I live in the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis / St.Paul, where we have one of the largest Parade of Home tours in the country. Every year I look through all of the Parade offerings to see if I can identify any new trends.
A couple of things have struck me; 1) how very similar many of these houses are and 2) this economy cannot be a great environment for many home builders. The question begs to be asked; if you areby-and-large building the same house as your competition, how is yourmuch sought after customer going to decide which house to purchase? Right,pretty much on price alone. This doesn't seem like a good business formula to me.
As an architect I have worked with a number of builders that understand the benefits of a creative and well thought out home design. Builders such as this are not afraid to separate themselves from the pack. Now more than ever architects and builders need to examine whether their current business practices are serving them well. Perhaps this is the time to consider doing something completely different, because quite honestly the consumer has become much more savvy and selective! They are going to demand smaller, efficient, better designed, and more economical homes. Cookie cutter homes, clone homes, and yes even McMansion homes may always have a share of the market, but I believe if we don't as an industry, embrace and adapt to the ever changing building market, we will continue to see one business after another close their doors for good. Now how sad is that?
Turquoise Aquamarine These are some of my favourite pictures I have been collecting throughout the year of this beautiful color: Turquoise Aquamarine Enjoy !
Farrow & Ball Lulworth Blue
Farrow & Ball Cooks Blue
Farrow & Ball Chinese Blue
Farrow & Ball Stone Blue
Farrow & Ball Blue Ground
The color family of Turquoise and Aquamarine has more to do with feeling and creative expression than with rational thought.These colors between green and blue the shades of turquoise, blue green and aquamarine relate to transformation, evolution, change. Aquamarine: stimulates the intellect and stabilizes the emotions, improves confidence, and the ability to stand fast, helps communication. Turquoise: supportive and protective, heals the spirit, soothing, increases contentment.
The article sites the following housing trends for the 50 and over market:
New house plans are getting a bit smaller - down to about 2300 sf average
People are looking for affordability
Folks are doing a lot of in home entertaining, so open floor plans and kitchens with island seating are important. Didn't I see this on a golden girls episode?
People are seeking smaller house plans that still feel large - quote "more space-efficient design concepts include using less space for hallways, fewer walls to give a more open feel, and more storage under stairways and above kitchen cabinets" Are you kidding me? These are cited as revolutionary concepts?
Seniors are open to smaller lots and higher densities
Clients are making less expensive choices - eschewing granite counters for other alternatives
Well I say it's a great feeling to be in style again! These are exactly the kinds of homes we have been designing for years at Ron Brenner Architects, and exactly the kinds of house plans I offer at Simply Elegant Home Designs.
And I have news. The trends cited are not exclusive to the 50's and over crowd. These are the kinds of homes that our clients have been seeking for quite some time. And most of our clients have been 30 and 40 somethings. They are looking for a smaller yet highly functional and livable floor plan. A house plan that is smarter and nicer. Around here we call that "just plain good design".
Slipcovers are a fitted protective cover that may be slipped off and on a piece of upholstered furniture. Slipcovers are usually made of cloth. Slipcovers may be removed for seasonal change, cleaning, moving, or storage. Slipcovers are sometimes defined as "clothing for furniture." They are tailored just as clothing is, and are fitted loosely or snugly to the taste of the owner or tailor. Some people order furniture upholstered in plain muslin slipcovers with the intention of using only the slipcovers.
slip·cov·ers noun Date:1856
What a great way to update the look of upholstered leather chairs by using leather for slipcovers instead of the more traditional tight leather upholstery technique. It adds a whole new dimension to the "leather" look. Slipcovers are a great alternative and they give a more casual feel to furniture. You can change the look of your room by having an extra set of slipcoversand by changing these slipcovers seasonally you have a brand new decor. Leather slipcovers may be all that your existing chairs need to update them. The new faux leather on the market has the advantage of being easy to clean. And for higher end faux leather products, it is hard to tell the difference from real leather, unless you give it the leather 'sniff test'.
Slipcovers Lane Industries Leather Slipcovers left, John Saladino center & right Leather Slipcovers 'Harley Chair' center John Saladino Leather Slipcovers 'Cassandra Chair' right
Food for thought:John Saladino is the designer of the Harley and Cassandra Leather slipcovered chairs above. He has several meticulously designed and detailed chairs with leather slipcovers in his exclusive 'Saladino Style' line which he has carried for years. As a matter of fact, John Saladino is 'known' for leather slipcovers in the world of design by professional designers. Interior Designers/Decorators are usually the first to create a design that is fresh and new and then it eventually filters down to the mass market like the current "What's Hot" fad for Leather Slipcovers, which is now being seen in mass production in the example of the chair on the left above by Lane Furniture. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with mass produced furniture, but what I lament is that the original designer of the concept is often forgotten and not recognized in the wake of the new trend. In Italy they have an award that is given out each year called the Compasso d'Oro. It publicly acknowledges the contribution by designers of outstanding products made in Italy. Many of the designs that have won awards are now so fully encompassed into our every day lives that we take them for granted. Last year a Compasso d'Oro award in Italy was presented to the American designer Karim Rashid for a dresser he designed for an Italian Company. I admire the Italians for honoring their designers and giving them the acknowledgment that they deserve. Unfortunately we do not have a national award such as this in North America to foster pride in the great designers that contribute so much to the quality of our lives.
This picture of this interesting canopy bed was sent to me by Ivan Meade, and is designed by Asli Tunca, who is a designer in Turkey. She does beautiful minimalist work using stunning antiques. Ivan recently did an interview with her -In Conversation with Asli Tunca & Carl Vercauteren
Ceilings left untreated are one of my pet peeves. Walls and floors get all the attention. Why are ceilings neglected, when they are one of the largest surfaces in a room and are a perfect opportunity for adding an extra dimension to the room.
1. Faux Finish Ceiling Treatment - Add interest to your ceiling treatment by painting on a pattern or a Faux Finish.
2. Medallion Ceiling Treatment - A ceiling medallion treatment is usually in the form of an ornate rosette. Most are round, but for something unique they are also available square or oval. It can be an interesting feature to add to a contemporary setting.
3. Tudor Style Ceiling Treatment - This ceiling treatment can look equally good in a modern setting or a traditional setting.
4. Honeycomb Ceiling Treatment - A contrasting honeycomb pattern adds drama and focus to this ceiling treatment.
5. Contemporary Dropped Ceiling Treatment - This home from Budapest uses a contemporary ceiling treatment by varying heights & geometric patterns. Notice the square recessed pot lights.
6. Painted Ceiling Treatment - Painted stripes on this ceiling treatment. This is fun and creates visual interest on the ceiling.
7. Coffered Ceiling Treatment - Coffered ceiling treatments are an great way to add architectural focus to your ceiling.
8. Pressed Tin Ceiling Treatment - See Architectural Depot for some great Tin Ceiling Tiles
