| What are the "must-haves" for today's luxury | | | | interior and exterior are considered |
| home owners . . . the most popular design | | | | "must-haves", complete with high end energy |
| trends and amenities that will provide them | | | | efficient and sustainable appliance packages. |
| with a lifestyle, not just a place to live? | | | | Wine cellars, butler's pantry, walk-in |
| What are they seeking which will help them to | | | | kitchen pantry and central serving islands |
| create beautiful, livable spaces that meet | | | | have become expected amenities. |
| their aesthetic, functional and economic | | | | |
| goals . . . | | | | Oversized Master Bedroom/Bath Suites This |
| | | | area will often include a library, sitting |
| As an interior designer in Orlando, Florida I | | | | room and dramatic master bath where luxury |
| work with clients to design, or redesign | | | | homeowners can go to "retreat, refresh, and |
| their luxury homes. I initially meet with | | | | become rejuvenated" both physically and |
| these homeowners to discuss ways on how to | | | | mentally! From the finest Egyptian bed |
| best blend their lifestyle with their design | | | | linens to a master bath area complete with |
| style to meet the multiple needs of those who | | | | doorless multihead showers, whirlpool baths |
| will be living in the home. | | | | and towel-warming drawers/racks . . . |
| | | | attention to individual customized design |
| The overall theme I am hearing from this | | | | detailing is essential to create the spa |
| clientele puts great emphasis on convenience | | | | experience at home. |
| and simple sophistication. They want their | | | | |
| home to be transformed, with an atmosphere | | | | Home Office Suites Technology, the internet |
| only found in 5 star grande retreats. | | | | and wireless communication have transformed |
| Function and comfort have quickly become a | | | | our daily activities. Luxury homeowners view |
| top priority for this upscale homeowner. They | | | | in-home office suites as their personal |
| also want a home where they can close the | | | | headquarters to manage their busy lives. |
| door on the hustle and bustle of the outside | | | | |
| world to entertain both family and friends. | | | | High Home Technology Technological |
| In a word, they are looking for an oasis. | | | | advancements have made it possible to |
| | | | assemble a superior surround sound theatre |
| The following are some of these most | | | | experience for in-home entertaining. People |
| requested design trends and amenities: | | | | are now watching more movies than ever . . . |
| | | | but, they no longer have to leave the home to |
| Interior and Exterior Space The luxury | | | | do it! The high performance of technology |
| homeowner is looking for 3500 to 4000 square | | | | stretches beyond entertainment to bathrooms |
| feet under roof - minimum, with 4 to 5 | | | | and kitchens where sensored faucets that shut |
| bedrooms, 3 to 4 baths. They also are | | | | on and off automatically are becoming a |
| requiring larger, optional outdoor living | | | | popular request. Also the opening and |
| areas for cabanas, bars, pools, spas, | | | | closing of room darkening window coverings at |
| recreational courts, fire pit seating areas | | | | the touch of a button has become an extremely |
| etc. | | | | popular feature as well. |
| | | | |
| Entertainment Areas The kitchen has always | | | | All of the above trends and amenities have |
| been considered to be the "heart" of the | | | | been designed to delight, meet the changing |
| home. Luxury homeowners want this area to be | | | | needs, improve the quality of life . . . and |
| designed to accommodate their desire to | | | | lifestyle, of the most discriminating |
| entertain on a grand scale, both formally and | | | | homeowners. |
| informally. Gourmet kitchens for the | | | | |