Home Designs for 2009

From turning your bedroom into a cozy getaway, to basking in the glow of a homemade candle, surround yourself with warmth and comfort this season:

1. Invite Joy into Your Home
When it comes to creating a warm, welcoming home, attention to detail is far more important than budget and space. For instance, have you ever walked into an exquisitely furnished home and yet felt unwelcome? Or entered a modest apartment and never wanted to leave? It is within the walls of a calm home that joy is most easily experienced. Discover how you can create a blueprint for joy in your own home with this simple exercise by Zen Organizer Regina Leeds.

2. Turn Your Bedroom into a Cozy Sanctuary
Turn your bedroom into your ultimate escape. It doesn't take a lot of work or a lot of money, and yes, it'll be worth it. After all, what's better than snuggling in a warm bed (by yourself, or with the one you love)? So if you don't have a cozy blanket for the winter, get one now or put it on your gift list. It's the easiest way to add that "aaah" feeling to your bedroom.

3. Try an Ancient Space-Enhancing Secret
Turn your home into an inviting retreat with help from feng shui, the Chinese discipline that teaches you how to attract and enhance your life energy (chi) according to how your space is arranged. Feng shui can bring positive results to every aspect of your life, including your home.

You can create an environment that welcomes health, happiness and love just by moving some furniture and adding a few objects. Start by placing positive elements such as plants, candles, wind chimes and soothing colors around your home. Plus, get more quick tips with a simple lesson in feng shui.

4. Simple Details Make a Big Difference
You don't need a paint job or a furniture makeover to add a sense of light and laughter to your home. You can cheer up your interior with small, inexpensive touches and see big changes! Start by simply clustering candles on a plant stand or draping cozy throws over sofas and chairs. Find six more ways you can warm up your home this season from Soulful Home Maker Tracey McBride.

5. Bring the Bloom Indoors
Blooming indoor plants bring the beauty and vibrancy of an outdoor garden into your home. Whether you like lavender, jasmine or even flowering maple, Green Thumb Fran Sorin will show you five blooming beauties that are bound to brighten any room.

6. Create an Indoor Fountain
Water is soothing to the soul -- that musical trickling sound, the constant but quiet movement. So why not soothe yourself and your loved ones with an indoor fountain? You can make one in as few as four steps. What a treat for a coffee table, bedside stand or even in a front entrance (it's also great feng shui) -- perfect for greeting holiday visitors!

7. Promote Happiness with Color
One of the easiest ways to transform a room is with a new coat of paint. But which color matches your mood? Will the yellow in your kitchen soothe guests and keep family members happy? Can the colors violet, blue and green make a small room look bigger? Find out how to brighten the walls of your home and keep your spirits high with the Color Therapy Quiz.

8. Bask in the Glow
Candles are the perfect way to add a warm feeling to your home. An easy alternative to installing a dimmer switch, candles can create a friendly feeling in the living room, add sparkle to a dinner table and promote romance in the bedroom (plus, everyone looks better by candlelight!). Whether it's a cluster of tea lights, a grouping of candlesticks or a solitary three-wick giant, let the glow of candles fill your rooms -- and your heart -- with warmth and light.

9. Cleanse Your Space and Spirit
Treat your spiritual space the same way you treat your home -- keep it clean. Try this simple space-cleansing ritual -- all you need is a smudge stick (you can get one at any health food store), a bell and a few loud claps (that's right, hand claps) -- to clear your home of unwanted negative energy, and welcome in the joy.


Source article: 9 Ways to Make Your Home a Haven

Color is the most important element in decorating. The color wheel is a valuable tool that can help you decorate your home. Thousands of color combinations are possible, but you can use basic color information to create the color scheme best suited for your home and your personal taste. The steps involved in choosing colors shouldn't deter you from selecting a certain combination or layout. Always choose the colors you like best for decorating success.

The Color Wheel

The color wheel identifies color families and how they relate.

Primary Colors

All colors, with the exception of white, come from primary colors. Blue, yellow and red are the primary colors. Combinations of these three colors produce other colors. Mix all three together in equal amounts to produce brown.

