Next Gen Home Automation

Client's family room with flush mounted TV above fireplace. 

Client's family room with flush mounted TV above fireplace. 

I designed this zebra wood custom cabinet over 10 years ago and I still love it. On the right, see the inside guts that previousy housed stereo and CD's. But, my client has re-gained this storage since we have outfitted their home with wireless systems.

Concept sketches for home audio visual needs in these clean built-in units.

Concept sketches for home audio visual needs in these clean built-in units.

See all the hidden audio storage options to the left of the fireplace.

See all the hidden audio storage options to the left of the fireplace.

Can you spot the Sonos wireless speakers on this bookcase?

Can you spot the Sonos wireless speakers on this bookcase?

Today, almost every house function can be operated with a touch of a button - from automated lighting and heating, to multi-room audio & video systems that enable music or movies throughout the whole house.

I always counsel clients to install home automation systems that are simple and easy to operate. There is no point in installing lighting controls that you need a manual to operate. I have seen this in homes I have visited and often wonder what it’s like being a guest if you don’t know how to simply turn lights on and off. 

That being said, there are some amazing technologies that make for easy use and installation. In my case, I recently explored wireless speakers and a new stereo system.  The backstory is that when I gutted my house 12 years ago I installed some wired in-ceiling and bookcase speakers and each room had its own control and a master remote. Fast forward to today when I repainted the whole house I looked for some updated solutions since our five CD player was no longer working and I wanted to join with many of my clients and integrate my music IPhone library.  Also, I was very interested in listening to radio around the world, especially in Ireland where my family lives. And, lastly, I have become a huge fan of podcasts so this was another element I wanted to integrate into our home audio.

With the help from Jeff Gosselin from Cloud9 AV Solutions I now have wireless speakers throughout the house. First I tried the SONOS system and then I test-drove another company;  Bluesound, who make a similar product.  In the end we selected Bluesound because it was more streamlined looking and we felt that the sound was slightly better. We now control the music in the house through our iPhones and can easily bring speakers inside or outside, listen to radio from around the world, podcasts and endless music streaming.  We really appreciate the wonderful sound and the ease of use. As well, we were able to save and recapture space once we got rid of our CDs and our very large stereo components. Bonus!  
 

Webpage: http://c9av.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c9av/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cloud9av

 

 

 

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Organic Loft Kitchen

Recently I had the opportunity to design my dream kitchen – a collaboration with Cosentino Group, Kohler Kitchen Fixtures and Benjamin Moore Paint – all leaders in the world of Interior Design and Architecture. My design is inspired by the idea of an organic loft in an urban setting that is connected to views of the nearby city skyline through an inner courtyard garden. In this blog, I share the evolution of my design from the early sketches, to the final construction.   

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I designed this space for a creative couples’ urban loft featuring soothing, warm finishes in a clean architectural setting.   To bring this project to life I created my own clients.   They are a couple in their 30’s -  he is a writer and she is a photographer/artist.  They both work at home, have 2 kids and enjoy living in an urban setting.  Their home was inherited from her grandmother - it was formerly a stable.  Access to the outdoors was always something she remembers from her childhood visits where ongoing sculpture projects by her grandparents were created in the outside walled garden with a constant flow of artists and writers who came to the salons in the kitchen/family room.  The new owner wanted to continue this tradition while also bringing the space into the present.   This kitchen/outdoor space is the center of their home. In spring/summer/fall they eat outside, and in the colder months they enjoy making the winters more livable by creating a magical winter wonderful-land to look out through the two story windows.   Outdoor lights, green ivy everywhere and bird feeders make this space an all-year-round focus.

Here is one of my early sketches.  

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The Finished Room!

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In the Bar/Library I like the unexpected art wall and library which speaks to the clients passion for art and books - always incorporated into my work is a reflection of the interests of my clients.  I incorporated hand-made details to enliven the space and these 1930’s Italian handmade sconces are perfect for this clean space because of the texture and interest they bring. The installation of the art in the bar area is termed “Salon Style” and brings an organic quality to create tension and interest.  Similarly, the accessories throughout are installed with this in mind.  Too much symmetry can dull a space!

The Silestone Eternal-Marquina Stone by Cosentino in the archway between the kitchen and the bar area, creates a bold transitional space into the unexpected library beyond.  See above the original sketch and the finished space. 

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Balance and symmetry are key components in this design. This is apparent in the above shot showing the view from the kitchen to the Bar/Library. 

It was an absolute pleasure to collaborate with the Cosentino, Kohler and Benjamin Moore! Keep an eye on our progress, and the Silestone Trendspotters team by following @SilestoneByCosentino! Keep an eye on our website for future blogs that talk about the finishes.

@silestonebycosentino@kohlerco @cosentinousa@cosentinocanada @benjaminmoore#Silestone #SilestoneTrendspotters#SilestoneTrends #InfluencerSeries#architecturelovers #archilovers#renovations #inspired#architecture#warmtones #instadesign#homes #decor #interiors #interiordesign#luxurydesign #homedecor#interiorachitecture #wanderlust#vintagestyle #tile #shabbychic#instadecor #dreamhouse#homeimprovement #instahome #modern#contemporary

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Urns

Over the years, I have used urns as timeless decorative pieces for either indoor or outdoor.  There is an immediate connection to the classical architectural world and bringing this to your home can offset contemporary, clean styling  or be right at home in a  traditional one.  According to Judith Z. Cushman Hammer, teacher of furniture, industrial design and architectural history at Appalachian State University, urns have been employed as  universal symbols in furniture, the decorative arts and architecture since the Neoclassic period. 

This is the view from my art studio - I love my antique urn that I found languishing at the back of Decorum Decorative Finds.  It had been sitting there for years until I spotted it and convinced my husband that it would be the perfect centre piece for our new garden.

This textured gem of an urn will immediately add a touch of the ancient world  indoors or out.  It reminds me of the urn that I had for years in my first house - a classic Toronto Victorian with the bay window in the living room.  I placed my urn in front of the centre window with lovely draping ivy.  Nice memory.

Lovely shaped urn above and the gorgeous lion head and flora below.

Lastly, when doing some research I discovered this amazing history of the "Waterloo Urn" below.   This photograph, taken by Sir Cecil Beaton, of Queen Elizabeth standing in front of the 15 feet tall urn is from 1938 at Buckingham Palace. Carved from a 20 ton piece of Carrara marble, Napoleon laid claim to this block during his travel to make war in Russia.  Today, it is still stands at Buckingham Palace. Love.

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