WINDOWS give us practical things like light and air, but they also offer the powerful aesthetic — views.
So why sit on the sofa and admire the picturesque outdoors through a frame, when you can immerse yourself in the view by immersing yourself in the window.
Window seats have been around for a long time, but today's architects (and homeowners) are taking them to a new level.
Sydney architect Angus Mackenzie lined the window pictured above with timber so the sill became a wide comfy seat perfect for reading a book, taking in some fresh air and enjoying the outside from indoors.
Another option is to use the bland wall space beneath a wide window to install a cupboard with drawers or shelves, topped with a made-to-size chair pad.
If a bit of building is within the budget, knock out a solid wall and add an atrium-style glass wall and finish with a built-in cupboard and cushion.
If there's a window in the kitchen/dining area, a cupboard under the window can create extra storage while also providing a place for the hungry hordes to perch.
Then there's bi-fold doors. A low cupboard on castors tipped with a cushion can be pushed into the space between the doors when they're open, or against the doors when they're closed.
■ Details: angusmackenzie.com.au.
