суббота, 13 февраля 2010 г.

Home-my-Home

Home-my-Home


15 Dream Garages To Make a Man Drool

Posted: 12 Feb 2010 12:32 PM PST

Grandpa had his den. Dad had a dusty shed. Today’s men want more and want it within a few steps of the front door. From touchdown trophies to billiard balls, projection screens to personal pubs, every guy has a dream decor for his own private space. Growing numbers of men are shaping their sheds into grown-up playgrounds that are just for the boys. (Credit Man Cave Market)

Sports Sanctuaries

Tired of the kids walking in front of the TV? Is the girlfriend sick of Sunday night football? Get back into the game with a serious sports setup in your home garage. Follow in the steps of one industrious Gator fan and keep your prized memorabilia in a place of honor with a screen big enough to enjoy every bowl game. Or go grand-scale with your own home sports bar with all the style of the real thing. (Credit Electronic House)

Off the Streets, Into the Pool Hall

Whether you go custom or DIY, that two-car parking lot can transform into the best pool hall you’ve ever played. Grab a brandy or a beer and bank on billiards any time of day or night. There’s no wait-time on the tables in these game rooms. Your budget doesn’t matter. Fun can be had in high-class digs or in a home-built haven. The end result is one seriously happy husband. (Credits Rate This SpaceSampsor2)

The Neighborhood Bar

You’re never too old for the biker bar scene, especially when that bar is just behind the house. One Harley Davidson aficionado constructed his man cave in hard steel and neon and he can drive right up to the bar. A fellow biker dedicated his shining paragon of home pubs to the memory of a late friend. The gang can sit around and toast to his memory and good times yet to come. The best things about having your very own private bar? No watered-down drinks and no calls from the family wondering when you’ll be home. (Credits Gunslinger, mlamart)

Hobby House

It’s good to have a passion in life. A collection, a hobby, these are the things that let a guy face the long hours at work and the long lists of honey-dos when he walks in the door. Gun enthusiast and attorney Bruce Stern converted his space into a gallery of gunnery worth well over $12M . Simpler, but no less loved, is this furniture craftsman’s spindle woodworking shop. For him, it’s not just an occupation, it’s an obsession. (Credits Hoax Slayer, Jeanine Anderson)

Best Seat in the House

Imagine watching the latest action flicks on theater-quality equipment in your boxers, beer in hand. Sound good? With modern quality in High Definition A/V readily available to the average home buyer, media rooms are no longer the domain of multimillionaires. On a modest budget and using a bit of creativity, many men are bringing the Big Screen into the backyard–or the garage. (Credits embry28, Electronic House)

Workshops That Work

Handy men agree on one thing–Workshops are for working. These guys get their relaxation while tuning up a favorite car or keeping a stellar yard. It may not seem like glamour to have stacks of screwdrivers, rows of wrenches, or even a dirt floor in the garage. But, really, what’s more manly than tools and some grit and grunge? These blokes aren’t yuppies, that’s for sure. (Credits mnteer man, 2create)

Garages Gone Gaga

These last garage groupies are more like your average suburban dad…on steroids. Garages, in their purest form, are meant for vehicles, and these men have vehicles to spare. Some are connoisseurs of fine vintage machines while others are like one Pennsylvania bloke who built a 2000 square foot palace of pistons for his most treasured toys. You’d be hard pressed to find a speck of road tar on these polished floors. These boys mean business and that business is big, beautiful cars. (Credits tjcentric, tnk)

The possibilities and applications are endless when it comes to bonus rooms for blokes. It doesn’t matter if your dream digs are great or small, it just takes thought, sweat, and a bit of dough to make any man’s fantasy garage into reality. By the time your garage is great you’ll wonder why you waited so long.

