Vancouver Interior Design / Whistler Interior Design / WID Design Build

A Testimonial from Hong Kong

2012-01-28T00:53:00.000-08:00

I came across Debbie and Whistler Interior Design purely bychance when I was looking for someone to renovate my house in Whistler while Iwas living and working in Hong Kong. I was admittedly a little skepticalwhether as an absentee client I would get what I wanted in a quality Iexpected. However, what struck me from our very first meeting was that Debbiewas able to understand not merely what was in my mind but how she couldinterpret and enhance what I wanted in ways she as a designer would know but I wouldnot, and which would ultimately amaze me. In my case that meant incorporatingmy collection of art and antiques from Europe and Asia into a Whistler houseand making it at the same time a warm and welcoming home. It also meantsoftening what was for me the oppressive log effect which she achieved byapplying a wash to the logs and wooden ceilings, a simple device which was bothbold and ingenious and has since been followed by others who have marveled atthe results. As for the master bathroom (depicted at the top of thisnewsletter), Debbie created a symmetry of taste and utility which turned a veryordinary bathroom into a stunning showpiece.

Because she is someone who exudes confidence in any schemeor plan, knows exactly where she is going and what the client’s tastes andbudget are, I quickly came to trust her judgment and allow her a discretion todevelop a design and turn the house into something which I knew I would like.When one is doing any project or business long distance, that measure of trustis essential. My faith was not misplaced. During the entirety of the project Iwas furnished with every necessary drawing and involved in all decisions on thefabric schemes she put together. In terms of design and layout, texture andcolour, joinery and lighting, quality and finish, I would change nothing. Eventhe smallest detail did not escape her touch. It gives me the greatest pleasureto arrive from Hong Kong, turn the key and enter a home which has been sobeautifully and sensitively put together.

The Hon. Mr Justice Andrew Macrae

Hong Kong

Breathtaking Prairie Retreat

2012-01-27T10:43:00.000-08:00

A simple idea executed well can result in some of the most elegant and evocative compositions. Whether in architecture, fashion or even cuisine, inspired and creative restraint drives focused designs that don’t rely on superfluous adornments for their substance. Instead, every decision reinforces the central theme of a strong concept. For architect Matthew Hufft, a client’s natural interest in curves sparked the idea for her house, resulting in a home that accommodates its owners while revealing unique uses of the curve throughout.

This isn't a project that began with a name and obligated all design decisions to follow in its wake. In contrast, says Hufft, the design process is really what dictated the form and shape of the house, like a sculpture. What begins as a solid concept creates a project that neatly connects all features. Often, it is only after the design is completed that the theme clearly reveal itself to Hufft.

When Hufft was hired to the head the design of this house, the family had purchased this two-acre plot in the center of a 13-lot subdivision in Springfield, Mo. The home was designed to be inward focused, to accommodate future growth on all four sides.

The Curved House offers a stunning modern refuge amid 13 acres of native grassland. More photos follow.

For the Boys: 5 Homes With Masculine Energy

2012-01-27T10:17:00.000-08:00

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Browse Lighting on Houzz- For Example:

Bathroom Lighting And Vanity Lighting · Ceiling Fans · Floor Lamps · Lamp Shades · Light Bulbs · Pendant Lighting · Table Lamps · Track Lighting ·

Ultra Modern in Rotterdam

2012-01-27T10:16:00.000-08:00

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Browse Home Office Products on Houzz- For Example:

Bulletin Board · Cable Management · Desk Accessories · Desks · Filing Cabinets And Carts · Task Chairs ·

8 Colors for North-Facing Rooms

2012-01-27T10:11:00.000-08:00

If you've ever painted a room that faces north, you may have noticed that the color didn't quite look like you expected, especially if you used a lighter hue. That's because north-facing rooms receive very little direct sunlight, if any. Also, the natural light that does stream into the space is often a cool, bluer light —not the warm sunny type. This can have a huge impact on color and literally leave your paint job in the shadows. With all of that, north-facing rooms can still be warm and inviting, if you're willing to use colors that are more saturated and vibrant.

A shaded room will never win against yellow in its most saturated form. Look for a deep yellow that has gold and slightly green undertones for the biggest impact.

Periwinkle is considered a cool color, but its purplish undertones add just enough warmth to make it work in a room with very little sunlight. It's also a good idea to pair cooler hues with warm finishes, such as the hardwood flooring in this space.

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Homeowner's Workbook: How to Remodel Your Kitchen

2012-01-27T09:56:00.001-08:00

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Artwork · Candles And Candle Holders · Clocks · Holiday Decorations · Home Electronics · Indoor Pots And Planters · Magazine Racks · Stencils ·

Kitchen Workbook, Part 1: Gather Inspiration

2012-01-27T09:55:00.000-08:00

When most homeowners embark on a kitchen remodel, they spend endless hours collecting inspiring kitchen photos. But this doesn't necessarily help a person figure out what they want, and can even cause confusion. Most people don't have a favorite single look. If you're like me, you suffer from multiple personalities in the design department. The tough part of the process is learning to narrow down the options and hone in on what you want your dream kitchen to look like.

Here are some tips to help you through step 1:

Collect images at random. Collect images that speak to you emotionally without thinking about why (at least for right now). Believe me, there's a pattern there — you may not be able to see it at first, but a pattern will show itself. You may find that a whole bunch of your kitchen inspiration images may need to be added to an ideabook for a future farmhouse or weekend getaway, but don't skip over them just because they don't relate to this project, save them for later.

Don't edit yourself (yet). Don't make yourself nuts from the get-go by trying to edit as you collect. I really believe in collecting with reckless abandon first and editing later. Editing yourself while you gather inspiration is certain death for creativity.

Organize (but only if you want to). It's OK to be unorganized and even a little messy — this is creativity after all! So what if your collections are a bit of a mess with no rhyme or reason. If you are fabulously organized, then you're a step ahead of us, but for those who aren't, don't sweat it. There's time to go back over all this stuff and label it later.

Start looking for a pro. This can be a great time to start noting the professionals who are responsible for the designs you like and looking for a local design professional you might like to interview. For some homeowners, the right thing to do is hire a professional out of the gate and have him or her help you through this inspiration-gathering phase. Some homeowners even hand this off completely to a designer, and it's the designer's job to listen, interpret and collect inspiration for the client and bring it back for approval.

Categorize. Once you have a fair number of inspiration images to work with, go back through them and put them into loose categories.

You can categorize by style: Maybe you seem to fall on the fence between vintage and modern. Or maybe you find that you have a bunch of images of kitchens with dark wood floors. You can create a collection dedicated completely to islands or kitchen banquette seating. One for lighting, one for wallpaper, etc.

We'll get into exploring your style with the next installment, so for now don't think about why you like things, just that you do or don't.

Continue reading.

Color and Character in North Carolina

2012-01-27T09:45:00.000-08:00

When designer Emily A. Clark moved into a home in North Carolina with her husband and three children, she had a hard time envisioning her unique style in the cookie-cutter space. "Our house had absolutely zero character," Clark says. "The challenge was finding small ways to personalize it and give it some 'wow' factors."

Clark decided to play with a color palette that would differentiate her home from others on the block. A bold navy living room and striped tan walls did just the trick. Punches of color and pattern make the space feel current and comfortable, while thrifty furniture finds give each room a sense of patina. "I found 90 percent of my furniture on Craigslist. I think it gives it a good, eclectic feel," Clark says. "A great deal always inspires me, especially if it can be updated with a few coats of fresh paint."

A sitting room just off the dining room is the perfect spot to relax after a big meal with family and friends. Almost everything in this room was found for a great price on Craigslist. The mix of products is a perfect example of Clark's warm and eclectic style. "I wanted our home to feel warm, cozy and very personal to us since there were several other houses on the street that looked exactly like ours on the outside," she says.

The dining room uses the same tan color palette as the breakfast area, with a few different patterns and colors for extra personality. Except for the living room, most of the main living spaces in the rest of the home play with the same brown tones. Clark wanted to keep most of the home warm, so she used a neutral as a base and accented with chartreuse and orange.

Read full article, here.

Spanish Style in the Rockies

2012-01-27T09:42:00.000-08:00

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More»

Browse Lighting on Houzz- For Example:

Bathroom Lighting And Vanity Lighting · Ceiling Lighting · Floor Lamps · Lamp Shades · Light Bulbs · Pendant Lighting · Table Lamps · Wall Sconces ·

Magical Materials: Luminous Kalwall Lets the Sunshine In

2012-01-27T09:41:00.000-08:00

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Browse Kids Products on Houzz- For Example:

Baby Toys · Changing Tables · Kids Beds · Kids Decor · Kids Dressers · Kids Rugs · Mobiles · Nursery Decor ·

Modern Dallas Renovation

2012-01-27T09:38:00.000-08:00

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Bookcases Cabinets And Computer Armoires · Clothes And Shoes Organizers · Clothes Racks · Coat Stands And Umbrella Stands · Hooks And Hangers · Media Storage · Shoeracks · Storage Boxes ·

Bridging the Distance Indoors

2012-01-26T11:08:00.000-08:00

A bridge is normally considered as something that traverses a river, a road, or some other boundary. In the realm of residential architecture it might carry over a pond, ravine, or some other part of the landscape in order to reach the house. But it can also be something inside. This ideabook presents some bridges that traverse spaces indoors, linking different parts of a house in striking ways.

This bridge with handrails that appear to float in mid-air straddles a tall living space and connects the first and second floors. You ascend the stair in the foreground, cross the bridge, and ascend again in the opposite direction from whence you came.

Here is another glass-floor bridge, though the more robust guardrails give a stronger sense of safety while crossing it. Unique here is how the roof pops up to allow for passage across the space. The architects take advantage of this with windows on both sides and a skylight bringing plenty of light into the space.

Another view of the bridge shows how it is placed above casework separating the living and dining areas. In this regard the glass floor helps to bring light to these spaces.

Airy interior bridges and walkways take getting around the house to a new level. View more photos of this house here.

12 Ways With a Bedroom Fireplace

2012-01-26T10:36:00.000-08:00

Although I'm the first one to sing the praises of central heating, a small part of me thinks it's a shame that this modern convenience did its part to render bedroom fireplaces unnecessary. What could be more satisfying, and more soothing, than cozying up to a hearth in the comfort of your boudoir? Fortunately, this little luxury has enjoyed a resurgence in recent decades, and there are all kinds of inventive ways to make it happen. Browse these ideas for inspiration.

Yes, you can have a fireplace in a tiny bedroom. Here, a grid of white tiles on the surround reinforces the strong architecture of the space; the gourd-shaped light fixture adds needed curves. Fireplaces do restrict furniture placement, so tucking the bed into the bay window and adding built-in storage are smart decisions.

Call it "mountain mod." This room marries the best of the lodge look (antler chandelier, stacked-stone fireplace, exposed beams) with contemporary accents such as the Barcelona chair.

And now for a completely different take on stacked stone. The unobtrusive fireplace and warm tones in its surrounding wall really bring this minimalist space to life, yet blend with the jaw-dropping views from the window wall.

A chrome-trimmed fireplace adds to the upbeat, contemporary feel of this room and infuses it with a hint of glamour.

It's easy to warm up to the wonderful winter indulgence of a hearth in the bedroom. To learn how, please go here.

6 Amazing Eco-Island Resorts that Combine Luxury and Sustainable Innovation

2012-01-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

A holiday on a tropical island is the stuff dreams are made of, but luxury island resorts aren't often the eco-ideal. Thankfully, architects all over the world have been busy designing the ultimate paradise getaways that combine sustainability, luxury and adventure, all within a single eco-friendly island destination. From an organic garden in Fiji, a hydro-powered hotel in the Bahamas, to the concept of a repurposed oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, whether you are looking to plan a real-life escape, or are simply looking for a way to break free from the daily grind without leaving your desk, jump ahead for six of the most impressive and innovative sustainable island resorts from across the globe!

STAR ISLAND RESORT, BAHAMAS

This five-star resort on Star Island in the Bahamas is among the most luxurious in the world, yet stays true to its promise of being entirely energy self-sufficient. All the power for the resort is produced from solar, wind, and micro-hydro generators. The resort also offers diving, tennis and shore-side cocktails, but the sustainability of the resort’s construction, interior and grounds are the most impressive of the features on offer.