Secondary Colors

Mix equal amounts of two primary colors to create secondary colors. The results are violet (red and blue), green (blue and yellow) and orange (red and yellow).

Tertiary Colors

Mix one primary color with larger amounts of another primary color to create tertiary colors. For example, mix one part blue with two parts red to make red-violet.

Basic Color Terms

* The hue of a color is the basic color. For example, blue is the hue in light blue and dark blue.
* Tone describes the color's density and reflective quality. Tone is important when choosing a color scheme.
* The value of a color describes the amount of white or black in the color. The value ranges from light to dark on a gray scale.
* The saturation of a color refers to its pureness and boldness.

Source Article: Choose a Color Scheme Like a Pro

A Rotating Exhibit
A wall treatment with appeal for children is chalkboard paint, which comes in black and green. This paint is exactly what you might expect: a dense, opaque liquid than can be used as a chalkboard after it dries. Bear in mind that chalk makes dust, which is the enemy of dark carpets, not to mention the allergies it can cause. An easier, and perhaps less troublesome, alternative is a magnetic white board, which could be turned into a fun, constantly changing exhibition space. Another option is to affix a large sketch pad to a wall and keep assorted paints and colored pencils nearby for easy access.

Hands-On Fun
Virtually all you need to make this simple project are a wooden switch plate, some bright paints and your child's willing hand.

Galvanized-Metal Magnet Board
Galvanized metal can be bought at a home center and mounted onto a wall or closet door to create a super-sized magnet board. Because metal edges can be sharp, make sure the panel is set into the recesses of the door or has no edges exposed to little hands. You can use assorted fanciful, decorative magnets to attach artwork, photos and ephemera.


Source article: 3 Wall Decor Ideas for Kids' Rooms

Having a small kitchen to begin with will ignite a lot of creativity and resourcefulness on your part. You have to choose every item and detail that you place in the room wisely in order to maintain a neat appearance as well as keep work as convenient as possible. You may be surprised to know that majority of people actually have small kitchens but still manage well.

Tried-and-Proven Ideas

New appliances will help create symmetry and organization in your small kitchen. Look for save-spacing and energy-efficient ones to maximize your working space and budget. Built-in appliances like ovens are very ideal in a small kitchen so you have more floor space. Compact models for microwave ovens, blenders and the like are also good which you can stock away in overhead cabinets when you’re done using them. Make sure that the refrigerator is big enough to accommodate common perishables but not too large that it overwhelms the kitchen. Wine refrigerators may come in handy too if you have extra room.

Another tried-and-proven idea for your small kitchen would be to increase countertop space. This boosts your working area so you’ll be able to avoid unwanted clutter and improve the work triangle. Try to increase the areas not covered or occupied by appliances with countertops. Try to make them deep enough so that you can work very comfortably and efficiently. Countertops may also serve as temporary holding areas for common items like pots, pans and chopping boards.

You need as much storage space as you can get in a small kitchen so add as many cabinets as you can. These will serve as containment areas for dishes, utensils and small appliances. Aim for depth to fit in more items. You can install hanging and wall cabinets depending on the layout of your kitchen. Align the cabinets with the corresponding appliances. Your goal is to minimize work or the distance from one point to another when performing tasks. Roll-out pantries, sliding shelves, built-in storage and standalone models are also good depending on your space.

Design Tips

Light is very important in a small kitchen as well as color. Letting in as much light through the windows, doors and a skylight is preferred to provide the illusion of space. It also makes it easier for you to work. When choosing paint, make sure it compliments other present tones in the room especially if you have a lot of hardwood. Aim for nice complimentary colors for the ceiling and floors as well. Pick tiles that can help make the room appear wider and avoid ceiling mold which tends to trap and limit space.