Reduce Bacteria in Your Bathroom with Antimicrobial Finishes

Posted: 12 Feb 2010 12:06 PM PST

The H1N1 virus has made most of us take a closer look at lessening the bacteria in our surroundings. One of the biggest feeding grounds for fungi and bacteria happens to be our own bathrooms. Antimicrobial finishes have been around for years, but with the recent flu epidemics over the last several years, there is a higher demand from consumers for these kinds of finishes for residential use.

Antimicrobial Finishes in Your Bathroom

Shower curtains can contain a host of bacteria. Those treated with an antimicrobial finish are water, mildew and bacteria repellent. There are also finish treatments used on vanities , sinks, and faucets which help reduce microbial contaminants. Bidets have long been known for their hygienic features and are becoming popular choices instead of traditional toilets. Decrease the exposure to germs, fungus, and bacteria for you and your family by incorporating items with antimicrobial finishes in your bathroom.

When you're ready to do bathroom remodeling , DirectBuy is a great place to begin exploring your options for brand-name products of all kinds at manufacturer-direct wholesale prices.

Designing an Extraordinary Bath

Posted: 12 Feb 2010 12:02 PM PST

Last night we attended a panel discussion at the Waterworks store in West Hollywood that was presented by Waterworks and Remodelista. The focus was Online Resources for Designing the Extraordinary Bath.

We were really hoping to come away with true resources but two of the panelists used this "discussion" to pitch their designs and offered little tangible information that I'm sure the other designers in the room were seeking in regards to online resources. They shared a bit of insight into their design process and did bring up some relevant issues in regards to the connection between design and construction.

Julie Carlson from Remodelista took us through a quick tour of their website and it's truly remarkable how they've reached an online audience seeking high-touch and aspirational designs. As everyone laments the demise of high design magazines it is good to know there are independent websites willing to fill this void.

The greatest piece of insight we came away with was from Barbara Sallick the co-founder of Waterworks. She stated that although reading blogs and seeking online information while shopping for baths is a great starting point, you must see, touch and feel these products in person to get a real sense of what you are going to be using every day.


5 Designer Tips for Your Dream Living Room

Posted: 12 Feb 2010 11:05 AM PST

Without a designer, how do people create a room that combines understated elegance with a clean contemporary look like this one? It's all about balance. We'll walk you through it.

#1 – Just Enough Color

Updated models of traditional dark furniture anchor the room, while a large canvas triptych in vibrant hues makes it fresh and vibrant. Shimmering drapes, a plush apricot throw and greenery are all that's needed to add to the bright feel.

#2 – How an Ordinary Piece Comes to Life

In the average living room, this brown sofa would be ordinary at best. Which makes it the perfect counterpart to showcase some extraordinary décor, like the fantastic stone-textured wall, white leather futon, and high-impact amoeba-esque painting. The rug and throw pillows tie it all together.

#3 – Complementing an Unusual Item

This living room shows that one unusual furniture item is all it takes to make a room special. The tufted sectional in soft grey is the centerpiece. A simple coffee table, reflective side tables, and a grouping of black and white pictures create a truly livable and modest, yet very stylish gathering place.

#4 – Balancing Light & Dark

A monochromatic look is sleek and masculine. Smatterings of white, especially the shaggy rug, lighten it up a bit. A heavy coffee table would make this room drag. Instead, a streamlined coffee table with barely-there stainless steel legs offsets the largesse of the high-back black leather sofa.

The black-frame mirror is echoed by the interesting detail of the black-painted window frame, and that corner practically begs for the green plant. In most places, four small yellow candles would be lost among the clutter, but with so little color elsewhere, they pop on the shelf. It's attention to detail that really says "design."

#5 – Deep & Rich Accent Colors

This living room is yummy, with bon-bon rose-inspired pillows and ottoman in vibrant red. The choice of textures and shapes used in the room, as well as the dainty furniture and lamp, keep it from looking too stark. Instead, the satiny oil painting, lampshade and carpet make it deep and rich. The rattan offers the needed texture, and the linen upholstery adds crispness and light.

