All posts by Unique Homes Staff

Q&A: Kitchen Design Brand Showcases “True” Luxury

Handcrafted in America since 1945, True Residential’s commitment to American-made products goes all the way back to its beginnings as a commercial refrigeration company in St. Louis.
In today’s world, where design is specialized and unique for every home, particularly in the kitchen, the brand remains vital to the industry.
A team of designers at True Residential spoke with Unique Homes about the brand’s influence on kitchen design, both in the home and commercial spaces.

How has the appliance industry changed since True Residential began, from the early 1950s to now?

When True started in 1945, they were only selling commercial refrigeration. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, commercial-style equipment in the home became popularized. That trend has continued to grow. Today, people have more apps and technology at their fingertips than ever before to help them cook like the pros, therefore, they’re seeking for more commercial-style equipment
True Residential has stayed true to its commercial roots providing a unique, commercially styled product that also performs like one. We are always demanding more from our appliances. True has always been at the forefront of increasing efficiency without sacrificing performance or quality. We’re proud to be an original Energy Star partner.

Kitchen design by Vanessa Deleon.

what is the brand's top priority with regard to design?

Providing a premium commercial-style refrigerator, both inside and out. We try to be on the forefront of trends like custom colors and various product configurations to provide truly unique options for designers, builders, specifiers, and clients.
This year we unveiled four additions to the Build Your True collection — a system that allows consumers and/or designers to choose from a variety of our products and customize them in one of our custom color and hardware finishes. To cater to the color-happy trend, we added an eye-catching cobalt blue joined by matte white and matte black finishes to round out our roster of stunning custom finishes.

what do professionals and chefs look for in appliances?

Chefs look for function above all else. We have had numerous professional chefs choose our appliances, Wylie Dufresne among them. The 42-inch fridge alone offers 24.44 cubic feet of stylish, stainless refrigeration. This detail offers chefs ample space for food storage in a hygienic environment designed to keep items fresh.
True’s cascade airflow — a system exclusive to the brand — provides consistent temperatures throughout the unit. We also outfit each refrigeration unit with incredibly sturdy drawers, offering chefs the commercial strength they rely on at work — in their own personal kitchens.
In terms of organization and style, our refrigeration units come with streamlined handles, TruLumina lighting, steel-encapsulated glass shelves, and 36 color combinations for designers and homeowners to choose from.
And while all the appliances we offer are energy efficient and designed with function and form in mind, we have the highest-performing, most energy-efficient Clear Ice Machine available on the market today.

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Four Concepts Trending for Your Bath This Fall

Though simple and based around functionality, bathrooms are incredible spaces to decorate and explore with the imagination. With the fall season approaching, luxury brand Maison Valentina offers unique design tips to showcase the most popular 2018 fall trends that redefine the bathroom.

Mix and Match
As one of the most private spaces in the home, the bath is meant to reflect personality. As a result, the space isn’t limited to just one style or concept. Designers encourage homeowners to have fun and mix together aspects from different trends to achieve the look that most reflects you. Pieces from Maison Valentina’s ATO Collection are perfect for this, showcasing metallic finishes and stone/gem accents that are consistent in the industry.

Round Mirrors
When it comes to decor, mirrors are a necessity in any room of the home, including the bath. Whether you are looking to makeover the entire room or just want to update your style, an excellent addition includes the use of round mirrors. These types of mirrors are iconic as they add new dimension to any space. A room’s composition is naturally made up of straight lines and right angles, which is what makes a round mirror’s silhouette a welcome addition above a boxy chest or a linear mantel. As always, the bigger the piece the greater the impact.

Freestanding Bathtubs
This fall, bathtubs come back stronger by being more unique, comfortable and offering more space for ultimate relaxation. The freestanding bathtub has remained a consistent trend for bath designers, as it is found in a multitude of shapes: square, oval, round, asymmetrical or rectangular. To maximize the “wow” effect, designers often install these tubs in the center of the room as statement pieces.

Brass
Specifically regarding metallics, brass is having its moment. Sleek designs and minimal detailing ensure the brass look is contemporary and not too vintage. Classic, golden, brass tones that are warm and subtle can elevate the space to both look chic and pair very well with a monochromatic color scheme.

All photos courtesy Maison Valentina.

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Curiously Stunning Textiles Inspired by the Ocean

The Curious Crowd collection is brought to us by Ghislaine Viñas at HBF Textiles, and it brings the designer’s connection with water to life through aquatic influences.

