Looking back over the experience of the COVID - pandemic, it is no surprise that homeowners are approaching home renovation with gusto. Being stuck within the same four walls of one’s home - working, eating, sleeping, teaching, entertaining and trying to maintain some semblance of sanity - constantly, for two years, has made post-pandemic activities feel like a breath of fresh air.

As with many relationships that hit a rough spot, the signs of discord are often there, long before a break-up is imminent. Even with a history of affection dating back to 17th century England, in the homes of wealthy landowners, the closely trimmed, green grass lawns are losing favor with modern homeowners. 

It is tempting for those who analyze consumer trends to arrange age groups into neat and tidy “cohorts.” They are given cute names like “Baby Boomers” “Generation X” or “Generation Y” (aka, “millennials''), and immediate conclusions are drawn. However, they are far from completely homogeneous. Of course, there are similar traits among these groups, especially regarding their preferences about their homes. 

Why? Life stage.

In the past two years, it felt as if the world was going “virtual.” What began with Zoom meetings and myriad social media “influencers,” quickly spread to NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and ultimately home décor.
 
In a logical response (or perhaps backlash), interior designers, and the clients who pay them big bucks, are leaving the virtual realm and getting real again. Authenticity appears to be on the rise. Oh, and those trends that were red hot a year or two ago are now as cold as ashes. 

Fort Worth, Texas – The Magjarevich twins Mike and Mark recently celebrated 35 years at Acme Brick Company’s San Felipe plant near Houston.

     The brothers started at Acme Brick Company- San Felipe on Feb 24, 1987.  Early on, the two displayed their knowledge and expertise in the everyday operations of brick making. 

After more than 130 years of manufacturing one of the world’s most durable and iconic building products, Acme Brick knows a thing or two about what homeowners want around their houses. Of course, this includes brick, but over the past few years, Acme has also begun to offer customers some of the most innovative home improvement products in the world. 

For several years, researchers who chronicle the trends in home construction and home improvement have noticed an increased interest in homeowners wanting additional, functional and private spaces to augment their main dwelling. These additions have been called colorful names such as “granny flats” or “backyard cottages,” legally appropriate descriptions such as “accessory dwelling units” (ADUs), and the most popular moniker, guest houses.

For architects, home builders, interior designers and homeowners, there can never be enough choices for interior and exterior walls. More colors? Yes, please. More textures? Of course. More freedom from maintenance? Absolutely!