2022 Brings New Home Décor Trends

 

Now more than ever our home has become our sanctuary. Everyone has spent more time in our homes in the last 18 months than ever. Here are twelve trends that professionals predict for 2022.

1. Curved Furniture Silhouettes

Furniture designs are becoming a bit softer this year with curved edges and feminine shapes. This will make the room feel more cozy and safe but with bold colors and big designs. Furniture will become more of an artwork according to designer Linda Hayslett of LH. Designed. The pieces will be more refined but will also blend with function. She says to picture softer curves with a gorgeous naked back. Comfort is not the only thing homeowners are looking for, they also want something fun and striking that creates an interesting and memorable space.

2. Decorative Cabinetry

Professionals predict that your cabinets in your kitchen, powder room or mudroom will be more creative styles. Beveled shaker cabinets are coming back into style. The shaker today will be more beveled than standard with a combination of shaker styles and rails giving a more unique look.

“I think (and hope) that 2022 is the year more creative cabinetry styles will go mainstream,” says designer Kate Lester of Kate Lester Interiors. “If you’re going for a more contemporary look, I always suggest something a little different, like a vertical paneled door detail or a flat-panel style with a really unique piece of hardware.”

 

3. Sustainable Practices

“Sustainability is the new sexy—and, in 2022, we predict consciously-designed and responsibly-manufactured products to be at the forefront of every home,” says Georgie Smith and Hilary Gibbs, founders of recycled tile company LIVDEN. “From building materials to furniture, consumers are looking to adopt more innovative products that are designed from the start with sustainability in mind. Next year and beyond, we see widespread adoption of green technology in residential interiors. From smart thermostats to innovative recycled water systems, homeowners will not only be more conscious of their consumption but will also actively look to reduce their energy and water usage. Sustainability doesn’t have to mean sacrificing beautiful design. In 2022, we predict a surge of colorful and bold sustainable materials and products that will force us to reimagine what sustainable design is and can be.”

4. Loads Of Texture

This speaks for itself when it comes to decorating a space. You can layer the simple basic neutral palettes in different textures to get this look. “We'll definitely be seeing an uptick in texture in 2022—the more, the better!” says designer Andi Morse of Morse Design. “There will be more soft velvets and boucle fabrics mixed with woven furniture and sisal carpets. These elements help add warmth, creating an inviting space.”

5. Parisian-Inspired Interiors

“Next year, we’re going to see modern interpretations of Parisian-inspired designs as a popular home trend,” says Kelley Carter, Bloomingdales’ Home Fashion Director. “The intersection of color and materials will be a focal point here, with pastels and metallics coming together to create an inviting space. By bringing in design pieces made of translucent materials—like colored glass and iridescent crystal—they can create a glowing effect when you place them in an area of the home with plenty of natural light. It’s a nice way to brighten up the space and create a dreamy, warm atmosphere typical of Parisian culture.”

6. Fun Foyers

The foyer is the first place a person sees the interior of your home. This is the place where you will make a first impression. “One of my favorite new trends for 2022 is fun in the foyer,” says designer Hillary Stamm of HMS Interiors. It’s the first room people see when they come to your home, so don't be afraid to make it amazing! From vintage rugs to books and baskets, aim to create a styled but welcoming vibe.”

7. Home Bars

Homes have become more of live work and play space since the pandemic. Many rooms have learned to become flex zones such as a dining room for eating and a classroom for school from home. “Be it wet or dry, everyone wants a gorgeous, tricked-out bar in their homes right now,” says Scheer. “While it's a holdover from the pandemic, I think it's a trend that's here to stay and I'm not the least bit mad about it.”

8. Nature-Inspired Hues

“Green has always worked beautifully in interiors, especially when clients ask to bring the outdoors in,” adds designer Caroline Turner. “However, I think 2022 will be the biggest year yet for the versatile hue. Whether the application is big (my preference) or small, the right green can really pack a punch. Olive, sage, emerald, and forest are some of my favorites.”

Bringing the outdoors in through color has become ever so more popular these days. “The new neutrals for home colors are actual nature colors,” says Hayslett. “The past couple of years, people have had to spend more time outdoors, where the colors are always calming and never too stark, bright or loud. 2022 will see more designs bringing in those muted nature colors such as leafy greens, bark browns, ocean and sky blues, sandy beiges, cloudy whites, and more into the home.”

