Posts from — September 2010

What exactly is a conservatory? A conservatory is typically a glass and metal structure traditionally found in the gardens of large houses or public parks. However, these days, conservatories are commonly used as ‘extensions’ to the home, housing plants and greenery for home improvement purposes.

Whilst it is not so common in Malaysia, conservatories are highly common in temperate countries such as the United Kingdom. Glass is the key material to an effective conservatory to allow the right amount of sunlight in for optimum plant growth. Some of the more popular variants to which the glass paneling is implemented are the dwarf wall, raised panel and full height panel options. Both the dwarf wall and raised panel options allow for the conservatory to have a solid non-glass base whilst the full height panel option has glass install from floor to ceiling, allowing maximum light.

Common styles include Victorian, Edwardian, P-shaped and the Double Hipped. More modern implementations usually lean towards the Double Hipped. If you’re thinking about having a conservatory in your home, a really great resource would be Conservatory Prices. The guys at the site have done a great job creating a one-stop centre for home owners looking to build conservatories, especially in the UK. From a knowledge perspective, the site provides you with a simply blog to better understand conservatories – the benefits and aspects of implementation. The site also offers its users the facility to get quotes for a conservatory based on your input and specifications.

If that’s not enough, they are also big on the DIY conservatories scene, allowing its users to create their own conservatories by providing DIY packages which help ease the implementation in terms of effort and time. One day, when I have the opportunity to build my house from the ground up, I’ll be certain to include a conservatory with a very cozy patio set smack in the middle of it and sunlight coming from the sides and top. Remember, a conservatory doesn’t necessarily have to house plants – you could frost out the glass and use it as a living space basked in natural sunlight.

Creating a living room design that is stylish and functional takes planning and creativity.  Start by picking out the key colors of the room.  Those colors then need to be included in the pieces throughout the room.  Besides a common color theme, repeating a pattern to complete a living room design will help add visual interest and personality to a space.  Patterns are easy to incorporate into a room and allow the homeowner to showcase an interest or hobby.  The tips below provide suggestions on how to include the pattern in the various aspects of the living room without overpowering the space.

Furniture and Fabric
Most furniture in a functional and versatile living room will be a solid color.  This provides the perfect backdrop for repeating a pattern to complete a living room design.  If, for example, the pattern is that of a ship’s anchor, throw pillows in coordinating colors with either a large anchor design or an anchor printed fabric would be ideal. A throw blanket draped across the back of a chair in an anchor design would also help pull the pattern throughout the room.  Experiment with anchors in different fabrics.  Although the pattern should be the same, the texture of the fabric can be different.  For instance, a soft, breezy curtain embroidered with anchors works just as well as a chenille bolster with an anchor patch sewn onto it in creating consistency of pattern in the room.  Experiment with different fabrics and different size anchors to create a cohesive space.

Accessories
Accessories are a great and easy way to pull a pattern into a room.  In the case of anchors, a nautical style lamp or clock with an anchor somewhere on it would create a repeating pattern that draws the eye around the room.  A ceramic bowl with anchors painted on the sides and filled with seashells would make a beautiful focal point if placed on the living room coffee table.  Curtain hooks, a throw rug in front of the fire place and switch plates could all carry and repeat the anchor pattern.  Be careful, however, when accessorizing with a pattern.  Too much of a pattern can create a crowded and almost gaudy look, whereas too little does nothing to accentuate the room.  Finding the perfect balance between the two can be challenging.

Walls
Do not forget to use the walls to repeat a pattern in the living room.  Hand-painted picture frames with small anchors detailing their corners, a clock with an anchor on it or a real anchor hanging above the fireplace mantle, all work to repeat the pattern.  Wallpaper can also be used when decorating with a pattern, however it is a more permanent decorating solution.  Painted stencils used at the ceiling or chair rail height add visual interest to the room and help carry the pattern throughout the room.  Do not forget the walls, but also be careful not to overwhelm them with the pattern.

Repeating a pattern to complete a living room design is a fun way to accent the room with a central theme.  Shopping for just the right pieces is as much fun as seeing the finished room.  The hardest part of the project will be deciding which pattern should be repeated.

