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Top 2021 Design Trends to Watch

February 18, 2021 By C21 Communications

Our homes became the center of our worlds in 2020. As we move forward into 2021, what home design trends are expected to emerge? Here are some top predictions from interior designers.

Neutrals Mixed with Bold Colors – Neutral tones will never go out of style, but some homeowners are saying “yes” to pops of color. Pantone led the way by choosing not just one, but two independent colors for 2021: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating (a cheery yellow). As Pantone explained, the combo of a neutral and vibrant hue “highlights how different elements come together to support one another.” Now isn’t that the story of 2021?
Entertainment Spaces — “Staying in is the new going out,” says designer Brad Ford. Expect more attention paid to creating entertainment opportunities at home with bigger TVs, better sound systems, mood lighting, lounge seating, and substantial dining tables that mimic the feeling of going out.
Multi-Functional Living Rooms – Now, more than ever, living rooms need to be comfortable, approachable, and functional. Designers are refashioning these spaces by adding a games table, library table, and several seating areas for reading and relaxing that allow the family to be together in the same room no matter the activities they’re doing.

Which style are you?

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Real Estate Trends to Watch in 2021

January 21, 2021 By C21 Communications

With 2020 in the rearview mirror, what’s in store for the real estate market in 2021?

Strong demand and more homes hitting the market in 2021 will mean a healthy rate of growth for 2021. Expect seasonal trends to normalize with a strong spring/summer and slower fall/winter season. While the heated home price growth of 2020 might simmer down in 2021, home prices are still expected to rise. Mortgage rates are at historic lows, which has helped builders and developers finance their projects. As a result, experts are predicting that more new homes will be built in 2021 than in any year since 2006. And last but not least: major migrations are still on the move in 2021. Remote work, which set off a domino effect of increased homeownership in 2020, will continue to drive buyers from high-cost cities to suburban and rural areas with lower-cost housing.

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The Home Gym Gets a Makeover

December 9, 2020 By C21 Communications

Where you work matters as much as where you work out. Like the home office, the home gym has moved from afterthought to forethought in the COVID era. Affluent homeowners are now creating workout spaces loaded with personal style. Whether it’s designing around Peloton bikes and Mirror systems or creating complete wellness suites for relaxation, the new home gym is all about you.

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Terrazzo flooring has stood the test of time, enduring for centuries as a durable and versatile surface.

November 19, 2020 By C21 Communications

To arrive in Venice for the first time is to be transported into a completely unique world—a city of gothic buildings floating on water, where grand palaces and churches stand above the ubiquitous canals, and an array of building materials is on permanent display. From the dusty-rose clay bricks that can be found on the exteriors of houses, palaces and churches, to the dazzling white Istrian stone that typifies many of the grander Venetian establishments, and the marble mosaics that adorn surfaces throughout the city, Venice is a city of contrasting textures and styles—and this is something that is reflected in one of its most famous exports: terrazzo flooring.

You might know it as that speckly concrete from government buildings of the 1970s and ’80s, but this hybrid flooring material was actually created in the 15th century. Venetian mosaic workers would gather up offcuts of marble and repurpose them, combining them with clay and other materials to use for flooring in their own residences. The workers would grind the stone down for an even walking surface, but without being coated, the color of the aggregate flecks would not emerge; terrazzo was merely a convenient and utilitarian choice for flooring.

The flooring style gained popularity when workers refined the process of installation by creating a grinding stone called a galeto to even out the surface, and discovering that a coating of goat milk would bring out the color and sheen of the stone. Since then, technology has advanced (and coatings other than goat milk have been developed), and terrazzo has established itself as a durable and attractive flooring material, first in Italy, and then across the globe.

In palaces and buildings throughout Venice, terrazzo is omnipresent, having been chosen for its aesthetic appeal and durability. In the centuries since its invention, the surface has made its way around the world, and recently, it has enjoyed a resurgence as a style statement in modern architecture and design.

David Filippi, Vice President of American Terrazzo Co., has a long family history with terrazzo, beginning with his great-grandfather Antonio’s emigration from Italy to the United States. Antonio Filippi set out for the United States from a small town called Casasola, not far from Venice, in the early 1900s. After an arduous journey and years of hardship as a foreigner in a strange land, Antonio established what is now American Terrazzo Co.

