Each year a New American Home is built to showcase the latest building trends and products of the National Association Home Builder's members. The 2016 New American Home is located in Henderson, NV, about 10 miles from the Las Vegas Convention Center where the annual International Home Builder Show is going on now (Jan 19-21, 2016). It's an amazing cooperative building project. Experts from across the industry illustrate elements of the National Green Building Standard with respect to energy efficiency, indoor-air quality, safety, universal design and market value.
Here's a fun overview of the main floor (we'll share the remainder of the house real soon) of the 2016 New American Home.
Entering the 2016 New American Home
Every home has a front door for guests, even though most family members enter through the garage or a side door along the driveway. So it makes sense that they haven't gone overboard with this front door, as the views at the back of the house are what sets this house apart.
In fact the front door doesn't lead directly into the house. It opens into a quiet oasis that begins to reveal the grandeur of the house as the glass entryway rises up two stories, and you can see through to the views past the house itself. There are different materials on the walls, and the pathway is a work of art combining a variety of stones, tile, plantings and a water feature.
Stepping inside the house, is walking into a museum with a soaring ceiling, chandeliers and walls of glass mixed with walls of natural stonework. There are wonderful pieces of artwork on the walls, including some made from recycled wood which is an element of green building.
The Kitchen at the Heart of the 2016 New American Home
This home is definitely modern in style, and the kitchen cabinets bring this point into focus. It's the perfect look for homeowners who don't want to see a lot of clutter in their homes. The focus is on color and texture with the range hood grabbing your attention as you walk into the kitchen. It's set off by a beautiful metallic backsplash which provides visual movement against white upper cabinets over a white countertop and dark wood base cabinets.
The kitchen island continues the look with simplicity of design, and the new waterfall countertop flowing seamlessly down the sides of the island. The far wall is every homeowner's dream, with multiple freezer – refrigerator units and lots of cabinets for storing whatever you need to create a dream kitchen.
Unlike the bar stools that seem to go hand-in-hand with kitchen islands, the 2016 New American Home introduces a comfortable banquette that directs all eyes to feast on the amazing views outside the windows.
For those who love to entertain, there's more … a modern butler's pantry to help prepare and serve guests from another kitchen hidden between the “entertaining kitchen” and the dining room. What I really love about this room is how the shelves are open so you can see everything at a glance, and there are extra appliances too including a warming oven and coffee bar.
Ready to Relax in the 2016 New American Home
It's Las Vegas with weather that's milder than many parts of the country, so lots of relaxing and entertaining happens outdoors. That's why you'll find lots more outdoor space for relaxing, than indoor rooms like most houses have. On the main floor, there's a family room that opens up from the kitchen. And you can slide the glass doors open at the far end, to extend the room to the outside deck with a pool and spa.
The Master Bedroom Suite, A World Unto Itself
At first you might be surprised that the master bedroom isn't bigger. On the far wall is an amazing collection of fireplaces integrated into the wall. Following the “less clutter is better” design approach to the kitchen, there's lots of storage wrapping the other walls of the bedroom. My favorite storage was the set of shelves built into the wall leading into the bathroom, for books, collectibles or whatever you want.
A new trend here was the mini coffee bar included in the master bedroom. It feels like you could spend hours, even days in your bedroom with everything at your fingertips.
Master Bathrooms are Becoming In Home Spas
We're spending more time at home, and by adding the right amenities to your master bath, you might not even have to go out to the gym. The space is generous with a long comfortable vanity, stand-alone bathtub and impressive walk-in shower with a long, comfortable bench. Another trend in new homes is the addition of private outdoor space off the master bedroom or bathroo. The 2016 New American Home shows how you can create this type of oasis without using a lot of extra space, outdoor space which often never gets used.
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