Artist, Jessica Ackerman, is a consultant with WallDecorandHomeAccents.com and describes how to decorate with large wall cross and metal fish wall hanging.

When we talk about remodeling our homes to be more environmentally friendly, we often focus on using bamboo flooring. However, there are many other beautiful building and home products made of bamboo, in addition to  floors. Here are a few ideas regarding how you can incorporate bamboo into nearly any renovation or remodeling project.

Bamboo Countertops. Bamboo is a tough and resilient building material, which explains why it is so useful as a type of flooring. Nonetheless, due to this durability and versatility, it is also an excellent choice for a kitchen or bathroom counter as well. It will never expand or shrink, like most wood selections. In addition, it is relatively inexpensive, so it is an excellent alternative to more costly granite or marble countertops. You can add specially made cutting boards made of bamboo as well, which eliminate any chance of chemicals or slivers in your food when you cut food products. Bamboo cutting boards can even be custom-built directly into the countertop itself.

Similarly, bamboo cabinets make a great addition to any kitchen, bathroom, garage, or other room that needs cabinet space. They are long lasting and durable, in addition to being stylish and beautiful. Bamboo building products are very unique, and a distinctive option not chosen by nearly as many people as one would think, considering all of the benefits offered.

Bamboo furniture is a popular idea for outdoor rooms and spaces, but can also be used to design a beautiful and exotic indoor area as well. It looks great in the living room, kitchen, dining room, bathroom, and even bedrooms. There are many different types of furniture that can be designed from bamboo building products. The most common options include dressers, armoires, trunks or foot lockers, couch/loveseat frames, chairs, headboard and/or footboard, and much more.

Choosing bamboo furniture is a great idea for people who want a lot of value and functionality in addition to environmentally friendly building ideas. They are durable, sturdy, and reliable, while still being very attractive and comfortable. Most furniture retail stores offer bamboo furniture, so be sure and ask about what is offered in your area when you are shopping for bamboo products.

Obviously, bamboo accessories are another great option, and can be found in dozens of online and traditional retailers all over the world. From picture frames to unique lamps, wall art, and even fireplace mantels, decorating with bamboo is almost as easy as remodeling with bamboo. In fact, most of us own at least one item that is either made of bamboo, or made with bamboo combinations or amalgamations.

Bamboo is a beautiful and durable building material that offers a great way to protect the environment without sacrificing something attractive. It can add value to your home, which is important regardless of whether you are trying to sell or considering selling in the future. Reducing our carbon footprint is important, and this is just another excellent way to make a better type of lasting impression on the world around us. We can all join in the green efforts with bamboo products, not just for floors, but also for the whole house.

Jessica Ackerman is a freelance writer and works for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com. She shares her wealth of knowledge on fish wall sculpture and outdoor wall clocks.

Remodeling Magazine’s 2009-2010 survey of remodeling projects shows that, when measuring for return on investment (ROI), seven of the top ten projects involved exterior improvements. The report also broke down improvement projects by region, and replacing home siding was a top-rated project in almost every part of the country. But which siding type is best in your neck of the woods?

Siding choice depends on budget

Remodeling Magazine found that vinyl siding replacement was a top choice for lower-budget renovations. These projects typically cost less than $15,000 and returned an average of just over 80% of their cost. Lower budget projects are popular in the current economic environment, and most upscale renovations ranked well down the list for ROI. However, fiber-cement siding cost versus benefit was the notable exception, with an ROI of 83.6 percent, placing it in second place overall in the survey and above vinyl siding. Fiber cement siding prices run about $1 per square foot more than vinyl siding. Fiber cement siding costs up to $2.50 per square foot less than wood siding, up to $11 per square foot less than brick siding, and as much as $26 per square foot less than natural stone siding.

Siding and insurance and tax savings

In addition to a potentially healthy return on investment when you sell your property, siding replacement may net you some savings on homeowner’s insurance or local tax breaks. This depends on what kind of siding you are replacing, if the replacement is considered energy-saving or green, and what hazards (fire? termites?) are common to your area. In Maryland, for example, improvements considered energy-saving (like adding insulation) can get you up to $1,500 in tax credits.

