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The new normal of our family life and work life has presented us with a wonderful opportunity. We evaluate our space and how we fill and structure our home to adapt to our needs.
The problem is, now that a lot of us work from home, we lose ourselves in the following aspects:
There are no clear separation between work and family life. This result in stress from from in your home or unproductive days.
Loss of Self. No quality time as a couple or alone time.
In short the Intimacy gradient is a sequence of spaces that start in the most public areas (Common areas) to the inner most private area bedrooms. To keep a clear separation between each area.
Common area: family interaction- fun, relaxing, enjoy each others company.
Semi private area: pajama lounge, entertainment area, office space.
Private area: Bedrooms.
Each function of these zones must be respected but it is important to know even though a seperation is suggested it does not mean an exclusion of anyone but rather seen as their territory.
For example: Kids can come and play in mommy and daddy’s office but they need to respect the grownups space. The same way don’t sit at the dining room table and expect everyone to walk on eggshells around you. That is the family’s space.
Don’t mix your family life and work life. Christy Wright from the Business boutique has an incredible saying: “Be where your feet are” When you work, work with everything you have in you. When you spend time with your family and friends there are no such thing as work or stress. You are present with your people. Let you home reflect that sentiment even if you need to through a cloth over your computer – out of sight out of mid.
Each and every person in the family needs a space they can call their own and we need to respect that.
For example:
The couple’s domain
They need a space where they can be private without the responsibilities as the parents. Exist as a couple. The kids and other members of the household are welcome but they need to respect the couples space as their domain.
Individual privacy
Each person need their own space. This can be Dad’s garage, mom’s coffee- time in front of the window, the little one’s alone time with a favourite toy in his/her room, bunk bed or even the linen closet.
The main thing is to allow each member their own break away space. You don’t need 30 rooms, it just means you need to be intentional about privacy.
References:
C. Alexander, S. Ishikawa and M.Silverstein’s, A pattern Language, New York, Oxford University Press, 1977
@christywright, December 2, 2020, Be where your feet are, https://www.instagram.com/christybwright/
Personally my favourite part of a new project, is the part where you are lost in the dream of possibilities. Before you are tied down to the site, regulations set out by the local authority or any of the “realistic” aspects that you need to consider.
This is where we need to pause and zoom in to your own vision for your home or project. Return to the basics, to what you want or need.
Be brutality honest with yourself and leave any judgement out of the whole process. This is not how you wish your life was or how someone else expect you to live your life…… THIS IS YOUR LIFE and your home needs to reflect that.
What is important to you?
No matter your life choice, own it!!!
To help you see that your lifestyle has a huge impact on the design outcome, here are a few examples of priorities in life and how that can influence the design. Lets say….
You love your work:
There is nothing more exciting and that get your heart pumping than going to your home office and getting lost in the passion that you do for a living.
Example 1: The entrance to your office is separate from the house. Your employees can entre and proceed with work even when you are on leave. There is ample parking for clients and there is a quiet and professional atmosphere.
Example 2: The office is less formal, you love to see the household outside but you are able to concentrate on the task at hand.
Example 3: Multitasking is the name of YOUR game. You have to keep an eye on the kids, dinner cooking and the dog running around with the slipper. You have to have a corner in the middel of everything so that you can take control when needed but still be able to focus on your work.
You give the care and dedication to your body that it deserves. There are levels to the dedication.
Example 1: Your whole life revolve around fitness and what you put into your body. The gym is prioritised it in your home as you prioritise fitness in your life. Front and centre. Imagine how you run on your treadmill while overlooking an indoor garden with large sliding doors, or overlooking a beautiful view while you work out. The room is not tucked away in a small dark corner .
Example 2: A gym will be a nice to have. That does not mean n treadmill tucked under the staircase in the basement however the gym does not necessarily have to orientate the best view on the site for instance.
Lets say you love to entertain and most of all you enjoy spoiling the people in your life. Your main focus is their comfort in your home.
Example 1: The guest toilet is decorated with gold finishes. A beautiful skylight showcase the night sky. In the background you can hear a water feature somewhere in the garden to put your guest’s nervous bladder.
Example 2: You want your guests to enjoy their visit but your home and design does not revolve around them. There will be comfort but you will focus more on areas all of you will enjoy together.
Family:
Example 1: The house is devised into two bedroom wings – The parents on one side and the kids on the other. Mostly we found this works best with families with older kids. This solution helps for more privacy.
Example 2: The rooms are designed smaller and more space is allocated to the living areas.
Example 3: A home surrounding a court yard. This design allow the family are aware of the others at all times.
There is no reason that all of these categories of life cant intermingle in your lifestyle. The same should reflect in the design approach for your home.
The fact is there is no such thing as an infante budget. The goal with this exercise is to allocate the money for some areas more than others. This can be in the form of finishes and materials or the size and layout of the plan.
Be intentional and honest with your designer. That is the only way that you will get the perfect home for YOU.
How many of us open our front door at home and are overwhelmed by a to do list…
A list overflowing with irritation, the toys needs to be picked up, why is there paw prints all over the place, these shoes are getting out of control again while you trip over the dog’s leash that was never put away….
There is a better way to arriving home. HAPPY to be home.
Its your home first and foremost what is the view YOU want to have when you come home.
Whether that is from you garage or front door, focus on the feeling you want to have when you come home.
Here are a few tips to achieve that goal:
1.Uncluttered
Minimal items should be displayed or stored in this area.
This area needs to be clean and open. This might sound obvious but if you do not fall over a mountain of stuff you would like to go into your home rather than turning around and lock your door again.
The neutral tones present a calming atmosphere however the black front door used in the example creates drama to the space and a touch of elegance.
View from the entryway to the living area of Studio McGee.
2. Functionality of pieces selected
Set yourself up for success. Plan according to your and your family’s habits. If you know your shoes NEVER end up in a closet – place a basket, a bench with storage underneath, anything to hide the messy side of life as far as possible.
There are functional and beautiful solutions for our habits. We just need to be intentional in our design and planning.
3. Sentimental decor
Surround yourself with memories and objects that makes you happy when you open your door. You do not need to overwhelm your senses by adding all the photos you can lay your hands on.
The memory doesn’t need to be clear or obvious to anyone else, it is there for you and your loved ones.
This can take form in a number of ways:
Family photos
Holiday mementos
Decor pieces that you love
Something that you plan to do, a goal of some kind
In short – SURROUNDED BY HAPPINESS
This is a beautiful example from a house renovated by Chip and Joanna Gaines from Magnolia / where you can add a sentimental elements into your entryway that brings a smile to your face.
4. Light
Natural light as far as possible. If you cannot add a window replace the front door with glazed panels (Remember to keep security in mind and plan around your needs)
An eye catching pendant light, floor lamp or desk lamp can add to a beautiful, homely environment.
5. Textures
A mixture of textures enriches the space.It adds warmth and adds to the homely feeling. Textures can be achieved with the following decor pieces for example:
Rugs
Wall texture
Lamp shade
Storage ie. baskets, crates
Indoor plants
Mirrors
Furniture ie. wood, velvet, patterned or colourful fabric, steel etc.
Floor finish: Tiles, floor boards, concrete finished with a sealant etc.
Like always rules are made to be broken – as long as you walk into your home and you are happy to be there, you have been successful!!!
I hope you found this helpful! If you have any tips that you have to add please share below, you might inspire someone else to create a space that they love.
