Numerous investigations have been introduced searching into why the ceiling of a fitness room in a newly designed apartment quickly collapsed, amid evidence the developer authorized residents into the limited space without the need of permission from the City of Toronto.
The ceiling of the tiny gym place at 1808 St. Clair Avenue West collapsed early Thursday early morning when two people were being reportedly inside. Debris could be found scattered throughout the health room in images and movie shared with CityNews.
Several citizens had only just moved into the creating this previous May possibly and had been provided see on September 11 that the health club was open and their important fobs could be used to access the place.
According to the town, the ceiling collapsed in an area of the setting up that it had not still accepted for the public to occupy and it should not have been accessible by those people who lived in the making.
On the other hand, Diamond Kilmer Developments stated they are “in discussions with their design manager, engineers, architects and city officials to verify that the house was operated correctly and was only pending HVAC approval.” The firm states it was a problem that was not pertinent to the structural integrity of the pace or the ceiling collapse.
“I believe it is seriously about simply because you see the roof of the health and fitness center slipping and it provides issue to the rest of the developing,” claimed resident Brittany Nguyen.
In a letter to people, the developer reported there is no problem for the structural integrity of the household models or the constructing itself, but they have shut accessibility to the amenity areas while they look into and make repairs.
The photographs were being shared in a personal group chat on social media, along with details that a couple persons had been making use of the gymnasium at the time the ceiling collapsed, but no just one was damage. Photo: CityNews submission.
“I’m a initially-time homebuyer and I purchased a apartment in this place so I see myself living here for a extensive time, but I think with the protection worries with the making particularly. You want a household to make you feel secure and a making that has framework to retain you and your household safe,” additional Nguyen.
“What I’m hoping for is just some closure and viewing reassurance that the complete overall developing is safe and sound I believe that’s the answer that I want to get.”
The developer has also hired a 3rd-party engineer to evaluate all the common space ceiling details to “confirm that this was an isolated concern relating to the precise structure aspect made use of in the exercise facility.”
“We enjoy and share your issues relating to the failure of the ceiling element in the fitness facility,” go through the letter. “While the closure is an inconvenience, our residents’ protection is of the utmost importance, and we will do our greatest to reopen the house as quickly as feasible.”
1 resident claims it’s not the to start with time there have been issues with the development of this constructing. A tenant in a second-floor condominium on the west side of the condo enhancement claimed a massive piece of the constructing fell on to his roof in January when the constructing was however largely below design.
“Out of nowhere we listened to this increase, so we seemed up the window I couldn’t uncover everything. I checked the back window and there was a 50-foot-very long stucco cement that had fallen on top rated of my creating apartment.”
The building could deal with a high-quality if the Town difficulties an buy pursuing their investigation.
Field is advocating for complete infrastructure investment, workforce progress, and procurement modernization
OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 6, 2023 /CNW/ - Tomorrow, almost 100 development leaders from each and every province are gathering on Parliament Hill to provide a unified concept to the federal governing administration: partner with the construction marketplace to create a powerful basis for a much better Canada.
A Strong Foundation for a Much better Canada (CNW Team/Canadian Design Affiliation (CCA))
Construction is a main contributor to Canada's financial health and fitness. The building marketplace contributed $151 billion (7.4%) to Canada's GDP in 2022 and generated $92.7 billion in employment income to some 1.6 million men and women across the state. Additionally, when the development sector does very well, it creates a ripple result of enlargement in other sectors like engineering, manufacturing, agriculture, technologies, and retail.
Through the Canadian Design Association's once-a-year Hill Day, Canadian construction leaders will request the Govt to:
Dedicate to comprehensive infrastructure investment.
Support deal with the workforce shortage by overhauling immigration
Modernize procurement procedures.
Quotes:
"Faced with fears above inflation, the housing disaster and large cost of living, Canadians are looking to their Government for answers. Development is the suitable companion to help generate economic growth for Canada — all though delivering housing and infrastructure that Canada urgently needs."
Mary Van Buren, President of the Canadian Construction Association
"The Canadian Building Association (CCA) is urging the federal federal government to collaborate with the design sector and implement plan variations that can unleash the comprehensive likely of an field that is an economic powerhouse."
Brendan Nobes, Chair, Canadian Building Affiliation
Throughout Canada, CCA signifies much more than 18,000 member firms drawn from 62 area and provincial integrated spouse associations. CCA gives voice to the general public plan, authorized and criteria improvement plans of contractors, suppliers and allied company gurus doing work in, or with, Canada's hefty civil, institutional, professional and industrial (ICI) construction marketplace.
The development sector is 1 of Canada's most significant employers and a important contributor to the country's financial achievement. The business, 70 for every cent of which is designed up of small and medium enterprises, employs more than 1.6 million Canadians and contributes 7.4 for each cent of Canada's Gross Domestic Product.
Canadian Design Affiliation brand (CNW Group/Canadian Construction Affiliation (CCA))
Fall marks a time of transition, heralding in a slew of promotions and movement within the architecture and design industry. From Gensler’s appointment of the firm’s first global co-chairs to a new chief creative director at Flos, don’t miss the newest additions at today’s top firms.
After nearly 20 years of leadership, Andy Cohen and Diane Hoskins will transition from their roles as co-CEOs to become the firm’s first global co-chairs. As part of a planned succession strategy, Cohen and Hoskins welcome a new generation of collaborative leadership, naming Julia Simet and Jordan Goldstein as incoming co-CEOs to lead the firm’s day-to-day operations, effective January 1, 2024. Goldstein and Simet each bring over 25 years of leadership to their new roles. They currently serve as co-firm managing principals, splitting responsibility for the firm’s U.S. and international regions. As co-CEOs, they will manage Gensler’s day-to-day operations across the firm’s 53 global offices and 33 practice areas, oversee more than 3,500 client relationships, promote a culture of diversity and inclusion for over 6,000 Gensler people globally, and maintain standards of innovation and design excellence.
Jordan Goldstein, Julia Simet, Diane Hoskins, and Andy Cohen, co-CEOs at Gensler.
Atlanta-based luxury interior design firm Sims Patrick Studio has announced six new team members, comprising two leadership, one administrative, and three design roles. They are: Stephanie Head and Katrina Garcia, design directors; Philip Zein, design lead; Jake Schibi, technical lead; Ansley Kaase, project designer; and Nicole McCrimmon, studio coordinator.
The Dallas studio of Perkins&Will has made two new additions. Eurico Francisco has joined as design principal and Amber Wernick as director of practice development. Francisco has an extensive portfolio that includes healthcare, government, academic, research, hospitality, multi-family, and mixed-use facilities. Amber Wernick is an award-winning interior designer who worked for Perkins&Will between 2008 and 2015.
Casey Kent has joined the Austin studio of Perkins&Will as its new corporate and commercial, civic, and cultural practice leader. Kent will oversee project design and delivery for a diverse range of clients, including both public and private organizations while expanding the Austin studio’s presence in the growing Central Texas region. In recent years, Kent has focused on commercial projects for clients such as Hines, Vantage Data Centers, Interpublic Group, Google, USAA, Cloudflare, and Unico Properties.
Additionally, the firm has opened a studio in Philadelphia, a move that grows its northeastern US practice. Leadership of the Perkins&Will Philadelphia studio will include regional managing director Bill Harris; managing director Robert Clemens; and health practice leader Laura Morris. The local Philadelphia practices will closely collaborate with Northeast regional teams in New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C., and will leverage the firm’s global expertise to respond to the unique design challenges faced by clients in the greater Philadelphia area.
Casey Kent, corporate and commercial, civic, and cultural practice leader at the Austin studio of Perkins&Will.
The multidisciplinary architecture, design and planning firm SGA has made the addition of a director of sustainable design in the Boston office. Sadaf Jafari has a decade of experience in both architecture and engineering fields, with successes in maximizing energy-efficiency strategies, implementing energy modeling, and ensuring code & certification compliance. The addition furthers the firm’s commitment to improve the built environment.
Jane White has joined Legrand in the newly creative role of chief diversity and engagement officer for Legrand, North and Central America. She will be a part of the executive staff and will lead efforts to attract, retain, and develop a diverse and highly engaged workforce. White brings over 25 years of experience, notably serving an instrumental role for several groups including LNCA’s Employee Resource Groups (ERG) and the Black Professional Network ERG.
Bridget Lowe has been appointed chief marketing officer at Multistudio, working out of their Kansas City studio. She brings 15 years of strategic and creative marketing expertise across design, architecture. In her role she will operate as a member of the leadership team and will oversee the brand’s marketing, creative, consumer insights, and holistic communications. Lowe previously served as a principal and director of marketing for the Americas at Populous, where she oversaw marketing, communications, public relations, and business development.
Bridget Lowe, chief marketing officer at Multistudio.
Natalie Ruiz, associate principal of luxury multifamily residential and senior/later living at WATG.
Natalie Ruiz has been appointed associate principal of luxury multifamily residential and senior/later living at WATG, a leader in luxury hospitality design. Ruiz joins WATG as an industry expert within the multifamily and senior/later living sector.
HOK has added senior design leaders in several of their studios. The new appointments are Ryan Barnes, director of design, interiors for the Denver and St. Louis studios; Marianne Weiss, director of design, interiors in the firm’s new Boston studio; and Alia Centofanti, director of design, interiors in London.
The Danish lighting object manufacturer Pandul is now a part of Carl Hansen & Søn. The company’s operation will continue unchanged in the new set-up, and Carl Hansen & Søn will continue distributing Pandul’s lighting fixtures through existing sales channels. The Pandul collection consists of iconic lighting objects designed by master architects Hans J. Wegner, Erik Magnussen, Henning Koppel, and Jørgen Gammelgaard.
