It’s been estimated that if you live to be 75, you will spend a total of 1.5 years of your life in the bathroom. Why wouldn’t you want to make this space a top priority when designing or redesigning your home?

Modern innovations have cleared the way for bathrooms to cater to our every need and desire while taking into consideration the new technologies. For example, toilets are no longer the simple necessities we’ve come to depend on. Ultra-modern toilets exhibit new specs like comfort design, high efficiency flushing systems, bidet and washlets, and even power lid systems and lighting built into the toilet’s design.

Simple shower heads have evolved to mimic “natural” influences, with the trend towards rain-head designs, ceiling mounted shower heads, waterfall showers, and even chromotherapy lighting. Taking it a step further, the shower heads are commonly accompanied by side jets and sprays. Complete shower systems even allow for hydro massage and full temperature control and monitoring at the press of a button.

Picking out your flooring could take a little longer with new heating systems to keep your feet toasty on the cold tile, stone or hardwood flooring. These radiant heating systems install easily under your flooring and make a big difference throughout the year, especially during the colder months.

For those who want televisions in the bathroom, you can now look into the mirror to watch your favorite shows and news. Recessed mirror TV’s are simple mirrors until turned on, then a TV appears within the mirror. This technology is an elegant way to save space without the clutter of a traditional television. The New York Times Company, R&D Lab has a new “Magic Mirror” in the works which showcases a human-computer interface with voice recognition to allow access the internet through the mirror. This new technology would allow you to check email, shop, access social networks and browse the web from the bathroom. Before long, we will be fully connected, regardless of the room we’re in.

ACM Design can help you from day one to design and build the bathroom refuge you’ve been dreaming about. For more information contact us at 828-684-9884.

View a video of Amy Conner-Murphy showcasing her work on HGTV Remodels here:

HGTV Online Video of ACM Design

Architecture and interior design professionals are regularly called upon to transform existing homes or to design new homes that satisfy the needs of aging homeowners. With universal design ideas and products, it’s becoming easier to custom design your home to meet the demands presented within every life stage. Innovative companies are developing products targeted towards the aging consumer from kitchen cabinet and countertop design, door handles more suited towards arthritic hands, shower and bath design for the aging, and more. As you begin thinking more about your future, take time to consider how your home’s design will effect your future. At ACM Design we help you plan ahead, designing a home that encompasses your lifestyle now as well as make your life as comfortable as possible in the coming years. We help incorporate design principals that extend beyond level entries and open floor plans, but create innovative solutions to designing the home of your future dreams.  Your home is more than bricks and mortar, it’s your refuge.  Why not make plans now to preserve your refuge for many years to come?

• Pet friendly construction materials
• Cabinets with pull-out food storage and bowl storage
• Bath/Shower units for pets in mudrooms/storage areas
• Pet beds/crates built into furniture design
• Fabrics that are durable, easy to clean and resistant to claws, paws, and fur.
• Paint finishes that are easy to clean such as semi-gloss or satin over flat
• Carpeting on stairs to prevent slipping; on wood flooring steer clear of the those that show scratches..all carpets should be stain resistant
• With furniture, take a look at metal framing and legs to prevent chew marks
• Central vacuum system to make cleanup a breeze
• Design should extend to the exterior of your home with pet friendly vegetation, fencing, and hardscapes that are gentle on the paws

The team at ACM Design takes time to clearly understand all the needs of our homeowners, from form and function to aesthetics and even pets. Our portfolio of work extends throughout WNC with testimonials speak that for themselves. For an architectural and design team with a personal commitment to your custom home or renovation project, contact ACM Design to get your dreams on track to become a reality.

Sliding windows and doors are transforming the design, feel, and function of residential spaces. Here at ACM Design, we have extensive experience on a project utilizing both liftslide and bifolding exterior doors as a main design feature on the home’s facade, allowing the homeowners to experience the full pleasures of nature from the convenience of home. The “convertible” ability of these doors is a modern approach to architectural design, lending itself to satisfy both the interior and exterior desires of the home’s residents.

Whether you are building a new custom home or renovating your existing home, exploring new trends in architecture like liftslides and bifolding doors can open up a whole world of possibilities in customizing your dwelling. At ACM Design, our team specializes in designing a home built around you and your lifestyle. Contact us to find out how we can incorporate the latest trends in your style of choice. For more information on these doors, check out the links below:

• Weiland Sliding Doors and Windows
• Panda Windows & Doors

*Photo from Weiland Sliding Doors and Windows

Antique and architectural salvage shops are plentiful in and around the Asheville area, offering one-of-a-kind treasures, from antique beams and details, stained glass windows, furniture, art and accessories. Why not add an antique armoire to your bedroom, reclaimed beams in your kitchen, or a vintage glass vase to your dining room? It’s easy to blend the age old finds of yesteryear with the modernities plentiful today. Besides, it’s another way to live sustainable by; giving new life to an object which may otherwise rest in our landfills.

From outdoor kitchens, dining terraces, living spaces and pools, your backyard oasis can be as spacious or as cozy as you dream it to be. For many, the outdoor focus is on the kitchen where the design is often similar to the configuration required for main house kitchens. Outdoor kitchens now accommodate traditional fixtures like sinks, refrigerators, grills, pizza ovens, wine coolers, cabinets and storage compartments. It’s important to keep in mind the workflow, foot traffic and function when defining the space, designing an outdoor kitchen is not a project to take lightly or without the expertise of a professional.

