Dorm-life for Millennials & Our Aging Population

As my mother makes her way through this aging process navigating daily what her brain reads, reasons, and remembers… I realize that my study of millennial design preferences is not far off the mark for the other end of the aging  spectrum too.

Among many articles I have investigated and of the many people with whom I have spoken, I came across a piece in The Atlantic written last fall by Alana Semuels, Dorms for Grownups: A Solution for Lonely Millennials? In it she is observing that “in a new model of living, residents will have their own “microunits” built around a shared living space for cooking, eating and hanging out.”

This communal living arrangement sounds like just what my mother would like. Since no longer driving, she misses getting out and connecting with people, yet she is not interested in a “retirement” facility. Millennials often elect not to drive – to avoid the costs of a car, parking and their preference to live within walking distance of conveniences and entertainment. common area bvh_he_farirfield-univ-dorms-lobby_22

Most people want their own space, privacy and identity. This is true of all ages and stages. Exceptions such as siblings sharing a bedroom, roommates in college, and adult couples allow for sharing privacy – it is just defined from others on the outside of these pairings. The idea that a “microunit” offers the privacy, individual identify and necessities of a small apartment and the pleasure of gathering with friends is a great combination.

Small apartments might have one living space where sleeping/living and a tiny kitchen are all that’s needed in addition to the bathroom. Here a really tiny kitchen space is minimal, but functional. Small-Apartment-Design-with-Exposed-Bricks-Walls-kitchen-furniture

This next shot offers a little bit larger kitchen still very efficient. tiny kitchen 33a435d100e9c6ef1f845f513c563f7c

A larger kitchen might be designed into the common living/gathering space. The cost-savings for starting out or down-sizing are beneficial to both generations!

Creative room dividers in lieu of walls are cost-effective, provide interesting design elements and maximize the open-feeling of the smaller units.

One visionary, Troy Evans, says that it is like “creating a neighborhood” within a building. This concept is remarkable for its common denominators that serve the needs and desires of the aging populations as well s the young starting out. To customize further for the aging population, the common space might make accommodations for care-givers amenities like the residents’ micro-units, group dining, in addition to the common living room space for entertainment and activities. Options for stacking laundry machines inside the units or common laundry rooms is another consideration. The swanky buildings might even offer an indoor pool! interior pool converted-small-condo-interior

Take it a step further and mix the generations to create a multi-generational neighborhood that takes certain design measures to insulate against sound transmittance for instance. Interaction between the generations brings to mind the clever movie last year, The Intern, with Robert Di Nero and Ann Hathaway. It’s about sharing life’s experiences and bringing new ideas cross generationally. The-Intern-Official-Artwork-Landscape

As we engage in an increasing conversation about  life-choices becoming  a real concern for many, the young, the aging and the in-between monitoring both, this reality of the needs of each end of the life-cycle  is a fascinating dialogue. It challenges designers, invites creativity, spurs action and ignites new projects.

 

 

Millennial Style – There Really Are NO RULES!

Style gets a nod from this generation – but quality often does not.  Making investments in material objects is not necessarily  a priority for the long term of this disposable generation’s mind-set.  Interior design elements are clever and repurposed, with what I appreciate are fun new names for those re-purposed things…like a “barmoire” – what a riot – all those TV cabinets and armoires now dinosaurs can be great dry-bars!!! Porque no?

 

The funny thing is that I did one not long ago that was actually intended to be a bar console thing from the 70s – not originally an armoire – the flip-top console was functional but dated and tucked off in a corner all closed-up and wasting its potential. The resulting new scene with newly painted cinnamon back-drop and client’s’ own decorative accessories…(he dashed out and bought the mirror and shelves at Target while we rearranged)  looked so Trader Vic when we finished that it seemed to validate a re-purpose of a piece that was dated and yet had a combo retro/to-the fore purpose – get that?  Re-do Robert's house trader vic's bar 007

Well, I’m getting it…and so are all the millennials…they get it. IT is that we are entering a whole new design realm that services and responds to the needs and desires of a new articulate, inventive generation. It is fun and creative, sleek yet eclectic – clean meets ornate – and there really are NO Rules!

