In today’s technology-crazed world more and more people are getting their news on their readily available tablet.  Now you can also get the latest in design trends and interactive floor plans with the flick of your finger. Architectural Digest is bringing their incredible library of inspirational designs and editorial features right to your iPad, Kindle Fire and NOOKTablet.

“Developing the tablet edition of Architectural Digest has been so exciting, because it’s enabled us to completely transform our editorial features for a new platform,” says Margaret Russell, editor in chief of Architectural Digest magazine. “This isn’t a basic PDF replica of our pages—we’ve redesigned our September content specifically for the iPad and other tablets. Our readers can experience the lush photographs AD has always been known for, but the tablet edition also offers exclusive images, interactive floor plans, and special videos. Now readers can access the world of AD in print, online, and on the tablet—literally anywhere and at any time.”

The digital version is FREE to current print subscribers and just $5.99 to download the latest issue for non-subscribers. To learn more about this great new Architectural Digest App for your iPad, Kindle Fire and NOOKTablet, head on over to architecturaldigest.com.

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?

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.

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

Planning on doing some traveling this 4th of July? Travel in style like actor Matthew McConaughey does in his customized Airstream. Now, most Americans travel by either planes, trains or automobiles, but a select few prefer to see the open road via their own personal Airstream trailer.

Photo via Architectural Digest

Photo via Architectural Digest

This Airstream was redesigned by Matthew Hofmann, founder of Hofmann Architecture.

Photo via CubeMe

Photo via CubeMe

This vintage Airstream features custom-built furnishings, great for a small scale space.

Photo via MoCo Loco

Photo via MoCo Loco

Photo via MoCo Loco

So hit the road this 4th of July in style.

Photo via Pinterest

A documentary on the life and work of Eero Saarinen is coming to a small screen near you, thanks in part to Michigan entrepreneur A. Alfred Taubman. Saarinen, considered one of the masters of 20th Century American architecture, is responsible for some of our most iconic structures like the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, TWA Terminal at New York’s JFK International Airport, the CBS Building (Black Rock) in Manhattan, and the Washington Dulles International Airport.

According to The Editor at Large, “The hour-long film, ‘An Architect’s Memoir: Eero Saarinen’, produced and directed by Emmy award winning Peter Rosen, will be presented by Detroit Public Television on PBS in 2014.”

“The ‘Mad Men’ style and feel of the ‘50s was Saarinen’s expression of a uniquely American ideal of the new and brash, a country about to dominate the global culture,” said director-producer Peter Rosen. “It’s exciting to be making this film now on a wave of interest in what our country was like in the innocent 1950s. This will be the backdrop for our story.”

To learn more about this project visit marketwatch.com.

The Breck Film Festival is Colorado’s answer to the Cannes Film Festival. One of the oldest film festivals in the country, the Breckenridge Film Festival celebrates our independent filmmakers. From June 7-10th, the town of Breckenridge will host slew of actors and filmmakers. In the past the festival has hosted guests such as James Earl Jones, Sydney Pollack, Donald Sutherland, Jon Voight and Alan Arkin.

This year’s lineup includes Open Road with Camilla Belle, Colin Egglesfield, Juliette Lewis and Andy Garcia; Above the Ashes, an award-winning documentary about the devastation left by the Fourmile fire; and Raid of the Rainbow Lounge,  which recounts the controversial 2009 police raid of a Fort Worth, Texas gay bar that resulted in multiple arrests and serious injuries.

Purchase your tickets today and experience a touch of Hollywood here in Breckenridge. Currently Trilogy Partners has (exclusive) 2 for 1 Breck Film Festival Tickets (regular box office price $10) available. For more information call 970-453-2230 or email info@trilogybuilds.com. You can also pick up tickets at Trilogy located at  233 South Ridge Street, before 5 pm on Friday, June 8th. There is a  limit of 10 tickets per order.

To see a list of films www.breckfilmfest.com.

We were inspired by the Bay Area home featured on California Home + Design. This open-air floor plan allows the homeowners to become one with the environment around them. According to CA Home+Design, “The layout of the home followed the pattern of the sun, with the day’s earliest rays filtering into the master bedroom, the midday glare hitting the pool deck and the sunset playing out dramatically in the windows of the dining room.”

Take a look at this dramatic home below.

Photo via Ca Home + Design

Photo via Ca Home + Design

The concrete-block walls were used for their thermal massing.

Photo via Ca Home + Design

Photo via Ca Home + Design

Photo via Ca Home + Design

Skylights in the bathroom give the illusion of being outdoors.

To read more about this residence head over to California Home + Design.