How Quiet Luxury is Taking Over Fall 2023

By Jacquelyn Elliott

What is Quiet Luxury?

Quiet luxury is a term used to describe a style of living or a product that exudes a sense of refinement, elegance, and quality while never coming off as flashy or showy. This understated sense of luxury focuses on sophistication, attention to detail, and the overall experience rather than the appearance.

Where can you spot quiet luxury? This style can be found in various aspects of life, including trends in fashion, interior design, travel, and dining. Indulging in this understated luxury means treating oneself to the best things without being ostentatious or pretentious.

Quiet Luxury in Your Life

Imagine the perfect balance of living well without the need for grand gestures or excess. A sense of extravagance and grandeur is balanced out by calmness and comfort.

Stars like Sofia Richie, Jennifer Lawrence, Gwenyth Paltrow, Kendall Jenner, and Victoria Beckham exude quiet luxury in their distinct sense of style, opting for comfortable and classic wardrobe pieces with a luxurious elevated look.

Quiet luxury is not only applied to our sense of style but the living experience as a whole. This style is about creating a sense of calm, comfort, and beauty in every aspect of life, from the clothes we wear to the spaces we inhabit.

Quiet Luxury in Your Home

Picture yourself living in a space that feels like a luxurious sanctuary. Every detail has been carefully considered to create a sense of understated elegance and comfort. That is the essence of quiet luxury within interior design — stylish yet functional, extravagant yet never flashy.

What makes up quiet luxury in interior design? Quiet luxury interiors usually include high-quality materials, such as rich woods, plush fabrics, and natural stones, creating a sense of quality and contrasting textures.

Color palettes will include shades of neutrals only with carefully thought-out pops of color that add depth and interest to a room. Lighting is intentionally selected to bring a sense of ambiance and warmth and furniture is chosen with style and comfort in mind. Overall, a quiet luxury interior is inviting and comfortable yet effortlessly sophisticated.

When it comes to luxury this fall, less is more.

September 21, 2023 Comments Off

Designing Miami

with:Unique Homes Staff

By Lara Becker

Eilyn Jimenez always saw herself becoming an attorney or a judge when she graduated, but discovered she was more interested in her friend’s major: architecture. She got her start at the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica. This led her to change career paths from law to architecture, and eventually to the study of interior design.

Now, Jimenez is the founder of the Miami-based design giant Sire Design, and is headlining a new Netflix series titled “Designing Miami,” spotlighting her journey throughout her stylish successes. When she was getting her start, her hands-on experience in the field spanned various avenues.

After graduating from college, Jimenez was hired by a developer overseas who provided her the opportunity to work on private homes, offices, hotels, and restaurants.

The most important facet of this modern coastal home in Tierra Verde, Florida, is its ability to blend seamlessly into the Miami shoreline. Gorgeous views can be seen from all angles.

This allowed her to get a feeling for different kinds of floor plans, materials and furniture arrangements. Leveling up another rung on the ladder, she then earned a position in a Miami showroom, where she spent her time furnishing the homes of celebrity clients. Following her breadth of experience, Jimenez decided she wanted to zero in on the true intricacy of design and its processes. So, she made the pivot to become her own boss at her own studio: Sire Design.

Here, Jimenez serves as interior designer, creative director, and founder. She now also has the assistance of a talented team behind her, who have perfected the art of transforming rooms and spaces, whether it be residential, developmental, or commercial.

“The Sire Design team and I naturally gravitate towards a minimalist aesthetic, but love to play with touches of maximalism like color, fun pieces, and unique elements every now and then,” Jimenez says.

As noted on its website, the company values a great attention to detail, and an analytical approach to stylizing a room, while still maintaining an open mind to innovation and creativity. Being detail-oriented is the key here, with a purpose of revitalizing, and breathing new life into each room they construct.

As far as developing its own personal style, Sire Design describes itself to be bold, yet timeless. It’s important to them to implement modern pieces in a room, but also to make those features stand the test of time. They stray away from the need to be “trendy” — they’d rather be daring and everlasting.

Throughout the Tierra Verde home, Jimenez wanted to allow plenty of open space for entertaining, especially in the living room and kitchen areas, which are donned with calming, minimalist color schemes.

“The Sire Design team and I naturally gravitate towards a minimalist aesthetic, but love to play with touches of maximalism like color, fun pieces, and unique elements every now and then,” Jimenez says, describing common themes throughout their work. “At the same time, we like to embrace simplicity in design — no matter the style.”

She prefers that the team not stick to just one style when curating its designs. They enjoy pulling together an amalgamation of different elements, patterns, and textures in a room to create one cohesive piece.

Their most recent masterpiece, a modern coastal home in Tierra Verde, Florida, spans 4,040 square feet and features 5 bedrooms and 5 baths directly on the waterfront of the Gulf Coast. It is the definition of a modern coastal home, with monochromatic and simplistic touches throughout.

Upon entering the first floor, seating options and plenty of open space provide the option for entertainment at any time of day. The living room is meant to accommodate a large group party, while an adjacent space gives way to a more intimate reception area.

This area of the house boasts sliding balcony doors draped in sheer curtains, allowing in as much natural light as possible. The balcony and windows are specifically crafted to spotlight expansive water views on site — truly capturing the majesty of picturesque, cerulean waves from any angle.

Leading your way through the house, the open floor plan takes you to the kitchen next. The center focus in the kitchen is a detached island with built-in cabinets for storage, a sink, and seating for three. Next to the kitchen sits a fully windowed alcove and a dining room table for eight, with another direct exposure to the home’s coastal surroundings.

Throughout these rooms, the cabinets, countertops, and ceilings meld different tones of white; an intentional choice to provide a light and airy feeling. “I love the mix of coastal yet modern elements in the design, and how we playfully used wallpaper throughout the residence,” says Jimenez of the Tierra Verde project.

