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Top Interior Design Trends By Darlene Janeiro
Top Interior Design Trends
When it comes to predicting design trends for 2020 and beyond, little did we BY DARLENE JANEIRO know that we would have to take into consideration the current pandemic. When designing common spaces in condominiums, designers and architects are more adept at finding forward-thinking design solutions with the health, safety and well-being of residents in mind. This is particularly true in multi-residential refurbishment projects, as we reinvent amenity spaces, including lobbies, party rooms, lounge areas and mailrooms.
Bringing a fresh sensibility to this process, we recognize that the building materials we use are key. From alloys to metal and glass to non-porous and non-absorbent surfaces, choices of materials and design are not just aesthetically fashionable but are precautionary measures for better infection control. Taking cue from hospital design, we can more easily facilitate cleaning and wellness protocols by avoiding overly intricate designs in high-touch surfaces, like handles, buttons and railings. We are finding a new balance between bold design statements and practical restraints.
A flat, smooth façade makes it easier to clean and disinfect. Cambria’s new 2020 collection of quartz surfaces, including the Big Sur Mist and Sanibel Shoreline designs, are perfect examples. An even bigger bonus is that they’re produced from preconsumer recycled content as certified by SCS Global Services. As designers, we can feel good about sourcing such products as they meet our design requirements and are environmentally-friendly. We will continue to see large format quartz and porcelain slabs being used for wall cladding, fireplace cladding, as well as vinyl wallpaper, since both are wipeable and easy to sanitize.
Architectural details are also being simplified with fewer horizontal surfaces — particularly ledges and complex baseboards. Instead, we are seeing wood being used to draw the eye vertically through panelling and millwork. The streamline profile of organically-derived materials gives spaces a more heightened appearance, along with a deeper sense of connection to nature. From Scandinavian inspirations, light woods will make a popular comeback, especially in modern settings.
Colour will play a big part in our interiors, as opting for happy and bright tones can revitalize the spirit of a home. There doesn’t have to be a lot of colour, but some contrast will elevate the interiors to another level. Quieter background colours will be balanced with bursts of vibrant hues, especially in lobbies and party rooms. As colour trends evolve into 2021, selecting colours that enliven a space is truly important in uplifting our mental states and helping us to move forward in our “new normalcy.”
While many are escaping to the great outdoors as a source of tranquility and calm, there are also ways to bring a sense of peace and harmony to the indoors. Decorating with live plants rather than faux will strengthen the human-nature connection and has the added perk of purifying our air supplies.
Our interior spaces are so important for our well-being and for the prevention of disease. With this in mind, Kravet is doing their part with their bleach cleanable fabrics, such as Crypton, Stakleen, Inside Out, Silicone and Extreme Performance. These fabrics are typically used in healthcare environments; however, they are contract-viable and should be considered for upholstery and window treatments in residential settings too. Electric curtain track systems for drapery are also a great idea to prevent people from touching the fabric panels. They can be operated from smartphones, tablets or remote controls.
As we embrace the current situation, it makes us more aware of how we are connected, how we interact with one another and when we must be mindful of another person’s space. Subtle visual cues, such as a pattern on a floor or directional stickers, can make all the difference in encouraging residents to walk in a certain path. Furthermore, creating safe spaces where residents can safely pick up and drop off packages and other materials is imperative, as online shopping has skyrocketed during this time.
Lastly, with more people working from home, co-working spaces in condominiums have become vital, coveted spaces. Mood-lifting use of colour, unexpected patterns, modular furniture and task lighting are all considerations when designing these coherent, focused atmospheres. Condominium amenities typically improve quality of life and provide a lifestyle and sense of community to its residents. Now, equally regarded is the health and safety of its owners. As designers and architects broaden and shape these spaces, we are encouraged to think beyond the standard and find unconventional materials and incorporate them in the condominium’s aesthetic lexicon.
Darlene Janeiro is principal of Darlene Janeiro Design Group Inc. She specializes in condominium refurbishment projects, with more than 15 years of experience in the design industry. Her entrepreneurial leadership style and extensive knowledge of home décor and design trends is paramount to serve her impressive roster of residential and commercial clientele darlenejaneirodesign.com.
