Colorado’s outdoor beauty is the perfect setting for patio entertaining and relaxing. And because we are ecologically diligent, we always look for ways to incorporate a sustainable design into an aesthetically pleasing setting. Eco-friendly materials include porous (pervious) concrete, stones and permeable pavers for better water movement in your yard. Landscaping with low-maintenance native plants and installing a “smart” irrigation system is another way to conserve water. Solar lighting is a great choice. Also, using LED outdoor lighting uses less electricity and may lower your electric bill, too.

• As you prepare to build or renovate your patio area, Better Homes & Gardens offers design suggestions to consider:
• Instead of an attached patio, utilize a spot that offers the most scenic vista or stage an area near a large tree.
• Water gardens bring beauty and serenity to your yard.
• Build your own fire pit! You can decide the size, and it can be a patio focal point.
• Instead of traditional lines, think curves. Gentle, circular arrangements with your patio stones and plants create a striking visual in your yard.

Not only will your patio provide a charming venue for relaxation and entertaining, it will increase your Colorado home’s value.

image via Houzz

Trust in Trilogy

Trilogy Partners design-and-build professionals carefully study interior and exterior trends for home and commercial buildings. Existing and new decor is every homeowner’s priority when building or remodeling. We are seeing ten striking home interior design trends for 2013:

1. Brass is the metal of the moment! From accent pieces to lighting, hardware and railings, brass is timeless and affordable.
2. Elegant florals and graceful tapestry-look fabrics are in demand for every room.
3. Computer-generated fabrics are all the rage on fashion runways, so look for these materials in upscale living rooms.
4. Move over modern because everything old is new again. Vintage looks in the kitchen (weathered concrete, slate, irregular flooring) are popular design choices.
5. Antique furniture and period pieces mix beautifully with your modern decor.
6. “Gloss! High gloss! Shine! Polish! Lacquer!”  – Jeffrey Bilhuber
7. Bright, hi-resolution computer-like colors are front and center.
8. James Mont furniture is over-the-top and has been called chic-savage.
9. Art pieces are no longer for the rich and famous. Investing in complimentary and affordable art for your home is trending.
10. Man Cave decor goes high tech this year and includes media rooms full of boy toys, wine cellars, and even hibachi-grill islands for the chef in every man.

image via Flickr

Solar panels are an alternative energy system that reduces your energy costs and actually increases the value of your home. In fact, buyers will “pay a premium” to own a solar-paneled home.

No longer considered “ugly,” solar panels can now be attractively incorporated into your green home design. Another option for larger roofs are solar shingles that look like traditional shingles.

Trilogy Partners combine sustainability and visual ambiance in Colorado solar power installations. Internationally, six home designs have been recognized for incorporating eco-friendly solar panels into attractive and striking home design:

1. Activehouse, Austria and Denmark – Solar panels actually generate more energy than the families need.
2. Malibu 5 Modern Beach House – Roof solar panels and hot water collectors are invisible in this home built from recycled materials.
3. Enertia Home, Blue Ridge Mountains, NC – Solid-wood walls are energy efficient and the roof solar provide electricity.
4. Cornell University Solar Decathlon Home – Solar power is the only energy source for this 800 sq.ft. home.
5. SunPower – Westport, CT – A 5kw solar system using 225-watt solar panels works well on smaller roofs.
6. SRS Energy Palm Springs, CA – Solar roofing tiles blend into the home’s tiled roof.

Is your home a good candidate for solar panels?

Floor plan for remodeled Baldy Townhome

Necessity is the mother of invention — and creativity! A Colorado couple purchased a Baldy Mountain townhouse that, though structurally sound, had a terrible floorplan. They felt the master bath was “an embarrassment,” and the formal dining room an unnecessary space.

Working with a limited budget and wanting to enhance their new home’s interior beauty and function, they contracted Colorado builder Trilogy Partners to help transform their house into a home.

The wasted dining room space was used to enlarge the master bedroom, bath, and walk-in closet. The final floor plan also included a mudroom, laundry room and half-bath. The couple says Trilogy’s professionalism and willingness to work within their budget and timeframe took their townhome “to the pinnacle of property values within our market.” They are especially thrilled with their new, luxurious master bath.

Trilogy Partners takes pride in enhancing Colorado’s natural beauty by building environmentally friendly homes using sustainable, “green” materials. We work with Energy Star® partners and products to help our clients realize long-term energy-efficiency and lower utility bills. Call 970-453-2230 or contact our design/build team for additional information.

Your home is most likely the greatest investment and asset you have, and as you build or remodel your kitchen, we will encourage you to make choices that will work well for you 10, 20 or even 30 years from now. Katrine Ames of This Old House magazine says to avoid “dating” your kitchen, consider a standard square layout, classic white cabinetry and neutral stone countertops for timeless form and function.

Older homes’ kitchens often have poor traffic circulation design and inefficient workspace, so when we work with a client to redesign and remodel a kitchen area, we examine what they and their family need now and years later.

This Old House remodeled a 1940 one-story weekend house that needed more space overall. The architect’s challenge was to design a kitchen they would “still love in 30 years.” Uncomplicated lines and utilitarian workspace was the client’s choice. The kitchen area was enlarged by eliminating a ground-floor guest bedroom. An island was added as well as a breakfast nook. The well-organized white cabinets were designed to hold specific-sized dry food storage containers.