In the bedrooms, the colors are complementary to those of the rooms downstairs. Upstairs, darker grays and browns are introduced, in order to accentuate a warmer, cozier feeling. Modern nightstands, flexible-use sconces, and stone table lamps keep on par with trends, while staying on theme as traditional and timeless.

The intention of the Tierra Verde residence is to foster a tranquil feeling, with calming cool colors on the interior. This is offset by a clean black-and-white color scheme, and accented with notes of subtle blues. This simplicity offers the opportunity to make the home feel more spacious, especially with elongated ceilings.

Statement chandeliers, custom millwork, interesting furniture pieces, and notably coffered ceilings are delicately placed throughout the home to give a sense of charisma and personality; differentiating the property from other homes designed with simplicity in mind.

Attention to detail is key in the process of designing or redesigning a home. Mixing different textures, such as metals, tiles, and stone, can create a unique tapestry of color.

While the home is a masterclass in gorgeous, sleek design, the company also puts an emphasis on functionality here, as well as in all of the spaces they design. “We don’t feel there is a need to compromise between great aesthetics and function,” Jimenez notes. She said that when designing, they take into consideration how each space is intended to be used, and infuse it with unique, comfortable pieces. This allows for a functional, yet beautiful design.

Another crucial aspect of interior design for any space, Jimenez discusses, is to incorporate the area’s natural landscape into design choices. For the Tierra Verde project, this comes in the form of creating the classic modern coastal home that blends into the Miami shoreline. “It’s the perfect representation of West Coast design,” she says. “With the home sitting right on the water, we want to ensure the calm and cool atmosphere was brought inside.”

Upstairs in the home, warmer tones are enforced through the use of darker grays and browns, in order to create a cozier vibe for winding down.

This can also be seen in the use of mixed materials throughout the home. Stone, metal, wood, and textiles are all used equally in each space. These layered patterns and textures come together to form a contemporary, practical home, and uses the Florida setting as a mesmerizing backdrop.

Sire Design is known for making long-lasting relationships with its clients, which is exemplified by its work on this property. The team has worked with this client in Tierra Verde, Florida, time and time again. Beyond the custom crafted walls of the Tierra Verde home, Sire Design has curated designs throughout three countries and a dozen cities. The company has been featured throughout the likes of HGTV, Mansion Global from Barron’s, The Wall Street Journal, and Architectural Digest.

The commitment and time spent on each product ensures precise results every time for members of this design team, making them all the more ready for their Netflix debut. The series “Designing Miami” features Jimenez and her husband, Ray Jimenez, who is also a leader in design at another interior design firm, Raymond Nicolas. The show follows them as they navigate the needs of their clients, staffs, and relationships with their close-knit families.

Looking back on the road that led her to this point, Jimenez recalls the early days of her career as transformative, and sees her time at university as the first stepping stone. “Design has always been part of my life, but after stepping foot onto the architecture campus, I knew the design industry was where I belonged,” she said. “Architecture eventually led me to the path of interior design, and the rest is history.”

September 17, 2023 Leave a comment

Homes & Estates Fall 2023 Issue

with:Unique Homes Staff

Unique Homes is pleased to present the Fall 2023 issue of Homes & Estates, offering a glimpse of the inspiration, creativity, and luxury of your dreams.

We invite you into the minds of Yabu Pushelberg Design, a design firm that needs no introduction. The firm, known for limitless creativity and innovative designs, has distinguished itself in the industry.

Inspiring you to take your interiors to the next level, this issue shares stories on selecting the perfect art for your home.

Imagine a new level of travel that will leave you wanting more. From luxurious vacations to high-performance electric bicycles, this issue will surely set your imagination on fire.

The Fall 2023 issue of Homes & Estates asks you to imagine, without limitations, the most extraordinary lifestyle – and then discover it is all within reach.

September 15, 2023 Leave a comment

In Plain View

with:Unique Homes Staff

By Roger Grody

The art on our cities’ streets and plazas is sometimes taken for granted, but a commitment to public art is one of America’s greatest traditions. The egalitarian concept ensures that everybody, even those who may never step into a museum, can be inspired by artistic achievement. While formal statues in town squares may be the earliest efforts, public art now encompasses contemporary murals and interactive sculptures that encourage a physical, as well as emotional, connection.

Chicago is not only the architectural capital of America — the city was shaped by masters like Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan and Mies van der Rohe — but is arguably the epicenter of public art in America. A leisurely stroll through the Loop reveals the works of some of the very same artists showcased in the revered Art Institute of Chicago, anchoring public spaces in the shadows of famous skyscrapers.

Soaring 50 feet and weighing more than 160 tons is an untitled Pablo Picasso sculpture at Chicago’s Daley Plaza, a piece endearingly characterized as resembling a giant insect or baboon. Picasso donated the steel fabricated artwork — the eccentric artist did not specify his inspiration for the piece — to the people of Chicago in 1967 and it has become one of the city’s most iconic works of art. Among the first to depart from a historic theme, the sculpture ushered in a wave of modern and abstract expressions by other famous artists on the streets of Chicago.

Perhaps the most iconic of Chicago’s downtown sculptures is “Flamingo” by Alexander Calder, an arching 53 foot structure placed outside the Mies van der Rohe-designed Federal Center. The color of Flamingo is technically vermilion, but has become so closely associated with the commission that it is frequently referred to as “Calder red.” The sculpture has long been one of the most photographed sites in Chicago, but in the era of Instagram it has been eclipsed by Millennium Park’s “Cloud Gate.”

