Within a wall lies a surprise!
Trapdoors, false fronts and hidden cupboards may be the stuff of fairy tales or adventure stories, but for designers, it’s simply clever design and bespoke joinery. For us at Nina Moeller Design, while secret passages aren’t the norm, well-designed cupboards and covert spaces within walls are. They provide a multitude of opportunities, from extra storage to greater organisation to technology concealment and more.
In 2021, as we all adapt to the ‘new normal’, for many this has meant a longer-term shift to working from home. Many won’t be going back to full-time office working any time soon; therefore, it’s important to properly set the scene at home. And for us, using wall spaces effectively has been key to integrating work with home life. One challenge some clients face is separating out their work area – creating a ‘clean’ space to work that doesn’t interfere with or overwhelm their living space when they want to down tools and unwind. A client recently approached us with a single question:
‘How can we make the space work and not look like an office?’
Our client wanted a working space in the main living area, accessible to the kitchen and garden, that would blend seamlessly with the room they relax in at night or on the weekends. A concept drawing helped us visualise, then share with the client, how we might create this new living / working setting.
To maintain an open, tranquil atmosphere and a timeless, neutral look while accounting for the room’s numerous requirements, it was clear we would need several discreet storage zones. A wall of sleek push-button storage cupboards alongside a floating shelf, rectangular cube and wall-mounted desk unit with a drop-down worktop provide a fresh, harmonious vista. With extra storage in the under-seat cupboards across the room, further items could be secreted away when not needed. From there, bespoke flooring, lighting and soft furnishings come into play. And, of course, any further personalised features like artwork could be integrated. Balancing practical needs with beauty, we aim to create in all of our projects an enduring space that will be loved as much in twenty years as it is now – and, in this case, to make the most of this room at the heart of the home.
What scene have you set – or would like to – in your home this year?