H&G A DV I C E
3 ways to
enjoy open plan
THE PANEL
We have an open-plan kitchen/living/dining area. While we love the look, we’re not keen on the noise or lack of privacy between spaces. How do we make this area a good space to be in, with a harmonious mix of furniture and fixtures? Brad Riley, via email
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Consider introducing a contemporary high-backed sofa or pair of armchairs in the middle of the room, with their backs to the kitchen. This will give a sense of enclosure. The addition of scatter cushions and a few upholstered ottomans will create visual interest in a vast open-plan area. It’s important with larger spaces to have interesting fabrics and trims to ensure that people continue to be interested and delighted by the details ater the first glance at the room. Rugs will help reduce noise and, if placed in both the dining and sitting areas, help delineate distinct ‘rooms’ within the space. Brendan Wong Start with a clear plan for the look and feel you would like. Put together a moodboard to ensure you are happy with the items you are gathering. Textures and layers are vital to provide both visual and physical comfort in a room. Using layers of textured fabrics will help absorb ambient noise. Window treatments are important for reducing noise levels and provide privacy; I suggest layering a blockout curtain with a sheer. Rugs add definition and bring comfort underfoot. Add in natural materials such as wood, wool and linen to warm up the space and artwork that gives movement and colour to walls. Georgie Shepherd Many spaces can be managed with the addition of curtains, rugs and clever artworks. By clever artwork I mean something like a customised fabric panel that has a medium-weight acoustic insulation strip built into it. Alex & Elle has these panels in abstract florals; they add a colour counterpoint to the room and serve a practical purpose. My fave trick for open-plan living is to use a large rug that sits under all the furniture within the area. A 3x3.5m size will usually suffice; it then creates a ‘room within a room’. Lighting can also help define zones. A feature pendant light hung quite low over the dining table will contribute to the warming mood. # Kim Black
Brendan Wong INTERIOR DESIGNER Brendan Wong Design, NSW; brendanwong.com.
Produced by Elizabeth Wilson. Photograph by Lauren Bamford/bauersyndication.com.au.
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Georgie Shepherd INTERIOR ARCHITECT Georgie Shepherd Interior Design, SA; www.georgieshepherd. com.au.
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Kim Black INTERIOR DECOR ATOR Kim Black Interior Design, Queensland; www.kimblack.com.au.
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