None of Chicago’s 20th-century monuments currently receive as much attention as Cloud Gate, the curvilinear structure by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor, dedicated in 2006. The 110-ton, highly polished steel sculpture — people are allowed, even encouraged, to touch — captivates visitors walking around and under it as the Chicago skyline is reflected in its elliptical form. “Cloud Gate, affectionately called ‘The Bean,’ is a great example of a wildly popular public artwork,” reports professor Erika Doss of the University of Notre Dame, an authority on public art in America. “Why do people love it? Because they can play with it, use it for photo ops and wonder how it was made, why it’s so shiny,” explains Doss, who admits visiting the site many times herself.

Lydia Ross, the city’s acting director of public art, reports that Chicagoans’ embrace of public art runs much deeper than those world-famous sculptures. In addition to Chicago’s celebrated downtown public art, handsomely funded by corporations, there is a vibrant public art culture driven by social consciousness in the city’s less glamorous neighborhoods. “Chicago is a city that supports public art, and local artists are committed to creating a better and more just world,” says Ross of two parallel but equally significant public art movements.

Despite the Windy City’s riches, New Yorkers will not concede public art supremacy to Chicago, as the streets of the Big Apple are filled with both historic and contemporary pieces of engaging, sometimes interactive art. Enduringly popular is the 1989 “Charging Bull” statue by Arturo Di Modica in the financial district, literally a metaphor for the stock market, while sculptor Kristen Visbal’s more recent “Fearless Girl” near the New York Stock Exchange is an homage to female empowerment.

Public art in New York’s Zuccotti Park includes “Red Cube” by sculptor Isamu Noguchi and Mark di Suvero’s towering “Joie de Vivre.” Near the Museum of Modern Art sits “Love,” the instantly recognizable piece by Robert Indiana, while modern artist Jeff Koons’ distinctive “Balloon Flower (Red)” sits in the hallowed shadows of the World Trade Center. Engineer Gilmore D. Clarke’s “Unisphere,” a nostalgic remnant of the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens, is monumental, eclipsed only by New York City’s preeminent piece of public art: the Statue of Liberty.

One of New York’s most prominent and controversial modern works of public art is “Vessel” at Hudson Yards, an intricate structure of interlocking stairways completed in 2019. With approximately 150 flights of stairs (2,500 total steps), it creates an imposing, beguiling centerpiece to the ambitious $25 billion mixed-used development. Conceived by British designer Thomas Heatherwick, Vessel remains closed until new safety measures can be incorporated into the 150-foot-tall structure, but it remains a striking piece of visual, if not interactive, art.

The value of public art installations in open spaces was heightened during the pandemic, according to the Public Art Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing art to wide audiences in New York City. “The pandemic has highlighted our shared outdoor spaces as essential community resources and spaces of both physical and spiritual renewal,” observed artistic and executive director Nicholas Baume, noting that the organization’s resolve only intensified when local museums were shuttered.

In the spirit of Chicago’s towering downtown artwork is Philadelphia’s “Clothespin,” the 45-foot steel sculpture by Claes Oldenburg, a master of public art who recently passed away. Gracing a plaza facing Philadelphia’s City Hall — that historic building being crowned with a bronze statue of William Penn — Clothespin creates a quintessential juxtaposition between historic and contemporary public art.

For an emerging metropolis, Charlotte, North Carolina, boasts a surprisingly impressive portfolio of contemporary public art. Most conspicuous is the glistening “Metalmorphosis” from Czech sculptor David Cerny, a 31-foot-tall head rising from a reflecting pool on a plaza at Whitehall Corporate Center, a development featuring an entire collection of public art.

The piece, clad in mirror-finished steel plates, consists of rotating layers that create abstract forms, but when they are all aligned, water flows from the mouth of the perfectly formed head into the surrounding pool. The fluidity of Metalmorphosis provides a sense of symmetry with the water feature and its otherworldly looking face demands attention. “Pillars of Dreams,” a cloudlike structure of perforated aluminum by Brooklyn-based architect Marc Fornes, is another significant piece of public art in the Queen City.

“Pillars of Dreams,” a cloudlike structure of perforated aluminum by Brooklyn-based architect Marc Fornes, is another significant piece of public art in the Queen City.

Los Angeles has a strong tradition of public art, from the Watts Towers to artist Chris Burden’s addictive “Urban Light” installation, an interactive collection of 200-plus vintage streetlamps. The city also boasts an extensive collection of independent and publicly sponsored murals fueled by the city’s rich history of street art. Felicia Filer, acting assistant general manager and public art division director of the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), reports, “Murals and street art continue to be some of the most publicly accessible public art forms in Los Angeles.”

Referencing the city’s wealth of artistic talent, Filer states, “The artists want to make their murals and works accessible to all, and DCA does all it can to support them and their efforts whenever possible.” She adds, “The painted history of L.A., one of the major mural capitals of the world, encapsulates a great pride in this art form that continues to appeal to people with important social justice messages.”

Classic L.A. murals include “Morning Shot,” a 35-foot-tall Venice Beach image of rock music icon Jim Morrison painted by Rip Cronk, and “The Pope of Broadway” from muralist Eloy Torrez that depicts actor Anthony Quinn. Adding a touch of culture to the morning commute for 30 years is artist Kent Twitchell’s signature “Harbor Freeway Overture,” an elegant portrait of a chamber orchestra towering above a downtown freeway interchange.

August 31, 2023 Leave a comment

The Space Between

with:Unique Homes Staff

By Marlene Ridgway
Photos by Cristóbal Valdés @zeube

In Northern Chile, miles upon miles of desert stretch out in a seemingly sparse landscape. It doesn’t seem like much is there. Yet, at a young age, Paula Gutiérrez drew inspiration from that vast space, which, through her eyes, felt limitless and brimming with hidden secrets. Among the rocks and sand, a creative mind like Gutiérrez’s discovered rich color palettes, imaginative shapes, and a complexity in the landscape that she now carries into her work.