A small working area needs to stay clean all the time to avoid a cluttered appearance. Invest in a large sink where you can put in big pots and pans for washing. A large garbage bin at one corner will help keep wastes off countertops. Wire baskets will provide extra storage space for smaller items for easy location aside from the cabinets and pantries. Installing a tile back splash on walls over the sink, counters and range will clean up messes since you can easily wipe it off with a moist towel. Feel free to add accessorize to make the kitchen look more appealing. Avoid too many however or you risk getting a cramped look. Glass and stainless steel materials with tall shapes are recommended.

Source article: Small Kitchen Ideas

You really do not have to spend bigger amounts of money on living room design. Just some imagination and careful planning are all you really need. However, since you still have to dish out some money from your pocket before you can visually see those layouts and plans that you made for your living room design, it is still important to have everything organized to see their worth.

Decorate to Accumulate

Coming up with good living room designs should not be based primarily on the aesthetic value. Functions should come off as the top priority. You would not want your imported vases to be useless if you will display them in your living room and block the necessary space. Keep in mind that when creating living room design, it is best to always consider the space provided.

De-personalizing your home should be your priority if you are trying to come up with an interior design that is worth its value. Minimal clutters in the living room make it easier for the family to spend time with each other and do some ultimate bonding moments.

Besides, if you are planning to sell your house in the future, incorporating good living room designs will not only make your place attractive but will also increase its selling value. Nobody would want to live in a place that they do not see themselves living there.

Here are seven ways to make living room designs your main attraction or your main elements in making potential buyers feel at home:

1. Living sanctuary

Living rooms provide safe haven from the outside world and the living room design should reflect this. Opt for a soothing color scheme and avoid colors and busy patterns on walls. They will not be to everyone's taste and can make a room seem small and cluttered.

2. Accessorize with color

Invest in a new sofa, curtains, rugs, and some fresh, coordinating flowers, add the final touches such as potpourri, scented candles, and pretty packaged figurines for a luxurious, elegant feel. These things are almost available in any shade, but do not overdo it.

3. Keep the style neutral

If you are fitting a new living room from scratch, choose a design that is sympathetic to the architecture of the house. Be wary of designs with period details. Avoid indulging your personal taste. You should be choosing fixtures and fittings that will appeal to the broadest possible audience. After all, your living room will serve as your front liner when receiving guests in your house. So why not make your living room impressive with living room designs?

4. Reflect the light

If you have a small living room, create the illusion of space by keeping the décor light. Pale-colored wood or painted furniture work best for this, while glazed cabinets and shiny, tables reflect light. This kind of living room design will surely create the kind of lighting you need in your living room.

5. Sofa magic

The most frequently used and most expensive piece of furniture in your home is probably the sofa, so it is important to choose one that is well constructed.

Also, try to incorporate bright, colored fabrics for your sofa. This will create an impression of bigger living room.

To achieve a casual look that provides easy-care style, cushions with a foam core that is wrapped with thick layers of polyester fiber feel soft and are practically maintenance-free.

Indeed, living room designs like these will surely make a hit in your neighborhood. You can never be too sure if you can handle many praises regarding your interior design. Keep in mind that your living room serves as your front line element in making a good impression of your house as well as your personality. So be wary of choosing living room designs.

Source article: Living Room Design

We all love spending time in our patios, whether it be an afternoon barbecuing, having cocktails, or relaxing and reading a good book. Patios are a wonderful place to enjoy good meals, read a good book, converse, and spend time with loved ones in your own home. Even at night, the choice of lighting make a difference in the overall atmosphere and affect the functionality of the patio.

There are a variety of designs and themes you can choose from, depending on the size of patio that you want to build, and the mood you want it to have. Whether you choose to have a small or large patio, these simple patio design ideas are sure to help you make your patio the perfect place for entertaining or spending some quality alone time.

Some things that you might need to consider before planning out your patio design ideas are: the existing view that your patio has, the weather, and where the winter and summer sun hits. Work around those, and maximize the view that you already have.

1. If you already have a pool to work with, you can easily build a relaxing resort feel right in your own home. Use umbrellas that can serve as a great design to your patio in any color you’d like, dark green is a favorite, and that can serve as a temporary cover to your area. When it is sunny you can close the umbrellas and soak up the sun, while on less sunny days you can just as easily open them up to use.

