From 2023
Our homes are a barometer of where we are culturally. No matter how tailored to you your personal spaces may be, there are still some larger architectural or design trends that tend to dominate homes of a certain era. (Think: ’70s-era avocado green kitchens or the proliferation of sunken living rooms in mid-century homes.) Builder Jon David Smith of J.D. Smith Custom Homes shares the requests he’s hearing most from clients today—and the one item you’ll have to be especially patient for.
You’ll have to wait for Sub-Zeros.
While Smith says some supply-chain delays are getting better, you may need a Plan B if you have your heart set on certain appliances. “It’s hard to plan ahead enough to get Sub-Zeros here on time,” he says. “The last two homes I had with Sub-Zero kitchens had to be outfitted with temporary fridges.”
No one wants to share a desk.
Even as more people are heading back to the office, he’s still being asked to carve out separate workspaces that offer plenty of privacy. “We’ve always done private offices for Dad, but now we’re seeing more of a dedicated space for Mom, too,” he says.
Color is having a comeback.
Clients are shying away from those stark white finishes of recent years. “I feel like people are gravitating back toward rich colors,” he muses. “It might not be whole-house, but it’s a study or a powder bath that’s done in a vibrant teal or rich blue.”
Embellishment is everything.
The builder notes that infusing homes with one-of-a-kind works by craftspeople is the ultimate way to customize. “People want curves and elaborate touches and designs, so there’s been a return to intricate moldings, unique finishes, and architecturally significant and traditional detail.”
(For a peek of Smith’s work in action, click here.)
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