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Paint & Light: Stunning Artists’ Home by Johnston Architects

Posted: 12 Feb 2010 10:14 AM PST

Artist-couple Gary Faigin and Pamela Belyea add 1,600 square feet of art to their 1936 bungalow.

This creative pair needed more space in their Seattle home. They hired award-winning Johnston Architects to make it happen. By way of a glass enclosure, the design team connected the old space out back to the modern three-level addition up front. Beveled wood siding and a gable roof match the character of the old structure while still bringing freshness to the renovation.

The couple and their two children share the social heart of the home. The middle level of the add-on includes the living and dining spaces. Hardwood floors and exposed truss ceilings encase the walls brimming with artwork. Earth tones are underscored by brilliant colors.

The upper floor is the master bedroom. Toned-down wall colors and paintings form a peaceful space to unwind.

Down below on the first level is Gary's studio. Gary and Pamela are the founders of the distinguished Gage Academy of Art. They originally opened the teaching institution in Santa Fe, but moved it to Seattle when they relocated in 1995. Today, the family's added square footage "works hard" to show off their design skills and act as a center for their business.

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The 6 Coolest Vases Ever Created. Period.

Posted: 11 Feb 2010 03:31 PM PST

The only problem with the vases shown below is procuring flowers worthy of them.

#1 – These stunners are hand-blown and etched by Eva Milinkovic and Kriston Gene for Tsunami Glassworks.

#2 – The origami-like Baden Tri Vase is available in three sizes, from $34.99 to $69. I'd have to have all three – they're ultra artistic and definitely make a statement.

#3 – Hand-blown and molded from BIC ballpoint pens, the Daisy Vase will have your friends astonished at its seeming defiance of gravity. $22.

#4 – These… are… fabulous. Funky, flat ceramic Leaf Vases also come in three sizes, $79.20-$199.20. In my humble opinion, they belong together, and since they absolutely serve as artwork, the trio is worth the splurge.

#5 – This too-cool Dubai Vase Set is manufactured by Sitcom and comes in your choice of orange or brown for $139, or sandy beige for $119.

#6 – Also by Sitcom is the Nature Willow Low Vase, $79. A sophisticated choice.

It's so easy these days to go to a chain home decorating store and pick out the same shape vase in any color under the sun. These refreshing shapes at surprisingly affordable prices mean you don't have to settle for the ordinary.

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Glass, Seashells & Metal: The Hottest Kitchen Tile Trends

Posted: 11 Feb 2010 03:17 PM PST

Decorating with tile in a kitchen can have a huge impact. In fact, it can dictate the whole style of the room. Whether you're going for a vintage look or something completely modern, it's all about choosing the right material.

One look at GlassTileStore.com and you'll fall in love with the idea of kitchen tiling. So many color, texture and size options exist that you'll have a field day planning your own custom designs.

Here are a few trends we've spotted:

Glass

Choose from art glass, iridescent glass, brick glass mosaics, and more. Bubble Series Waterfront View is a fun choice for a fresh kitchen.

For something a little edgier, try a shimmering Fusion Coal Mine pattern.

Pretty Shells

An easy, breezy idea comes from nature. Mother of Pearl looks divine. Shown here is South Sea Pearls Mini Brick Pattern.

Stone and Metal

Here's something really different: stone tiles with metal accents. My pick for the day.

Traditional ceramic or marble tiles are still a no-fail, but you might also consider copper and faux wood.

As for applications, tiles can be your go-to for floors, walls, backsplashes, counters, or even this neat idea from hgtv: "picture framing," as in replacing a window frame with a jazzy border of tile.

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Elegant Balustrades for Your Home

Posted: 11 Feb 2010 12:36 PM PST

Balustrades make a beautiful architectural component for staircases, porches, and railings. Incorporating them into your home design creates a true sense of elegance.

Balustrades are made by using a row of balusters between the top and bottom rails. They come in many different styles and work well with any type of design such as Colonial or Victorian.

