Trend Watch

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trend watch Construct, Renovate & Revitalize

yo u r l i v i n g s pac e

Changing lifestyles call for changing homes.

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building & remodeling

yo u r l i v i n g s pac e open &

efficient

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ew materials and new technologies are reshaping the way we build and remodel our homes.

Both new home designs and remodeling projects are incorporating 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 considering 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.

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Women are becoming the final decision makers regarding new home design and construction. This can mean more storage space in bedrooms, 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.

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Red House Open Spaces

Fine Homebuilding & Historic Restoration

Building 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.

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.

Timeless Craftsmanship Employee-Owned

802.655.0009 BURLINGTON, VT

www.redhousebuilding.com Spring 2010 / Best of Burlington

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building & remodeling

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W

hat may be the smartest remodeling project if you want to recoup your money? Turning part of your attic space into an extra bedroom brought the greatest return on investment when selling a home—83 percent.

Kitchen and bathroom renovations 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.

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

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An Energy-Efficient Home According to the Environmental Protection 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-

did you know?

59% of people are concerned about the environmental impact of their consumption.

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

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 operating 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 solar 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 control, and ventilation. The Department of Energy estimates that the average 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.

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kitchens & floors

yo u r l i v i n g s pac e bright &

open living

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ew kitchens feature products that are earthfriendly, high-tech, and all about convenience.

Take a look at some hot new products: Sustainable Surfaces Formaldehyde-free, food-safe bamboo parquet butcher block from Teragren is perfect for kitchen counters and tabletops. Another choice is the EQcountertop, which uses a low-emitting particleboard core, water-based adhesives, and Greenguard indoor air quality-certified laminates.

Appliance TVs Siemens’ ventilation hood features a 17-inch LCD screen for watching television and DVDs or listening to music. Another option is the LG Electronics HDTV refrigerator, a side-by-side model with a 15inch screen.

Super Sink Today’s sinks offer an array of accessories, including preparation boards, colanders, and drain trays. source: this old house

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Floors Choices 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 resource, it’s a desirable choice for environmentally aware consumers.

Cork is cushiony soft and helps to diminish noise. Cork flooring is offered 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, unlike 15 to 100 years for many tree woods. Today’s bamboo floors are available in many colors and textures.

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building & remodeling

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iring an architect is a smart move, even if you are working within a tight budget. You do not want to cut corners on design and custom details, and the expert advice of a good architect can help you avoid costly mistakes. From everything from where walls, windows, and stairs are located to ensuring efficient traffic flow, architects can see possibilities 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 light Properly situating the house on the lot and optimum placement of windows make the most of natural light.

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relax in comfort

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Your Home’s DÊcor

Eco-friendly pieces. Locally made

Decorating your home is about sur-

and recycled-content pieces are

rounding yourself and your family

very popular, for both furniture and

with the colors, textures, and objects

accessories. Natural and organic

you love to make it your own unique,

fabrics and fibers are in demand,

comfortable haven. An experienced

as are natural dyes and eco-friend-

interior designer can pull all the ele-

ly finishes for fabrics and furniture.

ments together to make your vision a reality.

Remain neutral. A neutral color palette is always in style, and earth tones blend well with today’s movement toward ecology and nature. A neutral 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 freedom 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.

Natural fabrics are being used frequently as fashion and design have become a trend in interior decorating. 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 before making a purchase.

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new looks Window 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 popularity. 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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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, defining, and setting the mood. Emerging home lighting trends are giving rise to new ideas about how to use lamps, chandeliers, 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 options. Available in metal cans or as small adjustable halogen fixtures, uplights offer a way to add interest to your room. Uplights 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 lighting 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 lighting for your home, select quality fixtures that are stylish and made to last.

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landscaping & outdoor spaces

yo u r l i v i n g s pac e fresh &

TRanquil

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he economy of the past few years has introduced the “staycation” trend, and this year, designers are eager to give homeowners more ways to make at-home leisure a destination. 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 homeowners creating lush, relaxing, resort-like exteriors furnished with outdoor all-weather furniture, 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.

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Hardscape Hardscaping 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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landscaping & outdoor spaces

yo u r l i v i n g s pac e You’ll want to create an environment that is comfortable, inviting, and geared toward 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 consider 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.

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