пятница, 6 мая 2011 г.

Home-my-Home

Home-my-Home


Переход Hermès их элегантность в конструкцию мебели!

Posted: 06 May 2011 05:12 AM PDT

Hermès debut collection of contemporary furniture was highly anticipated by industry professionals and visitors at the Milan furniture fair between the 12th and 17th of April 2011. The French fashion label presented their new contemporary furniture collection designed by Eric Benique, Antonio Citterio, Denis Montel and Enzo Mari with a few special original items designed by Jean Michel Frank back in 1924.

The exhibition area was beautifully designed by highly acclaimed architect duo Shigeru Ban and Jean Gautures specifically chosen by the Hermès creative director after he saw their talents previously.

Their creation entailed cardboard woven into tubing and paper that resulted into a stunning modular configuration all at different levels and spaces of various sizes to show off the Hermès lifestyle.

This debut collection was suitably placed in contrast with wall coverings, fabrics and carpets. This special showcase also includes the famous original items from jean Michel Frank like the armchair vanity unit, and the table with the X base, so a mix of old and new.

A touch of elegant comfort!

Original items that will never be antiquated!

The new collection named Mieters is full of beautiful details and rich materials like bull calf covering that is also sustainable, and canaletto walnut wood that is smooth and silky, both a perfect representation of the elegance of this long standing label. The geometric storage unit is a unique item with added elements like a leather drawer. The wood and the leather oozes chic class and the slick finishes result in clean lines.

Perfect clean lines – making no mistakes!

The designers drew their inspiration from Egypt and Greece and the Pippa collection of fold away furniture was developed by the created minds of RDAI Studio.

A combination of creative brains results in perfect design!

Top quality materials transfer the elegance of this fashion label into it’s furniture!

Creating the feel of the Hermès lifestyle!

Emphasizing sophistication!

Craftsmanship of the highest quality!

Clean chic lines enhance the sense of class!

Marble tables by Mari would give a sophisticated edge to any room!

These truly remarkable items are a combination of contemporary, modern freshness with a hint of antique, and are now available in US stores.

Source:

Домашняя одна дом для сбывания

Posted: 06 May 2011 02:46 AM PDT

Дом который была установкой для всего домашнего одного кино, одно из больших кино Кристмас всего времени, теперь для сбывания и был перечислен на $2.4 миллиона. Он в первый раз дом на рынке в виду того что пленка дебютировала в 1990. Now ваш шанс купить часть истории кинематографического и Кристмас. Больше от Журнала Уолла Стрита: Дом расположен в Winnetka, ILL. и продавецы, Синтия и Джон Abendshien, не имели никакие связи к делу кино прежде чем их дом играла главные роли в пленке блокбастера. Они имеют дом с 1988. «Мы оба пустых nesters, и это действительно больше дома чем нам или используем,» говорит гу-н Abendshien, который имеет консультационную фирму которая поставляет еду к индустрии медицинского соревнования.

Новое HVACs зелено, но насколько могут они сохранить вас?

Posted: 05 May 2011 05:13 PM PDT

Summer is fast approaching, and you know what that means: scorching heat waves and energy bills so expensive they make your blood boil. But you shouldn’t have to suffer when the old air conditioner shuts down after weeks of working overtime. Rather, you can read on to learn if your HVAC needs replacing, what it will cost you, and how much cheaper your utilities will be from then on.

Average Costs to Replace HVAC

How much will a new HVAC cost you? Central air conditioning systems typically cost $1,500 to $3,000 to replace, while a warm air furnace costs about $1,500 to $3,800. You can take $300 back from the IRS, however, by purchasing an approved energy-efficient central air conditioning unit or an air source heat pump. There’s also a federal rebate of $150 for installing a radiant heating system or replacing your furnace with an approved appliance.

To find out what a new HVAC system would cost in your area, click here.

Is Your HVAC an Energy Drain?

According to Energy Star, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit over 10 years old should indeed be replaced. Systems made around 2001 or before are not nearly as efficient as models of today. But even if your unit hasn’t reached it’s tenth birthday yet, you can probably still save money if you’re having climate control problems in your house.

Is there one room, for example, that is always too hot or too cold? A properly sized and correctly installed HVAC unit can solve that problem. Do you have humidity issues? Dry air in the winter? A noisy HVAC unit? All of these may be related to the age and efficiency of your old HVAC system.

Reduce Your Energy Bills

Replacing something like a heating and cooling system can seem huge, but it’s actually an investment that pays itself off faster than you think. Your home appliances should be working for you, not against you. So how much can a brand new appliance really save you?

On average, a new HVAC system can cut 20% off your heating and cooling bills alone. Add some other updates and modifications to your house, and you could be heating and cooling your home faster and easier while using less energy.

Remember that your new HVAC unit must be the right size for your home or the room you will be cooling. Even an efficient and properly installed air conditioner can waste energy and money if it’s too big or too small. Too much cooling power can also lead to cold and clammy air and indoor mold growth, while too little results in constant use of energy and money for a house that is still too hot.

A portable air conditioner or a window unit is a good choice for cooling a single room with the door closed. A ductless air conditioning system can work well in small homes or those with very open floor plans. Split system or central air conditioning is the most efficient way to cool an entire house.

Which States Offer Rebates for HVAC Upgrades?

The government knows that poor energy efficiency is a nationwide problem, and that’s why it offers incentives at the federal and state levels to households that upgrade appliances.

Although some states have stopped offering tax credits for homes that upgrade their HVAC systems, the U.S. Department of Energy has announced that rebates are still available for California, Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Colorado, North Dakota, Louisiana, Alabama, West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Pennsylvania.

Photo Credit: Alamos Basement & Roland Tanglao via Flickr CC

Модернизация домашнего офиса: Выберите правый настил

Posted: 05 May 2011 12:00 PM PDT

Today's' guest post is from Lloyd Burrell. Having worked as an auditor in the City of London,UK in the early part of his career, Lloyd now puts all this experience gained in different offices to good use by blogging about office desk furniture. He is the publisher of OfficeDeskReviews.com. His reviews cover all the main desk styles and brands including; Sauder office desks, Bush executive desks and Dmi computer desks.

