Declines in Home Sizes Seen Easing, AIA Survey Reveals

Consumer Buying Trends

Washington, DC-
The collapse of the housing market resulted in greater interest in smaller homes, but that trend appears to be leveling off, as there continues to be interest from homeowners in investing in their properties, particularly with regard to outdoor living space. Accessibility also remains a concern, along with ongoing demand for more flexible and open design within homes.

That's the key finding of the latest in a series of quarterly "Home Design Trends" surveys conducted by the American Institute of Architects. The survey, conducted among a panel of some 500 residential architects, found that while downsizing has been the dominant theme for housing over the past several years, that trend is becoming less dominant "as the housing market indicates the beginning of a thaw," and declining home sizes "may be finally hitting bottom".

"As falling home prices pushed the number of foreclosed properties to record levels, new homes have been getting smaller and more affordable in an effort to compete with these distressed properties [and} home designs have not included much in the way of extras" the Washington DC-based AIA said.

According to the AIA, the few options included in home designs during the downturn have typically focused on green features (often to improve energy efficiency in ab environment or rising energy costs) or accessibility, as an aging population looks to adaptions that allow them to stay in their current homes.

That however, appears ti be changing, according to AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker. "overall home sizes showing signs of increasing slightly indicates that the housing market is stabilizing after being in a downward spiral since 2007," Baker observed.

Declines Moderating

During the run-up in housing prices through the middle of this past decade, home sizes increased dramatically, the AIA said -noting that, in contrast, homes sizes declined, sharply during the recession. However. the AIA's recent survey, focused specifically on the first quarter of 2011, "suggests that this trend is moderating". While the lastest figures don't suggest that home sizes are suddenly and dramatically increasing, they reveal "that the pace of decline has slowed".
"Until home prices begin to accelerate, it is unlikely that home sizes and volumes will show significant gains," Baker said.

Declines in home sizes at the upper end of the market appear to be stabilizing ahead of more affordable, entry-level homes, he commented. " In most markets across the country, lower-price homes have fallen further percentage-wise during the housing recession and, as a result, a high share of distressed properties are at the lower end of the new home price spectrum.
"Buyers of upper-end custom and luxury homes, therefore may be a bit less nervous about further price declines," Baker said.

Simplicity in Layouts

Reflecting the desire to keep homes affordable in the current weak housing market, home layouts have generally been simpler and floor plans more flexible, according to the AIA, which notes that the one general exception to this trend is a continued interest in accessibility into and around the home.
"As out population ages and household members prefer to age in their current home, accessibility has become a growing concern," Baker says, pointing out that in-home accessibility was observed to be increasing in popularity by 58% of surveyed architects. Accessibility into and out of the home was another design priority seen as growing in popularity by almost half of the respondents.

An open space layout was another design priority seen as growing in popularity, Baker said. "With more pressure on space in the home, interest has grown in designing homes with more open space that gives the household more programmatic flexibility," he commented, adding that informal space is another lifestyle preference that remains popular.

Outdoor living also continues to be a popular lifestyle preference and there a popular design option. Sixty percent of surveyed architects reported outdoor living spaces (like covered outdoor space, outdoor rooms and outdoor cooking areas) to be growing in popularity- one of the few items where popularity was reported as accelerating from the survey of a year ago. A related trend, blended indoor/outdoor space, was also reported as growing in popularity, the AIA said.

6 Paint Color Trends for 2012

The Paint Quality Institute  has identified what it says will be the hot color trends for 2012, according to color expert, Debbie Zimmer.


 Blue, the Jewel of the Sea Blues gained popularity in 2011 and continue to be red hot in 2012. “From sparkling sea-glass blue to colonial blue-grey, blues are suitable for all living spaces, being a naturally soothing color that is loved – in one iteration or another -- by almost everyone,” says Zimmer

Green, From Farm to Forest Greens, ranging from celery and asparagus to fir and fern, allow homeowners to bring the comforting feelings of the world outside into the world within. According to Zimmer, dining rooms and kitchens are the “natural” spots for in vogue greens, but the hue is also at home in family rooms and bedrooms.

