There’s nothing worse than losing power in your home. The home is supposed to be the one place where you feel comfortable and safe, and losing power reduces both of those feelings. Although you can probably manage a couple of hours without power, things become really inconvenient if the power remains off for longer than a day. It’s in cases such as these where having a back-up generator comes in handy.

Back-up generators are incredibly convenient to have in your home, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind when purchasing one. First of all, not just any generator will do. You have to figure out how large the generator’s output needs to be based on your electricity usage. This can be done by adding up the wattage to all the appliances you use plus another 20 percent as a safety margin. A generator needs to be maintained as well, especially if it is permanently installed. The oil and air filter need to be changed annually, and the system should tested on a yearly basis as well. The last thing you want to do is end up with a generator that doesn’t work when you need it most!

When picking out a generator, look for additional features such as an electronic voltage regulator (to keep it from harming other electronics) and insulated housing to lower the sound of the engine.

With much of the nation experiencing a drought, it is a good long-term investment to plant drought-resistant plants. There is more information and more options available than ever before. Here are some beautiful and hearty plants that don’t require a lot of water.

• Blanket flower. This drought-tolerant perennial, whose official name is gaillardia, blooms all summer and into fall. Colorado State University represents this flower for Colorado.

Image via Better Homes and Gardens

• Sugar Maple. A Colorado NBC affiliate states that the sugar maple is both colorful and drought-tolerant. It also looks great year ’round!
• Succulents. Perhaps the best known of drought-tolerant plants, succulents require very little water. Their waxy leaves also make for an interesting contrast when juxtaposed with other types of plantings. According to an article in The Denver Post, echevaria are popular in Colorado.

The most important thing is that a drought-tolerant plant is appropriate for its site. If you are looking for a custom home built by an architect who respects the landscape, consider Trilogy Partners.

The idea of a “smart home” gained visibility over a decade ago with Bill Gates’ Washington home. Gates’ estate is worth over $160 Million, but you can implement similar advances into your home for a whole lot less. Here are some fun and practical tech features for your home:

• Remote home-monitoring. Homeowners can control their appliances and lighting from their pcs or cell phones.
• Security. Video feeds can be monitored via mobile devices. Sensors can also alert people on their mobile device. One company offering this service is Homesite.
• Underwater music. Bill Gates’ home has an underwater music system and so do hotels like The Unique in Sao Paulo. We predict that soon this technology will we widely available for homes.
• Archos TV. This wireless keyboard remote is Android capable and even has gesture control. It was featured at the CEDIA Electronics Show, which shows many of the latest tech developments.

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Image via Shutterstock

As concern over rising energy costs and environmental destruction rises, homeowners are looking for ways to go green while enjoying cutting edge design and attractive architecture. We put a heavy emphasis on sustainable design at Trilogy, and we will be excited to explore some of these upcoming green building trends with our Colorado customers in 2013.

photo via flickr.com

Solar Panels

Design experts at Inhabitat believe that demand for home solar panel systems will only grow during 2013. Manufacturers are finding new ways to make them attractive and easy to blend in with the exterior of a home.

Healthy Building Materials

With many paints and building materials releasing dangerous volatile organic compounds, designers and manufacturers alike will continue to expand their offerings of healthy alternatives that are free from these emissions.

Storm Resistance

Massive natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy have highlighted the importance of building structures that can withstand flooding and high winds. Many homeowners are expected to look for durable, storm-proof architecture during 2013.

Pre-Industrial Inspiration

Finally, designers can expect to see a surge in demand for pre-industrial features like root cellars and kitchen gardens. Even the sleekest modern homes can be complemented by a few of these useful additions.

There is no point in serving a banquet of local sustainable foods in a room laden with non-sustainable design elements. Sustainable interior design ensures a comprehensive integration of sustainable elements in every room of the home – all of which work to complement one another.

photo via architecturaldigest.com

Architectural Digest highlighted some of the stunning tabletop designs featured at the 15th- annual “Dining by Design” fundraiser – Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids (DIFFA). The event was hosted by AD and featured multiple examples of sustainable dining room design.

One of the most notable designs, especially in terms of sustainability, was Ralph Lauren’s home installation. It is a wonderful example of the importance of design continuity. Built for a log cabin, the Lauren dining table was designed by Alfredo Paredes. It is constructed from rough-hewn timber, and resides underneath an antler chandelier, and earth-toned cushions and table coverings, which all play into the homey feel of a rustic family cabin.

Sustainable tables focus on using recycled/reused materials, minimal finish – or low-VOC pigments – and should serve as a complement to existing interior design themes. For more information on how to implement sustainable design in your dining room, contact Trilogy Builders – expert sustainable builders for over 15- years.

