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may/june 2013
the sales and marketing magazine of the housing industry
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A MIRM
by Doris Pearlman, MIRM, IIDA
The Kitchen is King
For buyers over 30, what is the most important priority when selecting a new home? 22
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A great kitchen is considered to be the top priority for new home buyers over age 30. This past January, I participated on a panel at the International Builders’ Show, along with three other industry experts, titled “He Said. She Said.” Collectively, we created a survey to find out what the top priorities were in selecting a new home, and also to see if the results www.smimagazine.com
differed between men and women. Participants were asked their age and gender. They then ranked their top ten priorities from a list of 14. Surprisingly, the top three priorities were unanimous, with a great kitchen being number one. Kids’ spaces and greenness, we feel, were overlooked and did not make the list. The kitchen has always been, and will continue to be, the heart of the home. Not only is a kitchen a functional space to prepare meals, it often acts as a family gathering space, a home management center, an informal dining room, or a homework area. The kitchen is the hub of your home, and function is the number-one priority followed by aesthetics. Today’s top kitchen trends will make kitchens more functional, fabulous, and fun. When it comes to cabinetry, the most sought after finishes include espresso, java, off-white glazed, and the newest upand-coming gray. Whether your style is traditional, transitional, or contemporary, pairing your finish with the right hardware can change the look and style of any kitchen. For example, a sleek bar-style handle on a shaker door is an unexpected combination that is trending today. As kitchens have grown in size, islands create an opportunity to maximize your kitchen’s function and gather around. Today’s islands include anything from wine storage to warming drawers to a second cooktop. Don’t be afraid to choose a contrasting finish for your island, and also, don’t forget about lighting. Pendant lights over the island not only function as task lighting, but allow you to make a design statement and complete the look of your great kitchen. A great kitchen adds perceived value, no matter how large or how small your home may be. smı Doris Pearlman, MIRM, is the founder of Possibilities for Design, Inc., a nationally-recognized, award-winning interior design firm based in Denver. The firm specializes in market-driven interior space and merchandising and trendsetting designs. Ms. Pearlman is an active member of NAHB’s Institute of Residential Marketing and teaches IRM courses nationally. For more information, go to www.possibilitiesfordesign.com. www.smimagazine.com
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