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Embarking on a new journey with a client is always an exciting and inspiring time for Moderne Living. Building a relationship and translating our clients' vision calls for trust, collaboration and guidance, and it's a role we take immense pleasure and pride in fulfilling. Moderne Living was recently commissioned to carry out a transitional design project for a North Carolina home, which on the face of it could have presented obvious challenges due to the geographical difference. Not believing that distance should be an issue, we rose to the challenge. Through careful consultation, the client revealed their vision, in turn guiding our choices on their behalf. This led us to select the Euforia range by Montbel, whose design ethos encapsulates tradition, innovation and dynamism. We set out by developing a relationship with the client through telephone conversations, an investment in time that was absolutely crucial in contributing to the success of the project. Using the client's descriptions, ideas and floor plan, along with the talents of our designer, we were able to understand, give shape to and define the vision the client had in mind for their home. We chose Euforia dining chairs, armchairs and stools because their collections offer modern elegance perfectly balanced with supreme comfort. The range takes the best of classical design and reimagines it with character, flair and modern touches. Euforia blends traditional design hallmarks including tufting (buttoned upholstery) with familiar silhouettes, solid wood frames and upholstered seats and backs. Color options are varied with neutral tones or rich, bold shades. Modern details such as chrome footrests reminds us of the harmony that can be achieved when you blend the contemporary and classic. Each new client brings with them an ideal for their home, be it on a small or larger scale, and this helps shape our approach to each client and project. We understand that our clients' visions and ideals for their home are as diverse and individual as they are, calling for Moderne Living to offer and deliver diversified styles. As we look back on this project, what we will take away from the experience is not only the professional and personal satisfaction of realizing the client's vision, and doing so without the benefit of visiting the space, but also the experience of being able to draw on what inspires us. Delivering a diversity of styles for our clients, be it contemporary, transitional or modern, remains a great source of creative energy, and continues to inspire and motivate us in our work.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION The customer requested a gargantuan 39 ½ foot wide x 11 ½ foot projection, attached 3 span (2 post) water proof retractable dining area patio cover system with front water drainage. The plan was to have rain water drain through the optional downpipes and off the 3rd story deck. The entire system used one continuous piece of fabric and one motor. The system frame and guides are made entirely of non-rusting aluminum (unit is close to the Caribbean Sea) which is powder coated using the Qualicoat® powder coating process. Frame color chosen was RAL 1013 Ivory. The stainless steel components used were Inox (470LI and 316) which are of the highest quality and have an extremely high corrosion resistance (unit is near the sea). In fact, the components meet the European salt spray corrosion test as tested by Centro Sviluppo Materiali in Italy. Fabric specified was Ferrari 302 Precontraint Color Salmone, a PVC fabric that is self-extinguishing (fire retardant) and totally water-proof (not water-resistant). This retracting patio cover system has a Beaufort wind load rating Scale 8 (up to 46mph) with the fabric fully extended and in use. This Beaufort wind load requirement was important due to high winds coming off the sea. A brown hood with end caps was also used to prevent rain water, leaves and debris from collecting in the folds of fabric when not in use. A motor safety box with motor was attached to the wall. The client chose to control the system with a Somfy remote control. PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT The purpose of the project was to design and cover an elegant dining area, which can now be used 24/7/365 allowing for breakfast, lunch, dinner, parties, entertainment and at the same time not blocking the incredible Belize mountain views and enjoying the cool trade wind breezes. The Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge is known worldwide for its outstanding hospitality and service and was included in an online Belize travel story completed by Justin Balog a photographer, filmmaker, storyteller, and explorer of the creative frontier - freelancer for National Geographic. Click on the link below: http://www.hossedia.com/travel/photographers-guide-to-belize/ The Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge is tourist friendly and offers intimate dining areas, such as under their retractable deck cover system. You can sit on the deck and listen to the sounds of the creek and watch the birds come alive. The lodge is in the perfect location on a gently sloping terrace along the Sibun River basin and surrounded by the Maya Mountains. Prominently overlooking the site is the majestic Sleeping Giant Mountain from where the lodge gets its name. Belize is a fascinating melting pot of people and that is reflected in the food, a delicious blend of Belizean, Central and North American cuisine. Now the food can be enjoyed under a waterproof (not water resistant) retractable cover system that provides heat, glare, UV, sun and heavy rain protection and most importantly shade protection. PROJECT COMPLEXITY AND UNIQUENESS The project, product and installation were not complicated. What was a challenge was the location. The restaurant is located in gorgeous Belmopan, Belize, Central America. Since ocean freight is not available from Europe directly to Belize the product had to be shipped to Miami, Florida, unloaded and then re-shipped to Belize. The other challenge was hoisting all the extrusions and fabric to the 3rd floor of the lodge without damaging the wood or construction of the lodge. PROJECT RESULTS The client is ecstatic with the results of their retractable patio cover system. The retractable patio cover now makes it possible for the client and the lodge patrons to use a very large deck area throughout the year as the area is now protected from sun, UV, glare, heat, heavy rains and even hail. All customer requirements and goals were achieved within budget and on time.