Kimberly Bianchi
Decor Studio Manager
With a deep-rooted passion for design, Kimberly is the in-house Decor Studio Manager for OPUS Homes. Having graduated with Honours in Interior Design, she diligently mastered her trade through twelve years of accumulated experience in the design and home building industry. During that time Kimberly developed and operated an in-house decor and customer service program for a highly-regarded home builder. A creative jack of all trades, she has been involved in multiple operational functions within the home building process. This fresh-faced and highly qualified team member oversees the décor function with a finely tuned knowledge of the entire operational process which allows her to guide clients through the maze of construction with ease.
The term contemporary architecture refers to a number of diverse building styles. It brings together the indoors and outdoors, showing signs of regional character and even whimsy, to create a feeling of spaciousness.
North of the Greater Toronto Area, we are seeing a great deal of new homes built with a contemporary flair. A modern design build is no longer exclusive to the big city with many suburban communities incorporating a fresh new look. At OPUS Homes, we are proud to introduce this style of architecture in Richlands, finding new ways to blend with more traditional streetscapes for street views that are breathtaking!
Contemporary architecture is a design aesthetic that leans towards clean lines and open concept living spaces. It places a focus on energy efficiency, while making use of natural sustainable materials (i.e. bamboo floors and granite counter tops), recycled and nontoxic materials (i.e. low emission paints and carpeting) and natural light.
Incorporating the top trends of this design style into home décor and finishes can be achieved through the following best practices:
• Exterior home details should be free of heavy ornamentation, streamlined in form, and blend with natural outdoor elements
• Bring natural light inside the home with large glass windows (using translucent glass where privacy is required), skylights and solar tubes
• Consider an open floor plan to create a unified design aesthetic
• Use neutral tones for flooring, furnishings, lighting fixture and textiles. Add pops of color and texture with accent pieces
• Use natural and organic materials (wood, rock, slate, teak, cotton and wool) throughout the interior and exterior of the home
• Select furniture that has simple clean lines and raised off the floor. Avoid heavy ornamentation to create a feel of airiness
• Bare floors contribute to the relaxed feeling of contemporary design. Use area rugs to visually break up the spaces in the home
• Keep the interior details simple and distinct. Replace traditional elements with innovative ones making use of glass or industrial materials (i.e. using tension cables as railings and banisters)
• Hide technology behind cleverly designed interior elements
• Be open minded to a minimalistic approach when it comes to the design for contemporary living
OPUS Homes is introducing many of these contemporary design elements in the architecture of Richlands. Some of the manufacturers and materials being used include:
• Ebony canopy steel roof and underside of porch from Mac Metal;
• Espresso brick from Brampton Brick;
• White stone veneer from Arriscraft and
• Glass and aluminum garage doors from Wayne Dalton Garage Doors.
Keep an eye on this project to see how OPUS brings contemporary architecture to life.