Beautiful and Durable Materials

You can choose from varying types of materials which will be as durable as they are beautiful. Balustrades can be constructed from wood, synthetic materials, and stone. Enhance the beauty and character of your staircase, balcony, or porch with the addition of a balustrade.

Home remodeling is easier when you can find most everything you need to make your home a showplace with beautiful furniture and architectural accents at savings of up to 50% off retail. DirectBuy offers a great selection of brand-name products for your home.

Snowboard Storage Doubles as Decor

Posted: 11 Feb 2010 10:31 AM PST

Yesterday I contributed to a Home Hack to Apartment Therapy for hanging snowboards. It's a simple process that requires only a couple stoppers (rubber or cork) and screws. The weight of the hanging board keeps it firmly placed against the wall.

Shown here is my vintage 93' Jeff Brushie (classic trout is still one of the best deck designs ever) and my newer Jamie Lynn Lib-Tech. I don't ride the Brushie but I do enjoy displaying it in my garage even if it's only to remind me of my old school days of boarding.

This storage method also makes it super easy to grab the board and go if there's a chance at first tracks like this week.


Casting Call for Home Rules in NYC

Posted: 11 Feb 2010 07:12 AM PST

Leopard Films USA is currently casting a brand new series for HGTV. The new series titled Home Rules is the network’s premiere hour long show, featuring home renovation with a twist. …

In the channels first hour-long show, a lucky family receives a complete home and life makeover.
We are looking for families with big personalities and unique stories, whose homes are negatively affecting their relationships with their family or whose family is negatively effecting the home!

Our team of experts will then set about making changes to reconstruct a home that suits your families needs, while our life coach will guide your family in the right direction.

To be considered for the show, please email: homerulescasting@gmail.com, telling us why you think your family is in need of a home and lifestyle makeover.

As the renovations are extensive, we can only consider homeowners with detached properties living within 50 miles of New York City.

The show will focus on families who have a unique living situation that is in some way affecting their homes and applicants must be have some type of conflict within the family they would like to change along with the house.

If you feel that you and your family fits the bill and live within 50 miles of New York City, email homerulescasting@gmail.com with your story and why you would be perfect for the show!

Congratulations To fixR Giveaway Winners

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 08:05 PM PST

Last month we hosted our very first giveaway of 2010. It was fun seeing so many people interested in what we had to offer. All good things must come to an end and the giveaway ended on Monday, February 8th. We had a huge turnout and going over 140 plus comments to decide who the winners should be certainly wasn’t easy. It goes without saying that we had a hard time picking winners, but we had to choose five winners among all who participated. It was tough but we made our decision and the results are out. Before we go ahead and announce the winners we want to point out how the winners were chosen.

If you remember, we had assigned points for each platform. We’ll break down the points system one more time just to make sure everyone knows how it all played out.

  • Blog post and link to the contest = 3 points
  • Twitter follow and tweet about the contest = 2 points
  • Facebook fan = 2 points, and
  • Comment for verification = 1 point

Giveaway participants had the option to either participate using all three options or just one (point for comment was awarded for making it easier for us to verify). We had a overwhelming response and the prizes were awarded to those who had the most points, obviously. All five winners of this giveaway are the ones who wrote an article on their blog telling their readers about this giveaway, followed us on twitter and tweeted the giveaway, became a facebook fan and dropped a comment which equals 8 points.

Now that we have given a slight hint as to who the winners are, it’s time to announce the lucky ones among those who participated using all three platforms. And the winners of the fixR giveaway are … drum roll please

First Prize Winner

(Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit Plus)

Adam Buckled from v34.adamkellogg.com

Second Prize Winner (2)

(Black & Decker PS18FDPK 18-Volt 51-Piece Project Kit)

Rebecca Orr from 2everythinginbetween.blogspot.com
Karen M from gummasplace.blogspot.com

Third Prize Winner (2)

(Black & Decker XD1200K 12-Volt Ni-Cad 1/4-Inch Hex Cordless 5-Position Drill/Driver Kit)

Angie from 5vinezmonkeys.com
Susan M from suesweeps.blogspot.com

Congratulations to the winners! If you are one of the winners please leave a comment along with your email address so we can contact you. As for the rest of the partcipants, we thank you for taking part in our little giveaway. We’ll have more contests and giveaways in near future, so definitely keep an eye out.

