Creating privacy

Home is where we can retreat from the stress of the world, snuggle up, and be ourselves. Common sense tells us that every home should be relaxing and stress-free, as that is after all our own shelter and refuge, and the main expression of our personalities and creativity. It is a place of individualism, where we can do what we want and feel safe and secure while doing so. 

A part of being secure is also being confortable, and cosy , especially where we rest. So much so that we remember all our memories associated with the comfort of the place, or the discomfort in other case—the childhood home, the first schools, grandparents' home, and then our first independent 

home.

Another expression of individuality is in our hobbies, different and varied as they are. Hobbies and passions are also reflected in our homes, without which it would feel like an empty canvas, bereft of our life stories. 

This week, we focus on one such small but cosy and enjoyable corner, often the most favoured. If the house is very spacious, we can easily separate a corner for entertainment. 

For instance, Synthia is a music lover. A music corner has been placed just beside the family living room in her house. Though the south-side faced place is perfectly personal, it is also open. The corner is a very cosy and intimate space, just a hundred and fifty square feet. As a designer, it is really challenging to decorate a small space functionally, with a pronounced aesthetics sense. Without functional activities, a place is worthless. Here, I arranged a low dais for music practice in a corner. We made this dais with a wooden frame and Burma teak board. The musical instruments are placed on the dais. A sleek false ceiling on top of the dais and spot lights and indirect lighting enhance the space with a mild glow, especially when the beams reflect off the marble floor.

The colour palate is very important as a background of any room. Here we used light beige colour, but the most important wall is at the back of the stage. The artistically painted wall comes with musical notations in black. The classical musical notation sets quite the mood.

Most often in décor, less is more. The land lady here keeps this place clutter free. We arranged simple open-shelves for some books of Rabindranath Tagore. Only a round shape swing chair is placed at the corner for listening to music or relaxing. 

Curtains are also very make over for a place. Although natural light is unparalleled, but curtains can provide the much needed privacy. Here we arranged day and night curtains for privacy.

A personal sitting area for creative work is our main target but family-friendliness is also a factor. So, we arranged two classical wooden pillars on both sides of the room. But the room is open with neither solid walls nor folding partitions.

Despite the large size of the apartment, we created an open privacy corner especially for kids. Just beside the family living room, an open music and melody corner is a big attraction for the kids. 

A mother always loves to sing for her kids; there are many folk tunes for kids. Music is a strong healer for the heart, health and mind. Even a small toddler can feel musical rhythm, they spontaneously move their heads, attuned with the sweet sound of the song. A music corner is thus an arrangement for a hoard of memories to form. 

 

Interior Consultant

Journeyman 

E-mail: journeyman.interiors@gmail.com

Photo Credit:  Tamim Sujat

Special Thanks to: Ishrat Jahan Synthia