Here, Lloyd gives his honest personal opinion about the types of home office flooring he has seen, and in some cases installed in home office settings. Take a look.

***

Photo: Jeff Wilcox

I think that our floors are one of the most misunderstood renovation item in homes generally and in the home office particularly. We walk on them and put our furniture on them, and of course they are vital to a home’s function, but what more do they need to be, in order to function well for your home office? Having been through a few renovations myself, I will offer up a few tips for your perusal, and perhaps some insight into what has worked for me, or not.

Bamboo flooring

We put this into my small home office and it looked great. We even had to use the click together and glue it down type at the time, as the subfloors in our house are cement. It was a lot of work and hard on the knees but it did look great and still does — in most parts of the floor.

The trouble with a home office is you do need to use a wheeled office chair and this has created a wear circle on the bamboo, right by the desk. If you put down a clear chair mat then I could recommend bamboo flooring as being attractive, wearing well when it’s walked on (only), and being quite green and eco-friendly.

Laminate floors

Not great, but some of the better ones could work. The trouble with laminate floors is that it sounds hollow and if your home office is on the second story of your home, your family underneath may think you’re practicing for Dancing With The Stars every time you walk on it, or move your chair. It’s very easy to install and a thick underlayment would cushion it fine.

Cement flooring

If you have a loft type office space and home then cement may be what you have and it’s certainly durable. As in other areas of your cement-floored home, you can always put an area rug down, in front of your desk or another area of the office. One thing about concrete is — if you get a crack, it can be repaired in minutes.

Solid wood floors

This is my second top pick, and if you have an antique house or new hardwood floors, then these will last a very long time. Solid hardwood flooring will look beautiful in your home office. Depending on how long the floors have been in existence may tell you how many times you can sand it. If the wood is thin, then they’ll need to be replaced soon. If they get scratched you can buff a little patch and then refinish them, so they do always look warm, and often have a lovely sheen to them.

Ceramic or Other Tile

These are actually excellent as a floor in your home office. They wear extremely well and are durable. If they’ve been down for a while or were laid improperly, then they can become uneven as your floor settles, and will get cracked. Tiles may be made from real stone (slate or travertine), ceramic, porcelain or a combo recycled material. Sautillo tiles from Mexico are difficult to keep clean as they are porous. If sealed properly, they can be used indoors to great effect. Square, natural stone tiles are often slightly different in measurements so they must be laid in a “brick wall” style pattern to camouflage any differences.

Linoleum or Vinyl

Except for linoleum, I wouldn’t recommend vinyl for your office or anywhere else for that matter. I know that modern vinyl flooring is better made than in the past but it can still look cheap, in my opinion. On the other hand, linoleum is now quite “green”, comes in attractive patterns or colors, and lasts a long time. It is mostly made from recycled materials, hence the “green” designation.

Engineered Hardwood Floors

This is my favorite and top pick for any room in your home, and especially the home office. It’s composed of entirely real wood but is layered, and the top layer can be done in virtually any color or style. I love the hand scraped style which looks antique, but isn’t. Depending on your subfloor, these planks of engineered hardwood can be click and place, with the help of nails or glue. Always save pieces or parts of any floor you lay down so that a portion can be replaced in the future if necessary. We have paint and tiles and a couple of other things left from when our house was built 22 years ago. Engineered hardwood is easy to take care of because as it’s sealed, a wipe over with a slightly dampened mop will usually work.

So, my top pick is engineered hardwood and my bottom would be bamboo (only because of wear by office chair wheels) [ED: although, transparent office chair mats can solve this problem easily and inexpensively]. Fortunately, because of the availability of millions of online flooring stores, you will never be far away from any type you want to put down in your home office.

It would be a mistake to look at your flooring in isolation if you already have your office furniture; the South Shore computer desk though a totally great little desk would not sit well with an engineered hardwood floor. Don’t forget to look at the big picture!

***

Thanks, Lloyd!

Cheers,

Rob.

Home Office Makeover: Choose The Right Flooring is a post from: BuildDirect. We cover a variety of home improvement products including laminate flooring, hardwood floors, bamboo flooring, tile, decking and more. We also offer a wide range of info on interior design, housing trends, home how to, green building and living, and more.

Related posts:

  1. The Ideal Home Office In 6 Easy Steps
  2. 5 Ways to Choose a Hardwood Flooring Species
  3. Laminate Flooring vs Office Chair Demolition Derby!

Урбанский сад на Beginners i: & использующ травы

Posted: 05 May 2011 09:00 AM PDT

Photo: lasard

A nice patio container garden can really take the cold edge off living in an often-impersonal concrete jungle.

While convenient, urban living is getting more expensive, and, as food prices around the world escalate, it's easy to cut back on groceries to keep a budget reined in, but there's a tasty compromise a lot of city-dwellers don't consider: an urban garden, or kitchen garden.

With my itty-bitty 30-square-foot balcony and a writer's budget, it's in summertime that I embrace gourmet and healthy cooking by growing fresh herbs I find pricey to buy over the winter, but are cheap and easy to grow.

At a good gardening center, one can score 10 to 15 established herbs for $25. Throw in some soil and some recycled pots and containers, and a budget garden with lots of pickings can cost as little as $50.

A kitchen garden is a dollar-wise tasty past-time that delivers flavorful rewards for months. We’ll talk about the herbs themselves next time, but there’s plenty talk about today. Here are things to keep in mind as you start yours.

A nurturing environment of like-minded friends

There’s no sense planting a garden if you don’t have a plan for watering them. Apartments make this trickier. Most apartment-dwellers have to lug giant buckets of water from the bathtub. Been there — lift with the legs. Once you’ve got this figured out, you can get to the nitty-gritty.

When it comes to watering and light, think of your plants like they're people. Not everyone eats or drinks the same amount. You'll need more than one container so you can group plants according to their feeding and light needs. Most plants will be sold with a label telling you what your specific variety needs.

Some growers organize plant groupings methodically, claiming certain plants grow better together, but that's for a more savvy gardener than either you or I need to be. Success can be had without complicating it.

Getting dirty: soil, and your urban garden

There are soil-less methods of growing, but that’s a different topic altogether. Here, we’re talkin’ soil.

