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9 Design Tips from the Sunset Smart Homes

High-tech, eco-friendly, and efficiency ideas from our 2011 Idea Houses in Palo Alto, California

written by Sarah Gaffney
1 /10 Smart Homes exterior rendering

2 Smart Homes, 2 modern couples

This year's Sunset Ideas Houses are part of a mixed-use development in a pedestrian-orientered transit district of Palo Alto, California, near offices, a train station, shopping, and entertainment.

Dubbed the Smart Homes, the duo of 1,500-square-foot, side-by-side townhomes were designed for two forward-thinking (albeit imaginary) couples. The Optimists live life on the go, use the latest high-tech gadgets, and love a colorful, modern style. Equally at ease with innovation, the Explorers are worldly travelers, always just returning from a trip or planning one. These profiles sparked the ideas that follow.

2 /10 Photo by Thomas J. Story

Smart idea: Enlarge the living room

Eighteen-foot ceilings and a wall of windows make the first floor of the Optimists' triplex feel larger than its 576 square feet. Floating shelves and a tangerine orange Sunbrella cushion pop against the neutrals. The coffee table is made from old shipping pallets—another smart detail.

3 /10 Photo by Thomas J. Story

Smart idea: Kitchen that cooks

Pale surfaces and light-reflecting glass cabinetry keep the Optimists' 59-square-foot kitchen from feeling cramped. The marble-like quartz counters are anchored by dark cabinetry with slab doors for a clean, modern look. Heath Ceramics subway tiles work both vertically and horizontally on the back-splash walls.

The school-bus yellow metal stools ad instant fun. Designed for indoor-outdoor use, these lightweight seats can follow the party wherever it goes.

4 /10 Photo by Thomas J. Story

Smart idea: Top-hinged cabinet doors

The top-hinged doors on the aluminum-framed frosted-glass cabinets open upward (and out of the way).

5 /10 Photo by Thomas J. Story

Smart idea: Induction cooktop

Induction cooktops are faster and more efficient than gas or electric, and only the cooking vessel gets hot.

6 /10 Photo by Thomas J. Story

Smart idea: Digital control

A digital home interface—controlled by an Apple iPad, it's also accessible via mobile devices—connects the home's audiovisual, security, climate, and lighting systems.

7 /10 Photo by Thomas J. Story

Smart idea: Simple solutions

Simple Ikea curtain wires provide a clever way to display art, mementos, and jewelry in the Optimists' home office. LED numerals glow through the wood veneer of EQ3's Hedge clock.

8 /10 Photo by Thomas J. Story

Smart idea: High-tech bath

In the Explorers' master bath, the mirrored doors of the Robern medicine cabinet slide up to reveal outlets, a defogger control, and an ultra-slim television. The shower's temperature, steam level, and water pressure can be programmed in to the digital Kohler interface—as can the morning's playlist.

9 /10 Photo by Thomas J. Story

Smart idea: Shower style

In the shower, we installed vertical bands of shimmery glass tile (instead of the expected horizontal strips) to emphasize the room's height.

10 /10 Thomas J. Story

Smart idea: Quiet retreat

Located at the top level of the Explorers' triplex, the master retreat feels insulated from the home's social spaces. The headboard of the queen-size bed was custom-made using wood sustainably harvested from sugar palm trees. The bamboo sconce—from Schmitt Design—adds a warm, soft glow. The bedding is from Macy's.