Trends for 2010

Prospects for growth in the remodeling industry look strong for 2010 and beyond, although there'll be a greater emphasis on projects that maintain a home’s structural integrity and upgrade its efficiency.

That’s one of the predictions found in The Remodeling Market in Transition, ?a report published by the Remodeling Futures Project of the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.

The report notes that, after a decade-long period of steady growth, remodeling expenditures dipped by more than 16 percent in 2008. Still, the Joint Center 
contends that the fundamentals supporting the remod-
eling industry remain solid: a housing stock of nearly 130 million homes “in ongoing need of maintenance, component replacement, and adjustments to meet changing preferences and lifestyles.”

The report also concludes that maintenance and repair will drive remodeling expenditures over the next few years at least. But green remodeling will also increasingly motivate homeowners.

According to the Joint Center, existing homes consume 22 percent of the nation’s energy while homes built before 1970 are responsible for about 40 percent of residential energy use. That stock of older homes “provides a prime market for energy efficient upgrades,” the report says, especially if the Obama administration follows through on its promise to make low-interest loans available for such improvements.

“Growing concern for sustainability offers the homeowner additional motivation for undertaking home improvement projects,” states the report. “With younger age groups expressing particular interest in green projects, this market holds promise for years to come.”

Still, for homeowners who simply want to create a more convenient and pleasing living environment, bathroom and kitchen projects will continue to top the list, experts say. For bathrooms, here are some of the top trends identified by Jacksonville">Jacksonville-area remodelers:
> Big showers. Americans are investing in larger shower spaces, sometimes choosing to have the old bathtub removed altogether. Many homeowners, in fact, want their bathrooms to resemble spas with all the amenities. They’re opting for such features as current baths and steam showers.
> Skylights. More airiness in the bathroom doesn’t have to mean less privacy. Installing skylights is a fairly simple project that offers extra brightness and natural sunlight all year long.
> Fancy fans. Tired of steamy mirrors? Many homeowners are discovering immensely powerful, humidity-sensing fans. For upper-story bathrooms, fans can be installed in the attic, which makes them space-friendly and extremely quiet.
> Heated floors. Cold floors can be an annoyance, even in Florida. The solution? Radiant electric heating mesh is placed under new tiles when the floor is installed; this, in turn, is connected to a thermostat for easy regulation.
> Beautiful vanities. Vanities, by necessity, are shaped geometrically. To soften the square shape, many homeowners are opting for round basins and interesting finishes or colors. Wall-hung vanities remain popular, as they maximize the use of space while deep drawers and plenty of shelf space are also desirable.
How about the kitchen? Here’s what local pros identify as hot trends for 2010:
> Sustainability. Recycled or sustainable materials such as recycled glass countertops or formaldehyde-free bamboo is popular for work surfaces and flooring. Built-in recycling centers and food composters can save space and make recycling simple. Water-conserving faucets and Energy Star-rated appliances also save money and natural resources.
> Multi-functional convenience. Some examples include sinks with accessories, such as built-in preparation boards, colanders and/or drain trays. Cupboard inserts and custom storage areas with adjustable dividers and pull-out baskets are big value-adders. Some homeowners are even asking for appliances set on wheels or movable islands. Walk-in pantries and specialty work stations—baking centers, coffee bars, wine-tasting nooks and pizza-making stations—are also cropping up more frequently.
> High-Tech. As homeowners become more tech-savvy, kitchens are being outfitted with electronics rather than traditional d?or. From flat-screen televisions and computer-based entertainment systems to retracting ventilation hoods and gas burners, technology can make the kitchen more fun, convenient and cool.
> Foodie-Friendly. The rising popularity of celebrity chefs and television shows such as Top Chef are indicative of a cultural shift toward culinary appreciation and fresh food preparation. One result has been the growing popularity of restaurant-grade appliances. Commercial-grade stoves are more popular than ever as are filtered faucets and refrigerators with multiple cooling and humidity settings. ?
> Color and shape. Unexpected flashes of color and bold shapes offer a nice juxtaposition to the earthy mellowness of the eco-friendly trend. Colorful paint, tiles or backsplashes add some punch to an otherwise monochromatic space. Stainless-steel appliances still top most homeowners’ lists, but colorful appliances are increasingly accepted as cutting-edge.
> Layered lighting. A series of recessed fixtures can provide ambient light while chandeliers and pendants can illuminate an island or a seating area. Accent lighting above and below cabinets—or in a glass-front cabinet—can highlight special areas. LED lighting, which is now available for home use, con-sumes half as much electricity as fluorescents and can last twice as long.
> Coziness. Kitchens are the new family rooms. So more homeowners are asking for kitchen cabinets that look like furniture and counters and islands are becoming dining tables. Banquette seating is also gaining favor.

