#real estate

Rich earthy tones , soft curves , organic references….a space that exudes comfort and peace … @ameesidences

A classic French like grandeur with contemporary details , linear + vintage furnishings and subdued earthy palette; a serene space designed by @madduxcreative

Small space , big personality Planning details is a continuous and important task ; done right can elevate any space … Done right by @sandrabenhamou

When functionality is of the absolute highest priority ! …Love the way each space feels unique ; little nooks , wallpapers etc … A great project by @studio_db

Innovation + luxury by @brigetteromanek …. This contemporary setting comes with modern shapes , plush furnishings and moments of fun and experimentation throughout … a true design for the Stars for sure

A project is about the execution and the timeless details ! Bold , glossy, customized design by @bismut_architecture that brilliantly combine all of the above!

Monochrome …A seamless project by @studio_brentlee emphasizing a subtle palette and monolithic forms …an interplay based on balance and mastery

The sculptural elements of this house are just beautiful! The warm neutral pallet , the pops of burnt orange, the wall moldings and ceiling trimmings are all tastefully done! A project by @fleurdelesalle done right!

Balancing land and ocean is what this South Beach retreat by @jeanlouisdeniot is about ! The goal was a seamless integration of a light coastal palette , creative patterns and a gentle mimicking of waves and clouds .. A mission greatly achieved

Restored stucco, weathered exposed beams , French moldings , tanned patina … tied with contemporary + avant-garde design…. a killer …by @vdecotiis

Design like never Before” is exactly what is Sarah Lizlawson going for… Pattern play , eclectic elements , creative … a ceiling flute adding a 5th dimension??? … a one and only look by @sarahlizlawsondesign

Black and white + earthy vibes …. A tailored look with tactile materials and quality products build at the Hamptons … the Modern Barn feel is achieved with confidence, elegance and comfort… by @michael_del_piero_

All about the mix … by @studiovolpe_sv

Chic and artsy ! … Details and good art add so much to the space by @elizabeth_roberts_architects

I love to see the whole house done creatively..Rustic + modern blend is such a winner here ! Solid neutrals and pops of colors is another prolific merger …by @sarahshermansamuel

Exploring different aesthetics is how you mature in design . Anchoring your aesthetics to the style that best embodies you … light earthy pallet here ..

By @renderhousestudios

Ukrainian architect @emildervish balances minimal sensibility in design with outmost functionality! His subdued soft interiors play with light and form to elevate and humanize the spaces in this historical apartment in Kiev ! It’s as calm and harmonious as it is glorious

White washed textures , earthy touches and bold marbles come into play in this project by #Belousova ! The feel of calmness …sides with organic nuances and honest materials to collectively create a subdued but powerful look

I just found two different listing on the internet as I was making market research for my essay on suburban spaces, writing about house prices and quality. My broad web search led me to find two architecture realities that demonstrate how the real estate landscape is odd and sometimes on steroids.

The house on the left is a beautiful Victorian home located in Maryland in the US, the asking price is US $1.19 million, while the one on the right is a McMansion outside Toronto going for CDN $3.8 million. What’s going on here?

The Canadian housing market is gone crazy with prices that aren’t stopping soaring not even through the crisis between 2007 and 2008. Toronto Listings are filled with small 2 bedrooms 1 bathroom going for 600k at least for homes built forty years ago.

Off course the two locations are geographically different and housing markets might follow alternative priorities; however, it’s shocking seeing how much value some new homes have reached despite their bland style and cheap construction material.

This other listing featured another beautiful home in Seattle with lake view and compared to the above house outside Toronto it still cheaper by $1 million and change. Despite the styles, this Victorian house has been built with far better quality than any multi-million dollar mansion in 2017, and it has retained its aesthetic value for over a century while newer homes won’t last fifty years.

Communities outside the city built with the principle of traditional craftsmanship in the 18th and early 20th century have contributed in making the urban landscape better looking. Essentially they make neighbors vibrant, original, and worth caring about. Today, instead, we face the sad reality of cookie-cutter homes built left and right non-stop with the cheapest materials which are too expensive and out of the reach of consumers and add no particular values to communities.