Container gardening is different than planting in regular earth, and fertilizing as you container-plant is often a big no-no. Most potting soils come enriched, so that job's been done for you.

Simply put, too much is too much. When over-fertilized, plants can die. I've mistakenly put fertilizer pellets into potting soil and found it stunted growth. I've never done it since. Instead, let the herbs establish and use a liquid plant food in your water once in a while.

Quality soil is a great investment worth making, and using "container" or "potting" soil might ensure a great harvest.

Sow your urban garden seeds, or adopt?

You could try to start herbs from seeds, but that's considerably trickier, and it's unnecessary for busy folk who simply want the experience of having a garden. Buying established plants costs more, but is way easier, and increases the chance of success. An afternoon of planting, and within a couple weeks you'll be eating your own herbs.

Incoming! it’s not IF you get bugs, it’s WHEN

Just because you're planting an urban garden on a 17th-floor balcony in a high-density downtown neighborhood doesn't mean the bugs won't find ya. They'll be there in no time, friend. Keep an eye out for aphids and others pesky vistors. Always having an organic pesticide handy, or a classic soapy-water spraybottle, will help fend off invaders in a timely manner. As Harry Potter's “Dark Arts” professor cautions: "Constant vigilance!" After all, having a day or two to get established is a lifetime in the bug kingdom.

Taking root: choosing containers

Photo: Susan Reimer

There are lots of options for where to plant, from planter boxes to hanging baskets. If you're on a budget, thrift stores often carry containers of all kinds. Think outside the box! Pun intended.

If you're quirky and creative, a "container" for gardening has no boundaries other than it needs to hold soil and have more than four inches for roots to grow. Want to plant some parsley in old workboots? Sure! An old watering tin? Sure! A cracked-enamel old Dutch oven for a mixed bed of herbs? Why the heck not?

I personally like the long planter boxes that have easy attaching devices, since I can’t build onto my deck, and have re-used these for 10+ years, so the initial investment has long since been worth it.

Low-maintenance and fancy: modern urban gardening solutions

There are some pretty fancy new planter systems on the market — built-in drainage, self-watering mechanisms, whatever. It means a lot of choice for a well-monied consumer. Are these fancier systems worth it? Maybe. Are they needed? Nah.

Nature does just fine with some soil, rocks, and water. Man comes along with fancy planters and convoluted systems, and we like to think we do it better than nature. But keeping it simple works. If you can afford fancy systems that may give you an edge, why not? If you can't, don't sweat it, because plants do thrive in an old boot or broken ceramic pot.

To be a successful patio gardener, it’s simple: check on your little army of plants every couple days, water according to your climate's requirements (for me: once a week in spring, daily in August), make sure there's daylight, pay attention to detail (ie: look for bugs), and have some patience.

That's it.

Next time, I'll take a look at great herbs to plant, and how to use them.

An Urban Garden For Beginners I: Growing & Using Herbs is a post from: BuildDirect. We cover a variety of home improvement products including laminate flooring, hardwood floors, bamboo flooring, tile, decking and more. We also offer a wide range of info on interior design, housing trends, home how to, green building and living, and more.

Related posts:

  1. Preparing Your Garden For Spring
  2. Gardening Basics For Beginners
  3. Eco-Friendly Landscaping: Where To Start

Напольные ливни

Posted: 05 May 2011 06:00 AM PDT

If your backyard is your second home in summer then nothing makes more sense (and is more fun!) than an outdoor shower. From cooling off on hot days to washing off the sand after a day at the beach, outdoor showers are practical and are great additions to any backyard. We’ve managed to find some amazing examples for you but first here are some other great reasons to install an outdoor shower in your backyard:

  • Outdoor showers can save you money on your swimming pool costs. How you ask? By rinsing off in your outdoor shower before jumping into your pool, you are washing off body sweat, lotions, perfumes and oils that can make your pool water rather dirty and also clog your pool filter. Yuck!
  • An outdoor shower by your swimming pool allows you to immediately remove all the chlorine and other chemicals that can build up on your body while swimming. (Your bathing suit will also last longer, too.)
  • If you tend to have a lot of pool parties, an outdoor shower will benefit you (and your home ) greatly. Rather than having your guests trod their wet bodies through your home to use your bathroom shower, an outdoor shower will allow them to rinse off and get dressed outside and away from your precious belongings.
  • This one is a real lifesaver. Got a dirty dog that needs some grooming? Well, with an outdoor shower, this process will be a whole lot easier (especially in the “dog” days of summer!) Your bathtub will also benefit by not getting clogged with all the animal hair and dirt that normally comes off during their bathing.

Now that we’ve given you all the great reasons to get an outdoor shower, here are some great looking ones that are sure to inspire you:

Looking for an outdoor shower that’s functional as well as fashionable? Well, have we got two for you! The Aqua Adagio and Aqua Allegro outdoor stainless steel showers from Jaclo are practicality and beauty at its finest. With their high-polish stainless steel finishes combined with their round waterfall sprays and a foot-wash outlets, these outdoor showers are gorgeous and gifted.

Adagio outdoor shower by Jaclo

Allegro outdoor shower from Jaclo

Allegro outdoor shower by Jaclo

Think outdoor showers have to be boring? Well, Designerzeit is here to change your mind about that! Built to look like pieces of modern art, the Wave has the effect of the rippling of water while Ocean looks like a wave of water about to hit the beach. Truly breathtaking!

Outdoor shower by Sesignerzeit-

Outdoor showers by Designerzeit

Outdoor shower by Designerzeit

Outdoor shower by Designerzeit

It’s fun! It’s funky! It’s plastic! The outdoor shower from MyYour is made from waterproof, UV resistant polyethylene and comes in a variety of colors. How cheeky!

Outdoor shower by Myyour

Outdoor shower by Myyour

Outdoor shower by Myyour

Designed by Arkema, this outdoor shower, with its array of colors, is beautiful to look at and with its eco-friendly sun-powered technology, it’s actually good for the environment, too. Now that’s cool!

