.png)
Chapter 4: Why We Added Interior Arches: A Timeless Home Renovation Detail That Changed Everything
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 4
Farm Luxe Journal | Chapter Four
Sometimes the most beautiful spaces aren't completely open, they're thoughtfully connected.
When homeowners renovate, one request comes up almost every time: "We want an open floor plan." For Project Farm Luxe, we took a different approach by using interior arches and custom architectural details.
Instead of removing every wall, we used arches to create connection, borrow light, and give every room its own identity.
Here's why they became one of our favorite design decisions in the entire home.
Everyone Wants an Open Floor Plan… But Is It Right for Every Home?
Honestly, I understand why. For years, we've been told that bigger, more open spaces are better. So when families renovate, the first instinct is often to remove as many walls as possible.
But here's the thing.
Open isn't always inviting. Sometimes, completely open spaces lose something.
They lose intimacy. Character. The feeling that each room has its own purpose.
When we began designing Project Farm Luxe, we knew we wanted the home to feel connected, but not like one giant room.
That became one of the biggest design conversations of the project.
We Wanted Connection Without Losing Character
One of the first things we noticed during space planning was how beautiful the views were across the property. Every room looked out onto mature trees, open fields, and the surrounding farm.
Instead of competing with that landscape, we wanted the house to celebrate it.
Project Farm Luxe - Bar Project Farm Luxe - Primary Bathroom Project Farm Luxe - Kitchen
At the same time, we wanted each room to feel like its own destination.
The kitchen should feel cozy.
The dining room should feel intimate.
The living room should naturally draw everyone toward the fireplace.
Creating that balance became the goal.
Why Interior Arches Are Becoming a Timeless Design Detail
Arches have existed in architecture for centuries. Interior arches add softness, movement, and architectural interest to a home.
Unlike standard rectangular openings, arched doorways create a sense of craftsmanship and help define spaces while maintaining visual flow.
They're timeless. And welcoming.
But for us, they solved much more than an aesthetic problem. They became a way to define rooms without closing them off.
Instead of walking through standard rectangular openings, you experience each space with a sense of arrival.
You can still see the next room. Light continues to travel. Conversations continue.
But every room quietly says, "You've entered somewhere different."
The Transom Windows in the Arches Changed Everything
One of my favorite architectural decisions wasn't actually the arch itself. It was adding transom windows above the arches. This small detail completely changed the feeling of the home. Adding transom windows in the interior arches allowed us to bring more light into the home while creating a layered architectural moment between rooms.
PROCESS OF DESIGN: FROM RENDER (VISION) > BUILDING > THE REAL BEAUTY (FLIP AND SEE THE FLOW OF DESIGN)
Natural light now moves effortlessly from room to room. Standing in the kitchen, you can see glimpses of the dining room. From the dining room, your eye travels toward the living room and out to the fields beyond. Instead of creating one large open box, we created layers of visual connection. That makes the home feel much richer.
They Frame Views Like Artwork
One of the things I love most about architecture is how it can direct your attention. This is where custom home design becomes so meaningful. The best renovations are not just about selecting beautiful finishes, they are about creating architectural moments that improve how a home feels and functions.
Every arch in this home intentionally frames something beautiful.
The dining room mural.
The custom fireplace.
The kitchen.
The views outside.
Instead of simply walking from room to room, you experience small moments of discovery. Almost like each opening is introducing the next chapter of the home.
They Quietly Add History
One of the design goals for Project Farm Luxe was creating a home that felt as though it had evolved over generations.
Not newly renovated. Simply well loved.
Arches help tell that story.
Combined with warm oak, natural stone, vintage-inspired lighting, and layered textures, they make the home feel rooted - like it has always belonged on this property.
That sense of permanence is difficult to create with finishes alone.
Architecture does the heavy lifting.
Should Every Home Have Interior Arches?
Not necessarily.
Good design is never about copying a trend. It's about understanding the architecture of the home and the people who live there.
For Project Farm Luxe, arches made perfect sense.
They complemented the English countryside inspiration.
They softened the stronger lines throughout the renovation.
Most importantly, they helped us create exactly what the homeowners asked for: A home that feels warm, welcoming, and connected.
Our Biggest Takeaway
This project reminded me that great renovations aren't always about removing walls.
Sometimes they're about knowing which ones to keep.
Sometimes they're about shaping the opening differently.
Sometimes one thoughtful architectural detail changes how an entire home feels.
For Project Farm Luxe, that detail was the arch. And honestly...
I can't imagine this home without it!
Continue the Farm Luxe Journal
Every week we're unpacking another part of this renovation.
Coming next:
Chapter 5: Five Hidden Storage Ideas We Designed Into This Family Farmhouse Renovation
Chapter 6: Organic Modern Bathroom Renovation: Spa-Inspired Design Meets English Cottage Charm
Frequently Asked Questions
Are interior arches still popular in home design?
Interior arches continue to be popular because they add architectural character and softness while creating visual separation between spaces.
Do arched doorways work in modern homes?
Yes. Arched doorways can complement many styles, including modern, organic modern, Mediterranean, and English cottage-inspired interiors.
Are arches a good alternative to an open floor plan?
Arches can create connection between rooms while maintaining the feeling of separate, intentional spaces.
Thank you for reading our story on this beautiful design. It means the WORLD to us that YOU are HERE!
Can't wait to share more.
Xo,
BurJu