Once again, thanks to everyone who took part in this giveaway.

How To Disguise a Litter Box

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 07:02 PM PST

If you're a cat owner like me, then litter boxes just may be the bane of your existence. I didn't so much mind it when I lived in a three-bedroom apartment, but after relocating to a downtown Kansas City loft last summer, I found myself with a predicament: minimal storage and cabinet space + no walls = no litter box hidey hole.

For now, it's perched to the side of our stacked washer/dryer, somewhat hidden from view. And even though I bought a newer, sleeker box, it still screams "THIS IS WHERE MY CATS DO THEIR BUSINESS! RIGHT HERE IN PLAIN SIGHT!"

I turned to my friend Google for a possible remedy, and lo and behold, a plethora of options await. I've compiled a few in case you, like me, are looking for a similar fix.


5 Trillion Thread Count: The Phat Knit Hangout Furniture

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 05:11 PM PST

For those who thrive on thinking outside the box, Dutch studio Bauke Knotterus has found a way to lounge outside the box as well. Presented at the Designer's Fair in Cologne, their new furniture, aptly named "Phat Knit Hangout Furniture," is made up of giant threads that can be wound or unwound depending on the owner's artistic vision or desired level of comfort. While it may look more like a giant pot holder than a traditional couch, it is certainly an accessible approach to contemporary design.

Portable in a way that not many other furniture pieces are, this design allows for use as anything from a bed mat to a chair, or perhaps an odd picnic here or there. While it is currently on exhibit as an art piece (now who can say their couch had its beginning in a gallery?), it is sure to open a up a new conversation about how thinking outside of the box can lead to functional art that we could all fall asleep on. And that is the best of both worlds.

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How to Pay for Your Remodel without Home Equity Loans

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 03:06 PM PST

“I’ll gladly pay you tomorrow for a hamburger today.” Remember that old line from Popeye’s friend, Wimpy? That may have been my earliest memory about credit and debt – and why you shouldn't trust a hungry-moocher best friend. It's true, we've been a nation crazed with borrowing more cash than we can realistically pay back. But when it comes to remodeling your home, there are better ways to raise the funds you need to improve your best asset.

For decades, homeowners have relied on home equity loans to finance home improvement projects. But with the housing market severely crippled, masses of homes now have negative equity, meaning that more is owed on the home than it's worth. As a result of that, home equity loans and lines of credit have dried up since banks began tightening their restrictions on loan qualifications.

Luckily, the creative homeowner still has several options left, which are actually better in the long run anyway. Putting yourself into debt, or further debt, is always a dicey situation. If you want to tackle a home remodeling project, try one (or all) of these clever alternatives to debt:

Out with the Old, In with the New

We all have unwanted stuff lying around. An excellent way to raise capital is to start selling off those old items. Yard sales and flea markets won't earn you much, so opt for buy & sell sites like eBay or Craigslist. If you're wary about selling online, try your local want ads or sell directly to family, friends and neighbors.

It really works. Sarah Place, President of Place Trade Financial, a brokerage and financial advisory firm in Raleigh, N.C., made about $5,000 by selling her old sofas, exercise equipment and an old vehicle through Craigslist. That was money she badly needed for a $10,000 home improvement project.

On the flip side, you can find great used items for your project through garage sales, salvage yards, want ads and online sales sites. Buying used items is the best way to get unique or useful items at very low prices. Just because it's new to you doesn't mean you have to buy it new.

Plastic, But…

The goal here is to acquire no new debt. However, using credit cards or store charge cards can be a useful tool if handled properly.