Ray Brower has joined Perkins Eastman as principal in the firm’s Washington, D.C. studio and is now part of the firm’s healthcare practice. Brower is an expert in strategic facility planning, pre-design operational planning and programming, medical planning, and project management with more than 40 years of experience. Select projects include the Jefferson Health system-wide master plan in southern New Jersey, Brooklyn Hospital Center in Brooklyn, NY, and MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.
NYC-based architecture and interior design firm Spectorgroup announced three new hires. They are: Sefako Ketosugbo as senior designer, Olivia Holub as senior architect, and Sol Seong as intermediate designer.
HBA has promoted Sarah Hullinger and Brian Schaer from senior project designers to associates in San Francisco and Atlanta. Hullinger has more than two decades of experience in hospitality, commercial and residential design, with 10-plus years at HBA San Francisco. She has contributed to the success of recent projects such as Elusa Winery at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley and The Lodge at Pebble Beach. Schaer has spent the majority of his 24-plus-year design career immersed in the world of luxury design, working with many of the industry’s most esteemed brands, operators and clients. is project history includes Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers in Azerbaijan; The St. Regis Abu Dhabi; and the former BLT Prime by David Burke in Washington, D.C.
Maureen Carley-Vallejo has joined the team at Array Architects, a leading healthcare design and architecture firm. She is an award-winning industry leader with over 30 years’ experience, and her work has been selected for INTERIOR DESIGN’S Best of Year Awards.
Arte USA, a division of Belgium-based wallcoverings designer and manufacturer the Arte Group, has appointed Adriana De Martino to the newly-created position of area manager for the northeast territory. She will report directly to Bill Calhoun, the president of Arte USA and will be based in New York City. Prior to joining Arte, Adriana held senior positions with several European and American companies including Cosentino, DEDAR, Inc. and Zimmer & Rhode USA.
Carnegie has acquired the Xorel Artform manufacturing division of DFB Sales, Inc.—a leading New York based producer of interior finish products. This acquisition will give Carnegie end-to-end control of Xorel Artform from design to manufacture and distribution, allowing for an increase in overall production volume and expanded product options.
Julie Yurasek has been appointed international director of interior design at Michael Graves Architecture. Yurasek previously held the positions of senior interior designer and director at Michael Graves Architecture during her earlier tenure there, which began in 1996. She cites her work on the St. Regis Cairo at Nile Corniche in Egypt as one of her greatest accomplishments.
LSM Studio has promoted three new partners: Rebecca Montesi, Donnie Morphy, and Mario DeGisi. The three will work out of the firm’s Washington, D.C. studio.
Rebecca Montesi, Donnie Morphy, and Mario DeGisi, new partners at LSM.
RAMSA has appointed two new partners and named a new CEO. The two new partners, Kevin J. Kelly and Kyung Sook Gemma Kim, will join an existing cohort of 17 esteemed partners. Lisa M. Matkovic, who previously served as chief operating officer, has been appointed to the role of CEO. Kevin joined RAMSA in 2011 and has supported the firm’s growth across domestic and international markets. Leveraging his design expertise, he has managed several important projects in RAMSA’s international portfolio, including numerous large-scale planning projects in China; the Kaplankaya Marina Village in Bobruk, Turkey; and the Kowloon Peak apartment complex in Hong Kong. Gemma has been with RAMSA for over 15 years, playing a key role in expanding the firm’s international presence. She spearheaded RAMSA’s entrance into South Korea, leading a signature corporate showplace in Seoul for one of the country’s most prominent companies.
Kevin J. Kelly and Kyung Sook Gemma Kim, new partners at RAMSA.
Springs Creative has acquired the Frank Cassata Design Archives that will now be part of their Baxter Mill Archive, making it the largest such design archive in the industry with more than 1 million fabrics, documents, and other design assets. The Frank Cassata Archive library specializes in traditional to modern designs, one-of-a-kind apparel and home decorative archives, as well as an extensive collection of over 700 wallpaper and fabric swatch books.
The British design brand Tom Dixon has announced the promotion of Henry Jones to the position of CEO. Jones previously served as managing director at HAY and senior vice president. Prior to HAY, Jones held the positions of European president and CEO at textile giant Himatsingka and global sales and marketing director at the renowned British brand designers guild.
Moody Nolan has hired Garfield Peart as director of operations for its Atlanta studio. Peart spent the first seven years in the United States Air Force where he honed his skills on active duty, specifically in military project management, working on a slate of international projects from Washington, D.C. to cities across Europe. Following active duty, Garfield remained in the Air Force Reserve, and after 28 years of service, he retired from the United States Air Force this past June. Garfield’s portfolio of work largely consists of projects in aviation and government, industries he looks forward to championing in his new role.
Keilhauer has announced the addition of two new leadership team members to their marketing department. Susan Anderson has joined the company as VP of marketing and customer experience, and Sarah Lostracco has joined as the new senior marketing manager. Susan joins Keilhauer from Mastermind Toys. Prior to Mastermind Toys, Susan spent almost a decade at P&G leading brands such as Pampers, Swiffer, and Crest. Sarah joins Keilhauer from McCann Canada, where she worked for over 15 years, most recently serving as Group Account Director for well-known organizations such as Petro-Canada and Suncor.
HLW has appointed principal and workplace sector lead Melissa Strickland as managing director of the firm’s New Jersey office. Melissa will lead the Madison practice in strengthening and diversifying its portfolio of work with an increasing emphasis on agility, sustainability, and innovation, while continuing to cultivate the talents of its dynamic designers and consultants. She joined the team in 2017 and has overseen projects totaling millions of square feet for long-standing clients such as Prudential, Everest, and Kyowa Kirin, and recently completed a string of new headquarters spaces for organizations including Audible, Eisai, Integra and Kering.
At Kostow Greenwood Architects, Lena Dau-Ping Fan has been promoted to principal from associate principal and Gary Li has promoted to principal from associate architect. The two new principals bring extensive project and client experience to their new roles having worked closely with founding principal Michael Kostow and having benefited from the culture of design excellence and learning embodied in the firm.
Outdoor furniture solutions brand EMU Group has welcomed Enrico Cavallari as its CEO. extensive international experience in leading FMCG companies such as Colgate-Palmolive, Ferrero and Reckitt- Benckiser, where he held positions of increasing responsibility in marketing, sales and general management in Italy, Luxembourg, New York, Istanbul and London. In 2010, he returned to Italy for Technogym as Business Unit Director. In 2013 he worked with Axa, then came back to Technogym in 2017, where he was responsible for Technogym Home. In 2022, he became CEO of Tecno and Zanotta.
Barbara Corti has been named chief creative director of Flos. In the new role, she will she will set the creative strategy for the development of product lines in every division, as well as content creation strategies through all the brand’s online and offline channels. Corti has been global chief marketing officer at Flos since 2017 and a member of its steering committee since 2019. She is the first person to take on the position, which until previously did not exist at Flos. Corti worked for more than 10 years as creative director in communication agencies and for seven years as creative director at Condé Nast Italia, as well as gaining experience as a consultant and mentor for various start-ups in the world of fashion.
Tommaso Baldini has been appointed CEO and managing director of the Belgian acoustic design brand BuzziSpace. Baldini will succeed Steve Symons, who will now act as President of the supervisory board. Tomasso will be responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of BuzziSpace and will work closely with Symons on product design direction. Genevieve Lemire, director of North America for BuzziSpace, has accepted the role of chief commercial officer.
Paolo Cravedi has been appointed vice president of wholesale. He will work alongside president and CEO John Edelman and chief operating officer Andrew McPhee to expand Heller’s reach across North America. Cravedi is an experienced home, design, and lifestyle industry executive, with a track record of leading sales growth across various channels. Cravedi most recently served as president of Calligaris Group Americas, where he oversaw the management and development of the Calligaris Group’s business in North, Central, and South America for their entire family of brands and in all channels, including wholesale. Prior to that, he held positions across a variety of top design and lifestyle brands including Moleskine America, where he worked as president, and Alessi U.S. as managing director for more than 10 years.
Talley Goodson, the founder of Felt Right, a company dedicated to providing transformative material solutions for both living and workspace environments, has joined Lingrove’s board of directors. Prior to Felt Right, Talley served as the visionary leader behind 3form, Inc., a company that revolutionized the world of translucent resin architectural design materials. Under Talley’s guidance, 3form garnered numerous industry accolades and recognition for its groundbreaking contributions to design, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility.
The national strategy, architecture, and design firm Vocon has announced the expansion of its New York team with workplace leader Wyett Baker. Baker brings more than 25 years of experience in the design and construction of corporate, educational, and cultural projects nationally. Prior to joining Vocon, Wyett served as an account leader and design manager specializing in large and complex projects at Gensler. His work spans the United States, and he has spent the last ten years working with some of the largest professional and financial service firms on corporate headquarters projects in the New York Metropolitan Area.
Alejandro Gala has been named TPG Architecture’s newest creative director. Gala brings nearly 20 years of industry experience to his new role, including a global portfolio spanning the retail, hotel, commercial, and building repositioning market sectors. Having worked and traveled to over 65 countries, Gala is passionate about immersing himself in different cultures and uses this as the foundation for his designs. After spending many years in places where language presented itself to be a barrier, Gala naturally developed a visual communication skill set that he has since used throughout his career, showcasing design ideas through photos, drawings, and graphics.
Alejandro Gala, creative director at TPG Architecture.
Construction of the potential Bonnyville Regional Fireplace Authority headquarters is underway with occupancy of the the creating envisioned to begin in five to six months.
BONNYVILLE – In advance of long, the Kopala making on the outskirts of the Town of Bonnyville will be dwelling to Station 1 Bonnyville and the headquarters of the Bonnyville Regional Hearth Authority (BRFA).
The objective of bringing the functions of the BRFA’s 3 divisions under a single roof has been decades in the making.
Regional Hearth Chief Dan Heney claims Phase 1, which will see BRFA administration and the 911 dispatch centre move into the Kopala constructing, is just 5 to six months away.