“Like so many Italian immigrants, my great grandfather left behind a wife and young child to board a ship and set sail for the country of his dreams,” Filippi says. “Some seven years after arriving in America, he called for his young family to join him and eventually secured a piece of property where he built his shop and home next door. Relatives and friends from the ‘old country’ joined my great-grandfather, and together they earned a reputation for performing the finest in terrazzo and masonry work.”

Terrazzo flooring has stood the test of time, enduring for centuries as a durable and versatile surface. image 1

Filippi’s family is dedicated to the continuation of the business, which is a testament to Italian ingenuity and Filippi’s great-grandfather’s hard work. “Over the years, terrazzo has had its ups and downs,” Filippi says. “Today, it is very popular.

Historically, you would have seen terrazzo mostly in airports and hospitals, and in the lobbies of large commercial buildings. Now, it has expanded to retail stores, universities and high-end homes.” As with many design and architectural trends, terrazzo has come in and out of style, but one of the enduring benefits of the material—and what makes architects and designers come back to it again and again—is that it is durable and versatile.

“Generally, of all building types, airports have the most foot traffic,” Filippi says. “One of the main reasons that terrazzo is so widely used in airports is that it is extremely durable.” It’s because of this that, even though the initial financial outlay for terrazzo might be greater than a simpler form of flooring, terrazzo is considered to be the most cost-effective flooring that there is—because it will never wear out. Fifty years from installation, a terrazzo floor will look as fresh as if it were installed yesterday.

Another major benefit of terrazzo flooring is its uniqueness, and the ability to customize its look to suit any setting. “It has many options,” Filippi says. “There is a wide spectrum of available colors, as well as many aggregate sizes and colors.” In recent years, terrazzo has been embraced as a wildly versatile material that can be used as a refined surface in professional buildings; for a fun and colorful addition to a retail space; and as a personality-laden feature in a beautiful home.

Because terrazzo is poured during installation, a fluid, unbroken surface can be achieved, providing continuity and connection between spaces in your home, which most other flooring and wall surfaces are unable to achieve. And designers are now experimenting with precast terrazzo, opening up a whole new channel for design experimentation—it’s no longer limited to just flooring and walls.

“Over the years, we have fabricated terrazzo sinks, bathtubs, tables, chairs and even sculptures,” Filippi says. “Terrazzo can be placed anywhere and everywhere. It has no limitations.” This expansion from building surfaces to accessories and decor is indicative of the strength of terrazzo in today’s design palette. Modern design outlets jumped on board, with Anthropologie selling a range of terrazzo-inspired bath accessories, West Elm doing a collection of melamine terrazzo-style dishes, and multitudes of furniture and fabric designers incorporating the material’s aesthetic into their products.

If you’re considering terrazzo for your home, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Consider your time line, because terrazzo is still laid by hand, and is considered artistic and artisanal work. If you’re going with traditional cementitious terrazzo, be prepared for it to take more than a month to install. Epoxy, on the other hand, can usually be completed within one to two weeks.

Cost varies, starting from $30 per square foot for installation. If you’re looking for intricate designs or installations in challenging areas, the cost will increase. But remember, the long-term maintenance costs of terrazzo are virtually nonexistent compared with other types of flooring.

Lastly, when you’re choosing the color and aggregates for your terrazzo features, make sure that you’re making a choice based on personal preference rather than trend, because this surface, with its virtual indestructibility, will be with you permanently.

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Roof Talk

October 5, 2020 By C21 Communications

The unsung hero of a house, the roof is an essential construction and design element.

Though it sometimes doesn’t seem to be given as much consideration as other design elements, a house’s roof is a vital feature, both aesthetically and functionally. A roof is almost like a hat: some provide more shade than others; some are better for warm weather, and some are better for cold. Some are complex and trendy, while others are simple and straightforward. The difference is that you don’t need a hat to complete an ensemble, but you do need a roof to complete a house.

Compared with things like square footage, kitchen countertops and outdoor space, roofs sometimes sit low on the list of factors affecting home-buying decisions—but perhaps we should pay them more attention. There are countless designs, each with its own set of pros and cons. Different roofs are better suited for different environments, and each option offers various features that might affect how you enjoy your home. Here, you’ll find an overview of the roof variations that you’re likely to come across in your house search.

