Editor En Route » Homes and Design

New Estates at Blackstone at Vistancia

Hayley — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:09:52 +0000

The new Estates at Blackstone collection by K. Hovnanian Homes, featuring spacious floor plans that blend formal and casual living space, has opened at the private, gated community of Blackstone at Vistancia in Peoria.

Two models and four floor plans range from more than 2,700 to nearly 3,300 square feet and are priced from the high $309,000s. All are single-level homes with 10-foot ceilings and offer up to four bedrooms and up to three baths.

“The Estates Collection at Blackstone is our premier line and represents the finest in luxury living,” said Andy Pedersen, regional director of marketing for K. Hovnanian Homes. He pointed out that the distinctively themed architecture, well-appointed interiors and expansive, open plans embody the feel of Blackstone and its surroundings.

“Each home was designed to offer flexibility for customers’ lifestyles, whether they’re looking for a home with formal and relaxed living areas, included offices, a four-car garage, additional bedrooms, a workshop or bonus room, or even a detached guest suite,” he added.

The Cobblestone model, with more than 2,700 square feet, incorporates formal living and dining rooms, a large kitchen, an expansive family room and a den that can be utilized comfortably as a home office. A private, retreat-like master suite is tucked away from the other bedrooms. A three-car split garage has the option of becoming a fifth bedroom or a detached guest suite.

A second model, the Rockledge, is the dramatic cornerstone of the collection. The largest of the floor plans (nearly 3,300 square feet), its distinctive features include a turret foyer (per elevation selected), island kitchen, master suite with a centered garden tub in the bath and private space that can be utilized as a studio or a workout room. A four-car tandem garage allows space for a workshop or the option of a bonus room or fifth bedroom.

Two additional floor plans include: the Hearthstone, with nearly 3,000 square feet, and the 3,067-square-foot Rockwood.

The Hearthstone is distinguished by an enormous family room that opens to the designer kitchen, privately located master suite and the option of a detached guest suite or fifth bedroom with third bath.

Highlighting the Rockwood plan are a tiled, walk-in shower in the master bath, an office with a separate entrance to a front courtyard and optional detached guest suite or fifth bedroom.

“The Estates Collection appeals to buyers looking for a country club atmosphere in a private, desert setting,” Pedersen explained. “Floor plans can accommodate customers looking to downsize or to increase space for their growing families.”

Among the grand opening incentives being offered for a limited time are $10,000 toward closing costs and $5,000 toward options and upgrades.

For more information about The Estates at Blackstone, call 928-252-2904 or 877-KHOV-NOW or visit www.khov.com. The sales office, located within Blackstone Country Club, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The 590-acre Blackstone community is located northwest of Lake Pleasant Parkway and Happy Valley Road in the Vistancia master plan. Family amenities include Arizona’s only golf course designed by the Colorado-based designer Jim Engh and a 30,000-square-foot Hacienda clubhouse with a main dining room and three private dining venues, an outdoor Cantina, a 3,000-square-foot fitness center, three pools and a tennis facility.

To reach Blackstone at Vistancia, turn west on Happy Valley Road from Lake Pleasant Parkway (99th Avenue); or west on Vistancia Parkway from Loop 303. Follow into the Vistancia community and turn right on Lone Mountain Road. Turn left at the Blackstone Country Club main gate.

For information about Blackstone, visit www.blackstonecountryclub.com.

Veer Towers Opens at CityCenter in Las Vegas

Hayley — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:04:37 +0000

CityCenter, the groundbreaking 67-acre city-within-a-city, is celebrating the opening of Veer Towers, one of the destination’s most architecturally iconic residential buildings, and its model homes. This latest unveiling follows the successful grand opening of four of CityCenter’s unprecedented offerings – ARIA Resort & Casino; Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas; Vdara Hotel & Spa and Crystals retail and entertainment district. Tours of Veer’s model units are by appointment only. To coordinate, interested parties may call 866-708-7111 or visit CityCenter’s Residential Sales Pavilion Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Designed by internationally renowned architect Helmut Jahn, Veer Towers is an architectural and artistic landmark on the global scene – a masterful translation of energy and excitement into physical form. Veer is CityCenter’s only completely residential development. Inclined at five-degree angles – a feature celebrated by the buildings’ name – its two 37-story glass towers shimmer day and night.

