A recent interview with Wolfgang Trost on:

DESIGN TRENDS

The last decade has seen a further evolution in home design.

Lifestyles change and so does the appreciation of specific design elements and features. The “Baby Boomers” have much influence on these changes with their purchasing power.

Those “maturing” influences are changing home design in many subtle ways. The most important and vital space continues to be the kitchen. The desire to entertain in or near the kitchen is causing intimate hearth rooms to grow in size until they are functioning as great rooms. All family and social activities can be comfortably housed here. Sophisticated audio/video (media) installations are found here. This one special space may have various functions defined by countless options to ceiling volumes, alcoves, window walls, cabinets/built-ins, materials selections, fireplace and seating locations, etc.

The “formal” dining room is being transformed into a library or parlor for collections and heirlooms. The “living room” is shrinking, soon to be a historical artifact. Instead, a main floor “flex” room is preferred. This flexible room may function as a guest room, exercise room, or home office.

The “nesting” instinct is also being reinforced by 50-60 million Americans working at home. This new efficiency will cause more amenities and improvements to become influential to improved lifestyle floor plans.          

Screen porches and/or garden rooms are on priority lists. Outdoor space, such as terraces, courtyards with space for an outdoor BBQ and/or fireplace option are sought after. Many warm climate features are increasingly being adapted to cooler regions.

“Private Zones” have not changed significantly in the last decade. Owner suites are still as roomy as budgets allow. Bath and closets are important and can never be too large or too luxurious.

Custom Homes as well as Remodeling Projects often include “destination” or “themed” recreation room environments in the lower level or basement. Dedicated home theatres costing $25,000.00 - $250,000.00+++ are on Home Owners wish lists.

Home “Styles” may vary from region to region. The Kansas City area has a strong tradition for quality architecture that is very eclectic. A wonderful blend of styles and influences coexist here.

As with most regions of this country, a trend towards traditionalism – classic, true style, authentic – design is gaining favor. Older and wiser Home Buyers desire the “look” of the fine older neighborhoods of the past. Quality and detail is important.

Natural materials, (stone, granite, slate, etc.), rich woods, iron accents, special paint finishes, furniture grade cabinets, smart artful lighting, all this and more is blended together to create a rich, warm, friendly and most of all “comfortable” environment for friends and family.

This is an exciting time for Home Buyers, Architects and Designers. As always, creative thinking is required to both produce a winning living environment as well as stretch the dollars.

Creative talent is evident in hundreds of books and magazines which become an inspiration to the “dream” desired by virtually all of us. Creative talent is a valued resource which should pay for itself many times over.  As a design professional, I wish to share this passion with all my customers.

THE POSSIBILITIES!!!

Interest rates are so incredibly low, even the birds are refinancing their nests and getting in on the act! We’ve been getting advertisements through the mail for rates as low as 3.5%, with the asterisk, mind you. My Mom always told me “Don’t forget to read the small print! Look out for those asterisks!” (Strange word “asterisk”. Is it a coincidence that half of the word is “risk”?)

Why not go for a refinance – even a construction loan on a new house while the possibilities for financing are endless?

Many of us feel the energy and inspiration that the spring and summer months can bring. We decide to begin projects that can be mind boggling. Due to the freshness and rebirth of spring time, we suddenly think we can conquer the world! Why not? There is no better time to accomplish those dreams due to our local financial institutions waiting for us to call them! Especially if your dream is a HOME! Oh my yes, Virginia ! A NEW HOME! Since we all attended the HBA Spring Homes Tour recently, we are more than ready to take the plunge. Frankly, this is an excellent time to realize that dream home you’ve been thinking of - you know, the one with those special rooms that characterize your family’s lifestyle. For example:

-The room where you could have your own home office, with complete state of the art connectibility, bells and whistles at your finger tips, plus a dynamic sound system to go with that big screen TV and a small bar/kitchenette! Remember drawers, cabinets and shelves for storage areas.

-The kids could have a sound proof crafts room for science experiments and projects, arts and crafts fun (don’t forget the sink), planning their next video script complete with make-up, costumes and props, as well as a sewing area when the creative urge hits. Provide for a musical instrument/practice area while you’re at it! This would be a place when the door is closed, it is out of sight - out of mind!

-Remember to allow for the recreation area that can double as other usable space. What might that be? Create an exercise/recreation area if you are pressed for space. Simply plan for storage of games (large or small), play items (toys) and videos/CD’s/DVD’s. Get clever about media placement: flat screen TV, built in speakers, other equipment that is behind cabinet doors or built-in/tucked away out of site. Designate an area for large exercise equipment that can be easily screened. With just a small amount of effort this room can become functional for family use, or transformed into a fun gathering place for group activity when entertaining. Planning and storage are the main keys to make this room work.

-What about a gardening area? Definition: An attractive space with natural light constructed of frost proof, durable materials with storage for larger items such as gardening tools, potting soil, pots for plants, etc. This space would also contain a small sink with counter space, upper cabinets, open shelving below and a drain in the concrete floor. Remember the hose bib! One may consider extending the HVAC into this room. To turn this into a small green house for starting seeds simply place a skylight (or two) overhead with options for a shading apparatus. The exterior door should be wider than average for large objects such as a wheelbarrow or dolly.

-Study/Computer Room: To come straight to the point, wouldn’t it be great to have a study area/computer room? The entire family would benefit immensely from this room. There would be shelving for reference books, storage for computer media and school, computer, office supplies, and a library table with chairs for spreading out photos/papers/research materials when working on projects. A comfortable chair with end table and lamp placed in a corner would be a good place to curl up with a book. Last but not least, the computer station(s) with printer(s) would be accessible and easily monitored, if needed. Also included in this space would be a phone with fax/copy machine.

By now you are probably ready to pick up your phone to schedule an appointment with your loan officer. Right after you talk with them, the next number to call is our office at 913-341-2882! Absolutely! We would love to hear about the rooms you want to create for your dream home! Think of the possibilities!

Have you called us yet?

Hello! My name is Susan.

Susan  
susan@wolfgangtrost.com

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