“Once administration and 911 are settled in place, then we'll glimpse at bringing EMS around by the stop of [2024], and fire either by the stop of the yr or probably early 2025,” described Heney.
With a financial loan to cover renovations and upgrades secured from the MD of Bonnyville, tenders for groundwork and constructing renovations have been a short while ago awarded by the Fire Authority.
“Clark Builders is the firm which is executing the perform. They mobilized on web site the second very last 7 days of September,” Heney advised Lakeland This 7 days. “Construction has by now started. You can't see it due to the fact the work they are performing is inside of the constructing.”
When it comes to the perform that wants to be accomplished outside the house of the upcoming residence of the BRFA, a organization that operates out of Cold Lake, E Design, has been contracted to tie the developing into sewer and h2o.
Ahead of the floor freezes, crews will incorporate fencing all over the house and maybe carry out some grading in preparation for paving that will be performed next spring.
The MD is loaning $4.5 million to the BRFA at a 5 for each cent interest price above 20 yrs. The Hearth Authority will also be making use of $1.5 million from its reserves for the task.
Under one roof
Talking of the relevance of bringing BRFA managed solutions less than just one roof, the fire chief famous that consolidating initiatives will be the largest advantage of the move.
“Right now, we have a few divisions that all want administrative assist that function out of two destinations. Continuously striving to equilibrium exactly where the administrative assist is has posed issues. So getting them all together signifies that we are likely to get improved efficiency out of our administrative team,” he explained.
The creating that is currently housing Station 1 Bonnyville is owned by the City of Bonnyville. The ambulance and 911 centre constructing are jointly owned by the City and MD of Bonnyville.
When the 3 divisions make their closing move into the recently renovated BRFA-owned creating, it will be up to the Town and MD to make your mind up what they will do with the vacant structures.
The changeover of expert services will not probably translate to any financial change for ratepayers, but “what I would suggest is that our provider ranges are going to modify,” stated Heney.
“When you glance at the area that we assist, the two most populated locations are the City of Bonnyville and the MD of Bonnyville in and all around Moose Lake. Now our services are likely to be found appropriate smack in the center of the two most populated locations, which implies that our responses are heading to be extra helpful around the lake than they ever were ahead of.”
Heney hopes there is a further knock-on effect of going the hearth station to the Kopala making – improved volunteer recruitment.
“My hope is that possibly we can recruit users from the people today who dwell around the lake that most likely would have under no circumstances believed of getting a volunteer firefighter just before.”
Made by inside style and design studio Pierce & Ward, actress Dakota Johnson's residence is a celebration of mid-century style, stuffed with earthy colours and purely natural textures that generate a grown-up and timeless feel.
While glimpses into various rooms in the course of the home appear similarly attractive, a closer seem at the residing space reveals a range of mid-century home furniture that captures for main understated aesthetic of the well known style design.
'Dakota Johnson's dwelling area resonates with the timeless attract of mid-century style, seamlessly mixing sophistication with a heat, inviting ambiance. Emanating an understated magnificence, her decision of mid-century home furnishings epitomizes the era's legendary style, infusing her abode with a retro-modern-day allure,' says inside designer Elizabeth Grace.
When there are so many factors of this residing place that echo mid-century layout, industry experts are drawn to three standout furnishings merchandise that they clarify properly seize the classic design and style.
'The sleek, minimal-profile sofa ornaments the place with its cleanse strains and tailored form,' clarifies Grace. 'Crafted with luscious leather-based, this sofa epitomizes the quintessential mid-century aesthetics, accentuated by its tapered legs and minimalistic design.'
The sideboard and espresso desk also reflect the core essence of a mid-century property, and Grace clarifies: 'Complementing the couch, the sideboard, with its teak or walnut end, seamlessly integrates performance and artistry.'
'The espresso table epitomizes the mid-century layout ethos with its smooth silhouette and organic designs. Its elegantly tapered legs and prosperous wood texture harmonize flawlessly with the all round theme, hanging a harmony concerning operation and visual charm.'
Elizabeth Grace
Elizabeth Grace is an Interior Designer, Furniture and Dwelling Qualified. She been given her degree in Interior Planning from the College of Notre Dame. Elizabeth landed her initial position as an intern with a leading firm in New York Town, studying from some of the city’s best designers. She at present works as an interior designer for both household and commercial clients.
If you're sensation influenced to recreate a similar mid-century glance in your possess residence, interior designer Nicholas Kaiko shares his prime recommendations to make certain a seamless finish outcome: 'Opt for items with clear strains, organic and natural curves, and functional design and style. Wooden, specially walnut and teak, was a favored product. Nonetheless, you should not shy absent from mixing in contemporary supplies like metal or glass.'
He also notes that it is really vital to take into account the colour palette, suggesting: 'Stick to a neutral foundation but intensify with pops of vivid colours. Think mustards, teals, or oranges.'
Last of all, Kaiko indicates incorporating an factor of mother nature into the room, saying: 'Whether it’s via houseplants, wooden elements, or natural sorts, character ought to locate a way into the style and design.'
Nicholas Kaiko
Nicholas Kaiko, founder of Kaiko Style Interiors, is a really sought-just after interior designer dependent in Sydney, Australia. With above a ten years of expertise in the interior layout marketplace, Nic has honed his abilities as an inside architect and decorator, performing on luxury lodges and significant-conclude household projects the two locally and internationally.
Elevate your living room with these mid-century parts
Feeling inspired by the timeless glance of the furnishings in Dakota's residing place? We've rounded up some of our favorite comparable home furnishings goods for you to store under, to help make a practical and endlessly classy mid-century present day dwelling home.
CB2 Suspend Marble and Brown Walnut Wood Media Console
It can be mind-boggling to know the place to start off with obtaining new household furniture for the home, so it's a good idea to stick to to information of the industry experts who have heaps of residing home furniture suggestions to help you on your way.
A “ground awakening ceremony” for the Vancouver Artwork Gallery’s (VAG) lengthy-awaited new building on Friday (15 September) commenced auspiciously, with the announcement of a C$5m ($3.7m) donation from the Djavad Mowafaghian Basis. The money campaign for the new gallery, developed by Herzog & de Meuron and scheduled for completion in 2028, is now only C$55m ($40.7m) limited of its C$400m ($295.7m) fundraising intention.
Despite the fact that the initiative for the new gallery commenced in 2004 underneath the leadership of then-director Kathleen Bartels, recent director Anthony Kiendl tells The Art Newspaper that the 19-yr journey is not abnormal for an institution that will work on a “collaborative model” with local communities. “Look at [the Los Angeles County Museum of Art] or M+ in Hong Kong,” he says, “they’ve both taken about 15 a long time.”
There was a perception of equally aid and celebration at the ceremony, the place civic, provincial and federal politicians rubbed shoulders with To start with Nations dancers and art environment cognoscenti, marking a substantial milestone on what has been a extensive and winding road.
After the VAG’s 2004 grasp planning method determined that the gallery wanted extra exhibition and storage room for its collection—which features just one of the world’s most significant collections of functions by Emily Carr—the museum sought the approval of Vancouver’s town council to create a new gallery. The preferred web page at Larwill Park—currently a parking lot—is 7 blocks east of the neo-classical Edwardian-period previous courthouse designed by Francis Rattenbury in 1913 and renovated by Arthur Erickson in 1983 (as element of his 3-block Robson Sq. undertaking) when the VAG moved in right after relocating from an earlier locale. In 2008, the metropolis council—which will proceed to lease land to the VAG as for every present arrangements—changed the internet site to the Plaza of Nations right before reversing its final decision in 2013.
In 2014, the VAG chosen Herzog & de Meuron as the project’s architecture business (with Vancouver’s Perkins and Will as the govt architects) and the Swiss firm’s layout has transformed significantly considering that then. Its recent incarnation features a woven copper facade in homage to conventional Musqueam (the To start with Country of the region) weaving techniques—conceived in consultation with Native artists—as well as expanded outside room.
At first destined for completion in 2020, there was speculation that the project would in no way see the light-weight of working day thanks to lack of funding and other challenges. But the fundraising campaign was reinvigorated in 2019 by a present of C$40m ($29.6m) from the philanthropic Chan family members as a consequence, the new making will be named the Chan Centre for the Visual Arts. At the time, it was the biggest private donation to arts and society in British Columbia, but was surpassed by a donation of C$100m ($73.9m) from the Audain Basis in 2021—the biggest cash donation to a Canadian general public art museum to day.
With web page remediation and development on the new developing to commence this autumn, the VAG has released a last fundraising exertion dubbed “The Make Up”. Concentrating on big moves like focused space for the Institute of Asian Art, a multi-reason Indigenous Local community Residence, a condition-of-the-artwork theatre, public outdoor spaces, committed artist studios and a doubling of exhibition place to 80,000 sq. ft, the campaign hopes to elevate the remaining $55m from a mix of non-public, company and government funding.
Adding to the feeling of momentum are the VAG’s new hires: Eva Respini, who will direct the curatorial eyesight for the new gallery, and Sirish Rao, the new director of general public engagement and studying.
At Friday’s ceremony, champions of the new VAG setting up promised C$88.2m ($65.2m) in new tourism earnings and a “modern cultural hub” in the coronary heart of Vancouver, next to the Vancouver Public Library and the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, bordering Vancouver’s historic Chinatown and Gastown neighbourhoods.
Real to the area’s unique Musqueam operate as a meeting web site, Kiendl states, the new creating also guarantees to be a cultural crossroads for various artists and an illustration of “reconciliation in action”. A moving ceremony by the spouse and children of the late Beau Dick, the Kwakwaka'wakw Northwest Coastline artist and Chief, marked the VAG’s acquisition of 17 masks from his Undersea Kingdom collection. The masks were being prepared for Documenta shortly ahead of Dick’s untimely death in 2017 and the acquisition by the VAG—which started making a considerable collection of common and present-day Very first Nations art in the 1980s—bodes very well for the new making.
