trend watch SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Construct, Renovate & Revitalize YOUR LIVING SPACE Changing lifestyles call for changing homes. TEXT BY MARY GOW COURTESY OF CYNTHIA KNAUF LANDSCAPE DESIGN Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington 35
Mar 23, 2016
trend watchspecial advertising section
Construct, Renovate & Revitalize
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
Changing lifestyles call for changing homes.
TexT by MaRy gow
courtesy of cynthia knauf landscape design
Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington 35
36 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
landscaping & outdoor spaces
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
fresh &
TRanquil
special advertising section
Whether it’s due to the economic chal-
lenges of the past few years or it’s simply
a nod toward comfort and convenience,
families are staying home more than they
used to. This nationwide trend means homeown-
ers are investing to make their living spaces more
functional, more beautiful, and—quite simply—
more fun.
Indoor living is moving out as boundaries
between indoor and outdoor life are changing.
Well-appointed outdoor kitchens bring alfresco
meal preparation and dining together. Beyond fabu-
lous grills, outdoor kitchens feature refrigerators,
sinks, even espresso machines and pizza ovens.
From a morning cup of coffee to a gracious dinner
party, outdoor meals are becoming part of daily life.
Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington 37
special advertising section
let there be fire“Our clients want to embrace their outdoor space. We are installing a lot of fire pits. Some are formal fire rings and others incorporate boulders for seating, creating a very natural setting. We have also installed formal outdoor fireplaces at several homes. Both the fireplace and fire pit let you expand your indoor life into the outdoors.”
Marie P. limoge, landshapes, landscape designer/architect.
Opposite page: Stainless steel spa by Cynthia Knauf Landscape Design. Top: Well-equipped outdoor kitchen. Natural fire pit by Landshapes. Right and bottom: Vermont views by Cynthia Knauf Landscape Design.
land shades
38 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
landscaping & outdoor spaces
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
Between indoors and
out, sunrooms are
not just for summer
anymore. “Sunrooms
today can be either uninsu-
lated three-season rooms
or insulated extended-
season rooms that can
be used year-round,” says
Elizabeth Warren of Otter
Creek Awnings in Williston.
New window technology
and efficient design also
contribute to extending a
sunroom’s use time.
special advertising section
Otter Creek AwningsOtter Creek Awnings
Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington 39
Go NativeTrends in landscape design are bringing
homeowners and their guests outdoors.
landscapes are becoming even greener
and more sustainable with greater
awareness and use of native stone and
vegetation. Fieldstone and new england
granite are beautiful and at home in our
region, and they do not require the fuel
consumption of stone shipped from
overseas. Maples, blueberries, cattails,
and other indigenous species thrive here
naturally and have fewer maintenance
and disease issues than imported exot-
ics.
local is best“Local seems to be the trend, not just with food stores and restaurants, but also in landscape architecture. It’s exciting that each year more Vermont clients are requesting the use of local construction materials, craftsmanship, and plants.”
cynthia Knauf, cynthia Knauf landscape Design, Winooski, VT.
special advertising section
Courtesy of Cynthia Knauf Landscape
40 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
kitchens & floors
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
bright &
open living“The kitchen is the new great room—a
very open, very functional
space for cooking, dining,
entertaining, and watching
television,” says Ali White
of Becky White’s Kitch-
ens by Design in Georgia,
Vermont. “Islands are now
spaces where conversations
are happening. The island
almost always has seating,
which works for the kids
to do homework, for fam-
ily meals, and for guests
sipping wine when you’re
entertaining. Kitchens also
have multiple eating spaces.
Beyond the island you may
have a banquette with an
informal dining space in one
part of the room and your
more formal dining area in
another part. The separate
formal dining room is rare.”
special advertising section
Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington 41
bright &
open living
“Kitchens are
becoming very
personalized, and
many people have
a theme in mind,”
Ali says. “I have a
lot of clients who
bring me magazine
pages of Tuscan,
French Country,
and Shaker or
farmhouse styles
that they want to
capture in their
new kitchen.
Within these, we
are seeing a lot of
painted kitchens.
In a Tuscan kitchen
you might have
cabinets with an
Old World look and
a distressed paint-
ed finish. Someone
restoring an old
farmhouse may
want wide plank
floors and cabinets
that respect that
history.”
Ali continues,
“Tile is really huge!
It is also very
personal. You have
so many choices,
from intricate floral
patterns to small
mosaic to subway
tiles. The way you
lay out your tile
can dramatically
change the look of
your kitchen. For
example, if you
have shorter than
8-foot ceilings, we
like to use tile in a
vertical pattern to
visually elongate
the walls.”
KitcheN style
42 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Whether you’re
building a new
home from the
ground up or
remodeling your existing
space, local contractors
can guide you to making
smart choices. They’re
familiar with all the latest
materials, technology, and
energy-efficient options
available today.
“We build Green Cer-
tified Five Star homes,
certified by the National
Association of Home
Builders,” says Chris
Snyder of Snyder Homes.