Viñas was born in the Netherlands and raised in South Africa. Later she studied interior design at Philadelphia University and went on to establish a successful design firm in New York in 1999. With several design awards and nationally and internationally published projects, Viñas has had the opportunity to work with a range of products including wall coverings, rugs, and furniture. The Curious Crowd collection of textiles is specifically influenced by the ocean and its playful energy, especially colorful jellyfish and seas slugs. “My connection to water is deep and constant — I’ve always lived by the ocean, which is an important part of my childhood,” says Viñas. “The clownish attitude and outrageous patterns of the sea slug and the beauty of the undulating jellyfish inspired this collection. I’ve always been fascinated by eccentric personalities and colorful beings, the ones you want to hang out with at a really fun party.”

The six fabrics were crafted to perform and stun.

Madam Dottie is available in 10 pastel variations and is full of repetitious circular forms.

Sir Stripe-a-Lot was inspired by the tentacles of the Pacific jellyfish with fun stripes and comes in 11 different colors.

Mr. Dimple has a luscious surface and is available in 7 tones.

Ms. Quilty is an ultra-soft quilted knit and featured in 5 shades.

Sister Solid is soft and slightly bumpy and comes in 12 gorgeous shades.

Captain Bubble is available in 8 magnificent hues and made for heavy-duty use. The textured fabric was inspired by the bubbles on the tentacles of the Mediterranean jellyfish, according to HBF

HBF Textiles delves into the mystery of the ocean and the deep with the new collection of six, high-performance patterns. “Curious Crowd is widely applicable and unequivocally fun,” explains HBF Textiles VP of Design + Creative Direction, Mary Jo Miller. “With Ghislaine’s bold perspective and our focus on unique and textural constructions, Curious Crowd stands on its own with an eclectic inspirational story and vibrant color palette. We’re so proud that Ghislaine has created something fresh and different for the contract industry and are excited to see how designers interact with the Curious Crowd.”

Photos courtesy of HBF Textiles

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Timbers Kiawah Ocean Club and Residences To Open in South Carolina

Located just 30 minutes south of Charleston, the Timbers Kiawah will be the first private residence club on Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

 

Developers unveiled the first model residence at this exclusive new property, which is slated to open in October. It will feature 21 residences in 3 oceanfront buildings, every room having a panoramic view of the Atlantic.

 

Each resident will be provided with full access to the club’s many luxury amenities, which will include a private clubhouse with a central lounge area, valet, temperature-controlled wine storage, kids play room and state-of-the-art fitness facility that will serve as the hub of the new resort. The private beach club will offer residents a luxurious oceanfront pool, bar/grill and beach services.

 

Kiawah Island itself boasts a long list of amenities that residents will be able to explore, including an inland waterway with access to the marina, which offers boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, crabbing and fishing, an optional membership to the Kiawah Island Club, offering private golf, tennis, fitness, dining, spa and sporting club, and wildlife viewing, including bottlenose dolphins, river otters, white-tailed deer and loggerhead sea turtles.

 

Residents will be 30 minutes from Downtown Charleston, minutes away from Freshfields Village, a boutique shopping and dining center, and 45 minutes from Charleston International Airport. Kiawah Island is also South Carolina’s prime location for sandy beach, a 10-mile long crescent, with 123 acres of parks and 30 miles of biking trails for those who love adventure.

 

The Ocean Club residences include 18 three-bedroom residences at approximately 2,200 sq. ft., starting at $475,000, and the three penthouse residences, at approximately 3,600 sq. ft., and start at $1,285,000. The architecture and design of the property is by Poss Architecture + Planning.

 

Kiawah Island is a prime travel spot today for those wishing to enjoy golf, luxury beaches and relaxation. Travel + Leisure named Kiawah Island the #2 Island in America in August of 2016.

Photos courtesy of Timbers Kiawah

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Prize-winning Architect Designs Luxury Condominium Shaped By Light

All photos courtesy Noë & Associates with The Boundary

Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, a true visionary whom Time magazine named as one of the top 100 most influential people in the world, has made his first addition to the New York skyline, a mark that happens to have a deeper impact on the sustainability scale. 565 Broome in SoHo is a stunning luxury condominium featuring architecture by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop and interiors by Parisian firm Rena Dumas Architecture Interiueure (RDAI).