As a child, Gutiérrez explored and entertained herself by drawing and painting. Armed with her discoveries and inspiration from Northern Chile, she has been translating colors and textures into works of art, first as a way to stay entertained and now as a designer and architect. Gutiérrez, the founder of a namesake design studio explains, “Interior design is a language to express oneself, and our vocabulary is furniture, lighting, art, objects, plants, and more.”

Just Starting Out

There were never any questions when it came to Gutiérrez’s career path, according to the designer. “Aesthetics, since childhood, was always a subject at home,” she says. “When the moment arrived, I had no doubts about going into architecture studies at a university. Interior design was a later development.” From there, in 1989, Gutiérrez was hired to be part of the team for Hyatt Hotels in Santiago. After a few years of working and learning about luxury hotels, she came to a defining conclusion about her next steps. “I discovered that there was a whole world between architecture and the final product, the real living space. And that was where I wanted to be — improving and refining living techniques and styles, through the unlimited means that this specific area gave me,” says Gutiérrez.

In order to pursue this, Gutiérrez founded her studio in collaboration with the Architect University of Chile. The studio covers a wide range of services and has completed many public and private interior design projects with a unique spirit, always balancing avant-garde and functionality. According to Gutiérrez, the studio has a global view of architecture and interior design, integrating cultures and different styles into each project.

Paula Gutiérrez doesn’t<br />
restrict herself to specific<br />
styles or trends. She<br />
explores the world between<br />
architecture and interior<br />
design, balancing functionality<br />
and exquisite taste.

A Unique, Functional Style

Functionality is crucial in interior design, but each designer has their own approach. “As an architect, I have always begun by studying the movements that will be playing a part in each space,” says Gutiérrez about her creative process. “Once that is clear and settled, I design and dream the space, choose palettes, textures, specific styles, eclectic mixes, and define the final character.” Gutiérrez also describes her unique style as a sort of classic avant-garde and prides herself on not being a maximalist or minimalist. Her style is more individualized for each project. “I’ve defined myself more as doing what is necessary to build a space. It’s more about creating a story that speaks on its own,” Gutiérrez explains. “As a boutique office with very personalized services, I care, in detail, about the circumstances of each project.”

Landscape and Surroundings

Gutiérrez’s connection with nature has guided her to carefully consider the landscapes and the surroundings when working on a new project. “It’s important to me that the continuums between architecture and interiors enhance the subtleness of luxury textures and colors,” notes Gutiérrez. “The consideration of landscape and surroundings are always part of my work.” This can clearly be seen in her work at the Awasi Boutique Hotel in Patagonia, where the mountains and relationship with nature are as important as comfort and style.

Projects Old and New

The Voyage Collection is a relatively new project that adds another layer to the Paula Gutiérrez Studio. The project was created by Gutiérrez and Carolina Garib, an independent art dealer and jewelry designer, with the hopes of preserving ancient decorating techniques. At this time, the collection includes items such as hand painted silk panels that are stunning in a variety of spaces, seven-layer glass Qianlong vases, and even rock crystal lamps.

With a range of completed projects from boutique hotels and private residences to vineyards and offices, it’s hard to choose favorites. A few other projects that stand out in Gutiérrez’s mind are the hotels for the Astronomical Observatories in Northern Chile, Paranal, and Alma. According to Gutiérrez, the design experience stands out because of the “extreme and pristine landscapes.” Also memorable are the Vineyard Los Vascos, in Colchagua Valley, part of Lafite Rothschild Group, which presented an interesting challenge because of mixing traditional Chilean architecture and French culture and many more private residences. “Most private residential homes are an excellent moment to talk about art and style, and to discover the best of what the world can offer,” says Gutiérrez.

Getting to know Paula Gutiérrez

Coffee or tea?
“Coffee in the morning, a lot! Tea in the afternoon.”

Do you listen to music while you work? What’s on your playlist?
“I adore silence! But I have a selection that goes from Turandot, and Gustav Mahler, to pop and Caribbean sounds.”

What does your creative process look like?
“A lot of concentration until images solidify in my mind. Once that has happened, I begin to draw and select furniture, shapes, and palettes.”

August 9, 2023 Leave a comment

The Greenest Architecture

with:Unique Homes Staff

Architects and developers have been encouraged to build green for decades, resulting in the use of sustainable building materials, greater energy efficiency and more generous allocations of open space. But a dramatic movement has emerged in which agriculture is literally integrated into architecture and the approach, known as “agritecture” or biophilic design, represents the current frontiers of sustainability.

Many buildings, usually incentivized by government agencies, earn certifications for sustainable design, but others are literally green. The agritecture trend began manifesting itself with rooftop lawns, athletic fields or gardens, which not only injected precious green space into densely populated cities but also reduced energy costs. Living walls began popping up in trendy restaurants and hotel lobbies, but these gestures hardly captured the true potential of the movement.

The terms agritecture or biophilia were hardly in vogue, even imagined, during the career of Frank Lloyd Wright, but some experts view him as one of the most influential early proponents of the theory. Wright’s most iconic home, Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, is perhaps the ultimate example of an architect incorporating nature into the built environment, a consistent doctrine of the legendary designer.

Fallingwater, one of Frank Lloyd<br />
Wright’s signature residential<br />
projects, exhibited biophilic design<br />
decades before it was in vogue.

Literally built over a cascading waterfall, Fallingwater complements rather than overwhelms the extraordinary site, and Wright deserves some credit for innovations occurring half a century after his passing. Many contemporary architects, even those who may dismiss Wright as too mainstream to be cool, emulate his commitments to sustainability and blurring boundaries between indoors and out.