If you can qualify for a credit card or store charge card that will fund your home improvement project interest-free long enough for you to pay off the balance before interest begins accruing, then you just might be in luck. The key here is to make monthly or even weekly payments through the interest-free period to ensure that you do not start acquiring interest fees, finance charges and other fees. Credit card debt has a way of snowballing out of control, so only use this option if you're certain you can make it work to your advantage.

Another thing to look for here is an interest-free card that pays you cash back. You can use the refunds to help pay off the card even faster, thereby keeping yourself out of debt and garnering a small discount on your purchases.

The Good Old-Fashioned Way

The best option of them all, of course, is the oldest trick in the book: a savings account. Start planning ahead. Determine what your project will cost and what your timeline is. I think we've all opened a savings account with the best of intentions and then closed it shortly after realizing we're never actually going to deposit any money into it. It happens. Rarely does our income supersede our bills, but it is possible; it can be done.

The best method of saving money is advice you hear given to small business owners – pay yourself first. No matter what you owe to who, start by deducting 10 or 20 percent from your paycheck and set it aside in a savings account. Pay your bills and live off of what's left. The hardest part here isn't in the deposit, it's in not making withdrawals.

If you keep it up, you'll soon be in the habit of living on less money. You'll learn to adjust and make your lifestyle work with the income you have left. The best part, though, is that you will watch your home improvement nest egg grow. Soon enough, you'll be watching remodeling professionals transform your castle – and best of all, you'll pay them cash.

Contractors love cash, but be smart about it. Give the smallest deposit you can get away with, never make the final payment until the project is completed to the agreed-upon terms, and always (especially when paying cash) get a receipt on the spot.

Handle the Small Jobs Yourself

Not every homeowner is a handy homeowner, but there are numerous ways to learn more about home improvement. By taking care of the prep work on your own, you can save thousands of dollars.

Many home improvement retail stores offer free demonstrations and classes on small remodeling projects, and always have qualified staff on-hand to answer questions. The internet can be a great source of information on remodeling as well. Everything from live chat rooms and question-and-answer forums to informational articles and how-to videos can be found on the web.

The key is to know what you can handle and what you can't. Learn as much about your type of project and the tasks it entails, and then determine what you can reasonably do yourself. Be smart about this selection – you won't be saving any money by hiring a professional to fix a botched job.

Photo Credit: SodaHead, BCAP Fund, & How To…

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Cooking is a Gas with Gas Stoves

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 11:26 AM PST

The debate between gas and electric stoves is one that has been going on for some time now. One is not necessarily better than the other and what it boils down to is personal preference and cooking style. Here are some key things to remember about gas stoves :

  • Gas stoves have an easy-to-control heat source
  • Gas stoves tend to be a favorite among professional chefs
  • Gas stoves have ovens that heat up quicker
  • Gas stoves create less heat overall for a cooler kitchen
  • Gas stoves won't go out when the power does

When you're ready to purchase a new stove or other kitchen appliances for your home, think DirectBuy where you will find a great selection of top-quality, name brand kitchen remodeling products for your home.

Life in a Modern Greenhouse

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 10:44 AM PST

Have you ever been standing in just the precise spot in front of a window where the sun’s rays come through powerfully enough to warm your entire body? Project Greenhouse, any cat’s dream, does just that. It’s constructed of steel, glass and polycarbonate plates to successfully trap heat in the same way a greenhouse does. It was conceived by architect Carl Verdickt and is located in Belgium.

Insulated glass also creates an opaque effect to provide privacy in certain sections. The main floor gives maximum advantage to the views, while the private rooms seem like captain's quarters "below deck."

Inside, the home is light, airy and open. Simply and cleanly furnished, it's spacious and completely amenable to lounging or entertaining, with a rotating fireplace and cool loft.

It's getting hot in here, and this abode proves that home heating can be affordable and ecologically sound.

