The idea of a “smart home” gained visibility over a decade ago with Bill Gates’ Washington home. Gates’ estate is worth over $160 Million, but you can implement similar advances into your home for a whole lot less. Here are some fun and practical tech features for your home:

• Remote home-monitoring. Homeowners can control their appliances and lighting from their pcs or cell phones.
• Security. Video feeds can be monitored via mobile devices. Sensors can also alert people on their mobile device. One company offering this service is Homesite.
• Underwater music. Bill Gates’ home has an underwater music system and so do hotels like The Unique in Sao Paulo. We predict that soon this technology will we widely available for homes.
• Archos TV. This wireless keyboard remote is Android capable and even has gesture control. It was featured at the CEDIA Electronics Show, which shows many of the latest tech developments.

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Image via Shutterstock

There is no point in serving a banquet of local sustainable foods in a room laden with non-sustainable design elements. Sustainable interior design ensures a comprehensive integration of sustainable elements in every room of the home – all of which work to complement one another.

photo via architecturaldigest.com

Architectural Digest highlighted some of the stunning tabletop designs featured at the 15th- annual “Dining by Design” fundraiser – Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids (DIFFA). The event was hosted by AD and featured multiple examples of sustainable dining room design.

One of the most notable designs, especially in terms of sustainability, was Ralph Lauren’s home installation. It is a wonderful example of the importance of design continuity. Built for a log cabin, the Lauren dining table was designed by Alfredo Paredes. It is constructed from rough-hewn timber, and resides underneath an antler chandelier, and earth-toned cushions and table coverings, which all play into the homey feel of a rustic family cabin.

Sustainable tables focus on using recycled/reused materials, minimal finish – or low-VOC pigments – and should serve as a complement to existing interior design themes. For more information on how to implement sustainable design in your dining room, contact Trilogy Builders – expert sustainable builders for over 15- years.

The holiday season tends to put everyone into a festive spirit. As much as it is known for receiving gifts, it’s also known for the act of gift giving itself. We tend to feel more generous and selfless during the holiday season as we reflect upon ourselves, our friends, our family and the year that has past. If you have an interest in Colorado architecture, then this should put you in the right mood for this article at the Architizer Blog.

The article lists and describes ten design projects that were instituted to benefit the common good. All of them are quite noteworthy; for example, number eight’s The Gates Foundations’s Inaugural Toilet Festival. As humorous as it sounds, legendary multi-billionaire Bill Gates had his thoughts firmly planted on our sustainability. He issued a multi-million dollar challenge to anyone who could create a toilet that wasn’t dependent on plumbed water, a sewer system or electricity. Someone came forward with a self-cleaning, solar powered toilet that turns urine and waste into hydrogen and fertilizer!

Check out the rest of the design projects listed at Architizer Blog that will help return your faith in our ability to do less damage to our environment, and share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Source: Architizer

Ever since our inception in 1998, we have become well known for our unique and innovative design and construction projects throughout the Colorado mountain region. We take great pride in our work as a Colorado builder, and even more pride in working with our clients in order to achieve their aims. This has led us to receiving achievements such as the Summit County Builder of the Year in 2007 as well as the Summit County Parade of Homes Premier Award Winner.

One of the reasons we receive such recognition is due to our commitment to sustainability in our building projects. Our custom built homes are not only some of the most energy efficient homes in the area, but some of the most energy efficient homes in the entire country as well. We use some of the most innovative sustainable technologies available, combining it with our home design, which consists of practicality as well as style.

Although we pride ourselves in our hard work ethic and innovative ideas and practices, none of it is possible without our clients. We wish to thank you for your business, your trust and your friendship, and we wish you happy holidays from Trilogy Partners!

As the New Year approaches, you are probably wondering what kind of design trends are going to develop throughout next year. One design trend that is sure to continue is the use of sustainable design. Both commercial and private buildings will continue to use green design elements in their construction to help limit the amount of damage they do to the environment as well as to help be as energy efficient as possible.