Also, if you have a swimming pool, you can work around the pool as the focal point while having walkways built to and from the house, and working around the pool for your patio design idea. You can use beautiful landscaping to shape the theme and feel of the area around the pool.

2. Decide on a focal point for your patio. The focal point will draw the eye to it; it will be the highlight of your patio. If you have any odd edges in your patio, a focal point such as a statue, fountain, or flower bed is a great way to disguise it.

3. Lighting is an important factor in making your patio livable during the nighttime. Not only do they add beauty to your patio, but also make the entire area safer to walk in at night. There are several options you can choose for lighting, torches add a great natural feel and are a great patio design idea. Hanging lights from trees, ceilings, covers or gazebos also add a soft, romantic feel to the atmosphere in your patio. When selecting a lighting choice for your patio design idea, also remember strategic areas that you will need to add lighting for safety. These are walkways, steps, or any level changes.

4. There are many choices and materials available for selecting a patio cover. When selecting one, the most important factor to take into consideration is the weather. If you live in an area that is mostly sunny throughout the year, you might want a patio cover that is temporary, such as awnings, and umbrellas. For those who live in colder areas with less sun and more possibility of rain during the year, a permanent cover such as gazebos, corrugated metal roofs, and pergolas are a great idea.

Great patios are extensions of the home that are both functional and appealing to the eye. In selecting designs, remember to do designs that are reflective of your personality, so you can have maximum enjoyment of your personal space.


Source article: Patio Design Ideas

Bosco Building, Inc. of West Bloomfield, Michigan received honors in eight design categories at the 2009 Detroit Home Design Awards.

West Bloomfield, MI (PRWEB) March 27, 2009 -- Bosco Building, Inc., a leading custom home building firm in luxury residential construction, announced that the company received industry recognition with eight prestigious Detroit Home Design Awards. An awards gala was attended by over 350 of the state's most talented architects, builders, designers and artisans on March 3rd, 2009 at the Max M. Fisher Music Theater in Detroit, Michigan.

The Detroit Home Design Awards (DHDA) program is Michigan's foremost residential design competition showcasing the region's top design professionals. The awards program, now in its fifth year, is presented by Detroit Home -- a magazine devoted to not only where you live, but how you live and takes readers inside the area's most intriguing homes and neighborhoods. A panel of design critics, professors, magazine editors, and out-of-state industry professionals selected the winners from over 600 entries.

"This was our first year participating in this prestigious competition," commented Donald Bosco, President of Bosco Building Inc. "We have always been proud of the homes we build but it is an honor to have our work recognized by our industry peers."

This year, first place designations went to the firm for Home Theater Design and Best Traditional Interior Design.

Bosco Building, Inc. garnered second place awards in five different categories as well: Best Overall Home, Traditional Living Room/Great Room, Dining Room, Large Bath, and Decorative Glass and Mirror Installation.

The firm rounded out its awards with a third place awards for Specialty Room Design for a child's art and playroom.


Source: West Bloomfield Luxury Home Builder

GALION -- The second annual home design seminar, "Fresh Focus on Design 2009," will be 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, hosted by My Floors by Prints and Paints, 888 Bucyrus Road. The event is free.

"After last year's success, we wanted to bring something special to the community and people who've kept us going for 31 years," Steve Frankhouse said. "So in addition to our seminars and local vendors we are hosting a fashion show, art show and a famous TV personality."

Chip Wade, carpentry specialist and jack-of-all-trades for HGTV's "Designed to Sell," will be present, as will Mohawk Carpet's senior colorist, Patrice White, who will bring the latest trends in carpeting and color coordinating. Abby Songer from Uppercase Living will be on hand and Peebles Department Store of Bucyrus will present a fashion show at 6 p.m.

Galion City Schools will show art projects, "Green."

People are urged to make reservations to attend by calling 1-800-487-5532, but it is not required. Light refreshments and door prizes will be included.

My Floors by Prints and Paints is a family owned and operated business that has been serving Galion and Ohio for 31 years. For information visit www.printsandpaints.com.

