Need Help with Open Floor Plan

10 years ago

I have a large space between my breakfast nook table and great room. The great room is a two-story area. Any suggestions on what to put there? We have a plant there now.

I don't know if some sort of room divider would be appropriate. Would it be better to leave this space open? I realize the breakfast nook table could benefit from an area rug.

Many thanks for any suggestions!

Featured Answer

green384

10 years ago

I agree with several of the previous poster's comments; the rooms appear to be two slightly different colors and should be the same, also, the furniture is very dark and large as compared to the kitchen/nook. I think these two things are creating what feels like a visual issue and that you probably don't need to add anything to this area. At most, I would a small accent piece (an interesting, small cabinet or secritary) to the corner, but definitely not a room divider.

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Comments (26)

PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
10 years ago
I would be more inclined to angle a rug in the bare space instead of putting the rug under the table where it will make it more difficult to pull the chairs in and out, and also more difficult to clean under the table. A rug there would make a nice, comfy play area for kids if you have young ones around.
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
User
10 years ago
A decorative screen might be something to consider.
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karen paul interiors
10 years ago
Well, I like the open floor plan and would not attempt to create a visual barrier between the two areas. Personally, I like a rug under the table and something you might want to consider is a floorcloth. They are not expensive, can be custom colored and are totally washable. I do see a disparity between the paint colors between the two rooms. Perhaps it is the lighting coming into play. Whenever you have an open plan such as yours, you will always want to create a visual balance between the two so they feel as though there is a very easy visual transition between the two spaces. I'm seeing quite disparity between the two areas. The kitchen is very light in nature and the f.r. is much darker. Is there anything you might want to change to bring them closer together visually?
User
10 years ago
Visually marry the two spaces by painting your dining chairs expresso and replace the dining corner plant with a larger one in a larger dark container. It appears the coffee table has dark metal? If so, darkening the metal trim on the dining light fixtures would also help. Pretty spaces!
bunnyllg
10 years ago
Would you be able to have a small bakers rack for cookbooks and or small plants like African violets?
lrm1
10 years ago
Have you tried turning the dining table the other way?
PRO
Exceptional Home Designs
10 years ago
How about a knee wall @ 36" high that is wide enough to actually set plants in like the attached photo- I designed this between a Kitchen and Family Room in a home recently and the homeowners love it!
km kane
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
without the benefit of seeing other views of the room/s I would consider moving the sofa out to become the dividing line between the two rooms, and perhaps place a sofa table behind it. Photos taken from the fireplace/wing chair area out would help us see the space better. Best wishes to you!
theoffice0
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you for all the comments. Our breakfast table was moved from our old house, but I agree that the open floor plan creates a stark contrast between the great room furniture and the kitchen area... This is something that had not even occurred to me! I figured that the breakfast table and chairs would match the house's extensive trim and crown molding, but it does seem to stick out quite a bit. I appreciate Karen Paul's, Green384's, and PatriciaRHall's comments on this.

To LRM1, we had originally turned the breakfast table 90 degrees to its current orientation. However, it seemed to make more sense to orient the table in its current state since it lined up more nicely with the kitchen island and the great room furniture. It seemed to create a more distinct area. I wasn't sure if anything needed to be done with the space between the breakfast table and the great room. I agree that the space may look more visually integrated with darker furniture.

As you can see from the additional photos (attached), we still need curtains, an area rug for the breakfast area, and work on our dining room area. I wasn't crazy about the mixed metals and wood types in our great room (at first)... Any comments on that as well?

Thanks again for the insightful suggestions.
PRO
karen paul interiors
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Need Help with Open Floor Plan - Houzz · More Info

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karen paul interiors
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
It's always amazing how photos of the same area can shed such different light. This is what happens with advice when we have a very limited view of what exists. So, "office", you will need to ignore every single comment that has been made thus far! First I would like to commend you on your good nature and stalwart spirit. Your house is absolutely lovely. So let's start over. In your second photo you show the perfect area for another rug which could do much for both areas. Interestingly enough, the kitchen no longer feels on top of the other room in your second photo as it did with the first.

So now you want to do windows and what else? Give us really, really great photos of each area you wish to address.
Kathleen Jamison
10 years ago
Beautiful home. I agree with others about contrast....light and dark.
Maybe cushions on the chairs. the corner is not a problem. Needs no divider. I am not a fan of rugs under table with children.
Kathleen Jamison
10 years ago
Maybe the living room furniture arrangement is the problem. From the one picture looks like the sofa and chairs should trade places.
Libbmom
10 years ago
Kathleen...exactly what I was thinking...
kargus
10 years ago
How about a double sided glass cabinet, it will let the light pass though but give the space some visual interest. White cabinet would play off kitchen cabinets and tie in fireplace. You could fill it with nice barware, giving it a purpose.
km kane
10 years ago
Office, thnx for posting additional photos. Now that I see the whole space, my thought is that the little extension wall (where the plant sits) is the problem. Too bad it's there in the first place. 2nd thought is the sectional doesn't work in this arrangement. Two tough things to change, I know. Beautiful home. If it were mine, I'd place a colorful rug under the breakfast table, re-work the sofa and be very happy!
theoffice0
Original Author
10 years ago
Yes, it's too bad about that extension! We had originally thought to put some cabinets there but then decided against it. We positioned the sectional to provide maximum viewing of the television. Thanks for your kind comments.

To Kathleen's point: Seat cushions would be an easy way to integrate the spaces (and low cost, too). I'd like to wait on a rug until the kids are older. At Karen Paul's recommendation, I have attached additional pictures of the breakfast area and the adjacent dining room. Walls are BM Shaker Beige for the kitchen, breakfast area, and great room. Dining room walls are BM Philadelphia Cream. Perhaps curtains around the breakfast area that are beige/taupe with dark brown accents of sorts? We stuck with a yellow/gold theme for our dining room. How "matchey" does everything need to be? The kids have taken over the dining room table with Legos...
PRO
karen paul interiors
10 years ago
What is the horizontal piece running across your living room window?
PRO
karen paul interiors
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
When you are asking about "matchey" regarding windows, I am assuming you are asking if all the kitchen and great room windows need to wear the identical treatment? I have noticed that windows are exactly the same from kitchen thru great room.
User
10 years ago
the pattern in your dining room drapery is what makes a difference in the room. there doesn't appear to be much pattern in the living area and none in the kitchen eating area. Be brave!
theoffice0
Original Author
10 years ago
The horizontal piece represents additional millwork around the windows. I am assuming you were speaking to the area just above the transom windows? There is a bit of a column motif between each of the windows.
theoffice0
Original Author
10 years ago
When referring to "matchey," I was questioning the need for curtains, roman shades, etc. to look the same or similar.

Thanks for all of the comments. Much to think about!
PRO
karen paul interiors
10 years ago
Yes, it looked like millwork but I wasn't certain.
PRO
karen paul interiors
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
In your idea books I noticed your photos and comments regarding plantation shutters with an inside mount below the transom windows. How would you feel about doing that treatment on all stationary windows and leaving the French and single doors bare. I know it's a rather unorthodox treatment but it might read well in both areas. Would love to have a few workrooms weigh in on this IF this is something you would like to pursue. As a side note: Sliding doors are not a problem as projecting hardware can be changed out. French doors opening in however, is a whole other problem.
PRO
Pfaff Color & Design
10 years ago
Use something that's multi-functional, moveable and creates a focal point. An antique wooden bench comes to mind. Provides extra seating for entertaining and when not in use, a row of plants in colorful pots