Room Tour: Clever Use of Colour Helps Zone an Open-plan Space
A family home benefits from a bright open-play layout, but smart design subtly breaks up the space
When you have an open space it can be difficult to seamlessly divide the area into adult zones and child-friendly spots, but that’s exactly what Simone Gordon of Owl Design did in this new-build home. An extension helped to open up the ground floor of this family house, in which the owners wanted to create a modern space where their daughter could play and where they could also entertain their friends. Gordon started with the kitchen layout and cleverly planned four distinct areas around it, using colour and design to define each area’s functionality.
The owners are keen on midcentury style, so Gordon chose some pieces that tied in with this aesthetic.
The wood flooring in the family living area contrasts with the polished look in the rest of the space, helping to zone this particular area.
The wood flooring in the family living area contrasts with the polished look in the rest of the space, helping to zone this particular area.
The adult seating space is the perfect spot for guests to relax in before and after a dinner party. To the left is a stylish formal dining area.
For this space, Gordon chose a neutral scheme to give it a more sophisticated feel. A luxurious rug sits beneath monochrome furniture.
At the far end is a wood- burning stove, which makes the whole area feel cosy. The homeowners and designer originally chose a triangular model, but this square version had less protruding angles. Gordon’s team positioned the stove where the flue would go straight up through the flat roof and angled away from the bedroom window above.
Sofa and coffee table, Houseology. Grant Featherston-style contour lounge chairs, Vita Interiors. Rug, Designers Guild. Pendant, Made in Design.
For this space, Gordon chose a neutral scheme to give it a more sophisticated feel. A luxurious rug sits beneath monochrome furniture.
At the far end is a wood- burning stove, which makes the whole area feel cosy. The homeowners and designer originally chose a triangular model, but this square version had less protruding angles. Gordon’s team positioned the stove where the flue would go straight up through the flat roof and angled away from the bedroom window above.
Sofa and coffee table, Houseology. Grant Featherston-style contour lounge chairs, Vita Interiors. Rug, Designers Guild. Pendant, Made in Design.
The tiled floor is a smart and cost-effective alternative to polished concrete.
The lighting throughout the ground floor is a combination of spotlights and pendants, with floor and table lamps to add atmosphere.
The lighting throughout the ground floor is a combination of spotlights and pendants, with floor and table lamps to add atmosphere.
This shelving area was built by Schmidt, the team who designed the kitchen. Gordon worked out the perfect spot for the television and designed the shelving around it. Below is a run of cupboards that hide cumbersome items such as the DVD and set-top box. A picture rail above the TV is ready for the owners to display their artwork.
Gordon chose an elegant pendant for the living room, which doesn’t distract from the television. “It’s dainty and clear, and you can even adjust the height,” she says.
Gordon chose an elegant pendant for the living room, which doesn’t distract from the television. “It’s dainty and clear, and you can even adjust the height,” she says.
Next to the seating area is a formal dining space. A circular table works well in this corner and its dark colour creates a moody atmosphere. The dark rug helps to zone this area, while the neutral walls contrast with the dark hues to ensure the space stays light during the day.
A sideboard along the back wall stores glasses and formal tableware, making them easily accessible, while a mirror adds texture and interest.
Mirror and dining chairs, French Connection. Dining table, Houseology. Sideboard, Harvest Moon. Table lamp, Habitat. Pendant, Holloways of Ludlow. Louis de Poortere Medallion rug, Naken Interiors.
A sideboard along the back wall stores glasses and formal tableware, making them easily accessible, while a mirror adds texture and interest.
Mirror and dining chairs, French Connection. Dining table, Houseology. Sideboard, Harvest Moon. Table lamp, Habitat. Pendant, Holloways of Ludlow. Louis de Poortere Medallion rug, Naken Interiors.
The walls in this space are interrupted by windows and doors, so it was essential to choose furniture that fitted the area without overcrowding it.
Interested in broken-plan living? Find out more
Interested in broken-plan living? Find out more
The kitchen looks simple and chic, while providing plenty of storage and functionality. The island consists of drawers and cupboards, and houses a sink, hob and pop-up extractor. Gordon chose darker units at the back to add tone and interest. The copper pendants provide yet another element and stand out against the neutral scheme.
To the right of the wall units is a breakfast area, where the owners keep their toaster and coffee machine.
Kitchen units, Schmidt. Pendants, Holloways of Ludlow.
To the right of the wall units is a breakfast area, where the owners keep their toaster and coffee machine.
Kitchen units, Schmidt. Pendants, Holloways of Ludlow.
This other dining area is a more informal spot for family meals. The bright colours give it a fun feel and Gordon chose wipeable plastic chairs to keep the space child friendly.
An ethereal pendant contrasts with the block colours on the chairs, but tones in with the hues of the artwork behind.
Charles Eames-style dining chairs, Cult Furniture. Dining table and floor lamp, Blue Sun Tree. Pendant, Made in Design. Armchair, Vita Interiors.
Hanging a pendant lamp? Here’s what you need to consider
An ethereal pendant contrasts with the block colours on the chairs, but tones in with the hues of the artwork behind.
Charles Eames-style dining chairs, Cult Furniture. Dining table and floor lamp, Blue Sun Tree. Pendant, Made in Design. Armchair, Vita Interiors.
Hanging a pendant lamp? Here’s what you need to consider
An Eames armchair provides a handy spot for chilling out. Gordon teamed it with a floor lamp to create a vignette.
What do you think of this broken-plan family living space? Share your thoughts in the Comments below – and please remember that you’re discussing someone’s home!
What do you think of this broken-plan family living space? Share your thoughts in the Comments below – and please remember that you’re discussing someone’s home!
Who lives here A young couple with their three-year-old daughter
Property 4-bedroom house, built in the 1990s
Location Loughton, Essex
Size The space is 74 sq m – consisting of a pre-existing area of 42 sq m and a 32 sq m extension
Designer Simone Gordon of Owl Design
Photographs by Veronica Rodriguez
The first area visitors see when they enter this new-build home in Essex is a bright family space. This is where the homeowners watch television together and it’s a comfortable spot in which their three-year-old daughter can play.
“The owners already had this bright rug,” says Gordon. “So I used the colours as a starting point.” The blue wall pulls out the dark tones in the rug’s pattern, while the furniture highlights the lighter shades.
A glass door divides this area from the rest of the space, offering privacy while keeping the two zones connected.
Walls painted in Gauze, Little Greene.