Recently, I attended a seminar entitled “90 Design Ideas in 90 Minutes,” at the 2013 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. Fifteen architects and interior designers took to the podium to share what’s trending in architecture and decor. I’ve distilled the information down to 5 ideas that can easily update your home on a budget.
Monolithic Surfaces:
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Solid surfaces wrapped in singular materials are the main attractions in many modern homes this year. Envision a kitchen island wrapped in concrete or white carrera marble from the base to countertop. Marc Thee, Co-CEO of Marc-Michaeals Interior Design Inc., says the new trend is clean, structured material- monolithic sweeps of material especially natural or living edge materials such as wood. “Ornate or overdone design is out of favor. No longer do homeowners want heavy moldings, fabrics and furniture. The trend is light, clean, natural, simple,” says Thee.
The monolithic look can be affordable when wrapping a feature with cost-effective materials such as porcelain tiles. “A wood clad wall creates a lot of interest,” says Thee, who cites an example of monolithic design. “Wood plank walls with random heights and thickness create texture in a room.”
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Monolithic wood plank walls and ceiling in New American Home 2013[/caption]Concrete is gaining a lot of attention with this monolithic aesthetic. “Concrete is trending because it’s always recyclable 50 percent made of ash from coal factories and it’s very cost-effective,” says Suzanne Felber of Life Stylist.
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concrete countertop seamlessly blends with wood into a monolithic kitchen island.[/caption]Concrete countertops and sink bowls are showing up in kitchen and baths. One reason, says Felber, is that concrete allows more personalization of a space by mixing with fills.
High Contrast Spaces:
From the kitchen to the master suite, living space that contrasts is the dominant aesthetic in 2013. Architects, Builders and Designers are combining materials in stark contrast. Envision a white kitchen with dark floors or perhaps white Calcutta marble with espresso cabinetry in the bathroom. The two-toned kitchen is the best illustration of this design trend.
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Many kitchen designers are integrating two-toned styles with a white island surrounded by dark brown wall cabinetry or a dark brown island with white gloss cabinets for a clean, on-trend look. At the International Builders’ Show this year, Mei Kitchens showcased its new contemporary line of two-toned kitchen and bath designs including its industrial look in stainless steel and gray. Mei calls its new line clean and modern with more than 40 color options.
Collection Cases instead of Bookcases:
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a collection case embedded in stone fireplace mantle in New American Home, Las Vegas for 2013 International Builders' Show[/caption]The growing popularity of eBooks and electronic readers has rendered the traditional library and bookshelves obsolete. Instead, designers are transforming the bookcase into a “collection case” to show off personal collectables. Envision a collection case with cantilever shelves and you get the effect.
Shared Spaces:
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peek-a-boo bathtub in master suite from New American Home in Las Vegas[/caption]To maximize the function of square footage, many newer home layouts making use of shared space. Envision a master bath with alcoves for exercise equipment or a coffee bar. Another example is the “wet environment” or Euro shower that has the tub next to shower in one single space so essentially there is a tub in the shower. Architects, Builders and Designers are incorporating visual “peek-a-boo” spaces that look into the adjoining space. One example is in the master suite where the tub is in a “peek-a-boo” space visible from the bed.
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peek-a-boo tub in master suite from Marc Thee of Marc Michaels Interior Design, Inc.,[/caption]Indirect Lighting:
More attention focuses on lighting in 2013 for both function and design aesthetic. Indirect LED lighting underneath cabinets, in alcoves and embedded in trim and mouldings adds ambiance and an edge to any room. LED strings of light are affordable and easy to install in just about any area of the home with minimal electrical work required.
The concept of chromotherapy is gaining a lot of traction in home products where the user can change the color of backlighting or ambient lighting.
Now, even the mundane bathroom fixture is getting personality with products such as the Moxie showerhead and Numi toilet by Kohler that both feature chromotherapy lighting. The user can change the color scheme to fit his or her mood.
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Moxie Showerhead with chromotherapy color options from Kohler[/caption]Products that cast a pattern of light such as a door with a light grid or mesh that allows light to come through in beautiful pattern are also popular, notes Felber.
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