Building and Design Trends to Watch For in 2018
Clay Walls
Not only are clay walls beautiful, the natural earth plaster is a sustainable and non-toxic alternative to traditional drywall which is why it’s no wonder this organic material is trending in the design & building space. Derived from naturally sourced materials, earth plaster offers the lowest carbon footprint per pound of any interior wall finish. American Clay offers a variety of options from clean satin-smooth porcelain like surfaces to earthy textured finishes. Each plaster finish brings its own unique texture, feel and appearance.
First Floor Master Bedrooms
Having a master bedroom option on the first floor is an aging-friendly feature that is gaining in popularity. “Aging in place” is the concept that a home can support a person safely, independently and comfortably as their needs change over time. Today’s Baby Boomers are looking for homes that will allow them to live a comfortable and convenient lifestyle as they get older. One-floor living with easy access to main rooms like the kitchen, laundry, and master bedroom will prove to be essential in new home design.
Thin Countertop Slabs
The concept “less is more” is a simple rule of thumb when building a modern home. Ultra thin 1 cm slabs create a simplistic and clean-lined look. Pair this with a square edge surface that’s flush (no overhangs) with the base cabinets for a minimalistic kitchen design. Traditional 2 and 3 cm stone slabs are much more common and generally easier to install so there are definitely less options available in these thinner sizes, however, Porcelanosa offers a 1/2″ thick new generation solid surface called KRION that comes in just about every color of the rainbow. KRION feels similar to natural stone made up of one-third high-quality acrylic resin and two-thirds natural minerals (alumina). It’s a hard-wearing, highly resistant and easy to repair material that only requires minimum maintenance.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper made a comeback in 2017 and isn’t going anywhere in 2018. We’re not talking about the outdated wallpaper in your grandma’s living room, we’re referring to artistic wall murals that give a space personality and texture. Geometric patterns add dimension without being too overwhelming while metallics create elegance and sophistication.
The Connected Home
Modern labor-saving conveniences and energy efficiency is becoming more important to homebuyers. Smart Home companies like Control4 are making it easier than ever to control all of the technology in your home through one single app on your phone. With one touch you can dim the lights, play music, turn up the heat, open window shades, and lock all your doors.
Tesla Powerwall
We are always interested in staying on top of the latest technology, including advances in sustainable energy. Leading innovator, Tesla Motors, is making huge advancements in the auto industry by eliminating total dependence on fossil fuels. Now, the company is revolutionizing how we power our homes with home battery technology. The Powerwall can detect an outage, disconnect from the grid, and automatically restore power to your home in a fraction of a second. In case of a grid outage, the Powerwall can provide continuous power for 7+ days allowing your lights and appliances to continue running without interruption.
