Remodeling & New Construction Talk...

What’s In, What’s Out for

We’re witnessing a cultural pendulum shi from conspicuous consumption to enduring practicality. Today’s buyers are applying economic realities and lessons learned from previous homes to build their new homes smarter. It’s no longer about keeping up with the Joneses…

IN: Energy & Space Efficiency OUT: Soaring Cathedral Ceilings

Buyers increasingly prefer warm, functional spaces, to cold, austere, and energy-ine cient two-story caverns. Double story entrance foyers, dual staircases, and gratuitous volume spaces are now passé. “Our customers are tired of expensive heating and cooling bills. ey want more value with functional living spaces on both oors,” says Bella Vista Partner Darin Breedlove.

IN: Storage Rooms and Large Closets

OUT: Dedicated Offices

Today’s storage room or “drop zone” is a larger version of a mudroom, with organized space for everything from wet boots and backpacks to mail. Breedlove says, “It’s customizable to the needs of the family, whether the priority is getting kids ready for school, or storing work-related equipment”. Buyers not only want these dedicated storage rooms, but they also want more abundant storage and closet space throughout the house.

Total Wine

While some of the areas have been voted “wet,” they still don’t allow the sale of hard alcohol. Total Wine [Advocate blog, “Total Wine coming to Park Lane and Central?” Jan. 16] and Spec’s both rely heavily on the hard stuff to contribute to their bottom line. My guess is that the second Total Wine will go somewhere in Addison and absolutely lay the hammer down on local liquor stores. Spec’s prices are already considerably better than Sigel’s, Centennial, Goody Goody, etc., and their selection is much better as well. If you’ve never been in a Total Wine, you don’t know what you’ve been missing. The locals are going to have to consolidate and quit gouging their customers if they want to compete. It will be interesting to see if they can pull it off. —Finn

I like all this competition, and I think Spec’s and Total Wine will have a positive impact on prices. Maybe Sigel’s will finally get the message about their pricing. They’ve usually been one to several dollars higher per bottle than Goody Goody, at least for the wine that I buy. —Alan

Williams

Trader Joe’s coming to Lower Greenville

Thank you, Mr. Siegel, for this well-balanced article on the coming of Trader Joe’s to Lower Greenville [Advocate blog, “Trader Joe’s, Lower Greenville and the new Dallas,” Dec. 30]. It’s a welcome change to an announcement of another bar. I especially liked your comment on the neighborhoods as winners. Yes, we are. There has been more than one blog comment to the effect that one knows what one is getting into before one moves to Lower Greenville. According to that thinking, only those of us who have lived here many years have a right to have our state alcohol laws and city ordinances enforced. That thinking is skewed. My neighbor, who bought her house this year, has the same rights as I, who bought her house in 1964.

—Gay Hopkins

While visiting friends in Virginia we always make a stop at Trader Joe’s. Gourmet cheeses go for a fraction of the cost compared to Whole Foods, and the wine isn’t just about “two-buck chuck.” They have a diverse selection very well priced. Also their packaged nuts and trail mixes are a steal! Can’t wait ’til they arrive. —Magdallas

Dallas has so much potential for infill and sometimes it takes a Californian to show us the way. Let’s follow suit and get going with more such infill retail investments. Also, let’s encourage these new shops to involve themselves in giving back to the community through helping Stonewall, Bonham, Lakewood Elementary, Woodrow Wilson and the parks. —Alice

Getting sacrificed is a dedicated office, no longer necessary with laptops, tablets, and portable computing. Buyers now want multi-use media/work/exercise/ meditation rooms in place of the single-use office.

IN: Integrated, Open Gathering Areas

OUT: Separate Formal Living and Dining Areas

Expensively decorated, barely-used formal rooms are now the antithesis of today’s pragmatic design concepts. Integrated areas for daily living and formal entertaining, with the kitchen as the central hub, are the new norm.

In lieu of the wasted formal and two-story foyer spaces, buyers o en want higher ceilings in the central living and entertaining areas. 9-foot ceilings are the new standard, and 10 and 11-foot ceilings are o en