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10 Projects for a Snow Day

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 09:22 AM PST

Home from work and your kid's school has called a Snow Day. There's no better time to work on those house projects you've been putting off. We've got 10 projects that should keep you busy while your house thaws out.

1. Make a magnetic bulletin board - Turn your stainless steel fridge door into a fun board for the family to use.

2. Remove those water stains from your wood furniture - Some home remedies that may do the trick.

3. Check for drafts around doors - Keep the cold outside

4. Evaluate your workshop tools - Take some time to repair broken tools and clean up your workshop

5. Give your cabinets a makeover - Add some new pulls and paint for a fresh look


Light Therapy

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 08:48 AM PST

by Guest

A sunny personality. A dark comedy. A bright smile. Simple phrases, yet they show the huge influence light has, defining the world around us even through the words we choose.

It seems simple, but most people never realize that how much light they get affects their mood, emotions and productivity. Understanding the ways in which light affects people has major implications for designers and the lighting choices they make.

The end of the year brings shorter days to the northern hemisphere, which means less natural light from the sun. With less light, people experience changes to their moods, their emotions and even physical reactions like fatigue and lowered immunity to colds and diseases.

Depression, insomnia and fatigue may result from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - also called the “winter blues” - and is commonly treated with light therapy to increase exposure to bright and full-spectrum light, thereby curing the symptoms.

While most people may not experience extreme depression with reduced lighting levels, they may still feel some effects. In earlier studies on light, results showed positive and negative moods were affected by the color of light, illuminance and color rendering index (CRI) levels. These results also varied depending on gender and age.

While natural sunlight is the best source of lighting, it is not always available in an interior space. Take into account how much natural light is in a room when selecting the color and intensity of lighting fixtures.

Adding bright lights or changing the color of bulb in a fixture could be an option to consider for a room’s lighting scheme. Building in the flexibility to change light levels with a dimmer switch is also a good idea for a space where natural sunlight amounts vary with the season.

While most lighting research has focused on how much light is visually seen, recent studies suggest that light may also impact non-visual processes such as physical performance and mental tasks.

For residential lighting, this could mean adding bright lights in rooms requiring alertness and mental sharpness, such as a kitchen or home office. For non-residential lighting, the effects of light levels must be considered for irregular work hours (such as second- and third-shift workers) as well as the effects bright lights have on long- and short-term memory.

Here are just a few findings from the latest lighting research:

  • Men performed poorest on long-term memory tasks in the artificial ‘daylight’ white lighting; women performed better than men in the artificial ‘daylight’ white lighting.
  • Use ‘warm’ white lighting in areas where individuals will be performing short-term recall and problem solving tasks.
  • Be aware that people whose sleep/wake cycle has been interrupted (such as people working a swing-shift schedule) report being more alert for a longer time when exposed to high (3,190 lux) or mid (230 lux) light levels than people exposed to low (23 lux) light levels.
  • Consider the potential effects of light levels on alertness and performance for people that work at irregular times (night shift, etc.).

Humans live on a natural rhythm of light and dark. Our bodies are attuned to the light, responding to sunlight as well as bright indoor lighting. Whether you see yourself as a morning person or a night owl, you and everyone around you will have a natural reaction to how much light is in the environment
SAD Light Therapy

Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder consists of a lamp that is specifically designed to simulate bright outdoor light. Sitting a few feet away from this light source for 15 to 20 minutes a day is said to change the chemicals in your brain to help treat some SAD symptoms. Be sure to check with your doctor prior to any treatment of SAD.

For more information on seasonal affective disorder and SAD therapy lamps please visit the Mayo Clinic website.


This article was provided by Bellacor, leaders in lighting and quality home décor. Bellacor offers SAD lights such as Rise and Shine SAD Deluxe Natural Alarm Clock Bedside Lamp
and the HappyLight Deluxe Sunshine Supplement Light System as well as access to over 500,000 products from 700 manufacturers.

