put to good use
GEORGE MILLER, HOME DESIGNER AT NEPTUNE FULHAM, EXPLAINS HOW SOME WELL-CHOSEN FURNITURE CAN TURN YOUR SPACE INTO AN EASIER PLACE TO LIVE
What’s the starting point for updating a home to make it more easy to live in?
The easiest way to improve a home is to ask yourself ‘what am I missing?’ Almost always, the answer is enough seating or storage – or both – and there are easy ways to solve this that don’t take up much space. Our Henley bench box, topped with a padded cushion, that you can tuck winter blankets into when it’s spring and pull out as an extra place to perch when you have guests over, is a perfect multifunctional solution. I’m a big fan of the Theo armchair, which is smaller than you’d expect and able to provide additional comfortable yet compact seating without taking up much room. I find myself recommending this option to people who use our complimentary design consultations time and again.
Which multifunctional pieces are most useful?
In urban homes, space is at a premium, so I’d always suggest a sideboard instead of a console table – you get a nice shelf height with storage underneath. The Chawton cabinetry can be drawers or cupboards, and is balanced with open shelving so isn’t too heavy in a room. And our Ardingly cabinet is a go-to because it has so many uses – it can a be a TV cabinet, a freestanding larder or a dressing table. It’s also great as a desk – you can close its doors and shut it off at the end of the day. It even has shelf space underneath, perfect for baskets that offer additional storage. It’s the sort of design you can adapt as the needs of your life evolve.
What do people find most surprising about what they can do with Neptune designs?
Other than how the colours are totally interchangeable, it’s that we can usually fit a freestanding island into almost any kitchen, even ones people deemed much too small. The Charlecote on legs is only 60cm deep, and if there’s not enough room for that we can do the Chichester chopping block which is only 50cm deep. Placed against a slither of spare wall, it’s a bit of extra food prep space that makes all the difference to how well your kitchen functions.