NAHB Provides Economic Outlook for 2012

For those of you that like to keep up with the latest news on the state of the Housing Market I thought I would pass along this recent article from the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) on the their economic outlook for this year.  

Parkinson Building Group

Economic Outlook

While 2012 is starting with the same kind of optimism regarding housing and the economy that prevailed at the start of 2011, there are several reasons to believe that real improvement will actually materialize this year rather than fizzling out as it did in the past, said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe during our Feb. 11 webinar. In fact, he noted, we are already seeing improving GDP growth, stronger employment figures and slight gains in consumer confidence that bode well for a slow but relatively steady recovery in the months ahead.  Dave noted that NAHB's builder confidence gauge known as the HMI has gained seven points over the past three months, while over the same period, both housing starts and sales have charted consecutive gains and NAHB's list of improving housing markets has continued to grow. Meanwhile, household formations are finally starting to pick up after a big lull during the recession, today's very favorable mortgage rates aren't expected to creep up fast or far over the coming year, and price-to-income ratios are back to what they were prior to the boom years. Of course, all markets are local, and certain metros are already showing greater signs of growth than the national average, as demonstrated by the NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index that has been expanding over the past several months to include a geographically and economically diverse set of metros (story below).  As for the economy, our Chief Economist is forecasting GDP growth in the neighborhood of 2.2% to 2.4% in 2012, followed by more robust growth in the longer-term. NAHB's forecast also anticipates single-family housing starts will gain approximately 17% in 2012 following what was almost certainly the worst year on record in 2011. By far the brightest part of the forecast is for rental apartments, which will enjoy greater demand over the coming year as more young people take their first steps up the housing ladder. This demand accounts for a more-than 50% gain in multifamily housing starts in 2011 from 2010. But remodeling is also in relatively good shape, with the dollar amount of remodeling projects on owner-occupied homes now actually beating the dollar amount of new-home construction taking place. The bottom line for 2012 is that, while demand for new homes won't "burst forward," it will slowly improve now that the overall housing market appears to have reached a bottom and started back on the path to recovery.

A full replay of the forecast webinar is available here; please note that the event begins with an overview of the results of NAHB's recent poll on homeownership, and that the file may take a few moments to download. If you encounter technical issues in viewing this webinar, please contact Paula Pagano (800-368-5242 x8057) 

Dressing Up Your Home With Gas Lighting

I love the classic look and feel of old world lighting.  Below are some examples of a company out of New Orleans that does a great job of capturing this timeless look.  Just think of all the possibilities as you plan your next home.  The link to the companies website is at the bottom and their picture gallery is very extensive.  Enjoy.

Introducing Pool House Lanterns Photo Credit: Sara Barkley Landrieu  We are excited to announce our new line of Pool House Lanterns. These lanterns are hand-crafted from copper and brass, which weather beautifully in harsh environments, and are tailored to perfectly accent any entertainment area. The Pool House Lanterns offer exquisite ambient lighting for outdoor applications from Arbors and Breezeways to Pool and Patio areas. Our new line of lanterns are crafted to hold a variety of candle options from traditional to electric. Please call 504.522.9485 for more information. FEATURED PROJECT    Bevolo's featured project is this beautiful home in Pebble Beach, CA. This home has a special history with Bevolo as the owner is the great grandson of Andrew Higgins of Higgins' Boats.  The Higgins' Boats were produced in New Orleans during WWII where Andrew Bevolo Sr. worked in factory where he mastered his riveting skills.  Andrew Bevolo Sr. began crafting lights soon thereafter in the French Quarter.  We are proud to be a part of his home and bring the story full circle.   Did you know that Bevolo offers a free lighting analysis on your home?!   Take advantage of our lighting design service. It's simple, just send us your elevations or a photo of your home and we will put together a complete lighting analysis.  This will include style and scale recommendations based on the architecture of your home. It's just that easy.  Call our showroom in the French Quarter at 504.522.9485 for more information.  This is what happens when a beautiful home gets the perfect lighting.   www.bevolo.com

The Ultimate Collection of Kitchen Photos!

I have put together some photos of really great looking kitchens that are worth sharing...hopefully these will help to inspire new ideas and you may just see something that you have to have! Dark wood, light wood, painted, glazed, heavily distressed, lightly distressed, European influenced, transitional, slightly modern, heavily traditional, they run the gamut but they all have one thing in common...they are all incredibly beautiful and are all done in fine taste. Some you might already know, but hopefully there are some new surprises here as well. Do you have a favorite? So hard to pick just one...enjoy!

