Happy New Year! Let’s take a look at what we learned in 2020 regarding your home!
Dean’s Design Lessons of 2020:
1.There’s no choosing between FORM and FUNCTION. It has to be both.
The two major issues folks have encountered after spending more time at home: beauty that doesn’t work and utility that doesn’t inspire. Good design is human design. Which means good design takes into account ALL aspects of our humanity, from physical ergonomics to psychological and emotional ergonomics. Healthy, productive, joyous spaces must account for the full spectrum of being human.
2.LIGHT is everything. “The sun never knew how great it was until it hit the side of a building.” - Louis Kahn. Humans have an evolved perspective on light and Western civilization has a Judeo-Christian story deeply embedded in its psyche and it all makes people light their homes poorly: light/good, darkness/bad.
3.DECLUTTER! Because without great editing your story goes nowhere. Editing is ruthless and necessary. So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads. - Dr. Seuss. A writer is a painter, adding layer after layer. An editor is like a sculptor, carving and removing material until only the true story remains
4.BATHROOMS are a destination.
5.HOME THEATER is essential (and more than a flat screen). The future of home theater is powerful and invisible.
- Screens will either be hidden or in disguise
- Speakers will not draw attention but be immersive
- Headphone technology will change the game in many ways - Apple Air Pods Max - “spatial audio” is directional audio - $550
6.PRIVACY is not optional. Not TOO Open Concept!
- Solid core doors
- Insulated interior walls
7.WORK FROM HOME is here to stay. Consider privacy, view, sound management and zoom rooms.
8.OUTSIDE is the other half of home.
9.DESIGN MATTERS MOST … so if you don’t know how … get help.
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images