• Look for energy-star ratings on kitchen appliances. This is a quick way to know your appliances are going to last and are good for the environment
• Utilize natural fiber textiles on any dining chairs and barstools. We’re mostly going to focus on the appliances and building materials in this post, rather than the interior design, but if that is something that interests you, give this post a read here. 
• Once you’re all done designing your eco-friendly kitchen, you want to keep it that way! So be sure to make green swaps to the cleaners you’re using. For the best recommendations of eco-friendly cleaning products that won’t break the bank, give this post a read here. 

What Are the Best Eco-Friendly Kitchen Appliances?

Wolf (www.wolfappliance.com) manufacturing plants use renewable energy, recycle, source environmentally friendly material and supplies, and provide living wages to factory workers. Made in the United States, Wolf was behaving in a green way before it became a movement.

Bosch (www.bosch.com) has a corporate commitment to low-impact manufacturing and a global management system for environmental issues that maintains high standards for environmental responsibility in any place they operate. 

• Jennair (www.jennair.com) combines the best elements of their cooktops with induction heating for more efficient use of energy and faster cooking times
• GE’s Advantium oven (www.Geappliances.com) prepares meals up to eight times faster than a conventional oven while locking in moisture, and there’s no need to preheat.
• Viking (www.vikingrange.com) has married their professional performance with efficiency in their MagneQuick line. Using a preheating system and induction heating, the least amount of energy needed is used to power their cooktops and ovens.
• Because of its microwave and convection qualities, the Turbo Chef oven (www.turbochef.com) greatly reduces cooking time. It only takes forty minutes to cook a twelve-pound turkey. The oven comes in white, stainless, and three different vibrant, two-tone color combos.

For even more appliance recommendations, give this post a read here. 

What Are the Best Eco-Friendly Cabinets?

• Valcucine (www.valcucinena.com), the greenest of all European cabinets, went so far as to found a reforestation group, BioForest. Their cabinetry uses up to 80 percent less material than competing products. They are free of formaldehyde and use only nontoxic, citrus oil finishes. Their Invitrum line with  its glass doors, cabinets, and countertops make up the world’s first eco-friendly, zero-emission, 100 percent recyclable kitchen cabinets. The bases of the units are made with recycled aluminum and glass, which are assembled with mechanical joinery so no glue is needed. The glass panels are only 10 mm thick which replaces the need for double panels, resulting in fewer materials. The cabinets are made to last a lifetime, and at the end of their lifecycle, they are labeled for 100 percent recycling. 
• Italian Kitchen Design (www.ikdusa.com) features attractive and affordable Italian cabinets made with European environmental standards, imported top of the line veneers, and pressure laminates.
• The core materials of Humabuilt cabinets (www.humabuilt.com) are renewable and recyclable, manufactured without formaldehyde. They are also very careful about the adhesives they use and they have passed some of the most stringent air quality standards in the United States.
• Sleek, strong, and sustainable describe the flexible kitchen systems from Bazzèo (www.bazzeo.com). Customizable cabinets, drawers, and storage pieces are crafted from rapidly renewable and recycled materials, including wheatboard, aluminum, stainless steel, and certified woods finished with wood veneers, aluminum, or laminate panels, and low- to no-emission lacquers. Bazzèo says it transforms all manufacturing waste into new products and plants a tree for each new order. 
• Kirei (www.kireiusa.com) is a leader in green wheat-board. The Kirei product often exceeds the characteristics of commercially available MDF but it comes from a renewable source and uses nontoxic adhesives. When you use the Kirei wheatboard instead of conventional MDF you can earn LEED points for rapidly renewable material, recycled content, and indoor quality.
• Lyptus (www.lyptus.com) sells a species of wood developed for cabinetry. It grows in about half the time as other cabinet wood but has the same beneficial qualities, no formaldehyde binders, and is visually attractive.
• Cabinetmaker Tonusa (www.tonusa.com) has a green cabinet line and recognizes the need to care for our environment for the benefit of future generations. Tonusa uses environmentally responsible raw materials in its products such as wood boards that meet stringent European standards, imported premium laminates and veneers.
• Treefrog Veneer (www.treefrogveneer.com) carries a complete selection of forty-nine real wood veneer laminates, representing the most beautiful wood species in the world. A One Percent for the Planet member, they practice sustainable forestry, use water-based dyes and stains, which are free of chrome, and follow E1 European limits for formaldehyde emission. The production facility is located in Massachusetts.
• Brookside Veneers (www.veneers.com) has had a strong commitment to the environment for over thirty years, from the harvest and manufacturing processes to the recyclable paper products they purchase. The company has made substantial investments in state-of–the-art machinery to reduce dust and fumes to preserve air quality. Wastewater from dying vats is processed back into clean water and wood scraps are put back into production. Their veneers have achieved FSC certification and the company donates portions of their profits to organizations on promoting forest renewal and health. 

