Homeowners and Vacation Rentals

JUNE 2019 | MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

An Independent Supplement by Mediaplanet to USA Today

HOMEOWNERS AND VACATION RENTALS

The Property Brothers

share tips for aspiring homeowners to �ınd their dream house

Learn interior designer Genevieve Gorder’s advice for making guests feel at home Discover how home automation is changing the game for vacation rentals

“Income Property” Host on Short-Term Rentals We spoke with HGTV’s Scott McGillivray for his thoughts about the rapidly evolving property management industry.

Do people feel more empowered now to rent out their place because of sites like Airbnb?

There has been more exposure. It kind of exploded into this almost acceptable form of securing your financial future, which is to consider the option of renting out your house when you’re not there.

How should a person prepare to be a property manager?

There are certain protocols, and if you follow them, you ensure a better experience for yourself and for your tenants. Always include a tenant application, do a credit check and a reference check, and make sure you have a signed lease with your tenants.

Are there investments a homeowner should do to make the property more marketable?

Absolutely. Include things like cable or internet, because a lot of people don’t want to set up those accounts themselves. Things like a dishwasher and in-suite laundry are premium for sure. And if there’s access to outdoor space in some capacity where they can have a patio set or barbecue, that’s a big deal.

5 Driving Forces of Vacation Rentals Despite being in existence for almost a century in the United States and even longer in Europe, the vacation rental industry is now more mainstream than ever.

Now a $30b+ industry, shortterm rentals are big business.

Here are the primary forces making a significant impact on the industry.

Growth From the astronomical growth of Airbnb to Expedia’s acquisition of HomeAway/ Vrbo to Booking.com’s focus on the space, the traveler now has vacation rental options constantly at their fingertips. This awareness has brought about an upswing in demand and a change in guest expectations.

Distribution This growth is being heavily driven by these online distribution tools and listing sites. This indus-

try now focuses heavily on complex marketing campaigns and utilization of business intelligence to find new travelers and properties for those guests.

That said, these sites are booking tools, not property managers. The actual relationship between the guest and their vacation is facilitated and driven by the property manager.

Technology To better accommodate this demand and streamline operations, vacation rental managers leverage increasingly sophisticated technology. From property management software systems to smart home technology like Amazon Alexa and everything in-between — 3D property tours, keyless entry, and high-tech monitoring systems — there is a significant amount of innovation taking place.

Regulations Due to this popularity, there is an increased need to educate the public and regulators on the space. Property managers present a huge opportunity for states, cities, and towns to capitalize on this growing sector by instituting fair regulations that protect the consumer.

Professionalism The best way to harness and regulate this growth all comes back to professional vacation rental property managers. Members of VRMA, for instance, adhere to a strict code of ethics, have access to the latest education and information, leverage the VRMA certificate program, and will participate in the forthcoming company accreditation program that will distinguish the fly-bynight bad actors in the space from the upstanding professional companies n VRMA.

Publishers Caitlyn Capurso, Melissa Duarte, Samantha Yagozinski Business Developers Jordan Hernandez, Abraham Freedberg Managing Director Luciana Olson Designers Tiffany Pryor, Marie Coons Copy Editor Sydney Scott Director of Sales Shannon Ruggiero Director of Business Development Jourdan Snyder Director of Product Faye Godfrey Lead Editor Mina Fanous Production Manager Josh Rosman Content Strategist Vanessa Rodriguez Cover Photo Albion Associates All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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Interior designer Sabrina Soto talks about the importance of organization and tidying.

Interior designer, blogger, and TV personality Sabrina Soto is known for her casual, colorful style and smart designs. Inside her own California home, you’ll find plenty of baskets and bright hues, but not a coaster in sight.

But there’s more to her approach than meets the eye.

“You could walk into a beautiful living room, but if you open up the closet and everything’s a mess, it’s not done yet,” says Soto, a lead designer on TLC’s “Trading Spaces” and a regular on HGTV home design shows.

“You have to make sure you see it all the way through.”

4 • MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

Organization That’s why, when Soto is revamping a client’s home, decluttering precedes organizing, and organizing and designing go hand in hand. “It’s really wonderful to create a space that’s beautiful, but if it’s not functional, it’s not going to stay that way,” Soto says. “So when I sort of tackle a project, I don’t just do the aesthetics of it — I actually do the functionality.”

