What a year for home design it’s been! A recovering housing market has led more home owners to spruce up their interiors. As designers take a look forward of what will be trending in 2014, let’s take a look back at the design trends that caught on this year that will likely stick around.

Wooded decors: Natural-looking wood grains showed up in more home décor, particularly the kitchen – from the cabinets to butcher block counters. The greater use of natural-looking wood grains offered a light, modern feel while still adding a homey comfort.

Traditional Kitchen by Salem Photographers Tess Fine

Larger sinks: Farmhouse utility sinks have been gaining popularity over the last few years but really caught on in 2013. The deep, double sink offers up clean lines and a classic use.

Traditional Kitchen by Portland Interior Designers & Decorators Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

Flexible furniture: Furniture that can be shifted, moved, and customized gained popularity. For example, kitchen islands that could be expanded like a dining room table for family gatherings. Regardless of small spaces or large, more home owners also looked to incorporate more multifunctional pieces too, such as an ottoman that could also double up as storage.

Craftsman Kitchen by Portland Photographers Whitney Lyons

Tile explosion: The use of nontraditional tile surged in 2013. Tile with a natural touch continued the wood trend, with grain and uneven edges that mimicked boards. Faux wood tile was incorporated throughout the house too – kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and even bedroom walls.

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Tracage Condos are Moving Ahead

For years, plans to build a high-rise luxury condo building known as the Tracage in the Warehouse District stalled in the headwinds of a diving economy. Now, developers say a scaled-back version offering apartments - not condos - will begin construction by mid-2014. The $55 million, 16-story building would be located at Annunciation Street and the Pontchartrain Expressway.

In the nearly nine years since it was first proposed, the project has drawn the ire of some Warehouse District residents who insist the building doesn't fit with the neighborhood character of low-rise condos and apartments converted from historic industrial buildings.

Last week, the Historic Landmark District Commission assented to developers' plans for the 185-foot version of the Tracage, bringing the project closer to construction.  Developers scaled-back the building's height by 300 feet based on neighborhood feedback. The original plans called for a building as tall as 40-stories, which was later reduced to 24 stories, and now 16 stories.

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