Intelligent Design

Each of the pros interviewed was the interior designer for one of the spectacular showplaces on display at the Street of Dreams, held in October in the upscale Bella Collina community in Montverde, 20 miles northwest of Orlando in Orlando" target="_blank">Lake County. During the event, eight custom homes priced from $4 million to $6 million were on display.

Typically, designers selected to tackle Street of Dreams homes use the occasion to let their creative juices flow-and to showcase the latest trends. Here's the advice they offered-along with some photography from their individual Street of Dreams projects.

Donnie Clark

Founder and Owner, Saxon-Clark

(407) 894-9297

www.saxon-clark.com

Interior designer of Montebenichi, which was built by Ray Coudriet Builders and designed by Nasrallah Fine Architectural Design.

COLOR

What colors are trendy but have staying power? Gold tones continue to be a favorite and will continue.

Is blue still a perennial favorite? If so, what shades will be hot in 2007? Yes, blue is still popular, but it will be a little bolder or richer blues than we have seen in the past year.

What about orange? If it's favored, what shades will be hot in 2007? Yes, but with more terra cotta and cinnamon tones.

What color combinations are turning heads for 2007? Why? Terra cotta, chocolate and peacock blue combinations are standing out. Bolder combinations are becoming more popular.

FURNISHINGS

What's creating excitement as far as furnishing trends? We're seeing better quality furnishings from imports with better values.

What furnishings are hot as far as retro looks in terms of design, color, pattern, textures and fabrics? As far as textures, we are seeing hound's tooth and medallions. For design and color, the Martha Stewart-look with clean lines, pewter accents and black finishes.

Are there breakthroughs in technology that make furnishings easier to maintain, especially in homes with children? Microfiber fabrics that look and feel like suede, but clean easily make furnishings easier to maintain, as well as finished leathers that feel better.

What's the most popular room to furnish in addition to the kitchen? Why? Family rooms, because family time is making a comeback.

LIFESTYLE INFLUENCES

What lifestyle trend is most influencing your customers? Home comfort is a lifestyle trend as seen in home theaters that feel more like family rooms instead of the typical theater-style, adults-only seating. Also, outdoor furniture is looking and feeling more like indoor furniture.

How does this lifestyle trend influence their purchasing choices? We see more hidden televisions and the increased comfort level of the outdoor furniture.

Have any furniture innovations been created to respond to this lifestyle trend? Yes, more versatile cabinets for televisions, such as automatic pop-ups, and concealed wall cabinets along with better outdoor furniture cushioning with better choices of fabrics.

TODAY'S HOME

What types of homes are most popular? Homeowners are choosing larger, Mediterranean, Tuscan and Olde World styles with a huge variety of details to mimic older homes so they don't feel so "new."

What rooms seem most important to homeowners? Master bedrooms are becoming more opulent with more details, such as larger sitting areas, exercise rooms and mini offices, all within the master suite.

How do homes being built today influence the size, scale, and proportion of furnishings? Furniture today continues to grow in scale with more and more variety and options.

What innovations/technologies are hot for 2007? The affordability of computer systems for lighting and plasma screen TVs make them popular choices.

ANY OTHER THOUGHTS?

Kitchens are becoming more and more upscale. Cabinets are almost always upgraded and are looking more like furniture pieces. Combinations of colors in the cabinets are becoming more popular. Appliances continue to move upscale. Drawer dishwashers and refrigerators and more concealed built-ins as well as the large stainless commercial look are becoming more and more popular.

Ken Felix

Lead Designer

Showplace, Inc.

(407) 831-4333

www.showplacedesigns.com

Interior Designer for Castlelina, which was built by Stonebridge Homes and designed by Hyatt Design.

COLOR

Is blue still a perennial favorite? If so, what shades will be hot in 2007? Vapor blue or water hues.

What about orange? If it's favored, what shades will be hot in 2007? Tangerine.

What color combinations are turning heads for 2007? Why? Blues and greens combined with soft linen for a fresh look.

FURNISHINGS

What's creating excitement as far as furnishing trends? Clean, transitional lines are in style with attention to fine fabrics, details and textures.

What furnishings are hot as far as retro looks in terms of design, color, pattern, textures and fabrics? Classic, mid-century furnishings are popular, such as Mies van der Rohe, Eames and Herman Miller.

Are there breakthroughs in technology that make furnishings easier to maintain, especially in homes with children? Ado Sheers have chemically treated fabrics for cleaner living and allergy protection. All microsuede fabrics are also easier to maintain.

What's the most popular room to furnish in addition to the kitchen? Why? Bonus rooms for multifunctional activities to promote family quality time. Popular furnishings include plasma screen TVs, game tables and billiards tables.

LIFESTYLE INFLUENCES

What lifestyle trend is most influencing your customers? Casual entertaining at home is a current lifestyle trend. Clients are upgrading kitchens and creating attached outdoor living spaces.

How does this lifestyle trend influence their purchasing choices? Families are purchasing granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, barbeque grills, wine cabinets, outdoor draperies and adding outdoor audio/visual systems.

Have any furniture innovations been created to respond to this lifestyle trend? Better quality outdoor furniture, outdoor fireplaces and outdoor artwork.

TODAY'S HOME

What types of homes are most popular? Homeowners are buying in lifestyle- and amenity-enriched communities.

What rooms seem most important to homeowners? More money is spent on master bedrooms and spa-like bathrooms.

How do homes being built today influence the size, scale, and proportion of furnishings? People are buying less square footage, hence opting for scaled-down versions of classic pieces.

What innovations/technologies are hot for 2007? Automated kitchens and blinds and computer smart homes are popular technologies.