9. Vintage And Reclaimed

Second-hand shopping has become the rage as supply-chain issues have pumped the breaks on new home items. Furniture delivery is now months to a year away for most retailers. Vintage and antique furniture will become even more popular this year. “With the massive shipping delays and increased raw material prices we've seen as of late, vintage pieces have become even more desirable,” explains Lauren Meichtry of Elsie Home. “I've seen some stunning vintage pieces brought back to life with new upholstery and a little refinishing. Nothing like a global pandemic to force our hand into getting even more creative.”

10. Closed Floor Plans

“The pandemic has impacted every facet of life but especially our homes,” says Turner. “More and more time spent at home creates the need for privacy within. A big part of our job today is creating niches and nooks that feel calm and private. We’re adding walls and openings more often than we are knocking them down. The additional design opportunities are a bonus—the more closed rooms, the more creative you can be. One large open floor plan often relies heavily on neutrals and repetition to not overwhelm the eye, while a more closed floor plan has natural transition points that help a big design moment feel contained.”

11. Indoor-Outdoor Living

“Homeowners are putting more investment into their exterior spaces than ever before,” says Jean Brownhill, founder of Sweeten. “Homeowners are moving pools, outdoor kitchens, firepits, and extensive seating and dining to the top of their wish lists. In warmer climates, indoor spaces extend out to patios for indoor-outdoor living, often doubling the square footage of a home’s eating and entertaining areas. Installing bi-folding and sliding doors that span the full width of a wall can help you seamlessly connect to the outdoors, while large windows are a better option in climates with four seasons.”

12. Colorful Tableware

According to Food52's table buyer, Casey Simring, "tablescaping is quickly becoming an art form and medium for self expression. Dinnerware, glassware, even flatware, have all become opportunities to show off your personal style and curation—and the style is no longer your grandmother's bone china plates." This year? It's all about mix-and-match color. "The beauty of a mix-and-match colorful table is that you can grow your collection over time," Simring says, "adding pieces from different collections to create an eclectic yet stylish tabletop. If you're nervous, just start with the small stuff: snag a set of mixed color napkins, fun taper candles, or even a mini cake stand. Then work your way up to the tinted glassware and dinnerware styles—I find it's easier for me to commit to a set of funky color bowls before a full dinnerware set. If you're intimidated at having to style colors together, start with either warm or cool tones—you'll be surprised how easy it is to create a palette from there!"

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Huge Gains in Housing Starts From October 2021 to November 2021

 The U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau reported an 11.8% rise month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.68 million units from October 2021 to November 2021. The increase showed a double-digit gain caused by the low housing inventory and rising builder confidence. Single-family homes saw an increase of 11.3% to 1.17 million units and multifamily new construction saw an increase of 12.9% to 506,000 units.

“Breaking an eight-year trend, in recent months there have been more single-family homes under construction than multifamily units,” National Association of Home Builders chief economist Robert Dietz said in a statement. “Moreover, despite some cooling earlier this year, the continued strength of single-family construction in 2021 means there are now 28% more single-family homes under construction than a year ago. These gains mean single-family completions will increase in 2022, bringing more inventory to market despite a 19% year-over-year rise in construction material costs and longer construction times.”

"Mirroring gains in the HMI reading of builder sentiment, single-family housing starts accelerated near the end of 2021 and are up 15.2% year-to-date as demand for new construction remains strong due to a lean inventory of resale housing,” Chuck Fowke the chairman of the NAHB said in a statement.

“The bottom line is we need more homes and it will take time to reduce the housing stock ‘debt’ in the face of growing demand,” First American deputy chief economist Odeta Kushi said in a statement. “But today’s housing starts report, in combination with a positive builder’s sentiment report, sends an optimistic message about the housing market as we enter 2022.”

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Learn How To Design a Kitchen That Is Perfect for Entertaining

 

The kitchen is said to be the heart of the home and a place where family and friends gather. Delicious food is also a big part of most gatherings. A kitchen with a practical layout and up-to-date appliances is the recipe for a good working kitchen. If you want to make sure your kitchen is in working order, follow these tips to create both a beautiful and functional space.

