BRIGHT IDEAS:
With Claire Hornby
FORMAL dining rooms appear to be a thing of the past, as more and more of us opt for the convenience of open plan living.
From warehouse apartments to modern extensions on conventional homes, this style of home lends itself to an eclectic interior design, and can provide room for larger furniture. Big wooden tables and cabinets will give your main living space a rustic feel, and incorporating furniture made from reclaimed materials will really complement an industrial space, or provide the perfect balance to offset a modern, minimalist backdrop. Not all open plan rooms have the luxury of space so make use of multitasking furniture. If your living room is on the small side, it could be worth investing in a table that can double as a place to eat and a home office, like this Astoria metal desk from Barker and Stonehouse. Drawers underneath provide a handy storage solution, and the two swing seats attached to one side of the table are a really unusual, eye-catching design.
If you prefer to have mini rooms within your open plan living area, there’s no need to stick to the same materials throughout – have fun incorporating all your design ideas. Try natural stone or perhaps vinyl on the dining floor, then cosy things up in the living space with thick carpet or large rugs.
Open-plan living can sometimes feel a little cold, so bring it to life with colourful artwork and bold, bright accessories. Ethnic fabrics are still very popular, the Persian Patchwork Kelim cushions and Persian rugs from Barker and Stonehouse bring an eclectic feel.
Claire Hornby is creative stylist at Barker and Stonehouse. For more design ideas visit www.barkerand stonehouse.co.uk