2015 Color Trends

            I recently had the opportunity to attend the 2015 color trends release by Sherwin Williams. They have an incredible team of researchers who spend countless hours pulling information, attending shows and talking with designers to determine what the color trends for the future will be. Here are their predictions for the upcoming 2015 color trends.

 

Chrysalis: Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, we’re poised for change. As modern life and technology rush at us, we seek an oasis where we can find balance, mindful living and tempo giusto (the “right time,” or the steady, regular beat of the heart).

 

We look to earth and sky for inspiration, finding raw beauty in striations and gently blurred hues and patterns. Artisans break the mold, creating objects that aren’t what they seem. Shapes are layered and deconstructed. In this moment, silence is the greatest luxury, and metamorphosis is the mother of invention. http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/color-forecast/2015-color-forecast/chrysalis/

 

Voyage: “To boldly go where no man has gone before.” That phrase was fantasy when it was born during the Sputnik era. Today we’re living it. The sci-fi dreams of the past have become everyday reality — from space tourism to undersea resorts. No longer confined to our earthly plane, we look to the beyond and find colors that are supernatural and magical.

 

Unusual atmospheric events, including a decade-best aurora borealis and a rare sequence of “blood moons,” will keep our focus on the heavens in the months ahead. http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/color-forecast/2015-color-forecast/voyage/

 

Buoyant: Happy days are here again! We’ve weathered the recession. Our revived good spirits echo the optimism that followed World War II, when GIs returned home from exotic locales. Like that era, we’re expressing ourselves with bright florals, but today, our fascination with the tropics runs deeper.

 

We’re exploring the secrets of the rainforest, applying the medicinal and cosmetic benefits of its botanical bounty. We’re looking to the natural world in other ways, too, incorporating green spaces into even dense urban environments — trusting in nature to keep our spirits bright. http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/color-forecast/2015-color-forecast/buoyant/

 

Unrestrained: Life is a Carnival, and we’re eager to celebrate: from bold, ethnic-inspired colors, designs and crafts to the Bohemian lifestyle. But today’s wandering nomads aren’t starving artists — they’re fusing the carefree spirit of the gypsy with the sophistication of the jet set.

 

Artisans and purveyors of luxury goods are getting in the spirit, putting an irreverant spin on their work. South Africa and its colorful art scene exert a strong pull, while the 2016 Summer Olympics will rivet the world’s attention on Rio de Janeiro. http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/color-forecast/2015-color-forecast/unrestrained/

 

Many thanks to Sherwin Williams for their work and for sharing the information. Whether you are creating a new space or just trying to pull together your existing space, use this cutting edge information and you are sure to hit a home run. You can view more details on their website at http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/color-forecast/2015-color-forecast/ I’d love to know which trend is your favorite! Send me an email at jessica@webbercoleman.com or leave a comment below.

Selecting Granite

Over the past couple of weeks, I have spent considerable time with several clients selecting the perfect stone for their bathroom or kitchen countertops. During the process, I have found myself repeating some of the same phrases. I thought you might find them helpful if you are selecting a countertop in the near future.

1. “It’s ok to feel overwhelmed. There’s a lot here.” Walking into a granite warehouse can feel daunting. There are thousands of slabs.  So many beautiful things! Which one do you choose? You don’t want to make the wrong decision! Take a deep breath. Recognize that it is ok to feel overwhelmed and then take it one slab at a time.
2. “Start by walking through the entire place and making note of the slabs that grab your attention.” Don’t overanalyze why you like a specific piece on the first pass. Get a good feel of what is there and what grabs your attention. You might be surprised how your expectations change.
3. “Step back and look at the bigger picture.” Don’t focus on that tiny spot, but step back and take in the blending of colors for the whole picture.
4. “Now let’s begin the process of elimination.” It’s always important to bring samples of the cabinet, flooring or other prominent accents in the rest of the room to compare with the slab of granite or marble you are considering.
5. “Let’s compare all the slabs of that color.” Ask the warehouse staff to spread out the stack of slabs in the color you are considering. This is especially important if you need more than one slab for your project.
6. “Are we happy with the decision?” If you can’t leave happy, don’t commit. This is a large element in your kitchen and bathroom and it’s important that it be right.

Are you going to be selecting a granite or marble slab in the near future? I’d love to hear how it goes and what you learn! Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com.

Italy and Il Dolce Far Niente

Last fall I had the joy of visiting Italy for a couple of weeks. We traveled to Rome, Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, Capri and along the Amalfi Coast. To say it was amazing is an understatement. While this wasn’t a work trip, I did learn some things that I find helpful in the kitchen, bath and home arenas.

First, if you use fine and quality materials, you don’t have to add much else to it. From the food to the architecture to the clothing, quality materials were used and withstood the test of time. Use fresh, local ingredients for your meal, simply prepared and there is nothing better. Use quality stones and wood and metal and that beautiful door will last for hundreds of years. Fine wool and silk crafted into classic suits and scarves will far outlast my lifetime. I’m the first to admit there is a fine balance when building or remodeling a home. Is it your forever home or are you simply fixing it up to sell in the near future? Do you really need to put that $1,200 faucet in a $250,000 home? For most of us the answer would probably be no. But for you it may be yes. Examining and really being clear on your priorities is very important in the home building or remodeling process.

Second, do what you want! People ask me all the time what the latest trends are and I tell them “Whatever you want.” Today’s styles and trends are all about personalization and customization for each individual person. No size has to fit all. If you want that turquoise front door, go for it. Want to wear stripes and polka dots? Wear it with confidence and start a new trend. Want to mix chocolate in your pasta? Do it-you might have discovered the next greatest dessert.

