As the ball dropped at midnight and I looked into the new year (decade) with clearer vision than ever before, I saw into the future and was amazed at some of the newest design trends. It is 2020, and we are entering a new decade! Let’s use this decade to improve our living and work environments. As we start thinking of renovating or adding new spaces, I would like you to understand some of the new home renovation trends for 2020. I hope to incorporate some of these into your spaces.

Kitchen trends 

Kitchens have come a long way. What was once tucked in the back corner and filled with dirty dishes is now the focal point of any home. That’s why we cooked up the top kitchen design trends first and foremost. The simpler, the better: Modern farmhouse is still popular, but things are shifting more toward truly modern. Think clean lines and industrial touches. Open shelving, subway tile and natural stone textures instead of glossy finishes all come together for this look.

Smart kitchens: Tech is everywhere now … even controlling our fridges and faucets. Smart means sustainable, too. From water-saving dishwashers to reflective surfaces paired with big windows to reduce the need for electrical lighting during the day, it’s all a smart choice for Mother Earth.

A pop of color: Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors. Pale pink cabinets? An accent wall in the official color of 2020 – classic blue? Tile with flecks of gold? Go on!

Bathroom trends

A shower. A sink. A toilet. What’s so exciting about that? Time to flush that thought away because these 2020 trends demonstrate that the bathroom is the best room. In fact, according to HomeAdvisor’s 2019 State of Home Spending Report, bathrooms are the most common room for renovations and remodeling.

Black is the new black: Black is bold. Black is better. Fixtures like lights, shelving and mirror frames are all coming in this color. When popping off white subway tile (hey, there’s that popular pick again!), it really makes a statement.

Bathrooms of the future: It’s all about smart tech in this space, too. Built-in Bluetooth speakers for shower singing done on another level or tricked out toilets. Of course, eco-friendly is a factor again with showers that save water and aren’t paired with a tub or lighting that uses less electricity.

Better storage = better comfort: If your use every nook and cranny for compact storage and shelving, there’s more space for open showers and big, big tubs. The Netflix generation doesn’t want the lounging to stop on the couch. Getting comfy carries over to the bathroom.

Basement trends
We’re not 5 anymore. We know basements aren’t where the scary things live. Treating it as such is a surefire way to add instant value to any property. Here’s how.

Basement? You mean party place. A theater. A fully stocked bar. A music venue complete with a mini stage. A gym for fitness freaks. A basement can be all this and more in the right design/builder’s hands.

Open concepts. Barrier-free spaces are still trending – especially in basements. Without walls taking away extra square footage, there’s more room for that mini stage we just mentioned.

Outdoor trends

Summer’s a long way away. However, it’s never too early to start dreaming about the great outdoors with these 2020 home renovation trends.

Prettied up patios: All the creature comforts usually enjoyed indoors have moved outside. Deck out patios with built-in bars, lounging, fireplaces, outdoor kitchens and more.

Mixed materials: Brick with natural wood. Copper with birch. Concrete with almost anything. It all looks good. It’s 2020, and the best designs are using an “everything but the kitchen sink” approach when choosing materials.

Landscaping, landscaping, landscaping: You can never have too many flowers, bushes and trees. Arrange them artfully with elaborate walkways and lighting. Your clients will never want to go back inside again.

Home renovation done easy 

It’s a New year, a new decade, and a time for new home design.

It’s the dawn of 2020, and the possibilities are truly endless.

2020 is going to be a time to shine. We can show you how to do it!

Happy New Year!

Michael Menn

Principal, Architect

AIA, CGR, CAPS, CGP, NCARB

Michael Menn Ltd.

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It’s coming to the end of yet another productive year. As we await our appraisal review with our clients and trade partners to discuss about how we have fared for the year, we each take time to reflect upon our contributions and performance within the team.