Source: Home design seminar

By Christine Lancaster


CANTON, Ill. -


Ah, how relaxing to take a few minutes to escape from the real world between the pages of a Better Homes and Garden magazine.

Beautifully manicured lawns and gardens have nary a weed growing. Rooms decorated in the latest trends offer inspiring ideas for your own home. Articles explain everything from health and beauty tips, to organizing a closet, to painting the back fence. Mouth-watering recipes are showcased with tantalizing photos of the finest cuisine.

Now, just before you return to the real world where the toast gets burned, and the yard has crabgrass, turn to the pages at the front of the magazine. There you will find the name Amy Davis, associate art director. Davis is the daughter of John and Gloria Davis of Canton.

Those beautiful magazine pages get their beginning in the mind of someone like Davis. Davis says that from there, her ideas go to photographers and set designers. The ideas come to life in photo shoots which Davis directs. She then follows up with graphic designers who create the pages.

Davis has always been interested in art, but did not take time for art classes until her junior year at Canton Senior High School. She explains she wasn’t an amazing artist, but her interest and passion for the subject kept her trying all types of media in the field.

Davis gives credit to high school art instructor Scott Snowman. Davis explains that Snowman wasn’t just a "9-to-5" teacher. He cultivated her interest and her desire to learn more than the class could offer. Knowing her interest in graphic design, Snowman "went the extra mile" and offered her special projects.

After two years of art classes, Davis says she was hooked and knew this would be her career.
She majored in graphic design, with a concentration in advertising and minor in English at Drake University, where she received a $2000-per-semester art scholarship.

Her career direction was determined after she received a phone call from a design director at Meredith Corporation (publisher of Better Homes and Gardens), who had been given her name by Drake professor Connie Wilson. Davis says that Wilson not only taught, but owned her own design business, helping to better prepare her students for the competitive professional world. Davis was selected for the intern opportunity due to her drive and passion for the profession.

Continue reading...

Don't miss the 6th Annual Connecticut Home Design Expo, March 28 - 29, 2009 at the Hilton Stamford Hotel.

The event is sponsored by the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) as well as the finest media companies in Connecticut.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to:

This unique event will feature products & services from Connecticut and New York businesses, including:

• Home Theaters
• Flooring
• Decorators
• Marble & Granite
• Interior Designers
• Home Builders
• Architects
• Whirlpool Tubs
• Pools
• Furniture
• Landscaping & Lighting
• Home Furnishings
• Kitchens & Baths
• And many more!


Plan now to attend!

For more event details, kindly follow this link: Connecticut Home Design Expo

Whenever you wish to decorate or redecorate, the most common advice that comes your way is pick a style and stick to it. So what exactly is this style? What defines a style and how many of them are there today? To be honest, every home has its own style, but we have some broad classifications under which they all fall. In case you are just starting to plan on decorating your interiors and are looking for a style guide, here they are ..

Traditional Furnishings

This is arguably the most popular way of doing up your interiors. And there is a reason for that. It looks both official and casual and that degree of seriousness can be altered by mixing it with other styles marginally. The traditional style relies largely on dark, mahogany-styled wooden furniture, leather in dark tones and a few lighter wooden pieces to alter it slightly. While the Old World style is purely classical, the Tuscan Villa style is on the other end of the spectrum and uses lighter tones. No matter what you chose, this style is always a charmer.


The Contemporary Style

Ranging from the bright shades, loud colors and hip-swinging accessories of the Retro to the more up-to-date style of Urban and Chic, the contemporary style is easier to achieve compared to the classical look. It allows you to shop with a lot more freedom, art lovers can chose their favorite pieces and you can either chose the straight lines, sensuous curves or vivacious circular theme. This is more casual and far more comfortable than most other styles.


Minimalist and Modern

We all know about the minimalist style very well by now and while this is also in a way contemporary, it stands markedly away from the likes of Retro, Urban, Art deco and Casual. Highly refined edges, sleek straight lines, simple cubic designs, and the use of neutral shades are its trademark, giving interiors an ultra-cool and futuristic look. Probably the hottest theme around, the minimalist style also presents with an excellent and often excessive use of glass to add glitter and lighting to the room.


