Awarded Best of Houzz 2020 & 2021, Sensi Casa isn’t like other design firms. Their elevated approach offers what only very few firms can: turnkey homes in record time. Sensi Casa’s mission is to assist clients in achieving a high-end aesthetic through detail-oriented curation that fills a space with luxurious furniture and accessories.

Principal Owner Diego Guarderas joined Haute Design for a conversation about Sensi Casa's company philosophies and what sets them apart.

Haute Design: What do you believe to be the most valuable service that Sensi Casa provides to its clients?

Diego Guarderas: In terms of interior design services, I would say that our Presto Design service is our most interesting offer because it is what makes us unique and sets us apart from other interior designers. With Presto Design, we are able to offer turnkey solutions and turnkey homes in record time. So, this is something quite interesting for many clients who are actually looking to move to other houses in a timely fashion. This way, the client does not have to go through the headache of visiting 10 to 15 stores and exploring numerous options just to pick out one sofa.

I would definitely say that the ability to offer a turnkey, fully furnished property in record time, within the client's budget, would be the most appealing service that we currently offer.

Photo Credit: Sensi Casa

HD: Would you be able to explain how this Presto Design Service, which you do so well, came about?

DG: Well, as you know, we do home-staging as well. So, because of our staging experience, we have learned to move pretty fast while doing interior design projects. We are taking all of the know-how of staging properties but offering much more leeway to the customer.

Because when staging a house, the realtor or the broker or the developer does not have much of an opinion on what we do other than telling us what type of style they want. So it's not like we can ask them whether they like this chair or whether they prefer this table over another. They will simply tell us, "I want a modern look," or "I want an Italian look," etc. And, of course, we just follow their orders. However, when it comes to Presto Design we combine the speed of our work along with a detail-oriented and customer-collaborative approach. For example, would they prefer an easy-to-clean sofa because they have children in their home? Would they prefer a King or Queen-sized bed in the master bedroom? Would they like sectionals in the family room or are they okay with three-seaters?

We certainly ask a lot of questions throughout the process with our customers. We begin with presenting options for what we feel would look best in each room and go from there. We completely avoid what other companies do sometimes which is to present a showroom-look.

Photo Credit: Sensi Casa

For example, there is a well-known furniture store in Miami that is probably the biggest home stager in the city right now. This store has been able to create a great brand and following, and people love their furniture. So of course, since they have their own inventory in each of their stores, it's pretty easy for them to furnish an entire home within a week because they own the inventory. So for them, it would be super simple to just pick a bed, a sofa, and armchair or what ever they have in stock. The downside to this, is that each home will look exactly like the one next door and exactly like their showroom in Aventura.

They have a great business model and it's a great solution for clients who may not care about their home's design as much. They have great-looking furniture but some clients prefer something unique and different even though that may normally take longer. That's where our ability to offer a unique look in record-time becomes very interesting.

Photo Credit: Sensi Casa

HD: You mentioned your home staging experience. What would you say are three key factors that go into your thought process when staging a home?

DG: The first thing we do when we home stage a property is to ask the owner, developer, or realtor if they are facing problems while showing the house. If you're showing a property and every time, someone says, "I don't know about this bedroom, it looks pretty small." So then of course, we try to make that problem disappear. In this case, we could showcase the room with a king bed, two night stands, a credenza and a rug or another furniture that could make the room look bigger.

In other words, the problem is that empty rooms look smaller than rooms which are fully furnished. People can have a hard time imagining how they could all their possessions into that room.

The first thing we do is to ask the client if there is any area in which they would like us to devote more attention toward. This helps us ensure that the client's house is sold as quickly as possible, which is our main goal. Not only will we help you sell the property as quickly as possible, but we will be able to do so while applying beautiful design. This is what sets us apart from other home stagers.

We also try to mainly use branded furniture so that we match the properties we stage with the same quality of furniture. Often times, in these three, four, five-million-dollar- homes, are staged with furniture that does not match the property. So what happens is, they have only tried to fill the home's space, rather than enhancing the house to make the property look better. Of course, by doing so, you would make the property sell faster.

Photo Credit: Sensi Casa

HD: Correct us if we're wrong, but do you find there is a misconception regarding your design approach? Because Sensi Casa turns projects around so quickly, one might imagine for you guys to overlook some of the details but that could not be further from the truth, correct?

DG: Exactly! We see Sensi Casa as a boutique firm. We have been growing and accepting more and more projects at the same time. That said, we would never overbook ourselves.