Wondering where kitchen design is trending? We wrote all about the top custom kitchen remodeling trends for 2020 here.

Where to Shop Eco-Friendly Range Hoods?

• Zephyr (www.zephyronline.com) has included a new energy-efficient range hood that is Energy Star rated for its high performance ventilation and low energy consumption.
• Fisher and Paykel Fisher & Paykel (fisherpaykel.com) is not only committed to sustainable production and waste methods, they have owned a recycling plant for decades. Their “take back” program” collects refrigerators to be recycled instead of thrown away. 
• AGA.(aga-ranges.com) – AGA ranges not only look chic, with their brilliantly hued enamel, their cookers are made of 70% recycled material. 
• Meile- (mieleusa.com)-  This company lives and breathes sustainability and includes elements of energy efficiency, longevity, recyclability, waste management and social responsibility in all of their product lines.  Their Extractor unit completely recesses into the ceiling, illustrating how green design is also gorgeous design. 

We recently completed for Vegan chefs who founded the plant-based brand Forks Over Knives. Because they don’t cook with oils, we didn’t need a range hood at all. What could be healthier and more eco than that?

Where to Shop for Eco-Friendly Countertops?

• Enviroglas (enviroglasproducts.com) is an American company at the forefront of design and recycling. Granite comes from far away. It’s heavy and requires a lot of energy to mine it, shape it, and get it from places like Turkey to your project. Synthetic, recycled countertops utilize broken glass and porcelain, suspended in a resin, to create gorgeous, durable surfaces perfect for cooking, eating, and living. They are installed and work just like granite, but greener. 
• Caesar Stone (caesarstoneus.com) was the first solid surface company to make an environmental commitment back in 1987. The Greenguard-certified product uses recycled content and recycles industrial raw material and 97 percent of water used in processing. They avoid using hazardous substances and the counter tops are impervious to mold and microbes. 
• The ECO brand (ecobyconsentino.com) is both Cradle to Cradle and Greenguard certified, is a durable surface made of 75 percent recycled content composed of post-industrial or post-consumer materials, and is bound by an environmentally friendly resin which comes in part from corn oil. ECO is an ideal substitute for natural or engineered stone. 
• EnviroPLANK and EnviroSLAB terrazzo tiles and slabs (enviroglasproducts.com) are made of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled glass. The product is made from 75 percent recycled glass from local recycling programs for minimal transportation impact. The product is resistant to chips, stains, burns, and chemicals and has zero VOCs and virtually no emissions. Maintenance of the product requires only water, mild cleaner, and no wax. It is designed to last a lifetime, but can be ground up for a new floor if desired.  
• In addition to recycled content slabs and environmentally conscious practices in their manufacturing plants, Consentino, Silestone’s parent company (silestoneusa.com), cooperates with the quarries they mine to restore the environment to its original landscape. 
• The Ice Stone brand (ecospectile.com) is Cradle to Cradle certified and made from 100 percent recycled glass. The glass countertop is mixed with cement for a concrete surface. It’s free from VOCs, plastics, resins, and you can earn up to 6 LEED points by using it.
• Coverings Etc.’s Bio-Glass countertops (coveringsetc.com) are made from 100 percent recycled and recyclable glass bottles and stemware. The product has Cradle to Cradle Silver Tier certification.

Want to know how to protect your wood flooring in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms? We got you covered. Give this post a read here.

Where to Shop the Best Eco-Friendly Hardware?

• Emtek (emtek.com/sustainability),  and the ASSA ABLOY group brands are signatories to the United Nations Global Compact and are committed to updating their sustainability practices on an ongoing basis. Their products are made from non-hazardous materials and pass strict oversight when it comes to manufacturing in factories overseas. They’re truly uncompromising when it comes to acting green!
• Sun Valley Bronze (www.sunvalleybronze.com), manufactured in Sun Valley, Idaho, practices environmental responsibility by using green sand technology in the casting process. It participates in metal scrap and office recycling programs and provides healthy working conditions for its employees. It uses 90 –95 percent recycled content materials in its white bronze and silicon bronze products. Bronze also has natural antimicrobial and self-decontaminating properties.
• Rocky Mountain Hardware (www.rockymountainhardware.com), a family-owned and operated business located in Sun Valley, Idaho, uses 90 percent pre-consumer and 50 percent post-consumer recycled material to create all of their products. The company headquarters are housed in a LEED certified building. They practice conservation in their daily business activities including: recycled water, waste recycling, and naturally lit working spaces.
• Green Sage (www.greensage.com) offers styles ranging from bamboo designs to 100 percent recycled glass knobs and lead-free pewter knobs, pulls, and bathroom accessories.
• Anna Sova (www.annasova.com) sells drapery hardware made in the United States from 100 percent post-consumer recycled aluminum and recycled glass, and is finished with no VOC products. Hardware is shipped in minimal packaging.

Further Reading for Green Interior Design and Home Building Resources:

• Want to delve deeper? Be sure to pre-order your copy of the updated 2nd edition of Green Interior Design here on amazon!
• Making Southern California Homes Eco-Friendly

Learn How to Build Your Own Granny Flat at the Maxable 101 Expo in Downtown LA

Interested in learning more and getting 101 advice on how to maximize your property with a granny flat? Come out to the Maxable 101 Expo in Downtown Los Angeles this weekend where you can learn from panels of experts. Find tickets, parking information, and RSVP here on Eventbrite.

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Granny Flat? And Is It Worth It?

Depending on how large and what materials you want to use, how much is preassembled, etc your budget for building a granny flat can vary greatly. There are start-ups specializing in pre-fab homes that claim to take just four hours and cost under $10k to build and install a granny flat (compared to the normal 4-8 weeks), but if you want a fully functional rental unit with all the bells and whistles needed to really be competitive in the rental market, expect to spend upwards of $100k. But the return is well worth it! The important thing is to plan to own the property for a long time.

Granny flats cost a little more per square foot than a regular home because they are essentially mini homes with all the same inclusions like plumbing, energy, AC, etc. So they may be tiny homes, but they include all the ‘expensive’ square footage in a normal-size home. The video from Maxable, posted above, details further.

Things to Keep in Mind When Building a Granny Flat on Your Property

• Design requirements: Your city ordinance may require height, size, and other specifications. Be sure you’re in compliance before you start on a costly project!
• There may be city fees and parking requirements for your unit.
• You need to get permitted, but it’s generally not difficult to do so long as you’re up-to-code when it comes to health and safety
• Title 24 requirements in California state that all new construction needs to meet energy-neutral guidelines. That means it’s time to install those solar panels!
• The time it takes to build your granny flat can range from a few weeks to a few months depending upon how many pieces are prefabricated or being built from scratch.
• When it comes to designing the space, having lots of windows and ample light is crucial so it doesn’t feel like a stuffy box. Also, since it’s small and space is at a premium, verticality is imperative — anyone who’s dwelled in small urban environments can tell you that – install window treatments from where the wall meets the ceiling above windows, think tall, narrow bookshelves, small-scale furniture that serves multiple functions (pull out couches, etc)

What Does It Mean to Win Best of Houzz?

The Best Of Houzz badge is awarded annually, in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design awards honor professionals whose work was the most popular among the Houzz community. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including a pro’s overall rating on Houzz and client reviews submitted in 2019. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award.

“This year’s Best Of Houzz awards go to an incredibly talented and service-oriented group of home remodeling and design professionals, and we’re proud to highlight the winners on the Houzz website and app,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “This award is particularly meaningful as it reflects the sentiment of the millions of homeowners in the Houzz community who are hiring home professionals for their projects across the U.S. and around the world.”

Why SoCal Contractor Was Named Best of Houzz

Looking back at our top-performing project images and blog posts on social media, some trends have emerged:

Honest Advice That Saves Your Time and Money on Your Home Improvement Projects

What’s the best time of year to redo your deck? Or to renovate your kitchen? We answer these kinds of questions on the Build Blog every week and share snippets on Instagram and Facebook which our audience seems to appreciate. 

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What are the best #homeimprovement projects to do in the Fall? This is a good time to fix any chipped or warped decks. During the Summer, they most likely got used frequently and could use a refresh to prepare them before the Winter, when a different type of harsh weather will have its way. | More #HomeTips on the blog at SoCalContractor.com (link in the bio)

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Labor Day weekend has come and gone, signifying the end of Summer. So what are the best home improvement projects to do in the Fall to get your home in Back-to-school shape? We're discussing on the latest #BuildBlog at SoCalContractor.com (link in the bio)

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Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Decor Advice

One of the design elements that our firm specializes in is sustainable design and living. In posts like this one, we’re all about saving our clients time, money, headache, and saving the environment by advising clients to buy less and be okay with some empty, negative space. 

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Shower indoors or out? In this coastal getaway, you don’t have to choose! ☀️ 🌊 |Visit the #BuildBlog at SocalContractor.com for #indooroutdoor living and designing tips!

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We Get Repeat Clients

Moreover, we take a great deal of pride in the fact that the majority of our clients are repeat customers spanning a couple of decades. Why do we have so many repeat clients? We listen, build lasting relationships, and deliver quality design and installation on time! Check out more of our favorite projects from repeat clients here. 

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We're thankful to have so many repeat clients who sustain our business and let us be creatively free in our design-build practice. On the latest #BuildBlog, we wrote about some of the common themes that keep clients coming back for more. Give it a read at SoCalContractor.com (link in the bio)

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Making An Entrance 

Houzz frequently features our projects — like this one pictured below, to inspire the houzz community to make a lasting impression on guests when they enter their home! 

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Thank you so much to @houzz and writer Brenna Malmberg for featuring our entry way this week! Always a thrill to be included in a best-of round-up alongside so many talented interior designers.

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How to Design a Romantic Bedroom in 5 Steps this Valentine’s Day

Modern Romance & Mix-Matched Stylings

When it comes to the color palette in the bedroom, we’re always fans of something soft and sweet – and mixing it with a modern, trendy furniture piece or light fixture for a little edge. Using a pretty pink color palette, this blushing bedroom mixes traditional elements with trendy modern for a subtly mix-matched look. Keeping everything in a clean, pastel color palette gives the space it’s romantic feel.

Silky Sexy Sensual Sheets

The bed is the main event in the master bedroom – and these bedrooms are a couple of our favorites because not only are the platform beds sexy and custom-made, they feature good quality mattresses that last a while and are covered in the coziest, sexiest bedding. Talk about hotel-quality style!

Lighting Control to Take Your From Day to Night

Having control over the lighting scheme in the bedroom is imperative to helping you ease into bed and fall asleep at night with your natural circadian rhythms and wake up again to natural sunlight in the morning. Great window treatments, and layered lighting (general, ambient, and task) are key to crafting a gorgeous glow. Plus, candles on the nightstand or sideboards once the night is in full swing and you need to set the mood. 😉

Flirty Florals

We’re fans of floral prints, but it’s easy to go cheesy, kiddy, or homespun with a traditional floral print. The key here is to stick to a modern color palette and quality materials so you learn more flirty than grandma’s chintz. 

