25 Years & Counting

Can you believe it? We at Welcome Home Des Moines magazine are marking 25 years in business. We have been privileged to visit so many central Iowa homeowners to showcase their lovely homes. People have opened their doors and their lives to us in such an Iowa Nice way. We truly thank them.

Along the way, we have noticed one thing: As trends have changed, our homeowners have kept up with changes in style, color, finishes, and all the way down to the door pulls.

As we mark our Anniversary, we thought it would be fun to take a look at some of those trends over the two and a half decades. Come along on a retrospective walk through some of the many homes we have visited in our wanderings as we show you some of our favorite photos and trends.

THE STYLE

Early in our chronicling of homes, the exterior style often took on a Tuscan style. The exteriors were laden with heavy brick and dark wood. The look carried to the homes’ interiors with the heavy woodwork repeating on the inside.

In the early 2000s, kitchens carried a common theme: terra-cotta tiles, granite surfaces, and dark cherry cabinets. Stainless steel appliances were taking over the kitchen, replacing white ones.

Then as if by magic, everything turned around to stark white cabinets, cleared counters, and sometimes wooden flooring. Kitchen islands became standard. That meant the microwave oven could move to the lower part of the island instead above the kitchen range.

Kitchens became larger and included family rooms and dining areas. They truly became the heart of the home. The kitchens in earlier homes were small and functional. Now they are indeed the entertainment and social centers.

STARK AND MINIMALIST

Stark and minimalist looks have continued to hang on for a long time. The look is the earmark of the modern farmhouse style. Slowly and surely, that style is now giving way to colorful cabinets that range from soft and muted green, light and dark navy blue, gray, and even black. Beautiful wood tones are also making a return in a big way.

Even what’s ON the kitchen counters has changed. Keurig and other home coffeemakers have become standard fare. And what about air fryers? They, too, have become hot items in meal preparation. Other items that have become standard are the Kitchen-Aid mixers, now available in myriad colors.

To store kitchen appliances and extra staples, the pantry, an old-fashioned space, has made a return in many kitchens. The storage area has taken many forms, from an almost “secret” space to a stand-alone space. In many homes, the pantry is a separate little room hidden behind a door that looks like a cabinet. In other homes, a door opening to a wall of shelving is more efficient. What homeowners choose depends on the preferred style and the space available. Butler’s pantries, too, are showing up between the kitchen and dining room.

ONE RED WALL

Moving on to the dining room, many homeowners went through a phase of having one red—deep red or a slightly lighter raspberry color—wall for emphasis and surprise. The wall created a surprise or a touch of whimsy to the more formal dining room. Many homes today don’t have a formal dining room. Many homeowners feel they would only use it on holidays.

LOWER LEVEL

New construction today doesn’t include a “basement.” Instead, the space below the rest of the house now answers to “lower level” and usually encompasses a family room-type of gathering spot, along with an office perhaps, a craft room, or an exercise room for at-home workouts.

PRIMARY BATHROOMS

A must-have in new construction or remodeled space includes a primary or master bath. Often it includes a master closet. The room usually includes a double vanity, a walk-in shower, and, depending on available space and personal preference, an artful soaking tub. Along with this bathroom came heated flooring to keep toes warm.

DROP ZONE AREAS

To provide a method to keep family members’ items straight, many homes have added a drop zone area usually placed by the back door or the garage door. Each person has a hook, a basket, or a container to keep organized. In the same area, we have even seen dog-washing tubs. In some homes, this area also holds docking stations to recharge handheld devices.

OUTDOOR LIVING

An area that has exploded in the past 25 years is the outdoor living component. It is as if owners pushed open the walls to expand their space. Often there’s a swimming pool as a centerpiece. But not to worry. Without a pool, it’s still possible to showcase a spectacularly landscaped yard, perfect for relaxing and entertaining, or simply taking in the sun.

A firepit created for ambiance or for roasting marshmallows to make s’mores is standard fare for a landscaping project, along with annuals, perennials, boulders, and stones to create a handsome setting. Big or small, a landscaping project is a good investment.

OUTDOOR KITCHEN

Iowa travelers have picked up on a Southern amenity, the outdoor kitchen, in the past decade. It is amazing how many now dot the local landscape. Iowans don’t care that cooks in the South can use this type of kitchen year-round. Our winters can hamper things a bit. But that doesn’t stop the adventuresome. The kitchens usually include a large grill, a beverage refrigerator or a regular one, and a sink for cleanup. Often an outdoor weatherproof television makes watching games outdoors possible.

WHAT’S NEXT?

With all these changes in the past 25 years, we wonder what will be next. Stay tuned. The crew at Welcome Home Des Moines will be gearing up to let you know. •