The potential building’s weaving-influenced façade, Kiendl adds, “embodies a Coast Salish worldview, generating a blanket or veil that will secure the building and its inhabitants and collections”.
By Anita Murray & Patrick Langston, All Issues Dwelling
New residences, renovations, kitchens, loos, housing information and much more — voting is now underway for the All Items Household People’s Preference Award.
This award is a prestigious trophy offered out at the yearly Housing Design and style Awards — a a great deal-expected celebration of the Ottawa housing industry’s best in structure which is set on by the Greater Ottawa Household Builders’ Association. It is the only just one voted on by the general public.
As a result of six weekly preliminary rounds that began Aug. 15, the 285 initiatives entered in this year’s Housing Design and style Awards are vying to make it to the final round of voting, the place 16 finalists will duke it out Sept. 19 to 24 on-line and at the Ottawa Fall Residence Display.
“We are extremely enthusiastic to invite the public to vote for their favorite layouts through our People’s Alternative Award,” suggests Linda Oliveri Blanchard, who chairs the awards committee. “While winners of the Ottawa Housing Layout Awards are selected by judges from across Canada — judges who are top-level industry experts in architecture, building and layout — the People’s Option Award is picked by the community.
“It is normally exciting to see what the common public selects as their favourite design simply because it offers our industry’s designers perception as to what persons are hunting for when it will come to appears, come to feel and functionality,” she provides.
“Because of this, numerous of our finalists see this as the most prestigious trophy of the awards method. We attract thousands of votes from the basic community, and we are pretty fired up to see what style and design the community selects this yr as the incredibly best of the very best.”
Like structure — or just appreciate being an armchair critic? Then look at out the entries and have your say. You can vote in this week’s spherical now at gohbavote.ca.
To whet your appetite, here’s a sampling of previous winners.
2022 — Potvin Development
An architectural tactic to open-thought kitchen design and style and near customer involvement in the task propelled a contemporary kitchen by Potvin Design into the winner’s circle very last calendar year.
The brightly lit space, which options an effective industrial feel and connects directly with the residing room, is section of a customized bungalow. The large walnut veneer island with its stepped layout anchors the area while rounded LED pendant lights and a nearby chandelier support soften the kitchen’s strongly linear structure.
2021 — BEX Interiors & Urban Quarry
A remodelled 19th-century country kitchen took the 2021 trophy. The challenge was the get the job done of the house owner, BEX senior designer Erika Matheson.
It boasts initial red pine floors, 10-foot ceilings, new cabinetry and an island with a maple gunmetal foundation and a wooden countertop built from a reclaimed bowling alley flooring.
2020 — Greenmark Builders
A gleaming white ensuite win in 2020 was the tailor made home builder’s 3rd People’s Option acquire in just six yrs. The ensuite, bathed in pure gentle thanks to substantial windows and ground-to-ceiling mirrors, features twin pedestal sinks, massaging jets in the shower and a sculpted, absolutely free-standing tub.
There’s also an LED-lit elevated platform for the tub and shower with an identical dropped segment in the ceiling, also softly lit by LED lights.
2019 — Greenmark Builders & Rinox Signature
A modern day-themed, multi-spot backyard won in 2019, the 2nd time in two decades that an outdoor room took the prize. The resort-encouraged backyard, which was previously just grass and a patio, features a 33-foot pool with a sizzling tub, a lifted eating place with a developed-in barbecue, a lounge with a fire element, an outdoor kitchen, and a a few-year pool dwelling with retractable screens.
2018 — Neoteric Developments
Neoteric Developments scooped up the 2018 award for the house of the company’s owner, Or Bielak. Even though the pool’s present day style and design was inspired by what he and his family had (set this in our decade of PCs tale) noticed through their intensive travels, “the rest of the space was inspired by expanding up with a cottage and being one particular with nature,” said Bielak.
2017 — Gordon Weima Design and style Builder & Ardington + Associates Layout
A breathtaking fashionable farmhouse in Westboro took the award in 2017. The home, which characteristics a heat color scheme, tailor made millwork and a organic stone exterior with a welcoming porch, also gained a national housing award.
2016 — Sierra Gate Households
Design and style elements like a soaring, 18-foot cathedral ceiling, three fireplaces and a spa-like ensuite with freestanding soaker tub and heated flooring aided web the prize for this open up-idea one-relatives residence just west of Tunney’s Pasture.
2015 — Greenmark Builders
A 4-bed room, loved ones-oriented household that blends classic options this sort of as exterior stone columns and gables with a present day elongated fire in the wonderful home was the 2015 winner. The dwelling also took major honours in its personalized property classification.
2014 — Simmonds Architecture & RND Construction
A stunning double deck gained this duo their 3rd People’s Preference Award in a row. The best level is a floating design and style, while the tapered bottom deck gives a perspective of the back backyard garden from the dining nook in the kitchen.
Anita Murray and Patrick Langston are the co-founders of AllThingsHome.ca, Ottawa’s go-to source for home owners and homebuyers.
Three designers tell us about their work and big plans for the future
Published Sep 13, 2023 • Last updated 10 hours ago • 3 minute read
Geoin mug sets by Li Ting Wang.Photo by IDS Vancouver /jpg
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The Interior Design Show(IDS) Vancouver runs from Sept. 21 to 24 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. It’s a great place to check out new and up-and-coming design talent alongside established brands.
The Prototype exhibit is about shining a light on emerging designers, even if they’re not selling commercially yet.
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Postmedia sat down with three designers participating in Prototype to hear about their work and big plans for the future.
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Daisy Kim
Daisy Kim, a recent design graduate, says everything she’s made up until now has been about experimentation — not commercially motivated.
The series Kim is exhibiting at IDS is called Goanoori. Born and raised in Vancouver, she has a Korean background and says her last memories of Korea are of her grandmother’s house in Busan, South Korea. These memories inspired her Goanoori collection.
“The word ‘Goanoori’ focuses on the notion of centrality, to maintain your centre wherever one finds themselves in the world. It reminds me to stay grounded in who I am and what I do, and I can only hope it sends the same message to others,” she says.
Goanoori series by Daisy Kim.Photo by IDS Vancouver
Kim says her design practice has been a vessel that allows her to reconnect with her cultural heritage and carry “the weight of tradition.”
She wants to create spaces that are filled with a sense of joy:
“I centre on the emotion of ‘laon,’ meaning joy in Korean, and the ‘nanoom,’ the sharing of that pleasure,” she says. “My design practice helped me touch base with my background as well as keep me grounded with my cultural duality.”
Adrian Heim
West Coast Homes
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Adrian Heim launched Heim Furniture in spring of 2022 while completing a fine-furniture program at Camosun College.
“I design and build solid wood furniture one project at a time in a small workshop in Victoria’s Rock Bay neighbourhood,” he says.
Heim grew up on a farm in South-Eastern Quebec and began making things with wood as a teenager. He had access to some tools and a basic understanding of how to use them from watching his father. Heim built his first bed and side table while in high school.
Reading chair by Heim Furniture.Photo by IDS Vancouver
Heim completed a bachelor of fine arts at the University of Victoria, thinking he’d go on to study architecture, but found what he really loved doing was making furniture people could use.
Heim says he initially heard about the Prototype exhibition from people who had taken part.
“I submitted an application with my lounge chair, which is a flagship product of mine, and I was lucky enough to have been invited to show it this year,” he says.
Li Ting Wang
Li Ting Wang is a ceramics artist based in Vancouver. She graduated from Emily Carr in 2021.
Most of her work is installations and sculptures, and she focuses on the “unity of negative spaces in ceramics and sculpture.”
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“Early in the practice, I combined clay and wood to explore the relationships between internal and external and reconstruct their coherence in the forms,” says Wang. “After I graduated from university, I started practicing the skills for making functional ware and continued integrating the idea into the form of daily use objects like mugs and vases.”
Wang says she got an invite to apply for Prototype through one of the show curators finding her work on Instagram.
“After I saw his message, I applied without any hesitation,” she says.
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It truly is been a chaotic calendar year for development in Yukon's northernmost community, and some huge projects have intended perform and education prospects for area people.
"Last time we experienced a large building, you know, was a 10 years or two back. We have the school. That was the last significant undertaking," explained Pauline Frost, main of the Vuntut Gwitchin Govt in Previous Crow, Yukon.
"This is a enormous possibility for us to create capacity in the local community as effectively, with the electricians and plumbers and the carpenters and basic labourers."
This summertime, perform has been underway on a extended-awaited new health and wellness centre for the fly-in community, as nicely as a 10-plex housing elaborate. And in the spring, an assisted-living facility — the first of its sort for Aged Crow — officially opened.
Building on a new health and fitness centre and 10-plex has been underway all summer season. Some of the greater machines and material was carried to the distant fly-in group over a wintertime road last 12 months. (Cheryl Kawaja/CBC)
Frost says the perform is feasible since of the winter highway manufactured last 12 months, allowing for larger gear and supplies to be hauled up to the remote community overland in its place of by aircraft.
Kibbe Tetlichi, a Vuntut Gwitchin citizen and carpenter, has been tricky at perform on the construction initiatives in the neighborhood because March 2022.
"Oh it is busy, often we barely have time to do just about anything else at the conclusion of the working day," he explained.
"But, getting portion of some thing like this in my hometown's been quite very good, operating with a large amount of men and women from right here, especially the young persons, some just setting up out in their trade."
Tetlichi said it feels very good to be setting up items that will serve the community's needs, because "we do have to have the upgrade."
Travis Frost is a Vuntut Gwitchin citizen and carpenter who was performing 10-hour days for months straight this summer months in Previous Crow. (Cheryl Kawaja/CBC)
Travis Frost, another Vuntut Gwitchin citizen working in Old Crow as a carpenter, agrees that the new wellbeing centre is in particular needed. He was functioning ten-hour days for months straight.