This 112-residential building, ranging with studios to 4-bedroom condominium homes, will also become the first high-end residential Zero Waste Building in New York City, which is defined as achieving more than 90 percent diversion of waste from landfills, incinerators and the environment. 565 Broome was thoughtfully designed to not only maximize space and views but to embrace the power that daylight has on architecture.
Piano designed conjoined glass structures with curved corners, resulting in light-filled residences that breathe and offer 360-degree views of the Hudson River, One World Trade Center, and beyond. A unique “low-iron” glass with crystal-like sheen and clarity was selected for the exterior to allow the façade to take on the color of the weather, as well as to create clear views from the interiors. Renzo Piano believes that architecture is the art of creating emotion, and his design for 565 Broome SoHo will allow both residents and passersby to have a visual relationship with the building.
“With 565 Broome SoHo, we set out to establish a dialogue and harmony between the interiors and exterior. The rhythm of the façade mullions and ‘low-iron’ glass with large curved windows open the corner areas to enhance the feeling of light and air in the expansive residences.” Says Toby Stewart, associate at Renzo Piano Building Workshop.
565 Broome’s oversized windows with ultra-transparent glass and neutral tones enhance the architecture of SoHo, a neighborhood home to museums and high-end galleries. SoHo is also a premiere destination for luxury retail and fine dining, with elite offerings including Prada, Louis Vuitton, Alexander Wang, Chanel, Material Good, Balthazar, The Dutch, Shuka and Blue Ribbon Brasserie.

RDAI’s vision for the interiors was to deliver a cohesive design that emphasizes craftsmanship and quality materials. Each residence enjoys 6-inch white oak plank floors, custom wood entry doors, 10-foot-plus ceiling heights and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic views. Select residences also boast outdoor living rooms and 25-foot private pools. The custom-designed, high-performance kitchens are outfitted with features like white oak cabinetry and Basaltina countertops, Zucchetti fixtures and accessories, Blanco sinks and Miele appliances wine storage. The lavish master baths feature freestanding tubs and are dressed with Calacatta Caldia marble slab walls and flooring with maple brown Eramosa marble and stainless steel accents. The elegance continues with custom-designed white oak vanities, Zucchetti fixtures and accessories, frameless glass doors at shower enclosures and water closets, and heated floors.
The condominium offers the luxury and experience of a private gated driveway with entrance to a covered porte-cochere. Wellness amenities include a heated 55-foot indoor swimming pool, changing rooms, steam rooms and sauna, and a fitness center. Residents will also enjoy a beautifully landscaped outdoor terrace, an interior landscaped lounge with 92-foot high ceiling and a live green wall, library and wet bar. Additional conveniences include a kid’s playroom, 24-hour concierge and attended lobby, common laundry room and bicycle storage with 76 spots. The property will have 40 parking spots, each of which will be equipped with a full capacity electric charging station.

Taking things even further, the development has teamed up with ReachNow, BMW’s mobility services company, to create a car sharing partnership that will grant residents access to onsite BMW and MINI vehicles.
With the amenities offered and artfully designed open layout, Piano’s architectural style communicates harmony, calm and expansiveness within 565 Broome.

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Unique ceilings reaching new heights

Residences at Prince Street. Photo courtesy Aaron Thompson.

Outfitting homes with an artistic ceiling creates a complete, dynamic space, often tying assorted aspects of home design together, from art to functioning space. In these examples, designers inspired to use interesting techniques have created complex designs that demand people to look up.

Gallery-Style Spaces
The character of a home is often shaped by the items inside it, including art or artistic detailing. Helping to define a home’s character, high ceilings within the home allow ample wall space for art lovers to adorn their walls with prized masterpieces. One example is seen in this Artefacto-designed residence in Bal Harbour, Florida, which boasts 10-foot-plus ceilings with customized panel backlights and recessed lights. The Oceana Bal Harbour unit also features floor-to-ceiling windows framing the breathtaking ocean and Intracoastal views.

Photo courtesy Barry Grossman.

Embracing the Outdoors
A space can evoke different feelings depending on the environment, both inside and out. To embrace the elements, some spaces utilize the outdoors by bringing them in. Miami’s Brickell City Centre boasts a $30 million climate ribbon, a steel-and-glass elevated trellis that hovers over the retail center. An achievement in artistry and first of its kind, guests and residents of Reach and Rise can gaze at the sculptural element, as it protects them from inclement weather, captures sea breezes to regulate air flow and temperature, collects rainwater for reuse and allows them to enjoy natural light in an open-air environment.

Photo courtesy Brickell City Center.

Smiling at the Past
Historical architecture is highly appreciated in the design industry, as it creates a traditional atmosphere for designers to either enhance or refresh with modern additions. These traditional styles of architecture extend into the home, seen through classic ceilings that add a unique element to the space. Residences at 62-66 North Third in North Williamsburg, New York, feature exposed, high concrete ceilings as a nod to the neighborhood’s industrial past. The residences embody a sense of character, design, and detail that combines modern and traditional Williamsburg in these expansive homes.
Another example with an authentic ceiling design is in this top-floor townhouse at the Residences at Prince Street, formerly part of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. The gabled ceilings with exposed wood beams reflect an authentically of the period; existing moldings and details were replicated throughout to create a top-floor living area with skylights and a cozy feel.

Photo courtesy MNS.

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ULTIMATE HOMES 2018: THE MOST EXPENSIVE HOMES FOR SALE IN AMERICA

OUR EXCLUSIVE GUIDE TO THE MOST EXPENSIVE HOMES FOR SALE IN AMERICA

This is the 14th year the editors of Unique Homes have published Ultimate Homes. Our comprehensive list of every property for sale in the U.S. for at least $25 million starts on page 48 of our recent Ultimate edition, and remains the only of its kind. Below, you will find a list of the top 10 most expensive properties featured on this year’s list — starting with a $500 million estate in Bel Air, California and ending with a $138.8 million in Manalapan, Florida.

Explore the 2018 Ultimate list here!

 

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LEED Homes Awards Highlights the Top Green Projects and Firms

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently announced the recipients of its 2017 LEED Homes Awards, an annual honor given to innovative projects, architects, developers and homebuilders leading the residential green building market.  
“We believe that every building, especially homes, should be green. LEED-certified homes enhance the health and wellbeing of occupants by providing clean indoor air and incorporating safe building materials to ensure comfort and safety, and they are designed to save critical resources, use less energy and water and save money,” says Mahesh Ramanujam, USGBC President and CEO. “The LEED Homes Awards showcase the most inspired and efficient practices in the residential green building movement. These leaders showcase what it means to create a home that balances aesthetic appeal with real human and environmental needs.”
The recipients include multi-family, single-family and affordable housing projects and companies who utilized innovative and effective sustainability methods in residential spaces in 2017.
LEED Homes Award Recipients include:

Photo courtesy James Shanks.

Project of the Year: The House at Cornell Tech, Roosevelt Island, NY
Developed by The Hudson Companies and Related Companies, Cornell Tech’s Roosevelt Island campus features The House,” a LEED Platinum multi-family residence open to students, staff, and faculty. This 26-story full-functioning apartment building uses 60-70 percent less energy than that of a similarly sized typical building.

Outstanding Single-Family Project: Historic District Infill Home, Decatur, GA
Built and owned by SK Collaborative principal Carl Seville, the Historic District Infill Home manages to fit seamlessly into a prestigious existing historic district while meeting the highest standards of energy efficiency and sustainability through its LEED Platinum certification. This 100-percent electric home employs state of the art concepts in design, construction, and mechanical systems.

Photo courtesy Tim Ridley.

Photo courtesy Mark Boisclair Photography Inc.

Outstanding Single-Family Developer: Maracay Homes, Scottsdale, AZ
For over 25 years, Maracay Homes has been a leader in Arizona’s sustainable real estate industry. Having constructed more than 9,000 homes for families across Phoenix and Tucson, Maracay strives to provide homebuyers with smarter choices that serve both their lifestyle and the environment.

Outstanding Multi-Family Project: PassiveTown Phase 3, Building K, Kurobe, Japan
Developed by YKK Fudosan Co., Passive Town Phase 3, Building K is a LEED Platinum low-rise multi-family residence and the first LEED for Homes project in Japan. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, YKK Fudosan Co. realized the importance of sustainable and resilient design and decided to construct the 3-block PassiveTown community.

Photo courtesy Saito Sadayuki.

Outstanding Multi-Family Developer: The Hudson Companies Inc., New York, NY
Started in 1986, The Hudson Companies, Inc. focuses on urban development in the New York metropolitan area. Committed to quality, each of its developments is designed to achieve green building standards like LEED. They currently have completed over 3,500 housing units and have nearly 5,000 additional units in pre-development or construction.

Outstanding Affordable Project: Crescent Crossings Phase 1, Bridgeport, CT
Crescent Crossings is the result of a collaboration between JHM Financial Group, Crosskey Architects and Viking Construction, who wanted to create a durable, welcoming community with low tenant utility bills. The first phase of the four-part project achieved LEED Platinum in 2017 and resides in an area once riddled with crime and violence. However, the creation of the Crescent Crossings community will help vanquish old reputations by fostering a healthy, safe, and vibrant community.

Photo courtesy Mark W. Lipczynski.

Outstanding Affordable Developer Builder / Developer: Native American Connection, Phoenix, AZ
Part of Native American Connection’s cultural heritage is its mindfulness to how our actions affect future generations. Therefore, incorporating LEED into its work is an important step as it gives their tenants a higher quality of life while ensuring a healthier future.

