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Meet Julie Smith

Julie Smith, in-house designer for Discovery Homes, a custom home builder in Manitoba, has been on the cutting edge of design for over ten years, and a principal part of the team at Discovery Homes, that makes home design a reality. We asked Smith what we will see in design and decor for 2016/2017.

For most people conceptualizing and visualizing what your home will look like once finished can be overwhelming. "A custom built home is about making your big dream into reality. After weeks of planning and making decisions months in advance, seeing the end result is always exciting and gratifying to my clients" Smith adds. Designers work with their clients to ease concerns and make this process enjoyable.

The modern family lives a hectic life. Busy with long days, work commitments, children’s after school activities, when the family is finally home, they want to relax. They want a simple, welcoming, and casual home with all the modern conveniences. "The age of formality has waned. The modern family is all about being inclusive. They want their family, friends, and their children’s friends to be part of their down time, and the focus has truly become the kitchen and its surroundings," states Smith. The kitchen island once a feature, is now the focal point of a home.

Peoples "wants" have changed over time. They want the building process to be interactive, allowing for personal touches, and to watch their project evolve from drafting to the completion of their organic home. The majority of clients know what they want, and need guidance on how to achieve it. Smith adds, "Clients bring in their story boards, filled with Pinterest and Houzz photos of what they want their home to look like. They look for a builder, and designer that will respect their financial parameters and yet achieve their style."

In 2016/2017 you will see floor plans that maximize space, entry ways that feel spacious, oversized rooms, kitchen islands big enough to replace a dining room table, fireplaces that are warm and welcoming, and creative ways to maximize storage in the home. Loft style is no longer only for the downtown hipsters, it has come into mainstream suburban living.

When looking at style, whether traditional, contemporary, or modern, everyone wants simplicity. In materials, you will see black iron for such items as door fixtures, taps, sinks and lighting. Home design trends tend to follow fashion. Heavy textures, men’s suiting, felt, worn leather is in fashion for furniture pieces such as couches, and accent chairs, woods that show off their grains - oak, walnut, hickory, ash. Wood speaks to the warmth that clients look for in their homes. Exposed brick interior walls, touches of brass, and gold elements are also on trend.

When it comes to colour, classic black and white will always be in style. Shades of white with a punch of colour in various colours of orange, yellow, red and navy add a warm feel to the home. Teal and aqua tones are still very much in style for the year.

Smith suggests some rules when planning furniture layout in your home. "If the furniture is not comfortable don’t buy it. Scale in furniture is important, only in that you should pick one size and stick to it. To warm up a room, add a spot of red, even if it is a single flower. Remember to layer lighting in a room, it meets various needs, from natural sunlight coming in from windows to overhead lights in a prep area of a kitchen. Lighting is important." However, when it comes to "rules", Smith insists that you should throw out every rule. "Do what you love, own it all the way through your home, and it will be beautiful."

Julie Smith is the on staff designer for Discovery Homes and her flair for style and design comes with every home built by Discovery Homes. Visit www.discoveryliving.ca for more information.

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