Solar powered outdoor shower by Arkema

Solar powered outdoor shower by Arkema

Solar powered outdoor shower by Arkema

Looking for a natural outdoor shower for your little piece of the great outdoors? Then the Manutti Siena Cascade Outdoor Shower is for you. Crafted from natural planks of wood, this outdoor shower offers a beautifully natural look that’s perfect for your garden or pool area.

Manutti Siena Cascade outdoor shower

Manutti Siena Cascade outdoor shower

Now we want to hear from you: would your consider installing an outdoor shower in your backyard?

Redecorate без тратить монета в 10 центов

Posted: 05 May 2011 04:45 AM PDT

Теперь, когда весна (постулативно в некоторых областях) поскачет, вы могли найти, что посмотрели о вашей обители spruce вещи вверх по биту. Такой же старый декор может чувствовать расточку и отжимать после длинней зимы для конечно, но мы здесь с немного предложений, котор нужно помочь вам redecorate с чем вы уже имеете класть вокруг! Переставьте Она изумительна чего двигать мебель вокруг может сделать для комнаты. Однако, попробуйте думать вне коробки -- или в этот случай, комната. Примите вещи от других комнат, попытку представить другие правдоподобные пользы, и оборотлива!

Помощь программы PowerSaver вы оплачиваете для Energy-Efficient подъемов

Posted: 04 May 2011 05:42 PM PDT

Lots of homeowners are interested in energy-efficient upgrades. Trends and studies point to it again and again. But how do people afford such upgrades in an economy like ours? Banks have tightened their purse strings, and federal rebates, though they reduce your costs, can’t extend as far as they should.

Yet help is on the way. A brand-new two-year pilot program was just announced by Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu and U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Called PowerSaver Loans, the program will offer low-cost loans up to $25,000 for energy-efficient upgrades.

Eligible improvements are all the energy-saving trades we specialize in at CalFinder, including:

Typical costs for these upgrades vary by location, but you can get several price quotes by clicking here.

Helping Those with Low Equity

The purpose of the PowerSaver program is to assist those without enough equity to secure a HELOC loan or other private consumer loans. According to HUD, priority goes to “borrowers who have the ability and motivation to take on modest additional debt to realize the savings over time from home energy improvements.”

In other words, they want you to recoup your investment through long-term energy-savings, rather than let you go broke from upgrades you weren’t prepared to finance. You should have good credit, debt that you can manage, and a minimum of home equity (“maximum 100% combined loan-to-value”).

Initially, the PowerSaver program will help about 30,000 homeowners get loans for their upgrades. But this may be expanded as interest grows. In addition, the pilot program will create over 3,000 jobs, which we all hope will become permanent.

If the average American home consumes twice as much energy than it needs, savings from energy-efficient upgrades will pay off sooner than later. And what better way to kick off National Home Improvement month than to get financing you can afford, seal up the envelope of your home and reduce your energy bills all at once?

Click here to find a contractor that can help.

5 причин использовать плитку фарфора как домашняя поверхность декора

Posted: 04 May 2011 12:00 PM PDT

The value of porcelain tile is something which has been considered and utilized for centuries, and across a multitude of uses, and cultures. But, if we boiled down what that value really meant, what would we find to be the common factors to be found in a porcelain tile installation?

Well, the home decor experts at Arcadian home decor weighed in on this subject, spotlighting five main reasons why you should consider using porcelain tile as a home decor surface, both inside the home and without.

***

Trying to decide what type of tile to use in your home can be difficult and daunting. One way to go would be to use porcelain. Porcelain is made from heating different types of clay, usually kaolin, to very high temperatures. It’s a process that has been developed over the course of nearly 1000 years.

Modern techniques have made it suitable for tiling buildings, and even floors. If you’re thinking about tiling your floors and have the professional help, porcelain makes a practical and decorative tile surface. The following guide will lay out five reasons why you should choose porcelain tile for your next home decor project.

1. Porcelain tile is highly durable, hard and dense

It can withstand high traffic areas, as well as those areas in your home that might be exposed to wear and tear. It’s made from a type of clay that has to be fired at very high temperatures, leaving it dense. This process also extracts most of the water out of the porcelain, leaving it more water-resistant than other types of tile.


2. Porcelain tile is versatile

Here above is a gorgeous, enviable indoor/outdoor kitchen showing said versatility. In addition to tiling floors, you can tile your fountains (indoor or outdoor), walls, ceilings, countertops and back-splashes with porcelain. This tile is sure to hold well outside as it will inside with the proper cleaning and care.

3. Porcelain tile is easy to care for

It does not chip or get dirty easily, and because of its low-moisture content, it won’t chip in freezing temperatures in case you use it outdoors.

4. Porcelain tile is cost-effective

Because of its supreme durability (it does not chip, holds off moisture, etc.), porcelain tile costs less to the homeowner in the long run. Think about it this way: you won’t have to replace porcelain tiles as often as you would less-durable, initially-cheaper tiles.

5. Porcelain tile is beautiful

In this conservatory of one designer’s home (Eileen Marshall), the decoration and color of the porcelain tile complement the furniture of this already beautifully-designed room.

As you can see, there are many reasons to choose porcelain tile. It”s easy to clean and care for, it is suitable for indoor and outdoor use, and, to be honest, it’s just really pretty to look at.

***

Thanks, Arcadian home decor!

Arcadian Home Decor specializes in top quality home decor items at extremely affordable prices. If you’re looking to complement your porcelain tile installation, you might want to visit their site.

Cheers,

Rob.

5 Reasons to Use Porcelain Tile As A Home Decor Surface is a post from: BuildDirect. We cover a variety of home improvement products including laminate flooring, hardwood floors, bamboo flooring, tile, decking and more. We also offer a wide range of info on interior design, housing trends, home how to, green building and living, and more.

Related posts:

  1. Porcelain Tile That Looks like Wood Flooring
  2. Travertine Tile Surface Treatments
  3. Using Slate Tile as a countertop surface.