"It truly is heading to glance seriously good when we're performed," he said.
"Every working day is a minimal unique, but suitable now we're placing up cladding on the exterior of the building. That took a lengthy time to get to this position, so it is seriously good to get to this stage."
The new health and wellness centre in Aged Crow. (Cheryl Kawaja/CBC)
Travis feels good to be developing one thing that will final a extended time.
"It is likely to help the local community out in many years to occur," he stated.
Inside designers share lessons figured out from projects wherever they couldn’t rely on color
August 10, 2023 at 7:00 a.m. EDT
(Video: Illustration by José L. Soto/The Washington Put up iStock)
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Quintin Tate is aware of that as an interior designer, it’s his task to see issues from the viewpoint of his shopper. That guiding pressure — to place the vision of the consumer very first — was a short while ago place to the examination when, 10 minutes into a session for a sunroom, Tate’s client described the magenta-dependent colour palette in advance of him as “brown and inexperienced.”
Tate knew that he and his client ended up practically not seeing the identical detail. The client later verified, following a trip to the eye medical professional, that he was purple-green colorblind.
Tate, a lover of lush interiors and loaded hues, had to consider color out of the photograph, or at minimum individuals not singing to his client. The exercising in shifting viewpoint aided sharpen his design and style chops, he suggests, and his empathy and interaction skills.
“When you understand that you have to discover a shared eyesight, in spite of the troubles of color, it is time for you to definitely kick your challenge-solving competencies into enjoy,” says Tate, the owner of North Carolina-dependent Twenty Sevyn Interiors.
Colorblindness impacts 1 in 12 males and 1 in 200 women in the United States, while as just one incredibly popular viral costume can attest, colour is subjective even for those people with no a analysis. Getting old eyes see coloration in different ways. Language, commerce and society layer this means on coloration. A single enterprise labels the paint chip lake blue, a different deems it denim. There are as several reasons to look over and above colour in home layout as there are shades of pink polish at a nail salon.
Colorblindness can be a useful detour to other paths to inventive collaboration. We spoke with 5 inside designers who shared surprisingly common wisdom gleaned from working with colorblind clients.
Can’t paint a image? Explain to a story.
Without the need of the option of colour to give his colorblind client’s sunroom the heat he wanted, Tate pivoted to the idea of location, one particular the customer associates with heat: the beach front.
He created a clean, coastal sanctuary, anchored by a patterned rug in cream and oceanic blue, a color his pink-environmentally friendly colorblind consumer could see. He located pillows with silhouettes of coral and seaweed, and protected the couch with a creamy tough cloth that conveys both yacht-club luxury and seaworthy ruggedness. The influence is a bit nautical and a little bit beachy: a coastal combo that exudes warmth. His shopper could not see the inexperienced leaves of the substantial potted plant Tate picked, but he could recognize their spiky angles, shadows, sense of motion and nod to character.
Black is technically not a shade a black item absorbs all the hues of the obvious spectrum and displays none of them to the eyes. In other terms, colorblind clients can see it. And if it is up to Miami-dependent interior designer Ashleigh Hue (certainly, that’s her serious name), absolutely everyone would see it as a versatile go-to.
Hue has not discovered a depth she does not appreciate in black: fixtures, bed room walls, kitchen area islands.
“Black is frequently linked with magnificence, sophistication and a sense of secret. It has a timeless high quality that can add a contact of drama and depth,” she suggests. “I can use it to produce modern and minimalist types, and daring and edgy ones.”
Toronto-dependent inside designer Michael London is aware that black can examine as eerie or way too masculine, but he encourages householders to not shy absent from applying it as a focal piece. He did just that with the no cost-standing hearth in a colorblind client’s residence. He also likes it as a potent supporting character that helps other features glow, irrespective of whether it is a black floor topped with a colourful rug or the veins and traces of a marble kitchen area island.
“Black can certainly make everything close to it far better,” London states. “You see textures in element colors pop strains are sharpened.”
Occur to (all) your senses
Texture is a typical factor of structure, one that designers lean into to engage their colorblind clients’ sense of contact.
When London realized that his luxury-trying to get client was colorblind, he promptly shifted to seeing factors in monochrome, which allowed him to emphasis on other things. “The serious problem is: How do I make it an knowledge for that specific shopper?” London suggests. “How can I give him distinctions and aspects he can really delight in?”
He chose a combination of hair-on-conceal cloth and suede for the partitions, paired with silk drapery. “Playing up the texture just adds much more depth to the area,” he says. “We’re however doing the job on the venture now, and he’s loving the process because we’re nonetheless enjoying on texture and contact.”
London also considers odor and sound, prescribing scents and soundtracks for all his purchasers. In his have office environment, clients arrive to listen to the crackle of a fire and his curated place of work soundtrack. For rooms wherever you entertain, soundtracks are important, London suggests, as they give a foundational vibe the social gathering (or infant shower, luncheon, etc.) can construct upon.
Decide on a sample or two. Or seven.
Styles pack a visible punch equally highly effective to colour. “Colorblind consumers however sense like they are receiving that pop — it’s just not a pop of color,” claims Christina Kittelstad, a coloration specialist, property stager, painter and operator of Spiral Style Shade Consulting in Lakewood, Colo. Patterned wallpaper and designs taking part in off one particular a further in pillows, furnishings and rugs can all give a home depth and vitality irrespective of hue.
For the duration of a the latest design for a colorblind client’s living place and artwork gallery, Houston-centered inside designer Christopher Charles Evans packed in patterns on the hair-on-cover ottoman focal piece, in texture-wealthy pillows and a “lot of geometrical shapes heading on with higher distinction in coloration,” claims the owner of ChristopherCharles Interiors and IndigoRED, LLC.
In that exact same client’s bed room, patterns participate in properly off each individual other, with traces and curves zinging from 1 pillow to the shapely “Space Age satisfies artwork deco” shiny light fixtures. And there is a great deal to get your palms on right here much too: A lush ocean of a blanket is the tactile cherry on major of a 3-throw pileup, and Evans concocted a signature scent of rose and sandalwood for his client’s home.
In his colorblind client’s bathroom, London produced a sample playground with flower petals in a portray harmonizing with the styles of the room’s modern-day chandelier. (Of course, chandeliers in loos are a factor.) The abstract petals in the painting also vibe with a row of the flowers lined up on a ledge over the tub.
Designs speak volumes through the household of London’s colorblind client and in the designer’s very own office. Curvy couches soften more angular characteristics and give a feeling of serpentine movement. “I really like how [the couch] makes flow and allows the eye to both equally transfer through a place even though offering a delicate landing,” London says.
Repeating rectangles in the form of door frames increase to that sense of rhythm as they direct from the client’s bathroom into the vainness and dressing place. Surrounded by textured wallpaper, in various shades of brown, anchored by a travertine flooring, with its possess rectangular tiles, the hallway potential customers to a lit-from-guiding mirror.
As each and every Gen Z-er in beige athleisure is aware, neutrals are possessing a sustained moment.
Colorblind purchasers are sharply attuned to tone, and designers herald neutrals as the greatest way to seize these slight modifications in saturation and depth. “My colorblind shoppers inform me they just sense safer with neutrals,” says Kittelstad. “You cannot go completely wrong genuinely. Even if you mess up, it is even now most likely not heading to seem undesirable.”
Neutrals provide a rapid resolution to the paralysis typically affiliated with house projects of any scale, irrespective of whether you can see color or not. “Sometimes you do not want to get that risk, or possibly there is a ton of that going on in your lifetime,” Kittelstad says. “Neutral selections can keep it basic. There is no denying that.”
If your bash room does not accommodate far more than two persons, your office environment has no shops and that granite island has left a long lasting bruise on your thigh, then all the daring patterns and attention-grabbing textures can not do a detail to make your structure get the job done for you. Colorblind purchasers elevate the bar on features, designers say, and underscore the ethos of all very good style.
“The operation of a area is the underpinning of effective and value-included interior layout,” Evans suggests. “A area that has great purpose adds price, ease and get to the client’s environment and everyday residing.”
Common blunders in function that Evans sees are: absence of linen closets in new design deficiency of storage not using efficiency materials for substantial-use upholstered furnishings inadequate door and cabinetry swing instructions and sacrificing functionality for value.
“No deal is great if you have to go out and buy a improved version of it when it fails to execute,” Evans says.
Amanda Prolonged is a writer and massage therapist who lives in Falls Church, Va.
Published Jul 27, 2023 • Last updated Jul 27, 2023 • 3 minute read
Contemporary home design in the Harmony show home in Calgary by Daytona Homes. Photo by Sona Visual /Postmedia
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At the start of 2023, predictions for home design and interior decor trends included creating natural and healthy spaces that maximized natural light with an emphasis on using sustainable, greener materials that included recycled, upcycled, ethical and organic surfaces.
Now, halfway through the year, we asked Alberta designers — in both Calgary and Edmonton — what have become the most popular home design and interior decor trends with Alberta home buyers?
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Their replies revealed that there are home design styles common among builders, including classic, modern, farmhouse, contemporary to modern heritage home designs, which tends to make it appear that Albertans have a vast palette for home design styles.
Maybe this vast palette is because “the internet is impacting consumer choices and driving trends based on what they’re seeing on the TV, the internet, HGTV, Pinterest, and in HomeSense,” says Katie Sutherland, interior design manager at Daytona Homes.
Sutherland adds that Daytona Homes — in Calgary and Edmonton — is seeing an interest in home designs that are modern farmhouse and modern classic in design.
Erin Davis, director of sales and marketing at Pacesetter Homes, a Qualico Company, said that the company has nearly 30 show homes around the greater Edmonton area. Each one is professionally designed and showcases a variety of design styles.
“You can see mid-century modern inspired homes, French country, modern, farmhouse, industrial and nearly everything in between,” says Davis.