Tidying up Step No. 1, Soto emphasized, is getting rid of things that are no longer serving you. The mother of one has a trick: Go through your closets and drawers and touch every single thing instead of only looking at it. “You would be surprised how much you let

go just by touching it,” she says, referencing the organization guru Marie Kondo’s tip to only keep belongings that “spark joy.”

“I know it sounds so New Age-y, but once you let go of things in your life [that you don’t need], you make room for new opportunities, new people, and new things to come into your life,” she says. For those items you do keep, make use of lidless baskets that small children can organize their own things in, along with closet-friendly

PHOTO: PEGGY SIROTA/TLC

Professional Designer Sabrina Soto Shares Her Top Tips for Home Organization

clear bins that are labeled with their contents.

Use your budget Another design tip Soto has: Not letting your budget stand in your way — a rule her own mom, also an interior designer, demonstrated in her work. “No matter how much of a budget you have — whether it’s huge or really normal — you can be creative and transform a space that you’re proud of.” n Melinda Carter

Organizing Queen Marie Kondo Helps You Tackle 4 Clutter Challenges “Tidying is not about throwing out as many things as possible,” Marie Kondo explains. “It’s about focusing on what you want to hold on to in your life based on whether or not it sparks joy.”

Kondo’s way of relating to the objects in your home is about connecting with items one by one — books, pants, beauty products, and boxes of cereal alike — and searching your body for a reaction. Does it make you happy, excited, hopeful? Does it bring back wonderful memories?

It’s a keeper. But if it weighs you down, or fails to elicit a positive reaction, it’s taking up precious space. If you’re surveying your space and deciding you’re forever doomed to have an untidy home, take a deep breath. You’re

not alone. Consider the following four common dilemmas that stand in the way of an organized home and Kondo’s advice for tackling them head-on.

1. Your storage is limited “Before you consider different types of storage solutions, it’s much more important to be aware of what you’re planning to keep,” says Kondo. “Make sure that what you have inside the home are all things that spark joy for you. Only then is it time to consider how to organize them. I typically use items I already own, like gift boxes or shoes boxes, to compartmentalize my drawers.”

2. Your closet is chaos “By neatly folding your clothes,

you can solve almost every problem related to storage. The goal is to fold each piece of clothing into a simple, smooth rectangle, and then store these items standing upright in drawers rather than laid flat. Arrange hanging items so that they rise to the right.

By category, coats would be on the far left, followed by dresses, pants, skirts, and blouses.”

3. Your fridge is overstocked “My advice for tidying the kitchen is to take the time to tidy all of your food. Discard items that have expired, tidy by food category, and designate a home for each thing.

This will give visibility to what you have on hand. That way, you don’t amass food unnecessarily. I recommend assessing your kitchen inventory regularly so you know

what’s about to expire — and can plan to replace it.”

4. Get the kids involved “First, you as parents must finish tidying your own belongings. Second, as you tidy, explain to your children what you’re doing so they can learn from you. When you make it fun, you encourage their interest in tidying, too. Assign a designated spot for everything — and make sure that system is clear for your kids as well.”

When Netflix released “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo,” a new legion of fans eager to declutter their lives and build a joyful space joined the Kondo craze. We’re well into the new year now, but it’s never too late to resolve to tidy your home. Happy tidying. n Emily Gawlak

The Joy of Organizing is now a Snap From the appliances to the A/C in your home, the HomeServe App puts it all in one place with just a snap of a picture.

Organize and manage manuals and home maintenance reminders—even safety recalls—in the palm of your hands.

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Vacation rental managers (VRMs) simultaneously compete for travelers, staff, and property owners. As the lines between hotels and private accommodations continue to blur, this juggling act will only intensify.

What are the main benefits of going keyless for a vacation rental property?

Keyless locks eliminate the need to cut keys, re-key locks, rush to replace lost keys, or fear floating keys. Operations staff sees when cleaning crews start and finish, making turnday more efficient. Guests can skip check-in lines and start enjoying their vacation earlier.

Why should home automation be considered a necessity for VR properties rather than a luxury?

Connected living is expected by today’s guests, while staff saves time with proactive notifications and safe access control that lockboxes can’t match. Vacation rental managers can better protect the home and keep owners happy.

How can smart home technology help grow one’s short-term rental business?

It saves owners on utilities and better protects the home, improving the owner’s financial return and in turn growing the manager’s inventory. Less time spent on routine tasks also means more time delighting guests.

