Bellingham Alive March 2023 Feature: Top Remodel Trends 2023

TOP REMODEL TRENDS FOR 2023

WRITTEN BY COCOA LANEY AND KRISTEN BOEHM

We’ve long since moved past the idea that every home needs to be identical to be in style. Gone are the days of cookie-cutter interior design! So when we asked local industry pros like architects, designers, and builders what trends they see for 2023, we received a variety of interesting answers.

As we embrace individualism in design, many emerging trends are about supporting your quality of life no matter the form they come in. Practicality is in we see a lot of maximizing the use of space, functionality, and embracing the wonders of tech (like with home security and energy-efficient appliances).

Going hand-in-hand with that, though, is an appreciation for how you feel in your home. There are tips and tricks for finding what colors, shapes, and accents could make your interiors really click.

So as we go room by room, visualize how these trends can be put to work for you. Despite the array of advice, our experts all agree on one thing: You should love your space.

Photo by Nic Aston

ENTRYWAY

Alcoves and Arches

As opposed to sharp corners and geometric shapes, Interior Designer Nia Sayers of Samuel’s Furniture (Ferndale, samuelsfurniture. com) says softer silhouettes are having their moment in 2023.

“Soft shapes are making their way into architectural elements through arched doorways, built-in shelves, and alcoves,” says Sayers. “Especially in the entryway, an alcove can create interest as well as serve a practical purpose.”

For more ways to create interest, consider circular mirrors, abstract art, and accent pieces like runners, vases, and light fixtures. But be careful of going overboard: your entryway sets the tone for your home, and given that this area also acts as storage for coats and shoes, things can get cluttered quickly. Try embracing the “less is more” route by choosing two or three meaningful accent pieces these will act as visual anchors without overwhelming the space.

For those struggling to pick a color palette, Sayers has a simple piece of advice: look outside.

“Keeping paint colors and finishes natural is a great way to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors,” she says. “Try to echo the tones of your immediate outdoor environment to create cohesion.”

Here in Washington, this often means bringing in deep earth tones like forest greens, browns, and neutrals. Those

lucky enough to have a view of the bay might also consider the silvers and blues of the Salish Sea.

If you go the natural route, take things a step further by accessorizing your entryway with house plants native to the PNW, such as ferns (we recommend looking online to see which varieties grow best indoors). As for where to source them, check out Plantas Nativa in Bellingham for a huge stock of native plants.

Bring the Outdoors In

“ Soft shapes are making their way into architectural elements through arched doorways, built-in shelves, and alcoves.

Nia Sayers Samuel’s Furniture

“ Keeping paint colors and finishes natural is a great way to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. Try to echo the tones of your immediate outdoor environment to create cohesion.

Nia Sayers Samuel’s Furniture

Fashion and Function

ENTRYWAY

Architect Allison Crandall of Highline Construction (Bellingham, highlinewa.com) stresses the importance of functionality, especially when it comes to entryways.

“In the design process, we like to plan on having a dedicated and well-designed place for jackets, shoes, and bags at the main entry,” Crandall

says. “This level of function has typically been reserved for a separate mudroom, but that can leave the main entry cluttered. A well-designed entry is functional for homeowners to use daily while providing a beautiful first impression for guests.”

Speaking of practicality, Jason Wheeler of Instinct

Some of the other trends include lighting control and doorbell cameras integrated with your home security system. Some of our customers use sensors to monitor safes or even pool gates.

Kyle Weiss Premier Business Team

Remodels present an ideal opportunity to revamp your home security system and perhaps make your life easier in the process. According to Kyle Weiss of Premier Business Team (Bellingham, premierbusinessteam.com), the latest innovations in home security include Internet of Things (IoT) technology, or in other words, gadgets (like apps, cameras, and sensors) that allow you to control multiple systems in your home. This could include managing your home security and thermostat from an app, or monitoring leaks using water sensors.

“Some of the other trends include lighting control and doorbell cameras integrated with your home security

Builders (Bellingham, instinctbuilders.com) notes that the entryway is an excellent spot for custom cabinetry. This can take a variety of forms, from straightforward shelving to built-in shoe benches and even coat closets tailored to your home’s aesthetic.

Try New Technology

system,” Weiss says. “Some of our customers use sensors to monitor safes or even pool gates.”

In the design process, we like to plan on having a dedicated and well-designed place for jackets, shoes, and bags at the main entry.

Allison Crandall Highline Construction

Photo by Radley Muller Photography

KITCHEN

EnergyEfficient Picks

When it comes to selecting kitchen appliances, Nicole Miller at TC Legend Homes (Bellingham, tclegendhomes. com) looks for brands that will reduce both your utility bill and carbon footprint. As such, she only ever recommends Energy Star-rated appliances.

