The new color is …. Trends in kitchen and bath designs include…. The important design features in new home constructions are…. More home owners are …. Do you ever see such pronouncements in your life’s activities?

Such information is constantly coming across my desk. Have you ever noticed how many ” the color of the year” there are? Each paint manufacturer has one. Home shelter magazines each have one. Decorating divas have one. Home furnishings manufacturers have one. The list goes on.

And what of the colors and trends advertised for appliances, furnishings, building materials, construction, life styles, et cetera. And the “here’s what popular now”. And the “it’s what they are doing now”.

Residential design, construction, and living are not the same as fashion for clothing and dressing.

With new advances in chemistry, manufacturing, techniques, changes in life styles, finances, the market place, the availability of more colors, options, and ranges of building products, and materials is good. However, what does the such mean to you personally? How is it a factor in your life style and choices?

What if you don’t like it or it doesn’t go in your chosen design direction? Do you want to be like everyone else and follow the crowd are do you want to chose your own direction? Do you want to be popular or unique? Is it important to you to have celebrity or status choices and brands and names attached to your life style? Does such make you feel better and more important?

The same can be said for other trends and directions of kitchens, bathrooms, construction, features, manufacturing, et cetera which are of interest to manufacturers and building contractors and others who are concerned with mass production for mass consumption which is where some people choose to be and live. What’s your choices?

The ultimate is to manifest that which is functional for your life style, reflects your personality, and is the best possible level of quality and aesthetics.

Every thing else is superfluous.

Food for thought.