Category: Design
Cubbies and Benches
Cubbies and benches are being included in the majority of new homes being built today. A catch-all space to hold coats, shoes, backpacks, keys and much more, this area, often called a mudroom or dropzone, is usually located inside a back door or near the garage. There are endless possibilities to the type of cubbies and benches that can be built. Check out the photos below for some inspiration if you’re thinking of adding a cubby or a bench to your home. We guarantee that once you have this great organizing space in your home, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
Project Spotlight: Outdoor Living Space Makeover
Bob and Robin loved their home, but it lacked one thing their previous home had – a screened-in porch. They had a deck, but it was small and needed replaced. They decided it was a good time to make the switch to a screened-in porch, which would provide them the outdoor living space they could use for more months out of the year.
The homeowners were aware of Metzler Home Builder’s reputation for quality and had heard of positive experiences from several of their neighbors who had used Metzler’s for renovation projects in their homes. Tim Zehr, Senior Designer and Estimator, worked with them to create a design for their new porch and patio area. The result was a lovely 11 ½’ x 12 ½’ screened-in porch, with TimberTech AZEK decking and white vinyl railing and posts. The adjacent 10’ x 13 ½’ patio was constructed with flagstone pavers and a radius brick border.
Bob and Robin love the way the patio and porch blend into the existing design of their home. They appreciate the quality craftsmanship provided by Metzler Home Builders and the subcontractors that worked on their patio and porch. “Mike and Adam are a talented team and were easy to work with,” said Robin. “They were responsive and ensured the project went smoothly!”
Biophilic Design in Bathrooms
If there’s a building design that can prove the impact of surrounding on one’s well-being, its biophilic design. The loving-life approach uses natural elements to boost wellness and positivity.
Most of us show a preference for natural materials and design aesthetics when designing and decorating our homes. However, the preference is not only due to personal choices or liking. Researchers have pinpointed other benefits such as improved learning skills, lower stress levels, reduced blood pressure and enhanced healing abilities.
Design with a Focal Point in Mind
Any designs you create cease to exist without a definitive “focal point.”
But what is a focal point, and why is it so important in design functions? Based on the Gestalt principle, a focal point or emphasis works as the star of the room. It captures the attention of the viewer and accentuates the surroundings.
The use of “focal points” is common across all fields of design, including architecture, interiors, fashion apparel, digital transformation and even in paintings. Although overtly used, focal points are inexplicable for layman’s eye or perception. We, as humans, tend to see a picture in its unified form, where similar patterns and elements are grouped together.
The Home Office Re-Imagined for the New Normal
2020 has changed so many things, especially how and where we work. Before this year, many of us only conducted a few hours of business a week at home. We answered emails on our smartphones or did a little work on the laptop while sitting on the couch or at the kitchen island.
McKinsey recently wrote, “…estimates suggest that early this April, 62 percent of employed Americans worked at home during the crisis, compared to about 25 percent a couple of years ago.”
With the shift in how and where we work, a new emphasis on the home office has emerged. Trying to get solid hours of work into a day sitting at the kitchen table simply doesn’t fit our needs anymore. We want a place in the home that limits distractions and is more comfortable.
If you are considering renovating your home to accommodate a home office, here are our suggested four steps.
Barn Doors Galore
Barn doors have been trending for several years now, and they don’t seem to be going away anytime soon. They are functional, fun and add aesthetic appeal to many spaces throughout the home. There is an endless variety of styles, making them practical for almost any home. They can be crafted from a variety of materials depending on the look you desire. For a rustic look, they can be made from reclaimed wood or if a more modern style is what you want, black matte metal and glass pair well together.
LVP Flooring: An Alternative to Hardwood
If you’ve been in the market for new flooring, you most likely have seen a product called Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP). LVP flooring has gained popularity in the last five years, and more homeowners are installing it in their homes than ever before. Most flooring companies have their own brand, and they’ve kept improving the appearance of the planks, giving them a very realistic wood or tile look. Many people prefer the look of luxury vinyl planks over sheet vinyl.
There are a large variety of planks on the market – from traditional to distressed looks. Plank widths range from 4 ½” – 9” and lengths are 48” or 72”. According to Shirley Lantz, Interior Designer at Wall-to-Wall Floor Covering in Strasburg, PA, there are many reasons this flooring is a top seller. One of the biggest reasons that homeowners choose luxury vinyl planks is the fact that it’s 100% waterproof, making it an excellent choice for homes with children and/or pets. It is easy to clean and can be used in kitchens, laundries and bathrooms without fear of getting water on the floor.
Kitchen Design Trends for 2020
Of all the rooms in your home, your kitchen is probably the one you spend the most time in—and is also the hardest working. At the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in January, more than 600 manufacturers debuted some of their latest products. The show revealed several new kitchen trends as well as those that are still popular today.
Kitchen Trends for Today & the Future
- Open Space: Because kitchens are, and continue to be, an important hub of the home, the open space design—where the kitchen flows into the family room—will continue to be popular for most consumers.
- Private Nooks: However, there is a growing segment of consumers who are pushing back from the entire common area being open. While they still want a nice flow from the kitchen to living room, they also seek a bit more privacy. Watch for more designs with a kitchen and a small sitting area or nooks that create a space for more solitude, when wanted.
- Livability: Baby Boomers want to remain in their homes and as independent as possible, and more manufacturers are focused on products that allow for folks to age-in-place, such as an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant sink by Elkay. Additionally, small space living is trending, such as those found for in-law suites or accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Whirlpool has a small spaces collection of appliances that are perfectly portioned to fit this small kitchen niche.
How to Use Tile in Unexpected Ways
Tile can be a creative expression of both form and function, and its advantages reward home design professionals and homeowners alike. Because tile is available in a variety of sizes, colors, shapes, styles and patterns, it’s one of the most versatile products, too. Tile is a lovely material that, because of its natural resistance to bacteria and easy-to-clean properties, performs terrifically in kitchens and baths, but it is also finding “homes” in almost any location.
Exploring the Spacious Kitchen Pantry
The kitchen pantry: This once hidden, forgotten space now plays a significant role in today’s kitchen design and functionality. Pantries come in all shapes and sizes — from small closets with just a few shelves to large, complimentary rooms that house floor-to-ceiling shelves, countertops and cupboards.