Hip

The earliest examples of the hip roof design date back to the 18th century, when the clean, handsome style was used atop buildings in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Compared with the gable, the hip roof is slightly more complex; instead of two slopes, the hip roof has four, which meet at points, or “hips.” This makes for a more wind-resistant design that is still capable of allowing water drainage, with the added advantage of a consistent, level fascia that enables full gutter installation around the house. A downside is that more seams and valleys mean more opportunities for potential water leaks to occur, but as long as the roof has been properly installed, this shouldn’t cause much concern. Aesthetically, the hip roof is favored by those looking for a bungalow or cottage look, and the design is said to potentially increase property value.

Gable

This classic structure, which is commonly found atop homes throughout the United States, consists of two roof sections that slope in opposite directions from a ridge. It’s a simple design, and one that has stood the test of time; gable roofs date all the way back to ancient Greece. Part of the reason that architects have long favored the gable roof is its functionality—the sloped design works as a drainage system that easily allows water or snow to run into the gutters, and the simplicity of the design means less potential for leaks and damage. Homeowners often favor a gable roof because of the amount of space it allows beneath—and because of its classic appearance.

In many environments, a gable roof is practical and sturdy, but in windy areas or those prone to hurricanes, they’re not always the best option. Under extreme conditions, the upper part of the roof can trap in wind that might build up and peel off roofing material—or even lift the roof from the frame of the house itself. With built-up snow and strong winds, gable roofs have been known to collapse. If gables are what you’re looking for, just ensure that you’ve inspected the quality of construction before you buy.

Dutch Gable

This roofing style is the result of the gable and the hip joining forces. The Dutch gable (also known as the gablet) comprises a shallow hip roof topped with a smaller gable roof, which allows for a greater amount of space (provided by the gable) and a sturdier structure with a gutter running the full way around (courtesy of the hip roof). The Dutch gable was first popularized during the Renaissance, and it made its way into Europe in the following centuries. A Dutch gable adds a little more architectural interest than a simple gable or hip roof, and with the addition of a window in the gablet, natural light is maximized. And while the paired constructions mean more materials and a complex design that takes more effort to build and maintain, the end result is striking and multifunctional.

Manard

Named after the French architect François Mansart, who was designing buildings during the baroque period of the 17th century, the mansard roof emerged crowning the tops of châteaus and grand townhouses throughout France. If you’re looking for some je ne sais quoi, the mansard roof delivers. The style is characterized by four roof sides that each contain two slopes, and decorative dormer windows. Devotees of this style love the extra space beneath the roof, which is substantial given the almost-flat upper slope and virtually vertical lower slope. The additional light from the dormers, better heat distribution and high-class look are other drawcards.

The design is not ideal for extreme weather regions; due to the flatter upper slope, the drainage system of the roof is not as efficient as compared to other, simpler options. Maintenance and repair costs can also be high due to the flat surface and the introduction of dormer windows.

Butterfly

As architectural styles evolved, roof design began to appear on some homes as their defining feature. The butterfly roof, although first used in 1930 by Le Corbusier in Chile, was popularized through mid-century modern design in Southern California in the late 1950s, and has been heavily associated with that movement in the years since—though it is still not particularly common. Also referred to as an inverted gable, the butterfly roof is named for its two surfaces that slope down from opposing edges to form a valley in the middle. The roof is appealing to home buyers for a few reasons, including its water-collecting design, and the taller external walls that support the higher edges of the roof, which allow for the installation of larger windows.

Butterfly roofs are notoriously difficult to build and maintain, and they can be pricey to install. They also don’t fare well with snow, which is why you’ll largely find this style in warmer environments like Palm Springs. But the aesthetic interest that comes from this silhouette is arresting, and perfectly suited to those who favor the mid-century look.

Flat

A persistent trend in modern design is simplicity and minimalism, and you can’t get much more minimal than a flat roof. And although they are now a marker of modernism, flat roofs have long been used in Middle Eastern building due to their simplicity, cost-efficiency and ability to keep out the sun’s heat. When roofing materials became more advanced, the style spread across Europe and into the United States.

