I like to frequent the discussion board at the Fine Homebuilding web site to keep current on contemporary building techniques. For the life of me, I cannot make myself like this stuff. Trompe l'oeil finishes are ultimately more satisfying than fake. A wooden column is not a fake stone column, it is a real wood column. Split-face concrete block has the character of stone, but does not attempt the same deception as does fake stone.
Colored laminates are more satisfying than photo-imaged laminates.
To Mike's remarks I would add that I think plastic is best at being plastic. Someday maybe someone will realize this and build houses in a bulbous Bondi-blue shell that will sell 800,000 units in three months. They could call it the iHouse and tout its ease of use and low maintenance costs. Just some food for thought.