Room of the Day: Classic Meets Contemporary in an Open-Plan Space
Soft tones and timeless pieces ensure that the kitchen, dining and living areas in this new English home work harmoniously as one
This home in Surrey, England, is part of a development of new houses that feature Scandinavian touches (think cedar-clad exteriors) and lots of glass. Its generous open-plan living area has a ceiling nearly 10 feet high and windows on three sides, and it’s positioned to make the most of the sloping site’s lovely views. For its owners, a retired couple, it represents an exciting change. “Their previous place was a country farmhouse full of Queen Anne antiques and dark wood,” says Susan Venn, who designed the interior.
Venn was keen to work some pattern into the design. “It’s a huge open-plan area and, with no pattern, it could have looked quite cold and flat,” she says. She chose large-scale patterns for the rug and curtain fabric, which hold their own within the large proportions of the space.
The sideboard was custom-made and painted. It sits on a mirrored base. “The idea is that it looks as if it’s floating,” Venn says.
Sideboard paint: Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball
The sideboard was custom-made and painted. It sits on a mirrored base. “The idea is that it looks as if it’s floating,” Venn says.
Sideboard paint: Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball
The artwork above the sideboard became the inspiration for the color palette. “It includes all those kind of gray-toned, coastal shades,” Venn says. “This floor has beautiful views and lots of greenery outside, and this palette works well with all that.”
The voile curtains are hung from recessed tracks for a neat look. Each one is operated by remote control. “There’s [about a 16-foot] stretch of windows here,” Venn says, “but you can slide each curtain along depending on how the sun’s coming in.”
Designing such a large open-plan space posed specific challenges. “You have to remember you’re going to see the backs of furniture,” Venn says. “It’s also important to keep the height of all the pieces quite low, so you can see through the space. The eye just wants to be drawn right across to the back, without interruption.”
A handblown glass pendant hangs over the dining table. “Rather than make the pendant a big feature, we had that big glass globe made, so you can still see through to the kitchen or the living room.”
Globe pendant light: Fritz Fryer
A handblown glass pendant hangs over the dining table. “Rather than make the pendant a big feature, we had that big glass globe made, so you can still see through to the kitchen or the living room.”
Globe pendant light: Fritz Fryer
The bar stools were custom-made for the space and feature low backs for uninterrupted sightlines down the room.
The counters and side panels on the island are Caesarstone. “We took this surface and repeated it on the back wall above the [cooktop],” Venn says. “The kitchen is very visible from the living room, so we didn’t want to make too much of a statement. It’s not too kitchen-y. If you’re enjoying sitting in the living room, you don’t want to look over and see a load of metro tiles!”
Upton ribbed glass pendants: Fritz Fryer
Upton ribbed glass pendants: Fritz Fryer
The kitchen cabinets are fitted with back-painted glass doors. Venn and the owners chose the color together.
Cabinet paint: Malm, Fired Earth; ovens: Miele
Cabinet paint: Malm, Fired Earth; ovens: Miele
The table extends, which is helpful in this large space. “You have the option of seating more than six,” Venn says.
Monza dining table and Lausanne chairs: BoConcept
Monza dining table and Lausanne chairs: BoConcept
This horse sculpture was another starting point for the color palette used throughout. “We haven’t pulled in anything that’s dark,” Venn says. “There are different colors, but everything has the same tone, so nothing jars. It all flows and feels quite muted on the eye.”
The top of the sideboard is inlaid with Jura limestone, chosen for its warm gray tones with flecks of blue, which complement the color of the sideboard.
The top of the sideboard is inlaid with Jura limestone, chosen for its warm gray tones with flecks of blue, which complement the color of the sideboard.
Bronze has been used throughout the space on tables, handles and light fittings. “It’s a good alternative to silver, which might have looked quite cold,” Venn says, “and it ties in with the classic contemporary look.”
The handles on the sideboard were handmade for the project. The interior is oak.
The handles on the sideboard were handmade for the project. The interior is oak.
The living area is home to two sofas and two armchairs, all custom-made for this space. “You need that amount of furniture in here,” Venn says. “It doesn’t clutter it — there’s still a really good amount of space in between everything. There’s about [6½ feet] of floor space between the back of the sofa and the dining chairs.”
Much of the custom wooden furniture has been treated to a dark paint shade that still ties in with the muted, natural color palette. “The living area is a big space, so dark pieces don’t stand out as they might in a smaller house,” Venn says.
Bookcase paint: Railings, Farrow & Ball
Bookcase paint: Railings, Farrow & Ball
A large rug helps to define the living space, with the sofas sitting partially on it.
Church Floor rug: Amy Kent
Church Floor rug: Amy Kent
The unit under the TV, another custom piece, has lots of pleasing detail. “Rather than creating a flush front, we did a little play on Shaker panels for a more country vibe, Venn says.
Browse more Rooms of the Day
Browse more Rooms of the Day
Who lives here: A retired couple
Location: Guildford, Surrey, England
Size: About 41 by 21 feet (open-plan living space)
That’s interesting: This development was built on the site of a quarry.
Designer: Susan Venn of Susan Venn Design
“The owners wanted a change but didn’t know how to go about it,” Venn says. So she devised a palette of gentle, muted tones and commissioned much of the furniture to give the space a feel of laid-back luxury. “The owners were initially drawn to a more countrified look, which would not have suited this contemporary space quite so well,” Venn says. “In the end, we settled on something a little more classic.”
Venn began working on the home’s open-plan living space and kitchen before the development was finished, which gave her the freedom to tweak the developer’s designs. “The kitchen was included as part of the development spec,” Venn says, “but we changed elements of it, such as the [counters], and redesigned some of the units.”