SIX SENSES ECO RESORT VIETNAMVietnam’s Con Dao Island Six Senses Resort is a site where eco-consciousness meets lavish luxury . This award-winning project, designed by Reda Amalou and AW² Architecture, was also recognized by World Tourism Organization, Green Globe 21. Surrounded by sand dunes, the resort is a combination of suites, villas and restaurants. Construction is supported with sustainable timber frames, and the entire resort operates at low levels of energy, underscoring conservation.

7 Gorgeous Eco Resorts For a Green Escape

2012-01-26T08:58:00.000-08:00

Now that the holidays are over and winter snowdrifts are sweeping the nation, it’s easy to daydream about a relaxing getaway in a distant land. We’ve seen an incredible array of eco friendly resorts spring up around the world that bring you closer to nature while providing top-notch luxury accommodation. Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic, isolated beach paradise, a cozy geodesic chalet in the alps, or even a forested mountain lodge fit for a hobbit, read on for 7 eco-luxe resorts sure to get the travel bug biting!

Saffire Resort, Tasmania
Inspired by the nearby waves and sandy beaches, the serene Saffire Resort in Tasmania has transformed a disused caravan park into a luxurious resort shaped like a manta ray! Circa Architecture took great pains to replenish the site’s ecosystem, restoring the local vegetation and trees for all to enjoy. Rainwater harvesting systems keep the grounds watered, while also protecting them from bushfires. Each guest room overlooks the phenomenal landscape and mountains of Oyster Bay, offering a secluded retreat that connects guests with the environment that the resort itself helped to rebuild and protect.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, Fiji
This beautiful resort on the island of Vanua Levu, Fiji, is owned by none other than Jean-Michel Cousteau. Like his famous father Jacques, Cousteau is a passionate environmentalist and ocean explorer, and brings his experiences to his eco resorts around the world. The traditional thatched roof Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort is just steps from the crystal blue waters outside of Savusavu. Guests can enjoy snorkeling and diving amongst the coral reefs of the marine reserve, dine on organic fare grown on-site, or sit in the shade under the mangroves which are being restored to combat erosion. The energy-efficient resort also recycles everything from kitchen scraps to wastewater, taking care to not disrupt Fiji’s natural ecosystem. The beach fantasy also gives back to the local community through a charity foundation.

Six Senses Resort, Vietnam
If you’re looking to truly get away from it all, check into the serene Six Senses Resort on Vietnam’s Con Dao Island. The naturally cooled suites were designed by AW² Architecture, and they earned a benchmark from Green Globe 21. Rising from the sand dunes on an isolated beach, the resort is built from local sustainable materials – including the timber suites and a pedestrian bridge that brings guests from the river all the way to the beach. Six Senses brings guests total relaxation and luxury in a completely tranquil setting – perfect for when you need to totally unplug from the world.

Daffonchio Architects Gives Samios Heritage House a Green-Roofed Addition

2012-01-26T08:50:00.000-08:00

This gorgeous green-roofed addition to the Samios heritage home is a paragon of South African sustainable building. Unlike its older, more stately predecessor, the addition was built to enable its residents to live as close to nature as possible without suffering from Johannesburg's harsh dry heat. Despite the ubiquitous use of heat-trapping glass, passive design keeps the house cool in summer and warm in winter.

Geothermally-Heated Thomas Eco House in Washington State is Also Wired for Solar

2012-01-26T08:44:00.000-08:00

The Thomas family in Washington State wanted an eco-home that would be as energy efficient and sustainable as possible, and that would require the barest amount of maintenance. That's exactly what Designs Northwest Architects gave them in this attractive four-storey home with a small footprint. Thanks to geothermal heating, thermal massing, cutting edge insulation technology and passive solar design, this project requires 44% less heat and 33% cooling than its competition. Unfortunately budget restraints kept the Thomases from purchasing solar panelling, but the house is wired for such a future investment. Albeit not the splashiest home, this daylit beauty gets major brownie points for its high sustainability standards.

Striking Off-Grid House on the Osa Penninsula in Costa Rica Read more: SPG Architects Design Off-Grid Luxury Residence in Costa Rica

2012-01-26T08:04:00.000-08:00

Within the wilds of the Costa Rican rain forest on the Osa Peninsula sits Casa Torcida, a beautiful modern home designed by SPG Architects. Although its footprint is large in terms of square footage, it is surprisingly light on the environment and is able to run completely off-grid thanks to a solar system on the roof and a micro-hydropower system located nearby. The owner's criteria for the home required that above all the home must be environmentally sensitive, technologically advanced and modernist by design. From the looks of it, it appears that the owners got what they wanted.

Ignatov Architects’ Super Efficient Solar Equinox Passivhaus Tracks the Sun

2012-01-26T07:45:00.000-08:00

It can be argued that great architectural design is about relationships - light, land, human, and environmental needs all must be aligned for a project to excel. Ignatov Architects’ Equinox House answers all these needs with a celestial vision and Passive House performance. The home is deeply integrated with its site near the shore and close to the town Kavarna in Bulgaria. A sloped window set to the angle of the summer solstice transforms the home's interior into a measure of the seasonal waxing and waning of the sun. This facade also dramatically improves the performance of the house with huge windows overlooking the Black Sea.

Celtic Renewables is a New Company That Turns Whisky Byproducts into Biofuels

2012-01-26T07:37:00.000-08:00

Scottish whisky is becoming quite the green business these days – with whisky power plants and brand new green distilleries, they’re ahead of the pack. Well, they’re about to add yet another sustainability first to their list with a whisky byproduct-derived fossil fuel replacement. Last year we reported that Edinburgh Napier University transformed pott ale and draff from the making of whisky into fuel to run a vehicle, and now the university has turned that process into a business called Celtic Renewables Ltd.!

Open House

2012-01-26T07:20:00.000-08:00

Where the plains meet the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, architect E.J. Meade designs a modern dwelling in concert with its surroundings.

After interviewing several architects to help them design a new home, a couple from Boulder, Colorado, invited several members from one of the front-running firms to visit the site. As the group settled for a picnic on a patch of lawn facing the Flatirons, the homeowner remarked, “This happens to be my favorite spot on the whole property.”

“Then this is where we should not build the house,” replied architect E.J. Meade, principal of Boulder-based Arch11, Inc. Of this unexpected response, Meade explains, “I believe we should all have the restraint to preserve the best places.”

The architect’s design philosophy resonated with his prospective clients. “We felt like we really communicated,” the homeowner says. “From that point on, Arch11 worked collaboratively with us and always treated us like part of the team.”

Despite its great views and location, the lot presented numerous challenges: an irregular, triangular shape, strict height restrictions from the city of Boulder, several easements, and a wetlands buffer zone and solar shadow restrictions that had to be respected. So Meade and his team created a computer model of the available envelope, taking the physical and regulatory limitations of the site into account. With the space mapped out, they began honing the design of the house.

“The homeowners love the outdoors, and they wanted a gateway between their town life and the mountains,” Meade says. “Initially, we talked more about the rituals of their life than about specific building features, because I wanted their house to foster the way they live day to day.”

To read details of this article, please visit this link.

The Beauty of Imperfection

2012-01-26T07:04:00.000-08:00

The newly handcrafted Tipple House, filled with century-old character, pays homage to Crested Butte, Colorado's mining heritage.

Architecture: Sunlit Architecture
Interior Design: Interiors with Oohs & Aahs
Construction: Marr Corp. Construction
Click here to learn about this project's products and pros.

You might say builder/contractor Corbin Marr goes to extreme lengths to get the perfect, or rather, imperfect, materials for his custom homes. After purchasing a dilapidated miner's bunkhouse at the Gold Links Mine near Ohio City, Colorado, he sent his crew to camp out at the remote location for a month while they painstakingly dismantled the bunkhouse and categorized every piece of wood. The building yielded some 35,000 board feet of 1-inch- and 2-inch-thick boards that had been milled on site more than a century ago. "We knew from the beginning we wanted old materials for the Tipple House," says Marr. "That's really what we're best at: building new and creating old character and charm."

Marr collaborated with architect Jennifer Hartman of Sunlit Architecture and Crested Butte Mountain Resort co-owner Diane Mueller (Marr and Hartman had just completed transforming a barn into a house for the Muellers) on the extraordinary house, which reflects the rich mining traditions of the area as well as high standards for sustainable development.

The story and the bones of the Tipple House begin with inspiration from three buildings that might have been found on the land years ago. The namesake tipple, a mining structure that would tip coal from mining cars into larger rail cars, is reinterpreted in timber, glass and steel as the cornerstone of the house. It envelops the interior staircase and offers an observatory on top with 360-degree views of mountains and forests. The master bedroom, which is separated from the main structure by a hallway and different materials palette, is crafted to look like a miner's log cabin. What might have been a storage or animal shed 100 years ago is now a garage; the stone structure is built into the hillside with plans for a sod roof planted with wildflowers. "We designed a concept that honors our history without trying to replicate it. And then we let the materials add to the story," says Hartman.

Marr used every part of the old bunkhouse as well as 125 tons of gold-flecked granite gathered at the mine site. The native spruce and pine boards were used as is-holes, cracks, twists and all-for interior and exterior siding, doors, wainscoting and window trim. Marr and his craftspeople used challenging antique joinery methods and cuts for authenticity. The foundation and fireplace stones are stacked in historic patterns. And the rusty bunkhouse metal roof, now sealed, is used as a design element on ceilings, walls and cabinets. "The key was not to alter the material but to let it speak, to let it be what it is. That's the character. We just helped it along into a new place," Marr says. "The old materials are all about the beauty of imperfection."

Although the Tipple House looks like an old miner's cabin, what lies beneath is state-of-the-art. "We have hidden a lot of the modern things," Marr says. "The finest, most cutting-edge technology is embedded in these walls: wiring, lighting and sound systems." And, notes Hartman, "It is one of the greenest houses in the valley."

Mueller, who describes Crested Butte as a place with a colorful, expressive small-town spirit, says, "Every community has its heart and soul, where the roots are and what people value. This house helps articulate what we value in Crested Butte."

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The X Factor

2012-01-25T10:07:00.000-08:00

In a Wyoming town where tradition reigns, a modern dwelling draws attention.

Architecture Abramson Teiger Architects, abramsonteiger.com
Interior Design Nina Seirafi Interior Design, ninaseirafi.com
Click here to learn more about this project's products and pros.

In the rolling hills of Casper, Wyoming, where wildlife sightings are commonplace and nature buffs are drawn to the raw beauty of the landscape, an architectural anomaly draws attention. Home to a local physician and his family, the decidedly modern residence makes a bold statement in a town where the predilection is toward traditional designs in neat, predictable neighborhoods.

“When we decided to build a new home on the outskirts of town, we were open to the architectural possibilities that varied from our traditional roots,” says homeowner Phil Krmpotich. “We wanted to do something a little bit different. When we discovered the Midcentury-Modern style, we liked how it worked with the mountain landscape.”

The design’s original two-story façade was quickly edited to a single story to contend with the harsh Wyoming climate. Bitter temperatures, unrelenting snowfalls and a biting wind that can gust in excess of 60 miles per hour all combined to create a unique design challenge.

Considering these formidable forces of nature, Abramson Teiger Architects of Culver City, California, created a design plan that worked in concert with the surroundings and addressed the Krmpotichs’ desire for a decidedly different design. In response to the site’s challenges, the architects designed a low-slung structure anchored in concrete, steel and wood that clings to the base of a hillside. Forming a contemporary X shape, the home has gracefully elongated wings that stretch into the countryside. “The design plan we created translated into a beautiful composition,” says Douglas Teiger, AIA, managing principal of the firm. “The unconventional shape of the house allowed for different views from every room while also creating a very functional living space with private and public wings that are connected by a family playroom at the junction.”

To read full article, please click here.

