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Transcript of Trend Watch
Spring2010/BestofBurlington 37
trend watchspecial advertising section
Construct, Renovate & Revitalize
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
Changing lifestyles call for changing homes.
38 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
building & remodeling
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
New materials and new
technologies are reshap-
ing the way we build and
remodel our homes.
Both new home designs and
remodeling projects are in-
corporating more and more
sustainable trends that help to
make the home more energy
efficient. Sustainable design is
part of the green movement
that is examining ways to make
home building less harmful to
the environment while consid-
ering how to make the home
more in tune with its natural
environment.
The environment is being
considered on the inside, as
well. Synthetic materials and
the chemical additives used
in paints, wood products, and
fabrics can affect our health,
so homeowners are now
demanding products made
without plastics, laminates,
and fume-producing glues
and finishes. Bamboo and cork,
which are sustainable, have
become popular choices
for flooring, for example.
open &
efficient
Women are becoming the final decision makers regarding new home design and construction. This can mean more storage space in bed-rooms, larger laundry rooms, security systems, and a higher quality of construction. Men tend to want larger garages, home theater systems, and space for large screen TVs.
special advertising section
Spring2010/BestofBurlington 39
Consumers must consider ongoing home heating and
cooling costs. Choices of appliances, lighting fixtures,
orientation of your home on the property, shade, and sufficient
insulation all play a part in saving energy.
open spaCesBuilding new homes with open
spaces allows for the flow of energy between rooms and makes the home
more energy efficient. The use of open spaces reduces the amount of
material needed to build the home and makes the home more spacious.
special advertising section
Red HouseFine Homebuilding &Historic Restoration
Timeless CraftsmanshipEmployee-Owned
802.655.0009BURLINGTON, VT
www.redhousebuilding.com
40 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
building & remodeling y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
remodelAn unused room with beautiful natural light is easily converted into a studio or an office. Custom built-in storage space adds beauty—and value.
What may be the smart-
est remodeling project
if you want to recoup
your money? Turn-
ing part of your attic space into
an extra bedroom brought the
greatest return on investment
when selling a home—83 percent.
Kitchen and bathroom renova-
tions also tempt buyers and
bring a good return.
Other smart improvements
include adding a garage (living
space above is a bonus), a studio,
or an office space.
special advertising section
Spring2010/BestofBurlington 41
An Energy-Efficient Homeaccording to the environmental pro-
tection agency (epa), the average
household spends about $2,200 on
energy bills every year. The trend that’s
here to stay—saving energy—also saves
money. Whether you’re building a new
home or renovating a centuries-old
farmhouse, incorporating energy-sav-
ing features is bound to be at the top
of your project list.
Window replacement contractors,
for example, have seen a marked
increase in business since president
obama signed the american Recovery
and Reinvestment act of 2009, which
included provisions for homeowners
to receive a tax credit of up to $1,500
for energy efficiency improvements.
Consider these other ideas:
Choose an efficient hot water
system. Water heating accounts for
14 to 25 percent of a home’s operat-
ing costs. new heaters must meet new
criteria to qualify for the energy star
label. These standards are expected
to save american consumers about
$780 million in utility costs by the fifth
year of the standard’s use. Weigh the
benefits and costs of a tankless system
that heats only when it’s needed, a so-
lar system, or a traditional storage tank
to decide which best fits your needs
and your budget.
Invest in a home energy audit. if
your home is not brand new, hire a
professional to access how your house
“breathes” and devise a plan for air
sealing and insulating, moisture con-
trol, and ventilation. The Department
of energy estimates that the aver-
age homeowner can save up to 30
percent on heating and cooling costs
with proper insulation and air sealing.
These jobs are relatively inexpensive
and offer a quick return on investment,
often paying for themselves in three or
four years, according to the u.s. green
Building Council.
D i D y o u k n o W ?59% of people are concerned about the environmental impact of their consumption.
66% consider the environmental impact of their purchases.source: cone, inc. 2008.
special advertising section
42 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
kitchens & floors
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
bright &
open living
New kitchens feature
products that are earth-
friendly, high-tech, and
all about convenience.