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Wood-stained feature wall in primary bedroom in Jensen Lake showhome in St. Albert by Daytona Homes. Photo by Supplied /Postmedia
A modern Scandinavian farmhouse design by Pacesetter Homes. Photo by Supplied /Postmedia
A modern classic home design by Sterling Homes. Photo by Kristin Ross /Postmedia
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Homes by Avi’s customers in both Calgary and Edmonton are interested in the blend of old and new.
“The mainstream consumer trend right now looks like modern heritage designs, which really incorporates the small details like wood working, natural finishes on wood. The style is in the little finishes with a more modern palette and finishes,” says Julie Punter, manager of showhome selections and presentations at Homes by Avi.
Transitional style is catching eyes at show homes by Sterling Homes, a Qualico Company, in Calgary.
“Our floor plans reflect an open space trend with a touch of the transitional style, a blend between modern and traditional, as we’d like the customer to envision themselves living there in the home,” says Pamela Burns, director of sales and marketing. “Right now, there seems to be a real interest from consumers for open-to-above floor plans, which creates a grand foyer or great room space. And while it might sacrifice overall square footage it provides that grandeur that some consumers in Calgary are looking for.”
“People today are being more cognizant about what they are picking (for their home), and thinking about their lifestyles, and being more vigilant about what they are choosing and why,” says Punter.
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Albertans also apparently have a vast palette for interior decorating styles.
Designers from both markets shared that Albertans interior decor trends range from modern traditional, classic, contemporary, modern, farmhouse, Scandinavian, West Coast and urban decor styles.
Punter, from Homes by Avi, observes that Edmontonians appear to like homes with a warmer look and feel — farmhouse rustic yet modern — with a warm, cozy and inviting feel. Calgarians appreciate the same warm look and feel but like to apply more of a contemporary and modern look to their decor styles.
Personalized decor works best on a solid home design, says Davis.
“We design our homes with functionality at the forefront and in such a way that clients have lots of opportunity to express their unique design style,” she says.
Burns, from Sterling Homes, says they are seeing interior decorating trends with soft lines and rounded furniture, which creates a look of effortless elegance, including wall detail accents.
“(The accents are) usually painted a feature colour, adding dimension, and a pop-up wall feature,” says Burns.
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Daytona Homes has also seen an increase in feature wall trends.
“These wood wall features have been very popular as they add texture and character to the room, with out being too bold,” says Sutherland.
Gone are the days when one design style seems to trump all others.
“Just like current fashion trends are celebrating style from each decade, we are seeing a wide range of design styles being incorporated into our client homes,” says Davis. “I think the reason there isn’t one definitive design style right now but rather so many are being seen is because the home is a way to express yourself, a place to feel comfortable and at ease. A lesson that we all learned over the past few years while spending more time at home,” says Davis.
Today, both home design and interior decor are reflections of who we are, our values, lifestyle, needs and ultimately the mood and environment we’d like to create in our personal space, our homes.
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An architectural rendering exhibits what the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research will look like dealing with Dickson Avenue.
The U of A proceeds to broaden on its greatly renowned campus, now with a point out-of-the-artwork analysis facility. The Institute for Integrative & Innovative Investigation (I³R), getting built on the corner of Duncan Avenue and Dickson Avenue, will offer the room and technology for some of the most chopping-edge and inventive study at the College of Arkansas. The multi-12 months procedure of realizing the 3-tale, around 144,000-sq.-foot facility carries on to make strides toward completion.
Here’s a look at how I³R acquired from exactly where it was in 2020 to where by it is these days.
July 2020
Walton Household Charitable Help Foundation announces $194.7 million gift to build I³R.
October 2021
Crews commence to work on the east facet of the I³R web site to assemble a tunnel and carry out early sitework to get ready for excavation. Portion of this method included extending the present infrastructure underneath the I³R site to offer heating, electrical power and chilled h2o to the new constructing, when relocating current utility infrastructure out of the footprint of the developing.
April 2022
Groundbreaking ceremony. Breaking ground signifies the official get started of development for the setting up. U.S. Sen. John Boozman and then-interim Vice Chancellor for Financial Improvement David Snow gave remarks on the impression that I³R is envisioned to have on the U of A’s analysis initiatives.
June 2022
Excavation procedure commences to obvious region for the foundation of the developing. Crews loaded about 200 vehicles a day for 30 times to obvious the internet site for the ground of I³R.
September 2022
First concrete walls start to be founded.
November 2022
Crews pour concrete overnight for I³R’s floor method. It is far more beneficial to pour at evening simply because website traffic is apparent and the temperature is steady, generating great conditions for concrete pouring.
November 2022
Tower crane comes on site.
December 2022
Very first stage of steel is crafted on web page.
April 2023
Workers place ending touches on the building’s steel skeleton. Timber comes on site to be developed at the time the metal framework is completed. The steel and timber ratio is roughly 50% of each individual. Jointly, they form the structural integrity of the building, supplying a strong and solid basis though also highlighting the elegance of the building’s character.
June 2023
Topping out ceremony, commemorating the closing structural beam getting raised into spot and finishing the building’s body. More than 200 people gathered on web site to indication this piece of timber and participate in the custom of raising the wood with a tree on it to the highest point of the making, signaling the final piece of timber wanted for the project. Some notable attendees bundled U of A Chancellor Charles Robinson, U.S. Congressman Steve Womack, and Associate Vice Chancellor and I³R Executive Director Ranu Jung.
Fall 2024
Estimated completion.
U of A Services Management, in collaboration with CDI Contractors and I³R team, continues its really hard function to attain a composition deserving of the worthwhile exploration that I³R will shelter in the several years to appear.
The beamed wood bathroom ceiling in this custom-built home by West of Main is a hallmark element of rustic-style design. Photo by Justin Thomason Photography.
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If social media is any indication, farmhouse and rustic décor aren’t disappearing anytime soon.
The two styles came first and second, respectively, in a recent survey by RubyHome Luxury Real Estate. It tracked top home design trends based on the number of Instagram posts featuring them.
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So, what are these styles, exactly, and why do homeowners love them?
If you’re a fan of HGTV, you’ve likely seen a lot of farmhouse-style makeovers in the last decade. These homes feature elements such as shiplap panelling and large, comfortable sofas. In the kitchen, you might find open shelving, a few navy or muted green cabinets, and gold, black or brushed-brass hardware.
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“It’s very comfortable, family friendly,” says Kate Davidson, founder of Kate + Co Design Inc. in Oakville, Ontario. The Ottawa-raised designer predicts the trend is far from over. “I think the farmhouse style is going to stay for the next five years.”
In this custom-built home by West of Main, a dramatic, rustic-style stone fireplace is a focal point.Photo by Justin Thomason Photography
“It’s easy to digest this style,” agrees Sascha Lafleur, co-founder and principal designer at Ottawa’s West of Main Design. Farmhouse is also quite adaptable to a wide range of housing types, she adds. “People can imagine it in more of a builder-grade house.”
The other leading style trend, rustic, highlights natural elements—think beamed wood ceilings and stone fireplaces. It incorporates textiles such as cotton, linen, canvas and wool, particularly if they’re textured. Earth tones and weathered pieces add to the rustic feel, but don’t think of this as a log-cabin vibe. “Rustic has taken on a bit more of a sophisticated look,” Lafleur explains.
Because it often requires substantial custom woodworking and stonemasonry, this style can be time consuming and expensive to achieve, she adds. “It’s beautiful, but it’s hard to source.” In Ottawa, homeowners may need to hire specialized artisans from beyond the city to create the rustic elements they want.
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No matter what décor style you choose, keep your home’s basic design in mind when embarking on a full-scale overhaul. “A big factor is the environment, the space you’re working in,” says Davidson. If you live in an industrial-style loft, a traditional look like farmhouse might not be for you — no matter how trendy it is.
“You purchased that home for a reason,” Davidson notes. “Accentuate what you already have.”
West of Main designed this modern farmhouse-style kitchen for a house built by eQ Homes.Photo by Justin Thomason Photography.
Instagram photos often feature entire houses decorated in a particular esthetic. If you’re not up for that level of renovation, can you still bring a bit of farmhouse or rustic style to your décor, simply and affordably?
Yes, say both designers.
Limewashed walls are a quick way to bring a farmhouse feel to any room, says Lafleur, noting that there are lots of videos online to help homeowners achieve limewash paint’s signature cloudy, dreamy look.
Davidson says kitchens can get a quick farmhouse-style refresh with elements such as brushed-brass cabinet hardware or new pendant lamps. “Light fixtures make a big statement.”
Although farmhouse and rustic were the top two trends in the Instagram survey, other styles also made a strong showing.
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In third place was neutral, which is pretty self-explanatory.
Next came hygge, the Danish-inspired look that could best be summed up as “Scandinavian cozy.” And rounding out the top five was shabby chic, a 1980s trend that has been updated for a new generation but still features such elements as vintage furniture, pastel tones and chalk paint.
Oakville-based designer Kate Davidson grew up in Ottawa and still works on projects here.Photo by Kate + Co. photograph
These two warm styles share some elements. Lafleur notes that reupholstering a single chair in bouclé can quickly bring a hygge or shabby chic vibe to a room, depending on the other elements of the space.
No matter what style you choose, here are a few overall trends to keep in mind.
Warmer tones are in Say goodbye to harsh whites and cool greys. Beige and cream are on the rise. In fact, contrasting baseboards and wall colours are becoming passé, says Lafleur, with many homeowners opting to paint both walls and trim the same colour. As for floors, she’s seeing more people re-staining light wood in darker shades, such as chocolate and mahogany.
Classic is still, well, classic Checkered floors, for instance, are still very popular. However, there’s now movement toward smaller penny tiles to update the look.
Finally, both designers note that while a cohesive style is important—“You need to commit,” says Davidson—it’s wise to avoid a look so stylized that it feels more like a hotel room than a home. They urge homeowners to incorporate treasured items such as rugs, pillows and personal mementoes into their chosen style to make it truly their own.