Находить работа в дизайне интерьера

Posted: 04 May 2011 08:13 AM PDT

Как майор снабжения жилищем и исследования конструкции несовершеннолетний, я был запуган рынком труда. Я знал что майоры дизайна интерьера будут иметь больше, котор нужно предложить чем я. Мой поиск работы начал в ноябрь и я осуществил справедливо - прочь что я хотел сфокусировать на конструкции через мою занятость. Я был неуверен на как пойти около это поэтому я посылал Грейс Bonney по электронной почте, основателя блога дизайна интерьера, Design*Sponge. Она ответила с большими проницательностью и поощрением для того чтобы примениться для что-нибыдь и всего которое было как-то родствено. Мои требования к курса включили 20 часов интернатура недели на семестр весны. Я решил положить слова Грейс в действие. I прикладное для интернатуры на Charles & Hudson. Я объяснил в моем сопроводительном письме которого мой майор был снабжением жилищем и мой несовершеннолетний был исследованиями конструкции но я также выразил мои хобби и интересы которые были уместны к содержанию Charles & Hudson. Тимоти Dahl дало мне возможность интернировать для Charles & Hudson и большой опыт. Мой начатый поиск работы давал задний ход снова в март. Это время, я применялся для домашних изданий, конструкции мебели/сбываний, и assistantships конструкции от оприходований на интернете. Прежде чем я представил бы мое применение к каждой компании, я рассмотрел бы требования и если они имели специфические програмное обеспечение или искусство необходимы, то, я загружал бы свободные пробы програмного обеспечения и выучить как использовать его или меня напрактиковал бы искусство. Как только я чувствовал удобным с требованием, я включил бы его в моем сопроводительном письме на уровне beginner.

Мебель патио

Posted: 04 May 2011 05:55 AM PDT

Nothing says summer more than sitting on your patio and taking in the soothing sun! But what’s that you say? Your patio is a total eyesore and is in need of a serious upgrade. Well, you’ve come to the right place my friend as we have found some spectacular patio furniture that will make your backyard proud. First however, is a quick rundown of what to look for when purchasing patio furniture:

  • Before purchasing a stick of furniture, take a look at your patio space and decide how you plan on utilizing it. Will it just be for lounging or will you be dining there, too? Depending on your decision, it will make a big difference on the type and amount of patio furniture you will need to purchase.
  • Consider the location of your patio whether it will be out in the open, screened in or behind sliding glass patio doors. The location of your patio makes a big difference when purchasing furniture. For example, direct sunlight will fade cushion colors while wet weather will disintegrate wicker patio furniture. So be sure to keep these issues in mind as putting the wrong type of patio furniture out in the wrong kind of weather could mean a total loss for your pocketbook.
  • Remember that different materials create different styles. For example, wrought iron furniture tends to create a romantic Victorian look, metal conveys a more modern, contemporary look while wood tends to look more rustic. Consider which style suits you and your family more before purchasing any patio furniture.
  • Ensure that the patio furniture you purchase comes with warranties and concise instructions on how to care for these items. Also, ensure that all pieces are appropriately water and stain proofed.
  • Before you make a final decision on your purchase, make sure you will be comfortable in them for the long run. Try out all chairs and tables first making sure every piece is comfortable and well-made.

Now that we’ve given you the helpfiul information, here’s a look at some amazing examples of patio furniture that will look awesome whether you’re buildng a new patio or you’re looking to upgrade your current one:

This ain’t your parents’ patio lounge chair! With this modern lounge daybed by Solpuri, you’ll be able to enjoy your backyard patio from day into night. Its removable sunshade will keep you sheltered from the sun during the day and bathe you in the soft, soothing glow of its lighted base at night. Now that’s chic!

Daybed by Solpuri

Daybed by Solpuri

Daybed by Solpuri

Looking for a thoroughly unique patio table? Well, have we found one for you! Designed by Dirk Wynants for Extremis, the Hopper table is a unique take on a classic design. This modern variation is crafted from galvanized steel and also features a removeable sunshade to help you keep your cool in extreme temperatures. Now that’s cool!

Patio table from Extremis

Patio table from Extremis

Patio table from Extremis

Patio table from Extremis

An absolute necessity for escaping the scorching summer sun. That’s what we call the Kosmos large parasol umbrella by Extremis. Designed by Dirk Wynants, this umbrella is large enough to cover a very big space yet it conveniently folds out of the way when you’re ready to catch some sun. And best of all the polyester fabic is durable and UV resistant. Now that’s practicality at its finest.

Large parasol umbrella from Extremis

Large parasol umbrella from Extremis

Large parasol umbrella from Extremis

Large parasol umbrella from Extremis

This one is for all you lovebirds out there! Designed by Victor M. Aleman for Coroflot, this double patio lounger is for those couples who just can’t keep their eyes off each other. Whether you’re reading, lounging or just taking in some sun, you can now do it all face-to-face.

Lounge chair by Coroflot

Lounge chair by Coroflot

Lounge chair by Coroflot

Lounge chair by Coroflot

Do you love having evening parties on your patio? Well, with Modoluce ‘s illuminated furniture collection, your parties will be a feast for the eyes. Designed by Paolo Grasselli, the collection features tables, benches and stools in a variety of colors and styles and all with that groovy illumination factor.

Light up patio furniture by Modoluce

Light up patio furniture by Modoluce

Light up patio furniture by Modoluce

Light up patio furniture by Modoluce

Now we want to hear from you: would you consider using any of these pieces on your patio?

Средние стоимости для подъемов дома весны

Posted: 03 May 2011 05:58 PM PDT

In case you haven’t heard, May is National Home Improvement Month! So of course, we’re celebrating home improvement like crazy over here. What that means for you is extra remodeling value, pictures and goodies.


Today I’ll provide some useful cost averages for spring’s most popular home upgrades. All of these improvements are designed to seal up the envelope of your home, reducing your energy bills and helping you conserve where it counts.

Energy-Efficient Tax Credits

First off, know that certain energy-efficient upgrades can earn you federal tax credits. Upgrading to a new heating and cooling system, for example, can knock off $300 from the cost of the installation. For energy-qualified new windows and doors, you can get $500, or 10% of the first $5,000 spent.

To find out how much home upgrades cost in your area, click here.

HVAC is Amazing

Let’s start with HVAC. While admittedly not the sexiest home upgrade, a new energy-efficient HVAC system saves you 25-30% on your heating and cooling bills. That’s great and all, but how much are the systems themselves?

