As is the custom this time of year all across America, many of our neighbors, friends and, if we’re lucky enough, even “we” will go on some sort of vacation escaping the normal routines of our day to day lives. Some of us will board planes to exotic beach locations, others will travel by car to mountain cottages. The adventurous will take out their passports and fly to foreign countries where the homes and construction design look quite different from our own. It is no surprise, then, that in an attempt to “extend” a holiday state of mind, vacationers will attempt to incorporate design elements from their latest destinations into their homes.
Over the years these “vacation inspired influences” have been integrated into our everyday living, many of which would be incomprehensible to the architects and builders of the early 20th century who originally developed our area. There are many rooms we have made larger (formal dining rooms), others we have made smaller or eliminated altogether (living rooms). Kitchens have become both larger and more sophisticated as all of us strive to become America’s next “Top Chef.” But it’s the bathroom renovations, particularly the master bathroom, which have gone through the greatest evolution.
The early planners of master bathrooms focused on efficiency and, through minimalist tendencies, favored utilizing as little space as possible. In addition, for some bizarre reason, pink in all directions was the favored color (maybe mint green if your builder wanted to be unique).
All this changed when people started boarding airplanes en masse in the 50s and 60s and saw what hotels thought you should be doing in your washroom. People were now introduced to hot tubs, body sprays and of course a separate room for the toilet. There was literally a miniature spa awaiting you in your hotel suite. Master vanities loomed so large you could finally have room to store all the shampoos you took from the last hotel you stayed at and walls of glass and mirrors surrounded you in all directions.
In addition, the open floor concept which has gained so much traction in recent years is also, in large part, due to the influence destination homes have had on us. Whether vacationing at a ski lodge or at the beach we often enjoy the one room living concept whereby the kitchen, family room and dining room are all open to each other in an attempt to maximize the time family and friends can spend together. No one wants to be stuck cooking in the kitchen while everyone is enjoying the glowing fireplace in the next room. Remove all the walls and, voila, problem solved.
From Japanese self-cleaning toilets to the truly unthinkable carpeted bathroom floors, these trips offer us the ability to expand our tastes while exposing us to new and creative ways to enhance our lives together with our families at home. Until, of course, we go on our next vacation.
Nechama Polak is the broker of record and owner of V and N Group LLC located at 1401 Palisade Ave in Teaneck. [email protected] 201-826-8809.