Beauty, durability . . . Trilogy Partners professionals take kitchen design from cramped to comfortable, using sustainable, ageless design and materials.

Photo Source: This Old House

Our clients have always requested more durable and aesthetically pleasing bathroom design as they build or renovate their Colorado homes in the past. But now, more and more people — including Trilogy Partners — want sustainable, eco-friendly and energy-efficient bathroom areas in addition to a visually appealing space.

We want to work with our environment while saving money, and there are several ways to achieve this sustainable bathroom design:

• Multi-spray showers are so wasteful they are banned by the DOE (Department of Energy). For your shower, choose low-flow fixtures.
• Eliminate your bath tub to save water and space. But if a luxurious soak is one of your greatest pleasures, remember, less is more. Smaller, not spa-sized tubs are trending.
• Older toilets can use as much as 5 gallons of water per flush! Install water-saving toilets for your bathroom.
• As you design your new bathroom, choose natural materials. Other considerations include recycled material tile or post-consumer glass tiles. Avoid carpeting or hardwood flooring in your bath; waterproof materials and good sealing will save you repair costs 20 years from now.

We are designing and building now with consideration for the future. By specializing in sustainable/green design and materials, your home will have beauty today and energy savings for life.

Photo Source: Apartment Therapy

Think about adding a reclaimed wood coffee table to your home

If you’re looking to bring some visual interest and a traditional vibe into your kitchen, think about introducing reclaimed wood.  We’ve gathered a few ideas to get you started.

One of the best places to start is with the kitchen table.  Bringing in a traditional farm table (which is easier to find than you’d think) will serve as a focal point and a conversation piece in the heart of your home.  Or, go ahead and build your own table with reclaimed wood, which, as long as it’s structurally sound, will sand down and finish into something beautiful and unique.  Using reclaimed wood to build shelving or cabinet fronts is another fine way to make your kitchen both traditional and unique.  Architectural salvage shops are good places to find old wood; some people even re-use wine crates and older palettes.

If you don’t want to commit to old wood cabinets, using it as a contrasting feature on a kitchen island is a possibility.   Or, if you want to go really big, reclaimed wood makes a great kitchen ceiling, and certainly, floor.

At Trilogy Builds, we’re happy to help you design the right custom kitchen.  View our website for  more information.

photo courtesy of Tom Borowski on Flickr

image via Flickr

Wood makes a wonderful accent for the interior of the home, the natural element provides an unequaled design. When using wood the color palate that you select can make a dramatic difference in how the space is perceived.
To find your most complementary combinations keep these tips in mind:

Grey
Weathered or blonde woods are well represented with this color. It also works well with black stains. Finding a light blue with grey undertones will make walnut pop in a room.

Blue, Aqua, Turquoise
All of these shades are an excellent way to accent the warm honey or amber wood tones.

Whites, Creams, Ivory
These are staples when it comes to wood trim. When using a cream it is important to stay away from yellow undertones and whites should never be bright.

Brown and Beige
Given the natural hues of wood, it is an easy matter to find an acceptable brown, tan, or beige that will blend with wood elements.

Green
Of the colors found in the outdoors, wood and greens are the greatest combination.

You can make the most of your interior design by finding the right color match to your natural wood elements.

image via Flickr

Smooth, round river rocks have been used for centuries in a variety of architectural designs. Such a long history of usage has not made them less popular today. The trend of using smooth river rock lends itself naturally to your Breckenridge luxury home plan.
There are many uses for river rock in interior and exterior design, but do not use them inside a fireplace, because when heated to a high temperature the rocks could explode.
A variety of size options are available, from tiny pebbles to large round stones. The natural assortment of colors makes them fun for planning your palette, regardless of whether you mix and match schemes. Solid colors, such as black can make an impressive statement as a focal point in a room decor.
Imagine massaging your bare feet every time you step into your river rock shower floor. A river rock fireplace will only enhance the natural mountain setting so abundant in your Breckenridge luxury home environment. Consider a earthy outdoor setting with the loose spreading of pea-size pebbles underfoot. Compliment your marble or granite kitchen countertop with river rock walls.
Let the Trilogy Team help you design and build your Summit County home. Contact us today.

Plan your next home remodeling project with the use of different levels to creatively differentiate your living spaces. Changing levels can better define and utilize your floor layout.

Adding a few steps to half a floor either up or down can enhance your innovative style, no matter if you have a one-story or multi-level home. Different effects can be achieved, depending on the number of steps you add.

Liven up your living area with open, closed or a combination of levels somewhere in between. The change can be dramatic or subtle, depending on the look you are seeking. Build an overlook area from the kitchen, a cozy, intimate dining space, or a stylish transitional zone between levels.

Choose an artistic flare in level remodeling that compliments the natural flow within your home. A loft space can be incorporated with a minimal addition of design-build that can utilize otherwise wasted space and break up high ceilings.
Even just a single step or two can create a soft flowing transition from the living room area to the kitchen or dining hall areas.

Contact Trilogy Partners today for help with all your home remodeling ideas. Email or call us today at 970-453-2230.