We prefer to schedule less projects because we are so detail-oriented. In fact, one of our other key offerings is how well we accessorize properties. We have even been hired by interior designers in the past just because they love how we accessorize homes. There have been instances where designers have done all the furnishing of a home but they will contract us to work exclusively on accessorizing.

What people may not notice is that it's often-times the accessories that place the cherry on top of the cake for a home. It's what makes the final touches so special, you know? The final rug or that final art piece is what gives that extra touch.

By the way, we do our own art in-house and of course we also partner with art galleries so we will hang pieces from well-known artists within our homes. However, most of the time, we use our own products and people have loved our art pieces so now we are growing our inventory in art pieces as well and clients are buying our art now, even though that was not the idea initially.

Because of all these varied services we offer, we are only adding more solutions in order to help our clients with better options for specific items. We have also begun our own Sensi Casa rug line. We are now providing bespoke rugs, hand-made in India. Customers can ask for any size they need and we offer custom sizes and, of course, all in record time (less than a month).

Photo Credit: Sensi Casa

HD: Is this a service that is available right now, as we speak?

DG: Yes, it is available as we speak. We have an instagram account besides our original page (@sensicasadesign) that is called @sensicasa.

That is the account we are using to showcase are rugs of all different kinds of materials. We are not doing colorful rugs. We are more favorable to the organic look because that is what we have been doing the most. That said, we will still honor any request.

If a client chooses a very colorful rug, filled with lines or patterns, we will do it because it's a custom order. What you will most likely be seeing on that instagram page is more organic, natural or neutral colors. The same applies to our linens we are currently working on as well. We are no working on bed spreads, pillow covers, bed sets and throws. Currently, linen is very fun en vogue and clients are in love with a specific hotel-look, especially here in Miami.

So we get a lot of clients asking more and more for this linen look which we are now offering.

If you wish to get in contact with the Sensi Casa team or learn more about them, CLICK HERE.

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Apollo is a platform that brings the art scene to a new generation.

The subscription-based app brings inside access to world-renowned artists and art collections. Apollo is disrupting the exclusive art scene by bringing stunning art to users’ fingertips.

“The traditional art scene has a problem,” says Thomas Pierce, Chief Marketing Officer at Apollo, remarking on the app’s intention. “New generations love art, but find their experience in the art world to be stuffy, outdated, or hard to reach; not to mention expensive and intimidating. Now, Apollo is making investing in fine art accessible by giving entry and expert guidance to novice art lovers and sophisticated collectors alike.”

Eric McClelland, Thomas Pierce, Mike Miller, Tyler Shields, Paul Barausky, Adam Alfia

Photo Credit: PMA Media

Besides the app, the Apollo platform will include displays for housing digital NFT collections and a marketplace. Users will be granted the exclusive role of curator and will be able to search for new artists, create their own art playlists as well as test art pieces before they buy them in the Apollo marketplace.

Founder and CEO Michael Miller explains his approach to building the Apollo app and how it is so completely unique in the market.

"It's combining what I do for a living in bringing in the gallery and artist community to collaborate with the technology aspects. That's why I think it's so great and so well-rounded. There's just really nothing like it in the marketplace. There are similar platforms out there, but nothing like what we're doing."

Miller continues, "I think we just had a different process and vision in mind from day one. Others are just rushing to sell NFTs or digital art. But ours is a complete ecosystem. It's almost like a hybrid between the Apple ecosystem and the Spotify of fine art."

Bespoke Apollo Premier installation in Chicago penthouse duplex featuring Marcel van Luit

Photo Credit: PMA Media

The team at Apollo believes that their platform will be a win-win for artists and art enthusiasts alike because the app will feature collections of fine art from new and established artists as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes content brought to users by the artists themselves. Thus, connecting artists to their audience, and vice-versa, in a way that has never been accomplished before.

Apollo Premier installation featuring Apollo Premier artist David Yarrow

Photo Credit: PMA Media

"We have the app, which is really made for the mainstream to deliver fine art to the world. You can display it onto a 4k, smart-enabled device and be able to follow artists around the world. You will be granted access behind the scenes and see content and footage that will make you feel much closer to the artist than ever before. It will be a much more intimate experience," says Miller

The Apollo Art App officially launched in the iOS and Android store on June 1st, 2021. The first 1,000 users will get to enjoy the app for an entire month for free with code: FIRST1000.

For more information on the Apollo app, CLICK HERE.

