Design Trends 2018

At Level Craft, we don’t have a crystal ball in our office, but it seems, according to the industry predictions for 2018, we’ve been seeing far into the future for a while now. Several of the hottest trends according to articles published by Houzz, LA Times, and Vogue, are already practices we implement in our design and construction.

Black is the New Black

To be specific, matte black is white hot this year! We love it. Not only are you making a bold statement with the use of matte black fixtures, your home environment can easily be transformed to either a dramatic masculine level of sophistication or softened and made subtler by color pallet choices and added textural elements. 

Just like that versatile little black dress you have hanging in your closet, matte black fixtures can be adapted to achieve numerous desired looks depending on design choices. Don’t worry, we have lots of suggestions.

Did Someone say Feature Wall?

I hope so. We know walls and which ones to feature. I know what you’re thinking, “What is a feature wall, and why do I need one?”

design by urbanhome

Feature walls are quickly becoming an easy way to liven up a space and create dynamic focal points by incorporating bold color or texture. Stylistic statements can be made using a variety of materials, we really love reclaimed wood and shiplap, but there are endless options. While feature walls are better suited for large open spaces, we can help you with other ways to create emphasis in your smaller rooms. There is an exception to that rule, bathrooms. Bathrooms, even tiny ones, benefit from adding a little something extra. Check out this example with shiplap- perfect way to break up those verticals!

And even though a ceiling can't really be considered a wall, it can still be featured! 

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We Give Trough Sinks Two Thumbs-Up!

We are on board with trough sinks, after all, they were an original feature of our muse- the farmhouse. Homeowners often desire two vanities in the bathroom, but don’t want the clutter or extra weight of a large countertop and cabinets. A trough sink is a perfect solution. You get your two faucets, a little extra space, and you can stay true to your minimal self.

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Who cares about trends anyway? Trends come and go, style moves forward, and the modern farmhouse is here to stay. 

Happy New Year!

Virginia + Debbie

MUDROOMS MOVE SOUTH

We’ve noticed a significant uptick in requests for “mud rooms.”  A mud room is typically a small room or entryway where boots get wiped and coats get hung.  Mud rooms originated in homes in the colder northern states where a receiving area for defrosting snowy boots and winter gear was essential.  Over the past few decades, northern transplants have transported the mud room south. Homeowners in southern states are now finding mud rooms ideal for wiping shoes, storing school uniforms and sports equipment, and hanging dog leashes and car keys.  Well-designed mud rooms have ample cubbies and racks for storage and numerous hooks for hanging damp and wet clothing.  A mud room can double as a laundry room so wet clothing can immediately be deposited into a washer or dryer without being tracked through the rest of the house. Generally mud room floors are made from easily cleaned materials like concrete or linoleum.  Every homeowner who’s enjoyed the utility of a mud room in past dwellings place it on their “non-negotiable” list when renovating or purchasing a new home.  Here’s a mud room we recently completed in Oakhurst. True to form it’s equipped with hooks, cubbies, bench, and a nearby sink to wash away any unwanted outdoor elements.

2015 HOME RENOVATION AND DESIGN TRENDS – PART TWO

USING BRICK OR STONE
Using natural elements like brick or stone will continue to trend over the next year. For good reason, brick and stone interiors help to create that relaxed setting. Brick and stone create an earthy feel when left in their natural state. Painted brick brings a new twist by adding a cool, modern look. Natural rocks like fieldstone, cobblestone, and river stone all have their own unique characteristics and create a strong visual statement when adapted into an accent wall. Since brick, stone, and other natural rocks are temperature regulators, using them has an added benefit of keeping your summers cooler and winters warmer.

MIXING METALS
From oil-rubbed bronze pulls with nickel copper pendant lighting and cast bronze sinks we’ll especially see metal incorporated into kitchens. People are boldly stepping away from the compulsion to match and finding that mixing metals can create an interesting and artistic effect. The most common pairing we’ve noticed is stainless steel appliances with a copper range hood. Mixing metals in the kitchen is now truly considered vogue. So have fun. Go ahead and hang some brushed nickel sconces over a hammered copper sink with bronze faucets.

UTILIZING NATURAL LIGHT
As homeowners become more health-conscious they’re tapping into our most natural element─sunlight. Incorporating natural light into design plans is a huge trend. Using natural sunlight creates a wonderful effect throughout home interior to not only help augment interior colors but also a subtly lift our moods. Sunlight actually increases endorphin and serotonin levels in humans which act as a natural mood lifter. One of the best ways to increase your natural lighting is to be mindful of the way your home is positioned in the first place. We have become increasingly intentional when working with architects to maximize effects of the natural sunlight.

ZEN IN THE BATHROOM
Homeowners will continue to lust for a more Zen bathroom experience. Bathroom renovations can be real budget-busters but were finding out that customers are willing to pay a little extra to bring nirvana right into their bathrooms. Expect to see open and airy spa-like bathrooms with heated floors, floating sinks, custom storage, large curb-less showers and free-standing tubs to help create a routine of daily tranquility. Homeowners are taking advantage of their bathroom time by reframing it as an opportunity to tap into some much needed serenity before heading out for another hectic day. Or as a way of decompressing after an arduous day by lighting a scented candle and by soaking in a tub of soothing bath herbs.