Third, “Il Dolce Far Niente”. “The Sweetness of Doing Nothing”. As the busy holiday season is upon us, take time to be quiet and be still. To listen to the fall leaves rustle in the wind, the fire crackle and pop and the sun warm your head. Sit and enjoy the laughter of children, give thanks for the loved ones around you and remember with love those who are no longer with us. Enjoy good food and a glass of wine by the fire. Listen to great music. Dream about the future. Be present in each moment and revel in the sweetness of doing nothing.

I’ve definitely been bitten by the travel bug and am always planning the next adventure. What have you learned on your travels? Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com.

Universal Shower Design

As we continue exploring the aspects that make a home more universal in design and easier to access for family members of all ages, today we will explore the different aspects of universal shower design.

-Heat the floor. Warm tile mats are simple to add when installing a new tile floor and consider running into the shower floor.

-Anti scald faucet. Most faucets today are made this way but it’s always a great idea to double check.

-Non-slip flooring. Is the tile you have chosen made to go on the shower floor?

-Easy maintenance

-Lighting

-Oversized. At least 36” wide x 36” deep or even better is 36” wide x 60” deep.

-Multiple shower heads at adjustable heights

-Hand held sprayer

-Storage at point of use. If the shower will be used most often sitting down, maybe the tile niche should be placed lower.

-Grab bars. Attractive options are available. Ensure necessary blocking is in the wall.

-Seating. Be that an independent bench you can move in and out of the shower, a built in tile bench or a fold down teak bench, to consider seating is important.

Take the time to consider the future and your family when you are considering building or remodeling. Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com and let me know if you have any questions or suggestions regarding aging in place solutions.

Aging in Place: Bathroom solutions

Aging. No one likes the thought or reality of getting older. Joints hurt, eyesight fails but people are living independently longer than ever and it’s important that they have the solutions to help them maintain their independence while remaining safe. Today we are going to explore some helpful bathroom solutions for us as we age.

-Lighting: We need 3 times the amount of light at age 60 than we did at age 20 to complete the same task. Add a light in the shower, plug in a night light, motion sensing light controls or even consider adding lighting inside your cabinet to help you see the contents better.

-Single lever or touch faucets

-One bathroom on the main floor of the house should have a shower with a seat

-Add reinforcement in the walls of the bathroom in the shower and near the toilet for grab bar installation. Delta makes some great looking assistance bars that double as towel bars, toilet paper holders and shelf caddy’s.

-No threshold entry to shower area and no door if possible

-Multiple shower heads at different heights or handheld adjustable shower head.

-Comfort height toilet

-Heated floors

-Drawers & pulls outs-include or retrofit existing cabinets to include all pulls outs in base and tall cabinets. It makes accessing the items so much easier.

-Pulls-use a handle or pull on cabinet doors instead of knobs. They are easier for arthritic hands to grasp.

These are just a few of the things that most commonly need addressing when considering aging in place. Take the time to consider the future and your family when you are considering building or remodeling. Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com and let me know if you have any questions or suggestions regarding aging in place solutions.

Aging in Place Kitchen Solutions

Like it or not, we are all getting older. Someone once said “Life is like a roll of toilet paper-the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes.” Today a baby boomer is turning 65 every 7 seconds. People are living independently longer than ever and it’s important that they have the solutions to help them maintain their independence while remaining safe. Today we are going to explore some helpful kitchen solutions for us as we age.

-Lighting: We need 3 times the amount of light at age 60 than we did at age 20 to complete the same task. Add undercabinet lighting, remove the old florescent light and add better lighting with recessed cans, even consider adding lighting inside your cabinet to help you see the contents better.

-Walk space-you want to maintain at least 34” of clear walk space to allow for a wheelchair of walker if that time ever comes.

-Drawers & pulls outs-include or retrofit existing cabinets to include all pulls outs in base and tall cabinets. It makes accessing the items so much easier.

-Pulls-use a handle or pull on cabinet doors instead of knobs. They are easier for arthritic hands to grasp.

These are just a few of the things that most commonly need addressing when considering aging in place. Take the time to consider the future and your family when you are considering building or remodeling. Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com and let me know if you have any questions or suggestions regarding aging in place solutions.

The Tweed Movement

Caring for elderly parents is no small task, especially when the family decision for the ones you love is for them to come live with you.  While retirement villages, assisted living retreats, and full time care givers are all a great option, the 21^st century has created another option of working through those later decades of living.  One survey suggests that in 2015, 60% of home buyers will want dual Master Suites.  Baby Boomers need a place for their aging parents.  These parents are active and productive adults who warrant their own space.

Whether it is new construction or reconfiguring existing homes, I am seeing more and more clients considering these options. Maybe it’s adding an additional master suite on the first floor or finishing out an easily accessed basement or simply remodeling your existing space to accommodate your needs as you age in your home. My years of coaching customers through transformations has taught me how to keep the aesthetics needs of a home handsome and functional.  No longer do these features need to look “hospital like.”

Accommodating the “Tweed Movement” usually focuses on two areas of the home, the kitchen and the bathroom.  Small adjustments to cabinet heights, drawer size and choice of drawer pulls can limit the frustration of their daily tasks.   Easy maintenance, cleaner lines and appliance placement can give seniors the independence that they deserve. There are many fantastic and great looking options for grab bars in bathrooms. If you aren’t adding them now, at least add the needed blocking in the wall to give you the option down the road.

Take the time to consider the future and your family when you are considering building or remodeling. No longer do these options have to look unattractive. Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com and let me know if you have any questions or suggestions regarding aging in place solutions.