5 Must Follow Tips When Renovating a Family Home
Renovating a home is a big commitment, and deciding to expand your family is an even bigger one. How do you design a home that’s comfortable for a family of two, but will also function for a family of four, or even more? Laura Hammett, Creative Director of the renowned London-based interior, architecture, and design studio, and founder of luxury homeware brand Laura Hammett Living, offers her top tips on creating a space that not only meets the needs of your current family but will also be suitable in the future.
Durable Fabrics & Furniture
“Always opt for performance fabrics on any cushions or upholstery, especially if clients have kids or pets. These luxury fabrics are highly durable, fade resistant, mildew and mould resistant and extremely easy to maintain, so won’t look worn quickly. Also look for traditional pocket sprung bases when buying sofas, dining chairs or armchairs, this a sign of high-quality, traditional craftsmanship. We use performance fabrics and pocket sprung bases throughout on all our designs at Laura Hammett Living.”
A Family Friendly Kitchen Design
“Firstly, always consider the triangle of work when designing a kitchen. Envision the flow of movement from sink to dishwasher, cooker or fridge and design the space seamlessly around that. I love to centre a kitchen around a butcher’s block or island with stools to make it more sociable for family life. The best family-friendly elements I included when designing my own kitchen were the breakfast bar with sliding pocket doors for appliance storage. This means all the unsightly toasters and coffee machines are accessible but can disappear in an instant. We always design fully integrated rubbish bins, dishwasher, fridge/ freezer, as integrated bespoke solutions feel so much more luxurious. Also, hidden pantry cupboards with spice racks on the inside of doors are great. I love designing doorways leading from kitchens into a pantry room or a chef’s kitchen to keep the main kitchen space perfect for hosting or entertaining. I also usually opt for drawers rather than cupboards in kitchens, so the space at the back can be easily reached and utilised. Lastly, multiple ovens, boiling water taps, and state of the art appliances are a must for luxury modern family living.”
Never Overlook The Amount Of Storage You Need
“Bespoke joinery is the ultimate in luxury living. Having storage solutions tailored to a client’s exacting needs and preferences is what we specialise in. Storage is especially important in a dressing room where the client’s specific collection needs to be carefully considered and the flow of movement mapped out. Utilities, pantries, laundry rooms and hidden spaces are key for designing with practicality in mind. I live to design joinery in living rooms with open shelving at the top and closed cabinetry at the bottom for storage and a nice balance. We often include hidden bathroom storage behind mirrors or artwork. Having nice large drawers in a bedside table is a great way to keep the tabletop clean and free of clutter.”
Practical Lighting
“Practical lighting begins with a layered lighting scheme. This means having overheads like pendants and chandeliers on one circuit for brightness, then lamps always go on a 5amp circuit for a separate ‘evening’ cosy lighting level, and any integrated low level lighting such as LED’s within joinery for additional ambience. Being able to switch these layers on and off separately makes for a seamless experience. We make sure all lamp wires always feed into a tiny hole cut into the rug (professionally cut by a rug expert) and plug into a floor box, so no messy wires are visible. Integrated reading lights set into headboards are a practical addition, as the two lights can work independently from each other if one person wants to read, and another is asleep. Two of our Laura Hammett Living bed designs have this feature, one in our Contemporary and one in our Modern Heritage collections. This gives customers a choice between both styles and they just plug in so no special electrical wiring is needed. Another practical trick we employ when limited on bedside space is to use a floating light which hangs from the ceiling.”
Design Longevity As Children Grow Up
“The best method for longevity is designing anything fixed such as joinery and integrated furniture to grow with the child. I always recommend investing in storage and built-in wardrobes large enough to see a child through to teenage years. Fun additions can definitely be added to a baby’s room or a nursery, but we tend to keep the base (such as wallpaper, flooring, carpets, rugs and paint) more neutral and timeless. Then we add age-appropriate patterns, playful texture and pops of colour to the cushions, blankets and smaller upholstery items like stools, which can be changed as the child grows up. With nurseries, this space is for the parents as much as it’s for a little one, so make sure it’s suited to your personal tastes too! However, with children’s bedrooms, we always like to get their input on what they want. I once sat next to a client’s young daughter at dinner on a trip to Singapore and we had an in-depth conversation about exactly what she wanted her bedroom to be like, and that’s what we designed!”
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