13/06/2026
Open-plan doesn’t have to mean open everywhere.
It’s the thing I hear most often from families, that they love the togetherness of a big, connected space, but miss having somewhere to escape to.
A corner that feels like a deep breath at the end of the day.
That’s where the tucked-away spot comes in.
This could be a reading nook behind a half wall or a window seat layered with cushions and a wool throw. Perhaps a snug armchair angled away from the room, with a lamp that pools warm light just for you. It doesn’t need a door, it just needs to feel like yours.
Texture does a lot of the work here: velvet, leather, linen, wool. Think about how they can be layered in and make it feel indulgent.
Swipe through for a few of these little spots from my projects, designed for the moment the kettle’s boiled and the house has finally gone quiet.
Which spot can you see yourself relaxing in?
If you’re planning an open-plan space in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire or Bedfordshire and want it to hold both the togetherness and the calm, I’d love to help.