Frequently cited as the poster child of the agritecture movement is Bosco Verticale (“Vertical Forest”), a residential complex in Milan, Italy completed in 2014. Conceived by the pioneering eco-conscious firm of Stefano Boeri Architetti, the development features large, mature trees seemingly sprouting from the terraces of its two towers. Like most biophilic projects, the inspiration was to reduce greenhouse gases while introducing inviting natural elements into an urban setting. Founding partner Stefano Boeri collaborates with designers to re-create his Vertical Forest concept around the world.

With his “Vertical Forest”<br />
project in Milan, architect<br />
Stefano Boeri established a<br />
new frontier of green design.

“The design allows an excellent view of the tree-lined façades, enhancing the sensorial experience of the greenery and integrating the plant landscape with the architectural dimension,” says Boeri.

The firm’s first Vertical Forest project in China, a five-tower residential complex in Huanggang, features more than 400 trees, 4,600 shrubs and 26,000 square feet of grass, flowers and climbing vines. “The design allows an excellent view of the tree-lined façades, enhancing the sensorial experience of the greenery and integrating the plant landscape with the architectural dimension,” says Boeri. “Thus, the inhabitants of the residential towers have the opportunity to experience the urban space from a different perspective while fully enjoying the comfort of being surrounded by nature,” adds the architect.

In Eindhoven, Netherlands, the Vertical Forest concept was applied to affordable housing in a 19-story tower comprised of 125 modest apartments. Insisting that an eco-friendly living environment should not be reserved for the affluent, Boeri states, “Living in contact with trees and greenery, and enjoying their advantages, could well become a possible choice for millions of citizens around the world.”

Pan Pacific Orchard, a<br />
new Singapore hotel<br />
tower designed by WOHA,<br />
elevates the practice of<br />
agritecture.

Kampung Admiralty by<br />
WOHA, a Singapore-based<br />
architectural firm leading the<br />
biophilic design movement.

Courtney Crosson, assistant professor at the University of Arizona’s College of Architecture, Planning & Landscape Architecture, has practiced architecture around the world with celebrated firms like Foster + Partners. In her research and teaching in Tucson, her interpretation of agritecture focuses on agricultural activity in central cities, which yields multiple benefits.

“Urban agriculture reconnects people with their food sources, lowers the carbon footprint of food production and educates consumers about the seasonal characteristics of agriculture,” explains Crosson. She cites Brooklyn Grange in New York, the world’s largest rooftop farming operation, as representing a positive example of the intersection of urban agriculture and urban planning.

Crosson reports that most architecture school curricula address biophilia — relating to human beings’ affinity to nature in their everyday lives — to varying degrees. “Studies have indicated positive outcomes from having more natural materials in the workplace, home or hospital,” explains Crosson, who notes such influences can be as modest as a living green wall or even the use of fabric patterns inspired by flora.

The professor is more skeptical of the flurry of skyscraper proposals featuring cantilevered terraces overflowing with mature landscaping, whose execution can be challenging. Conceding the appeal of those renderings, Crosson states, “They look utopic for a reason, and I think this new way to envision urban dwelling is hopeful.”

She reports people respond favorably to the presence of natural elements in their neighborhoods, citing the success of the High Line in Manhattan, a swath of parkland created from an abandoned railroad spur designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Many Americans are surprised to learn that Singapore, with its reputation as a congested, antiseptic glass-and-concrete environment, is at the forefront of the biophilic revolution. Despite its high population density, the city-state is living up to its vision as a “garden city” and the prominent local architectural firm WOHA is furthering the transformation of Singapore into a green oasis.

Presented in the firm’s book Garden City Mega City: Rethinking Cities for the Age of Global Warming, WOHA’s projects integrate natural elements with bold aesthetics. Singapore projects such as Parkroyal Collection Pickering (a hospitality/commercial center) and Oasia Hotel Downtown feature explosions of greenery that soften the contemporary architecture and reduce greenhouse gases while enhancing the quality of life of occupants.

The Oasia Hotel Downtown,<br />
a WOHA project contributing<br />
to a new generation of green<br />
buildings.

The Park Nova Tower,<br />
designed by London-based<br />
PLP Architecture, is another<br />
notable Singapore project<br />
making the city-state a<br />
leader in biophilic design.

Articulating the inspiration for the Oasia Hotel, WOHA founding director Mun Summ Wong explains, “We’ve almost created the notion of a huge tree in the city, where animals could thrive in the canopy.” He adds, “We wanted to reintroduce greenery back into the cityscape, to envision a new skyscraper for the time.” Since the Oasia Hotel’s completion in 2016, WOHA has conceptualized increasingly ambitious projects supporting the concept of a flourishing, three-dimensional ecosystem in the heart of the city.

In addition to WOHA’s green imprint on Singapore, outside firms are contributing to the city’s impressive collection of biophilic structures. Currently under construction is the 21-story Park Nova tower, a luxury residential project from London-based PLP Architecture that is a particularly graceful example of the genre.

In Melbourne, MAD Architects — some of the world’s most innovative and audacious projects are conceived by this Beijing- headquartered firm — submitted the “Urban Tree” for a design competition for Australia’s tallest building. Had it been selected, the skyscraper would have been a model of agritecture, with its soaring frame punctuated by greenery to soften the environmental and visual impact of the development. A more intimate biophilic project from MAD is Gardenhouse, a luxury condominium project in Beverly Hills whose façade is clad in a living mosaic of greenery.

The dramatic “Urban<br />
Tree” proposed by<br />
groundbreaking MAD<br />
Architects for Melbourne,<br />
Australia.

The design competition for the Melbourne megaproject was ultimately won by UNStudio, a Dutch firm in collaboration with Australia-based Cox Architecture. Their concept, a pair of gently twisting towers dubbed the “Green Spine,” presents a vertical green landscape, while a public park on the podium level integrates more traditional open space into the $2 billion development. When completed in 2027, the project’s planting will absorb noise and air pollution while cooling the atmosphere on summer days. Building and landscaping materials will be native to Australia, reinforcing the complex’s theme of sustainability.

