There was a time in the not-so-distant past when open plan living ruled the day. We saw a move away from the traditionally partitioned house, with purpose-built rooms made to meet the needs and moods of the hour. It feels as though we’re now collectively rediscovering the beauty of that classic model, backpedalling on multipurpose spaces which can’t quite hit every mark in the way we’d like them to. There’s something glorious about coming home to a fully fitted boot room, decamping to the conservatory for a morning coffee, or taking some time for yourself in the home gym. So, in the interest of going ‘back to the future’, join us for a look at some key rooms of the moment and the furniture to fill them…

 

Boot Rooms

 

The boot room is a place of practicality and organisation. It’s the gateway between muddy country paths and the plush comforts of home. The finest examples tend to have excellent storage, capacious washbasins, and ample seating. Opting for a bench in a hardy material like stainless steel can bring functionality and polish to the space. Our Skye design is a great candidate for the job, tucking neatly against a wall or placed centrally for a design-forward feel. It you’re working with closer quarters stools might be a better fit. Our Lily brings spark to its space while keeping to a compact, moveable format. Finally, it’s worth hanging a mirror like the matching Lily to check your reflection on the way out while bringing added light and spaciousness to a room which is often tucked away from the more open and airy parts of a home.

 

 

Conservatories

 

A conservatory offers an oasis that marries the great outdoors with the conveniences of home. These glassed-in rooms tend to be about creating a beautiful environment which exists in harmony with the world beyond its walls. You can lean into that aesthetically attuned approach by peppering the space with art objects. Our Capricorn plinth has a sculptural feel in its own right, especially when hand-painted in a specialist finish or patinated to produce an elemental quality. We can even build it on a bespoke basis to suit a particular work of art.

 

 

When it comes to furniture for conservatories, we’d suggest pieces which amplify the natural beauty of these vibrant, light-filled spaces. Our Papillon console is available in bright ‘Butterfly’ finishes which pick up on the colours of the garden. We can also fit dichroic glass on top, which will tint light as it filters through, producing different effects as the rays shift over the course of the day. From a seating perspective, benches work well given they won’t obstruct views while making use of peripheral space. Our Exe bench is a clean and contemporary option which pairs well with crisp garden tables like our Lilies.

 

 

Mezzanines

 

Mezzanines can be tough spaces to work with – but handled tactfully, they have potential to add real architectural intrigue to a home. Although these rooms vary in composition, they will often have elements atypical of other areas of the house. For example, ceilings may be lower, footprints could be smaller, and the pitch of the roof might even pose its own considerations. As such, we’d suggest looking at low-profile furniture so as not to exaggerate any ceiling height constraints or create a sense of clutter. Our Lily coffee table has a spacious top set at a modest height, which can be made in beautiful, luminous materials like white onyx for a touch of lightness. We’d recommend using it as the anchor of the space and building a seating area around it to create a sense of occasion. For particularly irregular floorplans, our Papillon stool is a great seating option. It allows you to adapt the scheme to suit the needs of the moment, thanks to an airy, lightweight framework.

 

 

A mezzanine can be an excellent space to place a writing desk or home office set-up. Pitched roofs pose the perfect opportunity to create a quiet nook in which to get some headspace. Place a desk like our Albany facing a wall, ideally near a window. Pair it with a Vienna carver or Tiffany dining chair and you’ve got a lovely little workspace away from the action.

 

 

At-Home Bars

 

Those who like to entertain will be no stranger to the joys of a home bar. They can, however, be tricky to furnish. It’s a matter of striking a balance between a familiar domestic feel and the polished effect you’d find out and about in the city. One key ingredient will always be cocktail tables. Our Lilies are very versatile and easily movable. Nip one up against a sofa for convenience or place a cluster of them at the periphery of a room for a beautiful little vignette.

 

 

If you’re after a classic feel, bar stools will go a long way. Our Vienna iteration offers sleek, comfortable, and customisable bar seating. Line a few up along a bar or gather them around a high cocktail table for maximum impact. The cherry on top of a home bar will be the drinks trolley, of which we have two showstopping Papillon designs. One is a smaller, round option and the other takes on a more expansive, rectangular format. Both bring a splash of energy to their space, plus a welcome dose of functionality.

 

 

Home Gyms

 

A home gym is a friend to anyone looking to maximise their chances of keeping those elusive New Years resolutions. These spaces also pose wonderful opportunities from a design standpoint. Here you can create a clean, contemporary feel using just a few luxury furniture pieces. When it comes to a dressing area, our Lily ottoman and Cloud cheval mirror pair beautifully. They help to create a more inviting, elevated feel in spaces which are often geared more towards functionality than form.

 

 

A gym can also benefit from a bit of seating for those in-between spaces. If you have an indoor pool, for example, our Berlin easy chair adds a modern focal point where land-lovers can enjoy a bit of relaxation. To add a touch of artistry, our Arizona needle is an excellent option. Because we can make it in Corten weathering steel, the humid atmosphere poses no issue. It also works beautifully by an outdoor swimming pool, where the elements will bring on a distinctive patina over time. The result is a curated home spa which makes the ritual of looking after yourself all the more rewarding.

 

 

 

If you’d like advice on the best designs to suit specific spaces, environmental conditions, and needs, please do get in touch. Our team will be more than happy to ensure you bring home the perfect bespoke furniture for the job.

 

 

 

Text by Annabel Colterjohn