Your Living Space

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trend watch Text by Mary Gow

Construct, Renovate & Revitalize

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

Changing lifestyles call for changing homes.

Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington courtesy of cynthia knauf landscape design

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landscaping & outdoor spaces

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

TRanquil

W

hether it’s due to the economic challenges of the past few years or it’s simply a nod toward comfort and convenience, families are staying home more than they used to. This nationwide trend means homeowners are investing to make their living spaces more functional, more beautiful, and—quite simply— more fun.

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Indoor living is moving out as boundaries between indoor and outdoor life are changing.

Well-appointed outdoor kitchens bring alfresco meal preparation and dining together. Beyond fabulous grills, outdoor kitchens feature refrigerators, sinks, even espresso machines and pizza ovens.

From a morning cup of coffee to a gracious dinner party, outdoor meals are becoming part of daily life.

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Opposite page: Stainless steel spa

by Cynthia Knauf Landscape Design. Top: Well-equipped outdoor kitchen. Natural fire pit

by Landshapes.

Right and bottom: Vermont views by Cynthia Knauf Landscape Design.

land shades

let there be fire “Our clients want to embrace their outdoor space. We are installing a lot of fire pits. Some are formal fire rings and others incorporate boulders for seating, creating a very natural setting. We have also installed formal outdoor fireplaces at several homes. Both the fireplace and fire pit let you expand your indoor life into the outdoors.�

Marie P. Limoge, Landshapes, landscape designer/architect.

Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington

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landscaping & outdoor spaces

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B

etween indoors and out, sunrooms are not just for summer anymore. “Sunrooms today can be either uninsulated three-season rooms or insulated extendedseason rooms that can be used year-round,” says Elizabeth Warren of Otter Creek Awnings in Williston.

New window technology and efficient design also contribute to extending a sunroom’s use time.

Otter Creek Awnings Otter Creek Awnings

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Go Native Trends in landscape design are bringing homeowners and their guests outdoors.

Landscapes are becoming even greener and more sustainable with greater awareness and use of native stone and vegetation. Fieldstone and New England granite are beautiful and at home in our region, and they do not require the fuel consumption of stone shipped from overseas. Maples, blueberries, cattails, and other indigenous species thrive here naturally and have fewer maintenance and disease issues than imported exotics.

local is best “Local seems to be the trend, not just with food stores and restaurants, but also in landscape architecture. It’s exciting that each year more Vermont clients are requesting the use of local construction materials, craftsmanship, and plants.”

Cynthia Knauf, Cynthia Knauf Landscape Design, Winooski, VT. Courtesy of Cynthia Knauf Landscape

Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington

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kitchens & floors

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

open living

“The kitchen is the new great room—a very open, very functional space for cooking, dining, entertaining, and watching television,” says Ali White of Becky White’s Kitchens by Design in Georgia, Vermont. “Islands are now spaces where conversations are happening. The island almost always has seating, which works for the kids to do homework, for family meals, and for guests sipping wine when you’re entertaining. Kitchens also have multiple eating spaces.

Beyond the island you may have a banquette with an informal dining space in one part of the room and your more formal dining area in another part. The separate formal dining room is rare.”

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Kitchen Style “Kitchens are becoming very personalized, and many people have a theme in mind,” Ali says. “I have a lot of clients who bring me magazine pages of Tuscan, French Country, and Shaker or farmhouse styles that they want to capture in their new kitchen.

Within these, we are seeing a lot of painted kitchens.

In a Tuscan kitchen you might have cabinets with an Old World look and a distressed painted finish. Someone restoring an old farmhouse may

want wide plank floors and cabinets that respect that history.”

Ali continues, “Tile is really huge!

It is also very personal. You have so many choices, from intricate floral patterns to small mosaic to subway tiles. The way you lay out your tile can dramatically change the look of your kitchen. For example, if you have shorter than 8-foot ceilings, we like to use tile in a vertical pattern to visually elongate the walls.”

Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington

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building and remodeling

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

energizing

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hether you’re building a new home from the ground up or remodeling your existing space, local contractors can guide you to making smart choices. They’re familiar with all the latest materials, technology, and energy-efficient options available today.

“We build Green Certified Five Star homes, certified by the National Association of Home Builders,” says Chris Snyder of Snyder Homes.

“We’re installing building products with a systematic approach that makes our homes more efficient and minimizes their impact on the environment.”