As Lafleur explains, “It’s really important to tell your own story throughout the house.”
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Discovering the Prospective of Vitality Storage in Setting up Resources: Revolutionizing Sustainable Design
The building business has extended been a important contributor to environmental degradation, with its substantial intake of electrical power and natural assets. Nonetheless, the rising demand from customers for sustainable design practices has led to the advancement of progressive remedies that can enable reduce the sector’s environmental impact. Just one this sort of promising progress is the integration of energy storage in setting up materials, which has the prospective to revolutionize sustainable development.
Electricity storage in developing products refers to the potential of selected supplies to retailer thermal or electrical strength, which can then be employed to energy the building or be fed again into the grid. This notion is not totally new, as common creating elements like concrete and bricks have some inherent thermal storage capacity. However, current developments in materials science and nanotechnology have opened up new possibilities for significantly enhancing the vitality storage capabilities of these supplies.
One of the most promising developments in this field is the use of phase change supplies (PCMs) in design. PCMs are substances that can retail store and launch huge amounts of thermal electrical power when they modify their phase, these types of as from good to liquid or vice versa. By incorporating PCMs into setting up materials like wall panels, insulation, and flooring, it is probable to produce buildings that can proficiently keep and launch warmth, thereby lowering the need to have for conventional heating and cooling units. This can lead to major electricity discounts and a reduced carbon footprint for the making.
A further interesting improvement in vitality storage in constructing supplies is the emergence of photo voltaic photovoltaic (PV) components that can be built-in into numerous developing factors, these kinds of as home windows, facades, and roofing. These components can create electric power from daylight, which can then be saved in batteries or made use of instantly by the building’s electrical devices. This not only decreases the building’s reliance on exterior electrical power sources but also helps to limit the visible effects of regular photo voltaic panels.
In addition to thermal and electrical electrical power storage, scientists are also checking out the probable of making use of constructing supplies to retail store mechanical electricity. A person instance of this is the advancement of piezoelectric resources, which can generate electrical energy when subjected to mechanical strain. By incorporating these products into flooring or other structural parts, it may possibly be probable to harness the strength created by persons strolling or vehicles transferring on the surface area, furnishing an further supply of renewable vitality for the creating.
The integration of energy storage in making supplies delivers many advantages for sustainable building. By minimizing the reliance on exterior electricity sources and improving the general power performance of buildings, these components can aid to noticeably lower greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the outcomes of local weather transform. Moreover, by supplying a additional flexible and decentralized approach to electrical power era and storage, these products can also add to greater resilience in the face of all-natural disasters and other disruptions to the energy grid.
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Whether you’re looking to freshen up a single room or make your entire house a showstopper for guests, you may find yourself wondering how to get started. You don’t necessarily need an interior designer to help you achieve the right look or feel for a space, as long as you have a vision and feel confident about your decisions.
We’ve asked home renovation, design and decorating experts to weigh in on important details to consider as you prepare for your next home improvement project.
When designing and decorating your home, experts recommend:
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When decorating your home, it’s often best to go room by room. But which room should you take on first? “Most people start in the room they spend the most time in,” says Gena Kirk, vice president of design for homebuilding company KB Home, based in Los Angeles. “In new-construction homes, it’s typically the great room or the living room and then the kitchen.”
For the sake of entertaining visitors, it makes sense to prioritize common areas. Once you’ve tackled the spaces where you spend most of your waking hours, you can work to improve bathrooms and bedrooms, followed by less critical spaces like the laundry room or linen closet.
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While tackling your living room may be the ideal first project, don't neglect your bedroom. “People overlook their master bedroom – especially families. They make sure everyone else is happy,” says Leanne Ford, co-host of the HGTV show “Restored by the Fords” and co-author of “Work in Progress: Unconventional Thoughts on Designing an Extraordinary Life.”
A bedroom doesn’t require the extensive plumbing, electrical work and new appliances that a kitchen or bathroom may require, and you can create a new look simply by adding new paint and light fixtures or lamps. Consider directing your budget for this room toward a comfortable new mattress or a chair to read and relax in. “You can redo your master bedroom for what, $5,000 all in, and you can create a kind of a sanctuary,” Ford says.
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When redesigning a room, decide whether your vision requires simple changes like moving furniture and hanging new drapes, or if you'll be starting a months-long project that requires construction. Taking on a do-it-yourself project, for example, isn’t just about how skilled you are, but “also what your appetite is for making a mess,” says Barbara Kavovit, founder and CEO of Evergreen Construction in New York City and author of “Heels of Steel,” a novel about the construction industry.
If you’re not up for having your living room covered in tarps for weeks to remove a wall and install recessed lighting, or even just a couple of days to paint the walls, you’ll want to stick to simply moving furniture and art around and patching nail holes.
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A tight budget doesn’t mean it’s impossible to accomplish a new look and feel for a room – it just means you have to be strategic about how you spend your money. To redesign a room for less, Ford says: “It’s about swapping out lighting and a fresh coat of paint.”
Painting the walls a new color is a fairly easy project, and you can change the feel of a room with lamps that light upward instead of down or even upgrade your bulbs to LED. Investing in smart lightbulbs will give you dimmer and color-changing options without requiring any electrical work – instead, the lights operate from a remote or an app on your phone.
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There’s no shortage of places you can look to find design inspiration for your home. Interior design magazines often showcase a heavily curated look that can seem intimidating, while design blogs and websites like Pinterest and Houzz can highlight more approachable and achievable aesthetics that will fit your house – and hopefully your budget.
Kirk notes that homeowners can take advantage of online resources, because it's easier to find similar pieces of furniture or decor at a lower price compared to the pieces they see in a photo of a designer's or celebrity's home.
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If you’re looking to take on a DIY project, Kavovit recommends sticking to those that can be accomplished with a limited skill set. Projects like painting walls and changing out fixtures don't require construction knowledge and are less likely to go haywire.
“Change the look of your kitchen by painting cabinets. Put up some hooks; change the under-cabinet lighting,” Kavovit says. “You could even add a backsplash with some tile – even if you’re a novice.” Take advantage of online tutorials and how-to YouTube videos to follow a step-by-step project, even if it’s for something simple like replacing a light fixture.
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A small project is also ideal if you're unsure of just how you should improve a room. Subtle alterations can tell you if cosmetic differences will do the trick or if you ultimately need a bigger renovation. “Replace a faucet if it’s the kitchen or the bathroom. You can replace a shower head; you can replace a doorknob,” Kavovit says.
Consider replacing cabinet pulls, knobs or faucets, which you can find at any home improvement store, and mix and match to try out more modern or traditional accents in a room. A new shower head may be the change you were looking for, or it could make it clear that the size or placement of the shower needs to change.
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If you’re excited about new trends or the changing season and want to embrace new colors and patterns, remember not to over-invest in those details. Kirk recommends keeping your large pieces of furniture like your couch and coffee table more traditional and neutral so they have more versatility and longevity. “Then use your accessories and those other elements to bring out the trends, so when trends change it’s easier to update,” Kirk says.
You may love plaid and deep greens or reds during the fall and winter, but come summer they look out of place. With a gray couch, you can change out green throw pillows and a plaid blanket for a pale pink come springtime.
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While home renovation shows and Pinterest often highlight what styles are popular in the moment, Ford stresses that you shouldn’t follow a trend for the sake of fitting in. In any home she works on, Ford says she focuses on creating a space that an individual can feel emotionally attached to, rather than sticking to current trends. “If you don’t love it, do something different,” Ford says.
While contemporary design trends call for clean lines and neutral colors as the main focus of a room, you can still make a space feel fresh by mixing in pieces you love that aren’t actively trending. A Victorian chandelier can still be used as a focal point over a dining room table – just consider pairing it with some modern chairs or a table to keep the room from looking dated.
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In a common area like your living room or family room, layout is important. You not only want to make it easy to interact with family and friends, but you also want to be able to watch a movie or listen to music. However, you can encourage more conversation and less focus on the television by keeping it from becoming the focal point of the space. In daily life, “TV is becoming less prevalent,” Kirk says. Consider placing your TV off-center so it’s still easy to watch comfortably, but make the focal point of the room the fireplace or a piece of artwork.
If you still want a centered, wall-mounted TV, you can use extended hooks or a sliding rail to cover it with artwork when you’re not watching a show. Samsung even offers a magnetic frame you can attach to your TV, allowing you to set the screen to an image when it's off, making it look like framed art.
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When you’re selecting new furniture for your living room and dining area, keep in mind how that space will most often be used. “Let’s say you have a large family (and) you have young children. You want a piece of furniture that’s going to hold up to that,” Kirk says.
A sturdy sectional makes a lot more sense when you have kids who are going to climb over the back and roll around than an antique sofa, for example. If you rarely entertain guests or host holiday dinners, a dining table that seats 12 is an unnecessary expense. Similarly, if you work in an office and rarely use the computer at your house, there’s no need to devote a room to a home office when it could be a spare bedroom or playroom.
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Don’t limit your decor to furniture and framed photographs. Design principles of today focus on giving a room more life and texture with plants and natural elements. “People are starting to really be open to more sustainable products. They’re bringing the outdoors in,” Kirk says.
If you’re not confident you can keep lots of potted plants alive, incorporate other natural details like pebbles or shells in a bowl or vase, or freshly cut flowers on a tabletop that you can replace weekly. Photos or paintings that show off a landscape also help to bring aspects of the outdoors inside without requiring regular upkeep.
Trevor Ciona and Curtis Elmy of Atmosphere Interior Design reveal the inspiration behind their stylishly designed home at Saskatoon's most coveted address: No. 1 River Landing
Published Jul 13, 2023 • Last updated Jul 15, 2023 • 4 minute read
Panoramic views of the city from the terrace provide the perfect backdrop for Ciona and Elmy to entertain friends and family. PHOTO BY EYMERIC WIDLINGPhoto by Eymeric Widling /jpg
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Atmosphere Interior Design’s Trevor Ciona and Curtis Elmy have had their work featured in magazines such as Western Living, Style at Home and House Beautiful from Australia. Their contribution to the Canadian design conversation continues to grow with each passing year.
