Radical Plan Concept Unveiled - Open Yet Connected

We are currently designing a home for a client in Lake Elmo, Minnesota.  The "radical" new floor plan is based upon our Willowbrook Country House Plan; which we modified by relocating the front entry directly between the public and private zones of the house.  We also placed a smartly sized two sided fireplace between the Living and Dining areas.  This provides for more intimate space while maintaining visual connections and a predominantly open floor plan.  Check out the interior house plan video below. 

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Ok - perhaps the concept is not radical; however there is a technique to achieving successful "open yet connected" spaces.  Design elements considered included size and location of fireplace, bulkhead and beam locations, built ins and display elements, material connections, window positions, furniture arrangements, etc.