What are the latest trends in the modern escape home? More importantly, how can you transform your home into a friendly haven with both style and smarts?

The Kitchen is the Hub of the Home

Kitchens have come a long way in the past several years, and they continue to evolve more into the family gathering place than ever before. “The kitchen is the center of connectivity for today’s family – not only physically, but also digitally,” says Riley. “The kitchen is where we socialize, check email, surf the Web, watch television and charge everything from the cell phone to the iPod.”

With the kitchen as the home’s nucleus, it’s important to incorporate design elements that fit this specific purpose. Today’s kitchen lends itself to a more flexible, open plan than ever before, with ample counter space and wiring to support all of the family’s gadgets. It also requires more seating.

Swivel Counter Stools like the Hillsdale Montello come in both bar and counter height. With complex castings and curved legs the Montello is on the fancy end of breakfast bar furniture.

Adaptable Spaces

Entertaining and dining are coming home this year, and spaces need to be adaptable in order to accommodate different types of get-togethers. Transforming products, such as a dining room table that rises to bar height and expands for entertaining, like the Lexington Zacara Movida Bistro Table, gives an ordinary object a greater purpose. It’s suitable for both family meals and celebrations at the lower height with a leaf extension in place, and can also serve well for a wine tasting, cocktail party or a night of poker when set higher and more bistro-like. Extra tall bar stools can be quickly substituted for chairs.

“Flexibility within the home allows you to create a variety of moods and settings for entertaining,” says Riley. “The goal is to be able to easily transition from casual to formal, while maintaining a style and comfort level that’s suitable for each occasion.”