Water Damage Repair - Getting Started

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 12:44 AM PST

A few months back we featured a series on identifying, isolating and drying water damage in the home. The series left off after an effective drying system is set-up, and your home is on its way back to a livable condition.

Over the next week or so, we will look at how to actually repair water damaged material. Here's what we will cover:

* What materials can be salvaged and what needs to be discarded
* Personal protective equipment
* Safely removing contaminated or moldy materials
* Tips for making the repair easier on yourself or your contractors

Before getting too far into the series, here is a refresher on water remediation category terms. These terms will be used throughout the series:


Charles & Hudson Interviews

Posted: 09 Feb 2010 01:14 PM PST

I had an opportunity to share a bit about myself this week in the form of a few online interviews. I'm always flattered to be asked and I hope they provide a bit of insight into my background and this website.

Inspiration: Working Inside and Out - Herman Miller

Best Home Improvement Blogs, Take 1 - Fix It Yourself

Interview with Timothy Dahl - Fixr

and a nice introduction to Los Angeles last year from LAist.


Lighting for Your Kitchen Remodel

Posted: 09 Feb 2010 01:07 PM PST

Having the right lighting in your kitchen makes a big difference. Whether you need it to illuminate the work areas in your kitchen or set ambiance, good lighting is necessary.

Popular Lighting for Kitchen Remodeling

Recessed lighting under kitchen cabinets is one of the most popular types of lighting for kitchen remodeling projects. As long as the bottom of your cabinet is recessed, your light fixtures will be discreet and give off a subtle lighting.

DirectBuy offers a wide selection of remodeling products for your kitchen such as lighting. Brand-name products at prices up to 50% off retail help you get the quality you want and still save money.

How to Decide on Outdoor Furniture

Posted: 09 Feb 2010 11:21 AM PST

One of the latest trends in outdoor decor is making the backyard feel like an extension of the home, complete with furniture.

When choosing outdoor furniture, the biggest concern is making sure that is weatherproof and sturdy enough to stand up to the elements, whether you live in a sunny or rainy region.

While outdoor furniture options used to be limited to dining table sets and lounge chairs, more modern options include conversation sets, similar to what you might see in the family room.

Conversation sets generally include a loveseat, chair, and a table. If you plan to entertain a lot, a bar set, complete with stools can also be a welcome change from the traditional table and chairs.


Travertine Tile: From Ancient Rome to Your Home

Posted: 09 Feb 2010 11:07 AM PST

When something works well across continents and cultures, it generally retains importance for a long time.

When it comes to building materials and floor coverings, when I say ‘works’ I suppose I’m not just talking about simple function. After all, there was a time when rose-patterned linoleum and ‘harvest gold’ carpeting worked very well on a functional level too.

I’m talking about look. There is a kind of timelessness which is tied to a specific historical period, still retaining all that is good about that period, while not being weighed down by fashion trends that are past their sell-by dates.

This is my perhaps long-winded intro to talking about travertine as a floor covering and all-around reliable building material. It may be that travertine doesn’t get quite as much press as granite or marble. But, ever since civilization began, travertine has been used across cultures, continents, and eras. Why is that?

Part of the reason is simple geography, even when you consider other advantages like durability and subtle beauty. Travertine is plentiful in the region which is known to be the cradle of Western civilization; Southern Europe, and the Middle-East. Indeed, travertine was used in Ancient Egypt, by the Greeks, and possibly most famously as a means of literally building the Roman Empire.

The famous Roman Colliseum uses travertine as a key building material. And that imperial effect of gold-t0-cream color spectrum is synonymous with the period is all down to what travertine tile, accessories, backsplashes, pavers, sinks, and more offer the modern homeowner.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be talking about travertine; how it’s processed, the kinds of visual effects open to you, and the kinds of applications that make travertine a sought-after surface indoors and out, in residences, and in commercial spaces alike.

Cheers,

Rob.

Travertine Tile: From Ancient Rome to Your Home is a post from: Laminate Flooring, Hardwood Floors and More from BuildDirect

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