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Design Review: Volume 3, Issue 6 (May-June 1951)

A Small Room Replanned

page 132

A Small Room Replanned

For several years the owners of this house cherished the idea of building to their own requirements but were forced through necessity to buy what is called a ‘builders’ house. The drawing will give some idea why they were not satisfied. Direct sunlight barely filtered through the small leadlights on each side of the fireplace, and the effect was ecclesiastical. Formerly, when one entered the room, the ‘Tower of London’ fireplace was almost overpowering, but now the fireplace-bookcase unit is very pleasant.

The end wall was extended three feet, and a large corner window was built-in to open up the view across a valley.

At night, the main light comes indirectly from a five foot warm-white fluorescent tube fitted under the pelmet of the larger window—a most successful experiment. There are also two incandescent wall brackets which can be used to increase the light when necessary.

The walls are painted pale grey and the ceiling pale yellow. The mantel, pelmets, bookcase and uncovered floor are natural wood. Curtains lemon yellow, carpet and upholstery terra cotta. The quarry tiled fire-surround is terra cotta also.

An effect of space and tidiness has been created in a room (now 16ft 6in by 12ft) which formerly seemed cramped, overpowering and very restless.

page 133