Personally, I find it important to reflect on who I am now and how my experiences in the past year has shaped me, my team and my clients. Through the year, understanding that everything I do has consequences, has helped me in my personal and work life — gaining valuable insights and learning from my experiences.

In my personal life, during the times where disagreements and conflicts arise, my understanding that the decisions I make affect those around me has enabled me to put myself in the shoes of others and to understand where they come from – their thinking and behavioral preferences – and, to also understand that I perceive them through my own thinking and behavioral preferences.

Having gained a clearer understanding of how to connect and communicate through those conduits of behavior, I have learned to strategies with myself, and also accept that many of these disagreements and conflicts are not personal – just a function of our different brains reacting differently to what’s happening.

Needless to say, seeing these strategies work may take some time, a little patience and extra effort. However, when things work out and fall in place, that’s all that matters! We learn through such experiences and interactions.

At work, I’m grateful for having such an amazing team (both my office team and my trade partners) to work with and proud of the values we uphold as a team and as individuals. Incorporating who I am (nature versus nurture) into my daily life has definitely helped me in my work with clients and Associates, and when communicating with fellow colleagues.

Living and breathing the language makes a huge difference as we are more aware of one another’s preferences and styles, in learning to embrace the uniqueness of each other and the diversity of the team. We work as a whole team and from that, I have learned so much from each other’s strengths. Not only have we excelled and grown as a team, the team has also played a part in my development and performance. I truly appreciate each and every member.

When I look back on the year, it’s easy to give thanks for the role the Team has played in my personal development and in building my larger team, especially in the areas of team culture, team collaboration and team communication.

As the New Year approaches, in the season of giving, sharing and love, I want to give my best to my team in the next year, share the happiness and greatness of this team with others, and to embrace and love each member for their uniqueness.

During your year-end reflection, think about the gifts you have contributed and what have you received from them this year? Take a moment to thank the people in your life for their strengths and journeying with you through your growth and accomplishments.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

All my best,

Michael

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May 2018 be a wonderful year for everyone.

Heading into 2018, the word of the year could well be resilience! I expect to hear government agencies and officials (local, state and federal) to cite it as frequently as America rebuilds from this year’s devastating hurricanes and fires. The world is changing both environmentally and politically.

Last year was very interesting from a design and construction perspective. We are finally seeing less white – color is returning to kitchen and bathrooms! I’m looking forward to attending the International Builders and Kitchen and Bath Shows right after the first of the year. Both shows highlight new trends and products which I review to see if my clients would like and find useful. I enjoy attending the shows (which I have been for the last 30 years) because I am always looking for new ideas and ways to improve my business.

Something that has worked out extremely well this last year for us, was the implementation of new project management software (BuilderTrend). This allows complete transparency for our team as well as for our clients. This has allowed me to have even better control of the amount of time we spend managing the design and construction process and offers our clients the assurance of knowing how long, how much and when completion will occur. This was an investment well made.

Our team also grew this year. We welcomed Mark Dresser as a project manager. Mark’s experience as an interior architect has shown thru as he has proven numerous times. Thank you, Mark and I look forward to working together for many years to come. The rest of our team, Adele, Bonnie and Marcia – I could not do this without you, thanks again for a great year.

Lastly, I want to thank my entire family for just being there and supporting me on this journey. I love what I do and without you, it would be for naught.

I have few goals for myself this year: Set a goal (healthy mind, body and business), be realistic, and everything in moderation!

If you have an idea or would like to be a guest blogger, please reach out to me. I enjoy sharing.

The post Reflections on 2017 and Happy New Year appeared first on Michael Menn Ltd. Architecture-Construction-Excellence.

I would like to say to all my family, friends and associates thank you for making me the person I am today. Without all of you I might not be the person I am.

Why did I choose architecture and construction as my career?

We all have different motivations. Indeed, there are many legitimate reasons, and I have thought long and hard about why I chose to enter this challenging and rewarding world. I have come up with three reasons.

