Perhaps GagaJo takes Minimalism to its logical conclusion by having nothing in her home except her carefully curated family mementoes, so that other stuff doesn't get in the way of appreciating them. 
I bought lots of self build magazines to help us through building our new home. We didn’t want a box or rooms with lots of wasted space. I looked at interior design but only for kitchen layouts in open plan.
I moved to be with my new DH into his one room cottage 7 years ago. Kitchen, dining and living area all crammed into 24sqm. No walls. Bedroom is on a mezzanine level. It’s also our work place too.
In other houses, I’ve done separate rooms for everything. I’ve done patterned and plain wallpaper. I’ve done coloured painted walls, with paint effects on units on one occasion. I can’t say I hate that sort of interior design but I much prefer the togetherness of an open plan room with separate utility.
Our new sustainable, A++energy rated home (bungalow) has an open plan room with a vaulted ceiling similar to the cottage but the floorspace is twice the size. White walls, slate floor, pale grey, handleless gloss kitchen units and black matt quartz work tops. I see that as a positive for me - a blank canvas.
I love colour, glass and wood and am now bringing that into this open plan area. Amber and a few green tiles around the kitchen area, up to the oak shelving. Huge emerald green sofa. My DH’s old battered green leather recliner. Three of our favourite old pieces of oak furniture that almost match the dark wood window frames. I’m about to order a big traditional patterned rug for the living area. A big refurbished dining table now sits between the kitchen and living areas.
Some of my fused glass work will go on the north facing window sill. My DGD1 is creating a wall hanging with all the colours of the wood that surround us and I’m treating myself to two brightly coloured metal wall hangings done by a local artist, similar to the images.
Each to our own. Our additional ‘furnishings’ would be lost, surrounded by coloured or patterned walls and units.
muse is that your glass work in the pictures? When I first saw the pics I thought they were some sort of material, absolutely beautiful. Love the colours. I would have those on my (white )walls!
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