An Introduction to Biophilic Design

Biophilic Design, what is it? According to pebblemag.com, “biophilic design is the practice of creating a closer connection to nature through the ways buildings and landscapes are created and built”. Derived from the term “biophilia” meaning “a love of nature”, this design principle is more than a trend.

The connection to nature through design can be achieved in many ways. Houseplants seem to be the first thing most people think of, but the design encompasses so much more than just indoor plants. 

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, a single, green plant can completely transform a room!

Image Credit: Katherine Carter

Note: If you have curious paws in your household, it is a good idea to do research on the best plants to bring home. Many common houseplants are actually pretty toxic to dogs and cats! The ASPCA has a complete list of toxic and non-toxic plants for animals.

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Biophilic design can include natural lighting and fresh air, neutral colors, water features, organic materials (sustainable wood, cork, bamboo, stone, rattan, etc.), and carefully selected decor choices that take our minds back to their most innate and primitive frame of reference: nature. 

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There are numerous benefits to biophilic design, including improved air quality, better moods, reduced stress levels, increased focus and engagement, higher productivity, and an overall improved sense of wellbeing. 

Implementing biophilic design is easy, as it is a relatively neutral style that can be mixed with other interior design styles. It can be as simple as taking a few minutes to open the blinds each day, adding an indoor plant to to your office desk, and choosing sustainably sourced natural materials when looking for new furniture. With so many benefits, we will likely see more offices, schools, public areas, homes, and even cities create a closer connection to nature in the next few years.

According to the Global Wellness Summit, biophilia is not a passing trend, but rather the long-term future of architecture and design.

What do you think of this design style? Would you implement it in your home? How do you feel about seeing it in hotels, offices, and schools?

Renter-Friendly Design Tips

With the percentage of Americans choosing to own their homes are steadily declining for multiple reasons, there are more renters than any time since 1965. A skyrocketing housing market, greater student loan debt, upfront affordability, and the maintenance costs are all reasons contributing to the increase in households that are choosing to rent. 

There were 44.1 million households renting in 2021, many without a way to purchase a home in the current market. Therefore, making the most of a rental space is crucial. Unfortunately, the majority of landlords have limits to what improvements a renter can make during their lease. To make matters worse, rent is increasing all over the United States. It is even more important to transform your plain rental apartment or house into a place you love to be, if you are spending more money than ever to be there. 

In this article, we will discuss renter-friendly ways you can improve your space to make it feel like home. Everyone has their own unique style and preferences when it comes to decorating, but these general, damage-free tips can improve any home.

Note: There is no reason to fear “wasting money” on making an apartment or rental home into a space that you love to be in, most of these tips are affordable and the products can be taken with you when you move out, making them an excellent investment. 

Walls

There is nothing more overwhelming than an empty apartment full of plain white walls. Sometimes, you can paint, but that still leaves the walls plain and boring. Add some visual excitement with these tips!

Image Credit: Your Modern Cottage

Create a gallery wall to fill up empty wall space. You can find inexpensive frames from Ikea, fill them with either your own photography or digital prints from online (Etsy has options for just about every style), and secure them with Command® picture hanging strips to prevent damage to the walls. 

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Removable wallpaper is a fun way to add dimension and color to a boring space. You can find some really fun prints on Amazon that are so easy to apply and remove in seconds. 

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Add molding to give your space a homey, traditional appearance. Purchase some quarter round from your local hardware store, measure and cut to fit your space, and attach with removable velcro strips or another heavy-duty damage-free adhesive.  There are so many options, from classic picture frame style to bold, modern geometric patterns.

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Floors

Unless you move into a brand new build, or you have an awesome landlord that replaces the flooring between each tenant, chances are the floors in your rental have seen better days. 

Eagle Rock Properties

Area rugs are essential for protecting your hard floors (and security deposit!), insulating your living space during the winter, absorbing noise, and they will even soften the impact of your footsteps if you have neighbors below you. Large rugs can get expensive, so check discount stores and websites, like www.homegoods.com and www.overstock.com for deals. Area rugs can make a big impact on a space, by adding a more “finished” look and really tying all the components of your design together.

Image Credit: Style by Emily Henderson

Peel and stick tiles have taken TikTok by storm! User TieraLovellee demonstrates how she transformed her bathroom floor using removable marble tiles and the results are incredible. ​​

@tieralovellee Reply to @christyamir7 Bathroom floor upgrade   #renterfriendly #diyguru #apartmentmakeover #bathroommakeover #renterfriendlymakeover ♬ love nwantinti (ah ah ah) - CKay

Lighting

Lighting can make a big difference in any space, but it is a very important consideration for apartments where limited natural light and outdated fixtures are common. 

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Wall sconces add a cozy feel to any space. Either a plug-in variety or a remote-controlled battery option are the best (existing sconce + these remote-controlled LED puck lights + adhesive = a renter friendly inexpensive wall sconce)

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These rechargeable, remote-controlled under cabinet lights from Amazon are another product featured in many content creators’ Amazon Storefronts. They rave about how easy they are to use, and how the lighting can transform their space. See how @eastcoastdiy on TikTok transformed her kitchen with these simple adhesive lights!

@eastcoastdiy @EZVALO #ezvalo #ezvaloundercabinetlighting #ezvalomotionsensorlight #amazon #amazonfinds ♬ original sound - East Coast DIY

Tresco® Lighting has many standard and customizable options for under cabinet, above cabinet, toe-kick, and many other applications. To make it renter-friendly, use a heavy-duty removable adhesive in place of the included hardware. 

If you have old blinds that have seen better days, consider switching them out for more modern varieties, like roman shades or cellular blinds (you might even save some money on your electric bill with cellular shades!). 

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Finally, extend your living space by turning your balcony or patio into a relaxing summer evening hangout spot with some outdoor LED lighting.

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Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so it is important to ensure it's a place you love spending time. There are a lot of rental kitchens that have seen better days (like the 1980’s… yikes), so use these tips to bring them into the 21st century for the duration of your lease. 

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Use contact paper to hide atrocious countertops (tutorial here)! Pick a modern design, apply, and enjoy for the duration of your lease. It is easy to remove and as a bonus, it offers an additional layer of protection for your countertops (hello, security deposit!). 

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Install drawer inserts to make the most of the limited storage space. Keep your utensils tidy with this one or have an insta-worthy spice drawer with this insert! Both inserts are from Rev-A-Shelf®

Don’t underestimate the power of cabinet hardware! Just make sure to buy the same size (it needs to fit in the existing holes!) and keep the original hardware tucked away for move-out day. Just look at the difference one quick switch can make!

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Conclusion 

How can you apply these tips to turn your basic rental into a fun space that reflects your unique style? Think like a professional and follow the basic principles of interior design:  

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• Balance: distributing the “visual weight” of a space to create a feeling of equilibrium. This is achieved through symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial balance. 

• Rhythm: creating visual interest through patterns and repetitions in the design

• Harmony: the unified feeling created from all elements of a good design acting together

• Emphasis: directing attention to one focal point, to avoid a scattered or boring feeling

• Proportion and Scale: “Proportion is the ratio between the size of one part to another, and scale is how the size of one object relates to another or to the space in which it is placed” (Credit: The Spruce)

The biggest takeaway from these guidelines is to ensure you carefully plan each area of your rental space and how you want to decorate it, to avoid an unbalanced or cluttered appearance. 

Image Credit: frankieandjonnie via Reddit

What are your favorite renter-friendly design tips? We would love to know! 

How Covid-19 Changed the Way We Live in Our Homes

As the two year anniversary of the fear, shutdowns, and uncertainty brought on by Covid-19 quickly approaches, let's take a look at the way it has changed our homes forever. 

In March of 2020, the world was blindsided by the Covid-19 virus. Many “nonessential” personnel were instructed to stay home and isolate for two weeks at first, a noble attempt to “flatten the curve” and reduce the stress on our healthcare system. This short time frame stretched out into weeks and months for some, while others transitioned into completely remote work. 

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It was a strange time, where many people got to step back from their busy day-to-day lives and enjoy more time with their families. People took this time to explore old hobbies, find new interests, and navigate the new territory of staying connected to loved ones virtually. All of this time spent within the confines of one’s space led many Americans to tackle the home improvement projects they had been putting off for all too long. Home improvement stores were faced with record breaking sales, bare shelves, and lines out of the door nationwide. 

How have our homes changed since those days? In three main ways: cleanliness considerations, layout modifications, and technology advancements. 

Cleanliness Considerations

Easy-to-clean surfaces are high on the list of importance for many consumers. Carpet is continuing to be phased out as hard floors take its place in many living areas and even bedrooms. Grout (especially in countertops) is becoming less and less desired because homeowners are not interested in the maintenance associated with it. Shower tiles are getting larger to reduce grout lines and traditional tile floors are being replaced by luxury vinyl and waterproof hardwood for easier cleaning. Traditional wood surfaces are being replaced all over the home with engineered alternatives without the texture that can trap dirt and bacteria. 

Entryways and mudrooms are no longer an afterthought in the homebuilding process. Having a place where family members can drop their coats, shoes, bags, and the dirt and germs associated with all of their things is crucial in a pandemic environment. 

Layout Modifications

Is the open-concept floor plan on its way out? It is hard to say for sure, but Americans seem pretty divided on the topic. While it has been the desired style for years, some feel it can make the space feel cold or not very homey. The open floor plan is great for entertaining and large families, but many families are choosing to have more defined areas to make virtual work and school easier instead of adapting these areas to serve as both living and study areas for the family. 

The kitchen is still the heart of the home, and some would argue that it has been more important than ever in recent years. In a survey from October 2020 conducted by Kansas State, researchers found that “70% of U.S. households are now the central food preparation spot for 80% of meals. In 2019, the same survey found that to be the case in 30% of American homes”. Many people are experimenting with new ingredients, discovering new hobbies in the kitchen, and enjoying more family time. All of that extra time spent in the kitchen has made many Americans realize inefficiencies within that space, with almost one-quarter of U.S. homeowners hoping to renovate their kitchens in 2020. 

Rev-A-Shelf® has hundreds of innovative, quality organization accessories for the kitchen, closet, and bath that make spaces more efficient and life easier for everyone. For example, a Spice Rack Pullout right next to the cooking surface makes preparation and cleanup a breeze when cooking dinner on a busy weeknight. The Cut Out Cutting Board drawer takes the mess out of preparing fresh produce: simply peel, slice, and dice and scrape the scraps into the pullout waste container below. A Compo+ Series Waste Container Pullout beneath your sink allows you to discard food scraps quickly as you load the dishwasher, and you have fresh compost for your plants! 

While it might not be practical for most, some families are opting for more private areas for all family members, including a separate bedroom and bathroom. This is helpful to fully isolate the sick family member, while allowing the rest of the household to lower their risk of infection. Additionally, more private space is excellent for an “office” area, which might help some families lean towards the open floor plan discussed previously. 

Another big consideration for the layout of homes post-Covid is outdoor living space. Many families spent more time grilling, gardening, and spending time together outdoors during the initial shutdown period, which has inspired many families to improve their outdoor spaces. In mild climates, there has even been a rise in indoor/outdoor living spaces.

Technology Advancements

Smarthomes were not born out of the Covid-19 Pandemic, but have been a big consideration for many people making upgrades to their living spaces over the last couple of years. 

More cooking at home means a better, smarter kitchen is necessary. Voice-activated microwaves, touchscreen toasters, a range hood that can Facetime… the possibilities for technology to simplify life in the kitchen seem endless right now. Aside from these revolutionary, high-tech advancements, more simple products such as touch activated faucets and sensor trash cans are also important for reducing contact with germs in a post-pandemic home. 

Wellness seems to be at the forefront of everyone’s minds, and that term is taking on a whole new meaning for many, from simply avoiding illness to living the longest, healthiest life possible. This new focus has manifested in different ways throughout the home, including better lighting/biophilic design, air purification systems, and home gym setups. 

Closing Thoughts

As you can see, Covid-19 has changed the way we live and our homes are adapting to accommodate our new needs. We can all hope that we are nearing the end of the pandemic times, but it is hard to say for sure with new variants being detected and quarantine periods being required for many families. The changes we are seeing in home design are helpful for navigating the pandemic, but they would be just as functional and useful if Covid-19 never happened. 

A Look at Grandmillenial Style

Recently, there have been so many styles from past decades that have returned and gained mainstream popularity: mullets, bell bottom jeans, Y2K style, mid-century modern interior design, the list could go on and on! However, Grandmillenial Style is perhaps the most surprising of them all. 

Grandmillenial Style is the term used to describe the growing population of millennials that love the chintzy, frilly, sometimes stuffy home decor trend that is lovingly referred to as “Granny Chic”. Think of floral wallpaper, matching drapes, collections of china and silver, rattan furniture, pleated lampshades, and skirted tables. 

Like every other decor trend, there is a wide range of how closely people follow it when decorating their spaces. This can mean a couple of heirloom pieces in a room or a house that looks exactly like your grandmother’s from the early 90’s.

What sets Grandmillenial Style apart from just Grandma Style, is a more cautious approach. The patterns are toned down, the visible spaces are less cluttered, and it is a more liveable approach to the traditional style (no plastic-covered sofas here). Since it is nothing more than a fresh take on a very traditional style, it is safe to bet Grandmillenial Style will withstand the test of time, just increasing and decreasing in mainstream popularity. 

It is easy to see how the sweet, childhood nostalgia of memories at grandma’s house is what draws so many millennials to take comfort in this particular trend. In a world with so many “grown-up” issues, there is a part of us all that yearn for the simpler days of our youth, and maybe we are reminded of it with the matching floral curtains and wallpaper from Grandma’s house. 

What are your thoughts?

Design Trends for 2022

Over the years, we have witnessed some really great design trends that lasted many years, and some that couldn’t go out of style fast enough. 2022 is quickly approaching, and with that, let's look at some of the anticipated trends for kitchen design.  

Minimalism has been a popular trend for the last few years, and it looks like it's going to be here to stay for a while. In the kitchen, this looks like: 

• Clean, clutter-free counter spaces. We are going to see more “appliance garages” to hide small appliances like the toaster and air fryer.  

• For heavy appliances you don’t reach for often, consider Rev-A-Shelf's Heavy Duty Mixer Lift to maximize counter space 

• A really interesting trend that takes minimalism one step further: hidden kitchens 

• Additionally, disguising major appliances as cabinets will continue to gain popularity.  

• In more modern kitchens, hardware will be phased out. Push-to-open cabinets may start to replace the need for traditional cabinet pulls. 

• Large, organized pantries are in high demand, for both new builds and home renovations.  

• In a true pursuit of minimalism, open shelves are starting to replace traditional upper cabinets in the kitchen. They give the kitchen a more light and airy appearance, as opposed to the closed-off feeling cabinets can give in a small space. These shelves can be a way to decorate functionally, displaying dishes, cookware, or ingredients, or recipe books. 

Colors + Finishes for the Kitchen 

Everyone has their own unique taste when it comes to the finishing touches of their kitchens, but here are some of the popular trends for 2022: 

• White cabinets will continue to be a timeless choice, but natural wood finishes and neutral colors will increase in popularity 

• Sage green and midnight blue will be in high demand 

• Matte finishes are preferred for their clean look 

• Wood floors (especially low maintenance options such as luxury vinyl plank) and large tiles will continue to be consumers’ top picks  

• Two tone cabinets! Typically white or a light neutral on upper cabinets, and a darker or bolder color on the lower ones 

• Darker finishes for faucets + cabinet pulls 

• Contrasting colors throughout the room to avoid the “sterile” appearance of one color 

Trends That Apply to the Whole House:  

• Open concept floor plans have been around for a while now, but many homes are taking it a step further to create a seamless flow from room to room. Many homeowners are phasing out their L-shaped kitchen in favor of a more linear layout,  further blurring the boundaries of each “room”.  

• Smart home technology is continuing to integrate into every room of the house, and the kitchen is no exception. Smart refrigerators, Wi-Fi-enabled coffee machines, app-controlled meat thermometers, toothbrushes that let you know how well you brush, the list goes on and on!   

• Sustainable sourcing/eco-friendly products and materials will be more important than ever for many consumers.  

• Biophilic design- According to Metropolis Magazine, “Biophilic design seeks to connect our inherent need to affiliate with nature in the modern built environment. An extension of the theory of biophilia, biophilic design recognizes that our species has evolved for more than 99% of its history in adaptive response to the natural world and not to human created or artificial forces. We became biologically encoded to associate with natural features and processes. Rather than being vestigial – or relevant to a world that no longer exists – this need is thought to remain instrumental to people’s physical and mental health, fitness, and wellbeing”. This can easily be achieved through houseplants, natural lighting, and good ventilation indoors.  

Comfort Decorating: What it is and How to Achieve it

By: Amber Peabody - Content Marketing Associate

In my pandemic-era, work from home routine of binging my way through podcast episodes, I came across a particularly interesting episode of NPR’s Life Kit covering a practice many have become all too familiar with, but may not know its name.

Did you know that there is actually a term designers and psychologists use to describe our desire to surround ourselves with beauty, comfort and meaning? This essentially means we create our own personal sanctuaries meant to sooth and provide stability. It’s called comfort decorating - a term that has become popular during our time at home, obsessively rearranging and renovating to make our space to create the optimal mix of joy, comfort and efficiency.

At its core, comfort decorating helps fulfill the needs of your daily routine, makes you feel good and recharged and establishes work and home balance and boundaries as many of us are still WFH. The absolute beauty of it is there is no one way or wrong way or doing it. It’s all based on you and your needs.

1. Create the space for your lifestyle.

You have to be clear how this space will serve you in order to get the practical things right. Make a list of what you need/want, then a list of challenges and finally take some time to brainstorm solutions to these. 

Ex: A desk in a corner isn’t enough to make my office feel separate from my small living space. What if I create a functional divider to visually separate those functional zones?

Setting these boundaries allows you to move on to how you want to FEEL in the space. To gather inspiration, think of a place you saw in a movie, magazine, restaurant or during travel that you remember feeling excited about - “ how do I bring that in my own space?”

2. Incorporate color in an interesting way.

Keep things simple and layer as needed. Choose colors that you enjoy, or ones that promote what you hope to accomplish in the space.

Start with your lead color. For example, if you love yellow and want to use it in your living room, think about different ways you could incorporate it into your space. You could add wall art, furniture, textiles or wall paint - anything that will give your lead color a way to stand out in the space.

Once that color is established, think about adding complementary colors - colors opposite your lead color on a Color Wheel. Warm colors make you think of warm things, like the sun or heat. Cool colors tend to bring up mental images of water, ice, the sky and snow.

A third color option you could choose is tone-on-tone, or monochromatic, which is a color scheme comprised of variations of one color by using its shades, tones and tints. This isn’t suggesting your room will look like one big swatch of a color, but rather selecting shades different enough that they will play off each other.

You know how you’ve always heard that surroundings affect your mood? This is 100% backed by science! Applied Environmental Psychologists think about how the world around you affects what’s going on inside your head. These experts assist in teaching people what color or shape to make a space, or what kind of lighting and surfaces it should have in order to make people feel comfortable or think more creatively.

When it comes to those wanting to achieve comfort decorating, they suggest for you to hone in on what you want to do in the room, because different colors WILL illicit different behaviors.

• Comfort/decompress: To achieve this feeling, choose colors that are not saturated, but which are relatively bright, grayish version of color. These also make a space seem slightly larger.

• You can’t go wrong with Green! All shades, especially sage, have been linked to enhanced creative performance. Theoretically, this relates back to our instincts. Being around green things likely made humans feel safe because they knew there was an abundance of food, freeing up mental capacity. This color is best used in a living room or office.

• Blues: This color invokes trustworthiness, credibility and sleep, so it is best used in bedrooms.

• Keep red away from areas you need to concentrate or focus in. Red has been shown to degrade our analytic performance. Even briefly looking at it can have an impact.

It is important to remember that some of our associations with color come from things we’ve learned or are cultural, but the findings about reactions to red and green are universal.

3. Add color and coziness through pattern.

Patterns and lines have an influence on how comfortable we are feeling. However, it is suggested to only use a few patterns to manage the visual complexity of the environment. Visual complexity refers to the number of visual features present colors, accent colors and shapes in any given space.

When visual complexity is too low, we find it upsetting, sterile and can make us tense. The same feeling of stress can occur if the visual complexity of a space is too high, meaning there is too much clutter or a lot going on. It is important to figure out your own tolerance for visual complexity. However, don’t over think it! Just start decorating. You can always change it!

Mainly Curvy Lines = more comfortable, relaxed, decompress.

Straight/Geometric Lines = make us think of efficiency and moving. It is a good idea to place these in spaces you want to move more briskly and move along, like a laundry room.

4. Comfort decorating is all about nostalgia.

This past year has been hard on all of us, so reminders of loved ones, happy memories and inspiration from travel have become more important than ever.

Maybe you usually prefer a clean and clutter-free environment, but have found yourself putting more personal effects on display this year. They are reminders of what you value about yourself, what’s important to you, how you live your life and can make us feel safe. Don’t think your home needs to become tchotchke-central to invoke nostalgia. Instead try a few of these:

CREDIT: DUSTIN WALKER FOR LAUREL & WOLF

• Family photos, home made pottery, an old trophy

• It can apply to tactile objects as well in a sensory way, like a plush robe or a blanket knit by your friend and bring good memories.

• Smells are powerful reminders of special memories. Including these can give you a boost. 

If you feel having these out are too busy or cluttered, try swapping them out every month.