The Historical Style

The most popular historical style of decorating is the Victorian style with its tainted glass, dark wooden furniture, picture and object frames that have heavy metal work on them (and even fabric like silk, wool and velvet to accentuate the feel). Then there are styles like Colonial which are far difficult to replicate. A historic style is probably the most difficult to carry off as you are trying to recapture the long gone past and transforming the interiors completely.


The Exotic Style

The exotic style depends actually on the place you hail from. Someone from China and India may not find an Oriental style that exotic or a South African might not feel the same for an African theme. Using something that comes from a different culture, an unusual concept or rare origin, they all fall under exotic. Althought they may look amazing, keep in mind that it’s pretty expensive as such furnishings will be hard to find and will cost plenty if you are getting them shipped across continents.


Country Style

Muted colors, mid-toned woods or painted finishes and vintage fabrics are the hallmark of this style that varies with the region it hails from. Whether it’s the classic English style, the common Cottage style or the charming French model, they all have common elements with cultural variations.


The Eclectic Style

A combination of various time periods, cultural backgrounds and traditions, these types of furnishings are rare, hard to achieve and take plenty of care in need to get the balance right. You cannot just throw in random stuff and call it Eclectic (or a daring experiment). While there are marked styles in this like Tribal and Bohemian, this is a style that is often best left to experts… unless you are really talented that is.


At the end of the day, furniture design styles are flexible with old rules being constantly altered and designs being mixed and matched. You must love a style to bring it home, otherwise it will be just a waste of time and cash.

So chose wisely and decorate aptly!

See full article with pictures

By Michael Russell

If you want to keep up with the latest trends in home design and lighting you should probably go beyond the usual standards, ignore all the advice given to you by professional interior designers and go for a personal style. At least this is the latest trend.

With so many models, coming in all possible sizes and shapes, people find it easier to opt for a personal style when decorating the interiors of their residences, at least when it comes to lighting fixtures. This phenomenon has a simple explanation: the use of light is no longer reduced to simple illumination purposes, but goes further than this status towards self-expression, mood lighting, accent lighting, architectural lighting and even landscape lighting.

The choice of lighting products is increasing also due to the various lighting technologies that bring different advantages to the consumers and are used in different applications. If light fixtures designers are living a moment of glory, lighting designers are facing a real dilemma; clients prefer to choose the lighting fixtures alone and employ light technicians to mount them. This doesn't mean that lighting design is a profession doomed to be outshone! It's probably just a phase until consumers realize that only a professional designer can create a interrelated structure between illumination, structural design and interior decoration.

But most of the users still choose the lighting fixtures alone and their choices vary between three "root-styles": elegant, traditional and contemporary. The average consumers choose their light sources based on price (cheaper are winning), but some take into consideration other factors as well and the most important is energy efficiency. Although energy efficient luminaries are more expensive, they help cut back electricity consumption. You probably already have in your home a reading lamp with dimmer switch or other light sources of the kind. Dimming the light is one way to cut back costs but it also saves energy and extends lamp life. Compact-fluorescent lamps and light emitting diodes (LEDs) are also very popular choices.

Lighting is not used solely overhead, as it used to be. Today light sources can be used to create a mysterious atmosphere, to enhance the mood of a room or to spotlight an artwork. When it comes to mood lighting, there's nothing better than concealed light sources to highlight a painting or backlights to generate a warm glow behind curtains or pieces of furniture. When it comes to mounting the lights in their homes people become more and more creative. Nowadays it's almost usual to see special lighting effects on the walls of the living room, as usual as it is to see dimmers and solar garden lamps.

Consumers react differently to lighting and lighting objects. Some even buy based on "I like it" more then on "I need it". Let's face it: do you really need a LED cube with a wooden frame to impress your guests or a mood light panel to relax? Not really. But this type of lighting products sells like crazy nowadays and a the trend will probably grow.