Amazon’s much-hyped HQ2 complex in Arlington, Virginia, slated for completion in 2025, is one of the nation’s highest-profile agritectural efforts. The centerpiece of the $2.5 billion project will be a 350-foot steel-and-glass tower with mature trees spiraling up the building, a design by Seattle-based NBBJ that was inspired by strands of DNA.

The “Helix” will not house cubicles and conference rooms but, like the biophilic “Spheres” at Amazon’s Seattle headquarters, will consist of recreational and collaborative spaces for employees and the public. The design of the HQ2 complex also features an immersive “Forest Plaza” offering a botanical garden-like ambiance for meditation, gathering with colleagues or contemplating Amazon’s next corporate acquisition.

August 2, 2023 Leave a comment

The New Design Mindset

with:Unique Homes Staff

By Camilla McLaughlin

Overshadowing demographic and social dynamics already in play in the market, COVID-19 continues to be the great disrupter, changing expectations and imparting a new perspective on our homes. “Over the last few years, we’ve collectively undergone significant stress and uncertainty. Many people are looking to regain a sense of control, stability, and comfort, looking to their homes for support and security,” says Sarah Barnard, a leading wellness designer, who was recognized as a One to Watch Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) in 2017. “As we plan interiors for the post-pandemic landscape, the most innovative and enduring designs will be those that maximize the relationship between aesthetics, function and wellbeing to help people feel, do and be their best,” says Mary Cook, president and founder of Mary Cook Associates, a national, award-winning commercial interior design firm.

What’s Ahead?

Expect to see a continued emphasis on wellness. Sustainability is becoming important to consumers, and new expressions of luxury emerge as younger demographics begin to influence the industry, according to ASID’s 2022 Trends Report. This annual report takes a deep dive into fundamental shifts in the U.S. population, attitudes regarding house and home, lifestyles, ways of working, new technologies, and how a continued wave of disrupters is transforming consumer expectations. According to ASID CEO Gary Wheeler, the objective is to give designers a comprehensive perspective on the year ahead and outline strategies to elevate their practices.

Green accents and natural materials energize a neutral palette.

How Many Will Un-Retire?

Even before the pandemic, the population was shifting toward the South and West, and interest in those regions and in coastal areas continues to be strong. The most significant demographic change, per the outlook, is the number of people living alone, approximately 28% of all households. Even more dramatic is the rise in the number of multigenerational households (271% between 2011 and 2021), which ASID says calls for a new set of design strategies.

In the last two years, many over the age of 55 shelved plans to continue working; approximately half are now retired. But ASID notes that many were not financially prepared, and “it’s not yet clear how many may decide to un-retire.”

Relationships over Seclusion

During the pandemic, the flight from the city and demand for small-town living became major news. But the second half of 2021 showed a growing interest in a return to urban centers, with permit requests for building in high-density areas increasing year over year to 21.1% for large core metros and 30.8% for exurbs. Reversing previous preferences to relocate closer to one’s work, ASID says many recent buyers and sellers are driven by the desire to be close to family and friends.

For designers, this change means homeowners will want more space for socializing and entertaining as post-pandemic attitudes favor relationships over seclusion. The square footage of single-family homes inched up, while multifamily residences became smaller. ASID says, “Clients with single-family homes will need assistance integrating spaces for multiple activities, such as work, learning, fitness, and entertaining, while those in multifamily units will need assistance making the most of small spaces.”

Booths and nooks carve out private spaces in a common lounge.

What Do We Want? Calm.

In a word, calm. In a survey of adults across 116 countries, approximately 72% said they would rather live a calm life than an exciting life. In another study, the number of adult Americans rating their own mental health as excellent hit a 21-year low. “More than ever, people need environments that help alleviate stress and restore their sense of wellbeing,” advises ASID. “While great design isn’t a cure-all, we know high-performing spaces can be very powerful in their ability to excite and energize, motivate and inspire, or even soothe and relax,” shares Cook.

“Clean, well-organized spaces can evoke a sense of calm in the home. This does not mean it has to be a minimal, spartan space, but it should be free of clutter while still bringing in beautiful design elements. You can achieve this through soft neutral palettes. If you like color, you can use the same color throughout in different tones. Soft, ambient lighting is important rather than stark bright white lights,” suggests Miami designer Juliette Calaf.

“Beyond the direct effects of COVID-19, the pandemic has taken a toll on both physical and mental health, from aches and pains caused by long hours at makeshift home workstations to the emotional stresses of isolation, uncertainty and worry around current affairs,” said Cook.

Curated art, plants, and bespoke shade turn an empty wall into a found space.

Be Well

Residential wellness is a top priority for homeowners, with a focus on indoor air quality, mental wellness enhancements, home office ergonomics and fitness, according to ASID. Also on the rise is wellness real estate, which is outpacing other types of construction. When the pandemic began, a desire for healthier homes was already percolating among consumers. Wellness was becoming a hot topic. Then COVID altered these perceptions and expectations. “The overabundance of wellness culture in the past few years has given the term an air of frivolity. However, more recently, there’s been a return towards the truest sense of the word and a search for genuine and profound physical and emotional health and wellbeing,” says Barnard, who is certified to design to both WELL and LEED standards. “When people are talking about wellness in their home spaces, they now often prioritize meeting basic needs and the reduction of stressors through comfort and utility,” she says. For example, something as simple as adding seat cushions to an uncomfortable dining chair repurposed for work or homework can reduce stress. “We see people prioritize ease, joy, and comfort, which is crucial for a happy, healthy relationship with home.”

