During the renovation of a 1970s Lakeview residence in Calgary, Alberta, designer Lindsey Tsang of LD&A wanted to honor the original, multi-level design while updating the interior space. With its multiple, split-level transitions, a vaulted ceiling and wide, main-floor windows, the residence provided open concept spaces and unobstructed sight lines.

During the construction of a new home in Santa Monica, Calif., Dorothy Alon of Sophea Interior Design saw opportunities to complement and enhance the modern farmhouse style that characterized the home. The boutique firm, located in Encino, CA, specializes in providing interior design of high-end residential development and new construction for condominiums. For this project, Alon wanted to magnify the home’s visual appeal with a highly distinctive quartz material around the fireplace to serve as a focal point. Because quartz can crack under high heat, she was left with choice of choosing more a traditional material or finding a fireplace designed specifically to deflect heat.

It’s hard to imagine a time when there were almost no accommodations for people with disabilities—in public spaces, homes, or transportation. Yet, many disabled people can still vividly remember the challenges of trying to get around and work in a world designed exclusively for the able-bodied people.

Unlike traditional fireplaces, which have certain design limitations, modern fireplaces allow you to work with a broad range of floor plans. Whether a client wants the fireplace to be a focal point of the room, an accent feature that blends in when not in use, or a functional feature that provides heat, where it fits in the floor plan matters.

As a focal point of any room, a luxury fireplace should be selected with care. Anything that doesn’t seamlessly blend with the space, in terms of both quality and design, will stand out, and not in a good way. By working closely with clients and manufacturers, you have the ability to select the luxury fireplaces that meet all of your clients’ needs. On the plus side, there are plenty of luxury fireplace options available—more than ever before. However, not all of them are created equally.

The design and construction industry is constantly evolving, which is one reason professionals must continue to learn and grow throughout their careers. Design professionals who belong to the AIA must earn a certain number of continuing education credits to maintain their membership credentials. Many states also require continuing education to renew licenses, and for designers who are not yet licensed, some AIA credits may count toward the experience prerequisite.

Many homeowners desire a space with a luxury fireplace as the focal point, especially when designing a new home. However, the limitations of conventional fireplaces can impact your ability to bring the design vision to life. Factors such as clearances and heat barriers can alter the intended design or prevent clients from using the space in the way they envision. For example, with a conventional fireplace, they might not be able to safely hang artwork or a television above it.

Cool Wall Technology opens up new possibilities, allowing you to design with more freedom. It also provides several long-term benefits to clients that go beyond the look and feel of luxury.

Living room design has evolved over the decades from formal sitting rooms to a nexus of family entertainment to casual multipurpose rooms. One common thread throughout this evolution is that living room design is centered around creating spaces for people to gather. The elements in the space, finishes, and style of furniture all influence the look and feel of a living room. Whether the intent of the design is to create a strong first impression, to provide a cozy study space for the kids, to entertain guests, or all of the above, consider incorporating some of these five contemporary living room design ideas into your home.

If you’re considering buying a fixer upper or your existing home needs a serious makeover, deciding whether to remodel or rebuild can be an agonizing decision. Which option—renovating or rebuilding—is more cost-effective is also a hotly debated topic among contractors, architects, and real estate pros.

Ortal has long been recognized as a global innovator of modern fireplace design. Our engineers and designers have been hard at work for more than 30 years refining the cutting-edge technology and sleek design elements that make Ortal fireplaces the preferred choice among architects, builders, and interior designers for luxury home interior projects.