House With Insane Sea View

2012-01-25T05:26:00.000-08:00

Are you willing to shell out $25,000,000 for a house? If so, this is what you could gun for. Sprawled on 11,000 square feet, the Razor house commands mind-boggling views of sea and nature. Designed by Wallace E. Cunningham, (one of AD top 100), the house sports 4 bedrooms, 6 baths, a fabulous two level guest house and features private access to Black’s Beach. Maybe it is the floor to ceiling glass or the look of that garage, but it definitely it conjures up visions of the Iron Mans’ House.

UPDATE (Jan 7, 2012): The DailyMail reports that the mansion has been sold to a ‘mystery buyer’ in the Eastern Coast of United States for USD 14.1M.

This mansion is definitely stunning and breathtaking!

Sensational White Modern Home

2012-01-25T05:11:00.000-08:00

This house is a box.

Ok, a parallelogram box, but a box nonetheless!
The home is from Sao Paulo, Brazil and is designed by Marcio Kogan on a 1700 square meter area that encloses 700 square meters of living space on its two floors. Italian windows help maintain transparency, giving a magnificent view of the pool and the garden while doubling up as walls as well.
Having been covered in natural wood, the house alternates between tones of white helping in naturally illuminating the house with ample sunlight. Construction details, on the interior and the exterior have been done with perfection, giving the house a delightful and pleasant finish.
Various Merit awards by differently awarding agencies like IV Bienal IBERO Americana, ASBEA – Group of Projects and World Architecture Award have been granted to the design of the house as well.

Creative Recreations of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water

2012-01-25T04:58:00.000-08:00

Frank Lloyd Wright, an early pioneer of organic architecture and the Prairie School architecture movement, is probably best known for his Falling Water house, a mountainside retreat built over a waterfall for the Kaufmann family in 1936.

The house impressed architects and the general public alike, because it didn’t seem to stand on solid ground, but rather float over a 30-foot waterfall. It was the first time the concept of designing and building structures that promoted harmony between the natural world and human habitats, emerged. Wright’s innovative ideas continue to intrigue architects and designers alike and have inspired them to replicate his famous structures in a variety of media.

Recognized as ‘the greatest American architect of all times’, Frank Lloyd Wright was an acclaimed writer, educator, interior designer and an architect. While he worked on various designs for schools, hotels, museums, churches and offices, he also promoted organic architecture and was a leader of the Prairie School movement of architecture.

An architect who worked on more than 1000 projects, Frank Lloyd Wright’s most acclaimed project to date is ‘Fallingwater’. A house built over a waterfall way back in 1934, it has had the honor of being designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1966. Having ranked 29th on America’s Favorite Architecture of all times, this house was the former residence of Edgar J. Kaufmann Sr.
Although Fallingwater was always available to the public before, it has now become more open to them through a new program called ‘Insight Onsite at Fallingwater’. A tour lasting an hour was offered to the public before but with the introduction of this program, the house will welcome the tourists for a special stay of two days for a sum of $1195. An overnight stay by the house with the option of spending the day on the terrace or in the rooms and lounges will now be possible.

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3D Interior Design Inspiration

2012-01-25T04:50:00.000-08:00

We came across an Israel based studio that visualizes and renders fabulous images of interiors and exteriors using 3d rendering software.

One of the challenges put before the firm was to visualize this Eco-Golf House that blurs the borders between its interiors and exteriors. The project brief also required them to create the dense vegetation surrounding the house, the ecological systems and the infrastructure leading to the house’s architecture and interiors. Here is a video walkthrough of the house and also some high quality images of the renders.

To view more photos, please go here.

House With Spectacular Downtown City Views

2012-01-25T03:26:00.000-08:00

Located on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, this 7,000 square foot house by McClean Design, is divided in half by water features and a pool, and offers scenic views from West LA to Santa Monica to the Catalina Islands. The views and dividing pool are central to the design of the house. The layout was created to maximize access to the views and the water begins at the driveway with a water wall around which the entry sequence is wrapped. At the main level of the house, the water is then represented by an ornamental pool that descends into the spa below, after which it becomes a 75-foot-long lap pool which runs over the slope and into the view. The entry to the house is a glass bridge over a pool below. The master bedroom and study are located on one side of the pool, the living areas on the other. There are several guestrooms, a media room and a four car garage on the ground floor. The materials are all largely concrete, wood and stone, to create a soft, contemporary look.

Take a look at all the photos here.

5.7 Billion dollar resort that houses a 55 story high infinity pool

2012-01-25T03:00:00.000-08:00

With stunning views all around and sporting a 150m long infinity swimming pool set on top of the world’s largest public cantilevered platform, the Marina Bay Sands hotel opened up to much fanfare on June 23rd in Singapore.

Designed by Moshe Safdie, this hotel has several features you won’t find in an ordinary hotel.

Hotel

– 2,560 luxury rooms in three hotel towers, totaling 265,683 square meters (2,860,000 square feet)

Sands SkyPark

–the three hotel towers are connected at the top (200 meters/656 feet) by a 9,941 square meter (107,000 square foot) park that brings together a public observatory, jogging paths, gardens, restaurants, lounges, and an infinity swimming pool

- This 1.2 hectare (3 acre) tropical oasis is longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall and large enough to park four-and-a-half A380 jumbo jets

- It spans from tower to tower and cantilevers 65 meters (213 feet) beyond to form one of the world’s largest public cantilevers

- It is 340 meters (1,115 feet) long from the northern tip to the south end

- The park’s maximum width is 40 meters (131 feet)

- The 1,396 square meter (15,026 square foot) swimming pool is the largest outdoor pool at its height and has a 145 meter (475 foot) vanishing edge

- The entire park can host up to 3,900 people

- Its lush gardens include 250 trees and 650 plants

Casino

– the “atrium style” casino features four levels of gaming and entertainment in one space totaling 15,000 square meters (161,500 square feet) with the atrium ceiling holding a 7 ton chandelier with 132,000 Swarovski crystals and 66,000 LEDs

Article originally published here.

Villa Escudero with the Waterfalls Restaurant

2012-01-24T12:08:00.000-08:00

Villa Escudero is located in Quezon Province, Philippines, offering a vast hacienda filled with comfortable rooms, and a museum of curious things. Perhaps the most curious thing at the villa is the amazing Waterfalls Restaurant, where lunch is served against an impressive backdrop of thundering clear spring water. Grass fringed buffet stations and bamboo dining tables stand steadily in just inches of flowing river water from the sparkling falls, as it washes around the feet of diners enjoying delicious local dishes.

The experience of dining as water is running over your feet would certainly create a memorable holiday moment, and possibly one of your most unusual experiences ever, as they boast this “is a truly singular and memorable experience only Villa Escudero can offer.”

The rest of Villa Escudero is equally nature bathed, with stunning views from bamboo decks overlooking the still waterscape of Lake Labasin, and the tropical Philippine countryside.

The luxury resort offers the chance to paddle a native bamboo raft over the peaceful waters or, if you’d like to get back on dry land for a while, a tour of the rural village by jeepney; you can even learn how coconuts are harvested in Villa Escudero’s own plantation!

40 Revolutionary Housing Concepts from Ordos 100

2012-01-24T11:47:00.000-08:00

Ordos 100 is a massive project that is being developed for Jiang Yuan Water Engineering Ltd in Ordos, Inner Mongolia(China) which involves the construction of 100 Villas designed by 100 acclaimed architects from 27 different countries.

Divided into two phases, the first phase encompasses 28 villas while the second phase includes the rest. Each architect is given 1000 square meters of land to work with and display their creativity. It is to be expected that the concepts put forward by the participating architects would actually be constructed on the specific piece of land if approved. The ever delightful architecture blog Arch Daily has a comprehensive report and analysis on each house on their site. If you are interested in the plans and details of each house, you will find it there. But here is quick round up of our favorites.

Browse for more design photos by going here.

Mahina: The Dream House You Cannot Own!

2012-01-24T11:09:00.000-08:00

This could give the Iron Man’s house a run for its money. Approximately 40 miles north of Auckland, New Zealand is the perfect perch for a proposed dream house. Though only an architectural visualization at this point, this is the kind of house you would normally expect a Bond movie villain to own!

Mahina, Maori for moon, designed by Weber Consulting was originally slated to be placed on the relatively uninhabited Kawau Island. However the island’s residents are torn over whether or not to allow it to be built. The controversy has led to international interest, and according to the New Zealand Herald News, the official website for the Mahina says that the moon-shaped house can be built anywhere on the planet.

The website literature states, “A predominantly modern residence with a ‘Bondesque’ suggestion of times past; the glamorous age of martinis and tuxedos.”

“Dispel the misconception that white is starck (sic) or austere. Here it is lavish, sumptuous, opulent.”
The house is 827 square feet and is set to have a plant room, deck, swimming pool and “thermal mass” to regulate internal temperatures.

Take a look at it by watching the video. Spectacular!

Sustainable Home Designs for Katrina Victims

2012-01-24T10:53:00.000-08:00

Actor Brad Pitt has partnered with real-estate developer and philanthropist Steve Bing to create low-price, sustainable homes as part of the “Make it Right” project. A set of duplex designs were proposed by 13 of the world’s top architects to visualize and design green, sustainable houses for hurricane Katrina victims.The designs had to be flexible, with “interchangeable floor plans that allow the families to change the size and configuration of the two homes as their family size, needs or economic situation changes.”

Concept Earthquake Resistant Homes

2012-01-24T10:44:00.000-08:00

We live in an uncertain world where natural calamities like earthquakes cause more havoc than they did before. The staggering magnitudes of the the earthquakes which recently struck Indonesia and Samoa Islands give us another painful reminder of this. The physical loss amounts to millions and no price tag can be attached to the emotional stress that comes with it. While nothing can be done to prevent such calamities, there are certain measures that can be taken to minimize the damage. See below some novel concepts that designers have come up with that could help us in the future.

HHF architects designed this earthquake resistant house in China and it featured in ‘Ordos 100’. This house has every floor slab supported separately by a concrete core and an outside wall. The concrete stairway walls double up as supporting walls making the house earthquake proof!

These igloo shaped houses are made of 100% expanded polystyrene foam (styrofoam) . This material doesn’t rust, rot or attract termites and thus makes for a perfect choice for earthquake and typhoon proof homes. Built by Japan Dome House Co. Ltd, these are found in Japan and an adaptation of the same is available in the United States of America as well.

More photos found here.

Beachfront House in California

2012-01-24T10:37:00.000-08:00

An architectural beauty sits on the Pacific coast of Southern California where the blue ocean and sky provide all the color you need. It could be why this modern beach house is dressed in white from head to toe. Or perhaps architects Richard Meier and Michael Palladino left it up to the clients high-end art collection to do all the coloring. This home is a beautiful representation of intelligent design caused by the desire to create an interior/exterior experience with glass ceilings and walls throughout the home as well as an unobstructed view of the sea from the highway. With 4,280-square-feet of heavenly space and a massive view of the ocean, we don’t see any reason to ever want to leave…

Enjoyed this? Read more by going here.

5 Ways a Designer Decorates on a Budget

2012-01-24T10:21:00.000-08:00

Save on Carpeting

"The quickest way to blow a budget is on a carpet. Unless you're doing something really special, keep it simple," designer Meg Braff says. She chose inexpensive sisal for the living room. Starburst mirror from William-Wayne. Sconces from the Brighton Collection. Pouf from West Elm.

Upgrade with Trim

Braff added a bullion fringe to the sofa to bring in more blue. "You could do the same thing with a sofa off the floor at Crate & Barrel — just add a trim to personalize it," she says. The same idea also elevates plain lampshades or curtains.

Pull it All Together with Affordable Accessories

"Before I finish a job, I'll go to places like West Elm, William Wayne, Macox Gardens, and Pearl River or check out their Web sites to look for accessories — inexpensive Chinese porcelain, trays, place mats, table settings," she says, "You can really stretch a budget and still get the last layer of personality." Fretwork side chairs from Hickory Chair. Sea Island Trellis wallpaper by Brunschwig & Fils.

Try Balloon Shades

For a small master bedroom, Braff didn't want to do long curtains. Instead, she opted for balloon shades. "That's three yards of fabric per window, instead of 10, so they're less expensive," she says. Talavera by Brunschwig & FIls fabric. Willa bed by Oly.

