Thursday, December 4, 2008

Open Concept Living

Jessica asked if I could post a few photos of open-concept living.
Here is one of my favorites. The HGTV Green Home:







And here's another one I found, while surfing the net. I love how bright it is throughout the entire space. I would never want to leave it!



And this last one appeals to my love for all things neutral. :-)







The little tiny square windows in the Kitchen are fantastic. I would love to have some of those myself!

I'm torn on the subject of open concept living vs. traditionally separated rooms. There's something so charming about an OLD home, or a new house with its rooms laid out like they did in the "old days".
But the artist, and free spirit, in me can really dig an open floor plan too.
Let's just say that houses are "my jam". :-)

Here's one that stopped me in my tracks tonight...



...(sigh)....isn't it great?!

:-)
Layla

13 comments:

DESIGN BY CATHLEEN said...

Love that house, it looks like it should face the ocean with a long stretch of beach for the front yard!
I really Love the colors of the HGTV, the crisp green is awesome. :-)

N. said...

I am also torn about whether I prefer an open concept, or a more traditional layout. I really think it depends on the house.
The images you posted are stunning!

3 Peanuts said...

I love the photos you chose. I think many new homes are just too open. I cannot STAND two story great rooms. However really closed off small rooms feel claustrophic too. We built a "new, old" house in VA five years ago and it was the PERFECT balance. Our current home is new and has a bit of both too!

Cori said...

Oh, I would love to see more of that last home. Wanna share the link where you found it? Pretty please!

Suzann said...

I adore the "neutral" home. I have lived in an open concept home and in a traditional home. They both have their pros and cons.

Chris said...

You know, it's funny because I live in a colonial home meaning it should be pretty broken up. However, the entire back of the house is the "open concept". I like having a little bit of both. Some separation (especially needed when there's kids around), but the option to be openly involved when needed--especially when I'm cooking! That house--well, all of them--is gorgeous!

Karen said...

I love that house - kinda Craftsman meets Cape Coddy - yup, I could live there...

The Runyans said...

YOU ARE SO SO AWESOME!!!! I JUMPED UP IN MY SEAT WHEN I READ AND SAW THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Runyans said...

i just looked at each of the pics. . .i'm also so torn. i think it would be easy and great for the kids. . .i could cook, they could play. . .but then again, if you come into the front door of our house plan, i don't want it to feel like you are in our entire home, you know? i'm so so torn. i've got to make a decision within the next month or two?? ahaha...

thank you for posting these! the HGTV home make it look so simple, but i'm so mitch matchy on things that i like, so everything is still up in the air. i did post some pics of our property on my blog, though. the house, of course, is going to be up top. you can see the road to the left hand side of the picture. that is where you will pull in . . .anyways. thank you for being so so generous!

~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~ said...

All the pictures are so delicious. I do love how symmetrical the front of the house is in the last picture. It seems so neat, tidy, organized.

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Looks like a home I see up the central coast, right on the beach...well the rocks actually.
I love open concept designs, probably because my little rancher is all separated and I don't like that it's constricting. I would love to blow out the wall between my dining and kitchen/service porch, but then I'd lose a much needed pantry. sigh* Perhaps one day I'll have that openness...

Unknown said...

Hey Layla,
I'm glad you're back. I've been checking in daily and missed your posts. I love an open floor plan, I hope. Because that is what we are doing in our new home. I am hoping I don't get tired of it. Anyway, seeing your post made me want to do a new post. I have not posted in a while either, family stuff and such. Anyway, I just wanted you to know I enjoy your blog and show it to anyone who is interested. Good luck with your career and hope to see you on hgtv!

Deb

Nancy Hood said...

yep! love the way the house looks symetrical, but still cozy and inviting.