It’s also worth being honest with yourself about your household’s needs; for example, will you really use that oversized refrigerator?

“Americans tend toward extra-large fridges, but these use lots of energy,” Miller says. “So many foods don’t even need to be refrigerated, so we really can use smaller fridges and reduce our energy consumption.”

When it comes to cooking, Miller “always [recommends] induction cooktops and electric ovens. Induction cooktops are more energy efficient than standard

cooktops.” Gas appliances are less environmentally friendly and also create air pollution, thus decreasing indoor air quality.

Last but not least, Miller encourages her customers to invest in outside vented range hoods as opposed to microwave/vent hood combos. Vented hoods filter much more efficiently and help to reduce the air pollutants produced when cooking.

“

Americans tend toward extra-large fridges, but these use lots of energy. So many foods don’t even need to be refrigerated, so we really can use smaller fridges and reduce our energy consumption.

Nicole Miller

TC Legend Homes

KITCHEN

“Our kitchen clients are seeing double, many wanting two islands, twice the storage leading to larger pantries and even duplicate appliances, like dishwashers,” says Tanna Edler of Tanna by Design (tannabydesign. com). “So, when possible, I am either combining rooms or borrowing from another to expand the footprint.”

Your kitchen is essentially a work space, so embracing functionality here just makes sense. For those with smaller spaces, Jennifer Ryan of Jennifer Ryan Design (Bellingham, jenniferryandesign.com) is a big fan of integrated seating. Integrated seating helps your dining area blend in seamlessly with the rest of the kitchen, and it’s also a great solution for smaller spaces.

With the right mentality, regular kitchen cabinets can also be a blank slate for creativity. If bar carts aren’t quite your style, Ryan recommends installing a designated bar area in your cabinets. This might include a rack for glasses, shelving made for bottles of wine, and drawers for mixology equipment like shakers and spoons.

Alternatively, remove the bottom of the cabinet directly above your sink and install a drying rack instead. This ingenious idea is an offshoot of a Finnish design concept called Astiankuivauskaappi and keeps your countertop clutter-free.

Combining Spaces

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When possible, I am either combining rooms or borrowing from another to expand the footprint.”

Tanna Edler

TANNA BY DESIGN

Photo by Point 2 Studio

Photo by Radley Muller Photography

KITCHEN

Counters and Backsplashes

In an ideal world, we would enjoy our meals at the dining room table every evening, but it isn’t always reality especially for folks on the go. As such, Crandall notes that counters and islands aren’t just for food prep. These unpretentious, accessible areas can also function as gathering spaces.

“Planning for ample counter space and including informal seating options, like bar stools at an island, is something we’re seeing across the board,” she says.

As for how to accent counters, our designers pointed to two trends: contrasting colors and neutrals. Principal Architect Sean Hegstad of Haven

Design Workshop (Ferndale, haven-dw.com) says his customers are embracing more stark designs, such as black countertops paired with white cabinetry, whereas Crandall enjoys more neutral tones and stone counters and backsplashes.

In this vein, Owner Glen Schiff of Stone Pros LLC (Burlington, stone-pros.com) specifically cites high-end quartzite as a popular pick.

“Quartzite is a beautiful natural stone that dates over a billion years old,” says Schiff. “It has a lot of cracks and fissures, and is truly a picturesque work of art. It’s the kind of stone that you can hang on your wall as art. Most people are using quartzite for their kitchen islands.”

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Quartzite is a beautiful natural stone that dates over a billion years old. It has a lot of cracks and fissures, and is truly a picturesque work of art. It’s the kind of stone that you can hang on your wall as art.

Glen Schiff

Stone Pros LLC

Courtesy of Stone Pros LLC

BATHROOM

Break the Rules

Love a color palette or unusual wallpaper, but don’t know how or where to utilize it in your home? Try the bathroom. Even if the rest of your home’s aesthetic is subdued, the bathroom provides the perfect opportunity to experiment.

“This can be a great place to try something fun with tile, wallpaper, or lighting,” says Crandall. “It’s nice to tie a few of the finishes into the overall home palette, but it can be a fun room to break a few of the norms that you’ve set in other areas of the home.”

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[The bathroom] can be a great place to try something fun with tile, wallpaper, or lighting.

Allison Crandall Highline Construction

BATHROOM Color and Light

In 2023 and beyond, our home pros are doing their part to make sure that drab color schemes and nasty fluorescent lights are a thing of the past.

