This image is great at showing the idea that color and pop can be created by the least expensive items in the room.  All of the yellow and blue accents that create the drama and drive for this room cost less than a month's worth of coffee.  The house is the backdrop, it is elegant, functional and allows for a lot of flexibility as the needs of the space change.  

Designer: Kimberlee Marie Interiors

Image: John Granen

Are there things that we can do to reduce how dated our homes look and feel?  How do we get the most out of our remodels while having them stay current before the next hit remodeling show hits the DIY network?  Here are a few tips from our go to designers:  

• Allow accents such as vases, towels, votives, cutting boards and small appliances to bring in dramatic colors into your scenes, while picking neutral tones for cabinetry and surfaces.
• Use classic materials that have been in service for decades like marble, white cabinets or oak flooring.  
• Allow for furniture in the design that allows flexibility in how you can use and adapt spaces through time.  Office by day, guest bedroom by night!
• Go wireless, not wired.  The trend is to allow for wireless connectivity for speakers and sound systems, to internet and media.  Installing conduit and pathways for future expansion is a great way to provide future capacity to current systems.  
• Keep things open and develop shape spaces through furniture rather than walls and permanent structures.

• Part of keeping a home looking fresh and current is maintenance, consider budgeting for paint and small updates in-between major renovations.

• Avoid choosing tiles and other more permanent surfaces based on current trends.  Find these patterns and themes in decor items that are more easily replaced!

• Invest in quality brands for important fixtures.  Select brands that are less expensive to repair than to replace!

**As always, design is crucial.  Implementation is also very important, but it is far more important to sweat the process of creating spaces to allow for beauty now and in the future.  I went to a tile store yesterday and saw a tile inlayed with brass bars.  Installing a finish like this into a surface as permanent as tile will likely date your home to that span of 2019-2021 and you'll be remodeling again in no time!!  Get great design advice, and choose to have excellent installation and craftsmanship.  We would love to help, and would love your referral if you know someone looking to remodel or renovate!