Blurry or out of focus portraits

I came across a couple of blurry/out of focus portraits the other day which I found interesting.  I decided to attempt one for myself as this is something I would like to explore further.

I took these shots when I was doing exercise 4 - an active portrait.

Colour

Black and white

I'm not sure if these actually work.  The background in each shot is a little busy but in colour the foreground is especially so.  

I can make out the person reading the book and the magazine on the coffee table is partially in focus - enough to lead the viewer into the shot perhaps. 

I think the images have a painterly feel to them especially the black and white one.
I think moving on I will try this again but in a less cluttered setting.