1. Create Space for Gathering

The layout of your kitchen can make all the difference. You will want your kitchen to function as an entertaining-friendly kitchen. This can be done by selecting a floor plan that allows more than one person to be working in the kitchen. To do this, you will want tons of counter space to prep meals and allow everyone to have a place to gather.

A perfect way to create this extra counter space is by adding an island or peninsula to your kitchen space. An island can hold your kitchen sink, breakfast bar, and appliances. Remember to include good lighting for your space.

“I want people to help themselves to coffee or a glass of wine and to sit down and talk while I prep,” says Kate Arends, blogger and founder of Wit & Delight.

2. Choose Hardworking Appliances

Investing in hard-working, good-quality kitchen appliances is a must if you love to entertain. “It’s about efficiency. When entertaining, I want to do just that — entertain. I don’t want to be thinking about whether or not the oven is working or if there’s enough room in the fridge,” states Arends.

A big French door refrigerator can hold large platters. One appliance that you do not think about when entertaining is a dishwasher. Choose a dishwasher with adjustable racks so you can accommodate different sizes. A beverage fridge is another great idea so guests can have access to cold drinks.

3. Select a High-Performance Oven

An appliance that does come to mind when entertaining is the oven. You want to choose a high-performance oven that has a large cooking space. A built-in double oven is a good choice if you do not have a big kitchen. A double oven allows you to cook several dishes at the same time.

“Home appliances can be an investment and it’s important to get the right tools for the job,” she says. “I love to cook, so my focus was finding a range that could do all the things and an oven that I could set remotely. Some people won’t need these features — it’s a very personal decision,” offers Arends.

4. Use Materials to Tie Spaces Together

This applies especially to an open floor plan. Choose appliances, flooring, counters, cabinets and colors that flow with the living and dining areas.

“Look at the color of the walls in the living room and pull that into fabric in the kitchen, or use hand-painted tiles that pull a color from the dining room. Your cookware could be the color of the sofa,” she says. “It’s about being creative and seeing the opportunity to create a harmonious color palette,” says Arends.

5. Take Some Risks

Put your own stamp on your kitchen. Doing this makes your kitchen feel like your own warm welcoming space. Add some floating or open shelves where you can store personal collectibles. Color and texture can also anchor your kitchen. This can be created by adding tiled backsplashes, a brightly colored range and rich color countertops.

"Sometimes we forget that the spaces in our homes are for us, not for others,” she says. “We all deserve to live in spaces that delight us, no matter the size or if we own or rent. I hesitated on decisions because I was worried about resale value. I have such pride and ownership in this house, more than I felt in the last one, because I’ve leaned into what I wanted from a space."

“I wanted my kitchen to feel cozy and relaxed,” Arends says. “To achieve this, I moved in lamps and art — things that you often find in living spaces. That’s how I made the space feel more like me.”

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New Housing Construction Is on the Rise Despite the Shortage of Materials

 The U.S. Census December 2021 Monthly New Residential Construction report revealed an increase in the number of housing starts in November. The rate was 12% over what October's report showed. This trend stems from the strong demand for housing.

“And there’s a lack of existing homes for sale. So where is the buyer to go but to the new-construction market? So that’s the good news,” Susan Wachter, professor of real estate at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania said.

The Survey of Construction (SOC) is a report created by the U.S. Census Bureau and is released on a monthly rotation. The report shows the statistics on starts and completions of both new single-family and multifamily houses. The source of the data comes from survey questionnaires and is broken into two parts, the Survey Use of Permits (SUP and the Non-Permit Survey (NP).

Even with the shortage of building materials, new home contractors are still busy. According to builder Jerry Konter from Savannah, Georgia windows have had a 28-week delay. Housing contractors are finding a workaround for t
he shortage of workers and materials.

“Construction employment has been increasing in spite of all those help wanted signs, and materials are eventually getting delivered,” said economist Ken Simonson with the Associated General Contractors of America.

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2022 Abita Springs Town Budget Is Down From 2021's Budget

 

Last year's approved budget for the town of Abita Springs came in at $10.7 million but this year it has decreased to $6.6 million. The decrease in the budget is due to the outlook there will be less spending in 2022. This is reflected in the budget that was approved in December 2021 and created by Mayor Dan Curtis.