Source Article: Lighting Trends in Home Design

Cutting-edge kitchen island designs demand creativity - fittingly, and so do your clients. As a contemporary designer, you want to make a dramatic impression while creating innovative solutions to your kitchen design dilemmas. As an architect, kitchen islands become aesthetic centerpieces for the space. Modern innovations in kitchen appliances and materials mean your only limit these days is your own imagination. Here are our top picks of the latest, most innovative, tech-savvy, unusual and amazing island designs that are sure to inspire you. Enjoy the pictures and ideas here...

Kitchen Islands & Kitchen Island Designs / Ideas / Pictures - 15 the most unusual!

In the Zone

Often the goal in redesigning a kitchen is to improve the traditional “work triangle”—the path between the refrigerator, the food prep area, and the cooking area. The standard work triangle puts the sink midway between the refrigerator and the oven, with a food preparation surface between the oven and the sink. Designers have even defined optimal lengths for the sides of the triangle for maximum efficiency so the cook does not feel cramped or need to take unnecessary steps.

This traditional conception is being challenged by a new approach that focuses on ergonomic workstations, like those found in the workplace. Contemporary kitchens create functional zones for food preparation and cooking, clean up, and eating. For example, a freestanding island might be dedicated to food preparation, with storage for utensils and cutting boards. It might also incorporate a second, smaller sink used exclusively for food, like those found in restaurants, thus avoiding cross-contamination.

"Well-placed appliances and storage mean less wear on the back and joints. Counter heights can be adjusted to the cook to reduce strain, and drawers can be used in place of cabinets, innovations that appeal especially to older homeowners," said Suzann Thompson of Cabinetcraft.


Above and Below

Kitchen floors get a lot of traffic and often need to be replaced. The old standbys, vinyl and linoleum, look better than ever and are among the most comfortable surfaces. They are matched in durability by wood floors coated with polyurethane. Stone and tile floors introduce colors and textures reminiscent of Mediterranean kitchens.

"Kitchen lighting affects the mood of a room and tops the list of many homeowners’ lists of things to change. A good kitchen design will balance efficient lighting for the workstations and dining areas with the overall lighting of the space, " said Hans Joubert of Lighting and Bulbs Unlimited.

Recessed lighting is less popular than in the past. Where once track lighting on rails was employed, now several smaller lights are suspended from the ceiling, providing directed lighting with stylish shades. Pendant lamps are also very popular and come in styles to complement every decor—from Asian to French Country.

Surface Area

"A strong trend in kitchen design is the use of natural materials. This is evident in the consistent popularity of natural stone countertops (and even sinks). Stones such as soapstone, slate, granite, quartz, and marble are resistant to scratches, burns, and wear, and they are unrivalled in beauty and elegance," said Daphne Fryday, interior designer at The Tile Collection.

Many new kitchens mix more than one surface material: for example, quartz based Silestone™ or Zodiac™ counters may be in the main surface area with granite or stainless steel existing on an island. Stainless steel adds a strong commercial flavor to a kitchen and also provides a seamless, nearly germ-free surface.

"These days, kitchen sinks are becoming a distinguishing feature. Manufacturers are making an array of sinks in various materials, configurations, and colors. Showrooms display long, thin sinks, designed to look like troughs or streambeds; professional apron-front sinks; sinks that join countertops with no visible transition; and sinks in bold colors," added Wanda Jackson of The Majestic Bath.

Added Tammi Whitby of Crossville Tile & Stone, "Once upon a duller time, the backsplash—the wall space between the back of the counter and the bottom of the cabinet—was painted or wallpapered to match the rest of the kitchen walls. Today’s backsplashes might be an extension of the countertop or decorated with tile that matches the flooring."

Good Space

Homeowners are as eager to maximize the kitchen’s storage space, as they are to change the room’s look and feel. Creating the best use of space may mean introducing organizational systems in existing cabinets and drawers. Older well-built and well-placed cabinets can be refaced or painted for a fraction of the price of new cabinets. However, if the cabinets are awkwardly placed or poorly designed, it is better to replace them completely. "Most new cabinet systems incorporate the latest in organizational trends, like dividers and sliding trays," added Sam LaVergne of South End Cabinets.