Violet, Majestic Purple Mountains“A harmonious combination of patriotic blue and red hues, violet can add ‘punch’ to any room when used as an accent color, or serve as the dominant color in a bedroom,” says Zimmer.

But natural hues aren’t the only news for 2012. Zimmer predicts that three paint and decorating trends will gain prominence next year:

Patterns
In 2012, patterned paint will take center stage, with increased interest in hound’s-tooth finishes, lacy designs, and bold color blocking techniques. “In some cases, pattern will be the main decorating feature in a room; in others, it will provide a subtle, textured backdrop for fine furnishings and artwork,” says Zimmer.

Black and White The classic combination of black and white isn’t just for Cape Cods any more. You’ll see much more of it in all sorts of settings, from contemporary apartments to historic homes, says Zimmer. “The pairing is a great way to freshen an interior with something smart and stylish,” she says.

Exterior Paint Combinations On the home exterior, shutters colors will begin to shift away from the traditional look of high-contrast green, red, or black to a more monochromatic palette. “You’ll see more shutters that are painted just a shade darker than the siding,” says Zimmer. “Owners of homes with stone exteriors can get in on things by matching the shutter color to the dominant color of the stone.”

Cooking Centers in the Kitchen

While the sink center may be the most frequently used area in the kitchen, the cooking center or centers may be the true heart of the kitchen. People who love to cook will be very particular about the types and features of cooking appliances. They find true self-expression in their cooking techniques and the quality of the final outcome of the food product and planning for this task is important.
How do we cook?

Surface Cooking- This refers to cooking that is taking place on the top of the range or on the cook top.

Oven Cooking- Typical cooking in the oven includes baking, roasting and broiling.

Microwave Cooking- Over 96% of households have a microwave and use it in a variety of ways.

Speed Cooking- Several new appliances offer higher speed cooking that combines microwave with convection or light.


Planning the cooking center is more complicated today than in the past when the range was the only cooking appliance. With one appliance to anchor the center, it was relatively easy to plan work surfaces and storage that would surround the place of all cooking activities. Today it is typical to have several cooking appliances, so some of the recommendations must apply to several cooking areas.

Surface Cooking: Because of the interaction between the surface cooking appliance and food preparation tasks, this area is often considered the primary cooking center.

It should be located with consideration to the other centers, particularly the sink center. Cooks will move most frequently between the sink and the cook top, and there should be a clear interrupted path between these two areas. This means that the cooking surface will often be placed beside or across from the sink.

If the sink in on an island, there may be a desire to place the cook top beneath the window, the traditional sink placement area. If this is done, the window should not be operable. Trying to open a window by reaching over hot pots is not safe and drafts from the window can affect cooking performance and safety. Fixed windows or a glass block area might be a solution but consider how hard this area will be to clean.

There should be a landing area on both sides of a cooking surface. Not only does the landing area allow for a place to put spoons, pot lids and ingredients to be added, it also provides a space to turn pot handles so that they are not hit by passing traffic. Unless the countertop is a heat resistant material, the landing area is not a place to put hot pots, unless it is an emergency.

There should be a minimum of 15 inches of counter frontage on one side of the range and 12 inches on the other. If there are various counter heights at the range, the 12 and 15 inch landing area should be the same height as the cooking surface.

If the cooking surface in on an island or a peninsula that is the same height as the cooking surface, then there should also be 9 inches of counter space behind the cooking surface to prevent handles being hit and hot spatters getting onto people standing or sitting behind the cooking surface.

Occasionally, in a small kitchen, a cooking surface will be placed next to a wall or tall obstacle. This should only be done it it is in accordance with manufacturer's instructions for clearances. This closed configuration will not provide an adequate landing area on one side of the cooking center and can restrict the size of pots that will fit on the cooking surface. If no other configuration can be used, then fire retardant and easy-to-clean wall materials will be necessary.

Seeing the Light

Spotlight

Universal design sheds new light on the importance of good lighting. Lights in the right places and at the right level of brightness make a safer. more positive home environment, avoiding accidents and making residents feel cheerier and healthier.

