Home & Garden Guide 2020

INDOOR GARDEN ROOMS | 2020 KITCHEN TRENDS

SPRING 2020

CHANGE YOUR

SPACE, Expert tips for arranging furniture

Section E

Saturday, March 28, 2020

CHANGE YOUR

MOOD

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Expert tips on bedroom decor, design SPRING 2020

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mprove your bedroom with these tips from interior design experts.

• Face bed toward door: “Sometimes this just isn’t possible, but if it is it should be your go-to,” said Justin Riordan, interior designer, architect and founder of the Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles home staging company Spade and Archer Design Agency. “Ideally your bed should be placed on the wall you immediately face when you walk in. It should welcome you into the room, gently persuading you to jump right in.”

• Mix it up: “I think one of the biggest mistakes people make when decorating their bedrooms is wanting all of the furniture and/or bedding to match,” said interior designer Doreen Amico-Sorell of Sorell Interiors, Long Island, New York. “Over

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the past few years we have gotten away from that design aesthetic to where it is OK and actually preferred from a design standpoint to have things not match but instead go well together, where it is pleasing to the eye in a cohesive manner.”

• Light it up: “The biggest mistake I see in bedrooms of any size is not enough lighting,” said Jill Hosking-Cartland, owner and principal designer of Hosking Interiors, Windham, New Hampshire. “A good general lighting plan will assure you have enough task lighting (nightstand lamps), ambient lighting (to find clothes or get dressed) and accent lighting (like wall sconces).

Put every fixture on a dimmer to have complete control over both the functional and the mood lighting.”

• Attach a bath: “Having an attached bathroom in a master bedroom is no longer a luxury, but an

expectation in modern homes,” said Brad Little, president of Case Design/ Remodeling in Charlotte, North Carolina. “So whether you’re planning your remodel for resale or to increase your home’s comfort, we strongly advise including your bathroom in your master suite upgrade.”

• Avoid clutter: “Especially in smaller homes, it can be convenient to outfit your bedroom for things other than sleep,” said Karin Sun, founder of Crane & Canopy, an online provider of luxury bedding, bath and lifestyle goods. “While we understand the merit of an office or exercise space in the bedroom, related items can often distract and clutter. If this separation is impossible, keep stylish storage readily available to keep clutter out of sight and mind.”

PLANTING

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

love

Indoor garden rooms are havens for relaxation, nurturing

‘Became a lifestyle’ “Millennials are especially involved with houseplants and exotics,” said Megan Wages, owner of Fancy Free Nursery in Tampa, Florida. “People started greening their spaces, which grew into the parenting of houseplants. What started as indoor plant styling became a lifestyle.”

Plants are something to come home to, to care about, to love.

“First of all, plants are beautiful,” said Kerbi Howat, owner of Flora plant shops in Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee. “There are different sizes, shapes and structures that can complement the desired aesthetic for a space. Additionally, studies have shown that

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ouseplants and indoor garden rooms are having a moment, probably thanks to the lush looks posted to social media accounts.

“I think as people continue to look for ways to escape hectic lives and try to find a place to unwind, garden rooms will continue to grow in popularity,” said Amy Enfield, spokeswoman for Bonnie Plants. “They are a great place to unwind, tend to plants regardless of the weather outside and destress. For people who live in parts of the country where the winters are long, it allows them to grow plants year-round, and not just houseplants.”

The indoor gardening trend has been growing for the last five-plus years in a way that can be compared to the enthusiasm for houseplants seen in the ’70s, said Shane Pliska, president of Planterra, a West Bloomfield, Michigan-based interior landscape firm that provides plants to workplaces throughout the United States and Canada. The difference now is that people are using them as a design element, Pliska said.

plants improve air quality, boost creativity and focus, and simply make people happy. There is also a therapeutic element to caring for your own plants and watching them grow.”

Considerations Before giving this trend a try, think about what you want in your garden room, how you will use the room and what plants to grow, Enfield said.

“Do you want a tropical paradise or have access to fresh herbs and veggies year-round?” she asked.

Consider light, temperature, humidity and airflow.

“Unless you have a sunroom that gets lots of natural

light, you will likely need to add lights to the r said. “Fluorescent lighting, specialty grow lig even LEDs will all work in a garden room.

“Plants need good airflow to grow well. Add would be a great option to help keep the air cir especially during the dry winter months, also ing a humidifier in the room to help increase th How to start

Start with one type of plant that needs the s type of light and watering schedule, such as ph dendron, and grow them in groups, Wages sai

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room,” Enfield ght bulbs,

ding a ceiling fan rculating. Most plants, benefit from havhe humidity.”

same hiloid.

“If you’re a beginner, start small. You want to make sure you understand how to care for plants successfully before you invest a lot of money. Also, get educated,” Howat said. “It’s OK to start with just a few plants and then add more to your room as your plant knowledge and confidence grows. Don’t be afraid to experiment with plants, and add seasonal plants like Christmas cactus, poinsettias, spring bulbs and amaryllis to your room.”

“The staple plant for many garden rooms is going to be houseplants,” Enfield said. “Great houseplants for beginners include spider plant, pothos, snake plant, ZZ plant, peace lily and ponytail palm. Succulents and cacti are also great for beginners as long as you give them lots of light. If you want to add a pop of color to your space, look for Phalaenopsis (or moth orchids) or African violets.”

“Succulents seem easy, but they thrive on neglect.

People want to love them to death,” Wages said.

From the fiddle leaf fig to the rubber tree, Swiss cheese plant (monstera deliciosa) to bird of paradise, more is more in a garden room.

“An abundance of plants is luxe,” said Pliska, offering these tips: • Don’t be shy.