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The creative and engineering teams at wine space designers, CellArt, have decided to challenge space rather than leave space to challenge them. Whether you are looking to show off your collection or keep it hidden from envious eyes, CellArt has found impressive solutions in even the tiniest of places.

Each small wine space project is unique, but perfection is always found at the intersection of aesthetic alignment, capacity and performance. Where a long corridor can be a lost space, CellArt imagines sliding drawers combined with retro-lit niches to hold ancient bottles of whiskey. Where there is the sharp corner of a room, it is replaced with a recessed spirit bar of snowdrop white lacquered wood. Where we see a bare wall, they create an art piece that becomes the central feature of the room and subtly changes as bottles are added or taken away. A revolving door, an Aladdin's Cave, or a hidden panel, each piece is bespoke and completely integrated into its surroundings.

Photo Credit: CellArt

Imagine the elegant symmetry of a living room in a Haussmanian apartment in the heart of Paris. To preserve the beauty of the room, CellArt played with old techniques of hiding precious items behind innocent looking library walls. Slide the bookcase out to reveal your rare vintages perfectly preserved with invisible refrigeration systems and hardware paired with discreet extra clear thermal glass. Remarkable engineering allows this wine shelf to delicately float out of the wall and hover above the floor whilst holding the weight of 196 bottles. We've watched this scene dozens of times in the movies but, until now,  never truly brought to life.

Photo Credit: CellArt

With each project designed to fit seamlessly into its environment, no two wine spaces are the same. Colors can be matched to existing interior decor, a favourite car, or a brick of lego - there are no limits. Here, the British racing green of the client's favorite vintage DB5 convertible combines with pure solid English Oak to create both a modern and classic feel.

Photo Credit: CellArt

A sequence of portrait and landscape armoires for accessories play with the geometry of the herringbone floor and provide depth and perspective to what was once an empty corridor. One drawer for reds, one drawer for whites, one drawer for champagnes. All perfectly sealed with independently cooled zones.

Photo Credit: CellArt

For a true feat of engineering, how about a steel slide-out wall storage cabinet which emerges from a hidden wall compartment on hydraulics carrying up to an incredible 39 chilled magnums?

“Working with small spaces presents us with an opportunity to put our design and engineering skills to the test. They allow us to think outside the box and creatively go where we have previously perceived there to be boundaries.” says Jonathan Primeau, Founder of CellArt, “We are pushed to totally rethink how we protect the wine from influences that hasten its deterioration, whilst preserving and adding to the art and richness of the space.”

Often, the smaller the space the greater its importance and value. Each bespoke CellArt creation is not only a masterpiece in luxury, but a respectful homage to its surroundings and an experience that gradually reveals itself over time. And while many of us may have chosen the buzz of urban life over space, for CellArt, it’s this very lack of space that allows them to grow.

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Throughout different eras and across regions, art may change in medium, style, and motif but some aspects will always remain fixed: art’s recollection of history, storytelling ability, and its impact on the current and upcoming culture. Acclaimed artist, Yusuke Shigeta, pays homage to Japanese historical events and heritage by intersecting the modern digital with traditional Japanese aesthetics and designs. 

Shigeta’s installation piece, a six paneled animation of the 17th century Japanese folding screen titled The Battle of Sekigahara, serves to depict one of the most important wars in Japanese history. The innovative piece represents the blending of culture and time periods, and both honors and signifies the impact and importance of Japanese aesthetics in the art world.

Shigeta’s multi-dimensional folding screen ties the post-modern mediums of pixel animation and 3D modelling with long-established imagery of Japanese Samurais and the region’s natural flora and fauna.

The piece’s customary motifs, coupled with Shigeta’s original simulation component, add a layer of juxtaposition and intersectionality, as well as interesting movement to the overall folding screen.

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Web store Billy for Sale has announced its second installment of rare archival furniture pieces from IKEA.

The first time the IKEA archive platform offered a collection, it sold out within one hour. The project reportedly formed after a five-year process of sourcing rare furniture items from the '80s and '90s, when the Swedish conglomerate first launched in the UK.

This second installment features an eclectic collection of playful, iconic pieces alongside some not-so-popular ones. The collection launched earlier this week via Billy For Sale's web platform, with prices starting around $92.

Noteworthy items within the collection include the 1994 VILBERT chair by Verner Panton, as well as the 1972 IMPALA lounge chair by Gilis Lundren.

After the second collection is sold, BILLY intends to provide archival stock on a more consistent basis, as well as producing original designs to compliment its available stock.