  • Central air conditioning – $1,500 to $3,000
  • Warm air furnace – $1,500 to $3,800
  • Hot water boiler – $2,500 to $3,500
  • Attic ventilation – $250 to $450

The $300 federal rebate, plus immediate and long-term savings on your energy bills make HVAC an amazing investment. Get more localized pricing info here.

New Windows, Quicker Payback

Also cost-effective are replacement windows. The government pays you back up to $500 for new windows installed in 2011, which then cut your energy bills by 15-30% monthly.

Average costs for window replacements are:

  • Existing window replacement – $200 to $500 each
  • Upgrading to storm windows – $60 to $100 each

Price quotes on new windows are available here.

More Green Upgrades

Other notable home improvement costs:

What are your remodeling plants this spring? Let us know in the comments!

Cost data via Carla Harbert

Photo Credit: Martins BukaConstruction Week & Tar Heel Basement

Natural Stone Patio Pavers

Posted: 03 May 2011 12:00 PM PDT

Preparing your patio is not just a project that can get you ready for entertaining and enjoying your yard, but also one that adds value to your home. There is a beautiful appeal to natural stone patio pavers, and this is something that can be durable and appealing for many years to come.

Types of natural stone for pavers

There are many different types to choose from, and they all add character and charm to your backyard. Some of the different materials include:

Slate patio pavers
Slate is a great material for that natural and strong look, with a natural slip resistance thanks to its varied thickness and contoured surface. Slate pavers for patios offers an earthy-yet-colorful addition to your outdoor living space with its bands of striated colors. This is a great stone to use with grays, rusts and black-colored materials. This includes wrought iron accessories like patio sets.

photo: All Oregon Landscaping, Inc.

Travertine patio pavers

Travertine pavers offer that Classical, with a big “C’, look to your outdoor life. Popular during the height of the Roman Empire as a prime building material for all kinds of structures, travertine offers a noble elegance that is always understated, and remaining to be extremely versatile too.

photo: joeG2007

Granite patio pavers

Granite pavers represents one of the hardest materials on earth, outdoors as well as in. Characterized by a speckled patterns due to high quartz content, created when the granite was formed, granite pavers are decorative, durable, and convey a high-end look to boot. Colors range from earthy to decorative, white, to blue, to green, to black.

photo: Robert Spencer

Sandstone pavers

Sandstone comes in a variety of colors and styles including what you would see in many desert hard-scapes. They tend to be most popular in beiges and natural colors, but also include more vibrant colors like pinks and mauves, depending on where they’re quarried. Also an ancient building material, sandstone pavers lend something of the ancient, Classical period to your modern setting.

photo: BuildDirect

How to use pavers for patio projects

Natural stone patio pavers are an easy way to create an unbelievably beautiful space that is perfect for spring. They can be uniformly installed, cut and placed to meet exact measurements, or left in their raw cut form for that ‘crazy paver’ flagstone design. The free-form design allows for creativity with borders and plants that will help the area come to life, while the finished edging is a great way to have a cleanly divided area from hard-scape to soft-scape. You can use them for paths, porches, main outdoor dining areas, pool surrounds, and even as driveways.

Pavers can be installed using concrete, or hard-compressed sand, with the grouting being completed by either product as well. The key is that sand will need replacement, and concrete will not. The installation using concrete is more involved and is intended to be permanent, while the sand effect is to make the area more natural.

The pavers are very versatile can be set in a terrace type layer, including steps, or just flatly placed. They can handle a tremendous about of weight, so there is no need to specific about what types of pavers to use based on the items you intend to rest on the patio. It is just important that the paver is level, and on a solid surface. The pavers should also be sealed so that there is no oxidation or fading that can occur. This will also give the pavers a nice sheen that is clean and bright, just in time for spring.

Natural Stone Patio Pavers is a post from: BuildDirect. We cover a variety of home improvement products including laminate flooring, hardwood floors, bamboo flooring, tile, decking and more. We also offer a wide range of info on interior design, housing trends, home how to, green building and living, and more.

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  1. Wanna Take This Outside?!?!
  2. Easy Patio Surfaces For Spring
  3. French Pattern Layouts For Natural Stone Tile Lend the Power of Subtlety

Более малая домашняя конструкция: 8 шагов к успеху

Posted: 03 May 2011 09:00 AM PDT

Smaller homes are getting more and more popular as people 1) downsize in this economy, 2) want to live simpler lives, 3) become empty nesters, or 4) want to build for energy efficiency. Whether you are building new or remodeling, you can design and decorate a small space to make it feel grand. There are a few visual tricks you can implement to live in a small yet highly functioning home.

The basic tenet of living in a smaller home is to live with less. I cringe when I see more and more storage units being built. That tells me we have too much stuff! De-clutter before renting a storage unit or adding on to your house. You'd be surprised how many people add on a room or two, because they have too much stuff!

Get rid of what you don't use or don't need before making any design decisions. Sell on craigslist or eBay, have a yard sale, or give it away. My rule of thumb is: If I have not used it in a year, I get rid of it. I am really good at purging with no regrets. Look at what you use on a daily basis, examine your lifestyle, be honest, and don't be afraid! Get rid of it!

Now that you have fewer possessions, you can design a comfortable living space. Here are two of the most important aspects.

Smaller home: making a list of your needs

Do you like to entertain? Do you want a library? Do you need a home office? Do you want a private bathroom? Do you want sunny windows for passive solar heating? Do you want solar PV or solar hot water? You will again be examining your lifestyle when planning life in a smaller home. Be honest, and write it all down. If you are working with a space planner, interior designer, architect or contractor, they will ask you detailed questions about your needs, so be prepared. This is the first step!

Creating a budget for a smaller home

How much can you spend? Are you going to get a mortgage, or will you pay as you go? If you need a mortgage, get qualified before you do anything, so you can see what you can spend. What we want to spend and what we can spend are sometimes two completely different figures. The amount you qualify for will determine how much construction you can do.

Designing the smaller home

Now that we have the boring-yet-crucial stuff out of the way, let's talk about smaller home design.

