Jamie Gold
(She/Her)
As seen in:
Forbes,
HuffPost,
Los Angeles Times,
Flipboard,
The San Diego Union-Tribune,
Forward,
NewsBreak,
PokerNews,
Fine Homebuilding,
Moneygeek,
NewHomeSource
and
Covers:
Wellness design for living spaces, aging in place, accessibility, smart home technology, home fitness, housing as a health issue, and health topics related to home spaces (e.g., pollution, PFAS).
Doesn't Cover:
Commercial building/design, healthcare industry, vitamins and supplements, fitness garb
Articles by Jamie Gold
Pioneering AI Code Of Conduct Released By Smart Home Manufacturer
Smart home technology offers substantial benefits and serious risks to users. getty Smart home technology can deliver tremendous health, safety, convenience, comfort and entertainment benefits. Given its increasing reliance on artificial — or, if you prefer, super — intelligence, homeowners should be aware of how their personal information is being used and potentially shared when accessing those benefits. One CEO has addressed those concerns in a Code of Conduct for AI in the Home.
3 Wellness Reasons To Decorate Your Home For Halloween Early This Year
Homeowners are holiday-maxxing their Halloween displays, starting as early as possible Photo by B & R Christmas Decorators via Yelp My neighbors on the next block had their Halloween decorations up in September, which struck me as obscenely early. According to our community Facebook group though, my posted surprise was unwarranted. ‘My neighbor did in August,’ one respondent commented.
Residential Design & the AI Effect
In my column last month, I looked at how artificial intelligence is being used in the kitchen and bath industry on the business side. For this month, AI and the design perspective is the focus. There are two aspects to consider: How it’s being used in the design process and how it’s going into client homes.
Latest Architects’ Survey Shares What’s Hot And Not In American Homes
Outdoor living spaces jumped nine points in popularity over the past year. getty The American Institute of Architects’ latest survey, published on September 22, looks at home and property design trends, comparing what homeowners are asking their architects for when adding or upgrading their homes in the third quarter of 2026 with 2025. To complete these surveys, the professional association asks its members to complete questionnaires about what they’re seeing in their practices.
Accessible ADU ‘Future-Proofs’ Seattle Area House For Older Homeowners
An unused basement was converted into a light-filled, accessible living space. Molly McCabe - Design / Emily Barrows Photography Molly McCabe has a focus to her interior design work that is both long-held and extremely timely: With awards and credentials in this specialization, she creates much-needed multi-generational spaces with an emphasis on accessibility.
There May Be A Killer Under Your House. (Here’s What To Do About It.)
Is there a silent killer lurking beneath your house? The answer getty You’ve read the warnings for the past six decades. You don’t smoke. You don’t allow smoking in your home or even in your outdoor spaces. And yet, you’re still at risk of contracting lung cancer. How is this possible? Your house, or more likely, a silent killer emerging from the earth under and around it, is at fault. That killer is known as radon.
Martha Stewart Wants To Protect Your Home From El Niño And Other Hazards
A strengthening El Niño is developing in Southern California. Getty Images The grand dame of domestic excellence wants our homes to be protected from weather events like this year’s El Niño and launched a new smart phone app to help us all prepare. “With Hint, homeowners can better understand their property’s specific risk factors and receive personalized recommendations,” shares Kyle Rush, the app’s chief technology officer.
Resilience Features Becoming Top Home Priorities For Owners And Buyers
Babcock Ranch's solar panels kept the community powered during and after Hurricane Ian. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images “Utilities continue to request significant rate hikes as energy consumers are increasingly concerned about rising utility bills and are left feeling powerless,” summarizes consumer energy advocacy nonprofit organization PowerLines in its latest energy report.
AI’s Influence on Business Operations
In this month’s column, we’re examining artificial intelligence and how it’s being used in business operations by kitchen and bath professionals and companies across the industry. The second part, to be published in the October issue, will look at how AI is being used in changing, presenting and communicating design ideas, and how it shows up in clients’ kitchens and bathrooms. AI may be the most transformational technology we’ve seen since the invention of the web browser.
