Dining with Books
A makeover of an open plan apartment space, adding color, texture and focal points to the room. A contemporary apartment can successfully host a collection of antiques and artwork to create the ideal "bachelor pad".
Interior design and decorating creates major changes in people's lives. Done well it can improve the way we feel in our home environment, giving us a more positive start to each day.
This project has created definite spaces within a contemporary open plan apartment making it more intimate and functional, and has changed the entire modern design with the use of furniture, fabrics, paint color and artwork, providing a more rich and luxurious look, as well as feeling homely and comfortable.
The solid timber bookcases have made the biggest impact. They have the same motif on the ends as the library table in the corner. They are dark and dramatic and the books add a lot of texture, movement and color into the space.
The existing dining space.
The Design Brief:
This open plan room was currently in transition, the client was moving in, but had decided to use the far corner for a dining area. He wanted to create a more appropriate space to house his antiques and artwork. The existing scheme was very contemporary and had a sterile feeling, charcoal carpet, white walls, white vertical and mini blinds that were not in good order.
The client wanted a definite space for dining and to house a superb collection of books. He wanted a softer look, but not feminine, he wanted to create the ideal "bachelor pad".
The Design Method:
- Select a masculine theme.
- Design solid timber bookcases to tie in with existing antique furniture.
- Remove blinds as room was to be used mostly in the evening, drapes were all that was necessary.
- Paint the walls in a warm but still light color to bring out the richness in the timber antiques, and create a cozy atmosphere.
Design Conclusion:
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A warm taupe with a hint of yellow was used for the wall color to enhance the richness of the antique timber furniture.
Vertical striped opulent red, gold and taupe drapes were used to add some height to the space, soften the room, add texture and color making it more intimate at night. |
The solid timber bookcases have made the biggest impact.
They have the same motif on the ends as the library table in the corner. They are dark and dramatic and the books add a lot of texture, movement and color into the space.
The sofa has been recovered in a luxurious fabric to match the wall color with checked cushions from the same range as the drapery fabric, and has a sofa table behind it. Together they act as a visual division between the dining and living room spaces.
Overall a distinctive makeover, achieved by attention to detail, simple planning and careful product and color selection, combined with the client's fantastic antique furniture. I would say any bachelor would be proud to call it home!
