Are we over open plan living?

During those dark days of Covid lockdowns I was asked to create rooms for Zoom meetings. That was a new angle of design, as I discovered that not only should those spaces be comfortable and quiet, but also have a backdrop that would impress fellow Zoomers. The room consisting of carefully curated shelves with erudite objects and books, portraying elements of the occupier’s interests, laid against an impressive but not too showy wallpaper.

Media rooms, or as I call them film rooms, also became more of a thing. Again, a retreat that should be comfortable and cosy, with nothing too distracting, but as a treat full-on luxury wouldn’t go amiss using tactile fabrics, darker finishes and more personal, smaller scale objects and pictures.

Have a look at this film room that we created as an inner sanctum for parents away from the buzzing excitement of their children, who are young adults, and their friends.

The sofa had to be comfortable enough for a binge watch, so I went to Minotti, the masters of modernity, who tailored it to fit the entire wall. The walls are lined in Phillip Jeffries Enchanted Woods cork wallpaper which gives the room a cocooned feeling, especially as we covered the ceiling in it too. It’s hard to see on the photos, but the cork has a gold backing which glistens subtly and stops the room feeling too subdued.

Everything needs to be low level from lighting to artwork. Hang pictures low where they can be seen when seated, but maybe as we’ve done place them behind the sofa so not too distracting when watching the screen. Don’t go mad on ceiling spots, as when sitting down they can be glaring. Maybe just use them to light the art behind the sofa, then fill the room with the warm glow of shaded wall lights, again hung low.

Don’t try to hide the TV screen it is a designated film room after all, but a little discretion doesn’t go amiss by placing it on a dark wall or in a dark coloured cabinet as we’ve done.