Pinterest has gained great recognition from do-it-yours enthusiasts, fashionistas, cooks and more, but it’s also a great place to begin if you’re seeking home design ideas. You can easily create “Boards” where you pin ideas you find online or uncover from other online boards. By designating a board per room of your home, you can easily created an online database of products, designs, and ideas that suit your personality and lifestyle. When you initiate your design process with an architect and/or interior design, you can direct them to your online board on Pinterest, where they can easily take your design inspiration and move forward with a design that meets your needs.

Houzz is another great resource offering database of thousands of images which have been collected and posted online by professionals all over the world. These inspirational photos provide individuals, as well as other design professionals, insight to trends in other regions, new products, and ideas. Homeowners can create their own account and “Follow” others. Rather than “Boards”, users create “Ideabooks” where photos can be added and classified. One of the best features with Houzz is the opportunity to ask questions about particular photos and have the architect or designer personally answer the question in the form of a discussion. Links to products in each room can also be added to direct users to the products online.

Here, at ACM Design, we have online accounts with both Pinterest and Houzz where past and current projects have been posted. We invite you to check out each of these sites and discover design trends and ideas that constitute your own design preferences. For more on how we can design a home around your personality and lifestyle, contact us at 828-684-9884 or email us at info@acmdesign.net.

Links to ACM Design on Pinterest & Houzz below:

Textures – Whether on the walls, carpet or furniture, texture is everywhere. It’s creating an intriguing texture which encourages people to use their sense of touch and adds a feeling of warmth and comfort to the space. By appealing to people’s senses, texture can spark interest and conversation.

Stripes – Used in a variety of ways, stripes are seen as an added visual pop, a statement to the room. Stripes can be utilized to enhance a detail of the room, steer visual interest, and even blend a color scheme.

Natural Elements – Wood, stone and other natural elements are being incorporated in an unpolished, unrefined way. Incorporating the natural elements within interior design adds an intimate, homey feeling to the space.

DIY – With popular sites like Pinterest, people are taking it upon themselves to reproduce DIY projects for their home. For example, utilizing shipping pallets in a variety of ways from furniture to frames to garden walls are popular. Custom pieces with personal touch showcase talent and taste.

Industrial/Rustic - From metal bookcases to industrial lighting, these elements add warmth to the the often harsh lines of modern design.

Gold & Brass - Since antique furnishings are making a comeback, its not surprising there’s a resurgence of brass and gold over the go-to metal, silver. These metals are used in light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and accent pieces throughout homes.

The growing popularity of active kitchens led designers and homeowners alike to integrate some of the latest design trends within the kitchen space. Some of the most popular trends in kitchen design are:

• Living Triangle: Consisting of the living, dining, and kitchen space, the living triangle merges three of the commonly used rooms into one cohesive space. The result is an open concept plan to encourage interaction between the rooms and includes a lot of flex space.

• Walk-in Pantries: Walk-in pantries enable homeowners to remove a lot of food and clutter that accumulates in the kitchen area. They prove more cost efficient when compared to the large amount of cabinetry that would be required to store the same amount of food.

• Open Concept: Because of the living triangle, walls are no longer separating the kitchen, living, and dining areas. Instead islands are acting as the defining element between the spaces. Islands are the anchor within the kitchen; people are naturally drawn to gather and interact around them. They provide an eating surface, storage solution, and a work center, proving their need goes beyond the island’s original intentions.

• Command Centers: The inclusion of an IT or command center creates what could be considered an internet cafe within the home. This space accommodates all of the latest technology including a docking station, laptop space and outlets for chargers and wifi. Whether it’s a small nook or a mini office space, the IT center of the home is quickly becoming a standard element in the kitchen.

The way people live continues to drive changes in kitchen design and each year new products are introduced to complement these advances. It’s this innovative kitchen design that creates spaces that work to address how people dine, live, and entertain today. To create a kitchen design centered around you, contact ACM Design at 828-684-9884 to find out about our architectural design services as well as interior design and renovation services.

A common misconception is that one can purchase basic house plans to work on any lot, but in the mountains, these plans most often will require custom alterations to work for a specific piece of property. The modifications can become quite extensive, depending upon the conditions of the property.  The sloped terrain in the mountains requires many homes to be built on multiple levels and with daylight basements to overcome slope factors. It’s likely your mountain property will require excavation to correctly prepare your lot for the home of your dreams.  Experienced assessment of a mountain site to minimize the amount of excavation is a critical first step in minimizing overall construction costs.

When designing a custom mountain home, it is important to hire an architect with a background in residential construction and experience designing for our mountain terrain and elevations. People are drawn to WNC for our fantastic mountain views, and often fall in love with a particular property because of that view.  View properties are generally priced at a premium, so it is wise to consult an experienced architect for a site consultation before your purchase.  This simple step could save many complications and excessive costs during the design and construction process.

