Living areas
A clever layout and savvy furniture placement are essential for creating a successful open-plan living area.
#1 Easy living
After the awkward staircase (see page 54) between the dining area and living room in Brian and Louise Tait’s Rondebosch home was removed during a total revamp in 2019, the two spaces felt too large. With assistance from architectural designer Jenny Collins of Red Cat Design and interior designer Zarah Riley of Zarah Riley Interiors and Design, the couple opted to install a double-sided fireplace between the living area and dining room – not only a great way to subtly separate the two spaces, but also a striking feature. “The connection between the living area, dining room and kitchen and how the family interact with each other in these spaces was important,” says Jenny. “There needed to be plenty of cosy spots in which to relax with a book or doze in the afternoon sun as well as spaces ideal for hosting braais and dinner parties.”
CREATE ZONES
• The kitchen is neatly tucked away in the ‘short arm’ of the L-shaped design, so it’s not in full view of the lounge – ideal if you need to hide a mess when guests arrive unexpectedly.
• A series of beams running below the ceiling support the upper level and subtly define the various living areas on the ground floor.
• Furniture and lighting were used to create zones, giving each area a clear purpose.
FURNITURE PLACEMENT
• A corner couch helps to clearly demarcate the living area within this large open-plan space. This creates a cosy zone, while still maintaining an easy flow in the space as a whole. On a practical note, the couch can seat a number of guests and it also provides the perfect configuration, allowing the whole family to kick back and read a book while warming their toes bythefire.
• The floor-to-ceiling bookshelf creates an intimate and striking focal point; it also provides this nook with a clear purpose and offers a practical and attractive storage solution for the family’s extensive book collection.
EXPERT ADVICE Architectural designer Jenny Collins of Red Cat Design shares her top tips for well-designed open-plan living spaces:
• First get the architectural elements right before having fun with the interior design. An L-shaped open-plan living space works really well with either the kitchen or your living room in the short arm, whichever configuration suits your lifestyle better.
• Nothing beats natural light to make a living area feel welcoming. It creates a connection with the outdoors and also serves to anchor the space.
• What’s a living room without a comfy couch? Choose one with a shape that fits the space well and doesn’t obstruct the flow to other areas. It should define the living room, but not box it off. Corner couches work really well and encourage afternoon naps or family movie marathons.
• A beautiful rug adds another layer of definition to the space and the texture underfoot adds another tactile dimension to your experience.
• Storage can be difficult in open-plan areas but it’s vital because cluttered spaces aren’t welcoming and you can’t just close a door when there’s a mess. Consider furniture that offers storage such as a trunk that can double as a coffee table or an ottoman with plenty of storage space inside. Baskets are great for kids’ toys, blankets and firewood and they also add texture and detail to the room.
Jenny’s no-nos
• My ultimate bugbear is a guest loo situated just off an open-plan space.
It’s not comfortable for anyone. If your space is limited, try to position the loo in a small lobby or short passage for privacy.
• The various zones in an open-plan space need to be wide enough to create good flow. For example, you don’t want to have to walk between your couch and coffee table to get to the dining area; it’s preferable to create a
‘passage’ alongside these spaces.
• Size is important: too big and you don’t feel comfy, too small and you feel cramped. >>
CONTACT Red Cat Design redcatdesign.co.za
#2 In retro style
With an entrance hall, lounge and dining room-cumkitchen all in one, Morgane and Lionel Andrews enjoy every inch of this space to the fullest.
Their home in Parkhurst, Johannesburg is as it was when they bought it and they’ve felt no need to change anything since.
“We love the flow between the different living areas,” says Morgane. “We don’t feel restricted at all. Everything flows together but is neatly demarcated. The lounge is great for reading during the day, enjoying a pre-dinner drink with friends or just relaxing in front of the fireplace on a cold winter’s evening. And when we entertain, we hang out in the dining room-kitchen area.”
#3 An elegant sunroom
When we photographed Jacomien de Wet’s lovely home in Onrus River in the Western Cape in June 2020, we simply had to take a pic of her mom Irma Herbst’s gorgeous sunroom. Mother and daughter live on properties next to each other and Irma’s cottage was furnished about six years ago.
This sunroom – an old veranda that was enclosed – is a spacious 30m2 and is regarded as the main living area. “I drink my coffee here in the morning and this is also where I enjoy my quiet time,” says Irma.
FURNITURE PLACEMENT
• A large 2.4m daybed extends across the full width of the furthest wall, anchoring the seating area.
• Even though the room is narrow, a freestanding cupboard and side tables have been cleverly positioned so as not to impede movement; they also provide a display area for collectibles and plants.
• With the table right against the window and dining chairs on just three sides, the room feels more open and spacious.
CREATE ZONES
• Since the sunroom is quite narrow, Irma had to work cleverly with the space. A seating area was set up in front of one of the windows, with a dining table against another window. A pendant light above the daybed helps to define the seating area. • Thanks to all the natural light that streams through the retro ‘school windows’, plants thrive in this space, enhancing a sense that the sunroom forms part of the garden. >>
#4 A blast from the past
Neeltjé Swanepoel’s home in Victory Park, Johannesburg displays its sixties features with pride. She and hubby Hendrik, who have lived here since 2010, have systematically renovated the house over the years, but they’ve made no major changes as they like its architectural style.
The lounge, just to the right of the entrance hall, boasts its original parquet floor, stone wall and a fireplace – little wonder it’s their favourite spot in winter.
“This was originally our TV room until we turned a stoep into a TV lounge a year or so ago,” says Neeltjé. “I had to move old sofas and chairs around and I was seduced by the beautiful bright colours I saw in the sample books at my local upholsterer. The colours and patterns that I was drawn to that day were the ones I decided on and, in the end, they created a quirky look that I adore!” >>
#5 In keeping with character
As is typical when it comes to renovating an older home, Sonette and Nelius Barnardt of Somerset West broke out quite a few interior walls to create more open-plan spaces and to enhance the flow. “The house was built in the sixties and we kept some of the elements from that era, as we wanted to respect the character of our home,” says Sonette.
“So you’ll see elements here and there such as large sliding glass doors with wooden frames and a passage door with wire-reinforced safety glass. The open-plan living areas can all be closed and locked with sliding doors.”
The living room with its pizza oven and dining table is where the family spends most of their time. “This is where we love hanging out; it has an informal feel and everything is close at hand. We envisioned a place where we could relax and entertain, so there’s a long table, but also comfy benches and chairs.”
The décor style is comfortable and informal with unique elements and artworks collected over the years. The homeowners like to browse antique and contemporary stores.
The pizza oven works especially well in winter when the couple cannot entertain outside due to rain. In summer, the room opens onto a spacious patio and pool area.