maarten de Ceulaer for Casamania. Steel profiles keep the structure firmly together, and each compartment differs with it's internal shelves and racks to allow for various compositions.

Casmania is available from Matisse.

If the word Lladro conjures up images if smock clad girls frolicking amongst a heard of sheep, then you'll be pleasantly surprised by Spanish designer Jaime Hayon's interpretation of the Spanish porcelain maker. The Conversation vase uses classic Lladro porcelain techniques, with both the interior and exterior glazed for a completed finish. More of a sculpture than a vase, the four faces communicate among each other as they tell a story of fantasy, magic and splendor.

The Conversation vase is available from Design 55.