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Greenbrook Design

Design Notes

Designing For Connection

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No one would argue that we are connected, but in what way? Now more than ever, we are connected through technology; a quick DM here and a text there tells someone that we are thinking of them, but what about a physical connection among people? Today, homeowners are looking for spaces in the home that encourage interaction and connection with each other. Designers have realized this need and begun to create connections using certain design elements. We will share our top three ways to build connections within your home.

Connection Through Open Floor Plans

An open floor plan connects multiple rooms while keeping each space’s individual functionality intact. Usually, the kitchen is the focal point, drawing people into the heart of the home. With sightlines to the crucial areas in the house, like the family room, people feel more connected and able to interact. Open floor plans allow parents to keep an eye on their children, interact with them, and socialize after spending much of the day apart. There are several other advantages of having an open floor plan:

  • Unhindered traffic flow: Without walls or other barriers, everyone can move more easily without constantly bumping into one another or waiting for someone to move past.
  • Flexible layout: Ever get tired of the layout in your room? Open floor plans make it easier to change things up and create something new.
  • Multiple uses: Because it is a large space, you can also use the family room as a recreation room. This is a great option if you have limited space because you can get more out of it.

Choosing a design with fewer barriers creates an inviting, inclusive environment that facilitates connection to those you care about. See one of our open floor plan projects here.

a dining table in a room
Walker Woodworking

Connection Through Large Windows

Blues, greens, and browns are prominent colors found in nature. They are calm and create a relaxing setting. Incorporating nature into the design can help you forge a connection because it sets the perfect mood for gathering together. Large windows are a great way to let the best of nature in, inviting sunlight and calming scenery while keeping the allergies and heat out.

A few other noteworthy mentions about Windows:

  • Free artwork: Large windows create a perfect frame for the natural beauty found outside your home.
  • Natural light: It is a known fact that natural light can help with mood and has other health benefits for the body. Read more about it in this blog.
  • Resale value: These benefits will also make the home valuable to potential buyers.

By using bigger windows in the home, you create a backdrop where everyone feels at ease, perfect for those family dinners where everyone is encouraged to share their day’s events.

a kitchen with a large window
Greenbrook Design

Connection Through Entertaining

There is no greater connection than when you are with those you care about, such as family and friends. We are always free to be our true selves and express our fears, dreams, and plans. Building with a gathering in mind means that there will be plenty of opportunities to socialize and connect with others.

Some great ways to build for entertaining are:

  • Open floor plan: Eliminating walls encourages communication and fosters a sense of connection.
  • A great kitchen space: People tend to gather in the kitchen, so it’s essential to have a good traffic flow.
  • Good lighting: Just because the sun went down doesn’t mean the party needs to end. With sufficient lighting, the good times can keep on going.

Having a place to entertain means there is space to celebrate what is important: each other. It creates the perfect environment to connect, ensuring that memories will continue to be made in your home.

a living room with a chandelier and couches
Greenbrook Design

Ready To Connect?

Tired of a space that feels like it is hindering your ability to have a connection with your family? Ready to create one that is built from an inclusive design? Family is important to us; it is the foundation on which our whole company was built, so we understand the need to stay connected with loved ones. Time spent with family and friends is well-spent and creates memories that will last forever. We would be honored to help you create a space that is functional for your family and allows you to stay connected. Visit our showroom located in beautiful Uptown Shelby, where you can tour our displays and start building your connected space.

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Walker Woodworking Noir lighting Orion Pendent matte black finish

New Year, New Trends, New Lights: Home Lighting Trends for 2022

Design Notes

Since the invention of the light bulb, we have been able to brighten up our homes at any time of day. It has been great to eliminate shadows in areas where there are limited windows or even none at all, and allowed us to achieve more in a 24-hour period. Light fixtures have also developed from being just a practical tool into works of art, giving homeowners the chance to express themselves and add a touch of elegance to any room. Changing out a light fixture can completely alter or transform a room, and with so many sizes and styles, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. As we approach the close of another year, new home lighting trends for 2022 could provide helpful information for selecting your next light fixture that will perfectly illuminate your home.