What does property automation mean to you?

Property automation securely, reliably, and efficiently connects one VRM to all the homes he or she manages, and uses automated processes to deliver a service to guests, asset protection to homeowners, and efficiency to VRMs. 6 • MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

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In your opinion, what’s one of the biggest problems the vacation rental (VR) industry faces today?

Hospitality Expert Anthony Melchiorri Shares His Vacation Property Secrets

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Sean Miller, president of PointCentral, shares his thoughts on the present and future of the vacation rental industry.

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What makes your vacation rental property stand out among the rest? To Travel Channel host and hospitality mogul Anthony Melchiorri, comfort and safety are the name of the game.

You have worked in the hospitality industry for years. What are some best practices for protecting one’s vacation rental property from liability and risk?

requirement for prospective guests.

The good thing is that every guest you accept into your rental home needs to use a valid credit card and driver’s license or passport to successfully rent out a vacation property. This gives the landlord stability to make sure their guests behave, and if they don’t, they have recourse to put any damage onto guests’ credit.

As a landlord, you also have the responsibility of making sure your guests review the liability and risks on the registration forms and initialing their understanding beforehand. I know vacation rentals hit a spiked interest during spring break season for a lot of college kids, so if you’re located in this environment, a good way to avoid the risk of rowdy renters is verifying on the listing site a specific age

I think it’s critical. It may be more expensive, sure, but why would you put yourself at risk from a liability standpoint? You can go to sleep at night knowing that if, god forbid, a guest starts a fire in your rental, you’re still covered.

If you don’t buy insurance for your vacation rental property, then you’re not a businessperson, you’re just playing games. You must have insurance; it’s not even a conversation.

How important is it to invest in property insurance when renting vacation property?

For those people who are new to the vacation rental sphere, what’s one piece of advice you’d give property owners who may be looking to rent out an entire property or even just a spare room?

The first priority for those just entering the vacation rental space is to look up a

course on how to become a property manager, as there are many of them out there to educate yourself with.

The second priority from a guest standpoint is to treat the person staying at your vacation rental like they’re your grandmother that you haven’t seen in twenty years. If you’re looking at renting out your place as just a simple money grab, you’re not going to be successful long term. If you look at it through the eyes of “my grandma is coming over who I haven’t seen in years,” then you’re going to treat your guests the way you would treat your own family.

Long story short: Go online, learn what becoming a property manager is all about, invest in a partnership with these vacation listing sites so that you can start maximizing your property presence and your profitability, and treat every guest that enters your vacation home like family. n Kirsty Moir MEDIAPLANET

Property Brothers Offer Advice for First-Time Homeowners

5.34 million existing homes were bought in 2018, many needing work. No one knows fixer-uppers better than Jonathan and Drew Scott, HGTV’s own Property Brothers, who recently sat down to offer advice on buying and renovating a home.

What advice would you give to aspiring fırst-time homeowners in 2019?

Jonathan Scott: Don’t rush into it.

Buying any home, especially your first home, is one of the biggest financial and emotional commitments you can ever make.

Drew Scott: Plus, working with the right professionals, like real estate agents and lenders you trust, can make the whole process a lot easier.

What should you prioritize when considering buying a home?

JS: Know what’s most important to you — distance to work or school? Amenities? Lot size?

DS: Get to know the neighborhood and the neighbors, too.

They can tell you a lot about the house you’re potentially buying.

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PHOTO: SCOTT LIVING

Drew and Jonathan Scott, aka the Property Brothers, talk about what to look for — and what to look out for — when looking for a house.

What key questions should people ask prior to buying a house?

DS: Gather all the information you can. Also, visit the property at different times of the day or week to see if there are any issues that will affect the way you enjoy the place.

What reports or inspections should new homeowners ask for to avoid hidden dangers?

hanging in a strange position — it’s probably covering an issue.

Lift area rugs to check the floors.

Use all your senses. A musty smell can hint at poor airflow or warped walls, and fogged windows could potentially be a sign of a more serious issue, like a past grow-op.

JS: Mobility can be a concern.

Little things can go a long way: adjusted counter heights so they don’t have to bend over as far, a curbless shower, minimal stairs, a ramp out front, ample lighting, and automation to turn lights or electronics on and off.

What tips do you have for someone seeking a home improvement contractor?

