Design and function. When these two critical elements work together in a new home, it is a win-win for the homeowner. That’s the driving force behind SmartDesign home features, which are now being showcased for the first time in Beazer Homes’ The Enclave at Moss Park.
Options such as kitchen cabinets with glide-out shelving, enhanced closet systems, home office workstations and built-in storage units are hallmarks of the new SmartDesign features developed in conjunction with nationally acclaimed organizing expert Monica Ricci. Ricci, a regular guest expert on both radio and television, including HGTV’s Mission: Organization, was on hand last week to explain the importance of organization and storage in the home, and the family.
“Today’s home buyers want more than a beautiful home. They want their home to make their lives simpler,” said Ricci. “The SmartDesign home helps people get organized, and stay organized.” On a tour of The Enclave’s model homes, which have been retrofitted with SmartDesign features, Ricci talked enthusiastically of the extra touches that were added, at no extra cost to consumers.
Starting in the kitchen, where many home buyers also begin their assessment of a new home, Ricci points to adjustable pantry and cabinet options, so no space is wasted. Particular attention is paid to the backsides of doors, a place that is normally underutilized. And then there is a multi-tiered island for storage, and deep drawers with movable dividers, including glideout shelves in cabinets. “It takes the mystery out of what is in the back,” she explained.
“Also, it makes it easy to put things away. There is even a glide-out shelf for trash and recycling receptacles next to the sink, which demonstrates another basic SmartDesign tenet: Keep items close to where they will be put to use. In the laundry room, this guiding principle also comes into practice. A sink allows for washing delicates or other special-care garments, while a hanging bar comes in handy for shirts and pants immediately after being removed from the dryer.
Also, right on top of the washer and dryer there is a large surface where the task of folding or pressing clothes can be undertaken, eliminating wrinkles and the need to drag them elsewhere to complete the job.
The bathroom offers more storage space with “toilet toppers,” or shelves above the commode, as well as linen closets, where towels are stacked within easy reach. Closets also employ the rationale that building up maximizes space, with two levels for hanging clothes. There is also a small dresser with deep drawers, including a built-in tray for jewelry and accessories. In the open loft you find a functioning workstation for students or parents, complete with large desk, file drawers and Internet connection.
“We want our homes to work harder for us. We shouldn’t have to accommodate our homes,” she said. The goal is that every room, every space, every nook becomes a high-functioning, highly effective facet of effortless living. “If you don’t have storage, stuff lives out in the open and becomes clutter,” Ricci said. “I have 10 years of experience with frustrated homeowners and these features really help keep everything organized.”
Beazer Homes also boasts plenty of experience in dealing with homeowners who want more from their homes. According to David Byrnes, president of Beazer Homes, Orlando Division, Ricci brought unique insight to the design process, including firsthand experience helping homeowners organize their living spaces into more functional, usable spaces.
“Our SmartDesign features are an example of Beazer’s ongoing effort to design homes that work for today’s lifestyles,” Byrnes said. “By increasing storage and adding features that help reduce clutter, Beazer is designing homes that support the way families actually use their home.”
Designing smart, living better
Research conducted on behalf of Beazer Homes found that a more organized home is at the top of the list of what homeowners most desire but do not have the time or expertise to make a reality. Of the new and prospective home buyers surveyed, more than 60 percent said their “dream home” would be designed so everything has its own place and include deluxe organization features. “Bigger isn’t necessarily better,” Byrnes said.
“Home buyers are looking for homes that actually live better.” Nearly 73 percent of those polled agree that the kitchen is their top priority, with close to one in two women reporting they would give up luxury lighting and stainless steel appliances in exchange for a more organized kitchen. Other high-priority areas of the home include the home office and the garage.
Sixty-nine percent of respondents desire a highly organized home office that is easy to maintain, while 55 percent said they do not have enough room in the garage to fit the family car. Homeowners also are joining the “green” movement, looking to conserve energy as well as save on energy costs, Byrnes said.
Beazer offers a host of standard energy- saving enhancements to help customers save money, such as programmable thermostats, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) that use less energy and last longer, and low-flow shower heads. Beazer, one of the country’s 10 largest single-family home builders in the country, offers all of the SmartDesign and energy-efficient extras as standard features in The Enclave at Moss Park — and come at no extra cost to the consumer, Byrnes said.
“We’re the only builder doing this. It’s good for us and good for the customer,” he said. “We want to be ahead of the curve as an environment-friendly builder.”