Notable designer Francisco Gonzalez-Pulido* created Veer’s public spaces and lobbies, which showcase spectacular commissioned works by Richard Long and an abundance of natural light flowing through floor-to-ceiling windows. Within the avant-garde buildings, Veer Towers’ residents will see The Strip and Las Vegas like never before. Depending on location, some will enjoy the artistic view of Crystals’ sculptural rooftop – a crystalline canopy, designed by famed architect Daniel Libeskind – while others will have spectacular views of the world-famous Strip.

“Arguably the most striking residential building in the world, Veer Towers is a masterful work of contemporary architecture offering buyers an immersive, artful lifestyle set within the urban mosaic of CityCenter,” said Tony Dennis, executive vice president, CityCenter Residential Division.

Each Veer Tower is home to approximately 335 contemporary condominium residences ranging from approximately 500 to 3,300 square feet. Residential options include studios; deluxe studios; one-, two- and three-bedroom flats; and penthouses. Veer pricing starts from the mid $300,000s.

Amenities & Services – Atop each tower on the 37th floor, the amenities floor, with unequaled views of Las Vegas, features a roof-top, infinity-edge pool, hot tub, sun deck and bar for outdoor entertaining. A recreation room, private media room and a fitness center with men’s and women’s steam rooms and saunas are on the 37th floor adjacent to the pool deck. Additional offerings include a private boardroom and business center, bike storage, mail room, private residential valet, concierge service and 24-hour security.
Art – As a part of the CityCenter public Fine Art Collection, which features the talents of world-renowned artists, Veer Towers features two large-scale commissioned works by Richard Long. Entitled “Circle of Life” and “Earth,” Long’s two mud wall drawings each measure approximately 80 feet high by 50 feet wide and are displayed on Veer Tower’s west and east tower walls, respectively.
Entertainment – Veer Towers rise from Crystals, CityCenter’s spectacular 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district, presenting the best of stylish, big-city living. Upscale dining, lavish shopping, electric nightlife and entertainment at ARIA and Mandarin Oriental – two of Las Vegas’ hottest destinations – are just steps away. Located at the city’s urban core, residents of Veer Towers have access to the CityCenter Tram, offering transportation to Vdara Hotel & Spa, Bellagio and Monte Carlo.
Grand Opening Promotion – In celebration of Veers’ opening, CityCenter is offering a limited-time studio promotion with a retail value of up to $20,000. With the purchase of select Veer East Interior Studios, owners will receive a complimentary turnkey living package designed and furnished by Robb & Stucky, the largest high-end interior design firm in the country. Catering to individuals seeking value and convenience, the complete turnkey package includes designer selected furniture, area rugs, lamp(s), home accessories, flat-screen TV & DVD player, artwork, Mechoshade Solar Shades, luxury kitchen package, custom bedding package and custom linens package. Prospective buyers can choose from one of three modern design themes: Max Living, Max Minimal and Max Attitude. The model homes at Veer Towers also are available as turnkey purchases complete with interior design and furnishings by Robb & Stucky.

Affirming its commitment to deliver a new level of environmental consciousness to the Las Vegas Strip, Veer Towers earned CityCenter’s sixth LEED® Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The accomplishment marks the highest LEED achievement by any hotel, retail district or residential development in Las Vegas. The 18-million-square-foot metropolis is one of the world’s largest private sustainable communities.

For more information about Veer Towers, the studio promotion and CityCenter’s residential opportunities, please call (702) 590-5999, toll-free (866) 708-7111, or visit www.citycenter.com.

Vistancia Implements Energy Saving Program and Lowers Costs by 31 Percent

Hayley — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:38:06 +0000

One of our favorite master-planned communities has gone super green and its saving a ton of money! After implementation of the first phase of a long-range program to make the community of Vistancia in Peoria more energy-efficient, the master plan has experienced a 31 percent cost savings in just six months.

