I’ll never forget a few summers ago traveling to upstate New York with a large group of friends for a birthday party, all staying together at this gorgeous remote farm property (which no longer serves the public, sadly!).
A kitchen with space to accomodate a seating area (can be smaller than this one) is the perfect way to accommodate some company when cooking. Also, this kitchen was stunning. Courtesy of Grape Hollow Farm
Some might cringe at the thought of spending a weekend with 16 people under one roof, but I reveled at the idea because I love being surrounded by others. Little did I know, that trip would inspire a whole shift in my design mindset.
Prior to this trip, I was a huge advocate for open-concept floorplans - tearing down walls to open up lines of sight between spaces. My #1 goal would be to enhance the amount of natural light flowing throughout the space. Another selling point would be to create the perfect gathering space for socializing/entertaining. For parents, keeping tabs on kids was another benefit. The list goes on, hence why it has been such a popular trend for the last decade or so.
I love almost nothing more than a living room withOUT a TV. Like this one. Pure bliss. Courtesy of Grape Hollow Farm
This farmhouse had the presence of true, defined rooms. Each had large openings leading to the next, but the rooms had decidedly different purposes from one another, none spilling over into the next. Each space could accommodate large subsets of the overall group, everyone could be doing different things independently, each offered privacy to take a phone call or read a book and recharge solo… it was absolutely divine.
Flash forward to personally living in an open-concept for the past 2 years, I am further convinced open-concepts will be a thing of the past here shortly. ESPECIALLY after Covid has left so many families homebound for the majority of last year, I can only imagine some might be regretting/reconsidering the walls they took down…
Watching TV you hear the dishwasher running or someone clanging around doing dishes; while having dinner at the table you see directly into the kitchen which is inevitably unkempt from dinner prep; now my baby’s nursery is directly off the kitchen which makes mornings and evenings feel like we need to walk on eggshells to avoid waking him. To say nothing of the lack of any visual differentiation between spaces - the flow of space A to B to C to D has resulted in us living in a sea of beige. While it all feels cohesive, serene and calming and we love it, there really is very little differentiation within each part of the greater whole, to avoid one overpowering the other or creating a feeling of clutter.
So I’ve had a major change of heart. Here are my top takeaways in support of rooms…
Another shot of the living room - beautifully disconnected from the kitchen. Courtesy of Grape Hollow Farm.
1) Rooms allow for distinct purpose.
Although you can still get creative with how you purpose each room, having a purpose creates organization and function, makes furnishing it slightly easier, and means people will naturally gravitate toward the space of their desire rather than all having to congregate to do anything.
2) If you’re able to accomodate a small seating area within the kitchen, you’re golden.
That way someone can accompany you in the kitchen while cooking, yet not everyone needs to be subjected to the chaos (AND the host/hostess can have some free thinking space while not having to entertain absolutely everyone simultaneously).
I pray dining rooms make a comeback in the next decade - they offer opportunities to make the sweetest memories with family & friends. Courtesy of Grape Hollow Farm
3) Rooms create opportunities to get creative with design.
Each space can have its own theme, its own uniqueness. While the goal is to tie the spaces together with some element(s) of cohesiveness, rooms definitely support greater individuality.
4) Lighting effectively is easier with distinctive rooms.
You’re given walls to work within, a specific purpose to guide your selections (ie. reading lamps vs pendants vs chandeliers, etc.), and there are rarely dark spots because lighting can more easily reach all parts of the space.
5) Noise is far better contained within rooms.
Someone can be watching TV while another reads quietly or does homework elsewhere. Leads to better focus.
6) Greater privacy and intimacy.
You can have 1x1 conversations that don’t involve the greater group; you can find special moments to reconnect.
Hallways… remember hallways? Remember how much fun you had running down them as a kid? Hallways are only possible with the presence of rooms… Courtesy of Grape Hollow Farm
7) Energy levels can vary among rooms.
Individuals can occupy a space that meets their energetic need. Not everyone loves socializing 24/7, especially those who are more introverted need the independent & quiet time to recharge.
8) Proper dining rooms…
Oh how I miss the elegance and traditionalism of dining rooms - spaces where people gather around a beautifully set table and enjoy each others company, NOT in front of a TV, withOUT cell phones at the table… Just calm, pleasant dinner conversation in a room dedicated to fostering quality time together.
9) Rooms allow for space to be contained more easily.
For example a new puppy, or a play space for a child. Baby gates and rooms suddenly become your friend.
10) With open-concepts, if you are messy, the mess will consume the whole living space.
This creates overwhelm, visual chaos, energetic blockages, disorganization, etc. etc. etc.
Have you reconsidered the incredible gifts that rooms provide? Perhaps not, but at least you’ll never think about floorplans the same!
Until next time,
LG