Overall, or ambient, lighting is the first essential of lighting plan. In needs to fill a room evenly and completely, from cover to corner, to reveal the full area and provide clear orientation. For balanced, shadow-free illumination, use central fixtures with translucent covers that reflect light off a white or light-colored ceiling. It's fine to garnish this general lighting with decorative lamps or with accent lights, such a track lights, that are focused on artwork or other interesting room elements. Just don't count on these ornamental fixtures for ambient lighting.

The second essential is task lighting. Supplement the general lighting with targeted, task lights at reading corners, workstations, bathing area, kitchen appliances and wherever close vision is necessary. Direct this lighting across the task surface, perhaps from the sides, to prevent glare and over-the-shoulder shadows. Strips pf small, under counter task lights work well in the kitchen, especially when non reflective, matte-finish counter top materials are used.

Mix It Up
Good lighting involves natural as well as artificial lighting. Daylight from windows and skylights makes spaces feel bigger, fresher and more uplifting. For an even wash of natural light, distribute windows along more than one wall of the room-or at least place mirrors on walls facing windows. To moderate the intensity of sunlight,  you can install awnings and deep eaves on the outside. On the inside, use window coverings, such as draperies and remote control window treatments. Glass blocks and frosted or textured glass are good options for windows and doors where light is welcome but privacy is important. Skylights set at an angle or covered with frosted glass provide more indirect, diffuse sunlight.

                                             
              A "hopper" style window allows privacy in this shower area but also plenty of natural light




As we get older, we need more light to see sharply and perceive colors and objects accurately. Adequate natural light helps, as does artificial lighting that approximates daylight. Compact fluorescent bulbs, without the harshness and fluttering or earlier fluorescent and LED (light emitting diodes) now can be used in place of standard incandescent bulbs, and come in a variety of temperatures (measured in degrees Kelvin, or K) some of which can deliver "truer" colors and increase visual acuity. Another advantage of these new bulbs is that they last a long time; homeowners find then selves on stools changing bulbs less often. One recommendation for lighting is 3,000 to 3,500K for general overhead lighting; 5000K for windowless clothes closets; 2,700 or 3,00K for accent lights; and 2,700 for decorative fixtures. For good task lighting in the kitchen go with 2,700 or 3,00K lights. Lighting at the bathroom mirror is best at 5,000Kfor daytime use and 2,700 in the evening. With dinner switches, you can tailor the lighting as needed.

This kitchen uses incandescent lights for general lighting, along with pendent and under-cabinet lights for task lighting purposes



For a truly user-friendly lighting landscape, try to keep the level of lighting relatively consistent throughout the house, and make sure that light switches are accessible at every room entry. That way, adjusting your eyes to different light levels and negotiating in darkness will not be necessary.

The Incredible, Changeable Room

 It used to be that homeowners confirmed to the dictates of their houses, furnishing the living room, dining room and guest room as such, even if it meant those rooms were rarely used. Then the table turned. Homeowners took charge, converting dining rooms to playrooms, living rooms to dens, guest rooms to home offices. Recognizing the need for adaptable spaces, designers and home builders have gone a step further, including in their plans flex rooms or rooms with the built-in flexibility to be used for whatever purposes suit the homeowners.

Flex rooms are ideal for universal design homes. they accommodate various uses now, and can be changed easily to meet different needs later. First-floor flex rooms are especially worthwhile, expanding the options for families with children, adults looking to stay in their homes and age in place, and for homeowners who anticipate that elderly relatives may move in at some point.

A room that begins as a nursery can evolve into a playroom and then a study as the children grow. A hobby room can morph into a guest room or vice versa. A library can become a home office. A sitting area or exercise room can be transformed into a caregiver apartment.

The Basics

For maximum flexibility, the room needs wide doorways, flat thresholds, good lighting and enough space for easy circulation, even when it is set up for various uses. A room that might become a bedroom needs enough clear wall area for placement of the bed and other furnishings. Built-in storage should be accessible for all, whether standing or seated.

