An Open Concept Refresh

Intro

Open concept living within the design of new homes is more popular than ever. Open concept layouts can create better flow and visibility in a home, making the space feel larger and easier for social gatherings. With an increase in popularity for open concept living, it comes as no surprise that a refresh in the living/dining/kitchen combo is our most request from our clients. Most of our clients are overwhelmed with the amount of space and struggle with how to pull it all together. This was the task we were given with one of our latest clients that we are going to share.
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Goals

The plan for this project was to focus on the living area, kitchen, dining, as well as the pantry area.  When first creating our design, we knew that we wanted to modernize and brighten the space while still complimenting the current hard finishes (like flooring, cabinetry, and stonework) that would remain the same. Our clients wanted to invest in new furniture so finding pieces that were both stylish and functional became a top priority.

The process

Goal One: Modernize & brighten the space through changes in paint, lighting, & furniture.
We’ve said it before and we will say it again. Changing up paint and lighting is our number one suggestion when clients are wanting to create a big change in their home. Our first step in the transformation of this home was to choose a neutral paint color to use throughout the main level. We knew we wanted to go lighter on the walls because the majority of the finishes in this home were dark. We choose the color Shoji White by Sherwin Williams because it was a warmer white that has greige undertones. We loved how it brightens the space and allows the fireplace to shine!

Another big change we made was the lighting in the home. This client chose to keep their current living room fan, but gave us the ok to update the lighting in the dining room and some other areas of the home. We decided to go with fixtures that combine brass and oil-rubbed bronze as we felt it best complimented finishes they already had in their home. 

As seen in the before and after photos, we added a number of new furniture pieces that helped  to modernize the space and tie everything together. We intentionally chose pieces that varied in texture and weren’t part of a “set”. This helps create a higher end look that feels more curated, and less like a furniture store. For example, in the dining room we added a new table and we paired it with upholstered captains’ chairs, leather dining chairs, and a wood dining bench.  

Although we don’t typically like to choose furniture pieces that all match, we do try to stick to our rule of three. This means that we have around three color tones that continue throughout the open concept space. For this project we chose espresso, creams, and a natural wood tone that complimented the floors.  This helps create a sense of flow throughout all the spaces.  

Designer Tips: Espresso wood furniture (like shown below) works well in most homes. It blends with multiple finishes and adds a modern feel. You just want to make sure to balance it with some lighter tones. However, we do recommend staying away from only including espresso and stark white pieces as that can sometimes appear overly trendy and less timeless. Instead, try mixing espresso, cream, and another complementing wood tone. Keep in mind, not every furniture piece has to be wood. Adding pieces made of metal, marble, or fabric can help your room feel less one dimensional.

When it came to the finishing accents, we looked for pieces that were made of natural elements to complement the existing feel of the home.  We wanted the space to have a relaxed organic vibe while still feeling modern and updated.

Goal Two: Combine Beauty & Function
Our second goal is one that we honestly have for every project we do. We are big believers that every space should not only be beautiful, but also function for you! Nobody wants to live in a house that feels like a museum. Our goal at Neutral Simplicity is to select pieces that include a mix of style, comfort, and personalization. We want it to be a place where you can relax with your loved ones at the end of a hard day, but also a place that makes you feel proud and put together. We want it to feel like you.     

One of our favorite features to bring personality into a space is a gallery wall. This client wanted to incorporate their gorgeous family photos into the room and an oversized gallery wall was just the ticket. We mapped out the scale we liked best for the space first. You want to be careful to use frames large enough for the scale of your space, but you also want to make sure the width of the grid is not larger than any furniture piece you may have below. Scroll down to see our favorite oversized frames at an affordable price! We always lay our grid out on the floor first to make sure we have the arrangements of photos we like best. Then we use this laser level to make things a lot easier!

Another area we wanted to personalize for our clients was their dining room. This family loved to entertain so we added a stunning arched cabinet for serving storage and a beautiful brass bar cart.  Not only did these add to the beauty and interest in the space, but they also helped keep all the essentials within arms reach when needed.  Our client wanted new updated tableware to use when entertaining. We chose Crate and Barrel’s Craft collection in Linen because it was the perfect mix of modern and timeless.  We paired these with brass flatware, and olive chambray napkins. 

Goal Three: Pantry Upgrade
The last area to highlight combines beauty and function and is one of our favorite areas of the home to makeover. This is the pantry of course. Our number one tip in revamping a pantry is to purchase a variety of bins and baskets. You’ll want to make sure to measure the general dimensions of your shelving, but you don’t necessarily need to have every spot mapped out from the beginning.

Instead, you’ll want to buy a variety of bins and baskets so that you can play around with the space as you choose categories and organize. Remember, you can always return what you don’t need.  Although the grouping of items will depend on your family's consumption habits, we find that it’s helpful to have an area dedicated to breakfast items, larger bins for grab and go snacks that you typically buy in bulk, and a bin or two dedicated to overstock items.

We prefer to hide some of the overstock rather than having multiples of the same item on a shelf. For example, it feels more functional and less cluttered to grab the one containers of peanut butter instead of shuffle through several half used ones. We have linked our favorite labels below and also our favorite label printer, because we have found that when the bins are labeled, it just helps keep everyone accountable for keeping things organized. Our final tip when styling a pantry is to use a variety of types of containers. We typically try to stick to 3-4 styles of containers and use a mix of wood, glass, plastic, and woven/fabric containers. And of course, we keep it neutral. 🙂

Recap - Tips for Styling an Open Concept Area

1. Paint and lighting are always the easiest things to change and to make a big impact.
2. For furniture, choose 2-3 neutral tones that carry throughout all your spaces. If you want to add some color, consider doing this with accents, which is easiest to change as needed. We recommend adding a few colors that compliment each other rather than overdoing just one bold color. This prevents it from feeling too forced or overly trendy.
3. Look for timeless, organic accent pieces with a mix of textures.
4. Don’t forget about function and personality but look for ways to help blend it into the aesthetic.  Use a cute covered basket to hide blankets and clutter. 
5. In the kitchen area, store your everyday items like protein powder in a cute jar on the counter that you don’t mind looking at. Add labels whenever possible to encourage staying organized.
6. Less is more. Don’t overdo it with smaller accents. Invest in larger pieces that are pretty in any season.
   
   

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Links for Products
Link to favorite neutral paint colors:
https://liketk.it/4E5Iv

Link to Pantry and Storage: 
https://liketk.it/4MH9E
https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Neutral.Simplicity/posts/b0cb5677-4f69-11ef-b54b-0242ac110023
https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Neutral.Simplicity/posts/80ea5f12-4f6a-11ef-b57b-0242ac110009

Dinnerware:
https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Neutral.Simplicity/posts/2d52ffc1-5430-11ef-9a94-0242ac110029

Other pantry organization boards: 
https://liketk.it/4MHcy
https://liketk.it/4L0BO

Bar Favorites:
https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Neutral.Simplicity/posts/abb777ce-4ded-11ef-b768-0242ac11000d

Link to our Like to Know It page:
https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Neutral.Simplicity: