Generations Divides Highlighted in Home Design Part 2

The next demographic of people highlighted in the UNcontained exhibit is "Forever Fit", featuring "the Zoomers".  Zoomers are defined as people in the baby boomer generation who are nearing retirement age but still live active lifestyles.  The zoomers want their homes to not only look cool and be highly designed, but also allow them to age in place.

The forever fit features cool design elements to make a spa with a pedicure area and a big shower that showcases the interests of the homeowners such as the surf board in the shower and tennis rackets in the "salon".

Interesting facts about Zoomers:

1 in 8 zoomers will live to be 100

Every day 10,000 zoomers will turn 65.  This will continue for 18 years!

6 million young adults live with their parents- a 25% increase from 2007.

As part of the aging in place, Zoomers still need their homes to be child friendly and durable because they will entertain and care for their grand kids.  They also need to use materials and spacial layouts that will accommodate their aging bodies such as comfort height toilets, higher seat heights on the sofa and dining chairs and homes without stairs.

What have you noticed from your Zoomer clients?  Do you agree with this assessment of their needs?

A Private Throne

I have spent the last couple weeks comparing ancient man to modern man and referencing my trip to see the remains of the ancient world.  I have spoken about how we use many of the same products and design principals today as our ancestors did in ancient times.  One place where this is not so true... the bathroom. While there were certainly private baths in the ancient world, many in the Roman empire (which incidentally was way ahead of other civilizations) used public bathrooms which usually required payed admission and were just that- public.  At Ephesus, I saw an area that had lines of squat toilets carved into a long stone bench with an ancient form of plumbing underneath- basically a big public port-o-potty!

We have come a long way since then, and even in the last few years.  Manufacturers are now making toilets at seat height to make it more comfortable to sit on, are paying attention to the shape of the seat and are using air and water pressure to ensure everything stays clean and fresh.  Due to the recent water conservation legislation put into effect, manufacturers are being challenged to create toilets with maximum flush impact using less and less water and energy.  One very cool piece of technology is the dual flush toilet.  These toilets first showed up in public restrooms a few years ago but have been streamlined and made more attractive and appealing to a residential clientele.  It has two flush settings based on what you are flushing, and uses less water and energy when less is required.

Although we have learned so much from our ancient counterparts, I am delighted this is one area where we continued to evolve and can't wait to see what the future holds.

Bath Design Product: Whist Glass Sink by Kohler

Kohler recently revealed its new Whist Glass Sink. Featuring serene colors and a concentric line pattern reminiscent of waves, this sink would be perfect not only for a spa-inspired bathroom, but in any bathroom where you want to add a touch of glamour and affordable luxury.

Aside from their aesthetic value, these sinks provide several wonderful features:

• Painted back color conceals personal items within the vanity
• Durable and easy to clean allowing for ease of care
• Works well with most faucet styles and standard sizing fits most vanities
• Available in 3 colorways; Dusk (a blue gray), Dew (a blue green) and Doe (a warm gray) or in an unpainted clear glass option
• Affordable luxury ranging from $231-$301

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Shown in the Doe and Dusk Colors

Kohler Thought Outside the Box with Toobi

At Deb Reinhart Interior Design Group we love giving you interior decorating tips & great products from the industry. A new twist in interior decorating is Kohler's Toobi faucet.  Who knew the inside of a pipe could be an opportunity to set a product apart from millions of other faucets?

Kohler’s Toobi new sleek contemporary faucet features lime green casing in the water portion of the faucet.

When you consider remodeling your bathroom, consider the INSIDE of your pluming!  The brightly colored interchangeable spout liners than can be easily swapped out to personalize your space.

This exciting product line includes options for:

• Lavatory Faucet
• Shower Head
• Tub Filler

Subtle, this small color spot is like a warm hello in the AM when waking up to start the day or a gentle good night to retire.

It is fun, it is unexpected, it proves the color theory can brighten any area-in any circumstances.