The location of flex rooms is important. If a den or dining room, for example, is envisioned as a future bedroom, it should be outside the center of the living space but close, if not connected, to a bathroom. In a master suite, both the bedroom and the flex room should have direct access to closets and the bathroom; that way, if the flex room becomes a bedroom for one homeowner or a station for a caregiver, both rooms will enjoy privacy and convenience. A room that might serve as an office or apartment works best along an outside wall, for natural light, and near an entry-perhaps a secondary entry that could be a private entrance for a relative or caregiver.

Running plumbing and high-capacity wiring through the walls multiplies the options for a flex room. Prepping the room in this way adds to the initial construction cost, but saves much more money later by simplifying the remodeling when it's time to adapt the room. With pipes in place, you can add a bathroom or a kitchenette to create a self-sufficient apartment, or set up a laundry room in an accessible new location. With wiring and outlets lined up, your flex room can go to work as a home office. If you'd rather have a media room, it's ready to be that too!

Ideas for Creating Safe & Beautiful Baths

When describing an exquisite bathroom, we may not always include the word safety. Likewise, when we see references to bath safety, out expectations may not include positive aesthetics. But of course these must go hand in hand.

The Entry:
Beginning with the entry, safety calls for a generous opening and beauty and privacy require that we handle it with care. Sometimes the desired privacy can be created by the arrangement of the space with no door necessary, but for the many times that a door is required, two options are pocket doors that disappear or barn doors that strengthen the design statement. They eliminate the need to clear the door swing and allow easy entry from either side should someone behind the closed door need help.  For those wishing for a large doorway into the smaller bath, the pocket doors cab be split, using two French-style pocket doors, and obscure glass can allow light to pass through while providing privacy. To meet the challenges associated with opening and closing these doors, we now have attractive hardware that is easy to grasp when opening or closing the pocket door.

The Toileting Area
In the toileting area, size, shape and characteristics of the user and the fixture impact safety and aesthetics, as does the support provided. With these issues in mind, today's designs often include reinforcement in the walls to allow for the addition of support when and where needed, and there are some wonderful option in decorative support. We are seeing comfort height toilets and more wall-hung toilets, which can be placed at the right height for any given client. They are also a good choice when space is tight, as they offer a net savings of 4" to 5" in depth, but the change in plumbing can be a significant cost.
   From child-sized seats layered into the cover to integrated wash let or bidet systems, there are unlimited features and accessories available today. One favorite is the integrated night light that glows to help guide the way to safe nocturnal visits.



The Vanity
Trends, concepts and products are making it hard not to attend to safety and beauty in the vanity area. The trend toward open knee spaces makes it easier and sager for most to operate at the vanity, especially when dual vanities are placed at varied heights. Whether it's storage for the step stool for a child or seating for a grooming station, a knee space adds flexibility. Lighting is a major issue in this high-task area, and in the past custom design concepts were often  the best way to get lighting without glare or shadowing. However, thanks to innovations in LED and other technology, there are now vanity mirrors that provide non-glare, no-shadow lighting that projects from behind the mirror.

The Tub
The most universal safety challenge with the tub is, of course, getting in and out. Providing a deck whether through the design of space or by specifying a fixture with built-in seating, greatly reduces the risk of falling. If the deck is on thee room side of a built-in tub, it doubles nicely as a place to sit while bathing a child, or for a book or glass of wine for a long soak.
  Whatever the style and installation of the tub, this wet area calls for support for sage use, so reinforcement throughout the walls is a minimum step. And, we have tubs today with integral support that truly fits the subtle aesthetic many are looking for.

The Shower
Safety and beauty combine perfectly in the no-threshold shower, a look long popular in Europe and catching on here, thanks in part to the products that have come on the market to make it easier to design and install. One example, is the trench-style drains, which may eliminate the need to pitch the floor in two directions, making it easier to maneuver from a safety standpoint. This allows for the use of larger format floor tile in the shower , an aesthetic benefit. Of course these larger tile would need to be slip resistant, and we'd add seating and support, which would bring us closer to that goal of safe and beautiful showering.

                     

            
These are just a few thoughts about current design practices and products that may help reinforce the combination of beauty and safety in your bath design work. If this brief overview and teaser regarding safety and beauty in the bath has captured your attention, then check out a past Webinar available at AARP Website!

