Design spotlight: Kitchen Islands 

Ten Trails’ builder partners offer stunning homes in the community with all the latest features in home design trends. One trend that we do not see going away for a long time is the incorporation of an island in the kitchen. From complementary cabinet colors to oversized sinks, kitchen islands in new homes at Ten Trails are on-trend and will fit your family’s modern lifestyle.

Quartz Countertops 

Durable and attractive, quartz countertops are a popular choice for kitchen island countertops and can be found in many of the homes at Ten Trails. These engineered stone tops can be made into a variety of colors to suit any décor and will last homeowners years to come with proper care.

Oversized Sinks in the Kitchen Island

Large, double, or oversized sinks are a popular addition to many kitchen islands in new homes. A large open sink is preferable to the divided sinks of years ago, and ideal for washing large pots and pans. Placement of the sink and dishwasher in the kitchen island is a common choice with many new home builders.

Seating for Four or More People

It also common in new homes to have an overhang space on kitchen island countertops to provide an eating area for four or more people. For casual meals or more space when entertaining, having seating space at the kitchen island is a wonderful addition to any new home.

Complementary Cabinet Colors

Kitchen islands also allow home designers to make creative color choices by selecting complementary cabinet and countertop colors for the island and the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. By making the kitchen island cabinetry and countertops a different color than the rest of the kitchen, it creates a distinctive focal point for the space. www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043    

Transform Your Home with 2021 “Colors of the Year” 

One of the simplest and most inexpensive ways to transform your home is to change up the wall colors. With so much time spent indoors over the last year, many of us are looking for a change of scenery. Why not try out some of these new “colors of the year” in your home?

Pantone Selects Two Colors of the Year for 2021 

For 2021, Pantone selected two colors of the year instead of their customary one. Ultimate Grey and Illuminating are meant to complement one another and act as a metaphor for the year, suggesting sunnier days ahead, or the light at the end of the tunnel. Ultimate Gray is warm and neutral while Illuminating is great for a pop of color on an accent wall.

Sherwin Williams Color of the Year

Sherwin Williams selected a darker color as their 2021 Color of the Year. Urbane Bronze is warm and brings earthy tranquility to the interior of your home. It is at once sophisticated but also harkens to the outdoors and would look lovely inside any of our gorgeous Ten Trails homes.

Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 

While travel to remote and tropical beaches may be a distant memory at this point, Benjamin Moore brings the peace and tranquility of the ocean into your home with its 2021 Color of the Year, Aegean Teal. This subtle blend of blue, green and grey works well with the entire Benjamin Moore 2021 Sunbaked Color Trends Palette.  www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043

2021 Home Design Trends to Try in Your New Ten Trails Home

While many of us are hoping for a much different looking 2021 than 2020, a few home design trends that emerged during the pandemic may continue to stick around. If you are moving into a new home this year or simply need a change in your current one, why not try one of these popular design trends?

An Abundance of Indoor Plants

Indoor plants have always been popular, but they became a huge rage during the pandemic. With many people unable to leave their homes during stay-home orders, and some with limited outdoor space, bringing the outside in through indoor greenery became extremely popular. For newbies to indoor plant care, check with a local nursery to see which plants will do best in your home. Some varieties that are hardy and thrive during winter’s low light in our northern climate include Parlor Palms, Snake Plants and certain varieties of ivy.

Edible Gardens

Edible gardens became a big trend in 2020 with many people reluctant to venture out of their homes as often to get fresh produce, and many farmers’ markets shut down due to the pandemic. Keep the trend going through 2021 with an indoor herb or lettuce garden to carry you through the winter months. You can also begin sprouting spring vegetable seeds indoors in February or March for planting outside once the risk of frost has passed for the season. At Ten Trails, our residents can rent out space for an edible garden in our community pea patches.

Home offices

The home office is not going anywhere in 2021. With many workers continuing to work from home at least part of the time, home office space is here to stay. At Ten Trails, many of our builders have home office space built into their home design so there is no need to convert your space if you are planning to continue to work from home in the new year.

Multi-purpose rooms

In 2020, we saw many of our home’s rooms transformed into multi-purpose areas. Guest rooms become home offices, Basements turned into gyms and loft areas became makeshift school rooms for virtual learning. We believe multi-purpose spaces will continue to be a trend in the coming year and beyond. Get creative and figure out what hidden potential a seldom-used room of your home may have! www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043

Tips for Getting the Most out of Your Ten Trails Outdoor Space This Fall and Winter 

The weather is getting cooler but that does not mean you have to stop using your outdoor backyard patio space! Many of the homes at Ten Trails have private outdoor space for residents to enjoy. Here are a few tips on how to upgrade your patio space to optimize use for the cooler, darker months.

Add More Lighting

Embrace the shorter daylight hours and light up outdoor patio or backyard space with soft twinkle lights, rustic electric lanterns, and faux flickering candles. These will not only add light, but will also create ambiance and a magical glow to your space. Ten Trails HOA covenants permit outdoor string lights on patios, but written permission is needed to attach any lighting to fences.

Add Heat 

Fall and winter evenings in the Pacific Northwest can be damp and chilly. Combat the cold by adding electric or propane outdoor heaters to your space. Choose ones that are decorative or that can be easily stowed away in your yard when not needed.  Another great option for adding warmth in your backyard space is to purchase a propane fire pit which will also create a nice backdrop for your outdoor socially-distanced gathering with neighbors.

Change Up Your Décor 

If you have backyard or patio furniture, change up the upholstery to reflect the seasons! Add outdoor pillows in warm fall tones of gold, orange, and deep red. As the holidays approach, liven up your backyard space with hints of seasonal colors like red, green, gold and silver. Do not forget to include a few warm blankets and throws for your family or guests to keep warm.  

Swap out Summer Plantings for Fall Flowers

Bring some fall color into your backyard space by adding seasonal plants like hearty mums and even some late-blooming dahlias. Both will show color until the first frost. Purchase evergreens and conifer plants and place them in brightly colored pots to bring cheer and greenery to your backyard patio space during the winter months. 360.469.4043 www.TenTrails.com

Holiday Decorating Ideas for Your New Ten Trails Home

Looking for ideas on how to decorate your new Ten Trails home for the holidays? Head to our Pinterest page for inspiration! We have tons of pins and holiday decor ideas for your to peruse.

Wreaths

Holiday wreaths come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors. From traditional evergreen to holly berry, a holiday wreath is a staple for front door decor. Ensure your new Ten Trails home stands out with a festive homemade or store-bought wreath this holiday season.

Christmas Tree Decor

Christmas trees can be as traditional or as eccentric as you want to make them. Christmas ornaments, balls and garland are the typical tree adornments but we have seen trees decked out in paper lanterns, floral crowns and even disco balls! Let your creativity take over this holiday season and you and your family can create a special memory finding unique decorations for your tree.

Lights

Holiday lights bring festive cheer to any space, indoor or out! From conservative white lights to accent the roof lines of your Ten Trails home, to multi-hued string lights to adorn your trees and shrubbery, you can’t really go wrong with adding more lights to your home this holiday season. www.TenTrails.com 360-469-4043