Something Special for Your Someone Special

This Valentine’s Day, make it special for your person — in the bedroom. Craft a custom space that’s just for the two of you by including something one-of-a-kind, like the artwork pictured in the Venice Beach home of artist Jodi Pantuck. Above the bed is one of Jodi’s original works. The piece is all about emotion discovered through meditation and is intensely physical. We love the way it energizes this sexy bedroom. 

How to Help the Victims of the Australia Fires

1. Australia Red Cross – You can donate or volunteer time if you are in the area.
2. Australia Salvation Army – Reputable and reliable, the Salvation Army is adept at designating donated funds to aid in the fire relief program. 
3. WIRES – Wires is Australia’s largest wildlife fund organization. Donate today and help save endangered koalas!

How to Fireproof Your Home

1. Mend Your Yard – This can be a quick fix, dependent upon how well you keep up your yard. In Southern California, we’re prone to dry brush. Removing any dry or dead vegetation promptly and keeping lawns watered will help in brush fire prevention.
2. New Roofing – Roofing materials can work wonders in providing your home with a fireproof barrier. Opt for tile, metal, or concrete roofs, as these materials are inherently fireproof.
3. Sturdy Exteriors – Your fireproof material selection should extend to the walls of your home. In addition to proper insulation, brick and stone exterior materials, as opposed to wood sidings will provide your home with a protective barrier. 
4. New Windows – Considering window replacement and concerned about fires? Metal frame, rather than wooden frame windows not only look elegant, are sustainable, they also help protect against fires. Additionally, you’ll want to consider double-paneled glass. If this seems like a lot of options and overwhelm, give our friends at Lion Windows & Doors a call, they’ll be happy to distill the process of window selection down and help you out.  
5. Fire-Retardant Paints – The paint you use interior and exterior can also aid in fire prevention. These paints are going to have a little grain in them, be a little rougher in texture, and help keep fire off the walls!

1. Innovative Outdoor Lighting

Indoor lighting has come a long way and now it seems outdoor lighting is playing catch up. Outdoor lighting used to all look about the same, but much like outdoor textiles, the design and technology has started looking as luxe as interiors.

2. Natural Materials

Rattan is a trend that is still going strong — including the cable holding up the chandeliers. The aesthetic is ropey and casual but still maintains an air of sophistication.

3. Walls Designed to Highlight Lighting Features

Of course, in these lighting showrooms, the designers and merchandisers’ top priority is to emphasize the light fixtures. And we can learn a thing or two from them! There were a number of ways the walls were designed to make statement lighting the centerpiece of the room — from wallpaper that contrasted with the fixtures to two-tone monochromatic walls that made the gold and silver fixtures pop!

4. Blinged Out Floral Chandeliers & Sconces

Martyn Lawerence Bullard — always the master of regency style — softened his signature masculine, glam style with floral motifs on his chandelier and sconces for Corbett Lighting. Any of these pieces would create a gorgeous installation.

5. Sandy, Coastal Table Lamps

Vegas is full of glamorous style, but one of the prime demographics shopping the Las Vegas Furniture market is the SoCal coastal buyer and they’re looking for functional lighting for coastal interiors that’s still elegant and versatile — We found plenty in the brightened up Currey Co showroom!

Starting this year, new homes built in California are meant to be net zero, meaning they should generate as much energy as they take off the grid. https://t.co/zk3Fhu2Zex

— KCRW (@kcrw) January 22, 2020

5 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

• Solar

Ahh solar powering your home — this is really the main event. The city of Los Angeles is requiring new homes under four stories to be built with solar panels. You can lease, rather than purchase the panels- which will run you around $10,000. They will, however, save roughly $35/month.

• Energy Efficient Windows and Doors

This is a simple home improvement project – new windows and doors can be installed in a day or two and vastly improves quality of life. Homeowners are always happy when they finally pull the trigger on upgrading to new energy-efficient windows. They make it much easier to heat, cool, and ventilate the home. Our partners at Lion Windows & Doors are leaders in window sales and customer service in the Los Angeles area – we can’t recommend them highly enough to help you through the selection and installation process. Check them out here. 