Knobs, pulls, and handles for cabinets and drawers are an outlet for the homeowner’s self-expression. Once an afterthought in the hardware store, these accessories now take up their own aisle at large home-improvement stores. The effect these pieces have on a kitchen is not proportionate to their diminutive size. A kitchen with white ceramic knobs looks very different when refitted with brushed chrome knobs.

Clever Appliances

The options offered on appliances rival those on James Bond’s car: for example, a sampling of new refrigerators finds French doors, freezer drawers, and even televisions in the door. Noted Bill Pleasants of Plaza Appliance, "The all-in-one range and oven can be replaced with two ovens in the wall—with features like a built-in rotisserie—and a separate glass-topped range or an industrial-size gas range. This trend toward commercial-kitchen features in the home is reflected in other extras like wood-burning brick ovens."

Stainless steel appliances, which can bring an aura of professionalism or a vintage feel to a kitchen, continue to be popular. Contemporary kitchens even feature appliances in strong colors like blue and red. Another trend is disguising appliances by having their exteriors match the cabinetry for an integrated, uninterrupted look. And because kitchens are more likely to be part of an open floor plan than they were in older designs, appliances are getting quieter.

Just for You

When you realize just how wonderful a new kitchen will be, you may want to start renovations immediately. Experts suggest that you take your time planning your renovation because making changes once you’ve started can be expensive. According to a survey by Consumer Reports, "Roughly 30 percent of readers regretted not spending more time planning, learning more about materials, and screening pros."

Get a look at the hot trends in kitchen design by perusing magazines, touring model homes and showrooms, checking out the kitchens found in gourmet cooking stores, and touring impressive home kitchens in your area on local tours. Take time to reflect on how the kitchen is used and how it fits with the other rooms of the house. Start a running list of things to change or add in a renovation, and keep it in the kitchen so family members can add to it as things come to mind.

Once these needs are addressed, allow yourself to dream beyond practicalities. Set aside space for displaying a collection, such as antique yellow ware bowls or exotic baskets. Designate one wall to hold an extra-large chalkboard for family communication like the one in your childhood home. Add a small wine cooler in the space opened up when the dishwasher moves to the new freestanding island.

The good news is that many kitchen designers say that the hottest trend is to disregard trends and strive for a personalized space! With the endless combination of lighting, flooring, storage, surface, and cooking options available, you no longer need to sacrifice appearance for function.

Your kitchen can and should reflect your personal style no less than any other room in the house does.


Source article: The Latest Trends in Kitchen Design

Before the recession dulled our materialistic impulses, shopping used to be regarded as nearly on a par with a hobby. It was perfectly acceptable to spend a weekend doing things like stepping into the SoHo outpost of the furniture designer Ligne Roset and splurging on guilty pleasures like its deliciously bright Pumpkin chairs, right. Or to nose around antiques sites like 1stdibs.com without really worrying about whether the value of your purchases would appreciate.

For reformed shoppers, this year’s Architectural Digest Home Design show, partly sponsored by The New York Times, will supply a blast from the past: its 110,000 feet of display space functions as both a high-end shopping mall and an expansive gallery full of endless amounts of eye candy created by some of the design world’s most gifted visionaries.

For this affair, though, it is possible to be entertained without approaching your credit card limit. In addition to offering irresistible furniture and antiques, the organizers have lined up events that will suit the newly budget-conscious. On Friday afternoon the designers Barclay Butera, John Buscarello and William Green headline a seminar called “Decorating in the New Economy,” which promises advice on which bare essentials are required to transform any room. Mr. Buscarello is joined by Christopher Beggs and Benjamin Huntington for a second panel, on Saturday, tailored to design for small spaces. For all those who have a renewed interest in eating in, chefs will be preparing treats — and offering samples — in an eco-friendly kitchen. Attendees can also take advantage of free 20-minute consultations offered by several firms as well.

Click here for exhibit schedule listings for different museums and sites.