Choose Affordable Art

Those glamorous, mirrored frames in the previous slide? "They came with the prints, bought online," says the decorator. Braff used the to-trade-only web site trowbridgegallery.com, but easyart.com or 20x200.com are two other reasonably priced options. And for maximum impact, hang artwork in a group — like she did here in the family room — rather than scattering it around a room. Bijou end tables from Hickory Chair.

Article and photos originally published here.

Stunning House With Pool and View

2012-01-24T08:35:00.000-08:00

Beautiful green lawns spread over acres of land. Palm trees swaying, following the winds direction. Scintillating landscapes and open clear skies. Enter a stunning house overlooking an equally stunning pool. The place is perfect as a weekend getaway or even a holiday home. Done up in modern minimalist furniture, with a nice backyard and rain forests surrounding from everywhere, this house is guarded well with stone walls and gravel courtyards.

Liked it? To view more photos of this house, go here.

Spectacular Modern House With Open Design And Adjacent Pool

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

Casa dos Ipês in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was a project embarked upon a decade ago by Marcio Kogan, a design of exposed concrete that many builders deemed practically impossible. The heavy material has been given amazing grace in this construction, with the magnitude appearing to float above the glass volume of the lower floor.
In the upper mass, bedrooms surround a central TV room, and receive light via a wooden panel on the façade that is broken into shutters. Both thermally and aesthetically pleasing, when closed these shutters maintain the solid box like appearance of the upper floor, contributing to the elegance of the lower quarters.

Downstairs the living room accesses the veranda and garden via doors that retract almost the entire length of the building, and a huge set of pivoting wooden panels open up the side, making the living area an outdoor space.

Article originally published here.

6 Quick Decorating Changes

2012-01-24T05:52:00.000-08:00

From slipcovers to stripes, these fast and easy makeover ideas refresh any room in a flash.

Double-sided pillows are a quick and easy change. "You have your summer pattern, then flip them to the other side, to velvet — something richer — for winter," says designer Jesse Carrier. He and his wife, designer Mara Miller, chose them for the sofas in the living room of this 19th-century farmhouse in upstate New York. You can also try doing a combination of both, as they did here.

For a relaxed, breezy look, try making curtains similar to the ones that Carrier and Miller created for this dining room. Hang pre-hemmed shawls, tablecloths, or even pillowcases on hooks from one corner of the window. Or recycle old curtains: Simply measure and cut them into squares, adding buttonholes in the corners. "Just take one of the corners off, and it drops," Miller explains.

"Stripes have an amazing power to instantly transform a room," says designer Ken Fulk of the giant Breton stripe he chose for the guest room of a San Francisco Victorian. Tip: To keep the room from feeling too severe, loosen up the geometric lines with softer accessories. The curvy spots on the furry stools and rug add balance.

Paint Framework Black

To make the great room in a South Carolina vacation home feel more intimate, designer Sally Markham applied a coat of black paint to the window mullions and door and chair frames. "Black gives the room a backbone, and it acts as a frame to the view," she says.

Using matching frames is a clever way to bring together different types of artwork, Fulk explains, who did that in the home's dining room. "Sometimes we take pieces that clients own but don’t look like they belong together, pop them out of the frames they're in, and put them in unifying frames so they speak to one another," he says.

Slipcovers are a simple way to update traditional furniture. "Even though the ikat polka dot is totally graphic, it gives your eyes a break from the Windsor-ness of the spindles and lines," explains designer Lindsay Reid, who used them in her Southern California kitchen. Fabricadabra's Cheeky charcoal ikat actually makes them "look younger," she says.

2012-01-24T05:28:00.000-08:00

Debbie Evans Interior Design

Philosophy – Debbie’s designs are created to compliment the architecture that inspires her as well as providing spaces of comfort and beauty without sacrificing functionality.

Interesting Facts about Debbie

Virtual Office for 17 Years - Debbie started working in Whistler 20 years ago and had challenges dealing with her clients as many of them were international and travelled extensively. She had to learn new ways of communicating with her clients through the internet to keep the projects running efficiently and put systems in place for working virtually with her clients. This is fairly new for most people today but she has been working virtually for 17 years now and has staff in Victoria, Prince Edward Island, The Philippines, Whistler and Squamish.

Cayman Islands Project - Five years ago one of her Whistler clients asked her to assist them with a project in the Cayman Islands. It was months behind and they were in jeopardy of losing the contractor if the specifications and drawings were too finalized to proceed. It was shortly after a large hurricane so contractors were hard to find and Debbie and her staff had to work very quickly to pull the project together. They designed and specified everything for the 6000 square foot home, dealt with all orders and had completed the design in 3 months. They also arranged for the tile and appliances to be shipped down via Miami from her Whistler office. The first month of the project Debbie saved the clients $ 132,000. The only down side was Debbie never got the go to the Cayman Islands to see the site.

Bachelors – over the years Debbie has successfully worked with quite a few Bachelors and many of these projects were award winning designs. She recently was featured in BC Home Magazine and they had written about her Niche market working with Bachelors.

10 Tips to Make Entertaining Easy

2012-01-23T23:32:00.000-08:00

From setting the table the night before to using black candles on the dining table, entertainers extraordinaire share their best ideas for throwing an elegant, easy bash.

Go Overboard on the Candles

"Go heavy on the tea lights. Rather than 10, I would do 40," says designer Thom Filicia. He placed them generously around the dining room in a Designer Visions showhouse for a look that sparkles. Chairs and Bordino dining table, Thom Filicia Home for Vanguard Furniture. Karlin latern from DessinFournir.

Make a Playlist

Music is an essential part of a party atmosphere. "Play a mix, from bossa nova to big band to disco. Start mellow, build, bring it back down," says Filicia. In the showhouse's media room, James Street wing chairs from Thom Filicia Home for Vanguard flank a 24-inch Rosie Touch TV by Savant.

Create Flow

"Pass hors d'oeuvres so guests will circulate," says designer Frank Delledonne, who often entertains in his New Jersey living room. He also advises to use serving bowls that are from different sets. "If they match, it will look like a catering hall." Camelback sofa, three-piece sectional, and coffee tables are by FD Interiors.

Consider a Buffet

"I come from a huge Italian family, and they come over all the time for family dinners," Delledonne says. To feed a crowd, "Serve buffet-style, with food that can be eaten in one forkful." Upholstered chairs by FD Interiors are in Bergamo's Terrazza. The handcrafted pendants are by O'Lampia Studio.

Prep Ahead

Do what you can the night before. The owners of this San Francisco home designed by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy often host dinner parties for 30, so they set the table the night before to cut down on stress. The walnut table and leather-upholstered dining chairs were designed by ODA Design Associates.

Don't Go Overboard on the Flowers

Elegant flowers are easy to pull off. The homeowner recommends choosing a monochromatic arrangement and displaying it a plain glass cylinder. Diaz-Azcuy choose silk fabrics, sisal, and ivory tones to give the living room a soft, serene look. Lancaster sofa and club chairs, Lyonnaise chair, and Rateau coffee table by DessinFournir.

Try a Cozy Tablecloth

To add warmth to the entry table in her family home in Idaho, designer Chipper Joseph layered two plaid blankets. "Tablecloths are old quilts, blankets, wool throws," she says. "I don't think I even have a real tablecloth."

Have Comfy Seating

Upholstered chairs — whether in a cozy corner or around the dining table — encourage hours-long lounging. "We have our morning coffee there, we sometimes eat dinner there, we play after-dinner games there — we had a big dominoes tournament last weekend," Joseph says. Pottery Barn club chairs slipcovered in On Point by Brunschwig & Fils.

Pottery Barn ottomans in Washington by Nya Nordiska.

Try Black Candles

"They disappear," says the homeowner of a New York house designed by Markham Robert. Queen Anne-style chairs are covered in Braquenié's Coromandel and backed with a Brunschwig & Fils velvet, Botticelli in Olive.

Remember to Relax and Have Fun

Grabbing a quiet moment before guests arrive can help put you at ease. One of the homeowner's entertaining tip? "A drink with my husband before the party." In her living room, a screen in Fraises Sauvages (in Multi on Cream, by Lelièvre) defines the bar area.

Article originally published here.

Modern House Boat with Rooftop Garden

2012-01-23T23:21:00.000-08:00

House boats have traditionally been an alternative lifestyle for those irresistably drawn to a water bound lifestyle. This subculture of boat dwellers either work in the fishing industry or living on a budget have simply have made their humble boat a home. In fact more recently we are seeing custom designed boats becoming a permanent place for luxury living.

This completely original boat home seems a bit different than your typical houseboat so we explored it inside and out for a better understanding of this popular phenomenon. And now we’re taking you on a personal tour…hope the owners don’t mind!

The view through these windows makes them look like architectural details and the perfect accent color for the space!

Transparent Villa in The Netherlands

2012-01-23T23:16:00.000-08:00

Whim Architecture designed the sublime ‘Villa BH’ in Burgh-Haamstede, the Netherlands, over a 2874 square feet floor area. The impressive, almost transparent, structure stands predominantly as glass walls, framed out in white, with natural wood cladding to the roof edge, and sides. A jetty leads through the garden façade, crossing a pebble edged body of still water, between the glass rear entrance and an impressive garden house.

The home encircles a tree inhabited courtyard within its glass walls, giving each room a dual aspect. When the vast clear doors are pushed back, the dwelling becomes an outdoor space, flooded with light and breeze, and the ability to walk room to room under the sky. A roof terrace extends the exterior living space further, and a brick chimneystack serves indoor and outdoor wood burners to warm the entire area.

A sedum roof, heat pump, and solar panels make this an eco friendly home, and a clean, minimalist decor suggests simple living. A neutral palette of white walls, light wood, and muted textiles keeps the interior light and bright, and an open plan living style continues throughout, seeing master bedroom complete with bathtub, basins and en suite steam room, and unobstructed views out to the patio.

More photos published here.

Scandinavian Style City Living

2012-01-23T11:09:00.000-08:00

If you are tired of clutter and fuss, try some Scandinavian zen, as rendered by the guys at digital production company Industriromantik. The Swedish studio has produced these images and videos on behalf of Skanska New Homes, for their property developments in the heart of Stockholm, and we think they’re a perfect solution for slick city living.

In true Scandinavian style the walls remain a vast white canvas, on which colorful splashes of modern art and interesting prints are hung to add zest and personality. Furniture upholstery also adds to the Swedish paint box, along with carefully arranged books and ceramics; accessories are kept neat and tidy to retain the uncomplicated look, and the pale scheme successfully reflects the generous amounts of natural light for an ultra sharp result.

The essential wooden flooring is warmed with rugs, and modern furniture is clean lined and contemporary, softened by throws and plump contrasting cushions.

Kitchens and bathrooms are sleek and streamlined, and all space is used to it’s maximum potential with clever storage.

Article originally published here.

Yellow Room Inspiration: 55+ Rooms For Your Viewing Pleasure

2012-01-23T06:59:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a burst of sunshine in your interiors, then take a look at this beaming collection of yellow room reference, to try throughout your home.

To add a cheerful ray to your living room you could start subtly with accessories, cushions and throws, artwork, or perhaps a small accent chair or decorative screen, but if you wanted to go all out on the theme, paint a large accent wall in a vibrant shade or even have a sofa reupholstered. Of course, there are many shades to choose from, if a bright primary yellow is too overpowering for you, a lemon sherbet may be more calming on the eye.

Like it? Please share to your friends. Or browse for more photos on this link.

11 Things Every Kitchen Should Have

2012-01-23T06:45:00.000-08:00

1. Natural Light
Look for ways to maximize light, from eliminating cabinets next to windows to using transparent or reflective materials like glass and stainless steel.

2. Comfort
I like to incorporate soft seating, a TV, and — when I can — a fireplace, to make the kitchen the coziest place in the house.

3. Visual Texture
It's the mix of woods, countertop materials, and finishes that creates warmth, personality, and mood.

4. Stainless Steel
The consummate neutral, it looks great with everything and will never go out of style. I love its organic quality — it develops a well-worn patina over time.