• Buy what you like.

• If it’s not working out, don’t get emotionally attached. Get rid of what is dying or doesn’t work.

2020

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kitchen trends

“Now more than ever people are looking to bring the dining table back into the kitchen so you can sit facing each other and communicate while eating.”

Anna Gibson, AKG Design Studio

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

S

tandout kitchen islands, statement backsplashes and vinyl flooring are all popular choices among homeowners adding or upgrading, according to the 2020 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study.

Nearly two-thirds of kitchen renovations include an island, which is a hub of activity for dining, socializing and entertainment.

In today’s very virtual, social media world people are looking to connect when it comes to dinnertime, said Anna Gibson, owner and chief designer of AKG Design Studio in Great Falls, Virginia.

“Now more than ever people are looking to bring the dining table back into the kitchen so you can sit facing each other and communicate while eating,” she said. The push will be to create seating on at least two sides to restore a sense of family and connection.

Kitchen islands are growing, with a third measuring more than 7 feet and another 39% 6 to 7 feet, according to the study.

“As for the style, we are moving more toward the contemporary and clean lines, so there are great elements like a waterfall edge that make a big wow factor and a finished look,” Gibson said.

While two-tone colors continue to be popular, we’ll see a return to the organic with walnut and dark wood and natural stone, especially quartzite and granite.

“Natural stone is organic, green and most of all unique. Every slab is different, and it’s letting us create one-of-kind islands and space for our clients,” Gibson said.

Making a statement

One in 10 homeowners upgrading a backsplash goes bold, installing it all the way to the ceiling, with white being the most popular color followed by multicolored and gray, according to the study.

“I love this trend and hope it will continue,” Gibson said. “For me, tile is always the cherry on top since it is the focal point and can set the tone for space and style.”

Install the same kitchen cabinets and granite with two different backsplash tiles, and it will be a completely different-style kitchen, Gibson said.

“Running tile to the ceiling really adds the extra touch and interesting factor to the design. It works great with the open shelving and cabinets because it helps define the space and really dress up the wall, especially when we use floating shelves,” Gibson said.

Vinyl on the rise Vinyl flooring, the third overall choice in renovated kitchens, continues a three-year climb from 10% in 2018 and 12% in 2019 to 14% in 2020.

Vinyl flooring fits busy and active homeowners’ lifestyles.

“For someone looking for materials that are durable and easy to maintain it’s a big plus,” Gibson said. “For years we didn’t have the good midway material between tile and hardwood, and the luxury vinyl tile/luxury vinyl plank closes this gap. It is great for basements, high traffic areas and can withstand kids, dogs, heavy traffic and is water-resistant.

“With the added wood look, it’s making a great option for families across different stages of life. It is easy to install, which is an added bonus for the DIY market.”

No hands “Cabinet and drawer handles will be very discreet in 2020 — even nonexistent,” said Gibson, referring to manufacturers’ push-to-open options.

Streamlined and elegant, handleless cabinets complement the minimalism and clean lines of Scandinavian and contemporary design, Gibson said.

CHANGE YOUR

SPACE, CHANGE YOUR MOOD PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN SIGNATURE INC.

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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ometimes a small change can make a big difference for stylish interior design, especially when it comes to arranging furniture. The way pieces are placed can make a room feel welcome and inviting or confusing and closed off.

Furniture arrangement can be tricky. Personal taste is part of the equation when purchasing furniture and decor, but taste has nothing to do with arranging a room, said Ricky Gonzalez, visual merchandising creative director at Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture.

“Even though taste and the things you like are important, you also have to understand the functionality of a room. Sometimes your taste gets in the way of functionality,” he said.

To make your space look amazing, consider what your goals are.

“Great moments can be created when you consider the use of space. For example, if you are entertaining, you have to consider how much space you have and balance out your seating and tables,” Gonzalez said.

How will you be using the room? Do you want a cozy sanctuary or a party place?

Do people have to move through to get from one room to another? Do you want an open floor plan or a more divided one?

“Before changing a room, find an image of what you like. This will make it easier than creating from nothing,” Gonzalez said.

Go for good energy Arranging a living room according to feng shui, which is a way to orient and organize a room to positively affect mood and well-being, works well to create a pleasing environment.

“I do not follow all the principles but pay attention to how the furniture faces when one walks into the room,” Gonzalez said. “And, understanding how you plan to use that room is key to creating a space for great moments.”

Create a focal point “Rooms should always be anchored by a main piece, and making that piece special means you will smile every time you walk into that room,” Gonzalez said.

While many living rooms spotlight the TV, a better alternative would be a statement piece of furniture like a sectional sofa or design aspect of a room such as a fireplace, picture window, eye-catching piece of art or striking architectural feature.

Clear a path Regardless of a room’s size, it should be easy

to navigate. Crowded rooms are less functional.

“Don’t clutter up the entrance of a home or room, and make sure two people can fit through entry areas,” Gonzalez said.

To view or not to view When it comes to windows the most important thing is whether you want to see the view, Gonzalez said. Ignoring the windows, first determine where you would place seating or table.

“Then you can look at where the windows are.

You can always put a sofa in front of windows with a sofa table behind and add curtains or window treatments to diminish the light,” he said.

Finshing touches “To complete a room and mark the space, rugs are great. They can make a room look bigger or smaller depending on the room needs,” Gonzalez said.

Use accents to add style.

“Lamps and chandeliers anchor spaces, too. Chandeliers are my favorite to use whenever possible,” he said.

Once you start rearranging furniture, finish the room.

“If you don’t finish it fully, you tend to give up and try another style before completing what you started,” Gonzalez said.

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