Austin Home Design 2010

Led by the green movement, modern design with clean lines and a good connection to the outdoors will be the strongest housing trend in Austin for 2010. Buyers today are well aware of housing design styles as they happen in real time. They watch home makeovers on television, receive décor catalogs in the mail, and browse through home magazines in line at the grocery store. They simply open their laptops to experience the latest, most creative ideas. Homebuyers today want their homes to express themselves and their interests.

Less Is More

The interest in green living, combined with the economic slowdown has led to a more efficient use of space in homes. Smaller homes with clean lines, open floor plan, and less stuff appeal today’s buyers. They are interested in livability, rather than showiness; personality, rather than pretention. Vaulted ceilings are out. Large media rooms and formal living rooms not connected to core areas are out. They are being re-invented as studies or home offices. A growing number of buyers work from home. Old garage apartments are finding new life as office space.

Hard Surface Floors

The green movement and modern design have both contributed to the use of hard surface floors. Carpets hold dust mites, dirt, and allergens. Bamboo, which grows a foot per day, is an attractive and sustainable choice. Other popular floors include concrete, stone, cork, natural linoleum, and rubber. Ceramic tile continues to be a good fit in baths and kitchens.

Mid Century Modern

Younger buyers are breathing new life into their grandparents’ mid-century modern homes. Geometric patterns and big flower prints from the 1950’s and 60’s are back in style. Vintage wallpaper on an accent wall is a great find. Marimekko, Danish modern, IKEA, Eames, and modern American furniture are a perfect fit with today’s styles. Sparse décor, hard surface floors, white walls, and extensive glass areas create a clean, simple look. Complexity is out, simplicity is in.

Eclectic Combinations

Traditional homes are being updated with sleek finishes, such as industrial light fixtures, flat cabinet doors, hard surface floors, and exposed windows. And, as the same time, modern style homes benefit from vintage or rustic touches. Open shelving in kitchens and baths are in. Stainless steel appliances are still a good fit. Bathrooms are smaller, but closets are still generous. Today’s flat screens fit in easily, and the trend is to have them in places like kitchens or baths. Modern design with a retro feel will be the leading edge in the next five years.

Move Over Granite

In the recent past, to upgrade a house was to “granitize” it. Today’s buyers want new choices. Recycled glass is a green inspired choice. Engineered stones, such as Cesarstone and Silestone, are growing in popularity. Soapstone, long used in labs, is in demand. The organic look of limestone, concrete, and marble have a following. Stainless steel is a good fit with modern styles.

Turquoise Is Back

Pantone, a color authority, has declared turquoise to be the color of the year for 2010.

Here is what’s out: Heavy faux; red and gold; thick wall texture. White and off whites are in. Pastels are in. Taupe and grey are combined with white for a sophisticated look. Deep colors such as turquoise, chocolate brown, and plum are used in moderation.  A soft organic pallet, such as cream, sisal, and raw wool is in. On wood, both the natural bare look and dark stains are used.

Outside is In

Buyers today want more connection to the outdoors. This is expressed in several ways. Glass doors that open the whole room to a patio are exciting. Screened porches have made a big comeback. On small urban lots, large glass areas may open to a private courtyard. Backyard gardens, covered patios with outdoor kitchens, and pools are all favored by today’s buyers.

Dining Area: A Core Space in the Home

 

Sitting down for a meal is a central function in the design of a home. The space for dining can range from a grand hall to a counter with stools in the kitchen. Dining spaces are as various as houses themselves.

Many homes have a separate formal dining room. Though used only occasionally, this area is often the most elegant and best furnished room in the house. It sets the design style of the house. There is something romantic about sitting down in a room especially devoted to the dining experience. Even the simplest food looks special on your best china in a formal dining room. It is a more private and serene place, separate from the work area and clutter in the kitchen.

Sometimes formal dining rooms develop a rigid, impractical look, more suited to viewing than eating. There are lots of creative ways to personalize a formal dining room to make the space feel safe and comfortable. Consider using a formal table with mix and match chairs, modern placemats, bright colors, assorted candle holders, and lamp lighting. The trend is away from having carpet in dining areas – giving the room a stuffy, impractical feel. Hard surface flooring is more inviting and can take the spills that inevitably happen.

In addition to the formal dining, there is usually a breakfast nook or a central counter for everyday meals. Although the formal dining is separate from the kitchen, it should be easily accessed from the kitchen. The passage to the dining may contain a butler’s pantry – cabinets for serving dishes or glassware.

A less formal alternative is to have the main common areas – kitchen, dining and living – all combined into one large space. Guests feel close to the core of the home, and can participate in cooking or mill around the living and dining area. This is a fun, open style that draws people together to cook, eat, and visit. A successful sequence is to have the spaces move from the most protected to the most outdoor – from the kitchen, to dining, to living, to porch.

Regardless of its location, the dining area should have enough space for a good sized table and at least one additional piece of furniture. Dining areas need natural light from windows or doors. Natural light makes food more appetizing. Dimmers to soften interior lighting at night are a good idea. The dining area is a core space in the house – a place for the important activity of eating and entertaining. How this space is configured, either as a separate room or a part of the living area, depends on the style of your home, degree of formality, and your personal preference.