Mastering Open Plan Design - Giava Interiors Shares Expert Tips on Creating Elegant, Functional Spaces
Written by: Vinette Nicholls Save to Instapaper
Johannesburg, South Africa – [13 May 2025] – With open plan living growing in popularity, award-winning interior design studio Giava Interiors is sharing expert insights on how to master this design style with elegance, cohesion, and intention. Vinette Diab Nicholls, Founder and Creative Director, believes that open plan homes require more thoughtful design than people realise.
“At Giava Interiors, we don’t just remove walls—we reimagine how spaces can flow, function, and feel,” says Diab Nicholls. “Our goal is to create open plan homes that are both beautifully appointed and deeply personal.”
Open plan interiors are celebrated for their flow of natural light and sense of spaciousness, but they demand strategic design to avoid becoming cold or chaotic. Giava’s expert guide covers essential elements including:
- Strategic space planning to ensure the right furniture scale and placement
- Defined zones using ceiling details, rugs, or lighting to create structure
- Visual cohesion through a unified colour and material palette
- Layered textures for warmth, elegance, and acoustic comfort
- Integrated storage solutions to keep clutter at bay
- Personalised elements that reflect how a family lives
“As designers, we always balance beauty with function. From anchoring each area with a strong focal point to discreetly incorporating storage, every detail is intentional,” adds Diab Nicholls.
Giava Interiors specialises in full turnkey transformations, offering custom furniture, bespoke design, and expert styling. Whether clients are opening up their floorplans or simply refreshing an existing space, the Giava team ensures each project is elevated, functional, and tailored to the client’s lifestyle.
About Giava Interiors
Giava Interiors is a luxury design studio based in Johannesburg, known for its quiet luxury, award-winning design, and bespoke craftsmanship. With a portfolio spanning luxury lodges, high-end residences, and boutique hotels, Giava offers full-service interior design solutions across sub-Saharan Africa.
Giava Interiors is an exclusive, full-service interior design studio catering to residential, hospitality, retail, and corporate clients across Sub-Saharan Africa. We design luxury spaces, manufacture custom furniture, and handcraft bespoke décor. Our team of award-winning designers, project managers, and craftsmen has transformed everything from five-star lodges and high-rise offices to luxury apartments and family homes.
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