How to Make an Open Floor Plan Feel More Intimate

Fireplaces are an asset to your home. They can be pretty and serve as an intimate spot. When we first saw our clients Decatur home, we knew there were lots of possibilities. One, the wide open space in the home could be broken down into separate areas; rooms within a room. By doing this it would create a more intimate experience.

We created three separate areas. One was the Fireside Chat area, another was the Living/Entry Area, and the last was the Dining Room Area. 

Today, we will be revealing the Fireside Chat. We wanted to make the fireplace a feature when you walked into the home. From the front door, it’s the first spot a visitor views. It was also the only place for a tv (and they had a big one).

Here are some photos of the area from our first appointment after we were hired.

The first decision made immediately, was to repaint the entire space. We choose white walls and matching trim. We felt it would make the ceilings feel higher.  We also decided to add some drama by painting the fireplace black to match the tv. The fireplace and tv would appear as a black wall adding texture from the bricks. It was a win! The minute you walk in the door instead of seeing a tv you see a black, textured wall.

We used three swivel chairs and a leather ottoman for seating around the fireplace. We envisioned this spot as a place people would gather for conversations, rather than a place to watch tv. It’s also a spot where the homeowners can put their feet up, read the paper, while having their morning cup of coffee.

We created a beautiful moment on the perpendicular wall with a gorgeous cabinet and open shelving.

We choose black to be carried throughout the three spaces to relate to the fireplace. It pulled the home together by having this consistency.

We used wood, fireplace mantels for the actual open shelves to bulk up the area.

Our clients have lived all over the world and have collected some beautiful treasures.

We incorporated them into the open shelving using additional items from our home collection.

The finished area looks beautiful.

Stay tuned for the next blog post on this home when we reveal the rest of the house.  

We love new projects! If you’re looking to update your home, schedule a call with us to get on our calendar.