Open-Plan Living-Dining Room Blends Old and New
The sunken living area’s groovy corduroy sofa helps sets the tone for this contemporary design in Sydney
In this Q&A interview, interior designer Kate Connors shares the thinking behind her design for this open-plan living-dining area in a renovated beachside family home in Sydney.
What was the goal? We were involved in the final stages of this renovation and were tasked with bringing together the home’s classic and contemporary elements. The client had an eclectic collection of furniture — a mix of different styles inherited from her grandmother and accumulated from living abroad — and she wanted help incorporating them into the new contemporary renovation.
We sourced decorative elements that would soften the clean, modern lines of the house. Handmade pieces, such as the beaded chandelier above the dining table, helped the client’s rustic dining table sit comfortably in such a modern space. The Stolab Lilla Aland spindle-backed dining chairs, which we introduced, added a timeless touch, and the natural warmth of the wood looked beautiful alongside the rustic brick wall.
Where did you start? The bones of the space were already in place when we were engaged, so there were a number of key features we needed to work with. These included the exposed brick wall in the dining-entry area, which was salvaged from the original house; the built-in corduroy sofa in the sunken living room; the client’s dining table; polished concrete and timber floors; and black steel-framed windows.
The client had a large, sentimental collection of art, which we edited in order to include key pieces in each room. The resulting schemes were in response to these works.
The client had a large, sentimental collection of art, which we edited in order to include key pieces in each room. The resulting schemes were in response to these works.
For the stair wall, which runs almost the full length of the sunken living and dining areas, we had earmarked a painting of Melbourne, Australia, at dusk. It needed a darker wall to help anchor its deep, rich hues in the space, and we selected Dulux’s Oboe D’Amore. We chose a high-gloss finish to contrast with the surrounding subtle, textured surfaces. This really became a feature wall and set the tone for the palette in this open-plan space.
What are the other key colors and materials? The retro, bohemian tone of the built-in corduroy sofa demanded subtle, layered tones and texture for the rest of the room. We chose an earthy, muddy palette with hand-blocked [pillows] for the sofa.
The rug [pictured in the first photo] added something abstract and textural to the space, mirroring the pool outside in a play with light and shadows. It’s a digital collage of layer upon layer of broken surfaces, rough concrete, fading light, blurred shadows and smudges of deep blue pigment. It sits perfectly on the polished concrete floor of the living area.
The white doors were softened with moldings and painted in Annie Sloan chalk paint in Paris Grey. We eventually used the same chalk paint, in Graphite, on the kids’ piano to give it a more subtle matte finish so that it felt more at home in the dining room alongside the other tactile furniture pieces.
The rug [pictured in the first photo] added something abstract and textural to the space, mirroring the pool outside in a play with light and shadows. It’s a digital collage of layer upon layer of broken surfaces, rough concrete, fading light, blurred shadows and smudges of deep blue pigment. It sits perfectly on the polished concrete floor of the living area.
The white doors were softened with moldings and painted in Annie Sloan chalk paint in Paris Grey. We eventually used the same chalk paint, in Graphite, on the kids’ piano to give it a more subtle matte finish so that it felt more at home in the dining room alongside the other tactile furniture pieces.
I designed the fireplace in collaboration with the [woodworker] and had it tiled in Mutina’s Déchirer by Patricia Urquiola porcelain tiles.
The bas-relief in the tiles allows the light to catch the subtle pattern from different angles, making them a perfect feature tile for this spot. But, at the same time, they were challenging to work with — especially on the mitred corners of the fireplace. All the tiles had to be sent off to a stonemason for cutting and then assembled like a huge jigsaw. It was a massive undertaking but executed so well…. There were many nail-biting moments as it was painstakingly installed.
The bas-relief in the tiles allows the light to catch the subtle pattern from different angles, making them a perfect feature tile for this spot. But, at the same time, they were challenging to work with — especially on the mitred corners of the fireplace. All the tiles had to be sent off to a stonemason for cutting and then assembled like a huge jigsaw. It was a massive undertaking but executed so well…. There were many nail-biting moments as it was painstakingly installed.
What are the key furnishings?
- Klaylife’s Sash chandelier in gray
- Ecosmart Fire fireplace
- Kerrie Brown’s You Crack Me Up rug
- Walter G pillows
- Stolab’s Lilla Aland dining chairs in solid birch
How did you decide on the furniture arrangement? The built-in sofa and dining table were already in place, which left us little room to move on the floor plan. We were able to squeeze the kids’ piano into the dining room, and the fireplace into the sunken living room, which meant that everyone in the family was happy.
What were the challenges? The house was built with entertaining in mind but is also home to four small children, so each room needed to serve multiple functions. [The cabinetry] was designed with this is mind and includes multifunctional elements. In the sunken living room, the fireplace unit also houses the television, speaker, DJ decks, subwoofer and AV, plus display shelving. Fitting each of those elements into one unit when some generate heat and others are heat-sensitive was another challenge.
What were the challenges? The house was built with entertaining in mind but is also home to four small children, so each room needed to serve multiple functions. [The cabinetry] was designed with this is mind and includes multifunctional elements. In the sunken living room, the fireplace unit also houses the television, speaker, DJ decks, subwoofer and AV, plus display shelving. Fitting each of those elements into one unit when some generate heat and others are heat-sensitive was another challenge.
Why does the room work? It successfully blends old and new, and there is a history and meaning to many of the pieces, which makes the clients and their children really connect to their new home. Tactile layers of natural materials combine to create a warm and cozy ambiance.
Living-Dining Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with four young children
Location: Tamarama area of Sydney
Size: Sunken living area, about 15 by 15 feet (4.5 by 4.5 meters); dining area, about 10 by 18 feet (3 by 5.5 meters)
Designer: Kate Connors