So, will 2010 be a good time to remodel? Yes, say experts, in part because many remodelers will be in “recovery mode” and eager to take on all the work they can handle at a reasonable price.
Likewise, interest rates are expected to remain low as credit conditions thaw. And home values will likely begin to creep back up, freeing up equity with which to finance remodeling projects.

For Colors, 2010 ?Looks Quite Bright?
Colorists for Sherwin-Williams, the largest producer of paint in the U.S., have released their 2010 color forecasts, and industry experts from Jacksonville">Jacksonville-based Sisler Johnston Interior Design agree that there will be a resurgence of bright, saturated colors in the coming year.?

“The 2010 color forecast draws on nostalgia of the past to create colors for the future,” says Jennifer Bean, a designer with Sisler Johnston Interior Design and ASID Allied Member. ?“Colors appeal to our emotions. ?Just a slight change in color can change our feelings and mood.”?

The Sherwin-Williams 2010 colors have been divided into four 
categories: ?Rooted, Simplified, Treasured and Refreshed.?

> Rooted: ?Deep, rich colors with African and Native American influences define Sherwin-Williams’ Rooted collection. ?The colors are rich and earthy with a hint of mystery. ?Colors include amber, teal, red and gray.?

> Simplified: This collection features sophisticated, subtle and versatile colors including silvery whites, sparkling grays and a glowing buttery yellow. The hues are calm with undertones that shift according to their surroundings. ??

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> Treasured: ?The Treasured collection features more muted colors than the other collections. ?The palette reflects the beauty of natural aging, mellowing and weathering over time. ?Look for smoky blue, yellow, green and coral colors.?

> Refreshed: ?The Refreshed collection highlights vibrant floral tones, bright juicy colors and unexpected color combinations. ?The colors include yellow-orange, green, coral, yellow, violet and blue. ??

With so many shades of color to choose from, Sisler Johnston recommends consulting with a licensed interior designer before beginning any interior design project, including do-it-yourself endeavors. ?It can be a valuable investment to have an expert review the plan and provide recommendations.

In the kitchen above, Aurora Custom Remodeling gutted the old space and installed such upscale appliances as a Sub Zero refrigerator and a Wolf range and ovens. A glass seating area with stainless steel brackets, flat mahogany cabinets and stone floors add to the warm but contemporary look. Layered lighting, track lighting and pendants, undercounter lighting 
and ceiling fans beautifully illuminate the area.

Aurora Custom Remodeling gutted an existing small bathroom and opened up the space by taking out the tub and installing a large shower with his-and-hers shower stations along with a hand shower and seating area at one end.

Plantation Housing Corp. II designed this bathroom to feel like a spa with windows open to a landscaped courtyard. The shower, encased in wraparound glass, features multiple showerheads and body sprays. The tub was made of concrete accented by glass tiles.

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Finial Builders completely remade this bathroom with such luxuries as heated floors and towel warmers. The contractor also installed a deep round soaking tub and a flat-screen TV.

Kitchen and Bath Studio of Ponte Vedra was asked to renovate the kitchen below and to separate it from adjacent rooms. Among the new appliances added to this relatively small space were two dishwashers, a 36-inch refrigerator, a 36-inch cooktop, double wall-ovens, a microwave, a warming drawer and a TV. A second dishwasher was placed next to the cooktop and a third oven was installed in the laundry room, which was designed to be converted into a butler’s pantry when entertaining.?

The historic Stetson Mansion in DeLand, which now hosts tours and events, got a more functional kitchen, shown below, thanks to an array of business and trade partners from Central and Northeast Florida. Among the new products and features added to this vintage home’s kitchen were a beverage station, an Electrolux ICON Designer coffee maker and an an Electrolux wine cooler and ice maker. All these accessories are available through Ferguson Enterprises.

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For the mother-in-law addition above, BeeTree Homes installed a smooth-top, slide-in double oven the works well in a limited space. The client also wanted a vibrant, lively color palate and a European contemporary style. But the colors served more than an aesthetic purpose: the client’s mother had lost the ability to distinguish colors unless they’re vivid. So the high-contrast scheme helped her during food preparation. Stainless steel and and glass were chosen for their reflective properties while the custom island was made by a local company to give the space an industrial look. Below, Sport Nobles Construction created a multi-functional kitchen with innovative vertical storage spaces flanking stacked ovens.