• Indoor-Outdoor Design

Designing with indoor-outdoor living in mind is a top priority when building in Southern California. More and more, new homes are being designed to optimize the exterior space and get inhabitants out in nature. This lecture by leading sustainable interior designer, Lori Dennis, explains the importance of indoor-outdoor design, far before it was trendy to go green:

• Electric Car-Charging Ports

As the doomsday clock ticks down, and more and more people are realizing the urgency of improving our climate, electric and hybrid cars have come down significantly in price and even budget models are being produced. This has led to an increase in demand of at-home charging port installation. On average, they run around $500. Installing your own at-home EV charges doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg – owning, operating, and maintaining these vehicles will still save you time, money, and the environment.

• Low-Flow Plumbing Features

In addition to well-filtered water, you’ll want to be sure faucets are low-flow, which means they expound less than 2.5 gallons per minute compared to conventional flow which can be over 5 gallons! That’s a lot of water you can conserve without even realizing it.

We recently completed a home for celebrity vegan chefs – founders of the renowned plant-based diet brand Forks Over Knives. In doing so, we paid extra attention to customizing the kitchen. Because they don’t cook with oil and need a really great system to steam and saute, their kitchen required more cooktop burners than the average household.

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When we first started working with Brian Wendell of Forks Over Knives, we were designing his costal bachelor pad overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica. Fast forward and now we’re designing his family home in Mar Vista for him and his live in partner is Darshana Thacker, the head chef for FOK, complete with an indoor outdoor edible garden. Understanding where our clients are at different phases of their lives greatly informs design decisions. See more on the blog at SoCalContractor.com

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We were able to skip a bulky ventilation system, usually seen hanging over the cooktop, because she doesn’t use oils, and therefore there’s not as much noxious smoke coming back into the environment. Which is a great bonus! It’s most steam exhaust. So streamline vent hoods on either side of the burners work sufficiently and work beautifully with an open design plan to the dining and living room areas. 

Large and Double Islands

The biggest complaint in the traditional default kitchen design? Not enough prep space! So when it comes to designing custom kitchens, the more counter space the better. We’re seeing extra large and double islands in high demand in 2020.

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⚡️The Calm Before The Storm⚡️ We love to see everyones beautiful thanksgiving tables + decor. We also love to learn about your family recipes and traditions 💛tell us what your cooking tomorrow…. @hw.interiors || 📸 @jessglynnphoto || #cypressislandhw . . . . . . . . #kitchendesign #kitchensofinstagram #design #thanksgiving #foodporn #kitchendecor #finditstyleit #moderninteriors #moderndesign #smmakelifebeautiful #finditstyleit #houseenvy #myhousebeautiful #luxuryliving #palmbeachdesigner #luxuryhomes #wellingtondesigner

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Gorgeous Glam Chandeliers and Pendants

Those big beautiful kitchen counter slabs call for some fabulous statement lighting overhead to match! We’re seeing lots of golden chandeliers and glass pendants with exposed bulbs. Lighting is one of our favorite elements of a space and we know a good architectural lighting fixture can elevate a kitchen to the next level!

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There is a reason zen is often synonymous with modern design. Part of creating more zen in your life is designing a sustainable, easily maintainable space. One of the ways we do that is in our choice of materials and finishes that are easy to clean and need less maintenance – large, hard, flat, natural surfaces and knobs and pulls with less curve and traditional detail will cut back on the overwhelm of maintenance. Head to the #BuildBlog at SoCalContractor.com for more design advice.

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Modern and Contemporary Usurp Modern Farmhouse (Finally!)

Stylistically, it would seem demand for modern farmhouse style kitchens peaked last year, according to the houzz community 2020 kitchen trends study. We couldn’t be more excited! While the farmhouse trend is dying down, the demand for modern and contemporary kitchens is surging and this just so happens to be a specialty of ours.

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In contemporary kitchens, materials are chosen with cleanliness and maintainability in mind – everything should be easy to keep tidy year round with a simple wipe down after each meal-prep. Generally color palettes are pretty neutral as well. More on designing contemporary kitchens ln the latest #BuildBlog. Link in the bio.

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Contrasting and Bright Colors

The bright white kitchen that’s been dominating Pinterest pages the past decade? It’s on its way out. While white shaker cabinets are still trending strong, we’re seeing homeowners going bold with backsplashes opting for exciting colors and patterns and installing from the counter all the way up to the ceiling. 

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Watch an all new #RenovationInspiration presented by @LampsPlus to see how we started from scratch with nothing but a blank wall in this kitchen! We just finished renovating this new #losangeles AirBnb. I love how the kitchen came together with leather pulls on white cabinets for a touch of luxe and @VillaLagoon ceramic Ikat tile infuse the space with signature #GlobalStyle.

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In her Ted X Santa Barbara talk, interior designer Lori Dennis took center stage to provide a comfortable solution to the homeless epidemic: furniture. After years of charitable donations to shelters and even direct giving of goods to the homeless, she grew increasingly frustrated with the lack of results, while the homeless population in her hometown of Los Angeles continued to grow. That’s when she discovered local organizations like Pen & Napkin and A Sense of Home Org – organizations that partner with the design community to furnish the homes of those transitioning out of homelessness. Her talk stresses the importance of segmenting the homeless population to cut down on overwhelm and provide more effective, long term solutions and the pride in ownership individuals have them their homes are furnished. Watch now:

Liz Murray: Homeless to Harvard

From living on the streets of NYC to studying at Harvard, Liz Murray’s story is truly inspirational. Her Ted Talk emphasizes getting to the psychological root of homelessness and how important a belief in possibility to succeed and change is in putting and end to homelessness across American cities. She was fascinated by the question ‘What is it inside of a person that motivates them to take action?’ And how can we help people in need get there? In her talk, she demonstrates how we can teach someone to refuse labels like ‘homeless person,’ in order to prime their brains to begin exploring other possibilities. Watch now:

Richard J Berry: Work + Safety

Richard J. Baum takes an incredibly practical and urban designer’s type of approach to his solution to combat homelessness. Building trust in the community is key to breaking through to panhandling populations. In his Ted Talk, he illustrates the ways his program offering day jobs empowered homeless across Albuquerque, New Mexico. He also provides sage advice on how to donate to help – $5 handed to an individual may buy them a meal that day, but that same $5 donated to a food pantry can be better optimized to serve tens of people, for example. He also speaks to the dignity in jobs and housing selection. Like Lori and Liz, he gets to the motivating mental factors – the discovery of possibility is key here. Watch now:

Jamal Mechbal: Fighting Homelessness, My Way

Jamal makes the point that most homeless people look just like you and I – but the mental image that ‘homelessness’ conjures up is one of the “crazy” bag lady soiled and rambling to herself. Making this distinction is key to understanding how we can segment the homeless population to cut down on the overwhelm of trying to discover a one-size-fits-all solution to the crisis. His ted talk delves into the chain reaction that can cause a seemingly ‘normal’ person to spiral into an unfortunate situation resulting in homelessness and posits that an insurance, like medical insurance, may be the solution necessary to homelessness prevention. Could this be the way of giving people a chance to help themselves? Watch now:

Anne Mahlum: Running Forward

Empowerment is also at the center of Anne Mahlum’s Ted talk. She chronicles her personal history with her gambling-addicted father, who while attentive to her and her siblings, was leading a double life that destroyed her family’s faith in stability. Always an athlete, she turned to running as a source of empowerment to get her through, eventually leading her to organize a running club for the local homeless population. The results were incredible – as she lays out the mental and physical transformations that take place within athletes training. It’s for Type A, perfectionists, competitive people-prideful people. What she discovered through this work was that often noone thinks to give homeless people standards of excellence and by shifting away from a traditionally patronizing approach, they too can be empowered to improve their lives. Watch now:

Color Trends for 2020

Every year, the Pantone Color Institute announces their Color of the Year based upon extensive deliberation not just from design professionals, but also scientists and other colorists who evaluate what palettes best reflect what’s happening in the world around us. The color of the year selection for 2020 is Classic Blue, calming and dependable. 

