light enhancers

FROM INTERNAL WINDOWS TO REINVENTING THE HATCH, THESE IDEAS BRING NATURAL LIGHT INTO OUR HOMES’ SMALLEST, DARKEST SPACES

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1 SERVED IN STYLE

In a London home, Yellow Cloud Studio reimagined the kitchen serving hatch with a timber volume inserted between the cabinetry and adjacent dining room. ‘It achieves a level of separation between each space, while acting as a storage and display unit, and hiding the structural and mechanical elements of the building.’ Eleni Soussoni and Romanos Tsomos, directors, Yellow Cloud Studio

2 TWO IN ONE

In creating an extra bedroom in a small side extension, the architects realised they could make the space feel larger with a bifolding wall opening that can be left open when the room is not in use. ‘It creates a f lexible space that can be used as both a home office or a third bedroom. By itself, it provided little additional area to the property, but by opening this up to the living space with a folding wall, the spaces feel much bigger.’ Craig Hutchinson, founder of Hutch Design

3 SLIDING DOORS 

Kitchen maker Uncommon Projects came up with a clever way to create a flexible connection between a kitchen and the wider open-plan space. ‘When the client approached us, they thought they would have to keep the kitchen enclosed with the existing wall, separating it from the stairs. We came up with the idea of double sliding doors to get over this unusual functional requirement. They loved the fact the doors can slide completely out of sight from the living room side when open, and inject some colour to the space when closed.’ Alan Drumm, co-founder, Uncommon Projects

4 HAPPY RETURNS