The Hidden Costs Of Home Improvement DIY Fails
DIY'ing your kitchen remodel requires plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, appliance and ventilation skills most homeowners lack. getty “Unhinged Home Renovation Disasters You Won’t Believe” blares a typical social media headline, this one from TikTok. Instagram has its share of DIY fails too, as do Reddit, Pinterest and just about every platform where people spend time online.
What Is Barkitecture And Why Should Dog Owners Embrace It?
A well-designed dog spa at home adds comfort, convenience and possibly a resale value bump. getty Man’s best friend can improve your physical and mental health, according to experts at the nation’s top health institutes, and likely agreed to by many of the 56.3 million American households who have at least one dog at home. Yes, they’re going to take a bite out of your budget, but the benefits are well worth it. Pet Points The Mayo Clinic points out that dogs force you to get up and move.
Wildfire Smoke Damage Issues Affect Homeownership Risks And Costs
Wildfire smoke can damage one's health and home, even when the property doesn't burn. getty You might be on one of the 100 million Americans affected by the wildfire smoke from Canadian wildfires last month. Or you might be experiencing effects from more recent, closer fires. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, 92 new blazes were reported in the U.S. on Sunday. Each one could be spewing toxic smoke hundreds or even thousands of miles away.
Wildfire Smoke Fears Affecting Homebuyer Decision-Making
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 7: Smoky haze from wildfires in Canada blankets Manhattan on June 7, 2023 in New York City. New York topped the list of most polluted major cities in the world on Tuesday night, as smoke from the fires continues to blanket the East Coast. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images) Getty Images Approximately 100 million Americans across 14 states were impacted by heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires, according to a July 17 CBS Mornings news segment.
Ideas for Home Entertainment Spaces
Talker Research’s “The Talker” survey shared some of the reasons why home entertaining is trending so strongly. Close to half of respondents (47%) said it’s easier to hear each other. (My Medicare-aged ears can definitely relate!) An equal number prefer having control over ambiance, food and drink and avoiding crowds. These may influence your appliance recommendations, acoustical choices and layout/traffic patterns.
New Trend Study Shows 12 Top Wellness Features For 55+ New Home Buyers
Owners want covered outdoor spaces for socializing. getty I earned my Certified Aging in Place Specialization (CAPS) from the National Association of Home Builders in 2007 and quickly realized that no one likes the “A” word. Even my 70-year-old clients don’t like to think or talk about aging. They see themselves as youthful, healthy and independent, leading vibrant lives. So do I at 65. The language around our homes needs to change to reflect this perception, but so does the design approach.
Sotheby Report Reveals Affluent Older Homebuyers’ Wellness Criteria
Longevity and wellness buyers want fitness amenities in the communities they choose. The Cove The pursuit of longevity and wellness among the world’s well-to-do goes back millennia in history! And is completely modern. Sotheby’s International Realty’s 2026 Mid-Year Luxury Outlook reveals what today’s upscale buyers are prioritizing in their community and home searches. The global longevity market is projected to grow from $5.3 trillion to $8 trillion by 2030, according to the report.
Sotheby Report Reveals Affluent Older Homebuyers’ Wellness Criteria
Whether this is your very first “leg day” or you’re returning to a fitness routine after time away, you can build (or build back) leg strength and …
Expert Hurricane Tips For New At-Risk Homeowners
Hurricane Charley battered the Punta Gorda area with 145 mph winds, but was heading toward my city two hours north until just before landfall. NY Daily News via Getty Images Long-time residents of the coastal south are painfully familiar with hurricane preparations. However, beginning in 2021, counties in five southern states — Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas — have increasingly topped domestic migration rankings, the Census reported for the five years since then.
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes... And Lungs... And House, Risking Your Health
JERSEY CITY, NJ - JULY 15: The sun rises behind the skyline of midtown Manhattan in New York City as smoke from wildfires from Canada moves into the region. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images) Getty Images “Ugh, the air quality is terrible this morning,” a friend in Boston lamented on Facebook last week. A friend in Ontario, Canada canceled our regular remote workout session because her eyes and throat were burning from the wildfire smoke.