It appears as though this new group/generation recognizes the art, style and joy of the best of the best.  With that comes fantastic design opportunities to gather, discover, pair and meld disparate elements… while all the while, watching their budget, making the most of what they have available and being incredibly creative. It’s as though they have the silver spoon, desire for the best and can’t always get there and therefore strive to creatively achieve a suitable facsimile. smsall apt AQ Unit 2014 11 01 pr[1]

I had a reply last week that bemoaned the fact that most of her peers of this generation did not have the discretionary income to “decorate.” Primarily, from her position, they lived in major metropolises (specifically NYC) where the cost of living was astronomical – but this speaks to the creative aspect of this generation’s eclecticism.  decorating-ideas-for-small-condo-spaces-300x180

Creativity is the key  to EVERYTHING. It’s not always sexy…it is sometimes painfully tedious and practical. But think about it. Regardless of your place on this planet, creativity will elevate your position. I digress.

Today we have so much access to ideas on TV, internet, magazines, DIY at every turn..but it is still a challenge if not daunting to know where to start, what to assemble, and how to group things.  Used too be that clipping magazine photos was the start of planning a design project – it still can be – in addition to pinning it and filing in digital folders…whatever your method or combination thereof, gathering ideas about what you like is the start. interior pink-wave-6-jpg

I do what I do because I LOVE what I do and the idea is that making someone’s space better for them if not incredible for them is the goal. I told a couple tonight as we discussed the options for remodeling their kitchen, “You have me here for a reason.” They laughed and agreed. I either bring something entirely new to the discussion,  referee or break a tie – but the service serves a greater purpose and that is to enhance the environment, solve a problem,  save unneeded expenses or redirect the budget for the better…all resulting in good design decisions!

sheves maxresdefaultDIY is inspirational and fun! The ideas and instructions flooding the internet and TV networks are endless  – but it still means that having guidance to decide what to do with what and which to pick and pair – the consultation is how you distill the choices. DIY

At the expense of sounding like a sales pitch, buy an hour with a well-vetted interior designer. Do your research and see what you can accomplish in that singular consultation. It’s an investment in the quality of your life, the best use of your possessions and the directive as to how to move forward with the process.

Creativity in design spans so many disciplines. To benefit from these creative exercises, retaining the services of an interior designer is key. EVERYONE has a certain sense of what they regard as adequate if not a stellar design sense. HOWEVER, if you get into an evaluation/consultation with a practiced interior designer, you will reap the benefits – just like you might from a creative and smart tax consultant!

Funny that I make this analogy. Its nearing the tax-time deadline, so find those bonus dollars in your return and see how much you will gain from a smart design consultation to bring your special space to the place that brings you bliss.

 

 

 

 

 

Millenials Setting & Drivng Market & Trends

The conversation about the lifestyles or preferred lifestyles of today’s millennials is leading trends from real estate and development to interior design.  The vocalization of the desires and needs is an enormous help to the market on all fronts. Rather than the market trends guessing about and driving the consumers – the consumers are speaking out and driving the trends.

I guess I’m not hearing anything new though. It seems that 30 years ago the wishes were similar- but there was no conduit to express the collective ideas and preferences.  Upon graduation the want to stay connected to your peers, be close to bars and restaurants and fun shops was certainly a desire…but there was no platform to express those would-be market-driving desirable features.   But what is happening is that the voice is more audible  and the markets are responding . It’s an obvious result attributable  to social media – fast, accessible voices sharing and communing about their lives and their dreams.  Generation Y is telling everyone what will work for them and if you want their business – provide the products.   After all, they ARE the Net Generation – living, eating and breathing  and influencing all that bombards the screens from wrist watches to full mega monitors. The power of the internet.

Small Living Room Zen Design

They search and pin, collecting ideas and forming concepts about their interiors. Whether these interiors are in tiny urban condos or trendy lofts, suburban apartments or affordable houses,  the trends are voiced. They prefer open plans, creative space-utilization, LED lighting, and all things tied to flat screen technology. But remember, there are practical things to consider in these millennial maisons.black trim modern-rustic-3

When in a multi-unit building, rules apply – like certain percentages of flooring must be covered. Sound transmittance of hard surfaces must be minimized. This is true of other noise restrictions. Some places will not allow storage in parking spaces – which makes space-utilization all the more critical. Nor will they allow pets.

But the communal nature of this density housing is also great common areas to work and play. Office-like rooms for those who work from home but don’t want to be isolated in their unit. Swimming pools and workout rooms…lots of amenities – lots of style. open plan cucina-Orange-Evolution-32

This subject of interior design style for the millennials will continue next week…ideas and examples!