Toll Bros. keen on design trends

Many homeowners have moved beyond the desire for a private refuge and are instead focusing on creating inviting entertainment areas, according to Gary Mayo, vice president for Toll Bros.

"The home isn't just for the person who lives there anymore," Mayo said. "It's where people create memories and share their lives with family and friends. The emphasis is now on making a home feel inviting and comfortable."

The builder studies the preferences of its buyers and designers to help determine the latest trends in home décor and design.

"When our buyers begin selecting flooring, designing their kitchens and picking options, trends become obvious," Mayo said. "That, combined with the expertise of our model-home decorators, keeps us up on what's in and what's out."

He pointed out that among the newer trends in home design is happening outdoors. Courtyards -- both interior and front entry -- are in big demand.

"Courtyards can literally transport you from a city street to a quiet calm even before entering the home. With outdoor fireplaces, comfortable seating and even soothing water features, courtyards are a simple but elegant way for homeowners to make a great first impression," said Mayo, adding that more emphasis is also being placed on creating outdoor entertainment areas centered around resort-style swimming pools.

"The back yard itself is becoming more like a resort with cozier seating, as well as larger pools with more features, from waterfalls and fountains to in-pool seating and creative water slides."

In addition, outdoor kitchen areas have been added to the basic barbecue grill. With refrigerators, wine coolers, sinks and ample counter space, there's rarely a reason to leave guests to go indoors.

Toll Bros. also offers interior features that are conducive to entertaining.

Game rooms typically offer game or billiard tables, mini-refrigerators or a wet bar, and perhaps a children's area with board games and junior-sized seating. Home theaters with comfortable seating, popcorn machines and large movie screens, are also popular, according to Mayo.

Elsewhere in the home, he said, some trends are continuing -- with a twist. Mayo noted that stainless steel kitchens continue to be popular, however, refrigerators, ovens, cook tops and microwaves have gone high-tech.

"We've seen refrigerators that have a camera inside and a TV screen outside, so you can see what's inside before you even open the door," he said. "There are programmable ovens, stove tops and even microwaves that can `sense' how long something needs to be reheated."

With technology dominating the kitchen, Mayo said there are still ways homeowners can add a touch of old-fashioned warmth.

"Fireplaces are now being found in some unconventional places, like in the breakfast area or near the oven," he said. "We're also seeing fireplaces outdoors, in the master bath and, really, throughout the home," he said, noting that personal retreats are popular in master baths.

"We call them `spa-like' baths since they can be so lavish. We've seen negative-edge bath tubs, dual-head and oversized showers and (spa) tubs. The master bath is the one place in the home that is truly a luxury specifically for the homeowner. It's their private sanctuary."

Meditation rooms, he said, can take the place of a spare bedroom, den or guest suite. Such rooms can incorporate Feng Shui elements for balance and can include large groupings of candles, piped in nature sounds, books on natural healing and large chairs. Other possibilities include massage tables, indoor hot tubs or wall-to-wall yoga mats.

"The premise of the meditation room is that it's a quiet place to unwind," Mayo said. "No TVs, no harsh lighting and lots of space to stretch out and relax. The décor is typically very subtle; bamboo floors or mats, soothing earthtone colors on the walls, and small tabletop water fountains for background noise."

Toll Bros. has been in business for 36 years and is developing more than 175 neighborhoods in 21 states.

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