Great location to bars, community spaces and fun neighborhood events used to be at the top of the list for most homebuyers. And while location is still an important factor, a lot of the “must-haves” for homes have changed drastically in the last few months. The pandemic has turned everyone’s lives upside down, keeping people at home and transitioning many to a remote working environment that they never expected to be in.

Because of these changes, many renters and homeowners are looking to move into a home that better suits their needs. While small homes with little to no outdoor space may have been perfect for city dwellers before, now many are looking for larger homes and plenty of greenery to help them ride out the rest of this pandemic in peace. Individual living spaces are even being prioritized over community areas as social distancing guidelines continue to be a reality.

From Open Floor Plans to Catered Rooms

One of the biggest changes home buyers can expect to see in new builds (and even recently remodeled homes) is in the layout of the home. While open floor plans were all the rage at one point, the pandemic has pushed for a need to have more individual spaces, where family members can get some much-needed alone time without risking their health.

Kids rooms, home offices and entertainment spaces will likely be high on the list of needs for home buyers to make their new home work for them. There will also be an emphasis on making homes more fun for everyone, with installations of pools, game rooms and home theatres becoming commonplace. There will also be spaces catered to fostering creativity in newer homes, to allow for quiet places to work, read and create.

Outdoor spaces are another big shift expected for most homes. While many homes have a backyard lounge space, these areas will likely be turned up a notch to host movie nights or socially-distanced hangouts. Front porches are also becoming a big deal as well, to give homeowners a sense of normalcy without risking getting sick.

Smart Devices That Make Things Safer (And Easier)

Those shopping for homes are also interested in homes that will make their lives easier and safer. Smart homes have been popular for many years, but they’ve become more important than ever given our current climate. In recent months, many devices have hit the market that are catered specifically to homeowners concerns about the pandemic. From extra security to increase cleanliness, here’s a breakdown of what smart home tech is most likely to be seen in the homes of the future.

To help make sure families never run out of food, you can expect to see total home automation that combines things like smart appliances, smart pantries and smart speakers. This is attractive to future homeowners because they will be able to know what they currently have (or are out of) via their devices.

Other tech like contactless light switches and humidity sensors can help slow the spread of viruses, especially if someone at home is in quarantine. While other devices that help everyone work at home such as windows that reduce noise and smart cameras to monitor the kids remotely will skyrocket in use as well.

To learn more about how COVID-19 has impacted homes, take a look at Hippo’s infographic down below.

Graphic From https://www.hippo.com/

The Woodlands TX Live the dream in this gorgeous custom home located on the 15th hole of the Player golf course in the prestigious neighborhood of Player Woods! Beautiful travertine floors flow through the main living areas of the home. Fabulous views of the outdoors from every room. Kitchen & family room are tucked away for privacy & with both formals, entertaining is a breeze! The master suite is to die for! Spacious in every way & luxurious! Enjoy movies in the media room! Second bedroom down & each bedroom has an ensuite bath! Pool is complete with spa & waterfall & while private, especially with the extra green space on the side, you are still able to view the course. Outdoor kitchen is perfect for outdoor BBQ’s! The rest of The Woodlands awaits you, with nearby parks, dining, shopping & events!

Looking for a neighborhood with a sense of community? This is it! Located on the most beautiful street in the Houston Heights Historic District East. Everyone enjoys sitting on their front porches….taking walks….riding their bikes….engaging with other neighbors! This beautiful home is perfect with flexibility in the plan. Created by Creole Design and built by Southland Homes, it offers spaces for everyone! The chef style kitchen is open to the family room and the covered patio and pool area. The bedroom down can also serve as a study. Upstairs three bedrooms plus phenomenal guest suite with several multi-purposes options. The primary suite is rare with an over-sized sitting area. With exquisite details in custom moldings and woodwork, this home is traditional in style, yet modern in design. Due to new lot coverage restrictions, this home size and lot size combination will not be available in future construction.

