Life at home encompasses more activities than ever as a result of the pandemic. Home sweet home has become not only our private retreat but is often our remote workplace, school room, work-out space, dining hall, movie theater and vacation destination. While some of these uses may change as time goes on, the demand for homes with flexible, inviting spaces coupled with on-site outdoor amenities, is likely here to stay.
Today’s homebuyers seek energy efficient, easy-care homes with highly livable, functional spaces that accommodate their changing lifestyles. Interior design trends have followed suit with approaches to design that are less fussy and more functional while still adding plenty of style, beauty and personality to the home.
Minto Communities — introducing on-site designers and on-trend insight
Each Minto community has an on-site design team and impressively appointed design center where new Minto homeowners are assisted in creating their dream homes. The Minto design team tracks emerging consumer trends and the latest products for the home through market and product research and ongoing interaction with Minto’s prospective buyers and homeowners.
Design team members at Minto’s award winning, master-planned communities — Latitude Margaritaville, The Isles of Collier Preserve and Westlake — recently shared some of their insights on current design trends.
They note that because people are spending more time at home, there is strong demand for bright, roomy home interiors that open and extend to outdoor living spaces, as well as communities where residents can get out and enjoy the open air. Spacious kitchens with large service and seating islands to accommodate more dining at home are high on the list. Flex spaces that can serve as a den or office are very popular as more people are working remotely.
Latitude Margaritaville — designing for a vacation lifestyle and more
Inspired by the lifestyle of fun, food and music portrayed in the songs of legendary singer, songwriter and best-selling author Jimmy Buffett, Latitude Margaritaville communities are for those 55-and-better who are growing older…but not up. The first three Latitude Margaritaville communities have opened in Daytona Beach, Florida, near Hilton Head, South Carolina and near Panama City Beach, Florida on the Emerald Coast.
Latitude Margaritaville’s energy efficient, easy-care homes feature open, airy spaces that maximize natural light and flow into outdoor living spaces. Homes are designed for relaxing, entertaining and comfortably accommodating houseguests. Flex rooms provide the office/den or hobby room that is especially in demand today. A colorful array of resort-style amenities are available to residents at the vibrant Latitude Town Center.
Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach
At Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach, popular home interior color choices include beachy, driftwood, and sea glass colors that are reflective of this iconic beach town. The new Conch Cottage home collection has been a huge hit, particularly the Dreamsicle model with its off-white laminated flooring, vaulted ceilings and soft pink accented walls. The best way to describe the Dreamsicle model is bright, light and welcoming. It includes two spacious bedrooms, two baths, den/hobby room and two-car garage. A charming wrap-around porch has a casual dining area for morning coffee or lunch with friends.
Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head
Nautical blue and white, natural wood ceiling beams and warm tones are popular choices at Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head and fit right in with the surrounding coastal environment and Low Country ambiance. A current trend here is “warm modern” using warm and cool tones together. An example of this is pairing grey cabinetry and hardwood floors with tan undertones with countertops that pop – statement-making white quartz with grey veining. Shiplap wall design details also are in demand. The Latitude Margaritaville Aruba model is a homebuyer favorite with its stained ceiling beams, tongue and groove wall detailing, bright colors, large kitchen island and open floor plan.
Latitude Margaritaville Watersound
Located on Northwest Florida’s stunning Emerald Coast near Panama City Beach and world-famous Highway 30-A, Latitude Margaritaville Watersound opened in April 2021. Popular design details in this community include ceiling beams, tray ceilings, full-wall sliding glass doors, light oak laminate floors, quartz countertops, subway tiles, white shaker-style cabinets and matte black bathroom fixtures. A fan favorite is the Trinidad Bay model home with its open floor plan, high beamed ceilings, white laminate flooring, great room fireplace, master suite with bay windows and coffered ceiling, office/den and beautiful outdoor living space.
The Isles of Collier Preserve
Open air takes on a whole new meaning at The Isles of Collier Preserve in Naples, Florida where residents experience the great outdoors every day. More than 1,300 acres are dedicated to natural habitat and nature preserves connected by a network of recreational trails, nature observation stations, bike paths and waterways for birdwatching, hiking, biking, paddleboarding and kayaking. Inspired by the rich colors of the community’s natural surroundings, designers here are seeing a return to maximalist design with bold prints and patterns and warmer tones. Gold and black finishes are on trend, along with trim details that add a custom look. Popular trim details include shiplap walls, custom tray ceilings and trimmed-out columns. Flooring preferences include natural-looking wood plank tile throughout for a seamless look.
Westlake
Westlake, Minto’s 3,800-acre community in the central region of Palm Beach County, blends residential, commercial, and recreational elements into a vibrant new city where families and individuals of all ages live, work and play. Popular home interior choices here range from contemporary to rustic. For a modern, clean look, white and gray cabinets with white/gray quartz countertops are a popular choice along with large, glossy tiles. Wood laminate flooring is often the choice for a more rustic look. Matte black faucets and coordinating hardware are trending as is gold hardware. The Kestrel Grand model is very popular with white polished tile flooring, two-story foyer, sweeping grand staircase and stainless steel stair railing. For the ultimate flex space, the downstairs bedroom and den can convert into an in-law suite for multigenerational households. Favorite upgrade trends at Westlake are quartz countertops, wood-look plank tile, crown molding and cabinet accessories such as pull-out trash drawer and pull-out pots & pans drawer.
Where the magic happens — Minto design centers
Minto Design Centers include colorful displays and hundreds of products and samples to facilitate the selection of finishing touches for the home. Homebuyers love that Minto design centers are a one-stop shop where they can select everything from countertops, cabinetry, flooring, cabinet hardware, faucets, lighting and much more.
Product categories are grouped together to facilitate selecting products for each area of the home. There are sections for flooring, plumbing fixtures, lighting, cabinets, countertops and backsplashes. Cabinets are displayed so that all available styles can be viewed. Once a cabinet style is selected, the cabinet door is opened to view all available colors in that style. Samples of granite and quartz countertops are displayed on pull-out shelves. Individual design rooms are available by appointment to bring selections together to view the entire design palette created for the new home. A customized plan can be created virtually at interactive stations right down to furniture placement.
Getting started is easy! A Minto design associate sends the new homeowner an email outlining what to expect during the design appointment. Images of some of the many selections are sent to help in preparing for the meeting. An appointment is scheduled and the fun begins. Homeowners often bring photos of favorite furniture and fabrics to help guide them as they work with their designer to select those special touches that will create their new dream home!
Minto Communities and the Minto design team have created award-winning communities and homes that embrace and enhance today’s lifestyles while serving homeowners well into the future.
