Considering the Open Concept Layout

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Now that hubby and I are not longer spending every spare moment wedding planning, we are finally thinking about improvements that we'd like to make to our home.  Our house it a 50s rambler, and while it doesn't have the bones these amazing spaces do, we are still thinking about knocking down some walls to create a more open and modern space. 

Loving almost everything about this.
via Pinterest via NooshLoves

via Pinterest via Decorpad

Contemporary Kitchen by Calgary Home Builders Malbec Homes & Renovations Inc.

Contemporary Kitchen by Austin Interior Designers & Decorators Mark Ashby Design

Those beams - those windows!

via Pinterest via DecorPad.com

via Pinterest via Houzz.com

Has anyone here remodeled for a more open layout?  Were you happy with the results?

Trending now: Barn Houses to Barn Inspired Details

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Barn Inspiration

I was raised on a farm and knew I wanted a barn wedding before it became the trendiest thing on Pinterest.  I find old barns particularly beautiful, with the old stone and wood.  Below are some gorgeous barn homes, as well as some inspiration for incorporating some barn details into your own home.

via Style Me Pretty

The windows in barn houses are usually fantastic

Love the open concept a lot of barns have

The lush drapes and upholstery offer a nice contrast.

Love the white washed beams with the marble countertops....dying!
6 above via DigsDigs

via DigsDigs

A nice crisp take on barn/farm style furnishings

I love this...I imagine the horses could live just down the hall...

4 above via DigsDigs

Has anyone here ever lived in or visited a barn house?  Could you live in one?

Stunning Spaces

FREE IMAGES Every Monday morning needs a little eye candy and inspiration! This morning I was searching for some new furniture designs and couldn't keep my eyes away from some of these gorgeous spaces. Each one has something I would love to have in it!

Pinterest via Desire to Decorate

I love a room that can entertain! The way they created multiple seating spaces in this room still keeps the extra large feel but makes it very homey. The rug also helps separate the room a little bit without taking away from those gorgeous floors.

via Laura Ashley

The wallpaper in this room modestly luxe. I love the way it is just a hint of color so it doesn't distract too much from the rest of the room but it gives it that something extra. I also love the dark furniture to give it some contrast.

via Pinterest via Design Fixation

Picking out great furniture for your room ins't always easy but in this room above it looks well thought out, but not like it's trying too hard. I love the mix and match quality of it but it still looks put together really well.

via Pinterest

The walls in this room are amazing! I absolutely love the historical touches and how the furniture doesn't take away from it at all! They stuck with the same three colors throughout and it looks amazing.

The room above is gorgeous! I love the neutrals and the elegant layout but my absolute favorite part of this room is the subtle color they brought in with the rug and bedding! This is a fantastic way to add a little color in a room as well as a pattern!
Pinterest

House of Wood

this post is in partnership with roomes.co.uk

Extra space worth using!

FREE IMAGES I love natural light in a home and tall ceilings can add to that by making a room feel large and bright. A great way to add some of that in a smaller home is doing a loft conversion. Opening up an attic and using that space can really add a lot to a home.

That extra space could go towards adding more square footage and creating a room in the attic! With a nice sky light window you can open up a small space with gorgeous natural light.



Using the natural shape of the extra space can create some stunning designs. Some people are nervous about truss loft conversions but using a specialist can make this transformation easy with as little disruption as possible.



Some spaces are large enough to convert into an entire loft apartment. Using a wall of windows really makes this space feel more like a getaway than an attic!



Another option would be to just open up the space. This kitchen hardly feels small with the tall ceilings and windows.



This post in partnership with LoftCreations.co.uk

A Crisp White Home That Still Has Historic Charm

FREE IMAGES This Sag Harbor home caught my eye recently. It's at times a bit rustic for my tastes, but I think the balance of clean and modern, and respecting the homes historic charms - like exposed beams, is perfect.

In love with that rug!

Black floors in white rooms are really starting to grow on me.

The dining room is the only one that sticks out to me a little.  I would love to see a few sleeker elements brought in to counteract with the more rustic ones.

The tiny gray tiles on the floor are so pretty

via Lonny

Escape to a historic garden home in the UK

FREE IMAGES Right now they are repointing the brick in my apartment building, and the never-ending grinding noise is UNbearable. What I wouldn't do for a little silence!  At least I can virtually escape.  One thing I like to do is do property searches for country chalets, manors, and garden cottages throughout the UK and Europe.  I'm always able to find some charming little (and big) property that looks like it's been plucked right out of Pride & Prejudice.  I just delve into the photos and try to imagine what it'd be like to spend the summer there. I used Savills today, and they have an amazing array of dream properties.

Here are two properties I discovered this afternoon.

The first, Clapton Mill, used to be a Paper Mill, and has STUNNING grounds, and even a room in the home where you can view the waterfall that running under the home.

Dreamy.

Another gem I found is a Georgian property in a secluded village setting...just the description makes me feel a little better!

I'd spend most of my time outside and in this bright studio

I'd take my high tea out in the garden...I don't know how proper that is though...

What do you think of these homes - how long would you like to retreat in them?

*disclosure: this post in partnership with Savills.co.uk