Living rooms Tips, tricks and trends
Whether combined with a kitchen, dining or braai room, a comfortable living area will turn any home into a cosy retreat – perfect for quality time with friends and family.
It all happens here
This space in Silvia Miles’s Natal Midlands home boasts a fully integrated kitchen and living area where the different zones flow seamlessly from one to the other, forming a practical and functional whole – from the counter unit behind the couch to the island under the mezzanine level where you’ll always find someone chopping veggies or catching up on emails.
“The kitchen is our living area!” Silvia, the owner of Milestone Kitchens, explains. “It’s got couches, a bookshelf, a spot for the dogs to sleep in, a corner in which to work on the computer and a great music system. It’s where everybody does everything, except sleep.”
The space is a sizable 80m² and consists of a dining area, cooking area, sitting area and study area, but Silvia doesn’t like to label them as such. “It’s just one big room and those are the different zones.” >>
When it comes to décor, Silvia doesn’t feel the need to create a typical French, Tuscan or Cape Dutch look: “We live in Africa and it’s beautiful in its own right.”
A black and green colour scheme works perfectly in this setting. “Green has always been my favourite colour. On the farm, we’re surrounded by beautiful big trees, grass and rolling hills,” she explains. “Black creates depth and represents the shadows and the valleys; it disappears so it’s unobtrusive. But it wouldn’t work in a house that doesn’t have a lot of windows and light.”
Silvia brings the outdoors in with driftwood she has collected over the years used as décor as well as dried twigs in cases, aloes and leaves in glass jars, and stones displayed as focal points. “I use tree stumps as coffee tables and grass mats on the floor to carry the theme through.” All of this is tastefully anchored by an engineered oak floor.
“The living area works for our family because it’s restful and it’s a good place to have a chat with friends over a cup of coffee or a few drinks,” says Silvia. “The room is cosy and relaxed and offers plenty of seating options. And there’s always a delicious aroma emanating from the kitchen!” >>
A room with a view
With its magnificent view over the ocean, a sunny living room was the best way for Shelley Hills to make the most of her Port Elizabeth home. “When I purchased the house it was being used as an architect’s office space – so, essentially, it was a blank canvas,” she says. “It made perfect sense to maximise on the natural light and beautiful vistas by making this area the most focal and functional part of our home.”
The open-plan space consists of a kitchen, dining area, undercover deck, study and lounge. “We spend most of our time in the dining area, chatting to friends, playing games or soaking up the sun with a good read. It’s definitely the most popular spot in our home,” says Shelley.
Because of all the natural light, Shelley didn’t have to rely on colour to ‘lift’ the space. “I decided to keep the palette neutral with décor in various shades of grey to create a seamless flow and so as not to detract from the view. The aim was to keep it simple, stylish and yet still homely.”
Shelley isn’t a fan of natural or stained wood, so all the wooden frames and stacked doors were painted white to keep the living area light and airy. The floors were originally made up of various types of wood, so painting them white not only saved on replacement costs, but also further brightened up the area.
“I love the space because it’s conducive to closeness with family and friends,” explains Shelley. “There is always a sense of togetherness, even if my son Cameron is doing homework in the study while I’m watching TV in the lounge.” >>
I’m not a winter person; I almost feel depressed when there’s no sun, so the light in this space makes me happy! – Shelley Hills
Everyone is welcome
When Lizanne and Johannes van Waart built their Stellenbosch home back in 2003, they had a very clear vision of what they wanted: a spacious living room and stoep were to form the heart of the home – just like the old “voorkamers” in the Karoo homes they’d grown up in. “I was raised with the concept of an open home where people can just pop in for a visit, especially on the weekend,” explains Lizanne.
Today, the entertainment and braai area forms part of the stoep with large folding doors opening up onto an inviting swimming pool. Most importantly, everyone is always welcome.
“The stoep is where we get together in the evenings and in the mornings,” says Lizanne. “We enjoy a quick breakfast before work or a glass of wine in the evenings. On weekends, my parents, our children – Henri (30) and Christiaan (20) – and their friends all come to visit.
“In fact, we braai every Sunday evening – it’s a tradition we started many years ago when my kids had to go to boarding school. It was dreadful, so we decided to cheer everyone up with a braai before they had to be on their way. With both of us being Karoo people, large family meals at the table are important.”
When it comes to décor, curtains were a definite no-no for Lizanne who wanted to let in as much natural light as possible. She describes her style as a combination of old and new with plenty of bright colours, Indian influences and a touch of French flair. “My friends always say they find my house interesting. I see it as a version of myself,” says Lizanne. “I like fabric and colour and I’m very sentimental about things that tell a story. I guess that because I’m a psychologist, people and their stories are close to my heart – and the same goes for my décor.”