• Cuts the visual complexity

• Refreshes your familiar environment, which we could all use

• Gives you a feeling of control over your environment; boost mood, relieves stress from external factors

Find a way to bring nature into your home. A popular term this past year has been Biophilic Design, or the concept used within the building industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place conditions.

One easy way to achieve this is by adding plants or other references to nature. They don’t have to be huge, just something that serves as a reminder that you are not trapped. This could include artwork, wallpaper or a faux plant if you don’t have a green thumb. Natural or artificial light will also majorly impact our moods.

Final Reminder: There is no one way or wrong way or doing it. It’s all based on you and your needs!

Designing with Living In Place in Mind

We recently hosted a KB Tribe Chat discussing the topic of Designing with Living in Place in Mind. We are huge proponents of the Living In Place Institute's mission: providing professional education to make all homes safe, healthy and comfortable for everyone. In fact, a few of our offerings have become Certified Living In Place Products!

This Twitter discussion was so rich with important information, we wanted to share what we and other industry professionals had to say.

01. How would you define Living In Place? Do you know that it differs from other principles like Universal Design and Aging In Place?

So often do people lump all of these principles together, but Living in Place differs in that it takes away the focus on aging by striving to enable people of all ages and abilities to live their best lives in their home.

Photo Courtesy of @KBIS, design by Kendall Ansell Interiors

Pic: Kohler/Tiller Press

"A place where you can be yourself, ensuring the homeowner has a safe, comfortable, and stylish space that fits their needs and lifestyle at any age."

- @KBIS

“Living in place is not yet a well-known term for creating inclusive living spaces, but it ties in w/my Five Facets of Wellness Design, which include #Accessibility, safety & functionality for all. Handheld shower heads are an example.” - @JGWellnessDesgn, CKD; CAPS; MCCWC

02. Do any of you work with Occupational Therapists when designing a Living In Place space?

There will be a round table discussion during #KBIS2021 hosted by Living In Place on this topic! K&B Ergonomics From An Occupational Therapist and Designer Perspective - Mary Fisher & Monika Lukasiewicz | Register here: http://bit.ly/2YjnW5Z

Courtesy of Homes for Our Troops

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"Having a husband with a 3 level spinal fusion among other issues, we've received good tips from his Drs and PTs." - @SusanSerraCKD

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03. SAFE | Do you have any go-to products for clients who want to ease strain, limit reach and reduce dangerous clutter?

We offer a number of Certified Living In Place Products including our 5PD/5UPD, 582 ‘TheCurve’ BC Optimizer and Pullout Waste Containers that keep hazardous cans out of walkways and in the cabinet.

"Pull-downs, pull-outs, u-drawers & corner swing-outs are vital in cabinetry, plus handheld shower heads near seats. Floating vanities & wall-mount toilets are also really helpful. Reducing clutter means clear walk aisles/lower fall risk." - @JGWellnessDesgn, CKD; CAPS; MCCWC

"Pull-out cabinets are wonderful for ergonomic design in the kitchen. They reduce strain, reach, and clutter to a marvelous degree." - @2020spaces

"We remodeled our kitchen and kept a space for a wheelchair to left of drawers for plates within reach with @REVASHELF peg board system." - @pillow_goddess

04. HEALTHY | Ample lighting has a huge impact on not only safety, but also health. Do you take into consideration the effects of certain lighting on health when creating your design?

Ample lighting is important to ease eye strain when performing tasks, safely guiding homeowners in the dark and majorly affects our Circadian Rhythm.

"As we age, it's harder to see so you can never have too much lighting! Under-cabinet lights are a must on a dark countertop" - @Stacy_Garcia

"Ample lighting in this office space prevents eye strain when working or crafting." - @WellbornCabinets

"#Lighting in the bathroom is important, especially when it refers to personal #health. The combination of natural light during the day & colored lighting, or chromatherapy in the evening can have a significant impact on our #mood & #wellness." - @AstonBath

05. COMFORT | How can you add comfort for all to a design without sacrificing aesthetic? (i.e. handrails, no threshold doors, door knobs)

There are plenty of stylish options that are also Living In Place friendly! Beautiful no threshold showers and multi-use grab bars are becoming a norm.

Have you considered how hardware choices can affect those with arthritis? The good news is you don’t have to sacrifice chic designs for comfort, just simply think a little deeper when weighing your options.

