Design and creating homes around lifestyles were once again in the spotlight on Day 2 of the NAHB International Builders’ Show®, starting with more incredible education sessions.
The “Creativity on Tap” team enlightens a packed house.
“Creativity on Tap: Colorful, Captivating & Cutting Edge Design Trends” featured for of the industry’s most respected experts: Jeff Willis, Berkeley Homes, Aurora, CO; Mary DeWalt, CMP, MIRM, Mary DeWalt Design Group Inc., Austin, TX; Doris Pearlman, MIRM, IIDA, Possibilities for Design, Denver, CO; and Anne Postle AIA, Osmosis Architecture, Niwot, CO. The panel discussed the process of interviewing someone looking for a new home and how to refine it for your benefit. The comment most frequently repeated is, “After visiting a few homes, they all start to look the same.” To stand out, you want must-have features and design elements that are guaranteed to make your home memorable–for example: considering pets, storage, exercise and craft rooms, even teen laundry areas! The cutting edge interior ideas, color trends forecast and creative floorplan twists helped attendees learn to captivate potential customers.
Creating great homes means being efficient, and wow was some fantastic information given, and fast, in the wildly popular session, “2015 Trends: 60 Design Ideas in 60 Minutes.” Jamie Goldman of Design Lines Inc., Denver, CO, moderated a panel of far too many experts to mention, but they ranged from architects to aging-in-place consultants to builders and green gurus. They shared easy-to-implement design ideas attendees could use to update elevations, renew floor plans, animate streetscapes and develop dynamic neighborhoods. Using a wide array of drawings and photos, the panelists demonstrated the newest design trends, products and strategies to capture buyers’ attention and make the sale.
Celebrating design’s best in the Havana Room.
But of course, design’s finest were celebrated most at the Best in American Living Awards Gala at the fabulous Havana Room in the Tropicana. The Best in American Living Awards (BALA) is the nation’s premier award program continually redefining design excellence for the entire residential building industry. It spotlights the most creative and innovative builders, remodelers, architects, developers, land planners and interior designers in the nation. Every year, the awards program, sponsored by NAHB Design Committee, recognizes good design in single-family and multifamily homes of all types and sizes, communities, interior design, remodeling and rental developments.
Since its inception the BALA awards have been recognized throughout the industry as the premier design awards, with past associations with Better Homes and Garden and BUILDER magazines. This year, Professional Builder joined the NAHB Design Committee as a media sponsor for the 2014 awards cycle.
As a leader in design for home and community, the BALA awards program has grown over the years to include categories in green building, senior and student housing and affordable housing. Recognition of BALA has even extended beyond our borders with the inclusion of international categories that capture the spirit of the Best in American Living. Stay tuned for much more on all of our winners!