“I think we are going to pay more attention to color and light in our bathroom spaces,” says Sayers. “Bold colors and even patterns are showing up through paint choice, mosaic tile patterns, and even the oftforgotten window treatment. I’m especially excited to see more backlit bathroom mirrors make an appearance. It’s a great way to add moody, flattering light.”

In addition to those backlit mirrors, Ryan cites lighted shower niches with dimmers as her “new favorite thing” for bathrooms. Shower niches remove the need for bulky organizers, and that splash of mood lighting goes a long way.

“ Bold colors and even patterns are showing up through paint choice, mosaic tile patterns, and even the oft-forgotten window treatment.

Nia Sayers Samuel’s Furniture

BATHROOM

Functional Focal Points

Say goodbye to the unstylish, cramped baths of yesteryear. In 2023, homeowners are increasingly leaning on functional elements as staple pieces think oversized baths and even vintage clawfoot tubs.

“We are going to be seeing statement, standalone bathtubs,” Sayers says. “As people are craving true relaxation and privacy, the bathtub will take center stage. Innovations in materials and design are giving new life to established, classic forms.”

On the other hand, Hegstad notes that some clients are foregoing the tub completely, opting for large stand-alone showers instead. According to Edler, this move is consistent with her clients’ desire to get more bang for their buck in terms of storage space.

“With both kitchens and bathrooms I see the continued desire to gain more room in a remodel by adding space,” Edler says. “For example, removing the tub to install a larger shower for two, or increasing storage with a walk-in wardrobe.”

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With both kitchens and bathrooms I see the continued desire to gain more room in a remodel by adding space. For example, removing the tub to install a larger shower for two, or increasing storage with a walk-in wardrobe.”

Tanna Edler

TANNA BY DESIGN

Photo by Point 2 Studio

LIVING SPACES

Work Meets Play

The kitchen isn’t the only place in the home where functionality takes precedence. John Quirarte, owner of Bellastro Construction (Burlington, bellastro.com), notes that multifunctional living spaces are also widely requested.

“We’re happy to see clients being adventurous with their designs, creating spaces that are more aligned with their daily functions,” Quirarte says. “This is including, but not

limited to, constructing more tiny spaces inside and outside of the house and designing spaces to share, as well as areas that allow people to find their own space within a home.”

As many workers continue their careers from home, living space/office hybrids continue to surge in popularity. Just remember to keep a degree of separation between these zones! We recommend working with a

pro to ensure that these spaces are integrated yet intentional. Avoiding too much overlap allows you to fully unplug when you clock out.

“Design philosophies like Feng Shui or Japandi (Japanese and Scandinavian mashup) help create overall wellness in the home,” Sayers says. “Some practical ways to incorporate these principles could be as simple as creating intentional zones with more distance between each living area.”

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We’re happy to see clients being adventurous with their designs, creating spaces that are more aligned with their daily functions.

John Quirarte Bellastro Construction

LIVING SPACES

Dana Huggett of Wow 1 Day Painting (Bellingham, wow1day.com) is a big fan of one-tone painting, meaning that the ceiling, trim, doors and walls are all painted with the same color.

“One of my favorite rooms we have done so far this year was painted with Jasper by Sherwin Williams,” Huggett says. “We painted everything with Jasper: walls, ceilings, baseboards. It looked beautiful! Our client has an eye for color and accessorized the room with soft pinks. The overall one-color look is definitely a trend that I am loving right now.”

For a subtler look, Wheeler notes that his team has been installing plenty of earth-tone plasters from the New Mexicobased company American Clay.

“It is a great option for accent walls or fireplace surrounds,” Wheeler says. “These plasters create a nice textural variety without being overly ‘done.’ Natural pigments are integral to the clay, and it provides a lot of depth and subtle character.”

Play with Textures and Tones

One of my favorite rooms we have done so far this year was painted with Jasper by Sherwin Williams. We painted everything with Jasper: walls, ceilings, baseboards.

Dana

Huggett Wow 1 Day Painting

LIVING SPACES

Embrace Eclecticism

While minimalism and earth tones are seemingly always on trend in the PNW, these aesthetics aren’t loved by everyone. Trends come and go so rather than settling for a look that feels forced, it’s more important to embrace the colors and styles that you truly love. From there, seek out designers and builders who can honor that vision.

“We like to see clients that stay true to themselves and who don’t shy away from the strong colors or designs if that is what they truly desire,” Quirarte says. “Designers and builders can then complement

this, and then trust the master plan.”

If you choose the eclectic route, you might try keeping paint, flooring, and finishes relatively neutral. From there, you can mix and match unique accent pieces throughout the space.

