Open concept homes, fad or long lasting style? (floors, washers, window)

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by Chango

I personally don't like having the kitchen open up right into the living areas. I bought an old house that has the kitchen as a completely seperate room and made myself happy.

BUT...I don't think the style is going away anytime soon. Instead of reacting against having a messy utility area totally visible to more formal living space, the utility area has become formal, fancy and even the focal point of the house. It works just fine and lots of people like it. People from 100 years ago would scratch their heads in disbelief.

I've seen an awful lot of older houses in the US and Europe which have a big "farm" kitchen, meant for a lot of people. Kitchens have been gathering places for a long time. My first house had a small shut-off kitchen and I noticed that when I had parties, people naturally gravitated toward the kitchen (and were in my way). This house has a counter that overlooks the kitchen for people to perch and chat while I cook and enough room and "stations" for 3 people to comfortably "work" in the kitchen at the same time.

As a kid, the formal living room and formal dining room were just places to dust and stay out of because they were "for company." I don't have "company," I have friends and friends of friends over.

[StarryEyedSurprise]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

As a kid, the formal living room and formal dining room were just places to dust and stay out of because they were "for company." I don't have "company," I have friends and friends of friends over.

That's why we have dinner every night in the dining room, and use the formal living room for office/guest room/place for people to be when they don't want to hear the TV.

I think that's what bothers me the most about the open concept home - if my husband wants to watch (insert whatever show you don't care to watch here) in marathon, I'd like to be able to go somewhere other than the bedroom or outside to carry a conversation with someone (or do something else) and not be in view/close hearing distance of the TV. I think some separation of space is good, even if guests are over - not everyone is necessarily chatting about the same thing.

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by StarryEyedSurprise

That's why we have dinner every night in the dining room, and use the formal living room for office/guest room/place for people to be when they don't want to hear the TV.

I think that's what bothers me the most about the open concept home - if my husband wants to watch (insert whatever show you don't care to watch here) in marathon, I'd like to be able to go somewhere other than the bedroom or outside to carry a conversation with someone (or do something else) and not be in view/close hearing distance of the TV. I think some separation of space is good, even if guests are over - not everyone is necessarily chatting about the same thing.

Ah. We don't have a TV, so that isn't a problem. What we DO have are two small offices, with doors that close, one for each of us (mine is 8x10 and overlooks the deck and garden, his is larger because his profession requires walls of equipment).

When I had kids at home, I thought it was important for the kids to have "their" private space. Now that they are grown and gone, the house just belong to "us," the adults.

[cap1717]

I like both "open" and "private" spaces in my home. Although (or perhaps because) my house is small <1200 sq ft, the living/ dining/ kitchen areas are "open", but bedrooms, library, studio (fine arts) are all seperate. This certainly works well for me, I guess it all depends on family interests and lifestyle.

[Greenchili]

I LOVE my open kitchen/family room. Of course I also have a seperate living room/dining combo that is a bit more formal. So I guess I have the best of
both,according to some..

Greenchili

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by potatosoup

Not loft style upstairs. I mean these open concept kitchens that face gargantuan living room/dining rooms with no walls or half walls and no clear delineation of space.

been around for a MUCH longer period than you think, of course the most well known proponent of open plans was Frank Lloyd Wright. his homes were mostly done at the turn of the century. They are here to stay, it is the most comfortable in the way of traffic flow than a home with doors to each separate room. It takes a great deal more to design than you think as well, so lazy designers? nope not in the slightest.

[cap1717]

Originally Posted by Noahma

been around for a MUCH longer period than you think, of course the most well known proponent of open plans was Frank Lloyd Wright. his homes were mostly done at the turn of the century. They are here to stay, it is the most comfortable in the way of traffic flow than a home with doors to each separate room. It takes a great deal more to design than you think as well, so lazy designers? nope not in the slightest.

And, to take the analogy back even further. . . I have seen a lot of pioneer cabins. . . one room. . . with the possible addition of a "sleeping loft" for the kids, if the family was rich enough. I have been in "schoolteacher cabins" that are smaller than my smallest bedroom. . .
Open concept makes lots of sense for smaller homes. . . and is great for entertaining in larger ones.

[Ketabcha]

I had my house built back in 1978. I had never owned a home before. I wanted a formal dining room and I still use it when I have guests. Plus, I have my piano in it because there is no place else to put it unless I want to sacrifice my numerous bookcases and that is not going to happen.

The builder told me I could use that room as a dining room or a formal parlor. "I don't need no stinkin' formal parlor." LOL That's what the den is for. It's not a huge house at 1980 sq feet but it is just perfect for me.

I spend most of my time in the third bedroom because it is my computer room with about 1500 movies (yes, I am addicted), one of the TVs and about a third of my books. It is the smallest room in the house and I spend the most time here.

I think open concept homes can be lovely but that is just not my style. I like walls and doors. I don't know why but the open concept often looks cold to me. I like the warmth of separate rooms. That is just what I like. I know some people would prefer the open concept.

What I also love is the fact that my NON-open concept house is paid for.

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by cap1717

And, to take the analogy back even further. . . I have seen a lot of pioneer cabins. . . one room. . . with the possible addition of a "sleeping loft" for the kids, if the family was rich enough. I have been in "schoolteacher cabins" that are smaller than my smallest bedroom. . .
Open concept makes lots of sense for smaller homes. . . and is great for entertaining in larger ones.

Most defiantly, I do not think I have had ONE client request a closed off floor plan. They want Open, especially in the smaller homes where every added wall to partition off the interior space subtracts from the usable floor space of the home. There are ways to give the feeling of separation between rooms without adding walls. Columns, vaults, and half walls for example are three very good ways to seperate the spaces without giving up the open floor plan. others are in the decoration of the home.

[Ketabcha]

Originally Posted by Noahma

Most defiantly, I do not think I have had ONE client request a closed off floor plan. They want Open, especially in the smaller homes where every added wall to partition off the interior space subtracts from the usable floor space of the home. There are ways to give the feeling of separation between rooms without adding walls. Columns, vaults, and half walls for example are three very good ways to seperate the spaces without giving up the open floor plan. others are in the decoration of the home.

Just wondering, I watch a lot of HGTV, do your clients always say they want granite counter tops and stainless appliances? Are those two items a big deal to prospective buyers?