Considering the solar orientation of a property and how that will affect the design and long-term maintenance of a home is also an important consideration in selecting a property for purchase. Taking full advantage of southern exposure is an excellent way for your home to reap the benefits of natural light and passive solar features. Understanding both summer and winter solar orientations of your property are important when designing certain details of your home, such as window placements and eave design.

The team at ACM Design has many years of experience designing homes for the mountains of Asheville and Western North Carolina. We can help you from the early planning stages throughout the entire design and build process. Additionally, we’ll help you choose a team of highly skilled and qualified professionals that will bring your dream home to life. For information on how we can help jump start your dream home, visit us online at www.acmdesignarchitects.com or call 828-684-9884.

After finding many consumers and designers sought alternatives to stainless steel, product manufacturers are working hard to find other finishes.  The major complaints with stainless are its commercial appearance and susceptibility to fingerprints. Popular brands such as GE, Whirlpool, and Wolf recently launched new product finishes to compete with the ever popular stainless.

While not completely reinventing the wheel, GE created a new line of “Slate” appliances meant to blend with other finishes such as stainless steel, black and white. “Slate” appears to have more of a warm, matte finish when compared to the shinier stainless, and also offers brushed metal touch points. The overall look of this finish is aimed toward consumers who want a timeless look of appliances that blend with other important design aspects of the kitchen rather than standing out.

Photo Credit: GE Appliances

Whirlpool’s most recent new finish collection is called the Ice Collection. The designers at Whirlpool have taken white appliances up a notch with the new collection featuring a shiny white exterior with metallic accents and a streamlined and modern design. In addition to the white Ice Collection, Whirlpool also has the Black Ice Collection that showcases a black shiny surface and sleek lines.

Photo Credit: Whirlpool

Wolf has focused on black appliances with the introduction of their black glass oven.

Photo Credit: Sub-Zero

Also on the higher end, Viking offers consumers a wide range of color choices for appliances including the typical Stainless Steel, White and Black, but also Sage, Sea Glass, Wasabi, Lemonade, Cinnamon, Cobalt Blue, Racing Red, Chocolate, Plum and many more. Clearly, consumers have their share of color choices when going with a Viking product. See what you think of these color choices:

Photo Credit: Viking Corporation

Stainless steel appliances may have tougher competition as appliance makers are introducing a new wave of product finishes sure to give consumers a wide variety of choices for their appliance needs. Will there be a new king of finishes? Or will stainless remain the top choice for consumers?

As architects and designers, we work hard to find the balance between bringing our clients the latest trends in the home and interior design and creating homes that are timeless.  Regardless of your design direction, at ACM Design we strive for a customized experience to meet the individual architectural and interior design needs of each client resulting in the home of your dreams. For information on how we can help you with your new construction, renovation or interior design project, find out more online at www.acmdesignarchitects.com or give us a call at 828-684-9884.

More photos of the project can be seen on our Houzz Page Here.

For many years the “American Dream Home” increased in size, but for the past few years, trends show that more Americans are opting for smaller, eco-friendly “Dream Homes.” For a variety of reasons, downsizing is becoming an attractive option for many people designing custom homes. Whether they are recent empty nesters, retirees, or adventurers set on traveling, these homeowners are driving the trends for how architects and builders design and build “Dream Home” today.

The term “downsizing” often has negative connotations, relating to the recession impact on the housing market.  If one can get past that negative image, there is a brighter side to downsizing and how smaller custom homes are being designed to redefine the “American Dream Home.”

Architect, Sarah Susanka, authored the “Not So Big House” in 2001 with several books to follow in this popular series.  The book was based on the premise that less is more, in terms of square footage, if the home is well designed.  The reduction of square footage offers more dollars to spend on creature comfort and details that make a home unique and personal.  It is interesting that the roots of this “new” trend began more than a decade ago.

With the growing segment of baby boomers entering retirement, current research indicates that the nature of retirement or second homes is adapting to the new lifestyles of homeowners. For example, recent empty nesters are faced with an abundance of space in their current homes that is no longer needed once their children strike out on their own.  Many empty nesters and retirees are healthy and opt for more active lifestyles which may not include upkeep and maintenance on a larger home.  As the people of this demographic age, they may find that it becomes more physically challenging to keep up with the maintenance a larger home requires.  So by and large, more and more empty nesters and retirees are opting for a smaller, more manageable home with smaller or natural yards. A rising group in this demographic includes the adventurers who want to spend much of their time traveling and do not want the hassle of managing a larger home from afar.

There is also a growing demographic, which defies age categories, that seeks to go “green” and reduce their carbon footprint. Downsizing is a reasonable first step, followed by efficient but comfortable architectural design and construction with eco-friendly materials and building practices.

Larger homes serve well for those families who need and utilize the space in their home and who are able manage the upkeep of the home, but as situations and lifestyles change, many homeowners leaning toward smaller homes that are efficiently designed to meet their needs.

This trend of downsizing informs how custom home design is evolving to match the desires of these homeowners.  This evolution is evident in many ways.