THINK LONG TERM

“Homes today have more open spaces or so-called flex spaces. We are building fewer homes with both a living room and dining room,” says Chris Snyder.

“People are living in their homes longer and are personalizing them more. They are investing in kitchens with custom cabinetry, granite countertops, and higher quality ranges to suit their taste and style.”

Chris Snyder, Snyder Homes, Shelburne, VT Three smaller photos courtesy of Snyder Homes.

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Home-Buying Decisions

room. you may want to design it even

house we have two backup systems: one

Things are changing in the 21st

with doorways sized for wheelchair ac-

can run the entire house on a generator,

century, and homeowners want

cessibility and a nearby bathroom that

the second just runs essential systems

a combination of convenience,

can be adapted to changing needs.”

on batteries.”

comfort, and quality while being

Backup systems. “In recent years we are

Two home offices. “Both people in a

ever mindful of the impact their

having more blackouts and power inter-

couple need workspace.”

choices have on the environment.

ruptions. We’re finding more and more

Home gym. “Many people want some

“People are making home-buying

people want backup systems to run

workout area in the home so they don’t

decisions based on lifestyle,” says

the home when the power is out. In my

have to go out to the gym to exercise.”

Chris Snyder. “For example, people want to live in town to be closer to stores and shopping, and within walking distance of village centers. We are also seeing individuals downsizing to smaller homes with grounds that are easier to maintain. In one of our single family–home neighborhoods, homeowners have the option of services to include plowing, shoveling, and mowing.”

Construction Trends Builder Tom Moore of Underhill Center, Vermont, says he is incorporating these most-askedfor features in home design and construction: Open floor plans with attention to natural lighting. “People like open spaces, not so many walls creating separate rooms. With the house oriented to the south and proper window placement you can maximize natural lighting.”

Computer-controlled environments. “My house is wired so I can control the temperature, lighting, and security system from my phone or computer. I can be anywhere in the world and control those systems.”

Universal design. “If you build today with a plan for adapting in the future, you can be prepared for your family’s changing use of the house. For example, a room on the ground floor may be a home office or family room at first, but later it may become an accessible bed-

Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington

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building and remodeling

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saving energy “More and more people are interested in optimizing the siting and efficiency of their homes.”

Tom Moore, Tom Moore Builders, Underhill Center, VT

The Vermont Way Mark Stephenson of Vermont Energy in Williston says, “Conservation is a basic Vermont core value from way back and you find it in people today. Conservation is not an aesthetic trend in terms of what something looks like, but it is a trend in terms of how things work for your comfort and long-term value. People are investing in appliances and systems that

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do more for less.” Mark brings us up

How smart are your home heating and

at 50 degrees. Now systems are

to date on the latest options.

hot water systems? It may be time to up-

smarter. A new boiler has a remote

Tired of sweating it out during sum-

grade, according to Mark, who explains,

sensor that measures the outdoor

“Another recent trend is the application

temperature then gives feedback on

of logic to home systems. It used to be

how much heat is needed. Making

that a boiler was set to turn on the same

smarter appliances equals gains in

for the coldest day of the year and a day

comfort and savings.”

mer’s heat and humidity? “Ductless air conditioning is making big inroads in Vermont,” according to Mark. “A lot of people have endured hot summers with noisy window units and lots of fans. There are a lot of options in the new ductless air conditioning systems that are super quiet and energy efficient. They can really increase comfort and quality of life and add to a home’s value.”

Mark knows about saving money, a topic of interest to every homeowner.

“People are thinking more about water conservation,” he reports. “Whether your water is metered or you have your own well, it can cost a lot. New toilets, faucets, showerheads, and appliances work well but with a lot less water.”

Have you ever stepped into the shower only to have the water turn icy cold within two or three minutes?

Mark has a solution. “Tankless water heaters today are extremely reliable,” he explains, “and the temperatures don’t fluctuate, even when several showers are running at the same time. They are adaptable products that deliver real energy savings.”

Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington

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windows & doors

yo u r l i v i n g s pac e smart choices Homeowners are always looking for ways to heat and cool their homes without breaking the bank on energy bills. When shopping for replacement windows and doors, look for the ENERGY STAR® label, which means you’ll save on heating and cooling costs and create a comfortable home year-round.

ENERGY STAR qualified windows and doors also deliver more comfort, create less condensation, and protect your valuables from sun damage better than conventional clear-glass double-paned alternatives.

d i d yo u know?

The average family spends $2,200 a year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling.

