Tag: Vail architects

Ideas for Building in the Charming Rustic Cabin Style

Rustic cabins are quaint, charming, and homey. If you’re thinking of having your own cabin built, either as a retreat or a primary home, keep these ideas in mind as you plan your floor plan and architectural design:

cabin style decor
Source: TAB Associates
  • Open lofts are the perfect complement to a rustic cabin home. You can use your loft as an extra bedroom, a relaxing library, or even a TV room.
  • While wood is the traditional choice for cabins, remember that you can work stone into your design. A beautiful stone chimney can make your cabin seem even cozier.
  • Cabins are places for families to spend time together. An open floor plan makes this easier, promoting conversation and interaction.
  • You’ll want to spend plenty of time relaxing outside when you’re at your cabin for a retreat. A spacious, wrap-around porch makes this possible.
  • Incorporate plenty of rustic wood into your interior to maintain the cabin-look indoors.
  • No cabin is complete without a beautiful mantle to display family heirlooms and treasures. Rustic brick and stone are great materials for your fireplace and mantel.

If you’re interested in building a cabin style home, contact TAB Associates, Inc. to learn more about our architectural services.

 

Tips for Designing the Perfect Luxury Master Bedroom

Those planning to give their bedrooms some new luxury master bedroom features might be interested in some ideas from TAB Associates. The following are just a few ways that you can add some luxury to your bedroom and give your bedroom an attractive new look:

luxury bathroom design
Source: TAB Associates
  • Regional flavor- Depending on where you live, you might find inspiration for bedroom decor in the style of your region. For example, a Southwest decor scheme could feature an adobe appearance, exposed wood beams, and arched windows.
  • Consider skylights- Lighting features have a significant influence over the look and mood of a room, and incorporating some unique or original lighting methods can add to a bedroom’s visual appeal. Skylights on a sloped ceiling are an interesting way to cast your room in a creative light.
  • Minimal furnishings- According to the 20th century architect Mies van der Rohe, “less is more”. You might find your bedroom to be more comfortable if you cut back on superfluous furniture pieces and decor accessories to allow for more open space and simplicity.

Check back with our blog regularly for more great tips on luxury decor for your home.

Contact us for consultation on your luxury master bedroom design project.

 

What’s Hot In Luxury Home Architecture

Luxury home design trends are in constant flux. One day a certain material is hot, and the next day, everyone wants something different. Here’s a look at some of the hottest current luxury home trends, which we look forward to continue implementing in our designs.

luxury home design trends
Source: saterdesign.com
  • Windows are certainly hot right now. The more windows in a room, the better. This is especially important if you have a lovely mountain view like many of our clients. We love floor-to-ceiling windows that make you feel immersed in nature.
  • Marble has been en vogue for a while, and it’s not going anywhere. From marble bathroom elements to luxurious kitchens, you can’t have too much of this beautiful stone.
  • Outdoor spaces are also all the rage in luxury home design. More people are spending time on their decks than ever before, so it’s becoming common to build decks with roofs. Luxury outdoor amenities like outdoor kitchens, hot tubs, built-in seating areas, and pools, are also increasing in popularity.

At TAB Associates, we take great pride in staying up-to-date with the latest trends. Contact us if you’re thinking of building a new home; we’d love to offer our input.

 

Luxury Home Trends: His and Hers Master Bathrooms

If you’re building a new home or remodeling yours, one design trend to consider is his and hers bathrooms. This new bathroom style allows you to share bathroom space, while also having your own private space away from your partner.

There are many different ways to adopt the his and hers bathroom configuration. In some homes, the bathroom is divided by a tall, mid-room wall that has a sink on either side of it for each partner. Separate toilets and dressing areas are located on either side of the room. Some his and hers bathrooms offer one shared shower stall or bathtub, while others have two showers.

Some his and hers baths are less divided than others. In one home, the designers placed a single luxury jacuzzi in the middle of the room for shared use, and placed separate sinks and dressing vanities on either side of the room. The symmetrical appearance, as with all his and her baths, is the key to the modern design look.

At TAB Associates, our talented architects can help you integrate the latest home trends into your design. Contact us to discuss your plans today.

Ways to Incorporate Your Side Yard Into Your Home Design

A side yard won’t quite support a swimming pool, but it’s large enough to fulfill a function on your property. If you are building a home, consider which elements you may be able to fulfill outside of the home, such as an entertainment or dining area. Design the side yard while simultaneously building your home to make the best use of your property.

  • Extra kitchen space. If you entertain guests often, but like do so outside, consider incorporating a cooking area into your kitchen design. When building the home, design a structure that can support a small outdoor kitchen and cooktop area.
  • Dining underneath the stars. Do you live in area with welcoming evening weather? Choose a long table and chairs to create an intimate outdoor dining setting. Opt for a more informal dining area in the home.
  • Reading Nook. Do you need a place to enjoy coffee and a good book? Create a comforting book nook with an arbor, plush seating and a crushed stone pathway over-layed with wood or stone walkway.

Are you building a home and in need of some guidance to bridge the interior and exterior design? Contact us at TAB Associates to discuss your building needs.

Get to Know the Modern Version of the Mountain Chalet

If your ideal home design gives the feeling of a cozy, welcoming haven, consider incorporating a “mountain chalet” design feel. While the rustic mountain chalet might seem like a thing of the past, you can bring it back to life in your home by evoking simplicity and austerity in your interiors. At TAB Associates, we’d like to call attention to some modern architectural projects that pull from the tradition of mountain homes of the past:

mountain chalet style
Source: TAB Associates
  • The Speculative Residence- Set in the mountains, this home is situated to take full advantage of the view. Going beyond the simple cabin style home, this reaches 5000 square feet.
  • TS Lot 42- taking some concepts of a more traditional mountain chalet home and expanding them, these townhomes are made from natural material to help them fit into their rustic environment.

Don’t be afraid to build out with your mountain chalet home, and include some more modern ideas like full glass walls. For more design ideas, follow our posts on Facebook.

To learn about the architectural and design services we offer at TAB Associates, contact us with inquiries.

How to Design Around the Natural Landscape

The ideal home appears to be integrated into the surrounding landscape, rather than disrupting it. To achieve this look, the architect and home owner must work together to choose the proper site for the home and to work the home around the landscape. There are a couple of different ways to achieve this:

Anchored Look

This look can be achieved by building the home on a slightly sloped surface rather than leveling out the ground before building. A stone foundation reinforces the appearance.

The Gliding Home

Some homes appear to sit lightly on the ground rather than delving into it. To achieve this look, plan on bringing the lawn right up to the edge of the building and avoiding the classic foundation plantings.

Platform Homes

This is probably the most creative way to integrate your home with nature. A dramatic platform allows you to live higher up in the trees and really feel connected with the landscape. A lower one may put you closer to a water source or other interesting natural feature.

For more custom home design tips, contact TAB Associates and discuss your building plans with one of our qualified staff members.

Trending Home Styles: What Makes a Craftsman House?

Craftsman homes have risen in popularity due to their classic trending home styles, contemporary charm, and the overall warmth these homes exude. Whether you’d like to build a Craftsman house or include elements in your home design, check out our guide below on trending home styles characteristic of Craftsman homes.

craftsman style home
Source: TAB Associates Inc.
  • Hipped Roof. Hipped Roof Craftsman homes are a rare gem. Complement a hipped roof with a slightly arched porch entryway. You can also incorporate a hipped roof into the attic of a two-story home.
  • Eclectic blends. If you’re set on a Craftsman home, but also love elements of other styles, opt for an eclectic blend. Embellish key Craftsman features such as a prominent porch and rafter tails with characteristics of your other favorite styles.
  • Gabled homes. Gables are among the most prominent characteristics of Craftsman homes. Within the Craftsman design, Craftsman style homes use front, side or cross-gables.

For more inspiration, consider craftsman designs from our portfolio. Craftsman houses blend perfectly into the Colorado mountains.

Would you like to include trending home styles into the construction of your new home? Contact us at Tab Associates to discuss building the home of your dreams.

Want to Build a Contemporary Home? Check Out These Features

One of the advantages of working with an architect is the ability to build a home perfectly suited to your needs. If you want contemporary home features in your new residence, consider the essential characteristics of the contemporary home below:

Want to Build a Contemporary_photo

  • Choose natural materials. Natural materials aren’t limited to interior features such as wood flooring or paneling in the living room. Adding natural materials to the exterior of your home serves to blend your home into its natural surroundings and also creates continuity between the indoors and outdoors.
  • Natural light. When designing your home, emphasize a floor plan and design that allows natural light to come in. Natural light can always be controlled with a variety of shades and window covers, however it’s primary benefit is providing healthy natural light during the day. Using natural light will require less resources in using artificial light and may reduce your electric bill.
  • Contemporary exterior finishes. Emphasize contemporary features on your home’s exterior such as a linear roof with an overhang or cantilever. Natural materials are also a nice contemporary touch for the home.

Are you building a contemporary home in Vail? To discuss contemporary home features for your residence, contact us at TAB Associates.

Check Out These Architecture Trends for 2014 to Inspire Your Home

Looking for ideas on what architectural features to include in your new home? You might find inspiration from this year’s hottest trends.

2014 Interior Trends
Source: TAB Associates

These are a few of the top architectural design trends for 2014:

  • Home spa. Having a home spa or whirlpool bath installed gives you a place to relax after a hectic day. It makes your home feel more like a private retreat where you can shut out the rest of the world. More than half of new homes being built in the US include a whirlpool bath, and the home spa industry is on the rise.
  • Multifunctional kitchen. Kitchens are turning into central hubs in homes these days. They’re being used as a place to perform several other tasks besides cooking, such as studying or paying bills. Consider having your new kitchen set up in a way that accommodates this multipurpose trend.
  • Outdoor room. Using outdoor space as an extension of the home is a growing trend. Instead of a simple patio or deck, an entire room can be constructed with eco-friendly materials that can handle the elements.

Want to see examples of homes that use current design trends?  Contact us at TAB Associates to talk about incorporating these trends in your new home!