The first phase called for the retrofitting of all 95 existing landscape lighting fixtures, which use 50-watt halogen bulbs, with nine-watt compact fluorescent bulbs. The lighted water feature at Vistancia’s entrance alone resulted in an energy cost savings of $2,000.

“The savings does not even take into consideration the longevity of compact fluorescent bulbs versus conventional halogen lighting,” said Michael L. Brooks, director of maintenance for Capital Consultants Management Corporation (CCMC), the company that manages Vistancia, who spearheaded the program.

“As well as the cost savings, the dramatically reduced heat radiation of these new devices is an impressive side benefit,” he added.

Phase two of the program is currently underway on the lighting along the community’s 3.5-mile Discovery Trail, a linear park that bisects Vistancia and links neighborhoods with amenities and retail, and on the grounds of the community’s Mountain Vista Club.

One hundred seventy-two, high-pressure sodium 100-watt bulbs are being replaced with 23-watt compact fluorescent bulbs.

“This will result in another 77 percent energy savings while delivering the same illumination,” Brooks added.

Vistancia’s Director of Marketing Sandy Esmay pointed out that the 7,100-acre community is always looking for green solutions to lower energy costs and to remain in harmony with the desert surroundings.

For example, Vistancia is a dark sky community utilizing low-level outdoor lighting that preserves the natural night sky.

“We have also introduced a ladybug release project as an eco-friendly way to control aphids and other garden pests,” she explained, adding that each year classes from Vistancia’s two elementary schools are invited to participate in the release. “At an early age, they learn the benefits of organic gardening techniques that are gentle on the environment.”

To learn more about the community, visit www.vistancia.com.

Kauai Home up for Auction starting at $3.8 Million

Hayley — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:18:04 +0000

Hello everyone! Today is my birthday and I am looking for someone to buy me THIS:

Concierge Auctions announces another astounding Hawaiian property auction. On August 23, the firm will conduct a live, on-site auction of Pueo Point, a premier ocean bluff residence and adjacent lot located on the North Shore of Kauai, a destination of choice for luxury vacationers and A-list celebrities. The sale is being conducted in cooperation with Neal Norman of Koa Properties.

“Pueo Point redefines the meaning of impeccable. The home and grounds are a work of art and a labor of love,” stated Michele Hughes of The Michele Hughes Company, developer and owner of the alluring, 7-acre property. “A world unto itself, this property is all about location and serenity. It’s an enclave of privacy, yet close to every amenity you could desire including some of the Hawaii’s most accredited golf courses, spas, restaurants and countless outdoor activities.”

The property is being sold in two bidding segments, one for the main residence, perfectly situated on 1.32 acres, and one for the adjacent 1.67-acre lot. These parcels combined have a 2/3 undivided interest in an additional four acres of perfectly manicured common area. Previously offered for $9.8 million, the suggested opening bid for the residence is $3.8 million. Never previously listed and appraised for $3.7 million, the suggested opening bid for the lot is $1.5 million.

Perfectly situated on prestigious Anini Vista Drive, Pueo Point exudes the very essence of Kauai – secluded and casual living amidst unsurpassed tropical surroundings. The sophisticated yet comfortable home and adjacent lot are perched on a bluff overlooking Anini Beach, which boasts the longest reef of all the Hawaiian Islands. The premier, secluded property features exquisitely landscaped gardens and trails leading to the coveted beach below, a remote beach of golden sands where spinner dolphins and whales that can be seen frolicking off the shore.

“Pueo Point has been a location of choice for celebrities seeking the ultimate in privacy, as lush, tropical grounds surround this hidden oasis,” stated Norman. “Anini Beach is the safest, most protected beach on the North Shore – ideal for family enjoyment, including snorkeling, swimming, beachcombing, windsurfing, stand-up paddling, fishing and kayaking. In addition, the property is in close proximity to the Prince Golf Course – ranked by Golf Digest as the #1 course in Hawaii – the St. Regis Hotel, and Hanalei Bay.”

Seamlessly marrying indoor and outdoor living with nature, The Michele Hughes Company incorporates Hawaii’s rich, multi-ethnic history and dramatic and breathtaking palette as the focal point of the Pueo Point home, always respecting the ‘aina’ and the ‘mana’ – the ‘spirit’ and the ‘soul of the land’. This style defines the architecture and design of the estate – contemporary but with a sense of place and reflecting the informality, relaxation and mellowness of the Island lifestyle.

The residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, an office, gourmet kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances, custom maple hardwood floors, custom teak cabinetry and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with lift-and-slide systems. Every room offers ocean, garden or sunset views over the blue-sky horizon and Mt. Makana – the legendary “Bali Hai”, creating an unmatched feeling of tranquility as the trade winds flow through the residence, providing natural air conditioning. The exterior of the home features a saltwater pool and spa, private shower, protected dining area, limestone lanais and ipe decks.

A mere 25 miles from the Lihue Airport, served by eight air carriers including American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways, among others, with direct flights from Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, and an easy commute to Honolulu and the outer islands, it’s no wonder why celebrities and other vacationers find Pueo Point the perfect Island escape from the everyday world.

Just minutes from Princeville, Anini Vista is a stone’s throw – but a world away – from shopping, dining, tennis and golf. Book a treatment at the luxurious Halele’a Spa in the St. Regis Princeville Resort, or make a reservation at one of the hotel’s fine restaurants, which include the new Kauai Grill, helmed by Michelin-awarded chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Play a round of golf on one of the two stimulating 18-hole and 27-hole courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones, Jr., or head to the quaint and charming town of Hanalei, dotted with colorful stores, galleries and restaurants. Famous for its spectacular beauty, Hanalei Bay is a long half-moon of sandy beach at the base of a cliff on one side and narrowing into a rocky point on the other.

“Having sold more than $33 million in Hawaiian luxury properties over the last nine months, including homes in other exclusive communities such as Kona’s Hualalai and Kuki’o, and a home owned and designed by Cher, we are pleased to have established ourselves as the luxury auction firm of choice for the Islands,” said George Graham, CEO of Concierge Auctions. “We decided to partner with Michele Hughes not only because Pueo Point is one of the finest properties on Kauai but also because both of our firms share an interest in excellence and innovation. A live auction is the clear choice for Ms. Hughes and sellers like her who wish to have their property sold by a certain date and are willing and able to let the bidders determine the market price.”

The live, on site auction at Pueo Point will be held on Monday, August 23 at 11 a.m. HDT. Proxy bidding is available, and representing brokers will be compensated. The property is open for preview daily from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. For more information visit http://www.AniniVistaAuction.com or call 866-822-0865.

Largest Green Home in America Up For Sale at $3.5 Million

Hayley — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:42:21 +0000

The Jenson Group of RE/MAX CENTRAL, a leading Las Vegas luxury real estate agency specializing in high-end residential property, has an extraordinary new listing at 68 Wildwing in The Ridges of Summerlin, Las Vegas – a magnificent 9,617 square foot newly custom-built estate home that not only boasts a litany of premium architectural, design and décor features, but also uniquely holds “Diamond Certified Green” home classification by the esteemed Environments For Living® program, among other superior energy efficiency-based rakings. With this Diamond certification, the buyer of this mammoth luxury home will receive a written guarantee that total utility bills for heating and cooling will not exceed $366 per month total for a full 3-year period. It is listed for just under $3.5 million.

This brand new three-story, 5 bedroom, 7 bathroom custom residence, built with painstaking attention to detail over a 2-year period by Las Vegas-based Tyler Construction, also boasts an Energy Star rating with an astoundingly low HERS Index score of 63 (22 points better than that required for Energy Star), Department of Energy “Builder’s Challenge” rating, and 2006 IECC Code Compliance (50% better than standard). Factors contributing to this home’s incredible energy efficiency include strategic insulation at the roof line vs. the ceiling line, specialized HVAC equipment and fixtures, premium water technology and CFL lighting. Virtually air-tight, this home has a controlled environment with individual sensors and thermostats in every room, including the attic, which provide personal comfort control in each. A fresh air ventilation system is also installed to ensure the best indoor air quality possible.

“From an energy efficiency standpoint, this is one of the best built luxury custom residences of this size and scale in the United States,” notes John Curtis, owner of Tyler Construction. “We’re extremely excited to now have this incredible home listed for sale with The Jenson Group – a results-driven agency known for representing distinctive properties and achieving client goals in short order.”
This property in The Ridges of Summerlin – one of the most desirable, guard-gated, golf-course communities in the Desert Southwest – is as breathtaking and thoughtfully appointed as it is energy efficient. Every space has been carefully designed, from the easy flow of common living spaces that open al fresco to the patio and infinity edge pool, to the master retreat with breathtaking balcony views of the fabulous Las Vegas Strip. The master closet has a convenient laundry closet and a safe room. The home features two wine rooms, unique designer ceilings throughout, an elevator providing easy access to all three levels and sheltered, private parking for up to nine vehicles.

View the full MLS listing for this energy efficient custom estate home here: http://las.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1129992487&s=LAS&t=LAS

View multiple photos of this energy efficient custom estate home here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robjenson/sets/72157623631723153/

Ranch Lot Available at Desert Mountain

Hayley — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:48:43 +0000

Looking for some land for a secluded family estate with enough space for a large home, multiple guest cottages, the ultimate garage and even a lighted tennis court?

Desert Mountain, the private community in north Scottsdale, has just the thing.

At 33 acres, The Ranch Lot is situated high above the community on the north side of the Cintarosa Ranch neighborhood at Desert Mountain’s loftiest elevation of nearly 3,800 feet. It is the largest of the community’s collection of home sites.

Tucked into the rugged contours of canyons, ridges and plateaus formed by the Continental and Gold Mountains, a portion of the home site perches above the Grapevine Wash which supports much of the area’s indigenous wildlife like mule deer, javelina, jackrabbits and desert tortoise, and is visible from the site. Other preserved game trails also bisect the property.

“It’s a remarkable piece of land that is unprecedented for north Scottsdale as well as for a gated community,” said Brian O’Neill, president of Desert Mountain Real Estate. “It’s unusual to find a property of this size within the city.”

O’Neill said the home site has a 10-acre building envelope (445,198 square feet), pointing out that the average is 25,000-35,000 square feet, or less than one acre. “This creates the potential for a truly private family estate or compound with expansive space for a tennis or basketball court, multiple garages for a car collection, a state-of-the-art gym or other amenities.”

Adding to the property’s cachet are its roots in Arizona history. The Ranch Lot was once a part of the old Carefree Ranch, one of the area’s largest cattle ranches during Arizona’s territorial days. For more than a century, the pioneering Cartwright family worked the land beginning in 1874.

The Ranch Lot is currently being offered for $5.25 million and includes membership in the Desert Mountain Club with its six Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses and six clubhouses. A tour of the property is by appointment only. To schedule a tour or for additional information, contact Desert Mountain Real Estate at 480-488-2998 or visit www.desertmountain.com.

See Antonio Pio Saracino’s Furniture Exhibit in San Francisco

Hayley — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:05:05 +0000

Check out this amazing furniture design show in San Fransisco.
ANTONIO PIO SARACINO’s latest furniture designs, the RAY CHAIR / RAY SOFA and the site specific installation ‘WAVES’ will be featured in the exhibition ‘.IT ITALIAN ART TODAY’ curated by Silvia Girardi, at The Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco through April.

