Open-Plan Kitchens for Modern Living Rooms

Those who value tradition and inherited craft techniques can work with an artisan or architect to create a kitchen with the niches and built-in cupboards characteristic of Mediterranean architecture, rather than choosing an off-the-shelf design. A terrazzo-effect kitchen-island worktop can connect the two spaces and maintain continuity of style.The new Mediterranean approach can be defined by:

• Natural, locally sourced materials with simple finishes.
• Warm, functional minimalism in which every piece is carefully placed and serves a purpose.
• A calm atmosphere in which light plays an important role.

As minimalism gradually gives way to more colour and detail in kitchens, certain features can ease the transition. Wall mouldings and three-dimensional wall finishes are among them. Concealing cabinets, the pantry and even the refrigerator behind floor-to-ceiling panels, for example, helps integrate the kitchen into the living room, while wall mouldings add visual interest.

This increasingly popular architectural solution can minimise the sense of division within a space. Instead of concrete walls, use glass or timber panels to separate the living room from the rest of the home. Doors within these panels provide access to other rooms. Acting as a backdrop, the panels can integrate beautifully with the open-plan kitchen while also accommodating concealed kitchen storage.

You may want a kitchen that feels open yet remains distinct from the living room. Fixed timber slats, ceramic partitions or glass panels can help create a separate entrance area. These divisions are useful when greater privacy is needed, particularly in larger, high-ceilinged rooms with abundant daylight.

An industrial kitchen can create an eclectic meeting of classic and modern in a living room with historic details from floor to ceiling. Combine the crisp character of metal with the warmth of classic décor. Period-style ceramic tiles on walls and floors can strengthen the eclectic feel and introduce contrast.

French Provençal style, once central to country-house kitchens at the turn of the century, now brings natural stone effects and wood together with simpler forms and fewer details. Consider a layout with continuous flooring from kitchen to living room, coordinated colours and materials on splashbacks and worktops, and wood playing a leading role in the furniture of both spaces.

Recent kitchen-tile trends point towards natural, handmade ceramics. Choose them in forest green, a popular colour of the year, and you can create a space that will delight your guests. Bring together materials that are comfortable, functional and cheerful, with an appeal that endures over time. Consider the contrast between handmade designs and contemporary forms as you decorate.