Posts Tagged Sustainability

7 Housing Trends From a Cultural Creative Perspective-Part 2

My mind is still stewing and chewing up all the information I can find on the Cultural Creatives; and, what kind of an impact can be made by many of us innovative thinkers on a very hard hit housing market here in the US and the world at large. We are in sore need of re-building our industry and the way we live, so why not do so with some critical thinking, creativity and planning?

image courtesy of MC Yogi-Give Love Video-Click on pic to listen!

As an ex trend director and one who writes about trends in the housing arena, here are a few trends that I think need looking at as we move forward in this decade, and beyond, and as we rebuild the way we design, build, and  live in, our homes:

The over riding trend in all aspects of housing is sustainability. And I mean in depth sustainability on every level; financial, building materials and practices, energy use, size, design; and all with in the context of community. Here is my list of the top 7 trends: Continue reading “7 Housing Trends From a Cultural Creative Perspective-Part 2” »

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Virgin America Terminal-SFO

The Virgin America Terminal, T2, in San Francisco’s international airport is a great example of thoughtful design that is beautiful in it’s simplicity and sustainability. I had the opportunity to pick up a friend there last week and I am now a BIG fan!

Here are some Very Virgin America Reasons to Love SFO’s Terminal 2 via 7X7 SF .

  • Working travelers can log on at lap top work tables, plug-in stations and elevated work counters and enjoy free wireless throughout the terminal.
  • There’s a Pinkberry
  • It’s the first airport dining program in the country to recruit Slow Food vendors.
  • It’s slated to be the first LEED Gold Certified airport terminal in the U.S.
  • Similar to Virgin America’s signature cabin music, moodlighting, seating, and design, T2′s “Recompose” zone will create a stress-reducing oasis for travelers post-security

“The new T2 demonstrates that sustainability is achievable on many levels – from reusing construction debris to rethinking water usage to public education,” says San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.  “Renovating SFO’s T2 toward LEED Gold brought all of this together. It is an incredible achievement, and we are proud, once again, to be taking the lead on sustainable innovation.”

Uniquely “Virgin” features in the airline’s T2 space are:   Continue reading “Virgin America Terminal-SFO” »

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Serenbe Community-via Santa Rosa Interior Design

As I discussed in my post on Home Trends Part 2, there is a renewed interest in urban living and planned communities as people try to simplify their way of life and the quality of it.  Personally I prefer the concept of planned communities (or small towns) as they benefit a slower and more intimate way of living.  They address real problems such as-drive time (and cost) for daily living needs; connection with our neighbors and the sense of community we crave; additional ease for aging in place; while still maintaining a back to nature and organic way of life.  Recently I read about a planned community in Georgia that I consider a great example of what I’m talking about.  Here in their words:

SERENBE is found in the heart of Chattahoochee Hill Country. This 40,000 acres of bucolic southern countryside is about the same size as Napa Valley, and is one of the last undeveloped stretches of land in the Atlanta area.    Continue reading “Serenbe Community-via Santa Rosa Interior Design” »

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4 Home Trend-Part 2-2011 and Beyond

We are entering a time where collaboration, innovation and inspiration are key in creating our future lifestyle.  It’s time to take a look at how we really live and begin to change the housing industry to support us.   Part 1 of this report dealt with soft trends, or trends for decorating our interiors.  This part takes a look at the larger view of trends in the way we will be living as we move forward in this 21st century.  Here are the top 4 trends as I see them:

1. Rightsizing: The buzz word is downsizing, I prefer to call it right sizing.  For some, in fact, it is going smaller.  The baby boomers are now empty nesters who are getting older and want to live  an easier quality of life.  They are in fact down sizing, whether it’s a smaller home or fewer of them; along with a core group of young first time homebuyers who’s sensibility is to live a simpler way of life.

For others, there is a desire to create a space that flows the way they really live their life and truly fits their needs, not some cookie cutter McMansion created by a developer as a business investment.  I call this right sizing and it is part of the Slow Home movement. Some signs of this are:    Continue reading “4 Home Trend-Part 2-2011 and Beyond” »

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Green Home – Tips and Tricks via Santa Rosa Interior Design

We all want our dream home…and, that dream home can be everything your family, the environment, and future generations need it to be by making simple changes in your everyday life.   These changes will save you money over the course of your life in your home, and you will be living in a healthier home that is not detrimental to the environment.  

A green home has a significantly lower impact on our environment then the standard buildings we see.   Green homes are not a passing trend.  However, there is so much information out there that the concept can seem a bit daunting.  The good news is that there are many small things you can do in your home right now that will help tremendously.  For instance:    Continue reading “Green Home – Tips and Tricks via Santa Rosa Interior Design” »

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