There Is No Place Like (A Smart) Home
As we continue to embrace the outside world and spend more time in public places, we’re still incredibly grateful for our private sanctuaries.
Home was always synonymous with respite from the outdoors and our hectic day-to-day lives, but the word clearly took on new meaning in the last 18 months. To counteract the monotony of quarantine, many Coral Gables homeowners tackled the projects they’d been meaning to take on for months or even years. The result? Living spaces that evoke peace and tranquility while employing ultra-innovative technology. So, how can you employ such newfangled elements in your own home? To help you get started, here are several ideas from companies local to the Gables that are guaranteed to inspire
Artefacto
Brazilian home furnishings powerhouse Artefacto is always at the forefront of the latest introductions in the Miami real estate market (they just finished designing units for the oceanfront building Arte Surfside and for Zaha Hadid’s One Thousand Museum overlooking Biscayne Bay), so it’s no surprise that the company has teamed up with some of South Florida’s preeminent names to create a property unlike any other. Artefacto’s Paulo Bacchi, along with architect Kobi Karp and builder Todd Michael Glaser will soon complete Casa Hibiscus. A sprawling 8,000-square-foot spec home that will be operated from a singular smart control system, this modern gem will also be located on one of the most prestigious streets in Miami Beach. Expect even more from their new showrooms in Coral Gables on U.S. 1 near their current digs on Ponce. Artefacto, 4440 Ponce de Leon Blvd., 305-774-0004, www.artefacto.com.
StudioBecker
The bespoke cabinetry and architectural millwork designers at the German-born company StudioBecker are wholly adept at integrating technology into the home. “We are always trying to push boundaries, rather than following a formula,” says Frank Rosell, President of StudioBecker Florida. According to Rosell, clients are currently asking for designs that hide personal belongings and valuables, and even televisions, to make for a less cluttered and overall, more streamlined setting. In the residence shown, for example, the extra-long island is home to an “appliance garage,” which allows easy access to an array of items that would otherwise be taking up prized real estate on the countertop. With the tap of an app or the push of a hidden button, the appliances are lowered into the countertop in a space that is normally completely underutilized. Another variation is on the cover of this section, showing a liquor bar emerging from a cabinet in front of wine racks; it returns to its hidden space on command. StudioBecker, 4216 Ponce de Leon Blvd., 305-514-0400, www.studiobecker.com.
Snaidero USA
With a flagship showroom in the heart of Coral Gables, Snaidero USA offers ultra-modern luxury cabinetry that is proudly made in Italy. While any of the California-based company’s designs would immediately up the ante in any home, the H01 Elegante Bespoke kitchen is one of our favorites. It’s made from Heartwood, which is exceedingly durable, and the ceramic material Laminam, creating an evolution in kitchen cabinetry. The combination offers supreme resistance to everyday stains and bacteria growth, which is more important than ever. Beyond the cleanliness that this kitchen offers, it’s compatible with the latest appliances and accessories and is equipped with LED lights, soft closure doors, and Legrabox glass drawers. Snaidero, 4110 Ponce de Leon Blvd., 786- 662-3850, www.snaidero-usa.com.