Archive for the ‘In Style’ Category

©2009 Scripps Networks LLC.,
9721 Sherrill Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37932

©2009 Scripps Networks LLC.,
9721 Sherrill Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37932

Builders and designers say that strapped consumers are eating out less and cooking more, which is increasing demand for functional kitchens.

Kitchen trends include:

• Making room for multiple refrigerators, including under-counter models, island refrigerators and column types.

• Considering cost-effective updates, including using limited amounts of expensive tile as a backsplash or accent, eye-catching hardware, and mixed countertops.

• Going green, not only in terms of recycled materials in countertops and floors, but also as a color for walls and other surfaces.

• Houses are shrinking and appliances are getting smaller so they don’t overwhelm the space.

Source: Los Angeles Times, Lauren Beale (01/22/2009)

A McGraw-Hill Construction study estimates that the value of green building construction could increase a possible 300 percent to as much as $140 billion by 2013.

Green Outlook 2009 observes that green building construction’s value has risen by a factor of five between 2005 and 2008, increasing from $10 billion to an estimated range of $36 billion to $49 billion.

“Green growth is phenomenal across the globe,” says McGraw-Hill’s Harvey M. Bernstein. “The business opportunities afforded by green building, even in the midst of a global economic crisis, are real and recognized by industry players.”

Green Outlook 2009 comes on the heels of two other highly positive McGraw-Hill reports: A September report predicted a major surge in growth and profits in green construction globally, while a second study in October concluded that green residential construction is continuing to trend upward despite the economic downturn.

Source: GreenerBuildings (11/19/2008)

Katherine Salant, nationally syndicated columnist and author of The Brand-New House Book,says houses designed with both a master and second bedroom on the first floor have become the most popular because they appeal to all age groups.

Young couples use the second bedroom as a nursery. Middle-age couples use it to keep aging parents close by, and older couples like the design because their differing sleep patterns make sharing a bedroom difficult, Salant says.

Here are other trends Salant points to:

• The newest variation on the home office is a completely separate office space, connected to the house by a hallway or a breezeway.

• Kitchens are getting smaller, but they are connected to much larger dining areas, often with a center island where family members can sit while they have an informal meal.

• Oversized family rooms with high ceilings are giving way to smaller, cozier rooms with lower ceilings.

• Home theaters have lost much appeal because people don’t want to watch television in a separate area of the home. TV viewing is a more informal activity that people engage in while they’re doing other things like cooking or getting ready for work.

Source: The Washington Post, Katherine Salant (10/18/2008)

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2011, fire sprinklers will be required in new one- and two-family homes and townhouses under a rule approved recently by the International Code Council that will be published in the 2009 International Residential Code.

The mandate’s supporters say it will give residents more time to exit during a fire, but the National Association of Home Builders is concerned about the higher home prices and maintenance costs that will result.

Though costs vary by community, the Fire Protection Research Foundation says sprinkler systems run an average of $1.61 per square foot of space covered.

Wall Street Journal, Anjali Athavaley (09/23/08)

Homes built in the midcentury modern style continue to fetch ever-increasing prices from preservationists and others who love their rich woods and minimalist design.

The Kaufmann House in Palm Springs, Calif., designed by Richard Neutra in 1946, brought $16.8 million with commission last week at a Christie’s auction.

Marc Porter, Christie’s president in America, said the buyer, whom he declined to name, exercised an option to purchase an orchard adjacent to the property for an additional $2.1 million that includes three cacti that were a present from Frank Lloyd Wright to original owner Edgar Kaufmann, Pittsburgh department store magnate, on his first visit to the home.

The 1960 Esherick House in Chestnut Hill, Pa. — one of the few private residences designed by the influential Louis Kahn — is part of a contemporary-design auction on May 18 at Richard Wright in Chicago. It is expected to bring $2 million or $3 million.

Many of these homes aren’t very livable. For instance, the Esherick House has only one bedroom and the kitchen. The five-bedroom Kaufmann House comes with restrictions that bar its new owner from making any structural changes.

Source: The New York Times, Carol Vogen (05/14/2008), and Newsweek, Cathleen McGuigan (05/19/2008)

Buyers are often in a hurry to decorate their new home. But advocates of a fledgling decorating philosophy known as “slow design” say that’s not the best decision.

Instead, they urge home owners to feel comfortable letting their décor grow organically, adding one unique item at a time.

“It’s a big investment, and you’re going to live in the space for a long time. Decisions shouldn’t be made over a glass of wine on a weekend,” says Wynne Yelland, principal with Locus Architecture in Minneapolis.

Here are some suggestions for giving a home personality “slowly” — and without spending a fortune:

• Think heirloom. Seek out well-made pieces by local artisans.
• Start small. Anchor each room with one piece that will have real character, depth and meaning that will last.
• Be patient. Don’t buy a roomful of furniture all at once. Let the décor evolve over time.
• Don’t automatically throw away things that are old. Sometimes a coat of paint or a small repair can result in furniture that is better than new.

Source: Star-Tribune, Kim Palmer (05/07/2008)

1. Take a cue from high-end homes.  Luxury homes showcase the latest in floor plans, appliances and décor. Check out your local tour of homes or visit some open houses in new construction neighborhoods. Living spaces like mudrooms and home offices are all the rage; formal living rooms are not.
2. Stick with your style.  Many experts agree that your remodeling projects should reflect the style of your home. For example, if you live in an ultra-contemporary condo, a quaint country kitchen might seem out of place and turn off potential buyers when you’re ready to sell.
3. Kitchen updates.  The kitchen is the heart of the home for many families and in addition to food preparation it’s also a place to pay bills and do homework. Today’s kitchens tend to be open and often include cabinets for TVs, computers and small appliances.  There are so many choices when it comes to kitchen cabinets, fixtures, flooring and appliances; where do you start? Lowe’s offers a free Kitchen Renovation Planner that can be downloaded here.
4. Go green.  Eco-friendly materials like bamboo flooring are gaining in popularity. So are Energy Star® appliances, windows, and lighting products, which increase energy efficiency. Lowe’s has a wide variety of energy-saving products that can save you money. Check it out: click here.
5. Go outside.  Outdoor living spaces are the latest trend in adding a room without adding four walls. At the high end of the market, outdoor living rooms, kitchens and fireplaces are becoming standard.
6. Technically speaking . . .  As our lives become more dependent on technology, homes will become “smarter”, allowing homeowners to remotely arm a home security system, turn appliances on and off, and control thermostats.
7. Artisan color trends.  The colors of 2007/2008 turn over a new leaf encompassing the natural, the ethereal, the homespun and the restful. These vivid elements inspire sophistication, regality, and simplicity. To view the Artisan color pallets, click here. You can also create your own Idea Notebook online, courtesy of Valspar and Lowe’s.