Posts Tagged ‘Trends’
April 18th, 2011 | 
Author: Greetings friends! It’s hard to believe another year has passed, but we know what that means. Every New Year brings new design trends and 2007 is bursting at the seams with them! Every week I will publish one of my top five favorite emerging trends in design and décor world for 2007, I hope you find it helpful and inspiring.
Innovative ideas, retro styles, and effervescent colors are arriving on the scene as we speak (or read). Whether you are ready for an updated look, or even if you just completed your project, there is something for everyone in the coming year.
These are my top five favorite emerging trends in design and décor world for 2007:
1. DIY- Do It Yourselves, girls and boys! Now, you’re thinking, “why would any designer exploit this idea?!” Well, let me just say that everyone is worthy of beautiful surroundings. Truth be told though, personal designers can be pricey! Now there are a lot of situations where we should leave it to the professionals, but not in every case. With numerous programs, blogs, and publications sharing great ideas with the general public, there is no reason not to be taking advantage! I was just at Lowe’s the other day and I picked up a great book called 1001 Paint & Color Ideas. I have only done a minor amount of faux finishing in my lifetime, but in about 2 hours the backsplash of my new kitchen had a mosaic finish! I think the whole project probably cost me ! Faux finishing is one of the many DIY projects available! Just keep your eyes and mind open to new ideas, and let your creative side free!
2. Understated lines are where it’s at! Open any number of home magazines, walk into a furniture store, or just watch your favorite sitcom! Whether it be sofas, occasional tables, or patterns on rugs, designers are leaning towards simple, not-so-busy designs. I believe the roots of this trend directly correlate with the chaos that our every day lives can bring. When we are at home we want to feel relaxed and comfortable. Simplicity in your décor can and will do that for you. Also, if you are an art enthusiast like myself, you will find that even the most dynamic piece of artwork (Klimt is one of my favorites) will fit perfectly in an otherwise calm and uncomplicated space.
3. Little changes make big differences! So many people concentrate on the bigger aspects of design to give a room a makeover. What they don’t realize is that the little things can make such a big difference! Drawer pulls and knobs, pottery, artwork, mirrors and one of my most recent favorites-unique headboards! I am a huge fan of Japanese style! So, when my husband and I moved into our new apartment a couple weeks ago, one of the few things that we didn’t need to buy was a bed frame. I love the idea of a bed on the floor–it’s easy, and it’s great feng shui! One thing that I have really been looking into is creating a unique headboard. There are some fabulous ideas for this! For example, find a horizontal piece of artwork, frame it to fit the width of your mattress and hang it on the wall above your bed (leave about 6 inches between the top of the mattress and the bottom of the work). Or, buy a number of blank, ready-made canvases and paint them the color(s) of your choice. Then, hang them on the wall in a level row (or do several rows) behind your bed (the same concept can be used by stretching fabric over the canvases). One of my favorite ideas is to use a Japanese screen as a headboard. There are numerous styles! Just pull your bed out a bit from your wall to allow the screen to bend at the hinges.
4. Comfort through color is the essence of a great décor. Many people are not aware of just how big of a role color plays in surrounding. The color of a roomaffects a person mentally, emotionally, and physically. This year the forecast seems to be leaning towards finding comfort and stability in unpredictable times. The environmental crisis is an issue that we cannot continue to ignore, and the design industry was one of the first to take it on board. This year the color forecast is directly affected by earth friendly concepts. “There’s more interest in organic products, yoga and Pilates, recycling, and conservation of fuel and fresh water.” (Becky Ralich Spak senior designer, Color Marketing and Design, Sherwin-Williams) Natural greens, blues, and golds are finding their way into homes as well as fashion, automobile, and web design. Think the Impressionists-Cezanne, Monet, and Manet. Sherwin-Williams forecasts colors like Naval, Inland, Sapphire, Gallant Gold, and Raindrop for this palette. Another beautiful palette brings comfort with cultural perspective. Influences from Eastern cultures bring warmth and creative influence into our homes. Bold and rich colors like maroons, plums, and oranges may seem risky to put together, but when you look at Eastern prints and fabrics, they couldn’t be a more beautiful combination. Still not convinced? Check out Modigliani, Klimt, and Degas who all blend rich and bold to create masterpieces. Sherwin-Williams forecasts colors like Marooned, Gingery, Aurora Brown, and Fine Wine for this palette.
