Japandi Mid-Century Kitchen, Dining & Living Space

Overview

A calm, welcoming open-plan space that brings together Japandi simplicity with the warmth and character of mid-century design.

The Existing Space

The room began as a blank canvas, with plain white walls and little sense of identity or cohesion. As an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area, it felt bland and lacked clear definition between zones.

My clients were keen to move away from a safe, neutral scheme and instead create a space that felt more personal, expressive, and reflective of how they live as a family.

Design Approach

Working closely with the clients, we developed a detailed furniture layout alongside a full FF&E specification to ensure every element was carefully considered from the outset. CGI visuals played a key role in helping them confidently visualise the transformation before any work began.

The design introduces a layered palette of soft greens and muted blues, complemented by natural textures and warm materials. A bold red lacquer dining table creates a striking focal point, adding energy and personality to the space.

Practicality was equally important. A bespoke bench seat with integrated storage provides a discreet solution for toys and everyday items, ideal for family life with a young child.

The space has been designed to work easily for everyday life, with clear areas for cooking, dining, and relaxing. The kitchen island creates a sociable hub, while the dining area adds a sense of personality, and the lounge feels comfortable and easy to unwind in. Warm LVT wood flooring and layered textures help tie everything together, giving the space a cohesive and calming feel.

The Outcome

The result is a balanced and inviting open-plan space that feels both considered and effortless. It reflects the clients’ personality while supporting the practical needs of daily life, creating a home that is as functional as it is visually engaging.

The project is now complete, with just a few finishing touches still to be added, including artwork and soft furnishings. It already feels like a calm, comfortable space that my clients can properly enjoy day to day.

Project Details

Date: July 25 – Jan 26
Designer: Joanna Sque

Client Feedback

“We got in touch with Jo at Harmony Design just before moving house, as we really wanted to avoid falling into the habit of painting everything white again. This move felt like a chance for a fresh start, and we were keen to create a space that felt different and more personal to us.

From our first meeting, Jo took the time to understand what we were looking for and to get a real sense of how we live. The project felt quite overwhelming at first because it included a kitchen, dining and living area all in one space, and we honestly didn’t know where to begin.

Jo made the whole process feel easy and enjoyable. Her ideas felt completely in tune with what we wanted, and the 3D visuals along with the material samples helped us to really picture how everything would come together.

We trusted her judgement throughout and followed her recommendations, and we are so glad we did. The end result is a beautiful, calm and relaxing space that we genuinely love spending time in every day.

We would not hesitate to recommend Jo. She is thoughtful, easy to talk to and a fantastic interior designer. We are already hoping to work with her again in the future.”

— Laura