The value of green building has become more obvious to both homeowners and commercial building owners. In 2005, green building was worth around $10 billion. This number has grown to an estimated $85 billion over the last year and is projected to rise to around $98 to $106 billion. People understand the value of being green. Not only are they benefiting the environment, but they are becoming more energy efficient. This allows them to save on energy costs. According to the Dodge Construction Green Outlook report conducted by McGraw-Hill Construction, 44% of all of next year’s construction is expected to use sustainable design.

The use of sustainable design will continue to grow in popularity over the next year due to the associated environmental friendliness and energy savings.

Source: Construction.com, Google Images

A fresh mountain house, featured in Architectural Digest, holds lessons for those wanting a rustic residence that is updated and individualistic. The space, by Michael S. Smith, is shown in the images below. Here’s what we like about the mountain home:

• A zone for each activity. The dining table is set in its own space, with its own access to the outdoors. Though the home has no formal dining room, it clearly indicates which activity is to be performed where. A rectangular light fixture and rectangular rug further define the dining zone and echo the shape of the dining table.

Image via Architectural Digest. Photo: Roger Davies.

• No clutter. A mountain home should be focused on the notable terrain, with clear views and copious daylight. Clutter is a distraction.

Image via Architectural Digest. Photo: Roger Davies.

• Natural materials. A mountain home can compliment its surroundings with natural materials. This lesson applies to both traditional and modern mountain homes.

Image via Architectural Digest. Photo: Roger Davies.

This isn’t the only fresh mountain house that Architectural Digest has written about. Click here to read the AD article about a Steamboat home by Trilogy Partners!

After extensive surveys and market research, Pantone has named Emerald 2013 Color of the Year. The classically elegant color will be seen in fashion, home fashion, and (we predict) architecture. One look below and it’s easy to see why.

Image via Pantone

Image via Pantone

The selection has garnered attention in national publications such as The Wall Street Journal, which reported that:

The annual color proclamation is closely followed by the design industry, and emerald is already starting to show up across a wide swath of products—clothes, dishes, furniture and even cars…Deep greens took off on fashion runways in the spring 2013 collections.

Image via Pantone

Emerald is notable because it pairs well with both warm and cool hues. While homeowners are not all going to run out and re-design their entire residence around the color, we could certainly see it working well for a pillow here and a throw there.

Translating an outdoor aesthetic to an indoor décor can be daunting. The proper use of windows and open space can certainly aid in the task, but rustic home furnishings are integral to the entire design. In many ways, Bleu Nature fully expresses this sensibility with its furniture, light fixtures and accessories.

Bleu Nature offers a stunning variety of styles that capture the essence of nature. You can feel the rhythm of nature in one of their utterly unique Vibration Climatique series or comfortably ensconce yourself in one of their wood and leather hybrid sofas that infuses rustic design with simple, modern lines.

While the furniture in a room will be the focal point, Bleu Nature does not ignore the importance of lighting and accessories. There are literally dozens of inventive and sublimely beautiful lamps, sconces and other lighting fixtures in their catalogue. In addition, they have any number of mirrors, table pieces and objets d’arts that will complete the look of your room.

A home is a reflection of the owner and their personality. If the outdoors is truly your playground, then, perhaps, rustic home furnishings are the ideal decorating choice for you.

We wanted to take an opportunity to show our appreciation to all of our clients through the years. We want to thank you for entrusting us to build the home of your dreams. Whether you reside in Colorado or Hawaii, we are grateful for the loyalty you have shown us by keeping us in mind for your future projects.

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Trilogy Partners.

The December issue of House Beautiful, on newsstands November 20th, is highlighting the most talked about design trends for 2013. The Huffington Post got an exclusive on “the next big design trends” a little early and gave it’s readers a sneak peek in yesterday’s Home section.

Here are some of the predictions made in House Beautiful.

1. The return of classic fabrics

Photo via Pinterest

2. Brass is Back

Photo via Pinterest

3. “Elegant Room Dividers”

Photo via Huffington Post

4. High Gloss

Photo via Pinterest

5. “Realistic Runway Fabric”

Photo via Huffington Post

What do you think about the latest design trends for 2013? What would you like to see make a comeback in 2013?