5. Give me personal space! It seems like no matter what our clients’ style may be, they are always eager to fit their intimate belongings into the space. There has been a turn from the standard matchy-matchy décor. This year the industry expects people to go more eclectic, adding heirlooms, artwork, antiques, and ‘forgottens’ in the attic to even their most prized rooms. To reiterate from before, people are intrinsically looking for comfort. These times are fast, impersonal, and mass-produced. We deal with enough of that at work, and the general public doesn’t want it at home. So, take a gander in the attic, under the bed, or in that old closet that hasn’t been opened for five years, you may find something you like!!!
Well, can you see the general focus of these 2007 trends? People are interested in becoming more at one with their homes again. Rather than the cold, catalogue, show home look of the past, homeowners are focusing on what makes them feel comfortable in their space. Where is the pride in a beautiful home that you cannot unwind in? And what gives us more pride than playing a part in creating our own surroundings? Be open, creative, and make a home that makes you feel good! Happy New Year!
For the various Ikea stores the catalogs that are produced showcase the different products that you can expect to buy. These catalogs such as the Ikea Catalogue UK gives to its customers is free and shows the current products that you can buy. From the catalog you will be able to get ideas about how to decorate your various living spaces.
This Ikea catalogue UK branch prints out each year is an excellent way for you to see what products you can buy that are space saving in nature. With the catalog you also have the opportunity of choosing the products that you would like to have. This is one really great way for you to choose products that can be used as gifts for your family and even for friends.
The many different products that are shown in the Ikea Catalogue UK will help you to plan out the good items you will need. You can even take the decorating ideas and space saving methods that have been displayed in the pages of the Ikea catalog. You will also be able to see the many new products that are on display at the Ikea store itself.
As there are so many different products that Ikea produces for its ever growing customer base, the catalog range has increased to reflect this need. You will find the Ikea catalogue UK stores provide to their customers have been divided into a number of different catalogs also.
These new catalogs that you can buy or order from Ikea will showcase beautiful and new products that are available from the different sections of the store. For instance there is a catalog that is available for equipping an office. The Ikea catalogue UK version will show the various office products that you can buy from any of the UK Ikeas stores.
Meanwhile the bedroom catalog will allow you to see what furniture is suited for decorating any bedroom that you envision. The price that will be shown in the catalog will let you calculate just how much you can afford to splurge on furniture. You will also be able to plan the setting of the bedroom furniture if you are redecorating your home.
These are not the only Ikea catalogs that you will be able to pick up from your local Ikea store or the internet. There are still others that will not just provide ideas but these will let you choose how to decorate your home the Ikea way. You and the Ikea catalogue UK are moving to the drumbeats of Swedish furniture trends.
Meet 40-year-old Shane Dawley and his 36-year-old wife, Rhonda. Because of the troubled economy, they decided it was time to flee the rat race and adopt a more self-reliant lifestyle. So they transplanted their family from suburban Atlanta and moved to a five-acre farm outside Ogdensburg, Wisconsin.
The Dawley’s do not have any previous farming experience but they felt it was time for a change. So for the first time they are learning how to raise chickens, garden and hunt. ”Our generation has never seen anything like this,” says Mr. Dawley of the economic downturn. “Fear sometimes is a good thing and will push you to do things you ordinarily wouldn’t.”
While real estate in and around the big cities is still spiraling downward, the rural market is holding up better in many areas, thanks in part to new landowners such as the Dawley’s.
