As we move into the month of August, we realize that little time remains of summer here in Colorado. Now is the time to head outdoors and experience the beautiful temperate climate. If you are looking for some shade from the summer sun though, try installing an overhang or canopy.  A canopy or overhang not only offers protection from the blazing sun, but a little privacy as well.

Take shelter this summer with these outdoor canopy ideas.

Photo via Interior Holic

Photo via Houzz

Photo via Elle Decor

Photo via Interior Holic

Photo via Interior Holic

How do you escape the summer sun in your backyard?

Another imported style given to us by the British is English Country Cottage. This style is a bit rustic and romantic. Think shabby chic– botanical prints, overstuffed furniture, collectibles displayed on worn antiques. English Country Cottage style is comfortable living at its finest.

Doorways are typically arched or rounded and fireplaces are characteristically large stone or brick. The design should be subtle and yet cozy.

Here are some charming English Country Cottage designs below.

Photo via Pinterest

Photo via Pinterest

Photo via Pinterest

Photo via Pinterest

The opening ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London took the viewer through the Pastoral lifestyle of the British, into the Industrial Revolution and ending in today’s era of technology. Along the way there were other important periods that influenced the world.  One being the influences of the British Empire during the reign of Queen Victoria.

British Colonial style is what happens when you mix exotic cultures with Victorian style design. As the British colonized the world, from America to India and the West Indies, they left a distinct style behind. This worldly and timeless design was influenced by the climate and cultures of the places the British inhabited. And British Colonial style was created.

These design elements include rich mahogany wood, rattan and bamboo accents, plantation shutters, tropical plants, overhead ceiling fans and colorful fabrics. Furnishings were also created for travel. These pieces, called campaign furniture, were easily folded and collapsible to fit inside trunks.

Here’s a look at British Colonial Style.

Photo via Pinterest

Photo via Pinterest

Photo via Pinterest

Photo via Pinterest

Tonight is the night, the 2012 London Olympics begins this evening. Here in Colorado we tend to be bigger fans of the Winter Games, but we are still excited to watch some of the events like swimming, soccer and Cycling- BMX, which makes it’s second appearance in the Olympic Games in London.

So with all the recent talk we’ve done with the Olympic venues, we thought we’d take a look today at British style and architecture as a whole. Houzz has recently highlighted the “Secrets of a Quintessential English Home” and we wanted to share some of their findings.

Throughout the next two weeks we’ll highlight one particular style and help you achieve that look in your home.

First up is “English high style.” Think a modern day Downtown Abbey. Antiques, heirlooms, that sort of thing.

As you can see muted tones and statement lighting is a must.

Photo via Remodelista

Photo via Remodelista

Photo via Remodelista

Now this kitchen is lacking some of today’s necessities, but it is still quite charming.

Photo via Remodelista

Stay tuned as we explore the look of the English Country Cottage.

Much has said about the city of London leading up to Friday’s opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games. As athletes, the media and attendees descend on the city, we want to take a look at London’s part in making this the greenest games in the history of the Olympics. Our friends at Inhabitat take a look at three of the main venues to see if London has lived up to the hype.

First, lets start with Olympic Stadium, the site for the opening and closing ceremonies.

London 2012 Olympic Stadium

This venue  is the lightest Olympic Stadium ever built, using just a tenth of the steel required to build Beijing’s “Bird’s Nest”. Although it’s aesthetic has been brought into question, it’s sustainability is considered head and shoulders above the competition.

The Velodrome, known affectionately as “The Pringle”, is the one of the greenest Olympic venues. According to Smart Planet, “The structure was designed with simple, affordable materials in mind, and the building has met or exceeded the Olympic Delivery Authority’s sustainability targets. Only 100 tons of steel were used, a tiny sum compared to the 3,000 used in the Aquatics Center that is roughly the same size.”

Photo via Inhabitat

All eyes will be on the Aquatics Center this year for the Michael Phelps-Ryan Lochte match-up. Inhabitat states that “The 866,000 ceramic tiles used for the changing rooms, pools and the poolside were delivered by train straight to the Olympic Park reducing transport emissions further – the organizers want to ensure that at least 50% of all construction materials are transported by water or rail.”

Photo via Inhabitat

Did London live up to the hype? Do you think it did it’s part in making these Olympic games the greenest we’ve seen?

Want to give your home a look which is a blend of rustic as well as modern in design? Exposed wooden beams can easily create that unique mountain contemporary design you are searching for.

Take a look at how wooden beams can transform a space.

The wooden beams used in this kitchen were painted white to open up the space.

Photo via MoCo Loco

We love all the exposed beams in this living room. They were left in their natural state to add to the authenticity of the look.

Photo via Pinterest

Wooden beams are especially prevalent in the Rocky Mountain region. We have often used exposed beams in many of our designs.

Trilogy Partners

Mix up the texture in the space by adding a stone fireplace surround or stone accent wall.

Trilogy Partners

Trilogy Partners

Want a mountain contemporary look for your home? Give Trilogy Partners in Breckenridge, Colorado a call at 970-453-2230.

Ever wanted to ask a trailblazer of the past questions regarding their work? What if that trailblazer is an innovator of Frank Lloyd Wright’s caliber? Jody Brown of Houzz composes several questions that he’d like to ask the renowned architect in “A Few Things I Would Like to Ask Frank Lloyd Wright.” From questions about his clothing choices to his affinity to low ceilings, Brown questions leaves us asking “What would you ask your design hero?”.

Photo via Houzz

Read Brown’s article at Houzz.com.

The Tour de France is still going on on the other side of the Atlantic, but we are already thinking ahead to Colorado’s version of the Tour de France, the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. The most demanding bike race on U.S. soil, the USA Pro Cycling Challenge pits the racers not only against each other, but they have to battle Colorado’s tough mountain terrain. With high altitudes and steep downhill peaks, the Colorado Rocky Mountains are a whole new competitor for the racers to combat.

Stage 1 of the race begins in Durango and Telluride on Monday, August 20th. With over 683 miles to cover the bike race concludes in Denver on Sunday, August 26th. Breckenridge will be host to Stage 5 as the racers summit Hoosier Pass at 11,500 feet.

“After winning the Tour de France last year and seeing the enthusiasm of the fans, I didn’t think anything could match it, but then I came to Colorado,”says  reigning Tour de France champion Cadel Evans. “Seeing the huge crowds that were along the route supporting us at the USA Pro Challenge was remarkable.”

Will you be there cheering on the racers? For more information about USA Pro Cycling Challenge visit usaprocyclingchallenge.com.

One design trend that appears to be on the rise for affluent homeowners is home libraries. According to the Wall Street Journal, “Affluent homeowners are buying quality books in quantity to amass collections for private personal libraries.”

Photo via WSJ

One thing that sets apart today’s home libraries is their functionality. Although the walls are still paneled with shelves of books, the interior spaces are designed for more than a place to kick back and curl up with your favorite book. These libraries house a dining table, where guests can discuss their current read over dinner; a “playroom library”, where kids can immerse themselves with books instead of electronics; and custom bound books to match the aesthetic of the space.

Photo via WSJ

Looking to build a library in your home? Give Trilogy Partners a call at 970-453-2230

Help us help them

Trilogy Partners and Rower Airshows are having a silent auction for 3 open cockpit airplane rides at a minimum bid of $300 per ride all proceeds benefit the victims of the Waldo Canyon wildfire near Colorado Springs. To place your bid attend the Meet the Pilots After-party at 3pm July 4 at 233 South Ridge Street (refreshments will be served on the rear deck) or email your offer to info@trilogybuilds.com. (We are also accepting smaller donations.)

With the assistance of the Summit Foundation we will be aiding victims directly impacted by the Waldo Canyon fire, specifically the more than 300 families of the Mountain Shadow Subdivision who lost their homes.

Auction winners will be notified by July 6, 2012.

Take the Ride of Your Life

Take the ride of a lifetime with Highest Show on Earth Pilot Gary Rower in his airshow Stearman Biplane. Strap on your parachute and see the mountains like you’ve never seen them before, from an open cockpit biplane. For the adventurous, try some of the same maneuvers you saw during the show or just lean over the side and wave to the folks in town… at 120 MPH! 

You may have flown in an airliner. You may have flown in a little airplane or a corporate jet but until you’ve flown an in antique biplane you’ve really never left the ground. You’ve seen them in movies and you watched the airshow now experience a once in a lifetime opportunity and take a ride with Gary in his 1942 Airshow Stearman.