5. An Island
If space allows, an island is essential. It's the social center of the kitchen.

6. A Great Sink
Accessories such as an integrated colander and a sliding cutting board make working there more efficient.

7. Integrated Refrigeration
Creating cabinet facades to hide refrigeration units gives me a tremendous amount of design freedom. By eliminating a large, boxy element, I can make a kitchen feel more room-like.

8. High-Performance Appliances
Today, high-efficiency burners and ovens with convection and self-cleaning are really indispensable.

9. A Hook
Every great kitchen has a hook, that one unique element that just pulls you in. It could be a hood, a sink, a pot rack.

10. A Kitchen Designer
Kitchen design is complicated, and the landscape is constantly changing. Hiring a professional is perhaps the most valuable investment you will make.

11. Ice Cream
In my opinion, no kitchen is complete without it.

Originally published here.

41604 Grant Road, Brackendale, BC For Sale - Contact Debbie Evans 1-604-905-8796

2012-01-21T04:50:00.000-08:00

Home for Sale By Owner 41604 Grant Road, Brackendale,BC

Contact Debbie Evans 1-604-905-8796 Marketing Manager

You Tube Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pLTrfaZtUA

Website
http://brackendaleresort.com/

Happy Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon!

This home is situated on a cul de sac but there are many Feng Shui elements that increase the energy flow to this home. No water element needed as there is a running stream running along the property, large evergreens back the home and protect it, landscaping features in the front and a large electronic gate create padding from the street. The home is surrounded by mountain views and eagles make this the perfect home with an abundance of energy. The south face entrance doors can be easily painted red which would create auspicious energy. The designer can make subtle changes to this home to increase the energy level even more making this the perfect family getaway in close proximity to Whistler and Vancouver.

Very Private Gated Resort Property in Brackendale - 45 minutes from Vancouver 45 minutes from Whistler - 41640 Grant Road Brackendale Over 3 acres of unobstructed views of the mountains, near the Squamish River, eagles, trails, hiking, skiing, rock climbing, etc. This home has been recently renovated and has a state of the art security system, huge Master suite area with luxury bathroom and dressing room, large kitchen and family room opening to a private pool area with heated decks, cabana, covered gazebo, 2 car garage, large carport for recreational vehicles, care takers suite, streams running through the property. There is enough room on this property for horses, possible tennis court, golf green....

You can build another home on this property. Could be used as a guest home, or a rental, caretaker building or one famous couple looking at this property were looking to build a recording studio on the property so they could live and work in a complete private setting close to Vancouver.

Brackendale is also a very unique area, is very safe, and is close to everything. Quest University is close by and is one of the most stunning campus' in the world. This would be the perfect estate property for a family looking for complete privacy like a celebrity couple, to be used a cooperate retreat,bed and breakfast, international family looking for an estate property close to skiing and Vancouver, the possibilities are endless. Videos available with plans - See - website - www.brackendaleresort.com
Marketing Manager Debbie Evans 1-604-905-8796

Quest University - The most stunning campus in the world! 10 Minutes away from your private retreat
http://www.questu.ca/about_quest/video_and_blogs.php

Famous Couple Looking at Squamish Property

2012-01-21T03:28:00.000-08:00

Resort property in Brackendale - Squamish area perfect for celebrity couple looking for a safe haven to raise kids and set up a recording studio on the property. Over 3 acres, gated, full security system with cameras in place, 8000 sqft home, care takers suite, pool, horses, etc....
http://brackendaleresort.com/

Video showing drive from Vancouver to Squamish area and Brackedale Home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pLTrfaZtUA

See Listing
http://vancouver.kijiji.ca/c-real-estate-houses-for-sale-Marketing-Manager-Debbie-Evans-W0QQAdIdZ347978351

Design is in the Details

2012-01-18T07:11:00.000-08:00

A European-inspired home in Lahontan, Calif., benefits from Old-World materials, thoughtful planning and the perfect finishing touches.

CONSTRUCTION BY JOHN BRINK CONSTRUCTION
INTERIOR DESIGN BY BRANTNER DESIGN

When they dreamed of their home in Lahontan, California, not far from Lake Tahoe, the owners of this wooded lot wanted the dwelling to be “timeless, evocative; a kind of home that would reflect our family and be respectful of the forest around us,” the owner says.
Many homeowners have said the same thing. But unlike many homeowners, she meant it.
So she gathered a design team that shared her passion for detail and authenticity, and together, they created a mountain retreat that feels reminiscent of a northern European country home. “Our mantra was ‘perfectly imperfect,’” says John Brink, principal of Tahoe City-based John Brink Construction. “We wanted to create a home that looked like it had been standing here for 600 years.”

Appropriate materials were essential to achieving this authentic atmosphere, so the homeowners journeyed to France on two occassions, where they combed the country in search of antique materials: reclaimed oak beams, aged limestone tiles and salvaged limestone fireplaces. “It was so exciting to go and gather the materials,” the homeowner says. “We took an unforgettable week-long road trip, traveling to remote villages to visit barns that were slated to be dismantled and the materials salvaged, and a ‘factory’ where stone flooring was being processed from old, extremely thick limestone tiles. These materials add such atmosphere, such texture.”

Of course, it’s one thing to source the materials; it’s another to get them from France to the West Coast. “We asked the French supplier of reclaimed oak beams to give us a list of what they had in the yard. They told us they could provide anything we wanted. After creating detailed plans for the ceilings that illustrated the beam layouts, we gave them our list, and they said, ‘Oh, no. We don’t have any of that,’” Brink laughs. C’est la vie.

So Brink didn’t know what he’d find in the shipping container when it arrived. Luckily, it revealed an exquisite puzzle of beautiful old beams. In a rented warehouse in Reno, his team unpacked and sorted the timbers, selecting where and how to fit each one into the home.

Because the timbers weren’t rated for construction—an industry standard that ensures a material’s soundness—the team built a house within a house. They used conventional post-and-beam framing to create the structure. In the warehouse, they pre-cut and pre-fabricated the beams and trusses and then added them as decorative elements. To install the limestone floors, Brink hired French masons “who had a great appreciation for the materials and the craftsmanship,” he says. “They laid the floors in a way that will allow someone to pull them up 300 or 400 years from now and reuse them somewhere else—in keeping with the spirit of this house.”

Want to read more? Go here.

Spark Some Romance in Any Room With a Chandelier

2012-01-17T11:17:00.000-08:00

Looking for a light fixture that makes a statement and creates a mood? Consider a chandelier for any and every room of your home.

Divine Dining
Why have one fabulous chandelier when you can have two? This dining room was designed to accommodate large dinners as well as more intimate affairs. Designer Candice Olson didn't skimp on the lighting, choosing to cover the massive table with matching antique silver chandeliers.

French Quarter Flair

This chandelier has all the charm and grandeur of an antique but is custom-made to look that way. If you have a kitchen renovation planned but aren't sure about lighting, look to your favorite places for inspiration. Designer Candice Olson did just that when she created this soulful kitchen for a family displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Bathroom Beauty

This bathroom is packed with amenities including a soaking tub lit by a lavish chandelier. If you'd like to create a spa-like atmosphere in your bath, hang a great light and install a dimmer. Then run a bath and relax. Design by Candice Olson.

Lighten Up in the Living Room
Hang a chandelier in your living room even if you don't consider it a formal space. This simple yet elegant chandelier in the 2009 HGTV Dream Home makes a statement without overpowering the room's casual feel. An assortment of additional fixtures provides task lighting, and candles are at the ready for a romantic night in or an intimate gathering with friends. Design by Linda Woodrum.

Classic & Chic
An inexpensive, vintage chandelier is the perfect fixture in this budget-friendly, romantic bedroom. Despite the homeowner's apprehension, an old metal fixture was spray painted to serve as the focal point of this room, helping to transform a desperate and drab master bedroom into a unique retreat. Design by Lise Simms and Daniel Kucan.

Sleek and Modern
In this contemporary kitchen, a sleek, chrome chandelier is an ideal pairing with stainless appliances.Hanging above a multi-purpose island, it does double duty providing task lighting for food preparation and mood lighting for meals. Recessed lights would have offered the same function but with much less style. Design by Candice Olson.

Like more photos? Continue reading here.

Kitchen Lighting That Sizzles

2012-01-17T11:10:00.000-08:00

Lighting designer Eddie Cohen of Design Light, Inc. shares his top six tips for improving task lighting in the kitchen.

Recessed lighting is a great way to focus light throughout a kitchen. It is important to have a lot of light on work surfaces, such as countertops, stoves and the sink area. This type of lighting can be aimed exactly where you most need it. Design by Andreas Charalambous.

Under-cabinet lighting is great for kitchens because it focuses the light onto the countertop, which is the main work surface in a kitchen. This type of lighting is also a very inexpensive add-on for existing kitchens. There are many different light bulbs such as halogen, xenon and fluorescent that can give your kitchen a completely different effect. Halogen and incandescent light are best. Design by Andreea Avram Rusu.

In-cabinet lighting is a great accent for a kitchen. It can make finding what you need so much easier and can also make for a great look if you have glass-paneled cabinets. A bonus is that this type of lighting brings great illumination to the room. Design by Gail Drury.

Track lighting is the most multipurpose lighting since each light can be positioned to focus on different areas in the kitchen. Design by Joshua Foss.

Pendant lights are both decorative and create nice pools of light over countertops. Design by Gail Drury.

Choose light bulbs with different beam spreads for different effects. Floods are wide and create a more general lighting, while spot lighting works well to highlight specific items. Design by David Stimmel.

Article and photos originally published here.

Best Kitchens

2012-01-17T10:55:00.000-08:00

Our favorite kitchens—from mountain-modern to rustic-chic—pair good looks with smart functionality. Need some inspiration? You'll find it here.

In our Best of Mountain Living Issue, we bring you the lovingly curated results of our return to past issues of ML to retrieve the very best of the best in high-country home design. When it comes to the kitchen, we've come to know that design can't just be concerned with looking good—it has to work hard. Here are some of our favorite spaces that get it right with a happy marriage of unique looks and smart functionality.

The New West

2012-01-17T07:38:00.000-08:00

A Sun Valley Home reinterprets Western style for a modern-minded family.

ARCHITECTURE by Michael Blash & Associates
INTERIOR DESIGN by jamesthomas

The owners of this mountain home in Sun Valley, Idaho, had a clear directive for their design team: “No antler chandeliers, no Navajo rugs, nothing really rustic,” says interior designer Thomas Riker. Instead, they wanted a comfortable, family-friendly home appropriate for their three young children—but with a modern edge.

While Chicago-based Riker and James Dolenc, partners at interior design firm jamesthomas, certainly could appreciate the owners’ aesthetic, they wanted to ground the home in its rugged surroundings. “We didn’t want it to look harshly modern, or like it could have been anywhere. We wanted this home to feel right for its setting,” Riker says. “That really forced us to think about the Western idea in a very different way.”

Riker and Dolenc took cues from architect Michael Blash’s contemporary take on Craftsman style, which melds pitched rooflines and thick rafters with patinated steel and floor-to-ceiling windows. Rather than drawing up one cavernous structure, the architect—based in Ketchum, Idaho—designed a cluster of five separate forms connected by glass-walled transitional spaces. “Our original concept for the structure was to create a village feel—a few buildings nestled against the hillside, which keeps it from feeling so huge and imposing,” Blash says.

The interiors, too, are more intimate than the home’s significant square footage would suggest. “It doesn’t feel like a massive house,” Riker says. “The family room is actually quite a cozy space. Nothing is out of scale or unnecessarily large.”

To add warmth throughout the home, the design team employed wood and stone not only as furniture and flooring material, but also as wall and ceiling treatments. But there are no distressed ceiling beams or salvaged barn wood to be found here. The natural materials are refined rather than rugged. Custom-made cabinets and paneling feature mahogany and walnut, and modern latticework on the ceiling in the entry and master bath recall the industrial underside of a drawbridge.

Riker and Dolenc balanced the polished finishes with warmly upholstered furnishings, along with a few eclectic combinations to bring the interiors to life. In the living room, the designers paired onyx-topped coffee tables with African cup stools. In the family room, a futuristic Ellipse chair by Modernica is upholstered in an unexpected tweedy wool, and a clean-lined, custom-designed couch is wrapped in wide-wale corduroy for a “twist on rustic mountain style,” Riker says.

