CELEBRATING 25 YEARS Wide-open family spaces

When did it become imperative for every young family to have (or aspire to have) a home with a wide-open kitchen looking out over the wide-open family room? If parents can’t prepare a casserole while overseeing their children tackle a jigsaw puzzle are they failing to realize the new American Dream?

The write-up of every listed home seems to include the words “open floor plan” which connotes updated and clean with neutral wall colors and stainless steel everything. Should you see the word “cozy” the house is obviously a dated, rat infested hovel with linoleum floors.

Timmy Daddy

By Tim Sullivan

Our first two homes as a family unit were older houses. The kitchens were in the back of the house while the TV/family rooms were in the front of the house. I was okay with that. I’ll grant that there were instances where an open floor plan might have hastened our response, like the time Margo gnawed the corner of our coffee table. Still, when migraine-inducing shows like “Power Rangers” or “Caillou” were on TV, I was willing to take risks to be a couple rooms removed from the action. But like most Americans, we could only resist the allure of living in something that resembled a VFW Hall for so long. I suppose we longed to skateboard throughout our home, unencumbered by walls or pesky thresholds, so four years ago we took the leap. From the wide-open kitchen of our new home, we can just about view the whole main floor. But I’m careful not to gaze at the expanse too wistfully or I run the risk of being ankled by Margo’s scooter.

Of course we know we are very fortunate and indeed, there are perks. It’s a great house for entertaining and by the way, that’s what all the realtors say to perpetuate this trend. What they fail to point out is that on most days of the calendar year, you will not be entertaining. A typical weeknight at our house starts with a scramble to make dinner while guiding the kids through homework. They may not even need help but heck, we’re all right there so why not make it groupthink.

After dinner I’ll walk the dog. Kristen does the dishes and Elliott claims the front room. Kristen and I envisioned this as a den of sorts where we could slide the pocket doors shut and get some work done, do some reading or just catch up on each other’s day. Instead it’s basically Elliott’s YouTube viewing station, catching up on the latest pranks or “fails.” Margo reigns over the family room. She watches tween shows like “Henry Danger” or “The Thundermans” and turns the volume up obnoxiously high to overpower the running water from the sink. March Madness takes on a new meaning when we suggest putting on a game instead.

By the time I get home with the dog it’s a cacophony of kitchen cleanup and a high decibel Nickelodeon laugh track accented by Elliott’s cackling from the front of the house. We do have a finished basement and it’s got a TV with xBox and toys and a Nerf Hoop and all sorts of things kids might like. Only problem is, they won’t go down there (unless we’re entertaining other kids).

I know what you’re thinking. Turn it into a Mancave, right? Just get some oak and polyurethane and mix it with whiskey and plaid and then I’ll be all set. Honestly though, the thought of hanging out downstairs by myself with a dart board or something is wholly unappealing. Plus, there would be nothing of the sort in the Sullivan household anyway. It would be a Gender-neutral cave open to all or Margo would be women’s marching all over me. Oh well, I guess “Henry Danger” is a pretty high quality tween show and my bracket is busted anyway. Maybe I’ll just go ahead and buy that skateboard.

LOCAL EXPERTISE | GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

SIENA AT RENAISSANCE PARK 220 Renaissance Parkway NE #2319, $220,000 2BR/2fb. FMLS: 5816448

Rhonda Creekmore 404-422-6303

955 JUNIPER 955 Juniper Street #4122, $194,500 1BR/1fb. FMLS: 5821300

Rhonda Creekmore 404-422-6303

MORNINGSIDE

627 Hillpine Drive, $925,000 4BR/4fb. FMLS: 5800981

Annette Ross 404-683-5798

EAST LAKE

29 Roseclair Drive SE, $329,900 3BR/2fb. FMLS: 5817240

Annette Ross 404-683-5798

WOODALL PLACE 548 Woodall Avenue NE, $728,000 3BR/2fb/1hb. FMLS: 5778280 Rob Vogel 404-281-7295

PINE HILLS 1196 Goodwin Road, $1,285,000

5BR/5fb/1hb. FMLS: 5796961

Jeff Masarek 404-314-1104

71 MADDOX

71 Maddox Drive NE, Unit A, $189,900

1BR/1fb. FMLS:

BROOKMOOR MANOR

2881 Cravey Drive, $739,000 4BR/3fb/2hb. FMLS: 5746013

Dream Homes by Jenny 404-394-0934

BRIARMOOR

2871 Hawthorne Drive NE, $949,000

5BR/6fb/1hb. FMLS: 5799345

Cathy Boston 404-660-5431

ATLANTA NORTH 770-622-3081

EAST COBB 770-977-9500

ATLANTA PERIMETER 770-394-2131

MORNINGSIDE 1698 Johnson Rd 5BR/3fb/1hb, 2BR/1fb/1hb

Boynton & Myrick 404-323-2012

THE ALDREDGE

1074 Abington Court #17, $1,250,000 4BR/4fb/1hb. FMLS: 5683881

Dream Homes by Jenny 404-394-0934

MORNINGSIDE

1238 University Drive , $742,000

4BR/2fb/1hb. FMLS: 5819275

Fran Booth & Shirley Sharp 404-538-9781

BIG CANOE - NORTH GEORGIA 770-893-2400

FORSYTH/LAKE LANIER 770-497-2000

HIAWASSEE 706-632-7211

BRIARCLIFF HEIGHTS 1773 Beacon Hill Boulevard NE, $775,000 5BR/4fb/1hb. FMLS: 5819576 Hilson Hudson 404-217-6004

VININGS

4160 Valley Creek Drive SE, $1,799,000 5BR/4fb/2hb. FMLS: 5811829

Connie-Cousins Baker & Cotten Alston 404-324-7973

MORNINGSIDE 1109 Berkshire Road NE, $2,500,000 4BR/3fb/2hb. FMLS: 5746168

Bob Glascock 404-754-7581

THE BROOKWOOD 1820 Peachtree Street NW #503, $519,900

2BR/2fb/1hb. FMLS: 5785933

Chris Kalski 404-731-7778

THE BROOKWOOD 1820 Peachtree Street NW #1411, $685,000 2BR/3fb. FMLS: 5809660

Mary Beth Lake & Jeff Yeomans 404-394-4519

BLUE RIDGE 706-632-7211

INTOWN 404-897-5558

BUCKHEAD 404-233-4142

BUCKHEAD CHASTAIN 404-233-1492

LUXURY LAKE & MOUNTAIN 706-212-0228

BUCKHEAD NORTH 404-814-9000

NORTH FULTON 678-461-8700

VININGS | BUCKHEAD 2950 Mt Wilkinson Parkway SE #309, $665,000 2BR/2fb/1hb. FMLS: 5804137

Peggy Saucier 404-626-6919

BUCKHEAD NORTHWEST 404-261-2700

PEACHTREE CITY 770-632-8526

COBB MARIETTA 770-422-6005

SANDY SPRINGS 404-250-9900

The above information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted. Offer subject to errors, changes, omissions, prior sales and withdrawals without notice. www.HarryNorman.com