Design Features and Trends Are Being Used by Innovative Builders
Luckily the housing market is picking up along with home construction. Now is a great time to become a new homeowner. As a new home buyer, you will want to look for these five up and coming latest trends. These design features and trends are being used by innovative builders, remodelers and architects in new home construction. The trends which were seen at the 2015 St. Tammany Parish Parade of Homes and which will also be seen at the New Orleans Parade of Homes are based on National Association of Home Builders “Best in American Living Awards.”
Do not fear! If you are already a homeowner, this doesn’t mean you are left out of the loop. Just because these five design trends are used by the professionals in new construction, doesn’t mean you cannot incorporate them into your own home with a build-on addition or remodel.
First on the list is a white-on-white kitchens. Whether you have a traditional or modern style home, this trend is popular in both. Think
white on white on white. Designers are taking white cabinets, paring them with white countertops with a white backsplash and finishing it off with all white trim. Ron Lee Homes incorporates a variety of materials (stone, ceramic tile, glass, and granite) to incorporate this look in kitchens and master baths, specifically.
Second is a double-island kitchen. Once again it doesn’t matter what style home you live in, you are seeing more than one island in a kitchen. Many times one island is used for cooking and preparing the food while the other is used for serving and dining. The second island can serve a dual function as a home work or hobby space. In new homes built by St. Tammany Parish builder, Ron Lee Homes, you will see many of our kitchens use a double island and breakfast bar. The island usually includes a sink as well as a dishwasher or warming oven / drawer. The breakfast bar is attached to the island and 
normally flows into the family room – a perfect place for families to gather and socialize.
Third design is centered bathtubs and walk in showers. If you visit a spa, this is often what is seen in these well designed relaxing atmospheres. Professionals are now taking the trend into the home. Tubs are becoming a central focal piece and walk in showers are taking the place of a shower stall. Ron Lee Homes uses oversized showers and custom, hand-laid ceramic tile or stone. Our home buyers request specific shower heads and sprays as well as seating areas inside these large shower spaces. Also, glass doors or even “windows” are also popular with our new custom home designs.
Fourth is old world style meets modern contemporary. This is done by taking natural elements mixed with contemporary materials which soften the hard modern design. Wood, steel and glass are popular materials being used in this trend. In new custom homes, cypress beams and unfinished cypress fireplace mantles have been very popular in a few of our newly built custom homes. Also, we enjoy mixing and matching materials on the fireplace surround, fireplace mantle, and built-in bookshelves.
Last is indoor-outdoor living. This trend is starting to be seen no matter what climate you live in. Home buyers love to see a design that 
incorporates the outside view. Indoor-outdoor transitional spaces can be easily added by using screens and removable/foldable walls. In a few of the recent new homes built by Ron Lee Homes in St. Tammany Parish, we have incorporated screened-in porches that are “livable” – complete with a television, that open to outdoor patios with outdoor cooking areas. We have even built outdoor kitchens inside of screened in porches upon request.
Ron Lee Homes takes pride in constantly staying on the cutting edge of residential building design and remodeling. If you are interested in seeing a new, custom home built with these trends released by the National Association of Home Builders, take a tour of some of our newly built homes in Mandeville, Covington, and Madisonville. To find out more, call 985-626-7619 or E-mail Info@RonLeeHomes.com.
