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Home Design Overload

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The 2016 NOLA Home Show featured a number of trends you can apply to your home this year.

spaces2016At this year’s NOLA Home Show, held Jan. 15-17 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, attendees enjoyed a glimpse of what’s fresh and new in home construction and interior design. They also had the opportunity to take home ideas for how to implement these trends in their own living spaces.

“The NOLA Home Show was an exciting, well-rounded event,” says Lindsey Kloor, senior marketing manager at MaxHome, one of the show’s vendors. “Customers were able to view the gamut in terms of home remodeling and decor. From bathroom remodeling and outdoor living, to furniture design and cutlery, the NOLA Home Show had it all.”

Vendors Galore
Vendors covering all aspects of home construction and interior design set up booths, featuring their products and services, while experts assisted attendees with their home design needs.

As the show’s official bath sponsor, MaxHome educated attendees about how to update their bathrooms and improve their home’s exterior with replacement windows and custom outdoor living structures.

Construction company Design Management Group presented a pop-up display filled with photos of the company’s most recent projects, from new construction to remodels, alongside the opportunity to discuss home projects with the company’s owner and specialists.

These vendors, along with a number of home design expert speakers, offered a bevy of tips for upgrading homes to their full potential.

Eco Eco All Day
Ryan McCroskey, general contractor at DMG, noticed more vendors and attendees interested in eco-friendly ways to build and remodel homes. From solar power and spray foam insulation to low-VOC paints (volatile organic compounds that are linked to smog formation and respiratory illnesses), green home improvements proliferated at the show.

“It was a very green-conscientious show this year that I haven’t seen in previous years,” McCroskey says.

Takeaway Tip: When implementing eco-friendly products in your home, McCroskey recommends making sure your selected builders have experience working with those particular products. Also, he warns that not all eco-friendly products add value to a home, so, if value is what you’re after, do your homework. Either way, you’ll still be protecting the environment.

Toning It Down
Cool, relaxing tones are trending for bathrooms this year, from wall coverings to accents and decor.
“Our customers were trending toward the light and bright color palettes this year, and they are leaning away from earth tones and darker stone,” Kloor says. “Clean white lines, cool hues and subway tiles were definitely the sought after products in 2016.”

Takeaway Tip: For bathroom remodels and any other home decor projects, Kloor recommends speaking with a professional to at least receive a basic rundown of expectations for the project.

“We feel that it’s great if the customer wants to add sweat equity into their homes; however, we encourage them to at least get an inspection, design and quote on file first so they know exactly what can be done, what it would look like and how much it would cost down to the very penny,” Kloor says.

Side Projects Galore
McCroskey also noted that more people were looking into smaller side projects to give their home some added oomph, convenience and livability.

“I saw a great increase in people requesting elective projects such as wine cellars, fire features and custom closets as opposed to upgrading dated kitchens and baths,” McCroskey says.

Takeaway Tip: As fun as these projects can be, McCroskey warns to not go too crazy with side projects.
“Homeowners should ensure that they are not spending so much on home upgrades that lack a return that they are unable to recoup their home investment upon resale,” McCroskey says.

What’s in Store for Next Year
Both Kloor and McCroskey agree that judging by the turnout and excitement generated by the crowd of attendees this year, the 2017 NOLA Home Show will be even bigger and better, so don’t miss next year’s show for the next round of home design tips and trends.

**Celebrity Expert Home Design Tips
Two NOLA Home Show celebrity speakers offer their tips for fresh home design.

John Gidding, designer, architect and former host of HGTV’s Curb Appeal
Start with your home exterior’s biggest problem and use it as a clue for the end results, such as paint colors that don’t accentuate architectural elements — build the visualization of the final product piece by piece.

Instead of grand outdoor transformations, take a more measured approach by focusing on anything that’s in disrepair, such as cracked driveways or a mailbox that’s falling over.

Always identify and keep your outdoor maintenance budget in mind. For those on a budget, focus on aesthetic tweaks like applying vibrant paint to the front door, re-painting shutters or incorporating weather-resistant fabrics and rugs into seating areas.

Matt Muenster, host of DIY Channel’s Bath Crasher and BATHtastic
For a bathroom upgrade, start by decluttering and trimming back on the supplies, and odds and ends that crowd cabinets, shelves and counter space.

Before taking on a massive DIY project, be honest about your skill set — and hire a professional when a job is too extensive.

Don’t always follow the hottest trends, because that design decision can have a limited shelf life. Instead take inspiration from everywhere, and choose what speaks to you and feels right.