1. Consider open plan
A home will feel bigger with an open floor plan. Walls chop up a space, and each room will feel cramped. Open up the kitchen/living/dining area, and create visual room dividers with arches or small columns, for example.

2. Lots of windows and natural light
Windows can be used to bring in natural light, which is more even and less choppy than artificial lighting. An attractive landscape view will carry the eye outside the building making a room feel larger. You can actually expand your living area outside with a well-planned landscape and outdoor rooms.

3. Create continuity with fewer types of flooring surfaces
Use the same flooring throughout the house, again, to avoid chopping the space up. The flooring will also carry the eye through to the next room. Someone will be curious to where the floor is flowing. Wood or tile flooring laid on a diagonal also creates the illusion of space in a smaller home.

4. Raised ceilings
A raised ceiling gives the sense of more room, although the floor space has not changed. If you live in a cold climate that needs winter heat for many months, I do not recommend this. Heat rises, and it will go right up into that empty space. A ceiling fan would help distribute it, but you will be using more fuel for heat, and you will not be as comfortable. If you want a raised ceiling, don't make it more than 9', a foot more than the standard 8' ceiling.

photo: familymwr

5. Create continuity with one color for ceilings and walls
The same goes for wall and ceiling paint. Keep one color on the walls throughout your open space, and it will feel much larger. A monochromatic color scheme, with different tints and shades of one color also deceives the eye. Light colors also give the illusion of space, but a contrasting accent wall can carry the eye across the room and create visual interest.

6. Properly scale the furniture to the room
You do not want a king size bed in a 10'x10' room. Neither do you want a large sectional sofa in a small living room. Furniture needs to be in balance with the size of the room in a smaller home. Aside from that, there are minimum requirements for human movement in a space. This is called anthropometric data. We need X number of feet and inches to move around and comfortably do activities associated with the various rooms. If you have a smaller room, you will need smaller furniture to allow for human needs.

7. Small or monochromatic textile patterns
Scale applies to textiles, too. Keep patterns small and unobtrusive with a monochromatic color scheme. Keep texture to a minimum. Draperies that run from ceiling to floor will carry the eye upward and give the illusion that there are big windows behind them.

8. Accessories should provide a seamless effect
Accessories should not be large, bright and shocking. Anything that interrupts the vision will immediately make a room feel small. You want the eye to travel around the room undisturbed for a sense of spaciousness.

From your floor plan right down to your accessories, you can design a small space to feel larger. In a small home, you will also have lower utility and maintenance costs, along with insurance and taxes. There are many benefits to designing small!

Smaller Home Design: 8 Steps to Success is a post from: BuildDirect. We cover a variety of home improvement products including laminate flooring, hardwood floors, bamboo flooring, tile, decking and more. We also offer a wide range of info on interior design, housing trends, home how to, green building and living, and more.

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  1. Interior Design Luxury On a Budget
  2. The Ideal Home Office In 6 Easy Steps
  3. Laundry Room Design Ideas

DIY единичный Doormat

Posted: 03 May 2011 08:45 AM PDT

Мы идем через много doormats на нашей доме. Между погодой, вне животных, и случайным вандалом, doormats кажется, что будет что-то мы всегда одеваем в список поставк. Это значит что мы часто устанавливает для наименьшего одиозного варианта везде, где мы случаемся быть… с тяжелым вниманием на скамье. Однако, после видеть эту быструю консультацию на желтом доме кирпича, мы начали думать длинний и трудный о делать наш собственный doormat. Процесс кажется просто достаточно -- вы находите простый doormat coir, тогда вынсить решение о тема или ищете ваша циновка. После этого, используя любому програмному обеспечению вы предпочитаете, печатаете вне ваш шаблон на тяжелое cardstock, и использование очень прямого лезвия для того чтобы отрезать его вне, сделайте восковку.

Дом Mendoza начинает проект плотности Eco!

Posted: 03 May 2011 05:00 AM PDT

The very first completed Laneway House in Vancouver attracted over 1000 visitors, with hour long back log times. The project ‘Mendoza House’ was created after local authorities in Vancouver aimed to encourage residents in certain areas to remove their garages so Laneway could build energy efficient housing in it’s space to increase resident density.

Lanefab designed and built ‘Mendoza House’ a team that is totally dedicated to custom projects. They currently have 9 in design, 5 in construction where 2 of these will be totally reliant on solar power. The team behind this remarkable new style of architecture are Mat Turner the builder and designer Bry Davidson where together they have 10 years practice in local building and green projects. Bry is now a sustainable housing consultant and specialist author in climate change and the deplation of oil.

This first Laneway home was built from Insulpan structural insulated panels, R40 value thermal resistant walls and R50 value size roof. The windows are triple glazed and made by Aaron windows who specialize in green windows, all hand made and the frames have a lifetime warranty. The lighting is natural and fluorescent and the paint and wood finishes all contain low VOC (Low in volatile compound).

The 710 sft home also has a portable cost effective cent – a – meter to monitor the electricity use, and automatic rain chains divert the rain water directly to the water planters. The home that stands on the original footprint of 33 x 122 sqf contains a living area, bathroom, kitchen and an upstairs balcony all with generous usable space.

Clever window placement allows the natural day light to pour in!

Great use of storage space!

All mod cons!

Triple glazed super insulated windows for life!

Low toxic VOC wood finishing, with clean lines!

The bathroom has an impressive high ceiling with a wood slatted floor on a concrete base!

Attention to detail!

Too plain or too perfect?

This first of many energy efficient homes of it’s kind has set a very high standard in the green building and architecture industry. Using locally sourced green materials with an open plan design and having a clean fresh finish offers a comfortable contemporary residence. Who would have known it used to house cars and junk instead of people?

The whole process of Mendoza House was followed step by step on social media website Facebook.

Landscaping и любимчики

Posted: 02 May 2011 12:00 PM PDT

photo: Jay Woodworth

Did you know that there are plants that are harmful to animals? If there are pets in the home that like to chew, it is a good idea to make a careful plan to avoid certain plants.

Part of a plant’s protective nature is to ensure that it continues to thrive by repelling predators. When animals are released into the yard, they may see flowers as an opportunity to munch on a new snack. With the wrong can of plants, they may wind up very sick or worse.