Despite appearances, these roofs are not completely flat; they are designed with a slight pitch to allow water drainage, but they’re also flat enough to be used for a terrace or rooftop garden. A clean, crisp silhouette is achieved with a flat roof, allowing other features of the building design to shine.

The biggest drawback to a flat roof is the minimal slope as water buildup can cause damage, but advanced, modern roofing materials have largely solved that problem. These include single-layer membranes made of neoprene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC); modified bitumen, which gives durability and a rubber-like characteristic; and built-up roofing (BUR), which consists of several layers of materials designed to mitigate water infiltration.

The roofs that crown our homes have changed and adapted a lot over the years. Yet, whether your preference for roofing is a new architectural style or an innovative way of building, a roof will always have one central mission: to cover our heads.

Illustrations by Kane Grose. This article was originally published in the CENTURY 21 Fine Homes & Estates Magazine.

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Compliments to the Chef

September 15, 2020 By C21 Communications

As more Americans turn to home cooking and entertaining, the functionality of a kitchen is more important than ever when choosing a home.

Over the past half-century, kitchens have become somewhat fetishized; a place to display high-tech appliances and high design cookware, a social hub for friends and family, and a continuation of home style that showcases elegance and considered design choices. Pare it back to basics, though, and today’s kitchen is still essentially what it always has been: a place to prepare food. And homeowners, spurred recently by stay-at-home orders, but also inspired by home-cooking television shows, health concerns and the rising expense of dining out, are increasingly relying on their kitchens in times when eating out is not an option, as well as using their kitchens as additional entertainment space; somewhere to try their hand at cooking for their friends and family. For house hunters who relish the opportunity to regularly entertain and prepare food for guests, it pays to know what to look for when assessing kitchen space during your house search—and the best person to ask is an expert.

Edouard Massih is a private chef and caterer in New York City. He hosts intimate dinners in his own home, giving local diners the experience of enjoying his food in a less formal, more personal way. Massih, who was born in Lebanon, found his love for cooking in his grandmother’s kitchen. Sharing food and creating community has always been the driving force behind Massih’s cooking, and he has discovered a way to do that in his own backyard—literally.

“I wanted to invite people into my backyard, because I had a very unique space in Brooklyn, and not a lot of people [in New York] get to have dinners in a backyard,” Massih says. To bring to life his vision of cooking for the community, Massih extensively renovated his Greenpoint backyard, creating a lush urban escape where guests can enjoy the exquisite food that he prepares in his own kitchen—each dish enhanced by a dash of his grandfather’s olive oil, all the way from Lebanon.

Having worked on his kitchen to ensure that it had everything that he needed to support his at-home dining experiences, Massih has the knowledge of both a professional chef and a home cook. We asked him for some tips to help aspiring culinary hosts to choose the right kitchen space, starting with the five kitchen elements that he finds to be indispensable. First, Massih says, is “the right fridge, or the right fridge space.” Part of taking the pressure off yourself when entertaining, he says, is making sure that you’re prepared in advance. “Entertaining is all about making it simple for yourself when people are there— being able to prep ahead and batching the drinks; having the pitchers of water ready in the fridge; and having everything ready to go. Maybe serve more cold stuff than hot. You can do a pasta salad and an orzo salad, and make it two hours in advance.”

Preparing food in advance, chilling drinks and ensuring that all of your produce is fresh all comes down to having the right fridge. And while interactive fridges with weather forecasts and recipe databases can be useful, the main thing is space—and plenty of it. If you want to get fancy, you could go for a hot-water dispenser and temperature-adjustable drawers, both of which assist in various cooking processes; just make sure that you have enough shelf space to hold all of the food and beverages that you’ve prepped for your guests.

Because you can’t make a lot of food without creating a lot of mess, Massih insists that having two sinks is vital: one dedicated to food prep, and one to cleanup. You can keep your prep equipment near your prep sink (think bowls, colanders, appliances), and dishes near the cleanup sink (which should ideally be close to the dishwasher). In addition, having two sinks creates more flexibility for multiple cooks, and streamlines the flow while you’re cooking.