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Brussels

Photo Credit: Shutter Stock

Dirk Somers, founder of Belgian studio Bovenbouw Architectuur, created an entirely fictional city as his contribution to the Belgian Pavilion at this year's Venice Architecture Biennale.

The display is called Composite Presence and it is comprised of 50 models of projects recently completed throughout Brussels and Flanders, in northern Belgium. The models were completed by 45 separate architecture studios and are displayed at a 7:100 scale.

Visitors of this year's Venice Architecture Biennale will be able to walk among the models, which have been placed in miniature neighborhoods.

The display lends itself to an eclectic fictional city, as the models were selected among new buildings and refurbishments that represent visual themes common to the Flanders region.

The Belgian pavilion provides visitors with a surreal Architectural experience and also aims to underline the role that competitions  play in urban design.

The Venice Architecture Biennale opened its doors on May 22nd and will be open until November 21st.

The post Dirk Somers Combines 50 Flemish Buildings To Create Fictional City appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Robert and Cortney Novogratz

Haute Residence hosted its “Designing The Future” webinar, featuring acclaimed designers Cortney and Robert Novogratz, to discuss their creative process and body of work, recent collaboration with Sarah Jessica Parker, influence taken from the geographical locations they’ve visited or which exist around them, and to offer exclusive tips on bringing space, light, and most importantly, life and family into the home.

They were hosted by Haute Living Editor-in-Chief, Laura Schreffler. Watch the full webinar here.

Highlight quotes:

Cortney Novogratz: 

“It’s been a strange year we've all had, it's shown us that we can really go anywhere and even if we’re just there for a brief moment, we can set up a shop and bring our homes and love of houses all over. This is so important, now more than ever. People's homes are their sanctuaries, and their offices too. Everything revolves around our house, especially at this moment.” 

“Show the house as people really live in it, so you know, a bench, a hook with actual coats, the backpacks or a basketball. There's ways to make it feel lived in so that people can really visualize their own family moving, but still making it stylish and really beautiful. Plants are really important, they help to bring life into the house.”

“If you come to us, it's about function and about beauty. Every place we've designed has been created with our family in mind. But we also want to keep falling in love, over and over, and so designs need to reflect that. They need to be sexy; all of those kinds of things are so important.” 

Robert Novogratz:

“When I think about designing, I always reference the restaurant Balthazar in New York City, because, there's probably better restaurants, there's probably better food, but when you walk into that restaurant with your girlfriend, your children, your grandmother, whoever it is, you feel like you’re more in Paris than in New York. It is an atmosphere. That's why with this pandemic, where all of these restaurants are closing down, Balthazar is one who survives. And it will always be around, because of its energy. And that's how a hotel and a home should be designed. When you walk into a home you want to feel happy, relaxed, and warm, and that is achieved through all the little touches.”

To watch more webinars curated by Haute Residence, visit http://dev.hauteresidence.com

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Justina Blakeney x Target

Photo Credit: Shutter Stock

Interior designer Justina Blakeney has grown something of a cult following since she burst onto the scene back in 2009 with the founding of Jungalow. In the years following, Blakeney's blog became a lifestyle brand. This week, the Jungalow founder announced that she has officially teamed up with retail giant Target for a new home line called Opalhouse.

"I believe that good design increases the quality of life," said Blakeney, as she revealed the good news to her 502 thousand instagram followers. "This is an incredible milestone for me and my team, and working with Target to bring to life these nearly 300 pieces was truly a pleasure, an honor and just really, really fun."

The distinct boho flair for which Jungalow has gained so much fanfare is present throughout the Opalhouse home line. The first iteration of the Opalhouse Collection includes bedding, furniture, wall decor, bath products, wallpaper and more.

According to Blakeney, her debut collection with Target will be available at most store locations as of June 13th and on June 26th on Target.com.

For a preview of the entire collection, click here.

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Sims 4

Photo Credit: Shutter Stock

The latest expansion pack included in the Sims 4 simulation game offers an interior design career path.

Whether you are a new fan looking to learn as much as possible about the beloved simulation video game, or a veteran follower of the Sims series, there is something new exciting in the game's latest included in the Dream Home Decorator Game Pack.

Players will be able to live out their interior design fantasies as they engage in the video game's newest career path. Sims 4's latest expansion allows players to meet with clients, discuss likes and dislikes within design and even give a big reveal once your project is finished.

The 'Gig Tasks' included in this career path is said to grant more player control than previous editions of the game.

