Wall Statements

The biz: Adam’s Interiors
The buzz: While one-dimensional paintings add color to a room, bright, three-dimensional wall art goes another step further—it creates depth. Jonathan Farkas, marketing director at Adam’s Interiors, says that the hottest trend in accessories is wall sculptures, especially those that make a statement in a room. “Not only does a bright piece add a splash of color, which breathes life into anyone’s home, but the right wall décor becomes a conversation piece.”
Contact: 3900 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 954.491.2326, adamsinteriors.us

The New Family Room

The biz: Allied Kitchen and Bath
The buzz: For years, kitchen remodeling meant updating cabinets and appliances. Today’s kitchen remodels take the whole room into consideration, adding character to the place where mealtime once was the primary function. “The kitchen really has become the heart of the home,” says Bill Feinberg, president of Allied Kitchen and Bath. In older home remodeling projects, he says, the trend is to remove walls that enclose traditional kitchens, allowing rooms to flow seamlessly into others and create an open invitation for gathering. “The kitchen isn’t just used for cooking anymore; it’s for entertaining, it’s the place the kids do homework, it’s the new family room,” he says.
Contact: 616 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.564.1611, alliedkitchenandbath.com

Backyard Resort

The biz: Broward Landscape
The buzz: More and more homeowners want outdoor living spaces that recall their favorite luxury resorts. Clients “will travel to the Caribbean and stay at these amazing resorts and come back and say, ‘How can I create that look at my house?’ ” says Chase Greene, outdoor designer at Broward Landscape. It’s quite the departure from the days when homeowners looked at their backyard as a glorified rectangle, with a small pool in the middle and grass around it. “No one ever really thought to update their backyard; they’d leave what the builder put in,” Greene says. Today, there are high-end upgrades aplenty for outdoor living spaces. Greene says requests pour in for additional deck and sitting spaces, elaborate pergolas, fire pits, waterfalls and state-of-the-art lighting that lends evening drama to the staging.
Contact: 7501 Wiles Road, Suite 106A, Coral Springs; 954.752.7027, browardlandscape.com

Hide and Seek

The biz: Coral Springs Appliance Center
The buzz: The concept of tucking away appliances so they appear integrated within cabinets—once the domain of European kitchens—is making its way into American homes. “The trend today is sleek and modern, with appliances that blend in with the cabinets, virtually hidden,” says Ken Cooper Sr., president and CEO of Coral Springs Appliance Center. “Today’s consumers want a clean look, and the less they see of their appliances, the better.” With more people taking cooking to new heights, integrated appliances by manufacturers such as Sub-Zero, Thermador and Miele are in demand. Another popular request: Built-in wine coolers, so that the party never leaves the kitchen.
Contact: 3500 Coral Ridge Drive, Coral Springs; 954.752.3880, csappliances.com

Going for Gold

The biz: Clive Daniel Home
The buzz: Everything gold is new again. Once the height of sophistication in the 1980s, gold developed a reputation as a gaudy addition to home décor and fell out of favor. But Marla Jaffe, design and business development director at Clive Daniel Home, isn’t surprised gold is the new standard again. She explains that cycles in design sometimes play off what’s happening in the economy. “Gold is optimistic. The very nature of gold in its purest form denotes luxury, quality and success,” she says, adding that gold will always be associated with achievement. The difference today vs. the past? Anything goes. Bright, textured or brassy gold accents on furniture, tables and accessories, it all adds the Midas touch.
Contact: 1351 NW Boca Raton Blvd., Boca Raton; 561.440.4663, clivedaniel.com

Grill Without Guesswork

The biz: Luxapatio Outdoor Kitchens and Patio Designs
The buzz: For grillmasters who spend too much time hovering over the fire instead of mingling with guests, a new SmartGrill sends a text via smartphone to alert cooks when it’s time to flip the steak. Felipe Londono, vice president of sales and marketing at Luxapatio, says even seasoned grill pros will find the Lynx SmartGrill a worthwhile assistant. During prep time, the grill connects to an online database to ensure the optimal cooking time and techniques for specific foods. “The grill will ask you what you’re making and how you’re going to make it, plus it monitors the temperature,” Londono says. Using an Android or iOS app, the gas grill uses voice recognition technology to automatically cook foods based on user commands. It also can indicate precise zones on the grill that are right and ready for certain foods. Cooks can store the preferences so that meats are done to their liking every time. If they want to go back to being king of the grill, no problem—Lynx switches to manual mode.
Contact: 3305 NW 79th Ave., Miami; 305.477.5141, luxapatio.com

Going Really Green

The biz: Paradox Home Studio
The buzz: Every year, Pantone Color Institute selects its color of the year, and the design industry takes notice. So if you’re seeing more zesty greens showing up on furniture, it’s no surprise, says Jorge Mata, owner of Paradox Home Studio. The Pantone color for 2017 is “greenery,” which the institute describes as a yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring and “provides us with the hope we collectively yearn for amid a complex social and political landscape.” Mata says this year’s color, for him, is fresh and intoxicating. “It’s a life-affirming shade. Greenery is also emblematic of the pursuit of personal passions and vitality.” Is it a difficult shade to mix and match? Mata says the color pairs nicely with anything floral, of course.
Contact: 1900 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.835.5923 or 954.835.5837