The third must-have for Massih is “a lot of prep area—lots of counter space.” You need space for laying out, preparing and organizing ingredients, which most people consider when thinking about counter space; but if you’re planning on entertaining groups of diners, you also need enough counter space to plate all of the meals at once. Nobody wants to be balancing plates on top of kitchen stools because there’s not enough room for everything on the countertop.

Fourth for Massih is storage, in terms of both kitchen cabinets and a decent pantry. You want plenty of space, and also space that complements your cooking flow. Pots and pans should be as close to your stove as possible—either on a rack above or in a cabinet below—and serving utensils like spoons and tongs should be close to where you do your plating, to minimize the number of steps you have to take to collect your cooking tools, which helps with efficiency when you’re cooking for a group of people. A walk-in pantry is ideal, with various shelf sizes and storage options for appliances that are not in regular use. For chefs, there’s nothing worse than a cluttered cooktop.

Lastly, Massih emphasizes the importance of, as he calls it, “legit trash.” “You want a trash can that’s near the sink or accessible around [where you’re working], and not one of those little tiny trash barrels that fits nothing,” he says. “Otherwise, every two minutes, you’ll have to take the trash out when you’re prepping.” Massih also spends a lot of time cooking in other people’s kitchens as part of his catering and private-chef business, and the one feature that he is always delighted to see is a back kitchen.

“What is really nice about some of [the private homes that I cook in] is they have a back kitchen, like the ‘help’ kitchen,” he says. “That really does help a lot. If I [had the resources], and I was looking for a house to entertain in a lot or to do a lot of dinners in, then that’s definitely something that I would look for. “A lot of these kitchens nowadays are very open-plan, because the idea of it is that it’s really fun. But it gets annoying when you’re [hosting] a formal dinner, and you can’t do dishes [or hide them away] while your guests are eating. Having a small back kitchen really helps, because then you can hide all of the stuff that you don’t want people to see.”

There’s nothing wrong with a kitchen as a style statement, and most people whose interests lie in kitchens will admit to some fetish-like reverence. Just keep practical concerns in mind, particularly when you have culinary aspirations; remember, you can have a waterfall countertop AND legit trash. That’s what we call the best of both worlds.

For more information on Edouard Massih and his home-style cooking, visit www.edouardmassih.com.

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Art: This time, it’s personal

July 28, 2020 By C21 Communications

Commissioning artwork for your new house is a fantastic way to personalize your space and establish the style of your home.

With the purchase of a new house comes a whole lot of wall space to fill. Rather than shoehorning your existing artwork into new spaces where it might not be the perfect fit, consider commissioning a piece that is uniquely designed for your new home, taking into account lighting, the dimensions of the room, the color palette in the space, and your own unique taste.

Commissioning artwork might sound daunting, but it’s actually a fairly straightforward process that allows you to express yourself, and to decorate your home in a way that maximizes your enjoyment of it. We spoke with three commissioning artists to understand the nuts and bolts of commissioning your own artwork.

Why commission when you can just buy?

If you need to fill a blank wall, it might seem easier to just search artworks until you find one that fits the space well enough. But a little extra effort will result in something that’s the perfect complement to your home and its inhabitants.

Artist Lanie Mann, who is based in Washington, D.C., says, “It’s extremely special to have a piece of art where you’ve worked directly with the artist—and an original piece that reflects you as the homeowner. You have a part in the creative process; this is something you can’t just go out and buy from a shop or gallery.”

Brooklyn-based geometric abstractionist Kane Grose points out that personalizing your artwork will ensure that it fits with your color and style preferences, saying, “You can customize artwork to fit your interior design palette, which is not easy to do when you’re searching through paintings on the internet. With a commission, you can customize a work so it’s 100 per cent personal to you.” From an artist’s point of view, Grose says that working on commissions is rewarding in terms of the end result. “It’s great doing commissions, because it allows you to really imbue an artwork with your client’s personality,” he says.

Choosing an artist

If you google “artist commission,” you will be presented with hundreds of thousands of search results, and many of them won’t deliver what you’re looking for. “Unless you know stylistically what you’re looking for, there’s a lot of searching involved,” Grose says. “The best place to look is online; Instagram is good—a lot of artists show their work there, so you can see their back catalogs just by scrolling. If you’re looking in person, a great idea is to find your local art precinct, and just go and visit the galleries there; often they will be showcasing the work of local artists.”

