We just returned from the Minneapolis Lake Home & Cabin Show. The show is such a great way for us to connect with MN and WI customers face to face that live outside the Duluth area. We are also able to connect with other vendors at the show that we may not see on a regular basis. Following are our design takeaways from the show:
Shiplap: We’re seeing it everywhere including lake homes and cabins. Buyers are incorporating it in a myriad of spaces from living areas and kitchens to bedrooms and baths. We see it on walls and ceilings in crisp, clean shades of white.
T&G Ceiling Planking: Homeowners gravitate to the warmth created by a planked ceiling. Textured barnwoods and Knotty Pine stained rich brown colors were amongst the most popular choices, lest we not forget painted white shiplap.
Modern Farmhouse / Rustic Modern: Most show-goers were interested in achieving either a Modern Farmhouse or Rustic/Modern themed design. Modern Farmhouse architecture and interior furnishings seemed to be incorporated into most homes and cabins. Many consumers were also after a blend of rustic and modern interior finishes, seeking rustic planking to pair with modern appliances, furniture and fixtures.
All the Comforts of Home: When it comes to cabins, the floor plans are following suit of what you would expect to find in a traditional home. For example, open floor plans, mudrooms, large kitchens, multiple bedrooms and baths with soaking tubs, 3-season porches and even multi-stall garages. Outdoor showers are also gaining in popularity as many cabin owners are convinced this is the ticket to minimizing sand from entering the structure and damaging the floors. Many cabin owners are incorporating built-in bunk beds to maximize space and the number of guests they can host and adding laundry appliances to avoid bringing linens home with them.
We really enjoyed our time at the show and we love interacting with our customers. If you didn’t make the show but are interested in some of the current design trends, I hope you found our takeaways helpful.