I like to create and enjoy the creative process. I love being challenged by a problem, and then coming up with a solution. I love seeing something I design come to reality. I love looking at a beautiful new kitchen or room addition or office space and thinking: “I did that.”

What we do makes the world a better place. I believe, and you should too, that the work we do actually makes our clients’ lives better. It might be that we make their lives easier merely from a functional standpoint (aging-in-place features, sustainable design, for example). It may be that what we create is so magnificent it is a major source of pride for our clients.

Ego – now I have gotten to the bottom line! What I do is very tangible. It is easy to see the results of my work…good or bad. While I am very self-motivated and take pride when I think I do excellent work, it is certainly nice to have my work applauded from clients, from the community at large, from my peers, but especially from those whose living or work environments I have created.

If you are like me, professional recognition from your family, friends and peers is extremely important. I see a general desire within my world to become recognized and respected as professionals within the greater design and construction community. Brilliant work is a function of two things: creative design and flawless execution. That flawless execution generally means leading a diverse project team, whose members often have competing goals.

As we approach the end of the year I look back on all the new people I have met and how they have touched and changed my life in a positive way. I hope I have made a contribution to yours either personally or professionally. I want to wish all of you a very happy, healthy and prosperous holiday season. May next year bring you much joy and happiness.

All my best,

Michael A. Menn

AIA, CGR, CAPS, CGP, NCARB

The post Personal Reflection appeared first on Michael Menn Ltd. Architecture-Construction-Excellence.

1. Hire a skilled architect/builder to help you realize your dreams and organize your entire project from design to overseeing all of the trades involved.

2. Set a reasonable and realistic budget for your project. Don’t be surprised by costs in the end. Things cost more then you expect! Do some research and set a realistic budget that you can be comfortable with.

3. Consider eco-friendly/sustainable options. Going energy-efficient will save you money in the long term.

4. Create more value for your home. Consider remodeling the bathrooms or the kitchen. Not only will updating your kitchen or bath give you a more pleasant space to be in, but it will add value to your home.

5. Start with the right team (architect/builder). Get people involved in the project whom you trust. Using a team you can trust will give you peace of mind.

Happy New Year!

Michael

The post Make Your Home Renovation Resolutions a Reality! appeared first on Michael Menn Ltd. Architecture-Construction-Excellence.

Why did I choose architecture and construction as my career?

We all have different motivations.  Indeed, there are many legitimate reasons, and I have thought long and hard about why I chose to enter this challenging and rewarding world.  I have come up with three reasons.

• I like to create and enjoy the creative process.  I love being challenged by a problem, and then coming up with a solution.  I love seeing something I design come to reality.  I love looking at a beautiful new kitchen or room addition or office space and thinking: “I did that.”
• What we do makes the world a better place.  I believe, and you should too, that the work we do actually makes our clients’ lives better.  It might be that we make their lives easier merely from a functional standpoint (aging-in-place features, sustainable design, for example).  It may be that what we create is so magnificent it is a major source of pride for our clients.
• Ego (now I have gotten to the bottom line!).  What I do is very tangible.  It is easy to see the results of my work.  While I am very self-motivated and take pride when I think I do excellent work, it is certainly nice to have my work applauded from clients, from the community at large, from my peers, but especially from those whose living or work environments I have created.

If you are like me, professional recognition from your family, friends and peers is extremely important.  I see a general desire within my world of to become recognized and respected as professionals within the greater design community.  Brilliant work is a function of two things: creative design and flawless execution.  That flawless execution generally means leading a diverse project team, whose members often have competing goals.

As we approach the end of the year I look back on all the new people I have met and how they have touched and changed my life in a positive way. I hope I have made a contribution to yours either personally or professionally. I want to wish all of you a very happy, healthy and prosperous holiday season. May next year bring you much joy and happiness.

All my best,

Michael

The post Personal Reflection appeared first on Michael Menn Ltd. Architecture-Construction-Excellence.