RENOVATIONS: Back to basics in home style

With the housing market in a slump and the economy teetering on a recession, experts predict 2009 will be a year marked by cautious spending, with smaller housing designs gaining popularity and more homeowners opting to renovate, choosing comfortable, quality finishes over trendy home fashions.

"Overall, this is not a year to be fickle in your design choices," says Ottawa interior designer Ernst Hupel, who predicts "people will coast" through 2009 rather than splurge on expensive impulse buys and frivolous fads to outfit their homes.

With the economic uncertainty, housing analyst Ron Desjardins says consumer confidence will remain shaky, forcing last year's declining new home sales to sink further in the early months of 2009.

"I've been through three downturns in the housing market, but this is something very unique," says Desjardins of PMA Brethour in Markham, Ont., which tracks housing trends. "There's a lack of confidence out there that has nothing to do with the local economy."

Affordable entry housing, including small singles, townhouses, condos and stacked terrace homes, are poised to attract the most interest, primarily from young buyers or renters looking to purchase their first home.

Rather than move to a larger house, Steve Barkhouse of Amsted Construction in Ottawa expects more people will stay put and invest their money on renovating and expanding their existing home. A well-planned renovation not only increases a home's value, he says, but appeals to people's environmental sensibilities.

"They realize they can have their dream home with their existing home and still have significantly less impact on the environment by using the existing structure."

Going "green" will remain increasingly popular in 2009 as homeowners and builders try to reduce their carbon footprint.

"People are getting the green message. It's so strong everywhere," says Barkhouse whose Kanata, Ont., bungalow won top green renovation at the 2008 Housing Design Awards. "You do a lot of things to make your home green, more energy efficient, but it also makes the home more comfortable."

We asked decorators, designers and housing experts to look into their crystal balls to offer their predictions on what will happen in housing in 2009 and to offer tips for pinching our pennies in these cash-strapped times.

To stretch the home decorating budget, Ernst Hupel, co-owner of 2H Interior Design in Ottawa, suggests taking "inventory of what you currently have and if there are things that you could get rid of that you're not using, sell and use that opportunity to create funds to purchase new things you may be missing."

To get the most longevity out of your furniture investments, Hupel recommends buying more classic, neutral pieces and adding a touch of whimsy and personality with vibrant cushions, throws and accessories.

"This is a year of back-to-basics. If you're buying new dishware, buy white. If you need new bedding, buy white. You can always funk it up later," he says.

Despite all the doom and gloom we read in the headlines, interior decorator Suzanne Dimma says people are still going to want to jazz up their homes. The key is to think twice before you buy. "Trend items may seem indulgent, but they don't have to mean foolish spending," writes the editor of Canadian House & Home in the January issue. "At the end of the day, trends are about creating a sense of change and giving us a chance to experiment and reinvent ourselves."

But if money is tight and shoppers are fearful about the future, she suggests thinking long term. "Take a risk with something affordable like paint or accessories. If you're ready for a bigger investment, make sure it's something you're still going to love 10 years from now."

Clean lines and contemporary will be the prevalent themes in luxury bathrooms, predicts Georgitsos.

Steam showers, soaker tubs and furniture-style vanities will dominate, and though chrome will be the popular choice for faucets, he says the classic white and black taps that are making a big splash in Europe will find their way into local loos.

If you browsed the clothing stores over the holidays, you were likely blinded by all things plum, grape and eggplant purple. What shows up on the fashion front usually spills over into home decor, says interior decorator Carol Gilchrist.

"Purple will be strong," predicts the owner of Over the Rainbow Interior Consulting in Orleans, Ont., who expects toned-down shades of mauve, wine and lilac will be big in luxe bedding, velvet toss cushions and accessories.

Watch for grey to be the new neutral, she adds, and shiny chrome to make a strong comeback in everything from kitchen faucets to lighting fixtures.

Attention, all drama queens: The mirrored console tables, dressers and nightstands that popped up in living rooms and boudoirs last year will fade to black in 2009, says Ron Boivin, owner of Suede Interiors in Ottawa.

"I think we'll see a lot less of that," says Boivin, who expects streamlined, multipurpose furniture, including storage ottomans and expandable tables that can be used as a desk, bar or dining table, will dominate.

Home theatre rooms with big-screen TVs and plush seating will be high on the wish list of many homeowners this year, says Gilchrist.

"It's that whole family thing," says the decorator of the increasing popularity of finished basements and media rooms. "They want that room that the whole family will use. Comfort and cozy will still be big."

(prepared by Karen Turner/Vancouver Sun)