Come home to southern charm in this Jeff Paul custom home located on a private .95 acre lot in the estate neighborhood of Benton Woods! Kitchen has granite, double ovens, gas cooking & open to the family room! All living areas down & master offer fabulous views to the back gardens with recent Hipp pool that carries the design of the home outdoors! Retreat to the master suite with warming fireplace & bath that is gorgeous! All bedrooms have ensuite baths & all baths have been updated! Beautifully stained solid wood floors through much of the downstairs. Such beautiful architectural details in the formals with deep crown molding & casements. Backyard offers a paver patio & step down to the pool area adorned with gas lamps & lawn on both sides for play! Looks like it is straight from a magazine! The trees behind the home offer ultimate in privacy! Zoned to highly acclaimed Buckalew Elem, Mitchell & TWHS! Minutes to the Town Center & hop on the hike & bike paths for nearby amenities!

The Woodlands TX Ready to feel you are on vacation everyday! This home offers this lifestyle. Coffee on the covered patio, lunch by the pool & dinner al fresco in the gazebo. Up to a game of golf, the course is just around the corner, as are tennis courts, Market Street, Cynthia Woods Pavilion & more. As you step inside your eyes will be drawn to the beautiful private backyard w/pool & gazebo. The owners are so meticulous & it will show w/every step that you take. Kitchen w/new granite counters & appliances. Kitchen is open to family that is spacious w/new stone fireplace & wall of windows allowing scrumptious views of back gardens & pool. The master is tucked away for the ultimate in privacy. Master bath has Crema marble counters, semi-frameless shower & a tub perfect to relax in & let your cares drift away. Wait until you see the master closet! Two other bedrooms down & study that has full bath & could be an extra bedroom. Game room, media & full bath up. All baths updated plus two new HVAC units in 2019!

Everything you have dreamed of in this home full of light, located on a greenbelt lot in a fabulous location in Harper’s Preserve! Many features you are looking for with high ceilings, open kitchen to family, wine room, master with bay window, 2 bedrooms down, 2 bedrooms each with their own bath and game room up! Flexible floor plan with 2nd bedroom down or formal dining could be study. All bedrooms have their own bath! Today’s colors are so attractive. Brick on 4 sides on 1st floor. HOA includes front yard maintenance! Gated community! Huge lot backs to greenbelt for you to enjoy with no neighbor at back! Hop on the walking trail directly behind your home to the new recreation center that includes resort pool with cabanas, pergola, adult pool area, sunning shelf, toddler pool, splash pad, party area, pavilion, food truck court, outdoor fire ring & more! Gated community with HEB & Crust Pizza located at front! Easy access to I-45!

The Woodlands Market Street is an open air shopping center located adjacent to The Woodlands Mall.  This outdoor shopping venue offers the feel of a traditional “Town Square” but with modern conveniences.  The central park area in the center of Market Street serves as an attractive recreation area with unique water features, a gathering place for seasonal events plus live music performances ranging from pop to jazz.

Paint firms have chimed in with their choices for 2020 Color of the Year, and blues, greens, and pinks dominate the field. Here’s an overview of the color picks of leading paint companies.

1. Sherwin Williams: Naval

Photo credit: Sherwin Williams

Sherwin Williams chose a rich navy color called “Naval” in a nod to the Art Deco era. The paint firm says Naval is a timeless color that can easily pair with a mix of natural materials, such as brass tones, and a wide range of textures.

2. PPG: Chinese Porcelain

Photo credit: PPG

Paint firm PPG chose “Chinese Porcelain,” a blend of cobalt and muted navy tones, as its 2020 Color of the Year. “Consumers are tiring of stark grays and are looking to infuse colors that delight the senses,” says Dee Schlotter, senior color manager at PPG. “Blue is the easiest possible entry point from the world of neutrals to the world of color.”

3. Pantone: Classic Blue

Photo credit: Pantone

Photo credit: Simplicity of Life

Pantone made a simple choice with “Classic Blue” as its 2020 Color of the Year. The paint company describes the color—which is remarkably close to REALTOR® Blue—as the “sky at dusk,” “timeless,” “easily relatable,” and “restful.” The color is being shown prominently on walls, rugs, decorative pillow accents, and kitchen cabinets.