Some of the most beautiful plants tend to be the most harmful to pets, such as certain bulbs, wisteria, and azaleas. The flowers and leaves on these plants are highly toxic, so they need to be watched out for even when they are not in bloom.

There can be many hazards in the yard, including the mulch or bark used for a decorator’s touch. Many of these elements can make your pet very ill. So, what do you do to make sure that your garden and your pets live in harmony?

Choose plants that are safer for your pets

Landscaping and pets can actually be a harmonious set of considerations. If you do have that “chewer” and you still want a garden, consider annuals instead. Think about plants that seem to disappear when deer are around — plants such as petunias, pansies, angelonia, and bacopa. These plants are high-flowering annuals that add a lot of color, are very resistant to animal munching and are low maintenance for the gardener.

These plants are easy to plant, very cost effective and tend to have rapid growth, making them ideal for that perfect yard where your pet loves to roam. There are good plants like catnip that you can plant in your yard for that feline friend. Cats are highly attracted to this plant, and this could deter them from eating other delectable plants in your garden.

Landscaping and pets: preventative measures

This is also a good time to install borders or another type of hard-scape to help prevent your pet from reaching the plants. It is important to remember that if any pesticides have been used, to keep your pet away from that area. Or better yet; find ways of not using pesticides at all by choosing plants that naturally repel their native predators, without harming your pets.

Hanging plants are a great way to have those plants that you love, but that can’t hurt your pet. There are many types of pots available that will support larger plants that can be suspended. This is also a great idea if you do no have a large yard area to work with.

Be aware of your pet’s movements in your landscaped space

The best advice is to simply keep an eye on your pet while outdoors. Being aware of your pet’s habits, and interests in specific regions of your landscaped space can go a long way. For those areas where your pet is likely to explore, re-plant any problem plants in another location, or replace them entirely with more benign local varieties. Add tasteful fences and gates that are preventative and decorative, too.

Your best set of tools is your own creativity, and your attention to how your pet interacts with your landscaped area.

Landscaping and Pets is a post from: BuildDirect. We cover a variety of home improvement products including laminate flooring, hardwood floors, bamboo flooring, tile, decking and more. We also offer a wide range of info on interior design, housing trends, home how to, green building and living, and more.

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7 изумительных домашних напольных жизненных пространств, котор нужно воодушевить вас

Posted: 02 May 2011 09:00 AM PDT

It's that time of year again – time to prepare your outdoor space for summer. Over the last month or so, we’ve highlighted a number of ways to bring your outdoor living spaces to life. But, here are some shining examples from around the world.

If you need some inspiration, check out one of these amazing home outdoor spaces. Although these projects look cumbersome, if you're even a little bit handy you can do most of the work yourself.

***

Outdoor living space of their dreams

These homeowners spared no expense when transforming their empty dirt backyard into a gorgeous outdoor living space. The deck features gorgeous brickwork, a trellis for shade, outdoor furniture, an eating space, a hot tub and even a custom built water feature that includes a pond, stream and waterfalls.

***

Space for everyone

The pool is the centerpiece of this gorgeous backyard oasis but there is space for everyone. The BBQ center is designed for more than grilling; the layout allows the chef to interact with guests instead of being stuck in a corner. The eating area is set above the rest of the yard, which features a bridge over the pool, a private gazebo and a play area for the children.

***

Outdoor movie theater

Forget the media room; transform your entire backyard into an outdoor movie theater. That is exactly what happened on this episode of the DIY Network's Yard Crashers. A new set of steps made out of redwood and ledge stone leads visitors up to the hilltop retreat that features matching handmade redwood benches, a horseshoe pit and an outdoor movie screen.

***

The Outdoor Living Space Bachelor Pad

The team at Yard Crashers is back, this time transforming a poorly designed backyard into an outdoor living space bachelor pad. This new outdoor oasis in the middle of the Las Vegas desert features a stone fire pit, flagstone walkways, a bamboo cabana, an upgraded water feature and even an outdoor television that can handle the Vegas heat.

***

A colorful transformation

This colorful David Bromstad-designed backyard proves that you don't have to stick with earth tones to create a tranquil outdoor retreat. Bromstad's renovation features new pavers, a fire pit, ample outdoor seating and a bevy of flowers in cool purple and pink tones.

***

Million dollar backyard

No, really, this is a million dollar backyard. This Arizona family wanted to recreate the feeling of a Las Vegas poolside resort in their own backyard. One year and more than a million dollars later, they've realized their dream. This dream backyard features three pools, over $100,000 in boulders, close to $300,000 worth of plants, waterfalls, water sculptures, several fire pits and other fire features, a full outdoor kitchen, a putting green, streams, ponds and more. Obviously this isn't a DIY project but you can use their backyard for inspiration to come up with your own design.

***

Machu Picchu inspired

Peru's famous landmark, Machu Picchu, served as the inspiration for this three-tiered backyard. The yard features three key areas: a dining area, a relaxing retreat and a grassy play area for the children. A variety of flowers, succulents and fruit trees are spread amongst the boulders to give this backyard a distinct South American feel. The patio areas were transformed from old cracked concrete using flagstone pavers. Designing around a sloped backyard is challenging but this designer shows how you can work these challenges to your advantage.

***

So, there you have it, folks. Some great ideas; some ostentatious perhaps, and some actually quite elegant. But, as every great designer knows, your own vision for your outdoor living space can be inspired by nearly anything, even if your budgets and tastes are a little more modest.

The hardest part is figuring out where to buy all the materials. But you're in luck. We here at BuildDirect sell most of what you'll need to transform your outdoor space from blah to wow; pavers, decking, patio furniture, stone and porcelain tile, and more. Just let us know where to send the free samples of building materials you’ll need.

In any case, good luck with your projects! And once you’re done, if you have images in Flickr albums or videos of your own to share when they’re done, show them off here in the comments section of this post!

Cheers!

Rob.

7 Amazing Home Outdoor Living Spaces To Inspire You is a post from: BuildDirect. We cover a variety of home improvement products including laminate flooring, hardwood floors, bamboo flooring, tile, decking and more. We also offer a wide range of info on interior design, housing trends, home how to, green building and living, and more.

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