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes... And Lungs... And House, Risking Your Health
Air Purifiers 2 hours ago The ultimate air purifier buying guide: Match your space, budget, and needs Mashable • 2h Find the right air purifier for your room size, budget, and air quality needs. Join JD as he breaks down exactly how to choose the right air purifier for your home without overspending.
Birdwatching Hobby Enhances Homeowners’ Health And Outdoor Home Space
Bring your birdwatching hobby home with a birdhouse for your feathered friends. getty Who hasn’t thrilled to the sight of soaring eagles overhead, or delighted in spotting speckled eggs in a nest on one’s shade tree? According to Yelp’s July 2026 lifestyle trend tracker, birdwatching has nearly doubled (94%) in interest. “Across the country people are trading screen time for green time,” the review site crowed, based on a year-over-year look at search mentions and project requests.
5 Wellness Bathroom Features That Homeowners Are Actually Paying For
Woman checking weather forecast on smart mirror in bathroom getty There’s a noticeable gap between what homeowners declare as their top bathroom wellness priorities and what they actually invest in, according to recent research conducted by COGNITION Smart Data and shared on Green Builder.
Will The New Bipartisan Housing Bill Help First Time Buyers?
New housing legislation aims to make homeownership more affordable for more Americans. getty In a rare moment of bipartisanship, the House and Senate sent the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to the President for his signature. What benefits will it bring to first time homebuyers, particularly young couples wanting to start their families? Homeownership is extremely beneficial to this endeavor, so I reached out to four experts for their takes on the legislation.
10 Father’s Day Gifts You Didn’t Get This Year To Buy Now For Yourself
They excel at giving love and joy, not so much in the gift department. getty If you’re like many dads this year, you received slippers, cologne, a mug, or books last Sunday. These were listed among the most popular Father’s Day gifts for 2026 on multiple sites. Maybe there was a gift card and restaurant visit too — an altogether enjoyable, but unremarkable celebration.
Coverings Showcases Trends in Surfacing
Late March and early April found me back in Las Vegas for the 2026 Coverings expo, “The Global Tile & Stone Experience” that happens every spring somewhere in the U.S. While next year’s show is heading back to Orlando, Vegas is a much easier trip for this Southern Californian.
Rising Homeownership Costs Driving Headaches, But Not (Yet) Home Sales
More than three quarters of young owners lament the responsibilities and stresses of owning their homes. getty Is homeownership giving you a headache? Recent survey results say yes! But that’s apparently driving more aspirin sales than home sales.
Rising Costs Dent, But Don’t Destroy, American Dream Of Homeownership
Most Americans say homeownership, though more expensive than they'd expected, is still worth the cost. getty Owning a home has long played a starring role in the American dream. Will nightmarish ownership costs shatter the hope? According to a March 2026 survey of 1,000 U.S. homeowners by real estate platform Clever, the typical homeowner spends $23,686 beyond their mortgage on home-related expenses. These include utilities, upkeep, insurance and renovations.
New Study Reveals Latest Outdoor Living Space Trends For Our Homes
Outdoor kitchens with shading, built-in appliances and plumbing, and comfortable seating are strong 2026 trends. Houzz | HomeTech Construction & Design “Summertime… And the living is easy” croons Clara in Gershwin’s hit opera Porgy and Bess. And the season of easy summer living has arrived across the U.S., kicked off with the Memorial Day holiday weekend! What are homeowners and design pros bringing to their outdoor spaces this season?
6 New Wellness Real Estate Trends To Consider For Your Home Search
Front porch home designs invite socializing with neighbors. getty The Global Wellness Institute, a leading research resource for policymakers, analysts and writers on the international wellness industry, just released its 2026 Initiative Trends report. It covers insights from across its 27 thought leader groups, called Initiatives, including Wellness Communities and Real Estate.
Surface Installation Game Changer Brings Benefits To Pros And Owners
Game-changing new installation system makes surfaces like tile safe to remove and reinstall intact. MagFace | Bassi Group International Srl Construction systems rarely break into mainstream news coverage, unless there’s a catastrophic failure, like balconies falling off of buildings or condo towers collapsing. The same is true for remodeling topics, which only make the news when products start endangering lives and properties.
