Starting a new home improvement project can be daunting, especially if you aren't sure what you like. To help out, we sat down with Milford-based interior designer, Lisa Heldwhite (Breakwater Renovation & Design), to discuss current and upcoming home trends.
What are some popular paint colors at the moment?
Neutral paint colors are timeless and will always be popular. Grey certainly had its moment over the last several years, but now the trend is starting to move toward warmer off-white tones. Dramatic jewel tone colors, such as navy blue and ruby red, are being used on accent walls.
As an interior designer, my recommendation to homeowners is to pick colors that appeal to them and that they will enjoy looking at every day. I work with them to select a color that coordinates well with the other finishes in the home and then I ask, “Do you love this color?” If the answer is no, we work on selecting something else.
What challenges and trends have you seen regarding kitchens and bathrooms?
I think one of the most undervalued elements of kitchen and bathroom projects is time: the time required to plan, select, and coordinate all of the details in these rooms often gets underestimated. Kitchens and baths are some of the most difficult rooms to renovate because there are so many components and choices to make.
In cabinetry, we are seeing a lot of lighter wood tones. That said, white painted cabinetry will always be a timeless option, and painted cabinetry in various colors is also still very popular.
Tile seems to be going in one of two directions: either understated and neutral or bold, decorative patterns.
Regarding hardware, we're noticing that more people are selecting durable, high-quality hardware. Homeowners are recognizing the importance of what these last selections add to the finished rooms.
Social media would have us believe that open floor plans are waning in popularity. What is your take?
Homeowners are still requesting an open floor plan for the main central spaces in the home, usually the kitchen and living area for day to day family gathering and entertaining. Concurrently, there has been a shift back to more traditional separate rooms like home offices and kids playrooms.
The first step in the design process is getting to know who the clients are, how they live, what they like about their existing home, and what they want for their new space. With this initial information, we are able to offer guidance and recommendations on what type of floor plan would be best for their individual lifestyle, rather than what current trends or social media are broadcasting.
What are some challenges of doing additions and what major exterior changes have you seen over the last few years?
In designing and building additions, one of the biggest challenges is working within the constraints of the existing house: creating balance with existing window and door locations, tying existing rooflines into new ones in a way that ensures functionality and aesthetics, coordinating new siding with existing – these elements require a thoughtful approach.
The most notable exterior shift has been the installation of black windows in place of white. Other shifts include patios instead of decks, vertical board and batten siding, and modern, clean-lined details rather than ornate classical detail.
Which elements are homeowners likely to overlook in the design process?
Defined scope, quantity, and size are details that homeowners are more likely to miss without professional guidance. Creating too many focal points in a room, trying to include all the different types of finishes or elements they love, selecting furniture that is too big or too small, not accommodating paths of travel – these are all important considerations that are easily overlooked.
"The first step in the design process is getting to know who the clients are, how they live, what they like about their existing home, and what they want for their new space."