skip to main content

Ideas please to link this space .p

Shirley McDonald

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

PRO
Angela Keegan Interior Stylist
8 years ago
Which way does it face? Do you like the sun, or prefer shade? What rooms open off this area and is it to be used as an outdoor eating area,or as a sitting area too?
0
Shirley McDonald thanked Angela Keegan Interior Stylist
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hello Shirley,

Well from a styling point of view as I do both, why not consider some large pots with lovely foliage... Something of your choice. You could expand on your current display and have them in a row either side... You can also use them to "zone" an area.. so if you want to have outside dining and a reading nook that captures the afternoon sun but has some privacy with your placed planters, you can create both..

Another way you can create interest is by having some arranged in an assortment of heights.. Large and low and Large and tall..

These then compliment the space as a whole and helps you define the area as a whole regardless of how you intend to use it.. Here's a few ideas.. : ))
Shirley McDonald thanked Amber Jeavons Ltd
Related Discussions
Lounge almost complete but need some ideas please
Q
Comments (47)
Hi thanks very much for the useful hints and tips, they've really helped! So far I've done a subtle re-jig of the decorative items on the shelves and thinned them out a bit to make it less busy (and more contemporary). I have added a cushion and throw plus a bit more useful storage baskets and so far I'm happier with it now. I also have to consider the overall flow of the room rather than 1 wall - for example when I walk into the room this wall is on the left and the sofa wall is on the right, and there was a risk that if I added shelves etc on this wall it would then unbalance the look of the room as the sofa walls are so far pretty plain. I'm getting a new sofa next month and when this arrives I'll be able to see the room in its finished form and can make any last minute adjustments!! I want to add some more shiny stuff and will get a nice chrome tray or centrepiece for my glass coffee table. Pffft, this house decor lark can take over your life sometimes :))
...See More
Kitchen Layout - space requirments for bench & ideas
Q
Comments (0)
We had removed an Alno kitchen and dry-fitted another brand in the reception room, the experimental position did not work. The final kitchen is going in the 5.75 mtr extension with an island in front and a bench against the other wall. A separate lounge area will be created, this will be in addition to a new quiet /yoga room in the front room. Some questions / observations if you could help, comment please. Q 1 – what is the ideal width area for wall seat, bench and chairs – we have 2.4mtrs available before we hit the island seating area Q 2 – in this plan, are island seats really required ? The island (3x0.9 mtr) is desirable as a working area, Observation 1 – I am not keen on tall pull and swings and wanted low units against the wall, my wife loves the p/s units, I can see why as the present their contents when you open them, each unit is the same as having 3 base units. Are there any other options other than wall units ? Observation 2 – we are getting rid of the double oven unit in preference to base oven units. Observation 3 – could the slim A-F/F be placed next to bench, it may look silly with new flooring / deco / kitchen. We are okay to lose this F/F in preference of low integrated fridges & freezers - these are shown in the sketch. Observation 4 – The outside utility is almost ready to accept doors but the WM & Dryer will now be kept inside with a decent unit built around them. We may put doors to outside utility next year. Observation 5 – the extractor is new but we are ditching it in preference of a slim line hood Some pictures before we start on the new kitchen fitting...
...See More
Layout/Design ideas for our open plan living space
Q
Comments (4)
Hi Rishi Firstly congratulations on planning approval and what a lovely space you are creating. I do think the length @ approx 8.7mt is extremely long for a kitchen on it's own and so would benefit from being broken up. Whilst the utility is fixed i would consider moving the door further into the space to create a natural divide between the kitchen and possibly a snug area. Otherwise you loose the option of using the back wall for any real functionality - it will in effect just be a thru passage. Position of kitchen can either be immediately as you enter the room or further away towards the window / bi-fold. It really does depend upon how you see the dynamics of the room. Having the kitchen nearer to the entrance to the hallway means you can convert windows to bifolders or sliders balancing out the lounge area; the Kitchen then becomes more centrally positioned within the house. The path from front to the kitchen is shortest and easiest for putting away all that Party food shopping :) And you also get a great view into all 3 zones (dining room, lounge, snug) Imagine both sets of doors open and bringing the party to the outside space. Having the kitchen on an L-shape under the window enables the natural light to flood the kitchen area. The position of this kitchen layout creates a natural link between the snug & lounge. Whilst the dining room is a little further and concealed from view this means there is a clear demarcation of informal dining (via breakfast bar or table off the island) and a more formal room. Things to bear in mind wrt the island 1. jumbo slab sizes of stone are typically 3.2mt and longer and you would need a joint 2. compact resin tops can be found @ 3.6mt - 4.1mt and @ 1300mm deep. 3. acrylic wtops can be made at any size and the joints blended to create a seamless look oh gosh i could go on and on.... please contact us if you would like to talk thru any of my rational. meanwhile i wish you the best of luck on your amazing project regs belinda