• First and foremost, new custom homes are going greener. In a 2012 study by Yahoo Real Estate, 50% of respondents stated their dream home would have energy efficient or green features. Homeowners realize that decreasing their carbon footprint means decreasing the square footage.
• Incorporating green materials and products, such as skylights and energy efficient appliances, assists with reducing the overall energy usage in a home, which results in lower energy costs over time.
• More homes are being designed with the “family triangle” concept with an open floor plan between the kitchen, dining and great rooms. These areas act as the hub of the home where many people gather. As a result, open concept floor plans are gaining in popularity along with multifunctional spaces that can provide space for a variety of activities which cuts back on the number of rooms needed to satisfy the needs of a homeowner.
• Planning for the future, or “aging in place,” is a growing trend in the design of custom homes. Merging current needs with those of the future result in a home design that can accommodate your needs for many years to come. Making provisions for a future elevator, building framing suitable to add fixtures such as grab bars (whether now or in the future), and making doorways and hallways wide enough for a wheelchair to pass easily are just some of the features homeowners are seeking so their home will meet their needs over time.
• Another rising trend in home design is incorporating a second Master Suite. This addition goes along with the “home within a home” concept as more homes are being inhabited by multiple generations. Whether the second Master Suite is used for an aging parent or a boomerang child, it adds another point of flexibility so the home can be adapted to our changing lifestyles and situations.
• Efficient design does not stop in the home. It extends into the yard and exterior of the home. Planting native plants, opting for a more natural landscape by reducing the amount of grass, drops overall exterior maintenance of the home.

Clearly, whether it’s for a need of less maintenance, a desire to go green, or a wish to simplify, the trend toward smaller, well-designed homes is here to stay.  However, that direction toward smaller does not mean giving up creature comforts or quality.  In fact, this trend is supporting and growing the concept of compact luxury.

Whether you are a recent empty nester or retiree, an adventurous traveler, or merely looking to design a greener home, the architects and designers at ACM Design can help design and decorate a home built around your lifestyle. For more information on how we can help, call us at 828-684-9884 or email us directly at info@acmdesign.net.

For Hallway Storage, Try Recessed Shelving. These are Ikea CD shelves in Wall:

 

 
Recessed wall shelves work in the bathroom too!

 

 
Utilize every Square Inch: Pull out Storage in Tub Surround: Better Homes & Gardens

Pullout Drawers and Cabinets in the Kitchen Make Reaching those Spices & Pots and Pans a Breeze: Houzz

 

 
Under Stair Storage: Reaching beyond typical under stair bookshelves:

 

 
For the Home Office: Pullout Desk & Hidden Storage that’s Accessible:

 

 
Don’t Forget the Garage (this is often where our accumulations are at their worst):

Found on Pinterest
 

 
If you’re in need of more direction and great ideas for your next home project, give us a call or send an email at ACM Design 828-684-9884 or info@acmdesign.net. We’d love to speak with you about your renovation project or new construction design.

If you are interested in discovering the latest in residential products and building trends, and want to explore new homes and Asheville communities, consider touring the AHBA’s 2012 Asheville Parade of Homes. Check out their website at: www.ParadeofHomesAsheville.com

There is no doubt our world is becoming more technologically advanced, and as a result, our lifestyles and “living-styles” are evolving to keep pace with these changes. Our economy has garnered major shifts in workplace practices and environments. Recent technological advances have enabled workers the ability to work remotely quite easily, and the shift towards working from home is affecting the overall design and architecture of residential spaces.

As our homes become more than our place to gather, to rest, to dine, and to celebrate, there are several considerations to make when defining a space deemed our place of “work.”  Carefully considering your type of work and how your work space can make your tasks more efficient is important.  Whether you are renovating an existing home or designing a new home to include a home office, consider the location of the workspace relative to the home’s overall accessibility, natural traffic flow, and natural lighting. Choose a location that is optimal for your nature of work.  If you need a quiet area to focus, select a space that is somewhat secluded.  If you will be meeting clients, locate the home office near an exterior entrance.  If you are catering or baking, carefully consider your kitchen layout and accessibility for deliveries.  Examining your lighting source is crucial too, in order to avoid eye strain work.

Designing a space that facilitates productivity is a priority when it comes to the home office. Consider dividing your space according to your common activities.  For example, you can create a meeting area where you interact with clients, vendors, etc.; a copy/print center where you might create your marketing materials; or a work center where you may assemble products for sale.  Identifying a space for each of your needs will not only create a well organized office, but promote productivity which in turn means more profits.

Finally, consider the amount and location of storage space; the location and electrical requirements to power your computers, printers, and other equipment; lighting and fan locations; as well as your square footage needs.  Designing an office space that is specifically geared towards your needs will aid in making your work efficient.  Don’t forget to add personal touches of photography, art and accessories to give your space a feeling of comfort.  One perk of having your home office is the ability to integrate your own style into the interior design of the space.  The professionals at ACM Design Architecture & Interiors are well versed in home office design as well as interior design for any space of your home. For information on our services, call us at 828-684-9884 or email us at info@acmdesign.net