The 8 Things You CAN'T Forget in a Kitchen

When remodeling a kitchen it's important not to over look these details!

1. LIGHTING:
Lighting can be an inexpensive way to add a lot of punch to a kitchen. A beautiful fixture over an island can make all the difference in a room. Think of term of "layers" in regards to lighting: Task lighting is essential, which usually includes under-cabinet lighting and focused lighting over the sink, island and any other work spaces. Then general lighting, such as recessed can lights in the ceiling or hanging fixtures, can add ambient light to the room. Finally, accent lighting can serve to put a spotlight on a beloved decorative item or collection.

2. HARDWARE:
Drawer pull and cabinet knobs not only help communicate the style of a kitchen, but as one of the elements you touch most most often, their quality and feel in the hand are essential. You don't have to match the metal of your cabinet hardware to you faucet, however you should match it to the finish on the cabinets. For example mix pewter hardware on off-white cabinets with black iron pulls on a green-painted island.
Hardware is often referred to as the jewelry of the kitchen, but it should also be functional. Watch out for sharp edges and corners that might pull on clothing or drawer pulls that are so shallow you can't fit a large hand in them.

3. FAUCETS AND SINKS:
    You should buy the best sink you can afford, because it's very difficult to change your sink without changing out the entire countertop (if it's been cut out for an undermount sink) so you'll be living with it for a long time. Thin metal will dent and make more noise. Opt for sturdy 18-gauge stainless steel or a solid composite sink that matches your countertops.
   Faucets are another essential where you shouldn't skimp. Faucets are one element where price is closely related to quality. A $150 faucet is one you will replace in two years. A $500 faucet is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase.

4. COUNTERTOPS & BACKSPLASHES
   To add interest to your countertops consider and edge treatment, such as an ogee or a more natural chiseled rock edge. OR create a thicker edge on your island for a simple yet dramatic look. Keep the perimeter countertops the standard 3/4" or 1 1/4" and then laminate the edge of the island countertop to create the illusion of a 2 1/2-inch-thick slab.
  The options for backsplashes are unlimited. there is an almost infinite range of tiles available or you can use back-painted glass which has no grout lines for a very clean look. You can do a mosaic or glass tile-which doesn't have to be colorful: there are some stunning neutral glass tile for walls. If you do opt for a bright backplash, it should be the only colorful element or else it will create too much "noise" in the room.

5. CABINETS
  While many designers like the idea of using some glass-fronted cabinets or open shelves to break up an expanse of upper cabinets, but it can difficult to keep open storage as perfectly styled as it looks in magazines. One solution: Choose glass doors that aren't crystal clear, but rather glass that is reeded, seeded, feathered or obscured in some way. Another option to add interest: Mix up the planes-choose cabinets of different depths or add some horizontally hinged doors in place of vertical ones. A furniture leg or foot on your island or sink cabinet can add depth and detail to base cabinetry. Adding a furniture base, like the base of a buffet or dresser with a deep piece of molding of your island creates a handsome finish.

6. FLOORS & CEILINGS
 If ceilings are said to be the "fifth wall", floors are the sixth and should not be ignored. Wood inlay borders, diagonal designs, and tile "rugs" all add interest to this space.
  The most overlooked area in  a kitchen in the ceiling. A room with a ceiling treatment looked the most finished whether it has beams; added texture though grass cloth; a bit of color or even just a high-gloss paint finish, which  can make a room without much light appear brighter and more lively.

7. PAINT
It takes some bravery to paint the wall a different color; but it really can make the whole room pop. It there is a piece of art that you love, see what colors can be pulled from it that will work with the room,. whether it's a soft blue or deep okra. Paint is certainly one of the least expensive ways to make a big impact in the kitchen.

8. ARTWORK & COLLECTIONS
Art in the kitchen doesn't have to be expensive; if it helps tell the story of the people who live there, it offers a tremendous avenue for self-expression and personalization. Instead of hanging a mass-market plaque that says "Cappuccino", got to a community art fair and get to know a local artist whose work you like. Or frame your children's artwork or hanf a gallery of black-and-white family  or vacation photographs. It's often nice to add open shelves in the dining area of the kitchen for collections of things you actually use, like mid-century teacups.