And while fire-resistant siding may lower your fire insurance bill, it might increase overall cost in other ways. Replacing siding could up your home’s value and the replacement cost, according to insurance expert Ryan Hurlbert, which could lead to a slightly more expensive policy. “It’s hard to make a statement that applies nationally; if there are discounts or tax credits, they are local, and you have to ask someone local,” he said.

Fiber cement sought after where fire is a factor

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The Aerobed Pakmat, perfect for folks with bad backs, suitable for bringing along on outdoor camping trips, and a great guest bed for those in small dwellings where a proper guest bed is out of the question due to space constraints. So what exactly is so cool about the Aerobed Pakmat?

It stores the entire inflatable mattress within the pump itself – which is great in terms of space saving as well a really ingenious way to protect the mattress from punctures. The Aerobed folks claim that it takes only a minute to fully inflate the Pakmat.

A little steep for USD99 but a pretty magnificent innovation. It’s the sort of thing you’d buy then plan a camping trip so you could use it.

Sundials are devices used in ancient cultures to determine time. The more commonly known sundial is the horizontal variety, where the sun casts a shadow from its style (typically a thin straight rod). Time is told based on the shadow cast on the markings – which indicate the hours of the day. As the sun progressively moves throughout the day, the shadow’s coverage moves along the flat surface of the sundial to indicate different hours of the day. In order for sundials to tell the correct time, the style must face true north.

This clever invention comes in several popular variations – horizontal sundials, vertical sundials, armillary sundials, equatorial sundials etc – each serving the same purpose but based on different build concepts. Widely used for its actual purpose – to tell time – in ancient civilisations, the sundial is largely used today for decorative purposes whilst serving a minor practical functionality.

Similar to birdbaths, sundials are perfect for placement in open gardens which receive adequate sunlight reach. They come in many designs these days from simple to extravagantly detailed. Although not largely a common addition to gardens in Asia, sundials can definitely add a touch of class to any garden and be an instant talking point with your guests. 1001sundials.com is a great retail site hosting a large variety of sundials for sale online if you’re on the look out for a sundial for the home

**latest update – 3 Sep 2010**

The folks from Tboox have announced that users from howshouse.com only merely need to inform them verbally or email them at admin@tboox.com mentioning ‘howshouse’ and they will provide a 15% discount + free delivery off purchases!!! Ain’t that great?

The parcel that was delivered was simply delightfully packaged. On one side, it read ‘NEVER OVERSLEEP AGAIN’; on another, ‘ALARM CLOCK ON WHEELS’. I’ve read about Clocky in foreign tech sites some time ago, where its claim to fame is that it runs away from you when the alarm goes off so that you’ll have to physically get up to locate it and shut the alarm off.

Some say this is an annoying way to be woken up but others swear by it helping them get up on time for important meetings and interviews. I used to be a really heavy sleeper – my friends from uni can testify to this claim as they have seen me sleep through 25 missed calls, had the joy to slapping me across the face on occasion to get me to wake up, and had extreme peace within the household when I’m asleep and not singing off key. However, these days, I’m no longer the ‘log’ sleeper that I was and I wake easily to my cellphone’s alarm. Oh, how I wish I’d met you earlier, Clocky

Full review after the jump

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Estelle Sauvage – ECAL graduate – pays tribute to the 100w lightbulb, an item once prevalent in many European homes some time ago that is no longer for sale in certain countries, replaced by its energy saving equivalents. Up to 90% of energy in a traditional lightbulb is wasted and Estelle built her kettle design around this concept, by harnessing this otherwise wasted energy – to make tea in style.

Her design uses an incandescent lightbulb mounted on a wooden base coupled with a glass jug with a deep recess that fits right over the lightbulb. Switched on, the heat from the lightbulb slowly heats the jug/kettle up to 90 degrees celcius – not enough to boil water, but adequate for making your afternoon tea.

A very novel way to making tea for your guests and a very clever tribute to the incandescent bulb