2015 HOME RENOVATION AND DESIGN TRENDS – PART ONE

2015 home renovation and design trends lean toward making your home both more stylish and functional. Here are a few of these ideas and tips we’d like to pass onto you. Our compilation comes from two main sources: 1) Trends that we’ve noted while thumbing through year-turning editions of our favorite magazines. 2) Common requests from our Level Craft clients. We’ll break things up into a few more “readable” segments to avoid further taxing your end of the year time crunch.

“LOVE IT DON’T LIST IT”
With the sting of the recession still lingering, more folks are choosing to remodel their existing homes rather than hunt high and low for a new property. Trend sources indicate that homeowners are finding it more satisfying (and a smarter financial move) to invest cash into their existing dwellings to make it their “ideal” rather than starting from scratch.

HEALTHIER HOMES
Breathe easy. A huge new trend is remodeling and renovation with a more health-conscious spirit. People are eager to improve their home environments with healthier materials like non-formaldehyde cabinets, better air filtration systems, more natural lighting (including glass exterior walls), and indoor gardens that naturally pump more oxygen into the home air.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE
Our clients are asking for a clean, more pared down look. In keeping with a more minimalist mindset our clients want a more serene space with larger rooms and fewer halls and walls that could potentially create a “boxed in” feeling. Our clients decisively add that they are not asking for an environment that is cold and sterile, but one that is more soothing and simple.

MULTI-FUNCTIONALITY
Space-saving design features like a multi-functional staircase with embedded book shelves, seats, and storage spaces for toys are becoming a practical solution to creating a more spacious and family-oriented home atmosphere. Home renovators are taking copious notes from builders of Tiny Homes and adopting no-nonsense ways for making every inch of square footage count like incorporating Murphy Beds, retractable tables, and custom ladders leading to hidden spaces.

A RUSTIC, NUANCED, AND MYSTICAL COLOR PALETTE
Neutral and rustic colors like tan, charcoal, mulberry, and peach are common requests. Dreamy eggplant, relaxing blues, mauves, teals and richly patterned textiles are also resonating with are more serenity-conscious clients. Small pops of decorative colors in hot demand are limes, grapes, and sonic purple.

DECORATING NATURALLY FOR THE HOLIDAYS — PART TWO

We stumbled across some great holiday decorating ideas in Midwest Living. Here’s one of them─a wonderfully natural way to decorate your fireplace this holiday season. We love the bold contrast of red and green against the light cream-colored fireplace. The clear glass vases filled with red winter berries, branches and floral elements are strong enough for small ornaments. The fresh garland pictured here is a wonderful alternative to evergreens. Bells of Ireland have hollow stalks that allow a string or yarn to be pushed through. The fresh florets last about a day (hey, all good things must come to an end, right?) The adorable flower “presents” are assembled out of blocks of floral foam cut into assorted sizes covered in “Kermit” button mums. After cutting the heads off the button mums (sounds savage), a pearl-headed pin is spiked through the center of each flower to secure it firmly into place. Velvet ribbon is wrapped around each package and topped with a hand-tied bow. Though this project does seem a little labor-intensive─isn’t it the perfect time of year to cocoon, spread your supplies out on the kitchen table, and spend some much-overdue time with your crafty spirit?

DECORATING NATURALLY FOR THE HOLIDAYS — PART THREE

Here’s another way to decorate naturally for the holidays from Midwest Living. This woodland vignette is a perfect way to bring the outside indoors. Bare branches from the garden can be arranged in a glass vase. Fill the vase with artificial snow (purchased at Michael’s Craft Store). Wire on bright berries and add more “snow” to the branches. Add cardinals or any other brightly colored winter-friendly bird. Pine cones or a nearby nest can add an extra notion of nature.

DECORATING NATURALLY FOR THE HOLIDAYS – PART ONE

In keeping with the eco-friendly holiday spirit we just had to share these burlap stockings. Burlap has been making a very strong impression this holiday season. We’ve seen this wonderfully versatile and inexpensive material used to wrap gifts, make garland, embedded in wreaths, and to create the eco-cool stockings pictured here. Burlap’s neutral color establishes a versatile back-drop for any color scheme. Because of its highly textural nature burlap also adds a tactile dimension to any holiday décor. Regardless of your design point of view─rustic, modern cottage, or holiday chic, burlap is an affordable (and sometimes overlooked) material that’s arrived just in time for your holiday DIY project.

DECORATING WITH BRANCHES

What could be more natural than a twig, stick or branch? Though plentiful at garden centers this time of year, remember that some of the most chic alternatives to traditional evergreen could be lurking in your own back yard. Tree elements work in all seasons; but to us─they seem more apropos during the winter months when trees are naturally bare. Though Thanksgiving is only a few days behind we’ve already seen some amazing holiday tree techniques: birch branch icicle trees nestled with winterberries, banisters decked with redtwig dogwood, and cardinals perched on “snow” tufted branches hung with white twine from exposed rafters. One of our favorite ideas is this photo display featured in Midwest Living in which photographs are inserted into branches tied with twine.  Bold colored berries provide a burst of color against the quietly toned pictures.  We love the sparse metaphorical beauty of barren tree elements like these.  Their stark elegance is a quiet reminder of another season’s passage─casting its final outline on the drifting snow of the departing year.