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tiles & mosaics

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

Photos courtesy of North Country Tile

inspiration

TILE FOREVER Beautiful tile and mosaics have been around since ancient times, and today the classic look of tile is more popular than ever. Gayle Critchlow Gardner, owner of North Country Tile in Williston, fills us in on everything that’s going on with this versatile material. soothing colors “The New England market is more conservative and traditional than some urban areas,” says Gayle. “We see a lot of off whites and whites, soft greens, and blues rather than bold colors. We also see that people prefer a cleaner appearance rather than something busy.”

Gayle continues, “For the bathroom, people want to walk in and have a calm and soothing environment. We see a

Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington

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tiles & mosaics

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

lot of whites and creams and beach glass—soft green and soft blue—in bathrooms. With a traditional or contemporary look that’s very clean, people can accessorize with cheerful or bold accents—towels, shower curtain, and art.”

Looking for something out of the ordinary? Gayle suggests, “You can always infuse a little artistry in a contemporary room: little accent colors, something that gives that ‘Wow!’ factor, a surprise that works. For example, basic subway tile, threeby-six-inches, has been around forever. If you lay it vertically rather than horizontally you see something a little different.”

Photos courtesy of North Country Tile

Easy-Care Options “We are seeing larger format tiles and products,” Gayle says.

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long-lasting tile According to a recent study of flooring durability, ceramic tile has an expected life span of 50 years— the same as natural hardwood.

Compare that with carpet at six years and sheet vinyl at 10 years.

“They are cleaner and simpler.

People also want products that are maintenance free and last a long time. In the past we used to sell a lot of slate, local and from Asia. Natural stone requires maintenance. Now more manufacturers are producing materials that look just like stone but require minimal maintenance.”

PROTECTING THE PLANET People are concerned about green products, “so in the tile business there’s been a sincere effort to use renewable and reusable materials and environmentally friendly manufacturing techniques,” says Gayle.

“Green and sustainable practices have been a focus of the tile industry for a long time. In tile manufacturing, factories recycle materials and have increased their air quality protection dealing with the kilns and off gasses,” she explains.

Gayle’s final bit of advice: “Your floor is the canvas you use to start your room. From there you build everything up. Use something very attractive and durable.”

Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington

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interior distinction

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

unique

“With the world still in turmoil and the economy the way it is people are striving for balance and order in their lives,” explains Annette. “This has

Courtesy of Design Matters

Annette Besaw of Design Matters in South Burlington shares her views on 2011 decorating trends and why they are coming about.

think color “Along with primary hues, we will continue to see turquoise and purple, which have proven to be very popular in Vermont over the last year.”

Annette Besaw, Design Matters, South Burlington, VT

led both manufacturers and buyers to pull back to basic lifestyles and values.”

Annette believes that two different themes will be strong in 2011. “The first will be related to nature and farming,” she says. “Colors of vegetables with vibrant hues will be offset with neutrals like the color of hay, grains, and bark. Country prints are on their way back in, like gingham checks and 50

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plaids. We will be seeing a lot of furniture and mirrors wrapped in ropes or macramé. Wood tones will be grayed in color and combined with whitewashed finishes.”

Annette continues, “The second theme will relate to primary hues that provide contrast and inspiration.

Fantasy and whimsy will take hold and relate to feelings of escaping the world’s troubles.

An example of this is black combined with bright shades of pink, green, and orange.

Mottos like ‘old is new again’ and ‘less is more’ will remain in 2011.”

Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington

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interior distinction

yo u r l i v i n g s pac e Window Treatments From energy-efficient cellular and Roman shades, eco-friendly bamboo shades and blinds, or flowing draperies, quality window treatments add beauty to any room.

Gordon Clements, owner of Gordon’s Window Decor in Essex Junction, says, “The roll that window treatments play in a home has become more significant since the fall of the housing market in 2008. Customers are now keeping their homes for much longer so the consideration paid to items like window treatments has become more important.”

Practicality “Customers understand that half of their energy budget is wasted out windows,” Gordon says. “Products like EcoSmart Insulating Shades more than double the insulating power of windows.” According to Gordon and his daughter, Kelly Conklin, the shades deliver a return on investment of perhaps 20 percent per year.

Technology Looking for convenience? Try motorized window treatments. “Shades, blinds, or draperies can be activated by remotes, timers, sun sensors, or even an iPhone,” says Gordon. “We are not far away from the ability to activate your shades according to the energy demand.”

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