European designers have a way of thrusting bold, new designs upon the rest of the world and we heartily jump on the band wagon. Ferrari, Porsche, Versace and others push style to the limit which then trickles down to “our side of the pond.” And sometimes by the time we've jumped on board the style gurus have already moved on to the next new design. This is evident in the “minimalism craze” which is still sweeping across the country.

Underlying considerations in Europe are some the basic drivers for their avante garde views. Lack of space and the high cost of energy and building materials are prime considerations for design.

For years the over-abundance in North America has created monstrosities in cars, commercial buildings and residences. However, there are a few astute home designers in this country moving along past the status quo and looking down the road with their European counterparts.

Colors Shift From Neutral

To demonstrate the move from the unobtrusive the”minimalist white and beige” is being shoved aside for bolder colors and textured finishes, but warm and layered satin-veneers as opposed to shiny surfaces. For example, reds being used but not “fire engine red” but tones like “watermelon.” And orange is “pumpkin” or “cantaloupe.” Then the blacks and whites are used sparingly as definition tones along with limes.

Gray is also making a comeback, replacing black as a defining tone in a lot of circumstances. It is not, however, recommended for areas where the light required is harsh and direct. Gray is more suitable to softer lighting.

What Theme?

In the past kitchens, living rooms and even bathrooms were tied together in a motif. It made sense for a large kitchen which adjoined a larger living space to have certain touches that complimented each room. Banks of closed kitchen cabinets with brushed steel which match up with stainless steel appliances are shifting back to the boardroom and office settings. Now room designers see kitchen cabinets which hardly ever match the island with a country-style backsplash. Even the countertops are different and can include two to three different styles.

Designer Recommendations

1. Indoors to Outdoors

The indoor area is moving into nature with large outdoor kitchens leading the way. Not to be outdone the living room is out under the stars with a large fireplace to keep you warm on those cool autumn and spring evenings. If you live in the south you can use this space virtually all year-round. Furniture manufacturers are keeping step with this trend putting out plush pieces that are resistant to rain and weather.

2. Eco-Friendly

More and more there are used materials available from stores which sell everything from recycled claw-foot tubs to 150-year-old barn-board flooring. On the other end of the scale recycled wood products are used in wood-filled products. Design items, such as steamer trunks and old picture frames, are being rescued from flea markets and used in home décor.

3. Home Health

Environmental illness is one of the fastest-growing maladies today. This has not been lost on home designers who are knowledgeable about the ways that paint, carpet off-gassing, laminates and dirty ductwork can affect health. Steering away from glue-filled products is a trend that is catching on.

4. Heat and Energy Issues

It used to be that heating was either a baseboard electric system put in after construction or an oil furnace with hundreds of feet of ductwork. Natural gas brought the price of energy down but now that convenience is changing as oil tips $100 a barrel. Home designers are long to the earth, wind, water and sun to help us lose our dependency on petroleum products. Solar arrays are becoming a standard in home building, especially hot water-solar which cuts down on the electricity used by heating hot water. In addition, natural solar, such as heat entering through window glass, is being exploited through the simple placement of windows. Insulation and building techniques are following this path and making the home more resistant to heat loss.

5. Changeable Rooms

A hundred years ago home were built in chambers, each room separated from the next by a door. Not including the exterior doors there could be upwards of two dozen doors in a normal home. The doors were opened and closed for heat transfer and some rooms were closed off for the winter because there was no fireplace or coal heater. This changed when heating systems allowed the home to be opened up and now homes are not so compartmentalized. However, this makes it difficult to find privacy in smaller homes. The return of the pocket, sliding door has made the home a very flexible place and you can instantly have privacy for a phone call or to do correspondence.

6. McMansions R.I.P.

The age of the large, rubber-stamped home with the three car garage-doors sticking out as the main feature is mercifully dead. The poor designs lead to wasted space both inside and out and, on some blocks, almost every home looks th same.

Architects and home designers, both interior designers and landscape designers, have not been asleep at the switch. They look at the price of a barrel of oil creep above $100 and realize that design must reflect the reality of scarce commodities. But this doesn't have to mean that style has to go out the window.