With the New Year officially underway, we spoke with several members of The Cliffs Preferred Builder Program to find out what new trends are emerging in home design and building in 2019. With nearly 150 homes currently under construction across our seven mountain and lake communities, they certainly have no shortage of inspiration to draw from!
‘Just Right’ Size and Openness
Just like Goldilocks and her porridge, homeowners are looking for spaces that are just right. Well-appointed spaces that flow together are becoming more important than the large over-scaled floor plans in the past, according to Bruce Pasquarella, president of Arthur Rutenberg Homes by American Eagle Builders.
“The best way this is achieved is when architects start designing concepts with appropriately sized furniture. Gourmet kitchens that are open to both dining and great rooms are also a must for entertaining,” says Bruce.
Maximizing Views
The Cliffs communities are nestled among some of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes — undulating Blue Ridge Mountain ranges, the crystal clear waters of Lake Keowee and acres upon acres of pristine, protected lands.
“Our clients want to take in every breathtaking view surrounding them,” says Gus Rubio, president of Gabriel Builders. “Our goal is to work with the topography of their land to take full advantage of the surroundings with perfectly placed features.”
Smart Home Integration
Today’s homes are becoming more and more intelligent, with technology available for homeowners to control appliances, lighting, security, and even blinds — and this range of home capabilities is only going to increase in the future, predicts Malcolm Morgan, President of Morgan-Keefe Builders
“As a builder, we work with homeowners to think through how they want to interact with their home and build in systems and a technology infrastructure that can support their needs both now and in the future. Large windows that require blinds but would need a ladder to adjust them, can now use technology to open and close them. Integrated systems with voice control allow you to say the word and turn the lights on or off. The possibilities are endless and this type of design/build element is definitely something to consider for the long term,” says Malcolm.
