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.

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

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

Traditional Japanese architecture was greatly influenced by Chinese and Asian style, but because of the climate, the choice of materials used varied. In Japanese architecture, wood is the predominant choice of material. Typically the structure is wooden, slightly elevated with tiled or thatched roofs. One of our favorite elements of Japanese architecture is the way the walls, both the interior and exterior, are fluid. Walls can be removed or slightly modified by the use of screens or movable paper walls.

Photo via La Dolce Vita

When designing our “Steamboat House”, we looked to traditional Japanese architecture for inspiration. We wanted to fuse together design elements found in Japan and the American West. This Steamboat Springs residence features Japanese antiques from the mid-19th century and a 700 square foot tea house with authentic Shoji rice paper doors.

Trilogy Partners

Trilogy Partners

The master bathroom comes complete with a Japanese soaking tub set in sand.

Trilogy Partners

If you are looking to incorporate traditional Japanese architecture into your home please give Trilogy Partners a call at 970-453-2230 or visit us online at trilogybuilds.com.

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 U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently announced “that more than 20,000 homes across the U.S. have earned certification through the LEED for Homes program.” The LEED for Homes program “provides guidance and verification that homes are designed and built to be energy- and resource-efficient and healthy for occupants.” This is quite an accomplishment for sustainable design. According to USGBC, “since the launch of LEED for Homes in 2008, more
than 20,000 residential units have certified with nearly 79,000 additional units in the pipeline. Over half of all LEED-certified homes are in the affordable housing category.”

Nate Kredich, Vice President of Residential Market Development, USGBC says, “LEED for Homes is moving the residential market further and faster towards high-performing, healthy homes that save residents money.”

To learn more about LEED-certified homes visit usgbc.org.

Trilogy believes that “a sustainable home not only nourishes the planet, it nourishes the soul.”

If you are interested in sustainable building give Trilogy Partners a call at 970-453-2230 or visit us online at trilogybuilds.com.