Many of the trends that I saw at this year’s Design and Construction week are a continuation of the what I saw in 2016 and 2017. I’m finding that homebuilding trends don’t typically change abruptly from year to year. So the trends that I talked about in episode 5 and episode 55 still hold for this year. But here is a list of a few new trends for 2018. 1. Matte Black— Matte black was one the hottest finishes seen this year. Matte black was seen in bathroom and kitchen faucets, on bathroom, kitchen and closet cabinetry, in lighting fixtures, hardware, on interior and exterior window finishes, interior and exterior doors, and in tile and countertops. Silver (chrome) and warm metal (brass) finishes are still very much on trend, but matte black was the newest kid on the block and was featured by many brands. 2. Colored Cabinets— Although white painted cabinets still hold the top spot in new homes, colored cabinets, especially in various shades of blue, are making quite a statement. If you don't have the nerve to go with all blue cabinetry, but like the idea of adding a pop of color, consider a colored kitchen island. Or add bold cabinets to smaller, more private spaces like the mudroom, power room or laundry room. 3. Gray with a hint of brown-- Gray came on the scene several years ago, taking the place of tired tan, on tan, on tan walls and decor. And gray is still a neutral of choice, but in 2018, warmer grays with a hint of brown are most on trend. Warmer taupey grays instead exclusively cool blue grays are what we’ll be seeing. The stark, sometimes cold white and cool gray rooms from a couple of years ago are not being seen as often as warm gray decor mixed with other neutrals. 4. Statement Floors--People are still including statement, accent walls in their new homes, but statement floors are also being installed. Whether wood or tile, floors are being designed to include bold patterns such as herringbone. And homeowners are choosing heavily patterned or colorful cement tiles. Extra large planks and tiles are also on trend. 5. Pink— Gone are the days when pink would only be seen in little girls' rooms. Ranging from soft powdery pink to bold fuchsia and magenta, pink has made its way into the mainstream, adult color palette. It can be seen in any room of the house. People who really love pink are painting it on one or several walls of their living room or bedrooms. Those who are a little more cautious about going all out with pink are choosing accent pillows, artwork, and accessories in different shades of the color. Bottom line is, if you like pink, don’t be afraid to use it in your new home. 6. Bringing the Outdoors In-- For many years now, there has been a blending of indoor and outdoor spaces, with wide, sliding glass doors that allow you to move seamlessly from inside to outside. Homes have included outdoor dining and living rooms for many years now. And that indoor outdoor living is being included more than ever in new homes. But in 2018 you’ll see even more outdoor materials being used indoors. Stone, brick, wood cladding, outdoor lanterns, even awnings, are being used indoors to give new homes more texture and character. 7. Dark walls-- Dark, moody rooms are very 2018. Designers and homeowners are painting walls deep navy blue, very dark brown, deep charcoal gray and even black. Now, we’ve always seen dark colors in furniture, and even on accent walls in the past. But this year, painting entire rooms these dark colors is what’s on trend. Most of the time, the ceiling is left white so the room doesn’t feel too claustrophobic. Now, you probably don’t want to paint your whole house in these dark colors, but if you like the idea of evoking a dramatic, moody feeling in some areas of your house, think about decorating a bedroom, library or power room in one of these dark, trendy colors. I would avoid a really dark color palette in your master bathroom, though, since you’ll want that room reflect light so you can see well while getting dressed, shaving and doing hair and makeup. Now that we’ve talked about design trends for 2018, let me give you a little construction information. As a part of every International Builders Show, a beautifully built show home is displayed for visitors to tour. It’s called the New American Home. Most years, the New American home is energy efficient. This year’s home is actually a zero energy ready home, so it’s extremely energy efficient. And I thought it would be helpful for me to give you a list of the construction features they used to achieve such a high level of energy efficiency. The New American Home was built in Orlando, FL, so keeping the house cool was a priority. - Unvented and air sealed attic with R-21 open cell spray foam insulation - Windows and patio doors with low E-coating and argon gas to limit solar heat gain - Aerosol thermal envelope sealer to further reduce the envelope leakage - Exterior insulation for R-16 walls - Large overhangs to aid in protecting the home from the sun - Energy Star qualified roof to aid in keeping the house cool - Light colored exterior walls to assist in reflecting the sun - Variable Refrigerant Flow HVAC system - Variable speed compressors in outdoor heat pump units to add efficiency and quietness - Mechanical ventilation - Space conditioning system located entirely within the conditioned space - Tankless water heaters - Insulated hot water lines - Energy Star appliances - Energy Star variable speed pool pumps - LED lighting throughout If you want build a house and you’d like to see the latest and greatest homebuilding options on the market, it may be worth your time to check out Design and Construction week, which is held in January either in Orlando, Fl or Las Vegas, NV each year. In 2019, it will be in Las Vegas. Design and Construction week combines the International Builders Show, which highlights the industry’s best construction materials and methods, and the Kitchen and bathroom Industry show which displays the latest kitchen and bathrooms cabinetry, appliances fixtures and fittings. Many, but not all, big brands set up booths where you can see real life examples of their products. More than 80,000 design and construction professionals come together for three days of networking, education and exhibits. It is mostly attended by builders, contractors of all kinds, interior designers and kitchen designers. What most people don’t know is that it is open to the public. So even regular ole homeowners like you and me can get in for small fee. This year laypeople could get in for $50 with early registration and $100 with regular registration. If you’re still in the planning stages of building your house next January, you might consider a trip to the show. Be warned though, it can be overwhelming because there are so many people and so many products and it is very tiring. You could potentially walk for 8 hours a day for the 3 days of the show. So, keep your cute shoes at home and take your most comfortable sneakers. Please remember that the purpose of this podcast is simply to educate and inform. It is not a substitute for professional advice. The information that you hear is based the only on the opinions, research and experiences of my guests and myself. That information might be incomplete and it’s subject to change, so it may not apply to your project. In addition, building codes and requirements vary from region to region, so always consult a professional about specific recommendations for your home.
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