In the entry, the designers pushed the homeowners’ limits on Western design by encouraging them to buy a large-scale equestrian painting by California-based artist Ashley Collins. “They were like, ‘It’s a horse.’ But we said, ‘It’s a modern horse,’” Riker explains. “It’s this cool, contemporary piece of artwork, but it speaks to where you are.”

They also put a modern spin on bringing the outdoors in, adding a trough of river rock under the sink in the master bath, placing a live-edge console table carved from a big chunk of tree in the entry, and filling an empty corner near a stairway with a sculptural bronze chair by Baal Creations that “looks like a dug-up boulder,” Riker says.

“The home is this super-cool combination of modern and the mountains. It’s so unexpected and organic,” Riker says. It has all of the customary materials—stone, cedar, weathered metal—but none of the traditional trappings of Old West style. Consider this Western design for the next generation.

Article originally published here.

Special Guest Blog Post: Winter Kitchen

2012-01-17T00:50:00.000-08:00

Hello! I'm Jessica, a writer for Arcadian Lighting, a website and blog featuring an amazing selection of lighting fixtures and daily interior design inspirations. I'm delighted to be guest posting for Debbie today because I'm going to be sharing some kitchens that embrace the beauty of winter. The kitchen really is the heart of any home, and when the colder, darker months are upon us, there's no better time to preserve the warmth and brightness of the holidays.

The fireplace in this kitchen is a true luxury during the winter, but subtle decorations add even more warmth to the scene. Small colorful wreaths hang outside the windows, invitingly, and a lush garland of perenial branches and leaves adorn the mantle.The row of matching pendant lights is a cool modern way to create kitchen island lighting.

Hanging a several pine cone ornaments like this one throughout your kitchen will add, not only a charming winter feel, but a lovely, fresh pine scent.

A string of sparkling ornaments will surely brighten your kitchen window during the darker months of winter. Fresh greenery and candy canes add an extra bit of warmth and color.

I love an all-white kitchen any time of year, but a beautiful, simple wreath above the stove adds a pop of color and texture. Since wreaths are traditionally a simple of celebration and strength, it's an especially fitting decoration during the winter.

Stringing garland around doorframes is a fun and festive way to make your kitchen more inviting. A few scattered candles and a warm fire are lovely, too.

The bountiful natural decorations in this kitchen make spending time indoors during the winter even more enjoyable and bright. Using ceiling lights throughout the kitchen provide excellent lighting for such colorful decorations.

The garland around this kitchen doorframe also serves as a wonderful place to hang holiday cards throughout winter. I love the petite ornaments scattered throughout, and the gingerbread house in the distance.

I love this blue winter kitchen. The mini snow-covered trees lining the windowsill are a lovely accent, as are the blue and white ornaments on the dish towels. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

How do you decorate your kitchen for the winter seasons? Be sure to stop by Arcadian Lighting's blog for more seasonal decorating ideas and festive pendant lights for every room in your home.

Featured: Rustic Redux

2012-01-16T11:29:00.000-08:00

Sleek midcentury furnishings and weathered timber and stone redefine Western style in a Montana home.

ARCHITECTURE BY JLF & ASSOCIATES
INTERIOR DESIGN BY HAYNES-ROBERTS

Timothy Haynes and Kevin Roberts, founding partners of the distinguished New York City interior design firm Haynes-Roberts, have no interest in playing it safe.
When the duo accepted their first commission in Montana—a ski house in Big Sky for a family with young children—they saw no reason to sacrifice their sophisticated style and had no intention of falling into Western clichés. “We wanted to shake things up a bit,” says Roberts, “and show that you can still have the great warmth and beauty of a Western house, but infused with a hip, up-to-date sensibility.”
To achieve that goal, the designers collaborated closely with architect Paul Bertelli, principal of Bozeman, Montana-based JLF & Associates, and his team as they created a structure that was authentic to the region but pared down to communicate a 21st-century lifestyle. The architects designed framing elements from huge weathered barn timbers, clad ceilings and floors with reclaimed wood planks and constructed fireplace surrounds from regionally quarried stone. “The whole contemporary belief of ‘less is more’ is how you keep reducing the components down to their essence,” Bertelli says. “So the question became, how do we do that using these reclaimed timber assemblies?” Their solution was to strip away extraneous knee braces, avoid trim and decorative embellishments, and simplify a prominent staircase down to a spare steel-and-glass form. “It was an opportunity to bring these very clean materials and uncluttered lines into the historic shell,” he explains.

The rich texture and warm gray tones of the building materials served as both complement and counterpoint to the furnishings. “We wanted to impose a sense of modernity you don’t often see in the antler-filled Western ski home,” says Roberts, “and because of the quality of the wood and stone background materials, I felt that this was the perfect opportunity to add a hip 1960s/’70s overlay. The vintage pieces provide more nuance than contemporary furniture, and they evoke a bit of the James Bond era.”
While the furnishings exhibit clean minimal lines, tactile fabrics in a “dark neutral” palette blend with the surrounding walls and recede from the sweeping vistas. “The views are so spectacular that I wanted to keep the colors to a minimum,” Roberts says.

While the hues are meant to blend in, the light fixtures are meant to stand out. Starting in the living area, two 1960s Murano glass fixtures set an immediate point of departure. “People usually use bronze or brass,” says Roberts, “but I wanted nothing that was expected.” The furnishings follow suit. Rich charcoal-colored mohair covers two Edward Wormley for Dunbar sofas, and Warren Platner lounge chairs pull up to a black-lacquer game table in the adjacent sitting area. Underfoot, the traditional cowhide rug is remade into a modern patchwork that “continues the texture of the background,” Roberts says.
The architecture also provided inspiration for the sturdy dining table the designers had made from solid planks of rift white oak and then sandblasted so “it could handle a lot of heavy-duty use,” Roberts says. Vintage Jacques Adnet chairs upholstered with taupe snakeskin encircle the table, and a linear 1960s Italian chandelier sparkles above. “I wanted the light fixtures in this house to be particularly special,” says Roberts, who hung a striking vertical metal-and-glass fixture in the hallway and a 1960s Stilnovo chandelier in the master bedroom. To give the bedroom a distinct, luxurious feel, the designers had a graphic silk-and-wool carpet made in a warm bronze tone and upholstered a custom bed with a silk-velvet fabric by Clarence House.

“The design wasn’t meant to feel modern and jarring,” Roberts explains. “It was meant to feel exciting and sophisticated.” While it doesn’t fit the typical image of a rustic Western home, the house is still thoughtfully tailored to its mountain environment. “It has a sense of timelessness, like it’s always been here,” adds Bertelli, “but it doesn’t respond to what people think the West should be, but more what the West really is.”

To read full article, click here.

Featured: Ranch House Reinvigorated

2012-01-16T10:23:00.000-08:00

A dramatic makeover transforms a dreary mid-20th-century Aspen home into a bright and open setting for relaxed, sustainable living.

Architecture: Rowland + Broughton Architecture and Urban Design
Interior Design: John Bossard Design
Click here to learn about this project's products and pros.

Speak of a home with a sustainable or "green" sensibility, and what likely comes to mind is new construction using state-of-the-art materials and techniques. Sometimes, however, the greenest strategy of all can be doing less instead of more.

That was certainly the case for the remodel of a vintage 1960s, 3,000-square-foot ranch-style house in an established neighborhood of Aspen, Colorado. When their client bought the property, "he could have ripped down the house and built a large new one," says architect Sarah Broughton, a partner (with her husband, architect John Rowland) in the Aspen- and Denver-based firm Rowland + Broughton Architecture and Urban Design. But the owner prized the home's parklike grounds punctuated by mature fir and aspen trees, so rather than disturbing the surroundings he decided to fit the existing house to his lifestyle-one that includes a commitment to environmental responsibility.

That decision meant coming up with a plan for reinvigorating what Broughton describes as a "drab, uninspired, expected" dwelling while maintaining about 60 percent of its original walls and ceilings. "Remodeling in and of itself," observes Broughton, "is one of the most sustainable and green things you can do."

A bit of new construction, which added 600 square feet to the original interior living space, specifically addressed the way the owner wanted to live in his home. Ceilings were raised 41/2 feet above their original 8-foot height, and sunlight was pulled in through new clerestory windows and skylights that make the interiors feel airy and expansive. The once-separate kitchen, living room and dining rooms became one expansive great room that extends into outdoor entertaining areas through a wall of sliding windows. The master suite expanded with a sitting area, walk-in closet and more spacious bath. A structurally reinforced rooftop deck complete with spa and entertainment center made the home better suited for relaxed, gracious entertaining.

Dramatic though those changes may be, says Broughton, "we respected and kept the house's original lines." Indeed, the architectural changes, including a limestone wall that runs from the exterior entrance through the interiors and out the back of the home, serve to highlight the eloquent simplicity of the original ranch style.

Throughout the house, surfaces and finishes—selected in concert with interior designer John Bossard of Charlotte, North Carolina-based John Bossard Design—also enhance that contemporary reinterpretation of mid-century style. From beautifully grained floors and doors of sustainably farmed lyptus wood to indigenous marble from the nearby town of Marble, Colorado, to preweathered siding of durable Galvalume sheet steel, every material underscores the remodeled home's spare elegance.

A few select surfaces also reinforce the home's new emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. While the most prominent example is the dramatic wall of limestone-a material repeated on the kitchen backsplash-the connection is also made with the repeated use of striking black zinc on the chimney flue and the kitchen range hood.

Remodeling Tips from the Experts
Too often, homeowners embark on a home-remodeling project without adequate planning. Before you begin your own remodel, consider these tips from architect Sarah Broughton and interior designer John Bossard:

Work with the pros "Hiring an architect and an interior designer will give you the guidance you need for a well-spent dollar," says Bossard. "You'll feel more confident and comfortable making decisions, and you'll avoid problems that could be expensive."

Know the local rules Broughton emphasizes the importance of checking with your municipality or homeowners' association on rules, codes and zoning regulations concerning such issues as setbacks, heights, square footage and style requirements. "Do the due diligence, or have your architect do it for you," she says.

Have a budget and a plan "Know what you want to spend and work with your architect and designer to arrive at a plan," Broughton says. "Don't do it piecemeal," adds Bossard. "Creating a road map to follow will give you a clear perspective on what your finished project is going to be."

Remodeling with a Green Agenda
Architect Sarah Broughton shares her best advice for remodeling a home with sustainability in mind:

Don't do a tear-down. Take a good look at the existing space and determine what parts can be saved and built upon.

Save the landscaping. To maximize beauty, shelter, shade and cost savings, plan new construction around existing mature trees. "You pay a tremendous amount of money to chop down trees," Broughton says.

Improve insulation efficiency. Install new double-pane windows for "a big leap in efficiency that immediately impacts energy costs," Broughton says. To boost the efficiency of this Aspen home, she also specified a super-insulated roof from which virtually no heat escapes, and replaced an existing furnace that was only 70 percent energy-efficient with a new boiler/radiant-heat system rated 92 percent efficient.

Let the sunshine in. Maximize natural daylight illumination-in this case, new skylights, clerestory windows and sliding-glass doors let the light in-and you'll minimize the need for artificial lighting and, in turn, the money spent on energy bills.

Use durable, nonreflective roofing and siding. This Aspen home showcases metal siding and roofing material, an option that's highly durable and requires little maintenance. The metal's finish has low reflectivity, reducing heating and cooling costs, in the case of the roof, by as much as 40 percent.

Featured: Between a River and a Road

2012-01-16T09:25:00.000-08:00

Architect Tom Lenchek creates an energy-smart contemporary home fit for its spectacular Montana setting..

ARCHITECTURE BY BALANCE ASSOCIATES, ARCHITECTS

On a narrow bit of land between Montana’s Gallatin River and the highway to Big Sky, a contemporary home rises from the rugged landscape. Made of concrete, steel and glass, the 4,200-square-foot structure takes its cue from its surroundings: the drama of mountains, river and sky.
Architect Tom Lenchek and his team at Seattle-based Balance Associates, Architects, and homeowners Mike and Andrea Scholz recognized in the challenging site an opportunity to heighten their experience of Montana’s Big Sky country. And so they set about designing a structure with strong ties to the environment, not just in terms of its form but its function as well.

MOUNTAIN LIVING: How did the narrow site influence your design for this home?
Tom Lenchek: The house sits between a busy highway and the Gallatin River. Our goal was to capture specific views of the river and orient the house toward the sun, while shielding it from the busy highway. The solution was an angled shape.

ML: Did the home’s surroundings also inspire the materials palette?
TL: The setting is so dramatic that the house doesn’t need to do much. We wanted something robust-looking sitting in the rough landscape, and I like the mix of rough and sophisticated: concrete and steel with glass and wood. Our main goal was to connect the building to the environment by using the same materials for the interior and exterior. The concrete floor easily extends from the interiors to the outdoors, as does the wood ceiling. The structure dictated other interior finishes, such as the fir windows, as well.

To read full article, please click here.

Featured: Aplin Masonry

2012-01-16T09:17:00.000-08:00

Expertise, pride and fine craftsmanship—always artful and inventive—are the calling cards of Simon Aplin and his team of master masons and artisans. A master craftsman and mason and a stickler for detail, Simon is personally involved in the day-to-day progress of each client’s stone masterpiece.

“We bring our stone and masonry expertise to each collaboration in order to achieve our clients’ desires,” explains Simon, who, along with his expert foreman, carefully trains his line masons on state-of-the-art masonry practices and meticulously refines his process.

Simon’s goal is to deliver the finest product at the best value, and he takes great pride in each project being completed on time, on budget and flawlessly executed.

Aplin Masonry's work is recognized regionally, nationally and internationally. Their residential and commercial projects can be seen frequently in such esteemed publications as Mountain Living, Luxe Interiors + Design magazine, The Wall Street Journal and Architectural Digest.

Examples of Aplin Masonry’s fine stone masonry work can be seen here. To see more, visit www.aplinmasonry.com or call 970-708-0501.

Original article published here.

Client Testimonial for Debbie Evans from Durfeld Log Construction Ltd

2012-01-14T07:13:00.000-08:00

"Debbie Evans and her team at Whistler Interior Design were a pleasure to work with. The detail drawings derived from on-site measurements were complete, to scale, and could immediately be used to construct; no extra information was required. Debbie gave the client various options tailored to different price ranges, letting the customer choose the value to work towards. All specification sheets were organized and detailed, with layouts and colour pictures (where beneficial), removing any guess work by trades and therefore saving time and money. I highly recommend Debbie and her team, and see them as the benchmark for quality and professionalism in their industry. If more information is required, please contact me."

Julius Wohlgemuth
Project Manager
Durfeld Constructors
Whistler, BC

2012-01-13T22:27:00.001-08:00

Thinking Spring: Blossoming Branches

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More»

Browse Window Treatments on Houzz- For Example:

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Freshen Your Space for Spring

2012-01-13T22:13:00.000-08:00

In the midst of my spring cleaning routine I always look forward to finding new ways to refresh my home's decor. Rearranging and redecorating does wonders for lifting my spirits especially after a long winter. Something as simple as painting a room, switching out my drapes, or rolling up the area rug completely transforms my space without a complete overhaul. The following spaces illustrate my point and provides easy solutions for inviting spring into your home.

Accent a wall with a dose energetic color and pattern. The checkered yellow-green wallpaper helps to maintain the energetic mood of this room even on a dreary day.

Invigorate a quiet space with a juicy, orange lamp. Going bold with accent lamps allows you the opportunity to experience color without making a big investment.

When the seasons change, replace your fall accessories with those relating to spring. Fresh green accents are prominent in this space through the artwork, toss pillows and centerpiece. With a new season comes a bounty of lush color. Allow your home to reflect that.

Cool hues in combination with a high ceiling makes this bedroom feel ethereal. Rooms painted in coastal hues can make you think the beach is so near you almost feel a breeze.

Get a Jump on the Season With a Bright Accent or Touch of the Sun. Read full article here.

Straight From the Runway: Yellows and Greens

2012-01-13T22:04:00.000-08:00

As we've seen from my recent ideabooks, as well as those from other Houzz contributors, there was no shortage of color and pattern at this year's New York Fashion Week. For my third and final installation of stories about Fashion Week, I'd like to explore the bold and ultra-chic combination (we're thinking ahead to Spring 2012, after all) of yellow and green.

More Straight from the Runway: Orange and Pink, The Blues to Use at Home

Gray is the perfect neutral base to build an exciting color palette on. The light gray runway at Oscar de la Renta's Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear show made for a wonderful blank canvas to showcase such inspiring garments as this flouncy, grassy frock.

So many of us opt for neutrals on walls, floors and large pieces of furniture with the intention of introducing color through accessories. But often, bright throw pillows and vases look out of place in a sea of gray, beige or greige. Combat blandness with a statement piece (in a statement color), like this womb chair. While it may feel like this really commits you to a certain color, remember that you can always reupholster or swap out a single piece of furniture like this, should you tire of it. (But, I don't think you will).

Yellow seems to be the reason for the season (well, next spring season) and that's OK by me! Nothing says "spring" like yellow, whether in homes or in garments. I especially like mixing yellow with unexpected colors, like green, for the ultimate fresh look. Carolina Herrera showed a lovely and sophisticated line featuring yellow as a base with green accents.

Something about this entry made me think of this getup by Oscar de la Renta. In both looks, modernity and edginess are tempered with softness in the form of florals. This is easy to achieve in your home with one or two small changes: the right rug, a little topiary, some smashing art — you don't have to overhaul the whole room to make a bug splash.

On the other end of the spectrum, if you love green but don't want to feel like you're living in Kermit's Palace, use several shades and hues to give your space depth. Dark hunter greens, bright leafy greens and softer, citrus yellow-greens layer beautifully in both home and fashion, as illustrated by this tropical number from Blugirl.

2012-01-13T21:58:00.001-08:00

Spring Planting: Wonderful Wisteria

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Browse Bath Products on Houzz- For Example:

Bath Mats · Bathroom Sinks · Bathroom Storage · Bathroom Tile · Bathroom Vanities And Sink Consoles · Shower Caddies · Shower Curtains · Towels ·

2012-01-13T21:57:00.001-08:00

Fall Asleep in a Bed of Flowers

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More»

Browse Storage And Organization on Houzz- For Example:

Bookcases Cabinets And Computer Armoires · Clothes And Shoes Organizers · Coat Stands And Umbrella Stands · Hall Trees · Hooks And Hangers · Medicine Cabinets · Shoeracks · Storage Boxes ·

Spring Color in the Kitchen

2012-01-13T21:56:00.000-08:00

The forecast calls for cold rain this weekend in many parts of the country. Sadly, it's nothing new around these parts, where everyone's rain boots and umbrellas having been getting a major workout thanks to what seems like an eternity of soggy days. Spring, are you here yet? I know that rather than frolicking around in the sun come Saturday, I'll instead be inside, probably whipping up some stew or baking cookies — anything to keep dry and warm.

If I can't yet go outdoors to appreciate the vibrant colors starting to bloom, I'll have to bring them inside to the kitchen instead. If you're also in need of a little seasonal pick-me-up in your home, these colorful cooking spaces could provide the inspiration you need to get ready for spring.

Shades of light blue the color of a bright spring sky perk up even the most dreary of days.

A fresh green gingham tablecloth and flower-flecked curtains make this kitchen look like spring personified.

Open shelves display cookware in a spectrum of colors, while the sky blue backsplash and counters make for a cool balance to all the warm wood tones.

A yellow backsplash and a rainbow of chairs perk up this white kitchen. When the weather finally changes, the wall of windows will invite plenty of sunshine in.

Browse more design photos here.

10 Tips for Using Outdoor Fire Bowls

2012-01-13T21:45:00.000-08:00

High summer's the perfect time of year to sit outside late into the evening, and nothing makes that better than the cheeriness and warmth of a fire. But if you don't want to spend megabucks on an outdoor fireplace and don't want to spend hours stacking bricks and slathering them with mortar to build a permanent fire-pit, what are you to do?

Fire bowls are the answer. They can be as low-tech as a big fireproof bowl for burning real wood or they can be fueled by propane, natural gas or clean-burning gel. Either way, instead of spending your time on installation, you get to spend your time enjoying the ambience. Here are a few tips to be sure you don't also enjoy a visit from the fire department.

Gravel ground cover, four lounge chairs and a free-standing fire bowl is all it took to create a lovely spot for late-night chats in this clearing in the woods.

Tip 1: Consult with building officials, local codes and certified professionals before installing a fire bowl no matter what it uses for fuel — wood, natural gas, propane or gel. Codes vary from city to city so not all of the bowls pictured in this ideabook may be legal in your area. Check, check, check!

The simplicity of a fire bowl submerged up to its rim in the sand lends itself to the serene atmosphere in this outdoor sitting area. This one is wood burning, but it could also be fueled via natural gas or a propane tank out of view. For gas you would need to run a gas line to it, but the time spent setting it up pays off in ease of use. Just turn it on, light it and you're good to go!

Tip 2: Make sure the area right around your bowl is clear of branches or foliage that could catch fire. A good rule of thumb would be to allow at least six feet of cleared space from the bowl — but again, check what is required in your area.

Okay, this isn't a bowl, it is a concrete fire pit. But I included it because the cover over the fire is so decorative!

Tip 3: Most fire bowls made for burning real wood come with a mesh cover. Once your fire is lit and has burned down a little, be sure to use the screen. This keeps sparks from floating out of the bowl and any flammable debris from blowing in to the bowl.

8 Elements of a Perfect Outdoor Dining Room

2012-01-13T21:37:00.000-08:00

Summer is fast approaching (faster in some parts of the country) and now is the time to start planning for entertaining outside on those late summer evenings. An outdoor dining area is a perfect setting for a dinner party, and if planned correctly, a wonderful setting for the evening repast throughout the year. Here are 6 things to think about when creating your perfect outdoor dining space.

1. Light your table for ambience. A light source above or near your table allows for an enjoyable gathering past sundown. By placing this dining table under the metal canopy, these homeowners were able to also hang a chandelier above their table. The simple solution makes this space that much more enjoyable (and usable) as the early evening turns to night.

For a simpler alternative, a string of lights around the underside of a market umbrella provides ample light.

2. Protect the table from the elements. Most of us live in a part of the country in which we have some type of weather to deal with on a daily basis. It might be a late afternoon rain shower or searing mid-day sun. Whatever it is, covering the outdoor dining room is a way to make it into a space that can be used most of the year.

In this space, the drapery adds an extra layer of protection while softening the hard lines of the structure. The chandelier provides nice light for late evening parties.

3. Consider the outdoor dining room as a destination spot. This purely modern structure sits in a parklike setting surrounded by large trees and an expansive pool. By placing it away from the house, it becomes a destination for your guests. The particular design of this structure is reminiscent of an old drive-thru. It's time to gather the family and just hang out.

Liked it? Follow article originally published here.

Architect's Toolbox: A Room Within a Room

2012-01-13T21:26:00.000-08:00

Architects and designers sometimes create a room within a room to reduce the scale and provide a more intimate setting — nesting a space within a space, a little like Shaker nesting boxes and Russian matryoshka dolls.

The grandest example of all is St. Peter's baldachin at the Vatican. Here Bernini's sculptural room sits within the great space of the cathedral, breaking down the vastness of the space while providing the stage for religious activities. Open on all sides and covered, the baldachin's four columns and roof define a most intimate and sacred of spaces.

So the next time you get under the covers of your four-poster bed or engage in a conversation in an inglenook by the fire, remember that you're enjoying the type of space architects have been creating for centuries.

A four-poster bed can be a simple and contemporary design and still create an intimate space in a large room.

A contemporary interpretation of the idea has the bed in a room defined by sheer fabric hanging from a raised ceiling.

A large living area can be enriched by a smaller room within. While the piano sits in the larger volume space, columns and a change in ceiling height create a more intimate conversation area.

Using a screen of columns at the side of a room creates an intimate place to read while maintaining connection to the larger room.

Browse for more photos here.

10 Ways to Make a Room Bloom

2012-01-13T10:38:00.000-08:00

While most of the country is still deeply entrenched in winter weather, I'm ready for a little spring! A great way to bring a bit of sunshine into your home during all year is to include floral prints in the design scheme of your rooms. While this might conjure up thoughts of your grandmother's house, floral prints are often a key element in updated homes featuring modern charm.

A floral area rug introduces virtually the only pattern seen in this room, and here it is the element that brings the design to the next level.

Rooms that mix two distinct prints can be visually dynamic. Here is a room that does just this through floral drapery panels that are mixed with a large scale zigzag rug.

This is one of the most intriguing uses of a floral print I have ever seen. A ledge placed on the wall above a stove divides the area in half, with tile lining the lower section and a print the upper portion. It is an interesting approach that works.

The large-scale floral print centered across the valances and featured on the drapery panels creates an interesting contrast against the Union Jack pillow and zebra print rug.

How do you use floral print in your home?

View full article here.

January: The Perfect Time to Build a Potting Station

2012-01-13T10:32:00.000-08:00

It's January, the dead of winter, and most plants and trees are hunkered down awaiting those first warm days of spring. Gardeners may not be outside digging in the ground or pulling weeds, but rest assured they are busy plotting and planning their strategy for the upcoming growing season. Many are poring over all the seed catalogs that have been arriving in the mail this month, jotting down selections and placing their orders. Did you know January is "National Mail-Order Gardening Month?" Placing your orders now will ensure the best discounts from the mail-order seed companies.

January is also a great time to work on gardening projects you may have been putting off during the busy days of summer, like that potting bench or potting station for which you've been longing. Here are a few to get those potting station ideas germinating.

If you have a mudroom or back hallway, consider finding a spot for an old buffet or cabinet that can be converted into a potting station. If it's in the budget and the layout is feasible, include a sink for easy cleanup.

Have an old twin or full-size bed you are no longer using? The headboard or footboard could make a great backdrop for your potting bench. What a whimsical and fun way to recycle an old bed!

Recently, I had the opportunity to tour the Southern Living Idea House in Senoia, Georgia. The home was surrounded on all levels with wonderful outdoor rooms and spaces. This seating area, hidden behind a brick wall in a cozy courtyard, was just off the terrace level family room. If you look closely, you can just see a charming potting station in the little alcove just beyond.

What's your idea of the perfect potting bench? Read full article here.

Get Artful with Artichokes

2012-01-13T10:25:00.000-08:00

Mmm, artichokes. Out here in California the season is upon us, and I for one couldn't be more pleased. It's safe to say I've got those prickly buggers on my mind, because in addition to adding them to my grocery list, I've been seeing them all over Houzz. From literal piles of the vegetables to houses painted in the same green hue, it's time they come out of the garden and into our decor.

Browse more photos here.

2012-01-13T10:19:00.001-08:00

14 Picture-Perfect Playhouses

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2012-01-13T10:17:00.001-08:00

It's Cold. We're Cranky. Buy Some Flowers!

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Spring-Summer Collection: Roche-Bobois

2012-01-12T11:01:00.000-08:00

Roche-Bobois is a French furniture company that has just released its 2009 Spring-Summer collection of living room furniture which seems to lay heavy emphasis on the vivid colours that reflect the season.

"To be contemporary is to live with the times and feel at home in an ever changing world. And there is no better way to feel comfortable than to open up to the aspirations, dreams and doubts that shape the world you live in. Architects, designers and craftsmen give shape to these influences. Our Les Contemporains Collection strives to take you home to the modern world."

Click here for more design photos.

Gorgeous Bachelor Pad Ideas

2012-01-12T10:53:00.000-08:00

Bachelor pads have a reputation of being either extremely stark or on the mismatched messy side, so we have put together this bag of tricks to help refine the man den.
The home entertainment zone is ever present in a bachelor pad, so get it right with enough stylish storage to house all your gadgets, and always hide away ugly wiring. If you’re not a collector of knickknacks, textured wall panels add personality to a living space, though do try to break up collections of books with some softer forms to create a more visually pleasing shelf display. Plenty of shelving for music and magazines keeps the place tidy and organized, and smart storage hides away junk in a flash, choose furniture of just a few shades for a pulled together cohesive look.

Furniture pieces should not hug the walls or be condemned to one level. Move the sofa toward the centre room, it actually creates the illusion of a larger space, and don’t forget to utilize the full height of your room with wall mounted units.

Photographs and artwork personalize a home, and plants always soften a space, making it look lived in and looked after.

Continue reading here.

Luxury Living Rooms: Ideas & Inspiration from Roche Bobois

2012-01-12T10:37:00.000-08:00

With images that look as though they are ready to pop out of the screen, French furniture company Roche Bobois entices us with their new range of luxury furniture for the living room. Much like the 2009 set which we featured a while back, the company stays true to its high color-high impact philosophy. Roche Bobois ropes in rock star designers to create its furniture and they encourage them to give each piece a personality.

According to them:

"A Roche Bobois furniture piece is above all furniture with a unique character, inspired by multiple personalities: The personality of the creator who designed it, with his sense of talent and ingenuity, and your personal touch of freedom and creativity. Customization in any detail, choice of shapes, colors, leathers, woods and finishes… Each furniture piece becomes unique, exclusive and truly created for you."

You would hardly call any of these traditional living but if you are the type who doesn’t mind standing out (or paying that extra dollar) you would find this very interesting. View full article here.

Wooden Apartment in Hong Kong

2012-01-12T10:02:00.000-08:00

Take a look at the G Seven home renovation by Fixonic in upper class Braemar Hill, at the south of North Point on the Hong Kong Island. This home is decorated with contemporary wood paneling to the interior spaces, with the grain flowing continuously between living areas, and cladding furniture such as the home office built in desks and storage bank.

Article originally published here. Click to view more photos.

Bedrooms from Roche Bobois

2012-01-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

In this article we take a look at some high end bedroom sets by French furniture company Roche Bobois. Whilst not many of us have the scale of home to fully replicate the Roche Bobois visions (and some of us would not choose an open sided bedroom by a chilly lake!), we can certainly draw from their well of style.
With a strong penchant for the platform bed, most of the creations are rather modern, but there are designs to suit everything from a contemporary utilitarian space, to a more traditionally ornate chateau ambiance. The collection covers the spectrum with a selection of materials, predominantly woods with some softer upholstered finishes thrown in. The gloss furniture finish reflects more light, ideal for smaller spaces, and for when we own a less fish bowl-like bedchamber than those depicted! The matching bedsides and dressers create a cohesive look, and allow you to add the color and pattern to your space in your own way via wall treatments, accessories and accent furnishings.

Like it? Follow this article here.

2012-01-12T09:36:00.001-08:00

Design Dilemma: Lightening Up a Kitchen

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Natural Beauty: Gorgeous, Unpainted Wood Doors

2012-01-12T09:35:00.000-08:00

When I fantasize about owning a home someday, I often think about finding some charming fixer-upper with gorgeous wooden doors throughout the house. Maybe it's because I've spent so many years living in rentals with cheap hollow-core doors. Some may dream about kitchen islands or clawfoot tubs, but I'm in love with wood doors, unpainted so you can appreciate their natural wood grain. Here's what I mean:

The curved top of this wooden door only adds to its charm. I picture this doorway to a bedroom in a sweet New England cottage.

This sliding wood door is way more than a functional way to separate the dining room from the living room. It's a gorgeous element in the space. The dark wood and the paned glass add tons of character.

I love this idea. The sliding wood door is made of unstained reclaimed wood, and it's set against a wall paneled with the same reclaimed wood. So this barn door blends in, making the wall and door look like one visual element.

This Dutch door adds country charm to the space. And opening the top of the door keeps the kitchen from feeling isolated and adds more of an open floor-plan feel.

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9 Ways to Enjoy Your Home Office More

2012-01-12T09:09:00.000-08:00

If you work from home, you know how important your home office is to your everyday life. But, just like any office space, at home or elsewhere, it’s easy to let important aspects like functionality and organization fall to the wayside during hectic workdays.

If you feel like your home office is hitting a rut, it may be time to assess its current state for the new year. You may need just a simple improvement, like adding a bulletin board to corral important papers, or maybe a larger change, like replacing your desk with one more complementary to its surroundings. Here are 9 tips for improving your home office this year.

Hang bulletin and dry-erase boards. Office life is full of important papers and quick ideas, and you want accessible places to put them before they escape into the ether. Instead of cluttering your desk with papers and throwing ideas on easy-to-lose Post-Its, do yourself a favor and put a bulletin board and dry-erase board within easy reach.

De-clutter. Start things off on the right foot by removing everything that you don't use. Throw away things you haven’t touched in a year, and file away important papers or items sitting in piles throughout your space. You will be able to tackle your workload much more efficiently in a clean office.

Assess your office chair. If you find you leave your office chair at the end of the day with an ache somewhere, it is definitely time to swap it out. It’s possible you’re spending hours sitting in this chair, so the correct ergonomic fit is a must. Test out several and look for one that you can adjust to fit your body and support it appropriately.

Fill your office with the things you love. Your office space isn’t all about work: It should also be about the things that inspire or motivate you. Whatever those pieces are, make sure they are in plain sight. But don’t go overboard, you don’t want to break the “excess clutter” rule!

Let in the light. Sunlight is much softer and calmer than fluorescent, and is said to help create a more productive workplace. Try to move your desk as close to windows as possible so you can take advantage of the natural light during the day.

More: Browse home office photos

2012-01-12T08:59:00.000-08:00

Modern Gable-Style Homes

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Cohesive Interiors Shaped by Geometrix

2012-01-11T06:42:00.000-08:00

Russian firm Geometrix put emphasis on conceptual geometry, whimsical shapes and exciting volume, and this design by the Moscow based firm is no exception.

This beautiful example of modern living sees cohesive color and materials throughout, allowing one space to flow to the next. A symmetrical, rectilinear kitchen keeps the space uncomplicated, in continuity with other zones in the house, leaving the curvilinear forms to the open living area in which a chrome arc light and pendants emulate the elliptical shape of the unusual chairs. Tones from the same palette create depth and layering in the lounge, and scatter cushions merge rather than pop.

Ergonomics are ignored in the bathroom, seeing a streamlined runway of squared off sanitary ware, for a clean and futuristic look. In the bedroom, an oversized headboard bridges the layout, continuing up to and over the ceiling, flanked by high gloss panels that back the contemporary bedside units; the overall effect is stunning and creates a sense of sanctuary. Accessories are kept minimal, the floor color light, and all furniture ‘floats’ to ensure the wrapped space maintains an airy feel.

Will this geometric design shape your next interior?

Did you like this article? See here.

Could This Be Ashton Kutcher’s New Home?

2012-01-11T06:29:00.000-08:00

Feed your eyes on this feast of architecture and home design, rumored to be a potential new abode for actor(entrepreneur, 2.5 man) Ashton Kutcher. The 9,385 square foot mansion is located high in the Hollywood Hills, blessed with spectacular views of Lake Hollywood and the culturally iconic sign, visible beyond walls of retractable glass.

The contemporary five bedroom dream home boasts eight bathrooms, a ‘floating’ dining room, state-of-the-art screening room, and a fitness & massage room. The house also makes full use of the Hollywood heat, enjoying an infinity-edged swimming pool with elevated spa, and a number of outdoor rooms perched on cantilevered decks or far reaching patios with extensive built in fire pits.

If you’d like to get in a last minute bid before Ashton snaps it up, the privately situated residence is listed for lease at $50,000, or for sale at an impressive asking price of $10,800,000!

Article originally published here.

Beautiful All White House With Pool

2012-01-11T06:10:00.000-08:00

With its stunning pool and impeccable style, The Sotogrande House is fit for a celebrity. The credit for its design goes to Spanish architectural firm A-cero. The design is fresh and exciting and you can’t stop but admire how serene the whole home looks. White dominates throughout and except for this minor(?) challenge of keeping it that way we really can’t find anything else to crib about this fabulous home.

Browse for more photos of this house here.