Istituto Italiano di Cultura in San Francisco
425 Washington Street – San Francisco, CA 94111

Email: info@antoniopiosaracino.com
Call Antonio at 212-203-8118

For more information: http://www.antoniopiosaracino.com/#news/105

The Ray Sofa and Ray Chair are an exploration of the structural components found in the natural world and the ways in which they can find expression in design. Each ‘sofa’ and ‘chair’ is constructed with a cellular assemblage of ‘rays’ of closed-cell foam. The chairs generated with algorithm design, when viewed from above, are reminiscent of an array of pixels or likewise the way that crystals can be formed in nature. These assembled rays of foam create a soft and comfortable seat in the shape of an unconventional chair. The Ray Chairs change their geometry into a fluid form under the body’s weight and shape. The designer, Antonio Pio Saracino, introduces geometries that remind him of the city where he comes from, Rome, and the city where he lives, New York. He draws inspiration from the church’s Roman baroque tradition of the sacred iconography of the sculptural spiritual light and by the skyscraper’s skylight of New York

Jackson-Shaw Developer Announces Wilder on the Taylor

Hayley — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:34:08 +0000

Dallas-based national real estate developer Jackson-Shaw today announced the unveiling of Wilder on the Taylor, an exclusive 2,000-acre shared heritage ranch and recreation preserve near Crested Butte, Colorado. The development offers 15 premium homestead sites located on the famous Taylor River, providing private access to 2 miles of exceptional fly-fishing waters that surpass Gold Medal standards. Jackson-Shaw plans to develop a total of 26 home sites at Wilder on the Taylor.

“Wilder on the Taylor is part of a new movement in real estate development that balances a demand for high-end, recreational homes with the desire to preserve the legacy and the land of the American West,” said Ron Welborn, vice president of Jackson-Shaw. “After more than two years of careful planning and meticulous attention to design, we are pleased to offer this special property as the gateway to the classic Colorado lifestyle.”

The development is surrounded by more than 2 million acres of National Forest land and is situated around a 1900s working cattle ranch. Landowners will also have access to three miles of meandering meadow fishing streams and six ponds scattered throughout Wilder on the Taylor.

Preservation Efforts

The goal of the Wilder on the Taylor development is to have the least impact possible on the legacy of the land. The property strives to:

· Meet high standards of green building practices

· Maintain and enhance the water quality

· Educate owners and guests about land preservation

The ranching heritage of Wilder on the Taylor is reflected in the restoration of the original 1900s cabins and the preservation of the historic ranching operations.

History of the Ranch Property

Wilder on the Taylor is situated around a working cattle ranch originally founded in 1910. The ranch was first owned by Elsinore Cattle Company and then became the Wapiti Ranch. Wilder landowners will have full access to the ranch and can participate in cattle working, horseback riding and all other activities that Colorado has to offer.

Buyers interested in Wilder on the Taylor or those who want to schedule a private viewing can visit WilderColorado.com or call (972) 628-7427.

Villeroy & Boch Shape Bathroom Collection

Hayley — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:21:01 +0000

I have a few Villeroy & Boch kitchen items and serving plates and home. I love them. They are such high quality and they always make for an amazing presentation on my dining room table. So as a fan of the brand, I was really impressed when I heard about the new Shape bathroom accessories and furniture. I love the sleek, modern look and I know I can trust that the quality will be second to none.

While the bathroom may be the smallest room in the house, most homeowners still desire practical storage solutions. For those seeking to make the bathroom functional without sacrificing style and elegance…look no further than Shape.

Villeroy & Boch’s Shape furniture suite allows every homeowner to experience a new sense of freedom—where a bathroom can be planned and furnished with ultimate flexibility and superior functionality. With a variety of products, all available in the new very modern wood finish Merano, Shape offers customers the luxury of aesthetically pleasing storage solutions.

If you’re looking to take your bathroom to new heights of style, sophistication and ease-of-use, Shape is the perfect home addition to fulfill your needs.

Create new space with order and tranquillity by adding one of the line’s distinct features:

 The collection’s vanities are beautiful and abundant, with various design options available to meet any homeowner’s unique storage requirements.

 Tall and stately cabinets can be mounted side-by-side to create a striking “his-and-hers” storage solution.