It's your kitchen-let it reflect your personality!

Maximize Your Space!

A little planning and some innovative approaches can make a small kitchen feel a whole lot bigger. these timely tips can help.

Sometimes a small kitchen can seem like a big headache. Whether it's a small city apartment a modest house in the suburbs, we often spend so much time in our kitchens that they become the focal points of our homes. Between routine meals, entertaining, and simple living, any kitchen sees the bulk of a home's traffic and activity.this leaves small kitchen owners pondering the eternally vexing questions: how can I do so much in so little space? 

 




Fortunately, with a little planning and resourcefulness, even the smallest kitchens can be designed to handle your busy lifestyle without breaking your bank. the following are some tips for putting together and efficient small kitchen.

Planning: Before you consider how to redesign your kitchen spend a little time observing how you use it. Do you do a lot of cooking at home or does the microwave dimply reheat takeout leftovers? Do you entertain often or rarely? How does your family actually use the kitchen space your have? Once you've answered those questions, and understand your priorities in the kitchen you can set about  redesigning it to maximize its potential.

Make the most of cabinet space: large kitchens have the luxury of half-used cabinets. Not so for small kitchens. Add lazy susans and pull-out trays to your cabinets to help maximize your use of available space. Keep non-essential items out of the cabinets. Cookbooks, for example, can be stored on a shelf elsewhere in the house. Use overhead hanging racks to store pots and pans. Not only does this save precious cabinet space, but it can add an air of culinary attractiveness to the kitchen.

Light and Bright: While you might not have a lot of space to work with, you can create the illusion of more space with a few simple tricks. Nothing reinforces the sens of enclosure like dim light. Add bright lights, especially under cabinets, and take advantage of natural light sources like windows to bring in as much light as possible. Choose light colors for walls, counters and backsplash tiles to increase the feeling of space.

Appliances: You're not the only one out there with a small kitchen. Plenty of people face the same space constrictions as your do, and appliance makers have designed products to meet those challenges. Kitchen Aid, for instance, offers 24-inch wide single and double-drawer dishwashers. Many manufacturers also make appliances for over the counter installation, saving precious counter space.

Designing in the American Tradion: Georgian Style

American traditional-American Georgian 1725-1790

Historical Overview:
 The American Georgian style developed logically under King George of England (ca 1714-1810)
 and spread to North America with Colonists. Work by designers such as Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton characterized the style at its best. Georgian is a formal style with classical ties, so symmetry is important. Within these designs, molding details resulting in grand friezes, cornices pillars and pilasters are important. Classical designs such as dentil, egg-and-dart and Greek key are seen in may of the molding details. Carved corbels, brackets and appliques or inlays of acanthus leaf and leafy garlands are also incorporated. The use of molding and paneling are a key element to this style. Scalloped shell motif is seen in furniture detailing. And delicate curves and soft lines are also trademarks. A formal look and quality craftsmanship are hallmarks of this more refined interior.

Cabinetry/Millwork: The use of mahogany, walnut, cherry and maple are predominate. Stile-and-rail doors with solid raised panels or flat panel doors with applied square molding and detailed panel edging. Painted cabinet finishes or lightly glazed painted finishes reflect the woodwork or the time.

Painted finish and light glaze along with columns on this island give a nod to the

American Georgian look

                                 Dentil modlings on upper crown of cabinets has classic Georgian feel




Hardware: Brass, antique brass, copper, pewter are all appropriate

Countertops: Wood-edged countertops or solid surface material with formal, routed edges. Hand-painted tiles are effective. granite or marble both work well in these formal rooms.

Colors: Black (Oriental influence), red, green, blue: intense colors are used. Tints and tones may also be featured.

Surfaces:

• Floors: Plank or parquet flooring, Oriental area rugs, hall runners and area carpets work well in small bathrooms.
• Walls: Painted, paneled walls or wood wainscoting. Small patterned wallcovering.
• Ceilings: Plaster with ceiling crown molding. No heavy beams that contrast with the ceiling.

Accents: Gold, brass, antique brass metals are used. Furniture pieces add authenticity.