“Property Brothers: Forever Home” is all about creating a forever dream home. How do you start this process for each client?

What are some common red flags to look out for?

JS: Do your due diligence. Don’t be afraid to ask to see examples of their past work. Always get their quote in writing. In most jurisdictions, contractors cannot ask for money up front unless they are bonded or affiliated with an organization like the National Association of Home Builders.

JS: One red flag is when the homeowner says they did the work themselves. Look for artwork

What are typical issues senior citizens face when looking to age in place in their homes?

DS: Always get a full home inspection done, even if the house is newer, review the land survey to ensure there are no encroachments, and check the title will be clear.

DS: We ask clients what they originally saw in their home that made them know it was their forever home. We take what they love and enhance it, then fix everything else that’s not working for them.

JS: It’s all about keeping the memories they cherish and giving them a beautiful and functional space where they can create new memories together. n MEDIAPLANET

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Be a Short-Term Rental Pro The short-term rental market is booming. That means competition is fierce. Genevieve Gorder, legendary designer and host of “Trading Spaces”, has some advice for short-term rental operators who want to excel.

Think deeply “There are so many ways to make the property more valuable, more comfortable, and more thoughtful,” says Gorder. “It really is going beyond the first thought of hosting. It’s just thoughtfulness and anticipating what people need before they know they know they need it.”

Design matters Gorder stresses that “clean” should be the design byword. “Lighter colors read better as clean. People don’t know your property, they don’t know you — but they are going to get to know your home.” Carry that clean aesthetic throughout. “Don’t have too much clutter in photos, or personal items,” she says. “This is not your house anymore. This is your business.”

Beyond photos Gorder warns that you can’t rely totally on photos to advertise. “Without a good one-liner, without a great paragraph, people aren’t connecting as hard.

Videos are the most authentic way of getting into the feeling of what your space has to offer.” Gorder is bursting with ideas for these videos. “Show the bike ride around your property. Show the artists and makers in town. Show a video of walking through the place, show waking up in the morning.”

Brass tacks “No matter where my property was, even if it was right down the street from me, I would always hire a property management company to care for and maintain the property,” Gorder says. “Just because you can set up the business doesn’t mean that you want to go change the sheets every day.”

Technology can make management of their properties easier. “Digital locks, a digital thermostat — everything that you or they can control from the palm of the hand.” n Jeff Somers

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Reducing Your Environmental Impact Through Smart Home Tech

What a Home Really Means for Families Dispossessed by Disaster

PHOTO: COURTESY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

How do simple changes to your home create a positive environmental impact? Consumers can make a difference even in their own house.

It can be hard to know where to start, but there are plenty of ways for homeowners to reduce their family’s carbon footprint and conserve energy. Some of these changes are small, while some require a bit more work, but making these adjustments will create more opportunities to spend time with the people you love.

Upgrade your technology There are plenty of new technologies available that are designed to help you save money and reduce your environmental impact, with more being released each day. The new ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control is one of those technologies. Did you know that heating and cooling can make up anywhere from 40 to 70 percent of your energy bill? Being smarter about how you heat and cool your living space is one of the best things you can do for your family and for the planet.

Take advantage of rebates If you’re doing a home renovation, research the potential rebates your electric utility, city, or state is offering. Plenty of communities are encouraging home upgrades that improve efficiency by offering rebates for things like new windows, appliances, roofing, or smart thermostats like ecobee.

Talk to your kids If you’re consciously changing your behavior to be more eco-conscious, use these opportunities to teach your kids why it’s important to make these changes. After all, they’re the ones who will inherit the world we leave behind.

Stuart Lombard, CEO, ecobee 12 • MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

For many, a white picket fence is something you pass by in your neighborhood; a roof simply rests above your head.

But for Alina, Carlos, and their two children, the roof and fence that protected the central Florida home they built with Habitat for Humanity were part of a dream come true. Then came Hurricane Irma.

When disaster strikes The fence and storm-hardened metal roof outlasted the 140 mph winds, but a panel of siding gave way to the plundering rains, filling their home of eight years with water. Carlos mopped what he could, but soon he and his family realized they would have to weather Irma’s wrath.

They weren’t alone. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria combined to create an unprecedented housing disaster, displacing tens of thousands of Americans across Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. In the west,

thousands more homes were destroyed by raging wildfires and landslides.