“Lever handles for passage doors work better than knobs for arthritic hands and weak grips." - @Stacy_Garcia

Here is what to avoid:

• Narrow Pulls (less than 3”) // Thick hands either won’t fit or can get stuck

• Thin Pull Handles // Sore hands need thicker pulls to grab onto comfortably

• Harsh Angles // Pulls with 90-degree angles can pinch sore hands

• Cup Pulls // Cup pulls typically don’t have an adequate surface area to grab onto safely

• T-Pulls // pulls with a bar that sticks out farther than the end screw mounts can snag clothes or be painful to pump into

• T-Knobs // Knobs shaped like a “T” put too much stress on arthritic fingers

• Small Knobs // Grasping a small knob is painful for large, sore hands

"Incorporate these additions to match the style of the home. Sometimes people need assistance, but that doesn’t mean it has to clash with the design. Handrails can have character, too." - @2020spaces

"No threshold showers don't just offer a safer use of the space... we think they look cleaner and much cooler!" - @VilgHomeStores

06. Where do you get your inspiration for Living In Place Designs?

Interiors by Design's LaDonna Eriksen | via NEBRASKA-BASED FIRM COMPLETES A LIVING IN PLACE CONCEPT HOME

"The best place, aside from contemporary and historic design, is the clients themselves. Living in Place is part of a modern movement in design focusing on individual needs and wellness." - @2020spaces

"We get a lot of inspiration right here, on this chat. There's always great ideas for new products and ways of looking at design and function." - @WindowWorksUSA

"Working with different professionals give you great ideas on what is needed in the real world. I love to learn!" - @NancyYoungDsign, CKBD; CLIPP

KBIS 2019 Recap

The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is North America’s largest trade show dedicated to all aspects of kitchen and bath design. This annual show is truly where the heart of the industry is able to meet, collaborate and show everyone what they’re made of. Everyone here at Rev-A-Shelf and Tresco Lighting had an amazing show and are thankful for everyone who came by to experience our product line.

Couldn’t make it to the show? Well, you’re in luck! Here’s a recap of every exciting moment we were able to experience.

Overview

Show attendees explore our Transparent kitchen

Our 2019 booth consisted of 12 unique displays to highlight the versatility and accessibility of our vast array of products, designed to seamlessly organize any room in the home.

Mixed throughout our displays were 15+ brand new and newly re-designed products. You can check out all of them at the bottom of this post!

Our two new show displays include our Grabill Cabinets kitchen and our luxurious Sollid Cabinetry master closet/coffee bar. Both of these displays are topped with beautiful Cambria countertops. What makes these newcomers so stunning are the two illuminated backsplashes using Tresco Lighting’s ETCH panel.

Above is our Grabill Cabinets kitchen display with illuminated Decotone backsplash.

Above is our Sollid Cabinetry master closet display with illuminated 3form backsplash.

Also on display was this Cosma prototype light rail.

Want to see the entire booth? Check out our show recap video above!

Homes For Our Troops

On Tuesday, February 19th we held a special booth signing announcing a three-year national sponsorship deal to partner with the nonprofit organization Homes for Our Troops (HFOT).

Homes for Our Troops builds specially adapted, mortgage-free homes nationwide for severely injured veterans of post 9/11 to enable them to rebuild their lives. This agreement continues the partnership between our two organizations where we will work with HFOT’s veterans and general contractors to furnish all homes with cabinet storage and organization accessories, providing optimal accessibility for veteran home recipients.

Living In Place

Throughout the show, our very own Shari McPeek, Advertising and PR Manager, and Mary Holz , OEM Channel Manager, gave tours of our Certified Living in Place Products including our 5PD Pulldown and blind corner units. The Living in Place Institute blends the best principles of aging in place, accessibility and universal design to make all homes accessible, comfortable and safer for everyone.

Continuing our partnership with Living in Place, Our very own Michael Marcumwas able to sit on this year's Live Panel Presentations to speak about "Kitchen & Bathroom Trends for Living In Place" and "Ergonomics in ALL Kitchens for Living In Place.” Tresco’s Chris Tressalso sat on the live panel to discuss "Lighting & Color for Living In Place."

#KBTribeChat

Every Wednesday at 2pm, we participate in a live Twitter chat called #KBtribechat where kitchen and bath industry professionals discuss trends and share knowledge. The KBIS chat is extra special because we all get to meet, participate together and walk through the show. Since we are a sponsor of the chat, Amber Fowler, Content Marketing Associate, was able to give a booth tour of our new products and answer questions from the 30+ participants.

