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Trend Watch

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Construct, Renovate & Revitalize your living space
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Spring 2010 / Best of Burlington 37 trend watch SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Construct, Renovate & Revitalize YOUR LIVING SPACE Changing lifestyles call for changing homes.
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Page 1: Trend Watch

Spring2010/BestofBurlington 37

trend watchspecial advertising section

Construct, Renovate & Revitalize

y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e

Changing lifestyles call for changing homes.

Page 2: Trend Watch

38 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

building & remodeling

y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e

New materials and new

technologies are reshap-

ing the way we build and

remodel our homes.

Both new home designs and

remodeling projects are in-

corporating more and more

sustainable trends that help to

make the home more energy

efficient. Sustainable design is

part of the green movement

that is examining ways to make

home building less harmful to

the environment while consid-

ering how to make the home

more in tune with its natural

environment.

The environment is being

considered on the inside, as

well. Synthetic materials and

the chemical additives used

in paints, wood products, and

fabrics can affect our health,

so homeowners are now

demanding products made

without plastics, laminates,

and fume-producing glues

and finishes. Bamboo and cork,

which are sustainable, have

become popular choices

for flooring, for example.

open &

efficient

Women are becoming the final decision makers regarding new home design and construction. This can mean more storage space in bed-rooms, larger laundry rooms, security systems, and a higher quality of construction. Men tend to want larger garages, home theater systems, and space for large screen TVs.

special advertising section

Page 3: Trend Watch

Spring2010/BestofBurlington 39

Consumers must consider ongoing home heating and

cooling costs. Choices of appliances, lighting fixtures,

orientation of your home on the property, shade, and sufficient

insulation all play a part in saving energy.

open spaCesBuilding new homes with open

spaces allows for the flow of energy between rooms and makes the home

more energy efficient. The use of open spaces reduces the amount of

material needed to build the home and makes the home more spacious.

special advertising section

Red HouseFine Homebuilding &Historic Restoration

Timeless CraftsmanshipEmployee-Owned

802.655.0009BURLINGTON, VT

www.redhousebuilding.com

Page 4: Trend Watch

40 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

building & remodeling y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e

remodelAn unused room with beautiful natural light is easily converted into a studio or an office. Custom built-in storage space adds beauty—and value.

What may be the smart-

est remodeling project

if you want to recoup

your money? Turn-

ing part of your attic space into

an extra bedroom brought the

greatest return on investment

when selling a home—83 percent.

Kitchen and bathroom renova-

tions also tempt buyers and

bring a good return.

Other smart improvements

include adding a garage (living

space above is a bonus), a studio,

or an office space.

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Page 5: Trend Watch

Spring2010/BestofBurlington 41

An Energy-Efficient Homeaccording to the environmental pro-

tection agency (epa), the average

household spends about $2,200 on

energy bills every year. The trend that’s

here to stay—saving energy—also saves

money. Whether you’re building a new

home or renovating a centuries-old

farmhouse, incorporating energy-sav-

ing features is bound to be at the top

of your project list.

Window replacement contractors,

for example, have seen a marked

increase in business since president

obama signed the american Recovery

and Reinvestment act of 2009, which

included provisions for homeowners

to receive a tax credit of up to $1,500

for energy efficiency improvements.

Consider these other ideas:

Choose an efficient hot water

system. Water heating accounts for

14 to 25 percent of a home’s operat-

ing costs. new heaters must meet new

criteria to qualify for the energy star

label. These standards are expected

to save american consumers about

$780 million in utility costs by the fifth

year of the standard’s use. Weigh the

benefits and costs of a tankless system

that heats only when it’s needed, a so-

lar system, or a traditional storage tank

to decide which best fits your needs

and your budget.

Invest in a home energy audit. if

your home is not brand new, hire a

professional to access how your house

“breathes” and devise a plan for air

sealing and insulating, moisture con-

trol, and ventilation. The Department

of energy estimates that the aver-

age homeowner can save up to 30

percent on heating and cooling costs

with proper insulation and air sealing.

These jobs are relatively inexpensive

and offer a quick return on investment,

often paying for themselves in three or

four years, according to the u.s. green

Building Council.

D i D y o u k n o W ?59% of people are concerned about the environmental impact of their consumption.

