Smith recommended the application of his “20-5-1 Rule” to assess the micro and macro levels of environmental comfort. “The brain is your friend but also a trickster. When you look at a room setting from 20 feet away, your eyes help create a visceral emotional response. At 5 feet away it’s about behavior; how the room flows and connects with you. Move to 1 foot away, and the experience becomes tangible and sensory. You have to evaluate each stage independently. An “I love it” at 20 feet may corrupt your assessment at 1 foot. Your mind wills your body to be comfortable in a setting it loves. Finally, ask yourself ‘Is it designed to look at or live in?’”
“Classic wing chairs were designed centuries ago to keep people warm in drafty homes, not to encourage chats between occupants,” said Smith, who places several common seating options on his “You May Want to Rethink That” list. “Chaises look inviting, but if you have guests over, they will perch awkwardly on the end, not lie down for the full lounging effect. Have you ever seen two people in a loveseat who look like they’re yearning for more personal space? How close to the swivel chair do you plan to place the drinks table?”