“We’re installing building
products with a system-
atic approach that makes
our homes more efficient
and minimizes their im-
pact on the environment.”
thiNK loNG terM“People are living in their homes longer and are personalizing them more. They are investing in kitch-ens with custom cabinetry, granite countertops, and higher quality ranges to suit their taste and style.”
chris snyder, snyder homes, Shelburne, VT
special advertising section
building and remodeling
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
efficient &
eneRgizing
“Homes today have more open spaces or so-called flex spaces. We are building fewer homes with both a living room and dining room,” says Chris Snyder.
Three smaller photos courtesy of Snyder Homes.
Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington 43
special advertising section
hoMe-buyiNG DecisioNsThings are changing in the 21st
century, and homeowners want
a combination of convenience,
comfort, and quality while being
ever mindful of the impact their
choices have on the environment.
“People are making home-buying
decisions based on lifestyle,” says
Chris Snyder. “For example, people
want to live in town to be closer
to stores and shopping, and within
walking distance of village cen-
ters. We are also seeing individuals
downsizing to smaller homes
with grounds that are easier to
maintain. In one of our single
family–home neighborhoods,
homeowners have the option
of services to include plowing,
shoveling, and mowing.”
coNstructioN treNDs
Builder Tom Moore of Underhill
Center, Vermont, says he is
incorporating these most-asked-
for features in home design and
construction:
open floor plans with attention to
natural lighting. “People like open
spaces, not so many walls creating
separate rooms. With the house
oriented to the south and proper
window placement you can maxi-
mize natural lighting.”
computer-controlled environ-
ments. “My house is wired so
I can control the temperature,
lighting, and security system from
my phone or computer. I can be
anywhere in the world and control
those systems.”
universal design. “If you build
today with a plan for adapting in
the future, you can be prepared for
your family’s changing use of the
house. For example, a room on the
ground floor may be a home office
or family room at first, but later it
may become an accessible bed-
room. You may want to design it even
with doorways sized for wheelchair ac-
cessibility and a nearby bathroom that
can be adapted to changing needs.”
backup systems. “In recent years we are
having more blackouts and power inter-
ruptions. We’re finding more and more
people want backup systems to run
the home when the power is out. In my
house we have two backup systems: one
can run the entire house on a generator,
the second just runs essential systems
on batteries.”
two home offices. “Both people in a
couple need workspace.”
home gym. “Many people want some
workout area in the home so they don’t
have to go out to the gym to exercise.”
44 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
the verMoNt WayMark Stephenson of Vermont Energy in
Williston says, “Conservation is a basic
Vermont core value from way back and
you find it in people today. Conservation
is not an aesthetic trend in terms of what
something looks like, but it is a trend
in terms of how things work for your
comfort and long-term value. People are
investing in appliances and systems that
special advertising section
building and remodeling
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
saviNG eNerGy“More and more people are interested in optimizing the siting and efficiency of their homes.”
tom Moore, tom Moore builders, Underhill Center, VT
Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington 45
do more for less.” Mark brings us up
to date on the latest options.
Tired of sweating it out during sum-
mer’s heat and humidity? “Ductless
air conditioning is making big inroads
in Vermont,” according to Mark. “A lot
of people have endured hot summers
with noisy window units and lots of
fans. There are a lot of options in the
new ductless air conditioning sys-
tems that are super quiet and energy
efficient. They can really increase
comfort and quality of life and add to
a home’s value.”
Mark knows about saving money, a
topic of interest to every homeowner.
“People are thinking more about wa-
ter conservation,” he reports. “Wheth-
er your water is metered or you have
your own well, it can cost a lot. New
toilets, faucets, showerheads, and ap-
pliances work well but with a lot less
water.”
Have you ever stepped into the
shower only to have the water turn
icy cold within two or three minutes?
Mark has a solution. “Tankless water
heaters today are extremely reliable,”
he explains, “and the temperatures
don’t fluctuate, even when several
showers are running at the same
time. They are adaptable products
that deliver real energy savings.”
special advertising section
How smart are your home heating and
hot water systems? It may be time to up-
grade, according to Mark, who explains,
“Another recent trend is the application
of logic to home systems. It used to be
that a boiler was set to turn on the same
for the coldest day of the year and a day
at 50 degrees. Now systems are
smarter. A new boiler has a remote
sensor that measures the outdoor
temperature then gives feedback on
how much heat is needed. Making
smarter appliances equals gains in
comfort and savings.”
46 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
windows & doors
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C esMart choicesHomeowners are always looking for ways to heat and cool their homes without
breaking the bank on energy bills. when shopping for replacement windows and
doors, look for the eneRgy sTaR® label, which means you’ll save on heating and
cooling costs and create a comfortable home year-round.
eNerGy star qualified windows and doors also deliver more comfort, create less
condensation, and protect your valuables from sun damage better than convention-
al clear-glass double-paned alternatives.
special advertising section
d i d yo u k n ow ?The average family spends $2,200 a year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling.
Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington 47
special advertising section
tiles & mosaics
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
texture &
inspiRaTion
tile foreverbeautiful tile and mosaics have been
around since ancient times, and today
the classic look of tile is more popular
than ever. gayle Critchlow gardner,
owner of north Country Tile in williston,
fills us in on everything that’s going on
with this versatile material.
soothiNG colors
“The new england market is more con-
servative and traditional than some ur-
ban areas,” says gayle. “we see a lot of
off whites and whites, soft greens, and
blues rather than bold colors. we also
see that people prefer a cleaner appear-
ance rather than something busy.”
gayle continues, “For the bathroom,
people want to walk in and have a calm
and soothing environment. we see a
Ph
oto
s co
urt
esy
of
No
rth
Co
un
try T
ile
48 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
special advertising section
tiles & mosaics
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
Photos courtesy of North Country Tile
lot of whites and creams and
beach glass—soft green and
soft blue—in bathrooms. with
a traditional or contemporary
look that’s very clean, people
can accessorize with cheerful or
bold accents—towels, shower
curtain, and art.”
looking for something out of
the ordinary? gayle suggests,
“you can always infuse a little
artistry in a contemporary room:
little accent colors, something
that gives that ‘wow!’ factor, a
surprise that works. For exam-
ple, basic subway tile, three-
by-six-inches, has been around
forever. if you lay it vertically
rather than horizontally you see
something a little different.”
easy-care oPtioNs
“we are seeing larger format
tiles and products,” gayle says.
Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington 49
special advertising section special advertising section
“They are cleaner and simpler.
people also want products that are
maintenance free and last a long
time. in the past we used to sell a lot
of slate, local and from asia. natural
stone requires maintenance. now
more manufacturers are producing
materials that look just like stone
but require minimal maintenance.”
ProtectiNG the PlaNet
people are concerned about green
products, “so in the tile business
there’s been a sincere effort to use
renewable and reusable materials
and environmentally friendly manu-
facturing techniques,” says gayle.
“green and sustainable practices
have been a focus of the tile indus-
try for a long time. in tile manufac-
turing, factories recycle materials
and have increased their air quality
protection dealing with the kilns and
off gasses,” she explains.
gayle’s final bit of advice: “your
floor is the canvas you use to start
your room. From there you build
everything up. use something very
attractive and durable.”
loNG-lastiNG tileAccording to a recent study of flooring durability, ceramic tile has an expected life span of 50 years—the same as natural hardwood. Compare that with carpet at six years and sheet vinyl at 10 years.
50 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
interior distinction
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
classic &
uniqueannette besaw of design
Matters in south burlington
shares her views on 2011
decorating trends and why
they are coming about.
“With the world still in turmoil
and the economy the way it
is people are striving for bal-
ance and order in their lives,”
explains Annette. “This has
special advertising section
Co
urt
esy
of
Desi
gn
Matt
ers
thiNK color“Along with primary hues, we will continue to see turquoise and purple, which have proven to be very popular in Vermont over the last year.”
annette besaw, Design Matters, South Burlington, VT
led both manufacturers and
buyers to pull back to basic
lifestyles and values.”
Annette believes that two dif-
ferent themes will be strong in
2011. “The first will be related
to nature and farming,” she
says. “Colors of vegetables
with vibrant hues will be offset
with neutrals like the color of
hay, grains, and bark. Country
prints are on their way back
in, like gingham checks and
Spring 2011 / Best of Burlington 51
plaids. We will be seeing a
lot of furniture and mirrors
wrapped in ropes or mac-
ramé. Wood tones will be
grayed in color and combined
with whitewashed finishes.”
Annette continues, “The
second theme will relate to
primary hues that provide
contrast and inspiration.
Fantasy and whimsy will take
hold and relate to feelings of
escaping the world’s troubles.
An example of this is black
combined with bright shades
of pink, green, and orange.
Mottos like ‘old is new again’
and ‘less is more’ will remain
in 2011.”
52 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
interior distinction
y o u R l i v i n g s p a C e
special advertising section
Practicality
“Customers understand that half of their
energy budget is wasted out windows,”
Gordon says. “Products like EcoSmart
Insulating Shades more than double the
insulating power of windows.” According
to Gordon and his daughter, Kelly Conklin,
the shades deliver a return on investment
of perhaps 20 percent per year.
techNoloGy
Looking for convenience? Try motorized
window treatments. “Shades, blinds, or
draperies can be activated by remotes,
timers, sun sensors, or even an iPhone,”
says Gordon. “We are not far away from
the ability to activate your shades accord-
ing to the energy demand.”
WiNDoW treatMeNtsFrom energy-efficient cellular and Roman shades, eco-friendly bamboo shades and
blinds, or flowing draperies, quality window treatments add beauty to any room.
gordon Clements, owner of gordon’s window decor in essex Junction, says, “The
roll that window treatments play in a home has become more significant since the
fall of the housing market in 2008. Customers are now keeping their homes for
much longer so the consideration paid to items like window treatments has become
more important.”