Apart from living out grandiose decorator fantasies, players will be able to do one thing that any designer will admit they have wished to have had the power to do once or twice in their careers: there is a 'send client away' option. After all, what's the fun of playing Sims if it's too close to reality, right?

For more information on The Sims 4: Dream Home Decorator, head to the EA website and see all the information you need to start your latest simulation fantasy.

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Christian Siriano

Photo Credit: Shutter Stock

Christian Siriano, winner of season four of Project Runway, has pivoted from fashion to interior design by launching his debut furniture collection.

The 35-year-old designer partnered with e-commerce market place, 1st Dibs to offer an eclectic and impressive debut furniture collection. According to a report from L'Officiel, Siriano's collection includes sculptural stools, coffee tables, settees and everything in between.

Siriano first burst onto the scene when he became the youngest champion of Project Runway in 2007. Since then, he has gone onto design looks for Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, Amy Adams, Angelina Jolie and more. He nearly broke the internet along with Billy Porter after the actor debuted an exclusive Siriano-designed look to the 2019 Oscars.

Billy Porter at 2019 Oscars

Photo Credit: Shutter Stock

Multiple pieces from Siriano's debut furniture collection continue to be available on 1st Dibs. Whether it's a stool, chair or ottoman you're looking for, this impressive collection has something to offer for any need.

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Michael Scigliano and Fernando Alvarez

Photo Credit: Juan Pablo Castro

Curved Upholstered Sofa

Photo Credit: Troy Campbell Studio

The post Michael Scigliano Of MS2 Design Studio Reveals One Of His Greatest Design Secret Weapons appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Rodrigo Valera/Getty Images

The event was attended by Her Majesty’s British Consul General in Miami, Nicolette Brent, and included a live orchestral performance by members of Miami’s Frost School of Music, and cuisine by Award-winning British Chef, Justin Brown.

Alejandro Aljanati and Her Majesty’s British Consul General in Miami, Nicolette Brent

Photo Credit: Rodrigo Valera/Getty Images

Buyers of the exclusive Signature condos (Line 01) at Aston Martin Residences will have the choice between a DBX Riverwalk Edition or DB11 Riverwalk Edition.

The DBX is the very first model to be “Made In Wales” by the iconic British automaker, and Aston Martin Residences received the first vehicle Stateside for showcasing at the coveted luxury residential development among prospective and existing homeowners.

Photo Credit: Rodrigo Valera/Getty Images

Germán Coto, CEO of G&G Business Developments, said: “We’re delighted that the first customer DBX built for The Americas is here in Miami. This brand-new Aston Martin joins our DB11 and Rapide S sports cars, enabling purchasers of the Signature condos to test drive the DBX and the DB11 directly from our Sales Center before deciding which Aston Martin is right for them. The fleet at the Aston Martin Residences forms part of our exclusive butler service, which enhances the ownership experience by offering personal support for our valued clients and VIP guests.”

Nicolette Brent, Alejandro Aljanati, Brian Clark

Photo Credit: Rodrigo Valera/Getty Images

The Aston Martin Residences’ DBX makes a bold, modern statement in Jet Black with 22” sport wheels, an Obsidian Black interior, Piano Black Wood Veneer and contrast Satin Chrome detailing. The SUV starts a new chapter in the storied trajectory of Aston Martin. With versatility and comfort, the DBX is a sports car with unparalleled performance, creating a new path in the luxury SUV market.

Photo Credit: Aston Martin Residences

With more than 60% of 391 homes sold to-date, construction of the sail-shaped tower is scheduled for completion in 2022. For more on Aston Martin Residences, visit www.astonmartinresidences.com.

Photo Credit: Aston Martin

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Aston Martin DBX

Photo Credit: Aston Martin

The Aston Martin DBX en route to Miami this October was hand-crafted at the new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in St Athan, Wales. It is among the first ones to roll off the production line at the Welsh facility. The ultimate quality of British craftsmanship and engineering is reflected in the new location. The waterfront Aston Martin Residences, mirroring the same, will provide a warm South Florida home to the DBX currently on the way to its new home.

Global property developer G&G Business Developments recently completed the construction of the 26th floor of the building, with 4o more to go in the 66-story curvilinear architectural masterpiece.

Aston Martin Residences was designed by Revuelta Architecture and Bodas Miami Anger, with every detail carefully curated to match the essence of Aston Martin.

The sailboat shaped tower, located at 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way, is set for completion in 2022. It will house 391 residences and penthouses in total, priced from the $970,000s to upwards of $50 million.

To learn more, visit www.astonmartinresidences.com.

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