4 New Wellness Architecture And Design Trends To Enhance Your Home
The hardwood floors in this bedroom will not emit microplastics into the air and sleepers' lungs. getty The Global Wellness Institute, a leading research resource for policymakers, analysts and writers on the international wellness industry, just released its 2026 Initiative Trends report. It covers insights from across its 27 thought leader groups, called Initiatives, including Wellness Architecture and Design.
New Report Reveals 6 Top Summer 2026 Interior Design Trends
Personalizing homes with hobby spaces, customized storage and "color maxxing" are trending this summer. Yelp Summer Home Trends Photo via Hema Persad Summertime and the living is easy and personal. Yelp’s 2026 Summer Home Trends report gives a look at what the massive retail and services search site is seeing in its largest category: homes.
Understanding First-Time Homebuyers
What happens when the young couple down the street can’t afford to buy their first home? Or when two thirds of young adults can’t? That may seem like an abstract question, but for the majority of 20- and 30-something adults, it’s a painful reality that impacts aspects of their lives well beyond their wallets. It also impacts the wellbeing of our society overall. As I reported in my March 2026 column, the typical age of first-time buyers today is 40. Are you seeing that with your new clientele?
Fewer Luxury And More Wellness Features In New Bathroom Trends Survey
Luxury features like dual sinks, spa style, large windows and freestanding tubs all dropped in the latest architects' survey. getty The American Institute of Architects’ latest survey looks at residential kitchen and bath design trends, comparing the fourth quarter of 2025 with 2024. To complete these surveys, the professional association asks its members to complete questionnaires about what they’re seeing in their practices. Then they produce the reports from hundreds of responses.
Luxury, Size And Wellness Features Dip In Latest Kitchen Trends Survey
Kitchens are trending smaller, according to latest architects' survey. getty The American Institute of Architects’ latest survey looks at residential kitchen and bath design trends, comparing the fourth quarter of 2025 with 2024. To complete these surveys, the professional association asks its members to complete questionnaires on what they’re seeing in their practices. Then they produce the reports from hundreds of responses.
4 Most-Sought-After Wellness Features—And How To Add Them To Your Home
Outdoor living space is a top wellness feature sought by homeowners. getty “COGNITION Smart Data shows that consumers are prioritizing features that promote the three facets of wellness—physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” according to a post published last Wednesday on Green Builder Media’s blog.
New American Home Showcases 2026 Features And Charitable Foundation
The homeowner's request for "water to water views" seen fulfilled in the lake view beyond the infinity pool. The New American Home ® 2026 | Ian Roth Studios (Photography) The National Association of Home Builders has showcased 43 projects in The New American Home series at its annual International Builders’ Show. I’ve lost count of how many of these new construction properties I’ve visited since I first started attending the massive IBS expo in 2007.
Can A New Smart Doorbell Service Save Your Home And Life?
Can a new smart doorbell service save your home from wildfire damage? Getty Images Within weeks of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires last year, there was a scare in my San Diego suburb. A fire had started in the wilderness a 20-minute drive from the neighborhood where I’ve lived for 15 years. If you were a resident sitting in your house that night — as I was — you might not have realized that there was an evacuation risk until it got much closer.
5 Trends From AARP Report Show How Older Adults Are Using Tech At Home Original
Older adults are using technology at home to stay connected, healthy and safe. getty When you think of technology, you probably have an image in your mind of a 20-something giving his thumbs a workout. That’s not an incorrect impression, but it’s hardly complete. According to AARP’s 2025 Tech Trends report, adults age 50 and older use tech products at the same rate as younger adults. Nearly all older adults (99%) own at least one device, with ownership averaging seven per person.
Taking in the Sights at DCW 2026
Another KBIS/IBS expo has come and gone. Am I the only one feeling like it gets tougher to see everything every year? I try. I wear comfy shoes – sometimes sneakers. I strategize my days by hall to minimize “commuting time” between them. I carry ibuprofen in my purse to deal with the inevitably aching feet from hours spent walking and standing on concrete floors. I even still wear a mask to avoid getting sick from the thousands of attendees and exhibitors sharing the same air.
