What does “home” mean? Here’s what Merriam-Webster has to say: “Home /hom/ n. the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.”
While this may be the dictionary definition, in reality your home is so much more. It is a space to share with family, friends, and loved ones. It is where you make memories. It is a blank slate to express your individual style. It is your home base; your sanctuary. At Traditions of America, it is our mission to ensure your home is all of these things and more. One unique way in which the homes at Traditions of America’s 55 and over communities differ is that each and every homeowner receives unbridled access to our award-winning Design Centers, where designers will work one-on-one with you to help customize and create your own unique floor plan and design. 
There is a reason we call the finished product your DreamHome! This week, we highlight some of the top design trends of 2016 that will help make your home warm, welcoming, comfortable, and most importantly, a space you cherish.
These are great ideas to keep in the back of your mind when starting a conversation with our designers and New Home Counselors. Read on to be inspired (and be sure to check back next week when we share even more trends to inspire you)!
Master Bedroom: “All Eyes on Me!”
These days, everyone wants their master bedroom to feel like a retreat; a soothing and relaxing space you look forward to returning every night. At Traditions of America, we recognize that immense comfort and luxury are integral when it comes to helping you design this special sanctuary. Whether it be plush carpeting, sleek hardwoods, spacious walk-in closets, cozy window seats, or simply a choosing a bold paint color, our designers will guide you through the effortless and exciting process of realizing the space of your dreams.
Here Comes the Sun
The Beatles were onto something with this hit. Natural light, whether it be through adding a sunroom or opting for sheer drapes in place of heavy blinds, is in high demand. In fact, 55places named 2016 the year of light, as active adults are flocking towards larger windows, skylights, and sunrooms! There are plenty of ways to increase the natural light flow in your Traditions of America home, whether it be structurally, through utilizing our customizable floor plans to add a sunroom, or aesthetically, through discussing window treatments with our designers.
Fireplaces
Todays world is teeming with technological innovations, and this is no exception in your home. From sleek kitchen appliances to top of the line, energy efficient thermostats and lighting controls,you will be surrounded by all the modern-day luxuries of living. Yet with this modernity comes a yearning for more traditional elements of the past. Cue one of the top trends of 2016: the rising desire for fireplaces. Instantly rekindle old-fashioned warmth by adding a fireplace to your home. Our fluid, customizable floor plans make it easy to incorporate a fireplace, a charming addition that creates a cozy, inviting environment in any Master Suite or Great Room.
Go Green (literally)
There has been a notable upsurge in buyers’ desire to incorporate greenery within the walls of their home and decorate with natural elements. Not only is this a great way to bring a small part of the outdoors in, but the presence of nature in your interior spaces can often be soothing as well as aesthetically-pleasing. Bringing the outdoors in can be as simple as small succulents, a collection of cacti, or a sampling of herbs perched on the kitchen windowsill. Even the smallest touches will instill an earthy tranquility into your space.
Go Green (figuratively)
While sustainable living is not a ground breaking concept, going green is becoming more and more of a top priority for buyers. This attention to energy efficiency is more than a passing fad; living in an eco-friendly home reduces your carbon footprint, helps sustain our natural resources, and saves money on your energy bills. At Traditions of America, going green is an essential part of creating your DreamHome. Whether it be in the process of framing, mechanicals, insulation, construction, or testing, we Go Green so that you save money and Live Better. Kermit the Frog may have proclaimed that “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green”, but at Traditions of America it is essentially inevitable!
Palette Pick: Pastels
Pastels are all the rage in 2016. According to HGTV, this is a trend you don’t want to miss out on. These light and airy colors will give any room a bold, fresh look. Opportunities abound to incorporate pastels into a space. Whether it be a lavender coat of paint in the master suite to promote sleep and relaxation or teal throw pillows against a neutral sofa to create dramatic contrast, pastels are a trendy way to add a pop to any space, while still retaining an open, airy look and flow.
Bathrooms as a Living Space
Not too long ago, a bathroom was simply a wooden shed in the backyard. Since the 1940s, we have come a long way from the outhouse. In fact, the entire concept of the bathroom has been completely reconceptualized. Today, it is becoming increasingly popular to create a master bath that looks and feels like its own living space. This desire for a spa-like bathroom has continued to grow in 2016. Double vanities, deep soaking tubs, upgraded fixtures, intricate tile work, and statement lighting are just a few options available to help create that spa-like ambiance buyers in 2016 so desire.
“Workhorse” Islands
Functional, workable kitchen islands are in high demand, as they can be the component that ties your entire space together. Houzz recognizes this trend of placing great importance on the island by confirming, “If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the kitchen island is what keeps it beating…They’re not some deserted entity poking out in the middle of the room. They’re more like a Swiss Army knife, packed with function.” At Traditions of America, the options are vast when it comes to incorporating an island into your kitchen that will function and look in a way that is appealing to you, and ultimately complete your ideal kitchen work-space.
As you can see, here at Traditions of America any and all of your design dreams can be accommodated. Please feel free to visit one of our Design Centers and see for yourself what so many of our buyer’s claim set us apart: our ability to create your DreamHome. Also, stay tuned for Luxury Home Design Trends Unveiled: Part Two coming next week!
By Molly McCarthy, Traditions of America Marketing