Once you’ve found an artist that you like, usually it’s not too difficult to get in touch with them to start the commissioning process. “Keep a list of artists’ work you are most drawn to,” Mann offers. “Most artists have a website, and there is usually a way to reach out to an artist directly to find out if they do commissioned work, and how they structure the commission process.”

Think about it
Before you start the commissioning process, make sure you have a good idea of the direction you want to take, the style of painting that you like, and exactly what you want from the artist. “Commissioning a piece of art is a special thing, so you want to make sure that you love the work of the artist you will be working with,” says Mann, and Grose agrees. “You are choosing an artist because of their particular style, so don’t go into the relationship expecting them to be able to do, or be comfortable doing, something that doesn’t fit with the work that they produce,” he says.

“Size and color are important to consider,” says Mann. “Think about what you love about the artist’s work, so you can communicate this with them, and it will be reflected in your commissioned piece.” Then there are the more practical things, like time and budget. If you need something quickly, or if you can only pay a certain amount, these factors might affect whether or not you can work with a particular artist. “Consider that, because it’s a commission, it’s more of a custom piece, and it will take a little longer to get delivered versus buying what’s available in the artist’s gallery,” New York painter Jen Ramos points out, continuing, “you should also consider your budget, because that will determine how much art you can afford.”

The artist needs to know

As with any custom project, the more information the artist has, the better your commissioned work will turn out. All three artists agreed that the most important question they will ask you relates to their existing work: which particular paintings are you drawn to from their collection, and why? Aside from that, Mann has an information gathering approach. “I ask about colors—usually they have a palette in mind—and for any inspiration photos. I am also happy to receive photos or swatches to help inform the palette. I don’t necessarily hope to completely match a color scheme—I think it’s best when the art can complement the space without being too ‘matchy’.” Ramos wants to know about the space, as well as who lives in the home. “I’ll ask them for photos of their space where the painting is going to hang, whether they have any children or if they’re married, what colors they like, what colors they don’t like, and how large they want the artwork to be,” she says. Grose says, “For me, it would be what the purpose of the piece is—if it’s a statement piece, or if it’s something that’s going in a low traffic area. Do they want it to be the center of attention, or to bring out other features in the room?”

If an artist is local, they might visit your home to get a better understanding of the space. “I’ve often visited local clients’ homes to take a look at the space where they want to hang the piece,” says Mann. “I can advise on what size might look best, and often recommend or tape out for them (using painter’s tape) the size of the canvas so we can visualize it in the space.” “If they’re local and they want me to visit, I’ll definitely do that,” says Grose. “If possible, it’s always good to see a space first—but at the very least, a few pictures with different angles of the space are really helpful.”

Don’t get rejected

Keep in mind that, even if you want to work with a particular artist, sometimes they will turn down the commission. This usually only happens if you are requesting something that doesn’t fit with their ethos or aesthetic. “It really depends on what it is that the client wants,” says Ramos. “I’ve had people contact me to do something that was very different to what I do, and I have declined it.”

To ensure that you don’t get too far down the commissioning path and then get disappointed, do your research, and engage in proper communication with the artist. Mann says, “If I feel that the request is too far from what I do as an artist, I will be up-front about it. I encourage having a phone call to discuss the process; I feel like an actual conversation helps connect us a bit better, and the connection is an important piece of a commission. I’ve worked with so many incredible people, and I love the connections that I’ve made.” The ins and outs Commissioning an artwork is a collaborative effort, so both parties will need to agree on what’s expected.

After initial discussions, the artist will provide you with a document that describes the expected piece, including time frames, budget and inclusions. You will usually be asked for a deposit, and both parties will sign the agreement. In terms of timing, it will depend on the size, the process, the amount of work involved and whether you would like the work framed, but you can expect anywhere from two weeks to a couple of months before your artwork is ready.

