Eleven for Eleven Part I

I had a seance last night

with

Madame 

Ethel Mertzola...

 We looked into her crystal ball

for design and lifestyle trends

 for 2011

Here's what we saw:

#1 

Urban Farming

 I think even more so this year we will think about where the food we eat comes from....

More farm to table or garden to table etc...

Health & Longevity

 are on the top of everyone's list for 2011

Which brings us to the urban garden...

the family garden will be a key concept in landscaping and in home design, 

even in the smallest of spaces 

#2

Technology

This will have a huge impact on how we design homes,

remodel or even rethink the use of old products we currently are using...
in addition to looking good

Do they help me save time in my day to day routine?

&

Are the things I use saving money and energy?

 Will they work for me into the next five or ten years?

&

Will my children benefit from this purchase?

#3

Living off the grid

Light with out electricity

Warmth without fuel

Independence...

 and the ability to control our consumption...

on our own terms

All of us think more often about what we are consuming.....

and how much we pay for it every time we get a utility or water bill

or fill up the tank

Getting the most out of energy is pretty important and I believe it will continue to be on the top of our list for many years....nice car!

#4

Size/Downsizing Matters

Do I need 5000 square feet of "Home Builder" fluff?

That is currently the question many of us are asking ourselves...

 and...

If I can afford to live anywhere...

Where will it be...

 And what will my home look like?

More importantly... is my house a place I can call "home"

Or has my house become my check book/equity line on which to borrow?

Ouch...

#5

Re-use & Re-Purpose

Think about all of the great design we have seen lately using reclaimed wood

 or a repurposed industrial item...

Can I get it used? 

Maybe on Ebay or Craigs list...

Will it be cheeper?

Or will it be a big pain to re-finish and maybe it's not all that efficient anyway?

And what can I do with my old Volkswagen tires?

 who knows...

The answer really lies with using our imagination...
Manhole covers anyone?

 I think we all will look at some of the items we purchased years ago...in a new light

Is it still relevant today?

I loved it then

But now...?

yea

I still love a bug

Will I still love it in ten years?

  If I don't...

Can it be used by someone else for something other that it was actually intended?

So...
What are your eleven for eleven?


Part II  coming right up