When disaster strikes, local Habitat organizations jump into action and help families make emergency repairs, just as Habitat for Humanity of Highlands County volunteers did for Alina and Carlos. “They were coming up and saying, ‘Do you remember me?’” Carlos says of the volunteers at his home. “I told them, ‘Of course. You helped us build our home.’”

Recover and rebuild At Habitat, we know that recovery from these major disasters is measured in months and years, not days or weeks. Ten months into the recovery, our teams are still hard at work throughout the disaster-affected regions, helping low-income families get back on their feet.

For more than 40 years, Habitat for Humanity has been partnering with families seeking to make better lives by building

affordable homes. Working in all 50 states in the United States and in more than 70 countries, Habitat has helped more than 13.2 million people around the world get a better and safer place to sleep at night.

Love and hope While the 2017 disasters destroyed many homes, they did not destroy the spirit and resilience of families like that of Alina and Carlos.

Growing up, Carlos, who spent time in foster care, used to walk by homes with picket fences. “I never stayed anywhere for more than a year, a year and a half,” he says. “I wanted to build a home for my family, a home with a picket fence.”

“I truly believe that our house was built out of love, by people who were here because they wanted to be here,” Alina says. “It continues to be built on love and care and a great sense of being kind.” n Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity MEDIAPLANET

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How to Pick Kitchen Cabinets Like a Pro If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then kitchen cabinets are the bones.

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Cabinets are the structure and backdrop that make up the layout of your kitchen. Everything else — countertops, backsplashes, paint, appliances — is a supporting character to the main attraction.

So how do you know you’re making the right decision when it comes to choosing the right cabinets?

Sure, color might seem like the most important choice (white shaker, right?), but there are a few other areas in which your cabinets must deliver.

Third-party testing According to a study by Hanley Wood, third-party certification is one of the top drivers in the cabinet selection process for builders and architects.

Will your cabinets stand the test of time? Will they stand up to years of being opened and slammed shut? Will they withstand the weight of your mother-in-law’s vintage china

set? Will the doors crack under the pressure of a child swinging around?

Will your cabinets stain when that bottle of red gets knocked over?

By purchasing cabinets that have been tested by an independent third party, you can have peace of mind knowing your cabinets are durable, quality-made, and built to last a lifetime.

When you don’t need to worry about the function of your cabinets, you can focus more on picking the perfect color and style.

Sustainable materials Research shows that sustainability is one of the top five reasons why consumers pick a cabinet company.

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• Are the materials sourced

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• Is the process for making the cabinets environmentally friendly?

• Does the company have an official policy stating its commitment to environmental quality?

• Is the company committed to serving its community?

Look for cabinets that have a “green” or “environmental” seal to answer these questions. Know that materials you are putting in your home are healthy, and the company you are supporting with your purchase has your environmental stewardship interests in mind.

Purchasing cabinets is a very important decision for your home — they can make or break your kitchen. Now that you know how to identify cabinets that will not only stand up to the test of time, but also not harm the environment, you can focus on the important decisions like style, color, and cost. n Lisa Inkley, Director of Communications, Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association MEDIAPLANET

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property management software.

There are lots of good examples.

Turnkey is one of them, and there are several of them that will manage all the day-to-day running of the property. They take a legitimate slice out of ROI, but at the end of the day, what they give you back is freedom and time.

Peter Lorimer, star of Netflix show “Stay Here”, talks about what it really takes to successfully run your own short-term rental property.

What’s your favorite part of being involved with “Stay Here”?

The best of the show was being able to immerse myself into the cultures of the cities that I hadn’t had the chance to be fully immersed in, which I think is kind of the essence of what Airbnb is, right? With Airbnb, we’re not just renting a crash pad, we want to experience living like a local.

How can property owners get a competitive advantage in today’s market?

It’s incredibly important for property owners to know what the story of their place is. For example, if it’s a beach property, 16 • MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

you’ve got to play up that narrative of having access to the beach.

I think the best money anybody can spend is on a professional photographer. Have a professional real estate photographer come out, capture the narrative of your story. Make sure the photographs are beautifully shot, well lit, and super clean, because the Airbnb industry is like the regular real estate industry.

The other person not to overlook: a professional cleaning crew. There is nothing that will give a bad review quicker than flying a long way to stay at your Airbnb and there is some dirt in the sink, or worse, some dirt in the bathroom.

How do you view renter’s insurance?

