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Trends come and go but condos, it’s safe to say, are here to stay.
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As for the top ten trends in condo design and décor for this year, they are a mirror reflection of what’s going on in the worlds of architecture, interior design and style.
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“In the bigger picture, we’re seeing a big push for double-height lobby spaces with a strong biophilic undertone, lots of connection to the outdoors and lots of natural light.” says Haley Wag, the design director at Lemay_id — formerly known as Lemay + Escobar — a rebranded studio specializing in the creation of bespoke interior design projects that turn ideas into identities. It has worked on numerous hotels in New York and Humaniti in Montreal, among many other design projects.
“Hospitality-inspired, communal seating that inspires interaction between neighbours is popular, as are lounges, coffee areas and mail rooms, which, in New York, are becoming more of a design feature.”
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Here are the top ten trends according to Wag, Alexandre Blazys of Blazys Gerard and Alexis Le Bot, of Archipel.
1. Layout
Office niches are popular, as are units with several bedrooms; one of which can be transformed into a home office, says Wag. Add a Murphy bed and a mirrored wall to the room and you now have a space that can also be used as a guest bedroom as well as a gym.
2. Lighting
Both architectural lighting and lighting in common spaces are super important, according to Wag. The right light level and colour temperature can make a person feel like they’re home the second they walk through the door.
3. Personality
“We work with architects to make sure that both the inside and outside of the project work as a unit, and has a certain personality,” says Alexandre Blazys, who co-founded BlazysGerard with Benoit Gérard in 2003. The duo is behind such projects as Maestria, MAA and Gatsby.
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“Whenever we design something, we have to ensure that the entire concept is comprehensive and will still be relevant in two or three years; we have to be quite advanced in terms of understanding what trends are going to look like in a few years.”
4. High-end hotel vibes
People are shopping for and buying condos as if they were high-end hotels, explains Blazys. Clients have travelled around the world and they know what they like; they want environments that are elegant and timeless, but still modern.
“The common areas are a huge seller for these developments because people will spend more time in them with their friends or alone, having coffee, playing cards or watching movies, than they do in their own units,” he says. “They have access to great gyms, spas and fireplaces that give them a better quality of life.”
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5. Dark woods, warm tones and comfort
Rich essences such as rose wood are coming back into style, according to Blazys, as are warm camel tones and bronze. “People want to feel cozy,” he says. “They want to be comfortable.”
6. Plants
Archipel sells seeds and seedlings for growing fruits, vegetables and herbs, no matter how small or large your condo’s outdoor space is.
“Purple, mauve and crimson plants are trending this year, including heliotropes, lavender, several varieties of lilac, lupines, veronicas, anemones, purple irises, purple hydrangeas and bellflowers,” says Alexis Le Bot, the company’s co-founder, president and CEO.
7. Slow gardening
This practice is ideal for beginner gardeners looking for peace and quiet, not perfection. Archipel offers a variety of perennials such as rudbeckias, dark side of the moon astilbes, daylilies and hostas.
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Planting low-maintenance flowers, plants and trees can green up the outside of your condo without the hassle of constant maintenance.
8. Outdoor furniture
Outdoor living will be just as popular as it has been the last few years. Trends in outdoor furniture are moving towards comfort, cosiness and a return to raw and natural materials such as wood, metal, rattan and stone. They add a touch of warmth, while remaining both robust and durable, according to Le Bot.
9. Outdoor lighting
Well thought-out outdoor lighting is essential to enjoy the summer evenings, including garden lamps that provide just the right amount and of light. Organic materials such as bamboo and wood are trending this year, as are fixtures with adjustable light intensities and warm white light-emitting diode (LED) lightbulbs.
10. Barbecues
“Traeger, Big Green Egg, Broil King and Weber are some of the ongoing favourites in the barbecue category,” Le Bot says, “as are Clementi pizza ovens and planchas.” Archipel sells Weber’s version of the plancha cooking table designed for both outdoor use, and, of course, enjoyment.
This story was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division.