Turning an indoor planter into an all-weather dining area was just what this Geneva family needed to remain the best hosts among their friends. It was preferable to limit the green spaces in favor of better accessibility and lighting in the common areas.
Currently, the search for green spaces in the home has become a priority for large families. However, integrating these spaces into the interiors of homes often causes more inconveniences than benefits. This was the case for a Swiss family that, prior to moving into their new house in Geneva, encountered an indoor garden that already restricted movement even before any furniture was placed. Unwilling to adapt to the existing dimensions, the family worked with AmbienTo Déco and Lead Construction to transform the garden area into a dining room that would serve as a gathering place for everyone.
Even though they were determined to sign the real estate contract, this family was aware of the issues caused by the indoor garden and the lack of a separate dining area from the kitchen. Despite having 200 square meters, there were problems with both accessibility and lighting. In terms of accessibility, the connection between the kitchen and the living room featured a narrow hallway only one meter wide due to the interruption caused by the glass partition of the garden and the stair railing. Additionally, the visual clutter created by the limited dimensions did not improve with the existing furniture layout. Furthermore, neither the skylight nor the surrounding vegetation allowed for good lighting around the garden area.
Even though they were determined to sign the real estate contract, this family was aware of the issues caused by the indoor garden and the lack of a separate dining area from the kitchen. Despite having 200 square meters, there were problems with both accessibility and lighting. In terms of accessibility, the connection between the kitchen and the living room featured a narrow hallway only one meter wide due to the interruption caused by the glass partition of the garden and the stair railing. Additionally, the visual clutter created by the limited dimensions did not improve with the existing furniture layout. Furthermore, neither the skylight nor the surrounding vegetation allowed for good lighting around the garden area.
Therefore, just as the previous owner designed the house according to their tastes and needs, the new family contacted AmbienTo Déco to request a quote and to proceed with brainstorming, planning, and transformation processes. After realizing that using the terrace as a dining room was not feasible, it was decided that the garden space would become the new dining room. This choice was supported by the potential to make minimal changes at a reasonable cost while also adding a special touch by taking advantage of the skylight.
Each phase of the remodel took place between April and September 2019, with essential assistance from Lead Construction. The old ceiling support was replaced with a steel beam anchored to the walls, the old skylight was replaced with an electronically operated model that allowed for the installation of a cascading crystal chandelier, and the area was delineated with beige marble flooring to create a fresh, easy-to-clean look.
The final result was a versatile dining room, ideal for making family life easier and making guests feel welcome. This versatility arose from the fact that the interior design project not only considered immediate needs but also took into account future plans for new art installations or vegetation on the walls of the new dining room. What can be learned from this experience is that countless spaces can be created without negatively affecting crucial aspects such as circulation and lighting.