Expect to pay slightly more than you would for an off-the-shelf painting; usually an artist will charge a premium for the customized work. But pricing will depend on who you choose to work with, the size of the piece, the amount of work involved, and how advanced the artist is in their career. On average, the artists that we spoke to sell commissioned works in the range of $1,000–$5,000. It might be a little more effort, but an artwork that is a combination of your personality and the work of an artist that you admire can be the difference between a house and a home.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Lanie Mann is based in Washington, D.C., and creates “loose and layered” works, bursting with color and optimism. Her work encompasses figures, portraits and abstract composition.

www.laniemannart.com

Kane Grose is a Brooklyn-based geometric abstractionist, creating striking works with clean lines, vibrant colors and a splash of optical illusion. He calls his work pure abstraction, which he says “removes reality and allows the senses their free rein.”

www.kanegrose.com

Jen Ramos is a New York–based artist specializing in abstract works that mix bold and muted colors to great effect. Her work is underscored by feelings of happiness, joy, hope and sometimes a little chaos.

www.jenramos.com

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Could Flying Cars Actually Happen?

April 8, 2020 By C21 Communications

A new plan could make our favorite sci-fi films a reality. Netherlands-based architecture and urban design practice MVRDV — in collaboration with Airbus, Bauhaus Luftfahrt, ETH Zurich and Systra — have formulated a plan for the future of “urban air mobility.”

The project envisions how humans might integrate flying vehicles into our urban environments as a holistic mobility concept. It’s all centered around what MVRDV calls “vertiports” — fancy landing hubs that connect the new aerial network with existing ground-based transportations systems, such as trains, subways and buses.

“As cities become denser and technologies improve, it becomes increasingly clear that the truly three-dimensional city—one that includes flying vehicles—is surely one of the city models of the future,” said Winy Maas, founding partner of MVRDV.

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Did You Know that Amazon Has a Secret Luxury Site?

March 25, 2020 By C21 Communications

Amazon’s best-kept secret is out. VRSNL, (short for “versional”), has been quietly selling luxury fashion items since September 2019. A total of 30 designers are currently on the VRSNL roster, including Alexander McQueen, Balmain, Prada and Jimmy Choo. What distinguishes VRSNL is a section called “The Remix,” which features original editorial content that tells stories behind the brands and designers. The retailer also has an app, which allows today’s trendsetters to shop wherever, whenever.

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Luxury Real Estate Trends to Watch in 2020

February 4, 2020 By C21 Communications

What will 2020 bring? These four trends are expected to impact luxury buying and selling in the new year and decade ahead.

Luxury Housing Holds Steady

This year, expect “guarded optimism” to replace last year’s uncertainty over fears about a global economic slowdown, a U.S.-China trade war and a potential U.S. recession, according to Mansion Global. This is encouraging news for luxury real estate, which has traditionally been tied to global economic growth, yet is generally more insulated from market fluctuations. Many U.S. luxury housing meccas are generally stable, while some high-end hotspots like Los Angeles and Miami could be poised to rise or make a comeback in 2020.

The Rise of the Mid-Sized Luxury Market

When realtor.com released itsannual list of the hottest markets last December, surprise cities like Boise, McAllen, Texas and Tucson topped the list. “The cities that we expect to do best in 2020 are not necessarily big, fancy, coastal cities, but secondary markets where the job market is still pretty good but housing is affordable,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist of realtor.com. Affluent buyers from high-cost cities want a good deal as much as anyone — so we expect to see midsized cities with stable and solid economies and more affordable housing as the top performers in 2020.

Less Square Footage

“Less” is becoming “more” — even in the highest price segments. Consistent with NAHB data that found the average new single-family home size has been trending lower since 2015, realtors in some luxury markets are reporting that a growing number of affluent buyers are willing to “trade space for place.” This is especially true in the luxury condo segment, where buyers are increasingly getting flexible on square footage if a building has amenities or hospitality programs attached to it.

Urbanization of the ‘Burbs, Emergence of ‘Hipsturbias’

People are moving back to the cities, it’s true — but as millennials start families another phenomenon has emerged, according to Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2020, a report released by Urban Land Institute and PwC: “hipsturbias.” Hipsturbias are suburban markets with hip or cool live/work/play environments offering walkability and/or transit access. Brooklyn is a prototype, but hipsturbia examples are beginning to crop up across the U.S. — from New Jersey communities such as Hoboken, Maplewood, and Summit, to New York’s Yonkers and New Rochelle, to Evanston, Illinois and further out west — Santa Clara, California, and Tempe, Arizona.

Which trend do you see impacting your community?

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