Other enhancements to your outdoor space can include a firepit or fireplace, dining terrace, shade gazebo or pergola, pavilion, water features, pools, and spas. There are endless possibilities when designing a space adaptable to not only your relaxing needs but your entertaining as well. Whether your remodeling or building new, your outdoor “floor plan” should have the same attention to detail as your main house to ensure you utilize your site’s full potential while adhering to the restrictions your landscape can present. The team at ACM Design has the experience designing homes and outdoor spaces around the needs of clients throughout the entire Asheville and Western North Carolina region. For your custom home or renovation, contact ACM Design to see how our design experience is unmatched.

When buying windows for your new custom home or renovation, do your homework. Window technology has made great advancements towards improving efficiency, increasing durability and decreasing maintenance. From low emissivity, low conductivity spaces, Energy Star ratings, coatings and gas fillings and other technologies, windows are doing more now than ever.

One advancement, low emissivity, or Low-e, glass refers to the specialty coatings applied to the glass surface that reflect radiant infrared energy. This in turn keeps the radiant heat on the side of the glass which it originates from; the sun’s heat and damaging UV light is reflected out in the summer and your home’s heat is reflected back inside during the winter. Multiple panes of glass are used in Energy Star windows to increase efficiency, impact resistance, and sound insulation. Between these panes of glass, gas fillings such as argon, krypton or other gas, are used for their increased insulation capabilities over regular air.  Additionally, the material chosen for your windows affects the maintenance, durability and efficiency. Your window frames and sashes can vary in material from wood, fiberglass, vinyl and aluminum, each having their own pros and cons. For example, vinyl provides lower maintenance but cannot be painted, while wood frames can be painted or stained but result in more maintenance over time.

The style of windows available vary greatly, so be sure that your window choices match the architecture of your home. Simply replacing windows can create an entirely new look to your current home while improving efficiency and life your space. Because there are so many options available, take time to find out which window matches your home and your lifestyle. Remember to shop for windows as you would any other investment and take time to do your research.

Home Office Deduction: Working out of your home has become more commonplace and the IRS has certain deductions you can take on your taxes relating to the home office. Some qualifying deductions include office equipment and software, fees charged to accounts, and even a percentage of home utilities such as phone and internet used for business.

Home Improvement and Energy Credits: Check out the IRS website for a list of home improvement credits you may qualify for if you made any renovations or home improvements that reduced your energy consumption. Maximum credits available are $1500 (30% of total cost).

Mortgage Interest & Property Taxes: The costs of owning a home are great, but luckily you can write off some of these expenses at tax time. Your mortgage interest may be deductible if the loan balance is up to $1,000,000. Also take a look to see if you qualify for PMI (Private mortgage insurance) deductions. In most cases, the amount you pay in property taxes each year is fully deductible.

Moving & Selling Costs: If 2010 brought about the sale of your home and a relocation you may be eligible for tax write offs that relate to the costs associated with these. You may quality for deducting selling costs (those associated with the sale of your home) such as broker fees, inspection fees, title insurance and other costs. If a new job caused your relocation (50+ miles away), travel fees such as moving costs, expenses for lodging, storage fees, etc. could be deductible.

Be sure to contact your tax preparer to confirm which home-related tax advantages apply to your specific situation.

Green is Here to Stay: Countless articles and press have focused on the green trends that surround us, and we think it’s safe to say that green is here to stay. As green becomes the new standard in home design and interiors, ecofriendly product choices and construction processes will dominate the industry.
Custom, Custom, Custom: The many years of adorning your home with “ready made” rooms from magazine pages and catalogs are disappearing, and we’re ready for 2011 to bring custom creations to the forefront of design. With cookie-cutter products out the window, handcrafted accents, custom cabinetry, one-of-a-kind furnishings and other unique products are taking our homes up a notch on the “personal” scale.
Bring the Outside In: We all love fresh air and natural light. This love is creating a push towards opening our homes to the outdoors. With skylights, more windows, expansive doors that open to the outdoors, and outdoor living spaces on the rise, 2011 will bring about a great change in how we alter our homes to incorporate the outside.
Homes Built Around Our Lifestyles: Housing trends show that more and more homeowners are scaling down the space in which they live. They are looking for smaller, more compact designs that place a greater emphasis of how we live. Kitchen and bedroom design are getting special attention as we craft these areas to optimize functionality and comfort.
Paint and Color: Take bold color off the walls and apply it to your accents. Rather than masking walls with bright colors, we are toning down the shades into a more traditional palette. Timeless hues are creating the perfect backdrop for vivid colors and patterns to appear in our accessories. Our ceilings are also getting a mild makeover as we are embellishing those with color also.
Enhancing the Interiors: Dress up your rooms with architectural accents such as crown moldings and columns and make your space appealing and comfortable with furnishings that reflect your personality. Don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit either; pairing old heirlooms with modern accents will create a charming space that’s a great conversation piece.

Quite simply, 2011 is all about personalizing your space while staying ecofriendly. You are the focus of your home and 2011 is the time to showcase your personality through the character of your home.