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Recently Ciona and Elmy debuted the final reveal of a very special project — their penthouse suite at No. 1 River Landing. Located along the riverbank next to the Remai Modern and Persephone Theatre, the glass-clad residential tower is right in the thick of downtown Saskatoon.
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Given the coveted address, the palatial space, and their reputation, the pressure was on to create something truly special. However, Elmy notes they tried to keep focused on what really mattered instead of creating a showpiece. “Ultimately, what do Trevor and Curtis love?” says Elmy.
To begin designing such an amazing space the pair found two design elements they loved — a unique blond herringbone flooring and stunning black cabinetry with a white oak wood grain. Everything else would be built around these building blocks.
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The black cabinetry create is the most powerful design element in the kitchen. “It’s strong and bold without being dark and heavy,” says Curtis Elmy. PHOTO BY EYMERIC WIDLINGPhoto by Eymeric Widling /jpg
The contrast between the elements could become harsh or boring, but Elmy notes they incorporated shades of charcoal and warm brushed brass and careful use of textures and patterns to keep either from overwhelming any room.
Something they considered was how to keep the ebony cabinetry from becoming heavy and dark. As a solution, the cabinetry was finished with a wash of white paint which settled into the wood grain, giving it a little texture and keeping the black colour from becoming overwhelming.
Another pair of custom-built chairs were act like twin pieces of art in the living room. Combining soft curves with hard lines, the chairs draw interest from every angle. The pieces were finished with contrasting white leather and grey tweed to add even more interest. PHOTO BY EYMERIC WIDLINGPhoto by Eymeric Widling /jpg
“I think it’s the most powerful design element in the whole kitchen. It’s strong and bold without being dark and heavy,” says Elmy.
Ciona and Elmy incorporated natural stone as much as possible. For anyone looking for a distinctive look, natural stone can’t be duplicated, so homeowners will know they have a one-of-a-kind piece.
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Loft spaces, such as No. 1 River Landing, are often very dramatic with high ceilings. For the penthouse, the original 12-foot ceilings were lowered to hide the industrial features such as venting and wiring. The lower ceiling and hidden hardware keep the space sophisticated yet inviting.
“I think the sweet spot is in that nine to 10-foot range. Because it gives you lots of room to have art or do other things on your walls, but it does give a warm cozy feeling to the space,” says Elmy.
Atmosphere Interior Design is known for adding texture to a space and this home is no exception.
Elmy notes there isn’t one painted wall in the entire penthouse. The couple incorporated various wallpapers or tiles to give each room its own personality. There are bold choices, such as the hand-painted wallpaper design in the bedroom, but also a softer linen weave paper in the main living space.
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A hand-painted wallpaper design provides a fun and bold backdrop for the principle bedroom. The pattern play allows for some ‘wow’ moments according to Elmy. PHOTO BY EYMERIC WIDLINGPhoto by Eymeric Widling /jpg
“We didn’t want it to feel formal. That wallpaper actually helped tone down some of the flashier items that we’ve used,” says Elmy.
He adds, that people often get scared of pattern play, but it’s a powerful tool in design to create ‘wow’ moments. “Sometimes I have to remind people, in a larger scale and in real life, patterns become quieter for the most part.”
Perhaps one of the biggest lessons for the pair in designing their own home was persistence and patience. Sometimes it takes a while to find the perfect piece. Such was the case with the sumptuous shearling tub chairs in the living room. The fabric invites a tactile experience with Elmy reporting visitors often end up petting the chair as they sit and visit. The upholstery is also extremely durable which fits with their desire to have things be pretty and functional.
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The conversation pieces were “absolutely the perfect choice” according to Elmy, despite the long wait.
One of the suite’s most notable features still gives Elmy pinch-me-I-can’t-believe-I-live-here moments. The floor-to-ceiling windows give spectacular river views from almost every room. Those views become expansive when you step out onto the 1,300-square-foot terrace.
The bird’s eye view of the pretty river valley and stunning Saskatchewan sunsets set the location apart. It’s also given Elmy a new appreciation for the city and how much it’s changed.
A 1,300 square foot terrace offer spectacular views of Saskatoon from the penthouse suite at No. 1 River Landing. The owners, Atmosphere Interior Design’s Trevor Ciona and Curtis Elmy recently revealed the completed design. PHOTO BY EYMERIC WIDLINGPhoto by Eymeric Widling /jpg
No matter what they’re designing, Elmy says it needs to feel like home for someone. And that will look and feel different for everyone depending on their lifestyle, their stage of life and their personality. It’s clear wherever design work takes the design duo, they have a stunningly stylish space to call home in the city they love.
New food and wine festival comes to River Landing
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AI programs can help visualize your home in different decor styles — some even connect with where specific items are sold.
Published Jul 07, 2023 • 4 minute read
AI generated rendering from Planner5D's free Design Generator, which offers interior design options automatically based on an uploaded picture.Photo by Planner5D.com /Postmedia
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Artificial intelligence has been disrupting interior design for several years now but the recent launch of ChatGPT has pushed generative AI into the mainstream and it is powering easy-to-follow online design tools. A quick look at the benefits of these tools show how AI is revolutionizing interior design and why it matters to homeowners.
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First, interior design applications using artificial intelligence instantly turn anyone into an amateur designer. The tools change the way images are conceptualized and produced.
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A basic function of these design tools shows the utility of AI as most programs allow users to upload a photo of any room in their house, select a designer theme (modern, traditional, minimalist) and the program will generate different images of how that room would look with each theme. Some allow you to instantly purchase the furniture in your generated images.
This is where the AI interior design journey began — a photo of a real living room.Photo by Scott Henderson /Postmedia
“One of our priorities is to make the designing as easy and accessible as possible. AI can be named among the best technologies for it, taking over complicated tasks or helping in generating more ideas,” says Matt Kryvashein, chief marketing officer at Planner 5D, a global e-design platform.
Easy and accessible is where this mashup of art and technology gets interesting. Learning how the technology works explains why it is so useful in design. AI uses software to simulate human intelligence processes, including learning (collecting information and rules for using information), reasoning (using rules to create conclusions) and self-correction.
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Most of interior design AI is based on machine learning, a subgroup of AI that learns patterns from large amounts of data using these patterns to make predictions and decision. Collov, one of the leaders in online provision of design tools, recently launched an updated version of its product CollovGPT. The GPT stands for Generative Pre-Trained Transformer, which is a type of language model that conducts natural languages processing tasks, like question-answering, and text generation.
Using a generative AI tool like CollovGPT enables users to experiment with different design styles by using humanlike conversations. It can respond to questions and compose visual content like design themes, floor plans, and full-blown renderings.
Prompts are used to “speak” with AI software to communicate what responses you are looking for. The best way to understand is to try it. Visit gpt.collov.com/chat, upload a photo of a room in your house and experiment.
Examples of prompts on this website include:
Ask AI for a specific interior design style rendering. “Please generate a modern style interior design rendering for my living room.”
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Customize the room layout or furniture based on preferences. “Can you move the sofa to the other side of the room?” or “Can you change the colour of the curtains to blue?”
Using the language prompts, the design tool then generates a new rendering of your room with an updated layout or furniture. Adjustments can be made with more prompts until you are satisfied with the design.
CollovGPT generated this image from the uploaded photo using the prompt: “Generate a modern style interior design rendering for my living room.”Photo by Generated by CollovGPT /Postmedia
Other benefits of using AI-powered design tools are reducing time and increasing efficiency. Inputting specific parameters can save designers significant time as the software generates images quickly for optional use. It saves money on professional interior design by using AI to design spaces. It can provide designers, professional or amateur, with exact dimensions and structures of rooms to create multiple images before finalising a design.
An essential activity of interior design is selecting colours and materials, and AI can present customers with the ability to view interiors in the exact colour they want and see how they complement accessories in their homes. Experimentation is unlimited as designer and homeowner can create images quickly with different layouts, themes or colours.
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Being able to virtually tour, a designed space in 3-D before making any decision provides a powerful visualization tool to back up human intelligence, much like the adage “measure twice cut once.” Like Netflix or Spotify, these tools analyse individual tastes and behaviours to make informed recommendations. Driven by user input, the more detailed the input, the more personal the results. The more interaction with the tools, the more sophisticated the recommendations are.
Efficiencies are important, but there are some drawbacks. Designs based on algorithms do not always reflect the intuition and creativity of a human designer. In addition, misinterpretations of personal tastes happen as AI tools are not always accurate. Limitations may also be contingent on the options pre-programmed into the AI software.
While many of these tools are accessible and easy-to-use by amateur designers, the tools significantly improve the abilities of professional designers to lower costs. It is a good idea if selecting an interior designer to ask if they are currently using AI in their designs.
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How much one wants to use AI for interior design is up to the individual. A deep dive and full 2-D and 3-D renderings and floor plans with measurements, costs and building codes are possible, but for many, the basic (and free) feature of quickly visualizing possibilities will be enough to inspire them to try AI design.
Samples of interior design tools and platforms that use artificial intelligence.
1. Planner 5D: an advanced and easy-to-use 2-D/3-D, AI-powered, home design platform that allows anyone to create floor plans and interior designs in minutes.
2. CollovGPT: enables users and designers to remodel spaces by uploading images and generating stylized versions. The furniture in its versions also come priced and ready to purchase.
3. Homestyler: popular with professionals, this tool also provides augmented reality to overlay virtual furniture and decorations onto real-world surroundings.
4. Havenly: An online platform that uses AI to match users with certified professional designers who suit their style preferences.
5. RoOomy: uses AI and virtual staging technology to help real estate agents and interior designers virtually furnish an interior space.
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