One trend that I think is smart on many levels is that the average home size has begun to shrink after years of getting bigger and bigger. It's a movement that has a lot to do with 'The Not So Big House' series written by Sarah Susanka. With an emphasis on a home that works well, rather than square footage, the idea is that resources that would have once been spent on the mere size of the home can instead be allocated to creating one with quality craftsmanship and detailing.
Witt Construction
One of the best examples I came across while looking for a home that embraces these aspects on Houzz, is the 2009 Showcase Home in Saratoga Springs, NY. This gorgeous home was built by John Witt of Witt Construction, who explains:
"More and more clients these days are asking for a low-maintenance, green home that doesn’t take up too much of the planet. Yet, they don’t want to compromise on quality, style, or living a good life in a good house."
How does John achieve these objectives? Through good design and attention to all the details. Plenty of well-designed and carefully conceived built-ins add architectural style and storage for everything from media centers, books, clothing and china. The other beauty of built-in storage is that it can replace furniture, so a small space does not become a cluttered space.
A smaller house also has other advantages. Utilizing new technologies and buiding trends, it can be very energy-efficient. Taxes are typically less than a larger home and there is less maintainance, in both the interior and on the exterior.
To read the entire Houzz Ideabook in which I cover more trends I'd like to see more of in 2011 click here.
And of course...Happy New Year!!! Janell
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