RISMEDIA, Thursday, October 17, 2013— (BPT)
So many of us love the rich colors featured in kitchen and bath magazines, but when it comes to selecting colors for our own homes, we tend to play it safe. It’s time to be bold and get out of the color comfort zone. Whether it’s a vibrant backsplash, playful shade on the wall, or a new sink color that pops with personality, today’s hot color trends are anything but boring.
Consider these top five color trends for kitchen and bath spaces:
1. Gray reigns king
The 2013 NKBA Trends Report names gray the coveted color of the year. According to the report, use of gray color schemes in both kitchens and baths has dramatically increased since 2010, particularly over the past year. The hue is currently used in 55 percent of kitchens and 56 percent of bathrooms.
“I regularly work gray into my projects because it instantly elevates the design and adds depth to the palette,” says senior interior designer Travis Rotelli, who works at the Kohler Design Center in Kohler, Wis.
2. Bold and beautiful hues
Neutrals are classic, but pops of strategically placed color add life to kitchen and baths. “Emerald and varying shades of green are hot pops of colors for 2013, and the color for 2014 will be all about cobalt,” states Rotelli. While he says “it” hues are fun, he encourages homeowners to identify colors they personally enjoy. “We all have one color we’re always drawn to; the one that repeats in our wardrobes and home decor. That is the color to use as an accent in the kitchen or bath. Color trends come and go, but one that resonates with your design aesthetic and reflects you as an individual you’ll always love,” Rotelli says.
3. Evolve from white
Neutral no longer simply means white. Homeowners are eagerly embracing other colors in place of white, like Dune. “Dune is a subtle balance of beige and gray that brings a cool tone to the space – a true neutral that works well in place of white and adds a nuance of sophistication to the room’s color palette,” says Rotelli.
4. Colors that evoke emotion
“Color psychology is a powerful thing,” Rotelli says; restaurants use appetizing hues to stimulate hunger, and stores harness its influence in hopes that you’ll shop more. “Certain colors can evoke certain emotions throughout the home, as well.” Homeowners who keep the emotional aspect of color in mind during the design process reap the reward of a truly personalized space. “Blues and greens are popular bathroom choices for good reason: both evoke a soothing sense of calm and healing.” When it comes to kitchens, Rotelli says people are often drawn to colors from their past, because it evokes fond memories from their childhood.
5. Unexpected color
When it comes to color, sometimes you need to break the rules. Some of the best kitchen and bath designs incorporate color in unexpected ways. Remodeling projects provide the perfect opportunity to incorporate color beyond a fresh coat of paint or new window treatments.
“Glass tile in kitchens or baths make it easy to introduce new color and texture,” Rotelli says. For those looking to create a more cultivated color scheme and palette, he also suggests thinking outside the box by considering a new faucet finish or incorporating new materials, such as metal. “I always encourage clients to have a little fun in the bathroom, and the sink provides a perfect opportunity, whether it’s a cast iron sink in a bright color, or a vessel sink that serves as functional art and a focal point for the space.”
If you’re ready for color, but still feel a little unsure, Rotelli has one final piece of advice: “When you do select a color, bring samples, swatches and chips home. Let them sit in the space and observe them at different times of the day. Materials can look much different in your home than how they appear under the bright lights of a showroom,” he says.
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As anyone who likes to shop can tell you, a quick trip to the mall can turn into a full-blown shopping spree—complete with impulse buys—before you even hit your favorite store. If you’re constantly coming home with items you never intended to buy, you may be doing more harm than good when it comes to keeping your savings plan on track.
Here are five ways to keep your spending under control:
1. Create a budget. In order to be financially stable, your spending must not outpace your earnings. To ensure you’re on the right path, track your spending for a few months to see where you’re spending the most. Then make any necessary adjustments to your spending to bring it in line with your income. Be sure to check your budget every once in a while to make sure you’re still on track.
2. Wants vs. needs. While it’s a great feeling to be able to treat yourself, it’s most important to live within your means. Before you pull out that cash or credit card, determine whether what you’re about to purchase is a ‘want’ or a ‘need.’