 Convenient combinations add to Shape’s remarkable versatility—its furniture can be paired with popular Villeroy & Boch products such as the Loop & Friends and Memento washbasins, and the new bath paneling from the United series which transform our Quaryl® Squaro and Oberon bathtubs into a free-standing piece of furniture.

Check out more Villeroy & Boch products at: http://www.villeroy-boch.com/

Interior Designer Laura Stein Offers Top Ten Home Trends

Hayley — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:14:11 +0000

Canadian interior designer Laura Stein annouces the top ten design trend of the year. Is your home up to par?

1. Glamour and Luxury — Luxury is no longer just for the ultra-rich and upper echelons of society. There is a desire for glamour and luxury at every price point, and manufacturers are making luxury more accessible. Sliver, lavender and champagne are popular colours, with a bit of sparkle mixed in. Look for rich fabrics like silk and velvet, beautiful polished metals, and shiny lacquered furniture in just about every shade.

2. Focus on Function — Despite a desire for glamour and luxury, focus this year remains on functionality (and who said you can’t have both?). Quality, practicality and comfort will be the driving forces behind most décor purchases this year. Fleeting trends are out and longevity is in. Contemporary décor is becoming softer, warmer, more comfortable, and there is a renewed interest in classic styling that has stood the test of time.

3. Back to the Classics — Classic and traditional décor is seeing a resurgence in popularity, but is often featured with a modern twist using bold colours, striking patterns, and clean lines. The look is warm, sophisticated and fun, rather than old and stuffy, but has a sense of place that won’t go out of style. Keep a lookout for warm woods, classic detailing, and traditional menswear fabrics like plaids, paisleys, pinstripes, and herringbones.

4. Metallics — Metal, metal everywhere. Woven into fabrics, stamped onto wallpapers, painted on walls, woods, whatever. Silver still reigns supreme but gold has made a huge comeback, adding a touch of warmth and the ultimate in luxuriousness. For a more toned down look, pewter, rust and copper are gaining steam. We’re also seeing a mixture of metals, as long as they have the same feel. Metallics are a great way to add some shine and a pop of light, but their best use is sparingly as accents. Too much bling is never a good thing.

5. Surrounded in White — Simple, sophisticated and sleek, the white room is the ultimate in stylishness. It is striking, clean, and it offers a tranquil escape from the visual noise we experience throughout the day. To keep the look from getting dull, we’re seeing a mix of textures throughout the room. For added drama, black or red accents are being used to spice things up. Classic or contemporary, warm or cool, white is always the number one neutral.

6. Blue — Blue is the colour of the year. From turquoise to deep royal, strong and striking blues are showing up just about everywhere. Blue is one of those colours that can coordinate with almost anything, and looks just as distinct in a contemporary setting as it does in a classic one.

7. The Tropics — No trip to the Caribbean this year? That’s okay – now the tropics can come to you! Turquoise, fuchsia, tangerine, lime green – these ’80s inspired tropical colours have made a comeback, along with big floral prints, leafy botanicals and bird patterns. We’re all tired of the doom and gloom of the recession, and this trend is here to inject some levity into our lives. Have fun with this one, but be careful not to turn your room into a rainbow popsicle.

8. Sculptural Furniture and Lighting — The style of furniture and lighting has always been important, but this year the line between traditional form and art has become more blurred than ever before. Both furniture and light fixtures have taken on a sculptural quality, designed not only to function but to be showcased as artwork.

9. Global Influences — Some of the best design inspiration comes from far and exotic places, and this year global design is having a huge influence. From traditional styles of colonial islands to tribal designs from Africa, global design is not just an aesthetic, it’s a story, a history, an exotic adventure right in your own living room.

10. Sustainability — The biggest trend this year has been building for a number of years and has finally become so entrenched in our value system that it is no longer a trend, but here to stay. More and more manufacturers are changing their business and manufacturing practices and offering products that are made sustainability with as little impact on the environment as possible. This year, for the first time, “green” has finally become ubiquitous. It has influenced our design aesthetic to bring nature and nature-inspired themes into our homes in a sophisticated and contemporary way.