Vacation home might be taking on new
meaning. It no longer need apply to some
second home in a remote resort, but to primary
residences.
Who needs to leave town when they
have what Bob Leonard, chairman of the
San Antonio Board of Realtors (SABOR),
terms a “destination bathroom?”
Multi-tasking has moved into the bathroom.
While soaking in regal tubs, buyers of
today want to be able to surf the worldwide
Web, watch flat-screen television, nibble
snacks from the nearby refrigerator and sip
freshly-brewed, piping hot espresso or wine
chilled to the perfect temperature in the adjacent
cooler.
This trend is kept somewhat in check by
the more realistic needs of aging baby
boomers, some of whom find themselves
no longer capable of climbing in and out of
their tubs without assistance. According to
the 2007 Home Design Trends Survey of
the American Institute of Architects (AIA),
universal design elements and features
such as doorless and handheld showers are
being installed in bathrooms to promote
greater accessibility.
While regal bathrooms are in demand,
the formal living room is not. “Informal
spaces for eating, cooking and living have
conquered the forced museum space of the
living room,” reports Leonard. More casual
and open “great rooms” are finding their
way into builders’ plans.
 “Kitchens continue to be the dominant design
area within the home,” says Kermit
Baker, the AIA’s chief economist, “with dedicated
computer work areas or cell-phone
and personal digital assistant recharging stations
becoming an emerging trend.” Kitchens
are growing in size to reflect the increasing
number of functions centered there.
Duplicate appliances are no longer
enough; architects report a rising number
of separate secondary kitchen facilities or
preparation areas to shield those being entertained
in the show kitchens from the
sometimes messy process involved in actual
cooking. Pantries, wine coolers and, in
this green age, recycling centers now must
be accommodated as well.
Kitchens also are duplicated outside with
all-weather appliances and cushy furnishings – “destination patios?” Outdoor living
spaces resemble interior ones, including “statement” fireplaces, says Leonard.
Even garages are becoming destinationworthy.
Upscale cabinetry neatly hides the
traditional clutter, and the National Association
of Realtors’ 2007 Profile of Buyers’
Home Feature Preferences found oversized
ones are the new “big thing,” particularly
sensible, given Texans’ penchants for driving
big vehicles.
 Automation is increasingly putting controls
at the fingertips. In a workshop at the
most recent International Builders’ Show,
Josh Christian, chairman of education outreach
for the Custom Electronic Design and
Installation Association, explained that integrated
systems simplify control of numerous
functions. As an example, pressing a
single “Good Morning” button could disarm
the security system; turn on the lights in
the bathroom, hallway and kitchen; open
the blinds; and turn on the morning news.
Max and Lady are not forgotten. “Pet
showers are ‘in’ for 2008,” reports Leonard.
Fortunately, dog showers do not have to be
as upscale as the destination bathroom.
Leonard says a 3-by-3-foot shower base is
adequate for keeping four-pawed family
members clean enough to be welcome in the
destination kitchen.
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