4. Behr: Back to Nature

Photo credit: Behr

Behr’s top color pick for 2020 is a meadow-inspired green called “Back to Nature.” The yellow-based, greenish hue aims to give the illusion of bringing the outdoors inside, whether splashed on a living room wall or bedroom throw pillow.

5. Benjamin Moore: First Light

Photo credit: Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore chose “First Light,” a soft, rosy color that follows the rising popularity of pinks and blushes. “First Light reflects a new definition of the home—a shift in mindset from the material to satisfying the core needs in life: community, comfort, security, self-expression, authenticity,” says Andrea Magno, Benjamin Moore’s director of color marketing and development.

6. HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams: Romance

Photo credit: HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams

HGTV Home also jumped on the pink trend with “Romance,” a soft, dusty shade. It has been shown as an accent against blues or as a dominant color on walls or furniture. The pale pink is a versatile color reminiscent of rose gold and rose copper, the company says.

7. Graham & Brown: Adeline

Photo credit: Graham & Brown

The British wallpaper company Graham & Brown offered a deep green hue called “Adeline” as its pick for 2020 Color of the Year. It’s a hunter green shade and yet another nod to the natural world.

8. Dunn-Edwards: Minty Fresh

Photo Credit: Dunn-Edwards

Pastels are trending, and that’s why Dunn-Edwards chose “Minty Fresh,” a soft green that is meant to have a nostalgic 1950s feel. The company says the relaxing pastel evokes “calm” and “clean.”

9. Pratt & Lambert: Songbird

Photo credit: Pratt & Lambert

Pratt & Lambert also went with a mint shade called “Songbird,” a color it refers to as “youthful” and “optimistic.” They predict a growth in botanical hues and chalky pastels in 2020. “Luxury and design are being looked at in a new light, with the influence of Hygge and pairing back movement. Our 2020 trending colors are a perfect example of this balance—a blend of glamorous jewel hues grounded by neutral tones,” says Ashley Banbury, senior color designer for Pratt & Lambert Paints.

10. Kelly Moore: Sun God

Photo credit: Kelly Moore

The paint brand Kelly Moore went bright and sunny with its choice of “Sun God.” Kelly Moore describes the color as “a brash, brassy yellow” that sets out to disrupt “white rooms and monochromatic schemes” with a powerful color punch. The firm predicts bright yellow to show up on everything from faucets and cabinets to upholstery and accent walls. “It’s a fresh accent color that pairs with neutrals just as well as pink has over the past few years, but the look is more bold and grown-up,” the company says.

11. Valspar: 12 Nature-Inspired Colors

Photo credit: Valspar

Photo credit: Valspar

Photo credit: Valspar

Photo credit: Valspar

Photo credit: Valspar

Instead of choosing just one color this year, Valspar chose 12 that it expects to be popular in 2020. The hues range from pale earthy neutrals (Winter Calm, Canyon Earth, Desert Fortress, Pale Powder) to cooler tones (Secret Moss, Secluded Garden, Tempered Sage, Grey Brook, Mint Whisper, Utterly Blue) and pinks (Bombay Pink, Crushed Out). “The palette of colors accepted as neutrals in the home has expanded,” says Sue Kim, Valspar’s color marketing manager. Valspar said that the landscape and outdoors served as a major inspiration behind its 2020 color palette.

Design will be all about simple, comfortable living in the new year. Consumers are looking to refresh their living spaces in a way that will both inspire and delight in 2020.

Some traditional spaces are being re-imagined. In my market of Atlanta, for example, many formal living rooms and dining rooms are being transformed into office spaces and sitting rooms. The family room is becoming the central living room, and kitchen islands are where families gather for dining and socializing.

And homeowners aren’t skimping on the exterior either. Outdoor spaces are becoming just as important—or almost equal to—indoor spaces as well.

Here are a few design trends to watch in 2020.