“At the core of all well design is functionality. No matter how peaceful or beautiful the home space looks, if it isn’t intuitive to the residents’ lifestyles, there will always be moments of tension when interacting with the home. Ergonomic furnishings, accessible switches, outlets, and furnishings at heights comfortable for the user can support happy living. Once those foundations are in place, the benefits are elevated through nature, joy, and art,” Bernard explains.

Integrating Nature

“I often prioritize nature by tying the interior space to the exterior, whether by highlighting existing natural views, incorporating organic materials, colors, prints, and patterns that all speak to the neighboring nature, to help create feelings of calm and grounding,” she adds.

“The pandemic accelerated what was already a fast-moving trend,” says ASID, noting growing desires to connect indoors and outdoors. “Spa-like bathrooms have been popular for years. I think we’re seeing even more of an upward trend toward actually having a connection between the indoor and outdoor space, especially in a master bathroom. Large panes of glass in the shower that feel like you’re outside, or even a door directly connected to a secluded patio area,” says Beverly Hills designer Christopher Grubb, president, Arch-Interiors Design Group.

ASID expects to see more attention paid to wellness in commercial design, particularly in offices and hotels. They also project wellness tourism to generate $436 billion in 2022. “Destinations include spas, thermal springs, and “medical tourism” to partake in any number of treatments and therapies.

Natural materials bring the blues and greys in this bath to life.

New Sustainability Mindset

Sustainability is also emerging as a concern and a priority. More than 50% of consumers say they are willing to change their purchasing behavior to reduce negative environmental impact. And 44% indicate they are willing to drastically change their lifestyles to live in a more sustainable way. “Sustainability has gone from being treated as a status symbol to something that homeowners and homebuyers expect from builders and product manufacturers,” ASID observes.

Luxury Now

Sales of luxury goods were up 29 percent in 2021 over 2020 and are expected to grow by 6 to 8 percent over the next four years. However, ASID says, “younger affluent consumers, who are projected to comprise 70 percent of the market by 2025, are not bound by loyalty to traditional brands and place greater importance on products and companies that are socially and environmentally conscious and sustainable.” What will be most interesting is how all of this develops and how much will change for trends in 2023.

June 24, 2023 Leave a comment

Obscure Finds & Authentic Pieces

with:Unique Homes Staff

By Jamie Yoos
Photography by Haley Howard

Take interesting and obscure finds from galleries, combine them with mixed period pieces, and you have the key to creating a unique home, according to Studio Gutow, an interior design studio in Laguna Beach, California, that launched early this year.

Lisa Berman, the founder and principal designer, along with designer Melissa Rohani and project manager Heather Brunelli work together to incorporate differing textures, vintage and antique pieces paired with modern items, and natural materials to bring high-end spaces to life in each project.

In Newport Beach, this exterior living room is designed to be used all year long.

Q: What inspired you to be designers?

Lisa: I grew up around beautiful things; my dad was a collector of 18th century American antiques and decorative art. I was always in beautiful homes and different environments that were inspiring to me.
Melissa: After over a decade in the tech industry, I was in an e-commerce startup and understood how to run a business online. I was frustrated with what furniture you could find readily available — everything is mass produced and seasonal, and the quality of how things are made is something I was finding subpar. I would look at vintage and antique pieces and the craftsmanship was built to last generations.

Q: What was the catalyst for your partnership?

Lisa: I was a client of Melissa’s. We feel strongly about curating a unique home with obscure finds from different galleries and mixing them with other pieces to keep it interesting. It felt different than what most people were doing in our area, and it was more fun to approach a project together. We decided to solidify that collaboration — two heads are better than one.
Melissa: I started a company almost 10 years ago, Laguna Mercantile. I was an antique dealer. Lisa and I met through that. We’ve been working on projects together for about seven years. We have lots of opinions about how things come together, furnishings, and making sure everything has a story.

Lisa is a furniture encyclopedia. You could show her any piece of furniture and she would know whether it was authentic, who it was inspired by, what region, it’s crazy. She’s a wealth of information, wisdom, and knowledge around design. We have ways that we are different, but we intersect in areas and it turns out better than I could’ve done on my own.

A casual and eclectic Newport Beach primary bedroom.

Q: What is your design process?

Melissa: For most people, it’s a similar process. One thing we take a unique angle on is spending time with our clients and figuring out how they’re going to use the space, how they want to feel in the space. We have clients who have a primary home, or second, third, or fifth home. Each one of those has a different use and feeling.
Lisa: The environment that they’re in — what part of the country, natural materials that are inherent to that region — we take into account.
Melissa: Someone who’s building a house in Park City, Utah, likely doesn’t want it to look like a townhome in New York City. Making sure it’s authentic to the family and location, so it feels organic and natural. Taking into account our clients’ personalities. We have a lot of intense Type As who want to live like that, and we have intense Type As who want to go somewhere casual and comfortable.
Lisa: That plays into the colors and even the type of sofa. Is it super loose, messy, and chill? Or very overstuffed, upright, and stiff? Oftentimes, their personality is very obvious in the selections and the details throughout the home.
Melissa: We look at the way people want to use the space and ensure no surface is too precious that people can’t live in it. ‘Don’t put that down there, it needs a coaster!’ We want to take all of those fears away and have a livable home.

A boy’s room with a Casa MIDI bed with whimsical accent pieces.

Q: What’s coming soon to the Shop on your website?

Lisa: We can’t get too specific, but some collaborations with artisans that we work with for select projects … having things to sell to people who aren’t even necessarily our clients. An e-commerce aspect.
Melissa: We’re always traveling and sourcing, we have a passion for it, so unique finds are what we’ll offer. Not only new pieces, but also interesting vintage and antique pieces that we come across. It’ll be a mix.

