Jun. 3, 2007 - Raleigh NC Real Estate>>Triangle Design Trends
All parts of the country have different styles and feels. The Triangle area of North Carolina has a number of trends in home building that seem a perfect match for Carolina living. Brick, for example, continues to have a strong presence, not only because it’s made nearby from Carolina clay, but also, many folks moving in are seeking interesting design, low maintenance and longevity. Brick offers it all.
Porches, screened, or open, retain immense popularity in the Triangle, as do open air decks that invite star-gazing and bird-watching. With alfresco living possible most months of the year, these outdoor rooms invite neighborly get-togethers, and expand the livable areas at relatively little cost. In this New Urban design, porches harken back to earlier Southern communities where sitting on the porch was an invitation for strolling families to stop and visit for a while.
Inside Triangle homes, floor coverings include area rugs over gorgeous hardwood floors. Hardwood flooring is one of the few investments a home owner will make that pays dividends when they decide to sell. The Triangle’s newest homeowners are finding that adding a ceramic finish increases durability and adds a beautiful look to wood floors.
In addition to hardwood floors, there is a trend toward limestone and coral floors as well. And, media rooms are approaching. Families want to enjoy entertainment at home and furniture manufacturers such as InHouse, Pottery Barn and Lane are designing super comfortable lines for these specialized areas. The trend continues for open spaces where entertaining and family gatherings flow naturally from eating to living areas, or to the porch. And builders are adding rooms that are flexible in their utilization, serving as an extra bedroom, home office, hobby room, or cozy den.
Many people moving from the frost belt are changing from more compartmentalized living to wide open space design, with open nooks and easy flow into dining areas. Architecturally, we are seeing people adding more amenities to their homes, with lots of solid surfaces and appliance upgrades. More often than ever before, you’ll see lower Fireplaces that accommodate plasma TV’s and a mirror over them. In addition, we’re seeing a large inflow of seniors looking for affordable single level homes, for future resale and retirement. Kitchen islands are also more popular than ever.
We’re also seeing an increase in architectural shingles, and fences with a wrought-iron look. Anything low maintenance is popular. We’re seeing several different trends in urban living. Another design trend that we are seeing is the Traditional Neighborhood Development style (also, called TND or New Urban) mentioned earlier. These communities come with a higher density and plenty of preserved green space.
Empty nesters and retirees are particularly attracted to the New Urban design. It reminds them of neighborhoods from their childhood – the type of environment conducive for neighbor interaction, making new friends…fitting in quickly. In fact, a recent article in the AARP Bulletin explores empty nesters who are returning to the city to be within walking distance of food markets, museums, bistros, entertainment and life-long learning centers.
Throughout the Carolinas, “green building” is being recognized as a critically important avenue to protect the region’s environmental assets. The U.S. Green Building Council LEED Program (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) has 21 projects registered for LEED certification.
Go ask a home design expert about all the new options and you’ll receive a variety of answers that lead down similar paths. It’s a sure bet that for those moving in, high quality, low maintenance, open space flexibility and “small palace” comforts are root motivations.
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