USGBC also recognized “LEED Homes Power Builders,” a distinction USGBC established to honor an elite group of developers and builders that have exhibited an outstanding commitment to LEED and the green building movement within the residential sector. In order to be considered a LEED Homes Power Builder this year, developers and builders must have LEED-certified 90 percent of their homes/unit count built in 2017. Homes at any LEED certification level are eligible for consideration.

2017 LEED Homes Power Builders include: (*Represents a company that also won a LEED Homes Award):

Construction Rocket Inc.

JHM*

Habitat for Humanity of Kent County

The Dinerstein Companies

Metro West Housing Solutions

Forest City Realty Trust

MHI Dallas

Gerding Edlen

Koral & Gobuty Development

Frankel Building Group

AMLI Residential

C&C Development

Alliance Residential

Carmel Partners

Native American Connections*

The Community Builders

Thrive Home Builders

Active West

Millennium Mission, photos courtesy The Dinerstein Companies.

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New York City Low-Rise Buildings with High-Rise Views

New York City is now in full summer swing, with the dark days of winter and the snowy skyline a thing of the past. New Yorkers are heading outside to enjoy the city streets, as well as waking up to sunny skyline views from their apartments.

Though the towering buildings of the city are notorious for their unobstructed views, several low-rise properties have changed that. Thanks to ingenious architectural design, these buildings provide the same high-rise views as the skyscrapers towering over them. Here are three properties currently listed that provide the high-rise views for the low-rise convenience:

The d’Orsay Pristinely located on 14th Street in Downtown Manhattan while neighboring Greenwich Village, the Meatpacking District, and the West Village, the d’Orsay is a 11-story luxury condominium that provides a view of the city reaching all the way to the Financial District. Though there aren’t many neighborhoods left in New York City where a 11-story building isn’t getting swallowed by taller buildings, the d’Orsay is structured to have just as breathtaking a view as its neighboring buildings. Hill West Architects designed the d’Orsay with these views in mind, as most of the bedrooms are situated at the front of the building with oversized windows, so residents feel like they’re looking down on the city right from the comfort of their beds.

363 Bond Street and 365 Bond Street Located in the architecturally innovative Gowanus, this pair of buildings represents the first new developments in the neighborhood — with varying scale and height to maximize the views of surrounding Brooklyn on the historic canal. Also designed by Hill West Architects, even the ground-level townhouses offer unrivaled views of the canal and neighborhood through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

70 Henry Designed by the world-renowned architect Morris Adjmi, this luxury residential property is in the heart of Brooklyn Heights. Emulating the classic brownstone architecture for which the neighborhood is known, 70 Henry features five exclusive residences, including a full-floor penthouse. This penthouse is complete with stunning views of the surrounding classic architecture and vibrant NYC sunsets from the roof deck.

Photos courtesy of The Neighborhood (the d’Orsay), Tim Williams (365 Bond) and Hill West Architects (363 Bond Street), and 70 Henry

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Hooked on Rugs: How to Choose the Best Rug For Your Home

A practical option for the home, the intricate detail and design of rugs are often overlooked by the average customer. To make an informed rug purchase and to know exactly where your money is going, it is important to note that there is much more to buying a rug than just picking one out that matches your couch.
Between knotted, tufted or flat-woven, rug options could seem endless and daunting for a buyer to understand. But, each of the many rug types available on the market serve different purposes, and getting to know them can help buyers make the right choice for their home. Doris Leslie Blau rug gallery breaks down what to know about the five most popular rug constructions, along with their most advantageous use.
 

Hand-Knotted Rugs

Hand-knotted rugs are considered classics. They are made of colored yarns that are painstakingly tied onto individual warp threads, then secured by one or more rows of weft, a process that requires a great amount of skill and patience. The knotting of a large rug could involve as many as a dozen artisans working simultaneously for months, even years. The result is a sturdy, dense structure that can withstand years without wearing out.

 
 

 

Flat-Woven Rugs
Basic and attractive, these rugs are popular across the globe. The maintenance is low and the rug itself is light and flexible, yet durable. Most are made to be reviserbale, which extends its lifespan even further.
 

Hand-Tufted Rugs
A more affordable option than knotted carpets, this rug is a great pick for mid-range durability and style. The designs of the rugs can be easily manipulated, from traditional to contemporary, with much textural detail.

Flat-Woven Rugs
Basic and attractive, these rugs are popular across the globe. The maintenance is low and the rug itself is light and flexible, yet durable. Most are made to be reviserbale, which extends its lifespan even further.
 

Needlework Rugs
Embroidery fans rejoice! These rugs are large needlepointed masterpieces, with an antique look yet a dependable weave that will last years in the home.
 

Photos courtesy of Doris Leslie Blau

 

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