These city folks are sometimes dubbed “Ruralpolitans,” as they are looking to land as their new safe investment, one they hope could prove to be more stable than their jobs and 401(k)s—and provide a more secure lifestyle.
Why are more and more people thinking of transitioning to a rural area? Here are couple of reasons:
Suburbanites, such as the Dawley family, who have decided to give up their jobs in the big city to escape the urban sprawl. Those that wish to live far away from others by creating a self-sustaining lifestyle as they fear a further weakening economy and possible future chaos. Those that are intrigued by the idea of hobby farming – either for recreation or profit. More and more young people are buying land for investment with the vague hope to one day live on it.
The Wall Street Journal states “While the 76 million-strong baby boomers eyeing retirement represent the largest “Ruralpolitan” segment, they’re being joined by a growing contingent of 20-to-early-40-somethings freshly imprinted by this recession’s pain.”
Land offers a unique form of security in the midst of a troubled economy.
United broker Inez Freeman Pahlmann in West Plains, Mo., cites “a big, big trend toward the younger generation moving back to the rural” areas to be more self-sufficient, even if they sacrifice their income potential. Also, broker Tom VanHoose in Great Falls, Mont., says young clients in their late 20s and 30s have jumped from just a handful a few years ago to 15% of his business.
“Most of these kids say they’ve just saved and want to put their money someplace that won’t go away,” Mr. VanHoose says. “They see General Motors and AIG go down and they are asking, ‘Gee, can my company go down?’ There’s a lot of angst and anxiety. They’ve seen their parents’ stock investments lose 30% to 40% and think: ‘If I buy this piece of property and all else fails, I’ve still got this piece of property.’ “
History has shown that in times of economic downturns that some opt for an escapist lifestyle. As the so called “Great Recession” continues on with high unemployment coupled with much uncertainty, more and more individuals – young AND old – will continue to seek out rural land for their future.
Let’s not forget the retiring baby boomers who are craving more-remote properties to escape to. They will continue to buy land like never before. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, the rural population age 55-85 will increase by 30% between 2010 and 2020.
But other factors, such as easy cost effective ways to access the Internet, are giving this current Ruralpolitan trend new longevity, particularly among younger generations. Also, new homes can be more affordably powered by solar or wind so homes built in rural areas won’t necessarily rely on the expensive local utility companies.
Also, two other variables that in the recent past have keep people from buying land (but now they are becoming non-issues): The price of gas and the distance to supplies and amenities.
Price of gas – most people who move to rural areas want to escape the problems of civilization. They will limit their time away from their property by performing all their errands on the same trip thus saving on costly frequent excursions.
Supplies – Wal-Mart is sensing this migration to rural destinations and is opening most of their new Supercenters in rural crossroad cities. This opens up pockets of rural areas originally thought too far from amenities and supplies. And with these new stores leads to increased land values in the surrounding areas.
“Everybody is looking for the next opportunity for hope.”
Owning land will bring that hope to many.
There is no question that the Las Vegas real estate market has recently exploded. And it is expected to continue on this upward trend for quite some time. Here are 3 trends for 2007 Las Vegas Real Estate. If you’ve been considering entering this market it’s definitely time to take action before it is just too expensive to get into.
Las Vegas Real Estate Growth Trend
The primary trend for Las Vegas real estate in the past three years has been one of continuous growth and because it is such a strong trend both buyers and developers are having a very difficult time keeping up with the rapidly increasing prices.
As fast as these homes hit the Las Vegas real estate market it seems that they are sold and there’s no one type of house that’s breaking all the barriers. Both condos and single family homes are equally in demand.
From a seller’s point of view this fantastic Las Vegas real estate market isn’t passing anyone by. It’s anticipated demand is going to continue to exceed supply in 2007 and that means construction is going to be on the rise with new development playing a significant role in the market.