...See More
Creative ideas for playing around with living space please!
Q
Comments (9)
It looks like there is a window between Living and Reception? Could this be extended to make a door-height panel of glass to at least provide light and views through the house? You could replace the door between the rooms with a glass door and then you'll open it all up visually but with minimal work really. Looks like there is a pillar just inside the Reception though, presumably to suport the stairs, so maybe it's weird to open up view and see that though. Also, be careful about losing character by adding glass door - it's a good idea for light/views but might take away from the character of the house if it's got original wooden doors throughout. Otherwise I say embrace the rooms in their original proportions, at least until you do side return extension - but you'll still have the little front Living room so make the most of it. Depending on whether you have kids and their ages, I'd suggest making the Living room into a TV-free snug, with couple of small sofas or one sofa and one or two comfy chair(s) - keep the size of furniture in proportion to the room, have legs on the sofa/chairs so you can see more floor space, have a big rug to zone the seating area - keep a 'hallway' free running from front door through to Reception, to visually separate the seating/snug from the throughway. Try and get some clever storage solutions for this entryway - slim console table, hooks for coats, but try and keep everything neat and simple so it doesn't get cluttered and make the room feel even smaller. Use big mirror somewhere to maximise light and open up the space. If you don't need a TV-free snug then perhaps have a table and chairs in the Living room? Could be for dinner parties if you ever have them and/or for messy arts/crafts if you have kids - or just a spot for kids to do homework or someone to work from home. Similar to the TV-free snug, it might just be a lovely room that doesn't actually get used that much other than as a hallway, but it looks nice and gives the impression that you could host a dinner party or have friends over for coffee and have somewhere nice to sit - and quite often that is worth having even if you always end up standing in the kitchen chatting to everyone who visits! Other option is to turn Living room into a really lovely hall/entryway and get it kitted out as such - storage for anything and everything that comes into the house, somewhere to sit and put on and take off shoes, small desk/filing system for dealing with mail, noticeboard for house/kid/school admin, pet stuff, build in utility cupboard and hide washer/dryer behind cabinet doors. Given that it's your front door entrance you'd want it to be neat and tidy and everything to have a space, but no reason why it can't also be a lovely room to enter into. And turning the stair to enter from this space would make sense too. I am seeing it with wood panelling and Shaker pegs, fitted bench seating and fitted cupboards, all in a warm deep colour, round vintage rug on the floor, with views through open doorway to something lighter and more modern ahead. Any of those options leaves you with Reception as TV room/lounge, and dining table in kitchen for dining - with possibility of side return to open all that up later to provide large open plan space.
...See More
PRO
Julu
8 years ago
What a great area. All you need is some clever pot planting.
0
Shirley McDonald thanked Julu
Shirley McDonald
Original Author
8 years ago
Pot plants ok. I was thinking of a roof to protect us from the elements ......but not creating a lot of shade .this area faces south
0
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hello Shirley,

What about a timber Pergola? I'll find a pic to illustrate.. you can add some transparent corrugated or flat plastic sheeting to it to keep the area dry underneath but it would essentially look the same. You could even create a partial pergola like the one below which is a version of a more traditional style.. They are also beautiful if you grow something on them.. If you wanted something more like an extension add sheet glass for a more reinforced structure but the idea could be similar in terms of style : ))

Here's one with glass.

Sponsored

More Discussions

Help! How can we make our monoblocked back garden more inviting?

6

Stair landing problem on first floor

7

When to engage a structural engineer

0

Help! Kitchen reconfiguration - am I deluded?

0

Extend loft balcony floor to add space and privacy

0

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.