The biggest change is in the utility fund. Last year the town budgeted $7.9 million for utilities work but this year the budget only allows $3.2 million. The reason for the high budget amount last year was due to the &&&ongoing rehab of the town’s sewer lines, lift stations and sewage treatment plant, the mayor said.****

The Mayor also anticipates help from the American Rescue Act for COVID-19 relief and from the Federal Emergency Management Agency  (FEMA) for damages due to Hurricane Ida. This will help with the expenses for any town maintenance such as a new secondary water well and streetscaping the area that is around Abita Springs Town Hall. The budget does include plans to use the money on certain proposed projects already. These include $192,300 for parks and recreation: $45,000 for the cemetery fund and $34,900 for the lighting fund.

“We were very open about everything in the process,” Curtis said. “When you have a council that works with you the way ours does, it makes it easy to get things done.”

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Upscale Kitchens and Bathrooms Need Extraordinary Materials

 House of Rohl, specializes in exquisite handcrafted plumbing fixtures and materials for the bathroom and kitchen. Based out of California, the company is family-owned and operated and is the perfect company to refer to when creating a one-of-a-kind bathroom or kitchen. Here are some products to consider when designing a kitchen or bathroom.

Victoria + Albert Volcanic Limestone Baths and Sinks

Volcanic limestone is a beautiful material to use in a luxurious bathroom. The white rock is formed when immense heat and pressure from liquid magma transforms surrounding limestone.  This volcanic limestone is the primary material for Victoria + Albert bathtubs.

Each of these bathtubs is hand-finished and cast from one piece of stone. The bathtubs are chip and crack-resistant. The bathtub is naturally white but can be customized in any color in a gloss or matte finish.

Shaws Fireclay Sinks

A great option for a chef's kitchen is the Shaw fireclay sinks. Each sink is handcrafted by the Shaw family in England. The process of creating the piece has been passed down for over 100 years.

The sinks are created by pouring liquid clay into porous molds and then drying for 40 hours. Once dried they are then smoothed by hand and glazed. A specialty kiln is used to fire the sink for two days. The method is called slip casting and creates a sink with clean lines and natural shapes.

Perrin & Rowe Brass Taps and Fixtures

Another company that is located in England is Perrin & Rowe which specializes in water fixtures. There is no mass production each piece is handcrafted. They hand-forge brassware taps and sanitaryware from the best quality brass. Each piece is hand-molded and hand-polished and plated with a protective coating.

‘Brassware is also assembled by hand and each piece is individually water-tested,’ say the company founders. ‘Our casting plant in Wolverhampton is one of the last of its kind, carrying on a tradition that’s over a hundred years old. But what distinguishes us most is our high standard for performance and beauty. Because precision isn’t our method. It’s our mission.’

What you choose to use in your kitchen and bathrooms can make or break the design. An upscale bathroom and/or kitchen is a great selling factor when it comes to listing your home.

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Ways To Create a Healthy Home

 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic is now a part of our lives, more homeowners now than ever focus on living in healthier homes. The link between a homeowner's home and their health is very important nowadays. The wellness and health of a homeowner are not based on the price point of their home, as the necessity for a healthy home spans across all price points.

Hayward Healthy Home five principles give great tips to design and construct a healthy home. These principles are continuous fresh air, proper sealing and insulation, cleanable surfaces and healthy home habits. A healthy home has a quieter inside environment and has an even temperature year-round.

Other ways to create a healthy home include using non-toxic materials and products, keeping good installation practices and design strategies. Examples of these include using wide-plank floor with a fresh water-based finish, no/low volatile organic chemical paints and finishes, appliances that were unboxed and left outside for 24 hours to allow them to off gas before installation, an induction stovetop, a steam oven, and a separate ventilation system in the garage.

“..when you make a home healthy, you also make it tight and energy-efficient, so you get that value, too. So health is really the powerhouse that’s going to make this change happen on a much faster scale than the drive to energy efficiency,” says Bill Hayward, CEO and chief sustainability officer of Hayward Lumber and founder of Hayward Healthy Home Score.

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