Take a look at some hot new
products:
sustainable surfaces Formal-
dehyde-free, food-safe bamboo
parquet butcher block from
Teragren is perfect for kitchen
counters and tabletops. An-
other choice is the EQcounter-
top, which uses a low-emitting
particleboard core, water-based
adhesives, and Greenguard in-
door air quality-certified lami-
nates.
appliance TVs Siemens’ venti-
lation hood features a 17-inch
LCD screen for watching televi-
sion and DVDs or listening to
music. Another option is the LG
Electronics HDTV refrigerator,
a side-by-side model with a 15-
inch screen.
super sink Today’s sinks offer
an array of accessories, includ-
ing preparation boards, colan-
ders, and drain trays.
source: this old house
special advertising section
Spring2010/BestofBurlington 43
bright &
open living
FloorsChoices in flooring materials can
help to preserve our forests and
other resources, and cork and
bamboo top this list.
Cork floors are made from the
harvested bark of the cork tree.
Because the tree is not cut down
and the bark is a renewable re-
source, it’s a desirable choice for
environmentally aware consumers.
Cork is cushiony soft and helps to
diminish noise. Cork flooring is of-
fered in many colors in both planks
and tiles. Like solid wood, cork can
be finished, stained, or painted.
Bamboo flooring has been used
for centuries in Asia because of its
beauty, hardness, and durability.
Recognized as the fastest-growing
plant on earth, bamboo offers 25
times the yield of hardwood, yet
is just as durable. Bamboo can be
harvested every 5 to 7 years, un-
like 15 to 100 years for many tree
woods. Today’s bamboo floors
are available in many colors and
textures.
special advertising section
44 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
building & remodeling y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
Hiring an architect
is a smart move,
even if you are
working within
a tight budget. You do not
want to cut corners on de-
sign and custom details, and
the expert advice of a good
architect can help you avoid
costly mistakes. From every-
thing from where walls, win-
dows, and stairs are located
to ensuring efficient traffic
flow, architects can see pos-
sibilities and find solutions to
your special needs and assure
that the home you build or
remodel is ideally suited for
the way you live.
leT There be lIghTProperly situating the house on the lot and optimum placement
of windows make the most of natural light.
special advertising section
Spring2010/BestofBurlington 45
relax in comfort y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
Your home’s déCorDecorating your home is about sur-
rounding yourself and your family
with the colors, textures, and objects
you love to make it your own unique,
comfortable haven. An experienced
interior designer can pull all the ele-
ments together to make your vision a
reality.
remain neutral. A neutral color pal-
ette is always in style, and earth tones
blend well with today’s movement
toward ecology and nature. A neu-
tral room of creams, beiges, tans, or
golds also can convey an understated
but refined and elegant feel. Another
plus is that neutrals give you the free-
dom to change the look of a room
when the mood strikes you, perhaps
with the seasons. Throw pillows, rugs,
and accessories in new colors can
transform the look of your room for
very little money.
eco-friendly pieces. Locally made
and recycled-content pieces are
very popular, for both furniture and
accessories. Natural and organic
fabrics and fibers are in demand,
as are natural dyes and eco-friend-
ly finishes for fabrics and furniture.
natural fabrics are being used fre-
quently as fashion and design have
become a trend in interior decorat-
ing. Natural fabrics include cotton,
cotton blends, leather, linen, silk,
and wool. Each natural fabric has
a specific quality that may make it
more desirable for various uses; for
example, some natural fabrics are
more easily cleaned than other
natural fabrics, while some others
last longer. The features of each
fabric type should be considered
for the best fit for your family be-
fore making a purchase.
special advertising section
46 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
neW looksWindow dressing. Energy-conscious
homeowners often opt for adjustable
blinds as a way to redirect heat and
light while providing privacy. Like so
many other aspects of today’s homes,
blinds and other window treatments
are going green. Bamboo blinds are
a popular choice, and rice, hemp, and
cork continue to grow in popular-
ity. Look for these materials in green
fabrics on bolts of assorted prints and
textures as well as the more traditional
blinds. Many of today’s fabrics feature
anti-microbial, anti-fungal traits woven
into the yarn or offered as a topical
spray. Stain-resistant and mildew- and
mold-resistant fabrics are also popular
picks for allergy sufferers. Even the
environmentally conscious will feel
right at home with nontoxic dyes and
finishes on fabrics.
