[gdlr_heading tag=”h3″ font_weight=”bold” ]WHAT WILL LAST?[/gdlr_heading]

Smart Use Of Space

“Some people say ‘downsizing,’ but I like to say ‘right-sizing.’ The up-and-coming generation doesn’t necessarily want homes that are too big. Lifestyles are not that formal anymore.”
– Alan Looney, Castle Homes

“People are going smaller and for quality. People’s lifestyles have changed and this has made them rethink the spaces they have in their house. Open floor plans have been going on for 25 years but now everything really flows together.”
– Chad Hornick, Arthur Rutenberg Homes

“An open floor plan and less square footage are how people are living. People don’t spend time in isolated rooms. You can count on one hand the rooms you actually use.”
– Bucky Ingram, Willow Branch Partners

“People want to feel comfortable in their house and people are ready for a smaller scale. Everyone thought they needed a really big house with a lot of space but then the reality is that you become disconnected from your family.”
– Lisa McHugh, Vignette

Light And Bright

“Light colors, white trim, lots of windows and an open, airy feeling always work. Light colors have always stood the test of time because these make homes cheerful and enjoyable.”       
– Alan Looney, Castle Homes

“We are cleaning up interiors so things aren’t as loud and busy. People are going with neutral palette that stays timeless compared with lots of pattern and what I call ‘overkill.’”
– Joanna Goodman, Christopher Architecture and Interiors

Shaker Style

“We continue to see Shaker-style doors on cabinetry that will stand the test of time. This design features a very plain door with a recessed panel, and it is popular because it works nicely in both a modern and traditional home.”
– Ian Hartert, Hartert-Russell

Modern Elements

“Modern elements with clean lines continue to serve homeowners well. We are seeing cabinets with a sleek grey countertop, for instance. A lot of traditional elements tend to become outdated, but contemporary furniture and finishes keep a house in style longer.”
– Bucky Ingram, Willow Branch Partners

“In addition to our traditional Amish patterns, we are doing a lot more contemporary style furniture now. Just bring in a photo from a Pottery Barn or other catalog and we can make something you will like more using solid wood rather than pressed wood.You can come in and design your own piece of furniture and we will make it for you. If you wanted to put a different leg on a certain piece of furniture, we can do that too.”
– Guy Irwin, Amish Excellence

Outdoor Living

“People are not afraid to make significant investments in outdoor rooms if they plan on staying in a home. A swimming pool,outdoor kitchen and grilling area, covered porches, outdoor fireplaces are some of the many outdoor features we often recommend in our homes.”
– Alan Looney, Castle Homes

“Outdoor living spaces continue to be in great demand. And if you entertain, outdoor seating, dining and cooking is just as important as a great glamour kitchen. A smaller home can easily gain an additional 1,500 square feet of living space by transitioning to a well-designed outdoor space.”
– Chad Hornick, Arthur Rutenberg Homes

Neutral, with a Pop

“Royal blue is the new neutral this season and Dutch tile blue may be in next season. So if you keep those neutral colors as a base it is very easy to add other trending colors and styles to make a room ‘pop.’ I always encourage neutral color palettes for ‘fixed’ items like tile and hardwood.”
– Joanna Goodman, Christopher Architecture and Interiors

[gdlr_heading tag=”h3″ font_weight=”bold” ]…AND WHAT WON’T LAST?[/gdlr_heading]

Separate formal rooms

“Twenty years ago people wanted a formal dining room and a separate formal living room. Those rooms have not stood the test of time. We incorporate the dining area with the kitchen because that is where everyone gathers and entertains”
– Alan Looney, Castle Homes

Artificial Materials

“Some materials are made so that they don’t weather, and we avoid the artificial look of these items. In ten to fifteen years, we want an architectural element to look like it has been in place and has a sense of history. In 100 years we still want a feature to offer the look of endurance. This is exactly why we like to use quality natural materials that both weather and age well.”
– Chris Reebals,  Christopher Architecture and Interiors

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