The Worst Housing Shortage You Probably Aren’t Thinking About Yet
Today's housing market is not meeting their needs. getty There’s no shortage of recent articles about America’s housing shortage. I’ve written a few of them myself, as homeownership supports my focus on health, safety and wellbeing. What isn’t covered nearly enough is the widening gap between our rapidly aging population and housing that can support our needs. According to the Census Bureau, only about 10% of our homes are aging-friendly.
5 Wellness-Enhancing Trends On Display At Major Home Design Expo
New bidet toilet offers wellness potential with affordability. Brondell What are the top wellness design trends for 2026? Which ones have potential staying power and could be worth adding to your residence? One of the best places to find the answers to these questions is a massive annual expo that takes place every February.
Pros Share 8 New Wellness Design Products For Your Home From Top Expo
Deep soaking tub brings comfort and drama to your bathroom. Empava Every winter, more than 100,000 design and building pros gather for one of the industry’s largest expos. The combined International Builders’ Show and Kitchen & Bath Industry Show — known collectively as Design & Construction Week — gives these specifiers and trend watchers a look at the latest offerings in hundreds of home product categories.
Wake Up Refreshed: How To Handle Daylight Savings Like A Pro
On a scale of Red Bull to Tempur-Pedic, how awake are you feeling today? According to Stanford Medicine, that lost hour of sleep on Sunday has been linked to more heart attacks and car accidents in the days following the Spring clock change every year.
Wish Lists of First-Time Homeowners
My parents bought their first home – the four bedroom Brooklyn Dutch Colonial I grew up in – when they were expecting their first child, my older sister. My dad was in his late 20s and my mom in her early 20s. If memory serves, they paid $25,000 for that house in 1958. It last sold in 2018 for $1.25 million. There aren’t many 20-something couples who could afford that same family home today.
2026 Home Builder Awards Highlight Trends For Comfort And Functionality
The National Association of Home Builders, which represents more than 140,000 national, regional and custom residential construction, design and support firms across the country, announced its Best in American Living Awards at the 2026 International Builders’ Show last month. Notable trends called out by the judges offer enhanced style, comfort or functionality for homebuyers and homeowners. Here are three wellness-enhancing trends to keep an eye on for your living space.
Legendary Mascot Mr. Clean Retires. Here’s How To Thrive In Life's Next Phase (Tip-Rich Parody) Original
After 68 years, Mr. Clean, the iconic mascot for Procter & Gamble’s product line of the same name, is retiring. This corporate milestone was announced on the brand’s Instagram page on February 18 with the bald star sporting a Hawaiian shirt, sunglasses and “stay tuned” and “explore” hashtags. “While our products will continue to battle your dirt and grime, Mr. Clean, well, first name Veritably, (yes, really), is off to new adventures.
Could Smart Home Technology Have Saved Gene Hackman’s Life?
One of the most celebrated movie stars of the 20th century died alone at home last year. His body, along with that of his wife and dog, was found one year ago Thursday. Could smart home technology have saved the 95-year-old Gene Hackman, who suffered from severe coronary disease and Alzheimer’s, from this tragic death? Could it save one of us if we found ourselves alone and in need? I reached out to some experts in the for answers.
4 New Wellness Real Estate Trends For 2026: How You Can Benefit
Ensuring that your home's water is free of microplastics is a 2026 wellness real estate trend. getty The Global Wellness Institute, a leading research resource for policymakers, analysts and writers on the international wellness industry, just released its Future of Wellness 2026 Trends Report. Here’s how the trends they predict can impact your health, wellbeing, resilience, home space and, potentially, your home’s resale value. Why mention resale value?
Can Trump Homes Concept Finally Turn The Market For First-Time Buyers?
New Trump Homes program aims to build a million new housing units for first time buyers. getty Inflation was a decisive issue in the 2024 presidential election and while much of the focus was on the price of eggs and gas, housing affordability was a major pain point too. Both candidates discussed it on the campaign trail, and the Trump administration has announced several programs in recent months to make home-buying easier and more affordable.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Jamie
Contact Jamie, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack