The Hard and Soft of It: Hardening of Homes in North America

At some point in the 1970s or 1980s, there came a grandiose design scheme called “open concept”.  This truly changed the way our homes functioned.  The open concept designer trends became wildly popular – and yet not a single consideration was made for the acoustical sacrifice that comes along with these aesthetic changes.  



Ponder this quote: “When we come home, it’s supposed to be our sanctuary.  What’s happened is, we’ve gone on this amazing technological revolution where everything around us is technology but often the compromise in the design is that the sound hasn’t been considered, so you’ve got this massive orchestra at home.” 
My recently passed father-in-law, John, certainly felt the effects of this acoustical "orchestra" while living in our home.  When my daughter would serve meals on our quartz kitchen island, John would cringe at the sound of the dishware clanking on the hard surface.  Switching to a more sound-absorbent countertop surface would have made a world of difference for him.  His sound-sensitive ears were further affected by the presence of hard surfaces and fixtures throughout our home which created, in his eyes, one large acoustical nightmare.  Ultimately, we decided to make a change to promote a more peaceful home environment.
We began our renovation by tackling the great room.  We covered our hardwood floors with carpet.  We replaced our leather furniture with fabric furniture.  We removed our wood blinds and replaced them with cloth blinds.  We insisted on only placing canvas-wrapped art.  In considering our desire for a quieter home, the acoustical factor of our re-design truly did influence our decisions.  

Post-renovation, we received comments on how tranquil our home environment has become.  The truth of the matter is, we have softened our home.  We have removed every ode to modern-day “hard” design aesthetics and transformed our home into our own place of solitude.
In addition, I believe the kitchen is one of the most important spaces that desperately needs to function properly.  As one of the most frequently used horizontal surfaces in the home, the kitchen countertop should be designed to be functional.  Does the function and attributes of a hard, shiny countertop surface make an impact on the eyes and ears?  Absolutely.  Would a seamless, integrated work surface – such as DuPont™ Corian® - reduce visual and acoustical strain?  Without question. Surfaces such as Corian® have the capability to truly transform the acoustics of a room. 
When it’s all said and done, the design community is, at large, continuing to place their focus on the “wow-factor” designs that are found on TV and in magazines.  If we can simply begin to speak about “softer” design aesthetics and ask each homeowner if these factors are important to them, we can stop the unnecessary “hardening of the homes” in North America.
This floor-to-ceiling wall art functions
beautifully as a large acoustical panel.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kitchen Mega-Trends Uncovered

Image
If you’ve been to one of my Evenings of Inspiration (EOI), you know that it’s my passion to seek out the latest and greatest mega-trends in kitchen design.   I’m always looking for the next big design idea. I recently found an interesting article that hit the nail on the head in terms of designs that I’ve highlighted in my EOI presentations ( click here to view the full article).   Do you agree that these trends will show up more and more in the kitchens of the future? Technology-Centered Kitchen Concept: Placing a heavy focus on staying connected with the use of technology.   My thoughts: Incorporating technology into design can be a risky move.   Technology moves at a rapid pace and quickly becomes out-dated. Movement Concept: Using movement in design to maximize the function of a space. My thoughts: This will be the biggest trend in the kitchen of the future.   Forms Follows Function. Visually-Minimized Design Concept: “Hiding” a v...
Read more

Myth: “Knowledge is Power”

Many people are familiar with the old adage “knowledge is power”.   People believe that acquiring new information can, in some way, prove to be of benefit.   But the question becomes: what makes knowledge powerful if you don’t use it? I would challenge the assumption that knowledge is power - because without action, knowledge is only interesting.   Think about modern education.   We have changed the knowledge base of society but people are less likely to act on what they know. My belief is that knowledge in conjunction with action is real power.   In this day of information, we all have access to a wealth of knowledge.   It is easy for us to acquire new information and ideas, but we frequently fail to apply the information and mobilize.   If we do not act upon our ideas, we remain stagnant. I believe it is important to make a strategic effort to mobilize our ideas and knowledge, for when we do, great results can occur.   This is where the r...
Read more

Willis President & CEO Joins K + BB Editorial Advisory Board

Willis CEO Mike Hetherman to Join Esteemed Panel of Industry Experts Burlington, Ontario, April 25, 2014 —Willis President & CEO, Mike Hetherman, has recently joined the Editorial Advisory Board for Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine. As a CKD for over 20 years and a prominent figure in the building supply industry, Mike will be working closely with the other members of the board to contribute industry expertise to the many outlets provided by K+BB Magazine. With his acquisition of a role on the K+BB Editorial Advisory Board, Mike will be providing his insights on trends, ideas and evaluation on industry issues.   Said Mike, “Connecting people to information is the key to ensuring that our industry stays relevant.   My new role with K+BB is sure to be a great outlet for further connecting and sharing such information.” In addition to his ongoing contributions to the board, Mike will be participating in exclusive events in which are geared towards unearthing rele...
Read more