The Brief
The client was a married female, with a ten-year-old girl and a twelve-year-old boy and wanted to modernise her home.
She loved to cook but didn’t want to feel isolated in the kitchen. She rarely entertains in a formal setting and she prefers family-oriented occasions. The bedrooms are upstairs; however, she only wanted to renovate the entire ground floor of her home.
A structural engineer conducted an analysis of the home and advised that the perimeter walls and the walls supporting the upper staircase are load bearing and cannot be removed.
The client wanted the plan to include open plan living area with a laundry, study and guest bathroom.
The Plan
The design direction for this renovation is bright and open with light running from the front of the house all the way through to the back.
- The main living areas have been positioned to take advantage of the north-facing aspect during the cooler winter period of the southern hemisphere, thereby maximizing the amount of sunlight during that time
- Bypass sliding glass doors from the dining area open to invite outdoor/indoor entertaining
- Placing the kitchen in the centre of the open plan space maximises the homeowner’s involvement in entertainment activity
- A mono string steel staircase paired with a frameless glass balustrade further opens the space increasing light penetration
- The entertaining areas have been located on the east side of the area keeping them separate from the more private rooms e.g. study and laundry on the west side
- The inclusion of an enclosed media room provides the opportunity for child-friendly space with doors that can be closed off to eliminate/reduce noise from the entertaining areas
- A bench seat at the front door enables the homeowner to deposit shoes and coats and other items before entering.
Design
For this design, the client has indicated a preference for white and neutral colours with splashes of colour – in particular blues to be introduced in artwork, furnishings and accessories.
The client is not particularly fond of greens, however small amounts introduced in accessories would be acceptable.
The design brief is modern, light and airy with natural durable fabrics.
Consideration needs to be given to pet and children friendly fabrics and other design elements.
Boho Chic
These Sample boards are the final selections after consultation with the client for their ground floor renovation.