Reliable Systems for the Long Run
Why preventative maintenance is critical to your bottom line
It’s no secret that a well-executed preventive maintenance program can go a long way toward reducing the overall costs associated with operating a condominium building. In fact, some experts believe that preventing problems before they occur can extend a building’s annual operating budget by a significant amount per year.
One of those experts is Jonathan Rebelo, Project Engineer with RJC Engineers. Rebelo, who’s executed countless building upgrades in his career, says a solid planned maintenance program will ensure the building systems remain reliable, while limiting the risk of sudden disruption—both of which are important considerations in multiresidential settings.
“Typically, a planned maintenance program includes the replacement or repair of low-cost sacrificial building systems that are intended to degrade over time so that the more expensive systems can continue to operate without disruption,” he explains. “Much like owning a vehicle, if your break pads aren’t replaced after so many kilometres, you run the risk of them failing at the worst possible moment, resulting in catastrophic and costly repairs.”
Building envelope, parking garages, and underground facilities are the main areas Rebelo recommends property managers routinely inspect. He says, "Water staining and active leaks within a building space should always be reviewed immediately, as over time what could have been a small patch job can likely turn into a more costly and avoidable full replacement program.”
Mechanical and electrical systems should also be routinely reviewed.
“You want to ensure they continue to operate at their intended efficiency level, and are serviced at regular intervals," he says. “And these days it goes without saying that energy upgrades should also be considered.”
COMMON PROBLEMS, EASY SOLUTIONS
As simple as it may seem, Rebelo says routinely removing clogged debris from area drains is the type of thing that can significantly improve the lifespan of some building systems.
“Pipe penetration and expansion joints through your building envelope are typically the weak points in these systems and should be reviewed,” he says. “Additionally, the use of de-icing chloride salts can cause corrosion of your concrete and steel systems so avoiding the use of these salts can help reduce structural costs in the future.”
And for those concerned about the toll of disruption, Rebelo says these days regular maintenance can be executed in such a way that building occupants are minimally hassled. "Rapid setting materials and advancement in construction technology has come a long way," he says. “Routine preventative maintenance on your building systems can heavily extend their service lives, and in turn, avoid the need for heavily disruptive replacement costs.”
CHALLENGES & BENEFITS
No one wants to needlessly spend money or upset residents without due cause. To put it in perspective, here are a few of the general pros and cons:
The pros
A maintenance strategy can be readily budgeted and planned for, meaning unbudgeted capital costs will be limited;
Typically, it is less expensive and less disruptive to maintain systems yearly than to replace a system once it has fully failed;
Top 3 Maintenance Tips to Stave off Costly Repairs 1. Ensure your waterproofing systems (joint sealants, expansion joint seals, traffic deck coatings, roofing membranes, building facades) are working as intended.
“As soon as these systems start to fail, they allow water to penetrate into the more expensive systems behind them. This could result in water damage to finished and conditioned spaces,” says Rebelo. “Concrete and structural steel damage is very disruptive to repair, as are mechanical and electrical system failures which can cause operational nightmares. Regularly replacing or locally repairing these waterproofing systems allow the systems beneath to be well protected and ensure they continue to perform without the fear of outside damage.”
2. Ensure building condition assessments are performed regularly and capital expenditure plans are continuously updated.
“Deferring work due to an outdated plan or budget constraints typically results in cost escalations as these systems tend to worsen overtime,” he points out. “Furthermore, work not completed per their routine schedule can overstress the surrounding systems they support, which may result in more repair costs for systems not scheduled for repair.”
3. Hire the right team and be thorough.
“Nothing is worse than unaccounted surprises,” he says. “When hiring a building consultant to develop a 10- to 20-year capital expenditure plan, you want to ensure they are thorough and perform a complete review of all your building systems. An unexpected capital cost in year six of your plan that forces other maintenance programs to be deferred or cancelled is something you want to avoid.”
Proactive measures can protect the integrity of complementary building systems.
The cons
Planned maintenance requires more yearly coordination and operational costs. (However; this is still likely better than all the coordination needed when the work inevitably has to happen);
A maintenance strategy requires a team to execute and monitor.
For more information on how to plan and execute a preventative maintenance program, contact Jonathan Rebelo directly (jonathan.rebelo@rjc.ca) or please visit www.rjc.ca.
