Unique Homes Blog

By Jessica Decina

Old-world elegance

Knock on wood, because you’ll be seeing more and more of it in the kitchen.

Instead of a common granite or marble finish, more homeowners are opting for wooden countertops to achieve that rustic, natural look. According to Joshua Aaron, who custom-designs wood and stone tops, more homeowners want “a perceived softness” in the kitchen, noting that walnut is by far the most popular choice.

“People tend to go for light-colored cabinets and ceilings, and they want contrast. It’s dark and it ends up being the look. It complements so many different things,” he says.

Designing a wood top is typically a three-component process based on the type of wood, the thickness and the construction style, Aaron says. Prices start at approximately $100 per square foot.

Turning up the heat

Luxury, meet vitality.

The mPulse sauna from Sunlighten, which became available last year, incorporates pristine design with infrared technology that supports better circulation and weight loss. The mPulse comes with all the bells and whistles of luxury — gorgeous teak wood for a natural, outdoors-meets-indoors look, an LCD touchscreen interface and a monitor that can wirelessly transmit your vitals into a wellness Web site. Rob Persad, director of marketing for Sunlighten, calls it “a visual statement in any home.”

“We wanted to create a sauna that was functional and beautiful. It’s an investment in health and in something that will be with you for your lifetime. It’s a long-term investment, just as you invest in your home,” he says.

Pricing starts at $4,000 and runs upwards of $10,000, depending upon the model.

Paradise Found: The Caribbean’s Most Fascinating Homes

History buffs and travel aficionados Derek Galon and Margaret Gajek have together written “Tropical Homes of the Eastern Caribbean,” a 300-page volume that explores 31 incredible feats in architecture and design.

“This book focuses specifically on tropical-style architecture, and shows a wide spectrum of different architectural approaches. It can therefore be a huge source of new ideas — both for detail and decoration. The sky is the limit,” says Galon.

“Tropical Homes of the Eastern Caribbean” is now available to order online or through bookstores.

Rare bath vanity combines fine art with functionality

Zoli Loft & Bath has teamed up with artist Steven Quartly to introduce art to an unlikely place: Your bathroom vanity.

The vanity features Quartly’s work “Ascending,” a landscape oil painting with vibrant colors inspired by the Amalfi Coast. Each piece is individually hand-painted, signed and numbered by the artist, and right now, there are only 20 of them in existence, creating what Farshad Tafazzoli, brand manager for Zoli Loft & Bath, calls “true scarcity value.”

“The cabinet represents functional art. Most artwork can only be admired, not utilized,” he says.

This series of art vanities, which debuted in December, is priced between $10,000 and $15,000, depending on the size of the vanity.

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