The trend for open plan living has been with us for some time now and what baffles me than anything is why or why so many of them are so under decorated, bland and boring. Vast empty spaces with furniture shoved up against walls like some doctor’s waiting room and no feeling of intimacy or snugness what so ever drives me crazy.
The key I feel is even though the space is open plan each area needs to hold its own. A dining room butting up to a kitchen needs to feel lived in and loved – sling a pendant over a dining table, perhaps soften the space with a rug, flowers, candles. Also make the kitchen feel less like a kitchen, stack heaps of books on the counter, put oversized table lamps on the island, or super sexy bar stools against the counter for a bit of added glamour and texture. You can of course also create visual screens with storage walls or screens –its all about defining each area and in so doing creating a constantly evolving, yet indefinable style.
My pad – lower ground floor where the dining room and the kitchen are one. I’ve linked the two together by painting the cupboards a deep water blue and picking up the colour in the dining chairs. The counter has an oversized vintage light and super sexy bar stools (as uncomfortable as hell but who cares) flank the island.
This is the room that introduced me to you when your house was featured in Ireland’s House and Home mag. I have been a fan ever since. Still love this room. Sinead
Thank you
Great colors. truely handsome. Thanks Conan
Thank you for posting about this. I rent a condo that has the open plan concept and have to admit I have furniture against the walls and it looks bland. With your post in mind, I will spend time cozying up the living/dining/kitchen area! If only I could paint my cupboards blue!!!
I am limited to white walls and beige carpeting. Would you have any hints for a way to cozy up this open plan despite the white/beige combo I’m stuck with?
Nay to these spaces, I think they rob you of the beautiful surprise going from room to room in a home where each room has it’s own character in a way that talks to that of every other room. That said, you have a nice mix of styles and colors here.