66% consider the environmental impact of their purchases.source: cone, inc. 2008.

special advertising section

Page 6: Trend Watch

42 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

kitchens & floors

y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e

bright &

open living

New kitchens feature

products that are earth-

friendly, high-tech, and

all about convenience.

Take a look at some hot new

products:

sustainable surfaces Formal-

dehyde-free, food-safe bamboo

parquet butcher block from

Teragren is perfect for kitchen

counters and tabletops. An-

other choice is the EQcounter-

top, which uses a low-emitting

particleboard core, water-based

adhesives, and Greenguard in-

door air quality-certified lami-

nates.

appliance TVs Siemens’ venti-

lation hood features a 17-inch

LCD screen for watching televi-

sion and DVDs or listening to

music. Another option is the LG

Electronics HDTV refrigerator,

a side-by-side model with a 15-

inch screen.

super sink Today’s sinks offer

an array of accessories, includ-

ing preparation boards, colan-

ders, and drain trays.

source: this old house

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Page 7: Trend Watch

Spring2010/BestofBurlington 43

bright &

open living

FloorsChoices in flooring materials can

help to preserve our forests and

other resources, and cork and

bamboo top this list.

Cork floors are made from the

harvested bark of the cork tree.

Because the tree is not cut down

and the bark is a renewable re-

source, it’s a desirable choice for

environmentally aware consumers.

Cork is cushiony soft and helps to

diminish noise. Cork flooring is of-

fered in many colors in both planks

and tiles. Like solid wood, cork can

be finished, stained, or painted.

Bamboo flooring has been used

for centuries in Asia because of its

beauty, hardness, and durability.

Recognized as the fastest-growing

plant on earth, bamboo offers 25

times the yield of hardwood, yet

is just as durable. Bamboo can be

harvested every 5 to 7 years, un-

like 15 to 100 years for many tree

woods. Today’s bamboo floors

are available in many colors and

textures.

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Page 8: Trend Watch

44 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

building & remodeling y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e

Hiring an architect

is a smart move,

even if you are

working within

a tight budget. You do not

want to cut corners on de-

sign and custom details, and

the expert advice of a good

architect can help you avoid

costly mistakes. From every-

thing from where walls, win-

dows, and stairs are located

to ensuring efficient traffic

flow, architects can see pos-

sibilities and find solutions to

your special needs and assure

that the home you build or

remodel is ideally suited for

the way you live.

leT There be lIghTProperly situating the house on the lot and optimum placement

of windows make the most of natural light.

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Page 9: Trend Watch

Spring2010/BestofBurlington 45

relax in comfort y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e

Your home’s déCorDecorating your home is about sur-

rounding yourself and your family

with the colors, textures, and objects

you love to make it your own unique,

comfortable haven. An experienced

interior designer can pull all the ele-

ments together to make your vision a

reality.

remain neutral. A neutral color pal-

ette is always in style, and earth tones

blend well with today’s movement

toward ecology and nature. A neu-

tral room of creams, beiges, tans, or

golds also can convey an understated

but refined and elegant feel. Another

plus is that neutrals give you the free-

dom to change the look of a room

when the mood strikes you, perhaps

with the seasons. Throw pillows, rugs,

and accessories in new colors can

transform the look of your room for

very little money.

eco-friendly pieces. Locally made

and recycled-content pieces are

very popular, for both furniture and

accessories. Natural and organic

fabrics and fibers are in demand,

as are natural dyes and eco-friend-

ly finishes for fabrics and furniture.

natural fabrics are being used fre-

quently as fashion and design have

become a trend in interior decorat-

ing. Natural fabrics include cotton,

cotton blends, leather, linen, silk,

and wool. Each natural fabric has

a specific quality that may make it

more desirable for various uses; for

example, some natural fabrics are

more easily cleaned than other

natural fabrics, while some others

last longer. The features of each

fabric type should be considered

for the best fit for your family be-

fore making a purchase.