1. Simplistic lifestyle

In interior design, the “less is more” mantra continues to gain popularity—which fits perfectly with the home staging mantra of “less is best.” Clean lines in furniture and natural elements—like in oak, ash, and bamboo—along with natural fiber rugs and greenery with a contemporary edge are all offering easy living and comfort.  We are even seeing layers of old and new accessories to decorate spaces. Millennials are purchasing local souvenirs that tell a story.

2. Balanced earth tones

As consumers look for balance and calm in their lives, we will see a shift from cool to more warm, neutral, and earth tones.  Don’t be afraid to coat your walls, trim, and ceiling in all the same color to make a room feel chic and enveloping. We will see shades of chocolate brown, yellow Ochre, wine, and olive green appearing as pops of color in decor against neutral walls and furnishings.

3. Unique lighting

Lighting in geometric shapes—from chandeliers to pendant lighting in the kitchen—is a rising trend to bring central focus to a space.  Natural cut crystal and recycled glass, along with silver leaf and metals in freeform shapes, are taking us toward a more modern view in lighting.

Aside from the various shapes and materials that we are seeing, the most common feature in the new year will be lighting that is bigger, bolder, and commands attention.

4. Mixed metals

From brushed brass to rose gold to silver and copper, mixed metals will be trending throughout interiors, including furniture accents, hardware, and kitchen backsplashes.  Don’t overdo it and mix too many variations in one space. Remember,

the latest design trends are encouraging us to find balance.

5. Conversational spaces

We tend to be more distracted and disconnected these days, but “togetherness” is a keyword for 2020. Expect to see more spacious seating and lounging areas everywhere, from the modern-designed residential home to commercial spaces like community work campuses, restaurants, hotels, airports, and even senior living communities. These spaces will have furnishings arranged to encourage conversation and help drive interaction by placing people comfortably together.

As we head into the new year, let us be one with nature and bold as we look toward 2020’s design trends.

]]> https://micheleflory.com/5-design-trends-to-watch-in-2020/feed/ 0 https://micheleflory.com/stage-a-space-as-a-calming-retreat/ https://micheleflory.com/stage-a-space-as-a-calming-retreat/#respond Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:13:14 +0000 http://stage.wpresidence.net/?p=18001 As the wellness trend gains popularity, more homeowners are looking at their properties through a new lens: a place to de-stress. “Mindful living” is a big trend for 2020, says Rebecca Snowden, interior style adviser at FurnitureChoice.uk. “The mindful living movement focuses on elevating our quality of life to ensure your home is somewhere you can go to unwind, relax, and refocus,” she says. ...]]>

As the wellness trend gains popularity, more homeowners are looking at their properties through a new lens: a place to de-stress. “Mindful living” is a big trend for 2020, says Rebecca Snowden, interior style adviser at FurnitureChoice.uk. “The mindful living movement focuses on elevating our quality of life to ensure your home is somewhere you can go to unwind, relax, and refocus,” she says.

Snowden offers the following three style tips for designing a home that’s focused on mindful living.

1. Clean and calm neutral palette

Photo credit: Denver / White Wooden Double Bed / Furniturechoice.co.uk(link is external)

Introduce a quality of softness into the home. “Ultimately, the goal is to create a personal haven you’ll love going home to relax in,” Snowden says. For example, in the bedroom, a white wooden bed mixed with neutrals in varying tones adds interest and depth. Snowden suggests colors like white, soft gray, and “greige”—a blend of gray and beige. Also, select comfortable bedding with minimal prints to give an uncluttered, restful vibe. “Where possible, go with furniture that features curves and organic lines instead of sharp, straight edges,” she adds.

2. Nurturing nature

Photo credit: Harlow / Dove Grey 2 Seater Sofa / Furniturechoice.co.uk(link is external)3. A corner for conscious relaxation

Photo credit: Furniturechoice.co.uk(link is external)

Stage a corner of a room for ultimate relaxation. “A little nook will do,” Snowden says. For example, consider making the space just large enough for a yoga mat or thick rug. For a home office, “if you have a work desk at home, it’s a good idea to carve out a ‘Zen zone’ within the same room for quick stretch breaks,” she says. Style the space in light hues, and include plenty of plants. Also, try to incorporate as much natural daylight as you can, she recommends.

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