Susan P. Berry, ASID

Founder and Owner

Classical Home Design

(407) 331-4855

www.classicalhomedesign.com

Interior Designer, along with Furniture Classics, for Palazzo Del Lago, which was built by R.L. Vogel Homes and designed by Hyatt Design.

COLOR

Is blue still a perennial favorite? If so, what shades will be hot in 2007? Yes, popular blue shades include periwinkle, clear and cheerful tones and also coastal colors such as stormy overcast skies and oceans and pale New England blues.

What about orange? If it's still favored, what shades will be hot in 2007? Orange is hot with the Tuscan-style homes. Benjamin Moore Butterscotch is the color of the R.L. Vogel Street of Dreams Home in Bella Collina. Shades of orange are back in reclaimed brick flooring and terra cotta floors reflecting the Spanish influence of the California coastline. Orange is hot in ultra-modern styles as well, particularly used with espresso brown.

What color combinations are turning heads for 2007? Why? Creamy white combinations that are clean and classical. White is back. Bright clear colors and Asian-inspired colors are popular. We're pulling a lot of paint colors from the coloration in natural stone and marble.

FURNISHINGS

What's creating excitement as far as furnishing trends? Exotic wood veneers.

What furnishings are hot as far as retro looks in terms of design, color, pattern, textures, and fabrics? Popular furnishings include items that play off of the geometry of 70's pop art as well as shiny, clean surfaces mixed with natural texture.

Are there breakthroughs in technology that make furnishings easier to maintain, especially in homes with children? Other than adding floor drains in each room containing furniture that can be hosed off, I don't see products that will stand up to 18 years of family life. People with families are no longer purchasing furniture to be family heirloom pieces that they will keep forever. Less expensive furniture groupings are being selected in active family spaces, with the intent of replacing upholstered items as the children mature.

What's the most popular room to furnish in addition to the kitchen? Why? The master bedroom is very popular to furnish because it creates a stage for the owner's intimate true self.

LIFESTYLE INFLUENCES

What lifestyle trend is most influencing your customers? Our clients are very high-end, and I'm seeing an increase in home-schooled children. In the R.L. Vogel Street of Dreams Home, we have reworked the theater to also serve as a virtual home school classroom or a place for the kids to play musical instruments, record themselves and make their own music videos. Several of our clients have requested rooms dedicated to home schooling with multiple desks, computer hook-ups, lots of display space, cozy reading corners and mini stages for performances.

How does this lifestyle trend influence their purchasing choices? They're purchasing items for comfort and technology. Instead of theater seating, they're purchasing flexible, comfortable, oversized chairs and ottomans. Families want to spend more time at home enjoying traditional living. Formal dining rooms are still popular, but it is essential that the kitchen accommodates seating for four to six people at the island bar. Comfort and family interaction are back.

TODAY'S HOME

What types of homes are most popular? I think people are looking for comfort, and familiar images of the past with homes located in traditional neighborhoods with parks and amenities.

What rooms seem most important to homeowners? The kitchen and the master bath are important-particularly the summer kitchen.

Ron Nowfel

IDS Design Consultant

Jessica Iaconis

Design Consultant

Robb & Stucky

(407) 682-3700

www.robbstucky.com

Interior designer for Cinque Terre, which was built by Homes by Carmen Dominguez and designed by MJS, Inc.

COLOR

What colors are trendy but have staying power? If the right color works, it works! We like to use unexpected colors.

Is blue still a perennial favorite? If so, what shades will be hot in 2007? Yes, blue is still a favorite, in particular spa blue because it is a safe, soothing color.

What about orange? If it¹s still favored, what shades will be hot in 2007? We love orange, lime green, and royal purple. They are all fabulous accent colors that can make a statement.

What color combinations are turning heads for 2007? Why? The combination of browns and blues seem to be leading the way for 2007. They are a good, neutral palette to build from.

FURNISHINGS

What's creating excitement as far as furnishing trends? Clean, straight lines are in style as seen in the Barbara Barry collection by Henredon and furniture pieces that have jewel accents are becoming very popular.

What furnishings are hot as far as retro looks in terms of design, color, pattern, textures and fabrics? Lucite furniture is definitely making a comeback.

Are there breakthroughs in technology that make furnishings easier to maintain, especially in homes with children? Microfiber is a great fabric that's resistant to stains and spills and comes in every color you can imagine.

What's the most popular room to furnish in addition to the kitchen? Why? The adjoining family room, because it's where people spend most of their time.

LIFESTYLE INFLUENCES

What lifestyle trend is most influencing your customers? Outdoor living spaces with plasma-screen TVs, comfortable patio furniture, fireplaces and fire pits, area rugs and accessories are the place to be in 2007. People are embracing the outdoors more and more.

How does this lifestyle trend influence their purchasing choices? People tend to spend their money on plasma-screen TVs as well as top-of-the-line gas grills to create the ultimate space for entertaining.

Have any furniture innovations been created to respond to this lifestyle trend? Certainly, patio frames and fabric selections have come a long way; in some cases it's hard to see a difference from indoor furniture.

TODAY¹S HOME

What types of homes are most popular? People choose whatever fits their lifestyles and budgets. It's different for everyone.

What rooms seem most important to homeowners? People are paying more attention to the kitchen, powder baths and great room or family room. Basically, wherever they entertain.

How do homes being built today influence the size, scale, and proportion of furnishings? There are so many ranges in furniture sizes from oversized sofas by Marge Carson to sleek Scandinavian-style platform beds. Any sized home can be accommodated.

What innovations/technologies are hot for 2007? A great shower system, such as the Water Tiles by Kohler, are a must have for the master bathroom.