Both of which are traits we’d use to describe the latest palette of Kelly Wearstler and Kravet fabrics – the pearly, pastel hues are soothing and bucolic. Expect to see them integrated to soften edgy modern interiors, as well as in English garden motifs, which seem to be on the rise.

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A refined balance between luxurious construction and natural elements. #IZUCollection #InstaKravet – – – Fabric: Lotus Pond, Osode

A post shared by Kravet (@kravetinc) on Jul 25, 2019 at 6:07pm PDT

Kitchen Trends for 2020

The next wave of kitchens as the hangout center of the home is upon us! Expect to see more appliances and layouts selected based upon the customization of the family’s diet. (For example, this home we recently designed for a Vegan chef who doesn’t cook with oils forgoes a range hood). We’re also seeing people transform their lesser utilized formal dining rooms as chef’s pantries or prep kitchens in which they hide smaller appliances, in order to maximize hangout space in the primary kitchen.

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When we first started working with Brian Wendell of Forks Over Knives, we were designing his costal bachelor pad overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica. Fast forward and now we’re designing his family home in Mar Vista for him and his live in partner is Darshana Thacker, the head chef for FOK, complete with an indoor outdoor edible garden. Understanding where our clients are at different phases of their lives greatly informs design decisions. See more on the blog at SoCalContractor.com

A post shared by SoCal General Contractor (@socalcontractor) on Dec 5, 2019 at 9:25am PST

Lighting Trends for 2020

Here is a super specific trend we are seeing a lot of: Modern, glass pendants over kitchen islands and in entry ways. They’re round and soft and make a subtle statement, while having a translucence to them, blending in seamlessly with the rest of the interior.

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One of the reasons to shy away from “Glam” as a style is because it can so often lead to overconsumption maximalism, but there is a way to do edited glamour. To us, that is truly luxurious. Make one big, bold design choice in your room and commit to it – That could be an oversized piece of colorful art in an otherwise monochromatic space, or lacquering a ceiling, or including a bold, textural wallpaper. More #DesignTips like this one on the blog at SoCalContractor.com (link in the bio)

A post shared by SoCal General Contractor (@socalcontractor) on Nov 19, 2019 at 8:37am PST

We’re also seeing bold, masculine, edgy industrial sconces popping up in unexpected spaces. 2020 is going to be a year of design that keeps us surprised around every corner!

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Stone and tile wall features can elevate your home from ordinary to extraordinary! On the #BuildBlog, we're sharing some of our favorite past projects featuring stone wall features that really elevate the homes' architecture. Give it a read at SoCalContractor (link in the bio)

A post shared by SoCal General Contractor (@socalcontractor) on Aug 21, 2019 at 10:27am PDT

Home Technology Trends for 2020

What can you control with an app? Security cameras, lights. Hidden cables and TV’s. And a backlash against tech and out dependance on it in the bedroom. Expect to see it all integrated into every nook and cranny of our homes in 2020.

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We've been asked a lot lately about smart home technology and installation so we thought we'd share a few thoughts: Since smart home systems are known to be quite finicky, even when you do spend the money, we recommend using the best system and installer/programmer you can. Installing smart home tech systems are rough and finish jobs meaning the wires will be inside your walls which will be expensive to replace later on. Wireless systems are less reliable than the hard wires and usually cost more. Buy once, cry once and enjoy for years to come! | Keep your questions coming! We're answering more like this on the #BuildBlog at SoCalContractor.com

A post shared by SoCal General Contractor (@socalcontractor) on Jun 7, 2019 at 10:56am PDT

Home Wellness Trends for 2020

Mediation rooms, yoga, clean air/water, energy efficient windows – These are the updates that are making a house a home. Installing water filters and air purifiers and sealing up any cracks to prioritize insulation were previously thought of as the unsexy home improvement projects and shoved on the back burner. But we’re happy to report a trend in homeowners prioritizing these aspects of their home! We go into more detail on these projects in this blog here.