Category — Cool Homes

Multiple layered window treatments provide numerous benefits. You will save more energy easily. You even get to block out the light better, so that you can enjoy a peaceful, dark room when the mood fits. Although having a sweeping sheer drape can be nice from time to time, investing in shutters or blackout shades or other types of products can work well to give you warmth and added comfort. In addition, it creates a complete framing of the window. You get as much privacy as you want to have with this multiple layered look.

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I usually talk about large pieces of modern furniture like beds or bathroom vanities, but today, I’d like to take a moment to point you in the direction of some decorative accessories I stumbled across today:

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1. It feels totally cozy – doesn’t it feel like a warm family home? It sure does

2. A really nice rug – the rug, taking up 3/4 the width of the hall sits very well with the entire colour scheme, giving it a very clean and refreshing look. Whilst adding a focal point to the space, it does not dictate but complements the wooden floors and sofa.

3. Abundant natural light – Nothing like free day light thrown in from a window to provide ambience to the space. Having the sofas on the opposite end of the window allows just the right amount of light to bath its inhabitants and guests during the day.

4. Simple configuration with lots of free space – a sofa set, a coffee table, a bookshelf and some wall art as well as lamps to complete the hall yet leaving an adequate amount of space for the little ones to toddle around with their toys. This configuration allows the vastness of the space to be truly augmented

imagesource: freshome

Manchester United captain, Gary Neville, has recently just submitted plans to the city council for a carbon-free eco home within his estate. The entire house lives up to its carbon-free tag by being powered and sustained on a wind turbine. The plans for this home is said to be so advanced that the authorities might just use it as a blueprint for future carbon-free homes.

Despite now being well known for his lack of respect for scousers and the blue side of Manchester (specifically Carlos Tevez), the little United stalwart obviously has tremendous respect for mother earth and is doing his part to minimize his carbon footprint. It would be strange to call him a role model (no parent would teach their kids to gesture like Mr Neville… read about that here) but from a Green/Eco perspective, I think a lot of people could really look up to him and what he’s trying to do.

Of course, having deep pockets really eases the cause. Then again, we don’t see all the celebs and footballers digging in to buy electric cars or building eco homes. Commendable, Mr Neville.

Fun fact: The Neville brothers dad’s name is Neville Neville.

via greenconstructionuk

This house is anything but simple. It’s extravagant, loud, posh, and definitely not subtle. Designed by Nico Van Der Meulen Architects, The Glass House is located in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The owner’s requirements: A glamorous contemporary open-plan light-filled house that offers a view to the garden from every room

Did the Nico folks achieve it? Heck, yeah! There is so much beauty from the complexity in its design that just captivates you. It may be a bit too much to take but boy is it a dazzling piece of architectural work. I’ll leave you with images from HDF

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What happens when a prominent Malaysian family decides that it’s time to upgrade the family home? Here’s what the YTL family did – hire a French design firm, Jouin Manku, spend 45m, and get the following results:

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This is a new feature in which I display a picture of a nice home or part of a nice home and tell you what I like about what the owners have done to it

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