We are back! Not only is home building rebounding and people are buying new homes again, the International Builders Show has returned to Las Vegas! We just got back from a great week of exploring new products, speaking about design trends and networking with the brightest and best in the industry.
It was great to see so many builders and people in the building trades come to the convention this year. I was asked to speak on a panel that covered "90 Design Ideas in 90 Minutes" and as you can see from the photo it was sold out with people waiting to be let in! Our Lifestylist® trends were very well received, and heard that many of the attendees went out to the show floor to view the products we talked about.
After walking all of the show floors and show homes, these are the top products and trends that we discovered.
On Hand by ODL One of the things I love about this year's Builders Show is that there were products that were innovative but affordable, and On Hand by ODL was one of these. This ingenious product adds storage and a communications center into a door without taking up any additional space in the home. The adjustable shelves make it easy to store everything from hair bows and Lego parts to dog collars and your spice collection. The communications center and be used as a white board, photo gallery, or anything else you want to display - every home needs one of these!
Tub Art by Kohler Bathing has become an art, and as always Kohler is offering products that let us do that in style. Besides the traditional built-in tubs, Kohler presented free standing tubs that would add elegance and artistry to any spa bath. They also showed beautiful faucet sets that added the personal touch. Kitchens and baths continue to be a large focus in the home, and Kohler continues to be the leader in how to make these areas function - beautifully.
Embracing Education Conventions like the Builders Show are a great place to keep up with trends and products. We were so impressed that Clayton Homes - the largest home builder in the US brought their General Managers to the show so they could find the best products and trends. Howard McGirt, General Manager of SE Homes of Texas walked the show with us and shared his thoughts on what was hot and what was not. It's easy to see why this innovative company sells so many homes every year!
500,000 Bottles of Beer Great product - great people. Loved learning how they used 500,000 bottles in the exterior of this building - the ultimate example of recycling and green design. A Realm of Design offers GeeenStone which is made of 100% recycled glass aggregate and 99.8% renewable materials. The glass makes an ordinary exterior extraordinary - they said when the lights shine on the building at night it has a magical iridescence. The company offers numerous products from Fountains to Flooring and ships nationwide.
Light My Fire Fireplaces aren't what they used to be - today's options include alternative fuel, direct or indirect venting, indoor or outdoor applications... the options are endless! The Builders Show offered something for everyone but the message was clear - every home needs a fireplace in it somewhere! I also loved how Heat N Glo talked about trends and consumer requests in their marketing - not just selling but educating.
Glass Houses Glass is showing up in every room of our homes. It was great to see new designs in windows and doors that played with light sources -the future is truly bright! Get ready to see doors and windows that play with the light by using screens and prisms that create patterns in places that you wouldn't expect them. Look for more paints, lighting, and materials that find ways to take advantage of natural lighting.
A BOMB Shelter? Who knew that this form of factory built housing would steal the show. Atlas Survival Structures proved that at the International Builders Show there is something for everyone. These structures are priced starting at $72,000 and apparently these underground homes are gaining acceptance. Lots of people toured the home and had a new perception of what consumers are truly looking for in their new homes.
Touch Technology Touch screen technology is becoming more mainstream, and this is the first year that I can remember when it was actually priced where Middle America could afford it. Schlage showed this system that could be synced with Nexia Home Intelligence and not only could your door locks be controlled and monitored from an ipad, other devices like Trane Heating and Cooling could be as well.
Universal Design Presented Beautifully I loved what Health Craft showed - it completely takes away the stigma of Universal Design and shows products anyone would love to have in their home. The grab bar / towel holder was brilliant, and I also loved the ring that can go around the shower handle. What a great safety device for anyone!
The Thermador Touch Thermador was part of the Gas display, and got lots of traffic and interest in their Pro Grand Steam Range. The common theme was that they loved the knobs and how the ovens "weren't on the floor" it seems a lot of ranges now are placing the lower oven just inches off the floor which makes it next to impossible to get things in and out of them. There was lost of interest in the convection steam side of this oven, and I think that is going to be one of the hottest trends moving forward in cooking.
For more Lifestylist® trends - please visit our website Pinterest and Houzz pages.
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