Tresco Lighting’s Top Project

Another exciting event is Tresco’s announcement of the first ever Top Project winner. Professional photography, a social media spotlight, a $500 Visa Gift Card and bragging rights were awarded to John Zembrodt of Stanton Millwork for his work on The Cincinnatian Hotel.

New American Home

Last, but certainly not least, we were proud to inform all of our visitors of our numerous products featured in the off-site New American Home. The New American Home 2019 was presented by The National Association of Home Builders and the Leading Supplier Council members to showcase the technological advancements the housing industry has to offer. We are honored to have had some of our products showcased alongside names like Caesarstone, LG and Kohler. 

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Explore all of our new and existing products over at

Rev-A-Buzz.com

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Trending: Patterned Cement Tiles

Patterned cement tiles have proven to be a trend that will stand the test of time. But really, these artfully polished displays are created with natural materials like sand, clay, and natural pigments to produce tiles that are both extremely durable and eco-friendly. 

While the surge of bold patterns and colorful backsplashes has filled your Instagram feed in recent months, cement tiles have long since been a part of home decor. Historians even date some versions of encaustic tiles back to the 12th century! 

It's apparent that this trend is here to stay, and all we can say is we are here for it!

I mean come ON! This bathroom is a perfect example of how these tiles can add both a contemporary and vintage flair when mixed with modern details.

Looking for something a little more subtle? Smaller patterns with two colors may be more of your style like this bathroom design by Kate Marker Interiors featuring Cement Tile Shop.

Let's just take a moment and swoon over these beautiful designs.

While gorgeous, some of these beauties can come with a pretty hefty price tag. While these tiles can be seen as quite an investment, but that doesn't mean you have to have to go without. With the wave of this trend came an even bigger wave of DIY-ers and their tips on how to hack this trend using stencils like these.

Summer 2018 Color Trends

Summer has always been about casting out the dark and dreary with bright and fun colors. The Summer 2018 color trends sure do not disappoint us there, but there may be a few curveballs you wouldn't expect.

YELLOW //

This is a truly joyous and radiant color that exudes warmth, inspiration and vitality. Research shows that colors of the yellow family increase mental activity, awareness and energy.

Incorporating yellow into your home promotes a sense of optimism, prompting feelings of happiness in all who enter.

Color suggestion // SW6674 Jonquil

SAGE //

Greens represent growth and renewal. Adding different shades of green can add drama, contrast, richness and balance all at once, Shades such as sage have a soothing quality. Mixing it with whites and grays can create a contemporary look, while incorporating natural elements gives an organic feel.

Color suggestion // SW6178 Clary Sage

NAVY //

Dark blue represents knowledge, power, integrity, and seriousness. Navy is a fun way of adding drama and sophistication to any space whether it's on a wall or a piece of furniture.

Color suggestion // SW9178 In The Navy (pictured)

BLUSH //

Pink is moving away from a little girl's room and into more spaces within the home. A soft and restrained pink, like blush, or a beige with pink undertones creates a soothing feeling.

Color suggestion // SW7110 Cosmetic Blush

BLACK //

Here't that curveball we warned you about! Incorporating black into your space may sound like a daunting task, but it has great benefits. Black exudes strength and sophistication while creating amazing contrast when paired with bright colors and natural elements.

Color suggestion // SW6178 Tricorn Black

WARM WHITE //

While grays are still on trend, there tends to be a lot of frustration surrounding finding that perfect true gray shade. Skip the headache and opt for a warm white. The color is fresh, clean and airy without being too stark.

Color suggestion // SW9165 Gossamer Veil (pictured)

Brass is Back and Better Than Ever

Gold is good, but brass is better.

This luxurious-looking hardware is back on the design scene in a big way. It's bold, bright, beautiful...all the alliterations! Far gone are the days of the shiny and yellow, and here to stay are beautiful pieces fit to brighten any design style.

Kitchen Design by Matthew Quinn of Design Galleria

MODERN

Kitchen by Brio Interior Designs

TRADITIONAL 

Kitchen by Martha Stewart // Hardware by Martha Stewart Living // Photo by Eric Piasecki

BOHO // ECLECTIC

Steel Shelving Brackets by The Ag Market Waco

MODERN FARMHOUSE 

Kitchen by Cutting Edge Homes // Hardware by Edgecliff

Check out these beautiful designs by the

Matthew Quinn Collection