Divide And Conquer

With open-plan living the norm, you need to be able to subtly differentiate spaces without blocking sight lines and natural light. Here are some clever ways to maintain an open, airy feel

- Candice Botha And Mary Jane Harris

OPEN-AND-SHUT CASE

The owners of this Umhlanga home loved the idea of a spacious, open-plan bedroom and bathroom, but also wanted privacy when necessary. The solution was a series of stacking screens that can be opened or closed as desired. By fitting them with paper instead of a solid material, light filters through to the bathroom when they’re closed.

SUITE DREAMS

To separate the sleeping and bathing areas in this generous master suite, while maintaining the airy feel established by the open rafters, architect Jenny Mills placed cabinets behind the bed and wallpapered one side. Incorporating clothes storage, they give privacy where needed, but allow the suite to function as a whole.

THE LIGHT MOVE