3. Keep seasonal spending in check. From holidays to birthdays and everything in between, seasonal spending can put a huge dent in a savings account if you aren’t careful. Take the time to set budgets and priorities before these events roll around.
4. Say ‘no’ to social spending. While it can be fun to meet up with friends and splurge every once in a while, these social spending habits can wreak havoc on your bank account. If you meet up with friends on a consistent basis, consider creating a fixed budget to cover these outings.
5. Teach your kids to be responsible spenders. It’s never too early to talk to your children about money and spending within their means. Be open and honest with your kids and talk to them about your family budget. It’s also important to teach them where the money comes from when you visit the ATM or write a check, along with the importance of paying bills on time.
Source: M&I Financial
RISMEDIA, Thursday, October 10, 2013
How space is distributed in a new home is a frequently asked question. To collect information on this, NAHB recently surveyed its single-family builder members. The average percent distribution of finished space in the typical new home built by NAHB’s members is illustrated below.
In addition to an average breakdown of space in all new homes, NAHB looked at the breakdown for a small home (based on averages for homes under 2,000 square feet) and a large home (based on homes with at least 3,000 square feet).
Findings include the following:
Bedroom space accounts for just under 29 percent of floor space in new homes, irrespective of the overall size of those homes.
Bathroom space is allotted 12.3 percent of total floor area on average, with more space allocated in larger homes, and less in smaller ones.
The share of space covered by the laundry room—which is present in the vast majority of homes, irrespective of their size—is 3.7 percent and varies only to a minor extent with the size of the home.
Entry foyers account for 3.4 percent of the finished area on average.
Kitchens get about 11.9 percent of the space in small homes, versus 11.1 percent of the space in larger ones.
Dining areas account for 7.8 percent of the space in small homes and 7 percent of the space in larger ones.
The family room accounts for just over 11 percent of floor space in small, average, and large size homes, while the living room accounts for nearly 12 percent of the space in the small home and 7.5 percent in the large one.
Complete details, including tables showing how often builders include various types of rooms in new homes and the size of the rooms in square feet, are available in the October 1 Special Study published by NAHB inHousingEconomics.com.
View this original post on the NA
HB Eye on Housing blog.
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By Steve Cook | RISMEDIA, Wednesday, October 09, 2013
Home price gains in September rose over record August levels, evidence of residual summer buying activity, according to the first market report of the month to be released.
All regions saw small up-ticks in yearly price gains as Clear Capital’s Home Data Index (HDI) Market Report said September prices rose to 10.9 percent year-over-year. In August, national yearly home price growth reached 10.2 percent , the last time Clear Capital reported double digit yearly price growth since the middle of 2006, the height of the bubble.
Clear Capital’s August prices remained 32.5 percent off their previous highs and only in line with 2002 prices. Additionally, the low tier price segment of the housing market saw quarterly gains of 2.0 percent, the lowest since April 2012, indicating the sector that kick started the recovery is already on a path of moderation. From its peak rate of growth in April 2013, rates of growth for the low tier segment, or home sale values in the bottom 25th percentile, have fallen from 4.1 percent to 2.0 percent.
“While national and regional rates showed more of the same in September, an interesting dichotomy is unfolding beneath the surface,” says Dr. Alex Villacorta, vice president of research and analytics at Clear Capital. “Strong performances in San Francisco and Detroit remind us that in a dynamic market, the only constant is change. For about a year and a half now, we’ve been focused on First-In, First-Out recoveries characterized by hard hit markets attracting investor interest, like Miami, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Now as the recovery matures, we see homebuyers re-engaging in markets that haven’t fit the typical investor profile.
“As demand calibrates to local economic environments, markets will start to find their natural equilibriums with moderating gains ahead. This should invite new markets, such as San Francisco and Detroit to share the spotlight as their recoveries continue to evolve,” he says.
For more information, visit www.realestateeconomywatch.com.
