Article: Wide open spaces; The formal living room is being eliminated in many new house plans. Trends in family life and entertaining have led many new home buyers to request more versatile spaces.(VARIETY)

On a recent afternoon, George and Janet Hewitt stopped by Parade of Homes Model No. 462 in Rosemount, the two-story Windwood Homes plan they intend to have built this year.

The Hewitts chose it for its open floor plan, they said. And the fact that it has no formal living room. "We don't want one," said George.

They seldom use the living room in their current home in Apple Valley, Janet said. "It's too isolated from the rest of the house."

Even when the Hewitts entertain, their living room is rarely the location, they said. With two boys, ages 5 and almost 2, "the entertaining we do is informal," said George. "Friends bring their kids."

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