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Page 10: Trend Watch

46 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

neW looksWindow dressing. Energy-conscious

homeowners often opt for adjustable

blinds as a way to redirect heat and

light while providing privacy. Like so

many other aspects of today’s homes,

blinds and other window treatments

are going green. Bamboo blinds are

a popular choice, and rice, hemp, and

cork continue to grow in popular-

ity. Look for these materials in green

fabrics on bolts of assorted prints and

textures as well as the more traditional

blinds. Many of today’s fabrics feature

anti-microbial, anti-fungal traits woven

into the yarn or offered as a topical

spray. Stain-resistant and mildew- and

mold-resistant fabrics are also popular

picks for allergy sufferers. Even the

environmentally conscious will feel

right at home with nontoxic dyes and

finishes on fabrics.

For today’s style, simplicity is key.

Besides blinds and shades, valances

and swags are popular, but the heavily

layered window treatments of the past

have been traded for simple finishes,

clean lines, and limited hardware. While

the overall design trend leans toward

simplicity, draperies remain a popular

choice for those who desire luxury.

Lush fabrics including silks, velvets, and

damasks make for an elegant room,

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Page 11: Trend Watch

Spring2010/BestofBurlington 47

special advertising section

especially when paired with sparkling

crystal or beaded tassels and trims.

lighting ideas. Home lighting projects

provide a great way to add drama and

style to your home by highlighting, defin-

ing, and setting the mood. Emerging

home lighting trends are giving rise to

new ideas about how to use lamps, chan-

deliers, and sconces in novel ways for

highlighting specific areas. Though many

lighting arrangements are added when

the home is built, there are many home

lighting projects that can be easily added

to already finished rooms.

For a change of pace, don’t rely on just

typical overhead lighting and table lamps

to light your home; try some new op-

tions. Available in metal cans or as small

adjustable halogen fixtures, uplights offer

a way to add interest to your room. Up-

lights work well on a floor behind a plant

or other decorative element or can be

used to bathe a part of a wall in light.

Under-cabinet lights can be used to focus

light on a workspace. This type of light-

ing is used in kitchens, home offices, and

other work areas. Under-cabinet lights not

only make accomplishing tasks easier, but

also work with other lighting to provide

layered illumination. When choosing light-

ing for your home, select quality fixtures

that are stylish and made to last.

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Page 12: Trend Watch

48 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

landscaping & outdoor spaces

y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e

fresh &

tRanquil

The economy of the past

few years has intro-

duced the “staycation”

trend, and this year,

designers are eager to give

homeowners more ways to

make at-home leisure a desti-

nation. Private outdoor living

areas can be fashioned out

of hedges and screens as

outdoor garden rooms to

give a sense of enclosure and

separation from the world.

The current trend has home-

owners creating lush, relaxing,

resort-like exteriors furnished

with outdoor all-weather fur-

niture, fashionable accessories

and rugs, outdoor kitchens,

and outdoor lighting, many of

which rival indoor furnishings

for beauty and functionality.

The trend also encompasses

outdoor fireplaces, water

features, rock and container

gardens, and new walkways,

steps, and walls.

hardsCapeHardscaping refers to elements

composed of concrete, brick, stone, or wood. Constructing a patio or deck is a hardscaping project, as is a brick walkway, a stone wall, or a wooden fence. Almost every landscape has a problem area, be it a rocky area, a slope, or

a space so heavily shaded that design options with plants are limited. Fortunately, the many hardscape options available provide solutions

for dealing with less-than-ideal areas.Patios—whether composed of concrete,

stone, brick, or some other hardscape material—are always in demand and offer the

perfect way to tie the indoors to the outdoors. Stamped concrete is a popular

new option, as is tinted concrete. Decks have been a favorite for a long time

and remain a popular addition.

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Page 13: Trend Watch

Spring2010/BestofBurlington 49

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Page 14: Trend Watch

50 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

landscaping & outdoor spaces y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e

you’ll want to create an environment that is comfortable, inviting, and geared to-

ward your personal needs. Besides an outdoor kitchen, living spaces may include

a dining space, a patio or deck to sit and relax, a meditation garden, or a play area.

since you’ll want landscaping to complement your project, you may want to consid-

er adding various hardscape elements, such as a stone wall, terraces, or a walkway

along with complementary plants.

gardeners are switching from plants that are high maintenance to those that

require less care. smaller turf areas, low-volume irrigation systems, and mulching

are important components of these energy-efficient landscapes.

special advertising section


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