Speaking as a property owner, I think having insurance as a landlord is absolutely paramount. Because if someone slips

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What’s your advice for newcomers to the Airbnb business?

and falls while going out of your house and getting into a cab in the rain, there is potentially, a nasty, sticky lawsuit. I definitely recommend renter’s insurance.

How does technology help to automate and make this job easier?

The industry itself has gone through huge technologic shifts.

I almost feel technology is taking a front seat, but as long doesn’t make us lazy, it’s a good thing.

There is nothing — nothing — that is going to replace the personal touch. With my properties and the properties I represent, it is always about meeting them in person when I can.

Does property management systems free up landlords to be more personal?

If you can afford it — frankly, I think you can’t afford not to — get

I’m a great believer in apprenticeships and in getting things wrong so you know how to get them right. If someone is dipping their toe into this industry, I would highly recommend they take the bull by the horns and try to do everything by themselves, except cleaning and photography. All the design and direction of property, get those details in the process. See what you get wrong; see the reaction when you put wine in the fridge for the family that doesn’t drink, or when you run out of soap and you have that call at 3 in the morning.

It will never happen again.

What advice do you have for people who want to break into this industry?

The most important thing is data. Data drives everything.

Know your niche. Know your audience. There are no shortcuts. If you feel like you saved a buck here or got something for less here, they’re going to notice and it’s going to affect your ROI. Always have exceptionally good photographs and treat guests like extended family. That’s what they’re hoping for; that’s what the industry was founded on. It isn’t like we’re checking into a hotel with the concierge.

It’s like old friends from out of town coming to stay with us.

Always put the client first and always put the profits last. n MEDIAPLANET

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on other people. And then the homeowners often change their minds once they see the place taking shape, which can cause delays and increase costs.

Hilary Farr, Host of “Love It or List It”, Talks Success in Home Design Using her mother as inspiration, Hilary Farr started designing in Toronto and hasn’t stopped since.

What about a career in home design first caught your interest?

My mother was a big influence: very creative, curious about different cultures, and a collector.

She had a great eye for design, and wonderful flair. I loved the way she transformed a room with new wallpaper or reupholstering a piece of furniture. She inspired me, and I inherited that same love of creating beautiful spaces for myself and friends.

But I didn’t consider it as a career until I left Los Angeles for Toronto in the ‘90s.

Some of the Toronto houses were quite grand with no updates since god-knows-when.

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I couldn’t resist the chance to renovate them and hope that someone would appreciate them as a family home again. I always furnished them as I would want to live, and that staging became a business that led to clients and realtors wanting my services to sell their homes. And that led to my career in home design. A very long answer, which boils down to this: I have always loved creating beauty and design where none exists or has been lost, which I was lucky enough to be able to turn into a successful business.

What steps do you take during the planning phase of any project to ensure success?

First, I take care to review the wishes and dreams of the homeowners. Then I work on the

PHOTO:CATHERINENGUYEN

What is one trend in home design which you believe is going to make a big impact?

design from a purely functional point of view. Then we need to agree on a budget. My next step is to put those three elements together and come up with a list of priorities suggesting where we must pull back and where we can pull out all the stops and fulfill the dream. It’s a fine balance but it works — most of the time.

Is there one common challenge which presents itself in each project you work on?

Communication is the biggest problem. I need to be sure I am letting the homeowners understand the constraints of the project, whether it’s space or costs, and they need to let me know exactly what they expect.

There are so many moving parts to a design project dependent

I think that with our current sense of uncertainty and turmoil, we want our home to be our sanctuary, our place of comfort, closeness, and safety. I see a lot of floral prints that are from a bygone era made modern with scale and color palettes. I think surfaces will be softer, warmer, and more matte, rather than a high gloss, stainless steel design that is cold and sleek.

What are some essential steps that every home owner to take to design their home in a more sustainable manner?

There are many companies, designers, and architects who are very committed to building and designing with the least impact on our planet. As individuals, I think the key is to do a lot of research to educate yourself on which options can work within your budget and the constraints of your home’s construction. But there are many things you can do that don’t cost a lot of money. Look at your lifestyle to see where you can make changes that conserve precious water and energy.

What is your favorite room in the house to design?

The master bedroom. It’s the one room in the home that is just for you to indulge in creating the most perfect private, luxurious space to enjoy at the end of a hard day. n MEDIAPLANET

Good for your wallet. Good for the planet.

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