We love seeing our friends to the north embracing sustainable design and Canada-based SYSTEMATEKS has taken the snack bar to a whole new level. This design is complete with solar panels and has a way of collecting rainwater.

It’s amazing to see how far eco-friendly design has come and we look forward to seeing more from SYSTEMATEKS.

Photo via Inhabitat

What do you think of this solar paneled snack bar? Is this what the future holds for sustainability?

In honor of the Academy Awards, which airs this Sunday on ABC, we wanted to feature some of our favorite set designs from the recent batch of Oscar-nominated movies. With a little help from our friends at Architectural Digest here are some of this year’s best backdrops.

The Artist- The black and white just adds to the drama.

Photo via Architectural Digest

Hugo- The sets were almost as magical as the movie.

Photo via Architectural Digest

Midnight in Paris- We almost felt like we were time-traveling with Gil to Paris in the 1920s.

Photo via Architectural Digest

To see more set designs visit architecturaldigest.com. You can also check out the backdrop of George Clooney’s The Descendants, which we featured last month.

Even the busiest owners of luxury mountain homes can benefit from a trip to the upcoming Colorado Garden and Home Show. The show is an unparalleled venue for viewing the latest trends in architecture and home improvement. February 11-19 at the Colorado Convention center in Denver, the event will feature over 600 vendors and dozens of seminars from experts.

Colorado Garden and Home Show

If you have plans for rejuvenating your home in Colorado, the Colorado Garden and Home Show will help you see firsthand the trends in luxury living. From full-sized landscape exhibitions to the trendiest new lighting fixtures, inspiration can surely be found in the fresh offerings featured at the show.

After walking through the expansive showroom you can attend a free seminar to learn about what is “hot” in remodeling, home improvements and interior decorating. Course offerings also include classes on the latest color trends and green landscape design that could take your home to the next level.

Whether you are planning a major overhaul or simply hoping to add fresh detailing to the exterior or interior of your luxury mountain home, a trip to the Colorado Home and Garden show can help you plan truly impressive improvements.

Tom Brady has had quite a week, first his team clinches the AFC Championship Game, though barely, and it also seems he and his family are moving into a 22,000 square foot home in Los Angeles, California. This massive home– which features 8 bedrooms, lagoon-shaped pool with spa, wine cellar and its own bridge that adjoins the two wings– has reportedly set the Brady family back $20 million.

What really caught our eye is that Gisele has asked that her home be “eco-friendly”, which is quite a feat with 22,000 square feet of wasted space. The home comes equipped with solar panels, energy-efficient appliances and rainwater recovery programs.

Photo via Fashionista

What do you think of their new home?

Last night The Descendants took home two Golden Globe awards, one for Best Motion Picture – Drama and the other for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for George Clooney. The Descendants tells the story of Matt King, played by George Clooney, who must come to terms with his wife’s betrayal, while she lays comatose in a hospital bed. A parallel storyline in the movie, that entwines with his wife’s affair, is a decision he must make on whether to sell his family shares in 25,000 acres of pristine land on the island of Kaua’i.

Hawaii plays an important part in this film and it’s beauty and poverty are both highlighted. We had a chance to experience the beauty of Hawaii, especially the island of  Kauai, while we remodeled the home of South Park’s Trey Parker. The scenery captured by director Alexander Payne reminds us of our time in this most magical and mystical place.

Take a look at our Kauai home below.

Trilogy Partners

With the economy still struggling to rebound it appears that a new American home is emerging. Gone are the extravagant additions and in its place are more practical and functional ones. According to The Wall Street Journal “Tough recent years are leaving their mark on home design…Big home builders, smaller architecture firms and even bathroom-fixture makers are adjusting to the shift toward more practical features and away from the aspirational.”

One of the many changes that are taking shape in this new “economic downturn” era are the abandonment of the “formal” rooms. Formal living and dining rooms are making way for larger kitchens and more closet space. The open family room is now on the scene and is much more functional than a formal living room. Also making a departure is the grand foyer, which is being replaced with “drop zones” or glorified mud rooms.

Families are looking for everyday spaces, a room that will be utilized on a daily basis.

Trilogy Partners

We are also seeing more homes that are incorporating universal design. Elevator shafts are being added to the floor plan and larger showers are replacing the jacuzzis and soaker tubs.

What are some of the ways you think our homes have changed? What aspect of home design is most important to you and your family?

A bathroom should be a place of calm and relaxation. An oasis where you can wash away the stresses of your daily life. Think of a zen-like bath, with natural elements and sleek lines.

Trilogy Partners

This Steamboat Springs’ home features a bath that accentuates the natural elements.

Trilogy Partners

We wanted to bring a touch of nature into this guest bath.

Trilogy Partners

And this breathtaking bath draws inspiration for its beautiful view, also by bringing nature indoors.

By incorporating natural elements into your bath you’ll be able to create a place where you can go and rejuvenate your body and mind.

Last week we highlighted some of our kitchens for National Kitchen and Bath Month, but today we wanted to focus on the bathroom. We find many people will spend the “big bucks” to renovate and remodel their kitchen and outdoor living space, but are hesitant to update their bathrooms, especially the master bathroom. Like a kitchen, you’ll be able to recoup most of the cost of the renovation to the bathroom if and when you decide to sell your home.

There are many levels when remodeling your bathroom, a mid-range bathroom remodel can include installing a new toilet, tub, new sink and vanity and new flooring. A high level remodel can consist of all of the above, plus expanding the room additional footage, adding a window, reconfiguring the layout of the bathroom, adding a bidet, new lighting and shower.

Before you consider what type of renovation your bathroom falls under take a look online and through magazines to get inspired and you’ll need to work out a budget as well.

We hope to provide you with inspiration today in honor of National Kitchen and Bath Month. Take a look at some of our bathroom designs below.

Images from our Trey Parker (of South Park) project that was featured in Architectural Digest.

Images from Trey Parker’s home that we designed in Kauai Hawaii. Just one a side note, the view below does not come with the remodel.

Take a look at a before photo from this project.

If you are looking to renovate or remodel a room in your home please consider Trilogy Partners.