Home: The new “consumable”...

For a third year in a row, we've truly enjoyed the Park City Showcase of Homes. Are we planning to return next year?

We don't know yet; we may just take a break. What we've learned though, after seeing 17 of the homes on display are a few things. First, fashion in home building and decorating are king. This year theme was more into contemporary design and shades of gray.

Carpets are returning after having been eclipsed for years by hardwood floors, window coverings are vanishing from views, wireless home automation is coming and cost-cutting in construction material is also making a needed entry to keep rising prices under control.

What does that mean to the homeowner and the home buyer? That new is better, that technology is fast changing and that all the competition in new ideas, designs and materials is going to place an increasing pressure on consumers to change, upgrade and spend more. Home has now become the new consuming battleground!