By Lynn Gastineau
President of Gastineau Log Homes, Inc.

Welcome to the November 2018 issue of The Oak Leaf! For new readers, this is a monthly newsletter that is sent by e-mail to those that have expressed an interest in Gastineau Log Homes. We use this as a way of communicating technical, design and industry information. For more information, check out our web site at [www.oakloghome.com]
(http://www.oakloghome.com).

Check out our new website! Same address: oakloghome.com but new photos and information! Read our blogs on our website too. Our new Image Gallery has LOTS of pictures that you can view!

Please "Like" Gastineau Log Homes on Facebook!

Trivia Question: Winter is right around the corner. What is the snowiest city on earth?

Metals: Over the last few years, we’ve seen a surge in interest in metal decor and design accents. Metals are like the jewelry of a home, giving it a bit of flash and elegance that complements nearly any color and works in every room. Metal accents also help create a feeling of coziness, because many finishes give off a warm and inviting feel.

As the metals trend continues, we’re seeing some shifts in the most popular finishes. Gold, rose gold, chrome, and satin nickel have led the pack for a while, and they are still beautiful additions to any room. Next on the horizon? Copper, bronze, and pewter are becoming increasingly popular in lighting, backsplashes, cabinetry hardware, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, and more.

As you incorporate these types of metals into your home design, feel free to do a bit of mixing. Not everything has to be one finish. A great way to experiment with mixing metals is to select one finish for your home’s key design features—pewter hardware and fixtures, for example—and then incorporate furniture and decor that includes a different but complementary finish, such as bronze.

Practicality: The recent trend of crisp whites and pristine grays has been beautiful, but many homeowners are realizing they need a bit more practicality than such stark design allows. That’s why it comes as no surprise that practical, “lived-in” design is emerging as a big trend. Homeowners simply don’t have a lot of time to devote to maintaining a perfectly put-together home or fussing over hard-to-clean materials. Instead, they want something that will work for their busy households.

A whole new breed of durable, low-maintenance design products is meeting that need. Materials like tile plank flooring—which is made to look like wood—hold up well under heavy foot traffic, don’t require polishing or buffing, and look great. The same is true of granite and quartz countertops, which are long-lasting and easy to upkeep. Meanwhile, many appliances and fixtures are now “smudge-free” stainless steel, which helps keep them looking good without constant cleaning.

You can apply the same logic to your furniture and decor selections. Look for materials that will wear well or consider items that already have a distressed look. That way, you won’t worry about a scratch here or there as you and your family enjoy living comfortably in the home.

Color Palettes: There is another way design is moving beyond the stark days of gray and white: Homeowners continue to explore color options. And it makes sense. As people become more involved in and informed about home design, thanks to factors like HGTV, they’re wanting their color palettes to reflect their own personal tastes and personalities—instead of simply following what’s “in” at a given time.

That’s why we’re expecting to see much more color in the coming year. Homeowners are getting more gutsy with accent walls, splashes of color, and in many cases, full-blown color bombs, where a dynamic shade is allowed to dominate an entire room.

Color Personal Style: The right paint colors for a given space depend on a few factors: How do you want the room to feel? Energetic? Relaxed? Fun? What would work well with your existing decor and furniture?

It’s also important to consider your personal style. As we see in this House Beautiful article, there’s a 2019 color trend for every personality and need. There are muted pastels and deep blues for a sense of spirituality and healing, as well as earthy tones for free spirits and dusty mauves that create a bit of nostalgia. More traditional hues tie in well with copper- and gold-inspired colors, giving a nod to the metals trend. And bold splashes of color—like Sherwin Williams Argyle, Gold Crest, and Eros Pink—give adventurous homeowners a chance to really make a statement.

Outdoor living spaces: More and more people are incorporating an outdoor living space into their home design. Small, easily hidden radiant heaters can be placed so that they heat our body rather than the air, m which gives the ability to be comfortable outdoors on a deck or patio in cooler weather. They can be mounted inconspicuously on the ceiling of a covered deck or on a pergola structure.

There is an increased demand for outdoor fire features in these designs. Advanced technology in outdoor fire features has opened up exciting new design options. Contemporary gas fire features can be any shape and size, and can feature sculptural steel elements that heat up and radiate warmth, while also providing a design element when the fire is off.

Make it Your Own: One of the best parts of these 2019 trends is their flexibility. Homeowners have a lot of opportunities to incorporate these contemporary design elements into their spaces in a way that makes sense for their homes, their lifestyles, and their personalities. In 2019 and beyond, it’s all about what you make of it.

While it's natural to use trends as a starting point to developing a style, curating your own look is essential to creating a home that it authentic to you. Tune in to yourself and think about what makes you happy, relaxed, comfortable and improves your sense of wellbeing. Then set about creating room schemes that satisfy those feelings – this is the most direct route to a home style that will bring you contentment. Author your own life. Design your own style.

Building a new home? At Gastineau Log Homes, one of our sales consultants will be happy to help you navigate these and other trends so your home not only feels fresh and inviting but also reflects your personal style.