3-BEDROOM DETACHED HOUSE SHOW HOME Concept Design

Final Graduation Project, Diploma in Interior Design and Decoration
(Completion of Stage 1 of the HND In Interior Design and Interior Architecture course; Grade achieved: Distinction)

Original Assignment Text

“A plan has been provided of a 3 bedroom detached house, which is one of 50 houses being built in the suburbs of a major city. The builder has asked to design the show home, which he believes should make people feel as if they have “arrived home”. The housing development is being built in a middle-class neighbourhood, and the builder has not provided a budget, but would like for the interior finishes to be selected according to what will appeal most appropriately to this end-customer. He requests to keep value in mind so that he can recuperate the expenses through the sale of the show home itself. None of the building structure is to be altered, just decorative finishes and furnishings are to be selected. The bathroom suites are standard plain white, and the kitchen cabinets and work-surfaces are to be selected by you.”

For an overall brief of how the client’s requirements were met, and general scheme points, please click here, or scroll down.

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Addressing the Client’s Situation/Requirements

The client’s situation/requirements have naturally been at the centre of each and every decision while designing this show home: from conceiving the concept through each development stage until completion of the entire project package.

Builder’s situation/requirements were structured as follows:

  • The housing development is being built in the suburbs of a major city.
  • People should feel as if they have “arrived home”.
  • Interior finishes should appeal to a middle-class customer.
  • Value to be kept in mind in order to recuperate expenses through the sale of the show home itself.

In order to address the fact that the new dwelling establishment is being built in the vicinity of a major city, a definite element of urbanness is being introduced into the design though the broad inclusion of contemporary elements allowing for that energetic modern flat feel to permeate the spaces.

At the same time, by definition, the spaces are encapsulated in a very traditional structure – a 2- storey standalone house, which, along with the suburban location, provides a perfect opportunity to ground the design with a very homey appeal. The “arrived home” feel is developed by focusing on comfort throughout the selection of furnishing elements and ensuring that the contemporary choices are of the kind that bring warmth, ease of use and effortless utility into the space.

Keeping affordability in mind, careful balance is applied through exercising reasonable restraint in spending. A balanced approach is employed where midrange priced items are widely selected while also allowing for some sound inclusions of good quality budget items as well as a few higher end pieces to polish the design, thus revealing exciting possibilities from each end of the spectrum to the potential customers.

Value is kept in mind by striving to create a wholesome design that would add worth upon final implementation. As an overall guiding rule, all spaces are designed keeping in mind the important form follows function principle resulting in a highly liveable and thus very attractive and desirable home. Particularly, one very important house furnishing aspect is given careful consideration: flooring selection. Well known for adding value to property and being sought after by homebuyers, an expanse of hardwood flooring is the sensible, practical choice. Specifically, engineered hard maple by Kährs, the inventor of this type of layered parquet, is selected. Good quality engineered varieties such as the Kährs brand provide the exact same aesthetic and have the same value adding properties as their solid wood counterparts while tending to be less costly to invest in. One definite expense reduction comes from the lower cost of installation of engineered hardwood. Its multi-layer/cross-ply design results in added dimensional stability when exposed to changes in humidity, which is an attractive quality valued by potential buyers. In the case of the Kährs engineered hardwood flooring, specific appealing advantages include a floating installation using glue-less joint system that eliminates gapping between the boards, solvent-free surface treatments, and sustainably sourced and used wood. Even further, selecting the hard maple wood species adds a very good hardness rating translating into increased durability to the list of positives and, with its mid-range cost position on the Kährs price scale, and light neutral colour that expands the visual spaciousness of the house, it proves to be a very appropriate choice for the purpose of adding value to this home property.

Overall Scheme Points

Continuity

The very important design continuity throughout the house is achieved by steadily keeping in mind the big picture while making each and every design decision. Visual flow and seamlessly connecting the areas together begins with the expanse of the hardwood flooring and its appropriately neutral but warming appearance and feel. Off-white wall, ceiling, surface and window treatments are the large overall background canvas that quietly and unassumingly supplies the scheme with oneness and cohesion. The style consistency from area to area unifies in its own way without needing to overwhelm with having each style element appear everywhere. Another linking characteristic lies in the choosing of unusual furnishings that pleasantly keep on exciting the senses.

Style and Colour

The style is warm contemporary with a nostalgic nod to mid-century modern and some elements of minimalist efficiency while preserving the cosy appeal. The colour scheme incorporates a broad spectrum of hues and their combinations: from very bold to very subtle, and from neutral or achromatic to highly dynamic tetrads. Specific colour scheme choices are made in accordance with the main function of each specific room/area while also considering the age group of the main users of the space. Generally, common use spaces such as internal walkways and shared bathrooms are kept fairly neutral in order to provide effortless transitions for the inhabitants and to add another degree of design continuity along with the neutral hardwood flooring. Rooms intended for one or two main activities such as kitchen, dining room, study, bedrooms, are designed to each have one prevalent bold hue that psychologically ties in with their specific functions. Rooms intended for a multitude of activities such as the sitting room and the playroom benefit from the vibrant energy that tetrad colour schemes have to offer. Purposely, the playroom and the sitting room utilize very similar colour solutions, each with its own specific implementation related to the age group of its main intended users. The private en-suite bathroom is analogous to the master bedroom. The two outdoor spaces smoothly extend from their adjacent indoor areas.

Window Treatments

In regards to the window treatments, an airy, unobtrusive solution is sought. Light control is considered based on the needs of each particular area while at the same time seeking to keep a cohesive appearance of the treatments when viewed from the outside as well as overall harmony. One major, and three other sparingly utilized types of window treatments are used: versatile pleated shades in off-white for all non-moisture rooms, except for the master bedroom where a mostly white drapery solution is applied; moisture resistant vinyl plantation shutters in cotton white for all bathrooms; and steam build-up suitable aluminium venetian blinds in chrome finish for the kitchen. The cohesion is achieved in a couple of different ways. Naturally, the prevalent white/off-white colour is a unifying property. From a different perspective, a clear visual link is established between treatments featuring a horizontally lined appearance regardless of their particular colour/finish. And throughout, the contemporary clean look is maintained with each and every solution ensuring yet another perceived connection.

Lighting/Electrical

All lighting and electrical choices address, first and foremost, the functionality needs of their specific area. Aesthetically, each particular fixture is also carefully selected to be in harmony with its environment. ♦

 

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