Q: What are your goals for Studio Gutow?
Lisa: To continue building an interesting clientele with a similar mindset to us: they want a layered and collected home that is comfortable, refined, and personal. In our desire to create a unique space for each client we work with, we come across interesting, small artisans. We’d love to collaborate with them on more permanent pieces that are part of a collection that we could put on our e-commerce site coming soon.

Q: What is your favorite project you have worked on together?
Lisa: The Emerald Bay project. We got in a groove of working together and that’s the project where I cried when it was over. I am not an emotional person. It was our showcase piece.
Melissa: I think we’re about to start a second favorite, just based on the location. We have a project that we’re going to do in Napa, and we both love Napa, so we’re very excited about that.

June 16, 2023 Leave a comment

Fresh as a Daisy

with:Unique Homes Staff

By Alyssa Gautieri

A classic symbol of beauty, the daisy flower is often represented in home design. The daisy can be portrayed as colorful and eccentric, or elegant and minimal — or as something in the middle. “I think daisies are a really happy, friendly flower and they have such a bold, cheerful, graphic shape to them,” says Laurel Harrington, interior designer and founder of honeydudley. “They are something that make you smile right away.”

Wendy Umanoff Daisy Ceiling Light

Modern and edgy, the Wendy Umanoff Daisy Ceiling Light adds charm and character to a simple ceiling. Inspired by the allure of a daisy in bloom, the metal petals around the glass globe can be adjusted to create a unique look. Add an eccentric touch to the bedroom, dining room, bedroom, or foyer.

Honeydudley Daisy Doo Dining Chair

Inject personality into the dining room with a playful, floral-inspired dining chair. With a unique daisy-shaped backrest, the Daisy Doo Dining Chair is honeydudley’s first creation. The dining chair design is pretty and playful, as well as clean and contemporary. “These chairs are so customizable, you can make them minimal or colorful,” says Harrington. “Adding whimsy and color doesn’t have to be chaotic; it can be done with shape and sculpture too.” The chairs are made from sustainably harvested wood, while the cushions are made from high-quality leathers and suedes in a range of colors. “The Daisy Doo immediately lightens the conversation among furniture and architecture in any space,” adds Harrington.

John-Richard Quartz Daisy

Intriguing yet timelessly elegant, the John-Richard Quartz Daisy features delicate gold-finished petals and a center made from quartz crystals. With a textured stem and intricate leaf details that resemble the beauty of nature, the striking daisy emerges from an alabaster base. This artistic piece makes for the perfect dining room centerpiece, or decoration for the bedroom or living room.

Daisy Flower Coffee Table

Glamor meets industrial chic with this Daisy Flower Coffee Table designed by Giulia Ligresti. Exuding the colors and details of a real daisy, the iron table livens any interior and serves as an eye-catching statement piece. The green-finished pedestal base resembles the stem of a daisy, while the white and orange surface recreates the pistil and petals. The iron table is completely handmade, making every piece unique.

Loves Me, Loves Me Not Frame

Full of exquisite details, the Loves Me, Loves Me Not Frame is handcrafted of wood glazed with a gold leaf and adorned with ornate porcelain daisies. Complete with shading and texture, every small daisy is painted by hand to replicate the style of real flowers. The oval frame by Caiafa Studio is named after the game of French origin in which one person plucks petals from a daisy to determine whether the object of their affection reciprocates that love.

March 2, 2023 Leave a comment

Cozy Cottagecore

with:Unique Homes Staff

By Isabel Vega

COTTAGECORE as a home design style is a romantic and nature-focused trend that is all about simplicity and comfort. Wanting to celebrate a lifestyle rooted in the uncomplicated, cottagecore originates from European nobility seeking simple lives through country living. Today, Waterstone, Americh, and Taryn Emerson Interiors curate this popularized trend by creating high-end kitchen and bathroom appliances that leave spaces feeling lived-in, bright, and charming.

Sawyer Freestanding Bathtub

Americh is known for its contemporary and classic designs. This sleek, freestanding Sawyer bathtub embodies comfort with its classically shaped roll-top, which creates a vintage look. Its hand-hammered finish provides a rustic touch that is so prevalent in the cottategcore trend. The Sawyer is part of the Americh Freestanding Collection and is available in hammered nickel, smooth nickel, living brass or a plain white exterior. Depending on size, this tub ranges from $5,156 to $10,312 in price.

Waterstone Pot Filler

Having a pot filler in your kitchen is all about convenience; they can enable multitasking and minimize the mess. Waterstone Faucets’ Traditional Pot Fillers embrace a classic design with vintage details like cross handles or lever handles. The pot fillers are available in plenty of finishes, including antique and distressed finishes, as well as polished copper, brass or gold finishes, all of which add to the rural and romantic cottagecore aesthetic. The pot fillers are available in a wall or counter-mounted style, perfect for stovetops against a wall or on a kitchen island.

Priced at $1,794 for wall mounted, and $1,867 for counter mounted, this can tie together your kitchen.

Taryn Emerson Bathroom Vanity

Cottage style evokes the inclusion of elements that have character and convey a sense of permanence or age. Taryn Emerson Interiors creates a custom bathroom vanity of furniture versus cabinetry that follows the theme. The vanity gives an eclectic vibe to the space, and while the details of this particular piece are timeless and the finish feels timeworn, it creates a luxury and cottage feel in a simplified bathroom.

Taryn Emerson Kitchen Island

Taryn Emerson Interiors creates a cottagecore kitchen with this furniture-style custom kitchen island. The turned legs are meant to make the piece feel more like furniture than cabinetry. The marble countertop creates a high-end and timeless feel, and its warmth and beauty make it an ideal material to improve the aesthetic appeal of a home. This custom kitchen island brings the space to life with its brightness and flare, while of course, emphasizing cottage chic.

January 27, 2023 Leave a comment