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November 1, 2021/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Walker-Woodworking-Noir-lighting-Orion-Pendent-matte-black-finish.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1 1280 1920 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2021-11-01 13:39:402025-07-29 13:40:19New Year, New Trends, New Lights: Home Lighting Trends for 2022
a dining room with a table and artwork on the wallGreenbrook Design

A Place At The Table: Dining Room Design Tips

Life, Styled

Every area of the home has a purpose, a specific role to play in running a house smoothly, whether that is the living room where we relax or the bathroom where we get ready for the day. The kitchen is a place of preparation, the space where we go to cook for our family, but it is the dining room where it is served and enjoyed. This is the space within the home that gives families a designated area to gather around and dine together, as well as for activities like homework, bills, and fun things like family game night. It is a multifunctional space, which means it deserves some extra attention when selecting decor pieces. Let’s talk about the many elements you can use to give the dining room the love and beauty it deserves.

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October 28, 2021/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Walker-Woodworking-custom-cabinets-dean-chandelier-live-edge-dining-room-table-dovetail-furniture.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1 1280 1920 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2021-10-28 14:16:232025-07-29 14:16:48A Place At The Table: Dining Room Design Tips
a group of ceramic bowls and vases on a table live edge tableGreenbrook Design

Choose What You Love: What is Mixology Interior Design?

Design Notes

The world of interior design has run the full gamut of trends, from minimal to over-the-top and back again. Your home is meant to be your happy place, and a good design can affect the atmosphere. There are multiple styles to choose from, including modern, traditional, farmhouse, and transitional. Each possesses characteristics that make them unique in their own way, but sometimes what is offered is not enough, which is where the term mixology comes in, and no, we are not referring to the mixing of cocktails. There is a beauty when mixing and matching design styles, cabinets, and furnishings to create a space that perfectly reflects you. For a long time, designers were taught that things needed to remain within a certain realm of style in order for them to look good, but over the past few years, those boundaries have been broken down to make way for homeowners to express themselves in their own way. Out of this, there have been some new terms used to describe the shift in styles, such as grand millennial. If you like a few elements from multiple styles, then mixology may be your new best friend.

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October 21, 2021/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Walker-Woodworking-custom-cabinets-custom-dining-room-table-pottery-pieces.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1 1280 1920 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2021-10-21 14:20:222025-07-29 14:20:51Choose What You Love: What is Mixology Interior Design?
A kitchen with a double faucet sink and shelves and a large windowWalker Woodworking

Nature Inspired: What is Biophilia Design?

Life, Styled

Is Biophilia Design For You? We love the looks nature inspires, which is why we have multiple products available for you to browse inside our showroom. From unique artwork to furniture pieces, we invite you to visit us and spend time browsing our 5,000 square foot showroom located in charming Uptown Shelby and find the inspiration you’ve been looking for to create the perfect environment in your home.

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October 14, 2021/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Walker-Woodworking-custom-cabinets-Grothouse-butcherblock-Belwith-Keeler-hardware-metal-shelf-inset-cabinets-walnut.jpg?fit=1536%2C1152&ssl=1 1152 1536 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2021-10-14 14:26:382025-07-29 14:27:05Nature Inspired: What is Biophilia Design?
Walker Woodworking custom cabinets dog bath room beverage cooler top knobs hardware tomato red cabinets frameless cabinets

Make A Statement: Contrasting Colors in Design

Design Notes

The world of design draws on multiple elements to create the perfect space for homeowners, a place that represents them and their particular style. Color plays a vital role in the design process, and its effects go beyond just adding a splash to the room. Color can affect our mood, communicate a message, lessen eye strain, and even play a part in remembering certain events. It also has the ability to influence the size of a room with certain colors, causing the area to feel larger, while other shades create a more intimate feel. Color selection can be a fun and rewarding process, plus it provides you with a great way to tell your story. More homeowners are discovering the beauty of contrasting colors, and this choice is gaining popularity in the design world. From two-toned kitchens to opposites in cabinets and tile, contrasting colors can spice up your design and make a stunning statement. Let’s explore more about what contrasting colors are and how they can help you tell your story.

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October 7, 2021/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Walker-Woodworking-custom-cabinets-dog-bath-room-beverage-cooler-top-knobs-hardware-tomato-red-cabinets-frameless-cabinets.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1 1280 1920 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2021-10-07 14:31:492025-07-29 14:44:14Make A Statement: Contrasting Colors in Design
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Jan@greenbrookdesign.com
980-404-9600

 

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Our showroom is open to the public. Design meetings require an appointment, which can be done by phone or email. CONTACT US

 

Vendors require an appointment. Please contact: Jan@greenbrookdesign.com

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