StevenRoberts

Why minimalism is more

I just watched a repeat of last night’s Grand Designs, in which a property developer and his wife built their own home with a focus on prefabricated construction, flat-pack timber-framework and just-in-time delivery. My mind was so awash with buzzwords by the end of the programme that I had to lie down.

Initially I was a little unimpressed with the design of the house: a huge white cube, in which very little stood. One side was an entirely glass wall and the interior was a series of layers, starting with an open lounge (with uber-cool suspended fireplace) and various mezzanine levels above. It just looked a little cold – a little too ‘photoshoot’ for my liking - and with all the rooms and activities of the household open to the world via the glass façade I felt it lacked the cosiness I wanted from a home of my own.

Which got me thinking. What do I want from a home of my own? I’m reaching a stage in my life where I should start thinking about bedding down – metaphorically – but charged with the responsibility of designing a home from scratch I’m not sure where I’d start.

Part of my problem is that my head is just full of ideas. Every time I watch a film I see a characters house and think ‘wow – that looks like a cool place to live’. But there are so many films and so many situations that it’s difficult – if not impossible – to have a house that can shrink and grow to adapt every mood and every occasion that your life demands. Some nights I’m feeling like a 70’s Anchorman bachelor pad whereas at other times I’m Arrested Development open-plan. My mind just can’t make it’s mind up.

So, I’m going to give it a little more thought. I’ve designed a few rooms on here but I’m not sure that they’re any good. Until I get better, I’ll just keep watching movies and coming up with ideas.