It’s difficult to predict just where the average home will land up in price as a lot depends on development and how many homes actually land up on the Las Vegas real estate market making it very difficult to try to predict what the market place value will be overall. Once again the Las Vegas real estate market is going to be a very hot commodity.
Las Vegas Real Estate Buyers Are Becoming Wealthier
Today a more affluent buyer is flocking to Vegas and entering the Las Vegas real estate market. The weather is very attractive and there is plenty of entertainment two reasons why Vegas is attracting these buyers with plenty of time on their hands looking for a host of entertainment opportunities to be at their disposal. Their high disposable income has them buying expensive luxurious homes.
Las Vegas Real Estate Buyers Will Be Younger
2007 is predicted to see even younger faces enter the market. The Generation X is becoming a market contender rather quickly recognizing the opportunity there investment grow and an unprecedented pace. And with the average house price ranging in the Las Vegas real estate market coming in around the 0,000 mark that is definitely not going to break the bank. These young buyers are extremely knowledgeable about the market they are buying in. And they are also an extremely demanding bunch because they aren’t just looking for a home they are looking at an investment.
The Las Vegas real estate trends for 2007 see this market staying very hot and very lucrative for although the increased demand has caused an increase in prices compared to other parts of the country Las Vegas is still offering some very affordable housing prices and the Las Vegas Real Estate market continues to be one of the most active markets in America.
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Surprise, surprise here we are back in a really strong market. I am cautiously optimistic that we are pulling out of the Global recession and real estate consumers in Toronto certainly seem to agree. Although the weather wasn’t spectacular it has been a great summer for Toronto real estate agents and their clients.
It has gone against conventional economic wisdom, but in August 2009 according to TREB’s August Market Watch Toronto Real Estate Agents reported 8,035 sales, which is up 27% over August 2008. The average price rose 6% to 7,921 compared to the same month in 2008. Toronto real estate came through this past year relatively unscathed. People haven’t earned the standard 8%-10% annual increase in property value that they had gotten use to over the past decade, but as of right now Toronto property values have increased by just less than half of a percent over the last 8 months according to TREB reports. The total number of transactions has gone up two percent to 58,421 compared to the first 8 months of 2008.
As a pat on the back for all REALTORS we are being given some credit in helping the economy recover. Along with the transactions in Real Estate our business leads to home buyers’ spending money on lots of other things like mortgage and legal services, moving expenditures, renovations, appliances and furnishings for a home.
I was starting to really enjoy being in a more balanced market, it is great to be able to negotiate one on one with someone. Something that I learned over this past year is that people can truly make money in bad times and good. I had several clients buy over this past year and they are all really happy that they did, they may have taken a slight loss on the sell side, but they made up for it on the discounted purchase, now they are getting to tell their friends about their Trump-like instincts. It is always good to hear people excited about real estate.
While TREB reported a modest increase in overall property prices for Toronto some neighbourhoods have been trading significantly above their 2008 prices. One area that comes to mind is Leslieville. I have been hearing the first time buyer ghost stories about homes that sold with 15 offers and other frightening rumours like that. I am always mindful about clients getting involved in multiple offers and overpaying due to the pressure. I believe that you need a very sound strategy heading into those situations and know what your top offer is well before the presentation time. Every house has a certain value where it goes from a great house to a bad investment. I am keen on having clients come back to me several years after they purchase and being able to make some money when they sell.
With these situations becoming realty you also need to be cautious about buying into an area that is bubbling. Your average renovated semi-detached home in Leslieville has gone from 0K-0K up to 0K plus in the worst economy the world has seen in 70 years. That is a little concerning to me. Not because I don’t think Leslieville is a good area or a great investment, it just means that I am very cautious about multiple offers and over paying into an area that hasn’t really proven itself yet. Someone was just shot and killed at Dundas and Jones a few weeks ago. If you are willing to spend 0K maybe you can find an area that has proven itself a bit more.