Pineapple House owner and Principal Designer Stephen Pararo was asked to judge HGTV’s 2015 “Fresh Faces of Design” competition in November.

HGTV recently asked Pineapple House owner Stephen Pararo to judge their 2015 “Fresh Faces of Design” competition along with five other industry pros and HGTV celebs and execs.  The judges panel will choose an overall winner from the most popular candidates that win top honors in a dozen categories.  The colorful categories include:

Kid-Tastic Spaces

Small Spaces That Live Large

Big City Digs

Great First Impressions

Organically Inspired

Design With A Passion

Posh Public Spaces

Voting happens from September 25 through October 30th, with the winners announced on November 3rd.  The judges look forward to seeing the innovative, forward-thinking spaces that will capture the attention of America in this inspiring competition.

              

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Entry to the lakefront home. Pineapple House designers added transoms over interior and exterior doors to help telegraph natural light and warmth from the sun into the interiors of the home located two hours north of Toronto.

Pineapple House Interior Design is featured on HGTV’s website for work that was done on an award-winning home in Canada.  Entitled “Spectacular, Welcoming Summer Lake Home,” the piece states that “like the beautiful landscaping surrounding it, wood plays a central role in this lake home’s style, expertly crafted by Pineapple House Interior Design. Whether rough and rustic or polished and elegant, every room features local wood materials.”

Pineapple House was responsible for both the interior design and architectural specification package (the patterns and material selection for all interior walls, doors, floors and ceilings, the plumbing and lighting fixture selection, the electrical plans, etc.)  We had worked with the clients before, so were thrilled when they asked that we handle their new construction project, even though we were not in the same country.  Over the years, we have done “long distance decorating” many times, so knew that the miles that separated us would not be problematic.  Ultimately, Pineapple House and the wonderful local craftsmen that we partnered with — John and Rob Schenk of Muskoka Custom Cabinetry  — completed the project prior to the deadline.  It was a very exciting process, especially since we’d all decided to introduce a new look to the area via a summer home that was brighter and more sophisticated than the rustic cabins that are typical in the region.

In the 16-page presentation, HGTV states that “throughout the house, the designers manipulated size, materials, surfaces and textures to achieve a balance that would fit with the natural setting. The use of native stone and timber maintained a connection with the surroundings and emphasized locally sourced materials.”

This dining room is designed so fresh air can easily circulate. Doors can be left open to the screen porch anytime.  If insects are not threatening, they can open directly to the yard. Select stones are pulled forward so candles can be employed to add to the ambiance of the room.

It was critical that we honored principles of sustainability and interfaced the outdoors with the indoors, plus networked the home so the owners could enjoy their natural setting in any weather condition.  We incorporated materials like stone and cedar shake, which is usually found on the exterior, on the interiors, and created screened rooms, covered porches,  a gazebo and connecting walkways to help network the home and integrate the indoors/outdoors experience.  For a look at the entire project on the HGTV website, please click this link.

This gazebo provides comfortable seating with furniture covered in outdoor fabrics.

              

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Seble Bebe Mengistu and Cynthia Pararo of Pineapple House Interior Design spent time with designer Maya Shah and her family when they visited from India this week.  Maya interned at Pineapple House for 9 months in 2005.

In 2005 Pineapple House spent nine months mentoring a young, creative designer from India — Maya Shah.  Maya was a promising design talent who, until that time, had been working exclusively in her homeland.

It’s been ten years, and today Maya heads her own firm, Maitreya Designs, in Mumbai, India.  On a recent trip to the United States with her husband and daughters, she dropped by Pineapple House to say hello.

Maya and Pineapple House designer Seble Bebe Mengistu, who is originally from Ethiopia, met at Pineapple House early in their careers.  After Maya completed her internship and moved away, Facebook helped them stay in touch.  Both of these amazing women are wonderfully well travelled, speak two languages fluently, and have design sensitivities that expand horizons.  They each have their own success story.  They have made their families and client’s worlds a more beautiful, empowering place, and Pineapple House is happy to be a part of their journey.

              

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