A fresh mountain house, featured in Architectural Digest, holds lessons for those wanting a rustic residence that is updated and individualistic. The space, by Michael S. Smith, is shown in the images below. Here’s what we like about the mountain home:

• A zone for each activity. The dining table is set in its own space, with its own access to the outdoors. Though the home has no formal dining room, it clearly indicates which activity is to be performed where. A rectangular light fixture and rectangular rug further define the dining zone and echo the shape of the dining table.

Image via Architectural Digest. Photo: Roger Davies.

• No clutter. A mountain home should be focused on the notable terrain, with clear views and copious daylight. Clutter is a distraction.

Image via Architectural Digest. Photo: Roger Davies.

• Natural materials. A mountain home can compliment its surroundings with natural materials. This lesson applies to both traditional and modern mountain homes.

Image via Architectural Digest. Photo: Roger Davies.

This isn’t the only fresh mountain house that Architectural Digest has written about. Click here to read the AD article about a Steamboat home by Trilogy Partners!

After extensive surveys and market research, Pantone has named Emerald 2013 Color of the Year. The classically elegant color will be seen in fashion, home fashion, and (we predict) architecture. One look below and it’s easy to see why.

Image via Pantone

Image via Pantone

The selection has garnered attention in national publications such as The Wall Street Journal, which reported that:

The annual color proclamation is closely followed by the design industry, and emerald is already starting to show up across a wide swath of products—clothes, dishes, furniture and even cars…Deep greens took off on fashion runways in the spring 2013 collections.

Image via Pantone

Emerald is notable because it pairs well with both warm and cool hues. While homeowners are not all going to run out and re-design their entire residence around the color, we could certainly see it working well for a pillow here and a throw there.

One of the best times of the year to live in Colorado is the fall with the cooler temperatures and incredible foliage.  There are a number of festivals that happen around the state throughout the fall season, but one worth mentioning is the upcoming Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival, which will be taking place the weekend of October 5th-7th.

The event will take place at Riverwalk Center, and festival-goers will get to enjoy a grand tasting of handcrafted spirits and vote for their favorite cocktail.  Admission is $20 and buys you craft cocktails, a complimentary tasting glass, and delicious appetizers.  Other highlights of the festival are outlined below:

• Poker Run
• Historic Saloon Walking Tour
• Breckenridge Distillery Tours
• Live concert by Honey Gitters (Bluegrass)
• Hangover Brunch and Brunch Drink Specials
• Local restaurants will be offering entrees for the historic rate of $18.59.

Help us help them

Trilogy Partners and Rower Airshows are having a silent auction for 3 open cockpit airplane rides at a minimum bid of $300 per ride all proceeds benefit the victims of the Waldo Canyon wildfire near Colorado Springs. To place your bid attend the Meet the Pilots After-party at 3pm July 4 at 233 South Ridge Street (refreshments will be served on the rear deck) or email your offer to info@works.trilogybuilds.com. (We are also accepting smaller donations.)

With the assistance of the Summit Foundation we will be aiding victims directly impacted by the Waldo Canyon fire, specifically the more than 300 families of the Mountain Shadow Subdivision who lost their homes.

Auction winners will be notified by July 6, 2012.

Take the Ride of Your Life

Take the ride of a lifetime with Highest Show on Earth Pilot Gary Rower in his airshow Stearman Biplane. Strap on your parachute and see the mountains like you’ve never seen them before, from an open cockpit biplane. For the adventurous, try some of the same maneuvers you saw during the show or just lean over the side and wave to the folks in town… at 120 MPH! 

You may have flown in an airliner. You may have flown in a little airplane or a corporate jet but until you’ve flown an in antique biplane you’ve really never left the ground. You’ve seen them in movies and you watched the airshow now experience a once in a lifetime opportunity and take a ride with Gary in his 1942 Airshow Stearman.

The Breck Film Festival is Colorado’s answer to the Cannes Film Festival. One of the oldest film festivals in the country, the Breckenridge Film Festival celebrates our independent filmmakers. From June 7-10th, the town of Breckenridge will host slew of actors and filmmakers. In the past the festival has hosted guests such as James Earl Jones, Sydney Pollack, Donald Sutherland, Jon Voight and Alan Arkin.

This year’s lineup includes Open Road with Camilla Belle, Colin Egglesfield, Juliette Lewis and Andy Garcia; Above the Ashes, an award-winning documentary about the devastation left by the Fourmile fire; and Raid of the Rainbow Lounge,  which recounts the controversial 2009 police raid of a Fort Worth, Texas gay bar that resulted in multiple arrests and serious injuries.

Purchase your tickets today and experience a touch of Hollywood here in Breckenridge. Currently Trilogy Partners has (exclusive) 2 for 1 Breck Film Festival Tickets (regular box office price $10) available. For more information call 970-453-2230 or email info@works.trilogybuilds.com. You can also pick up tickets at Trilogy located at  233 South Ridge Street, before 5 pm on Friday, June 8th. There is a  limit of 10 tickets per order.

To see a list of films www.breckfilmfest.com.