“I’m loving spaces that play with neutral colors and multiple textures spread across the room with rugs, furniture, and wall coverings,” Crandall says. “This works great with a combination of contemporary furniture, and antique or vintage finds, especially items with a focus on natural materials.”

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We like to see clients that stay true to themselves and who don’t shy away from the strong colors or designs if that is what they truly desire.

John Quirarte Bellastro Construction

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I’m loving spaces that play with neutral colors and multiple textures spread across the room with rugs, furniture, and wall coverings.

Allison Crandall Highline Construction

MEET YOUR DESIGNERS

Allison Crandall Architect, Highline Construction

What drew you to architectural design?

I was drawn to architecture because it felt like the perfect intersection between art and functionality. It’s a design-based field, but it is firmly based in reality. Architects need to know a little (or a lot) about many different subjects. Additionally, working with my hands has always been a passion of mine. While working as an architect is one step removed, it ignites the same spark.

What is your favorite tactic to use towards sustainable design?

One of the easiest and most sustainable things we can do is to design homes with efficient use of space. There are great building materials and construction methods available to support sustainable design, but our first step should be stepping back to ensure we’re making careful and efficient design decisions with the resources that we have.

Do you have a favorite room in a home?

I love a home with a thoughtfully designed dining area that’s integrated into the kitchen or living space in a way that facilitates daily use and large gatherings alike. Sharing meals with family and friends is my favorite way to make a house a home.

Nia Sayers

Interior Designer, Samuel’s Furniture

How did you become a professional upholsterer?

Back in 2003, I was looking to take an interior design class just to get out of the house after I had two kids in 14 months. I couldn’t find a design class, but did find an upholstery course at Bellingham Technical College, loved it immediately, and ended up taking it about four or five times back-to-back. After doing projects for friends and family, I decided to give it a go professionally and got my master business license in 2005.

How does being a professional upholsterer play into your design consulting?

Having a background in upholstery complements my design consulting in that I understand furniture construction and materials. I can suggest pieces that will not just look good, but will last a long time, since good quality furniture is designed to be easily reupholstered.

You have previously suggested that everyone include an edgy element in their design schemes. What is your favorite edgy element to include in your own home’s design?

My own home is a converted pole barn that was once our garage. We switched the solid garage door to a glass and aluminum one instead. So now, our glass garage door in our living room is our edgy element. It’s also wonderful to open for parties or glorious summer days and is a real conversation starter.

MEET YOUR DESIGNERS

Jennifer Ryan Owner, Contractor, Designer, Jennifer Ryan Design

Do you have a favorite color or color combination to work with, and why?

If [my clients] mention a piece of art, a favorite place, plants, their favorite color, et cetera, I tend to run with that and use it in their house as it adds a personal connection to their home. As for me, I love using black and metallics in my own space. I think every room in a house should have a common thread to meld it all together, and in mine, it’s black.

We read that you use a hunt-and-gather method to decorate your home. What’s your favorite find?

For sure my living room couch! It was on the side of the road, missing a leg, cushions, and some of the horsehair stuffing. I re-stuffed and recovered it in gray and black velvet with a tufted back, made new down cushions, and painted the wood black.

From a designer’s perspective, what do big graphic patterns on walls bring to a home?

I love pattern and have done many murals over the years. I find myself drawn to beautiful wallpaper, but can’t always find the right one… so, I just paint it. A custom painted wall is like a piece of art. [My own] has had three color changes over the years. There is a black bee in every point of the diamond that I have to paint around for every color change. It’s a love hate relationship, but I always love the end result!

Sean Hegstad Principal Architect, Haven Design Workshop

If you were going to build your dream home in the Pacific Northwest, would you prefer a forested area, waterfront, or an urban space?

Waterfront. That’s where I like to be. I like to swim, play in the water, and I like sunlight. Some of the forested sites are a little darker. My ideal would be something in between, but with those three choices, I’d pick waterfront.

For yourself, do you have a preference between contemporary or traditional design for houses?

My preference is contemporary, but [it’s] site specific. The house we just built five years ago is in a traditional neighborhood. So [we went with] really crisp line traditional. We’re not trying to alienate the neighbors, that’s really important to me.

When you’re doing a remodel, would you rather expand vertically or horizontally?

It’s more affordable to go vertical if it’s beside the existing structure, but if you’re trying to go above the existing structure, it gets expensive. If I was in the middle of a farm or field, I’d tend to go horizontal, but if I was more in a neighborhood or urban setting, it would definitely be more vertical. Context is really key to that.