Love this great looking white kitchen by Deane

This kitchen looks like a lot of fun....what a great space to entertain in! Photo by Elizabeth Gilbert

Like all the different elements, the dark and light woods, the unique benches and differing heights of the two islands, the center lighting fixture, Southern Living

Like this parquet top on the center island... Beverly Ellsley

Always have liked this European feeling kitchen by Elanor Cummings

This is a newer line, which is a cleaner more transitional feeling kitchen for Habersham

The element of stone adds great texture to this room! Trauttmansdorff

Simple yet elegant!! DeCesare Interiors

This is a great European inspired kitchen, Downsview

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Another authentic looking kitchen with reclaimed and antiqued woods, Eleanor Cummings

Love the distressed woods here with the slip covered stools, the beams and stone hood...Coastal Living

Like the mix of painted woods and light and dark here, Downsview

Reduce, Reuse, Reclaim

Reclaimed flooring offers a distinction not found in new wood. There is a history behind most reclaimed wood that brings an added dimension to a home. Each board has it's own unique character or personality with distinct nail holes or markings.  Reclaimed wood flooring is one of a kind and filled with classic charm.

Reclaimed floors also offer eco-friendly style.  If you're considering reclaimed wood for your floor, you'll want to know what to look for. It is obviously a "green choice" to choose to reuse wood.

 Here are some more reclaimed wood benefits:

• Environmentally-friendly
• Prevents waste
• Easy to clean
• Naturally insulating
• May be refinished years later
• May increase the value of your home

You will also need to know some of the potential cons of reclaimed flooring.  Many will depend on the source of wood and the cost of materials and labor. 

 Here are some potential cons:

• Water damage-Some reclaimed wood has been harvested from rivers or streams for re-use. It may still be usable, but you must check for moisture content before installing. You'll want to be assured that there is not potential for mold growth or severe shrinking or swelling due to a high moisture content.
• Surfaces will scratch-A protective coating will be needed. 
• Refinishing may result in a high cost of labor.

Take a look at some of these great reclaimed floors: 

This close-up view gives you a great look at the distinct character of this wood.  It definitely tells a story. 

These floors are to die for!!  The knotty appearance of the wood makes it look both beautiful and expensive.

 Here is another close-up view.  You cannot find character like this in any new hardwoods.  

 The pattern made using this reclaimed wood fills this kitchen with charm.

 The finish on these floors are breathtaking.  The floors make this living room look formal, yet cozy.

We love the statement these floors make in the entryway. They give a great first impression of this home.

 This beautiful heart pine floor only improves in appearance as time goes by. 

MUD ROOMS

Perhaps one of them most overlooked but overused rooms in the entire house is that little room lurking in the back corner of the house, the infamous mudroom.  Mudrooms have made progress by leaps and bounds however, and are finally getting the recognition they so deserve.  A mud room is there waiting as the first thing to greet us when we are coming in from the elements of extreme snow, nasty rain storms, sweat inducing sport games for the kids,a morning run,etc.....so I am glad to see mudrooms are being talked about and decorated like they matter.
 So...what makes up a good mud room? To me, storage, a good bench or two is a nice extra to have, plenty of space for shoes, boots and jackets and a backup storage compartment of some kind. If for some reason a phone is far away enough, its not a bad idea to have a phone on the wall too. Ditto a bulletin board to schedule a busy family, or a wipe it board/chalk board to leave each other messages. Plenty of hooks a definite.Good lighting is an absolute must and if you don't have a window with natural light, good overhead lighting is a must.  The list goes on.....so lets take a look at some mudrooms that "work", rooms that are as utilitarian as they are awe inspiring.

Love the rich warm woods with the slate flooring, great rustic lantern is the crowning touch! Veranda

This is clever and space saving for a family that has lots of boots!

Love the separate chalkboards on this wall! Vallon Designs

Fun lighting, small cubbies and a bench in the middle is a great setup for a mudroom!

Even when space is very limited, you can maximize by adding a pull up bench, coat hooks and extra shelving...this is great looking, the beadboard completes the space

This is cute, each family member has their own "cubbie" and cubicle with storage

Great looking...love the idea of adding a painted piece as an accent, House of Turquoise

Though this feels a little dark, I do love the dog bath in the corner....such a great perk!