For today’s style, simplicity is key.
Besides blinds and shades, valances
and swags are popular, but the heavily
layered window treatments of the past
have been traded for simple finishes,
clean lines, and limited hardware. While
the overall design trend leans toward
simplicity, draperies remain a popular
choice for those who desire luxury.
Lush fabrics including silks, velvets, and
damasks make for an elegant room,
special advertising section
Spring2010/BestofBurlington 47
special advertising section
especially when paired with sparkling
crystal or beaded tassels and trims.
lighting ideas. Home lighting projects
provide a great way to add drama and
style to your home by highlighting, defin-
ing, and setting the mood. Emerging
home lighting trends are giving rise to
new ideas about how to use lamps, chan-
deliers, and sconces in novel ways for
highlighting specific areas. Though many
lighting arrangements are added when
the home is built, there are many home
lighting projects that can be easily added
to already finished rooms.
For a change of pace, don’t rely on just
typical overhead lighting and table lamps
to light your home; try some new op-
tions. Available in metal cans or as small
adjustable halogen fixtures, uplights offer
a way to add interest to your room. Up-
lights work well on a floor behind a plant
or other decorative element or can be
used to bathe a part of a wall in light.
Under-cabinet lights can be used to focus
light on a workspace. This type of light-
ing is used in kitchens, home offices, and
other work areas. Under-cabinet lights not
only make accomplishing tasks easier, but
also work with other lighting to provide
layered illumination. When choosing light-
ing for your home, select quality fixtures
that are stylish and made to last.
special advertising section
48 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
landscaping & outdoor spaces
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
fresh &
tRanquil
The economy of the past
few years has intro-
duced the “staycation”
trend, and this year,
designers are eager to give
homeowners more ways to
make at-home leisure a desti-
nation. Private outdoor living
areas can be fashioned out
of hedges and screens as
outdoor garden rooms to
give a sense of enclosure and
separation from the world.
The current trend has home-
owners creating lush, relaxing,
resort-like exteriors furnished
with outdoor all-weather fur-
niture, fashionable accessories
and rugs, outdoor kitchens,
and outdoor lighting, many of
which rival indoor furnishings
for beauty and functionality.
The trend also encompasses
outdoor fireplaces, water
features, rock and container
gardens, and new walkways,
steps, and walls.
hardsCapeHardscaping refers to elements
composed of concrete, brick, stone, or wood. Constructing a patio or deck is a hardscaping project, as is a brick walkway, a stone wall, or a wooden fence. Almost every landscape has a problem area, be it a rocky area, a slope, or
a space so heavily shaded that design options with plants are limited. Fortunately, the many hardscape options available provide solutions
for dealing with less-than-ideal areas.Patios—whether composed of concrete,
stone, brick, or some other hardscape material—are always in demand and offer the
perfect way to tie the indoors to the outdoors. Stamped concrete is a popular
new option, as is tinted concrete. Decks have been a favorite for a long time
and remain a popular addition.
special advertising section
50 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
landscaping & outdoor spaces y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
you’ll want to create an environment that is comfortable, inviting, and geared to-
ward your personal needs. Besides an outdoor kitchen, living spaces may include
a dining space, a patio or deck to sit and relax, a meditation garden, or a play area.
since you’ll want landscaping to complement your project, you may want to consid-
er adding various hardscape elements, such as a stone wall, terraces, or a walkway
along with complementary plants.
gardeners are switching from plants that are high maintenance to those that
require less care. smaller turf areas, low-volume irrigation systems, and mulching
are important components of these energy-efficient landscapes.
special advertising section