All of home

Saturday 8 December 2007

Art of Interior Designing Solutions

Interior design is the art of applying the knowledge of interior space, with the manipulation of spatial volume and surface treatment application. Interior space design draws on aspects of environmental psychology, interior architecture design, product design and furniture design in addition to traditional decoration. An interior designer is a person who is an experienced professional in the area of interior design or one who designs interiors as part of their job requirements.

Modern Interior design is a creative practice that analyzes programmatic information, establishes a conceptual direction, refines the design direction, and produces graphic communication and construction documents.

After a design layout has been finalized, the interior designer will start specifying the materials, finishes, and furnishings required, such as furniture, lighting, flooring, wall covering, and artwork. Depending on the complexity of the design project, the designer will need to prepare drawings and submit them for architectural review which later requires approval by a construction inspector to ensure that the design is equivalent with all applicable building codes. If a design needed any structural work, the designer will need to work with an architect or engineer for that part of the project. Most designs also requires hiring of contractors to complete technical task such as lighting, electrical wiring or plumbing,. If required, the designer will select qualified contractors and write up work contracts.

Interior decoration is the art of decorating a rooms of house so that it looks attractive, easy to use, and functional well with the existing design architecture. The aim of interior decoration is to provide a unique "feel" in the room; basicallyit encompasses applying wallpaper, painting walls and other surfaces, choosing furniture and fittings, such as light fixtures, floorings and providing other decorations such as paintings, sculptures and carpets.

Interior decoration in delhi is performed professionally by certified interior decorators VSA SPACE DESIGN.

About the Author: Aida Holt is an Authorized Author for Vsa Space Design

Natural Cork Flooring

With the myriad of flooring types available, shoppers tend to lean toward those that are most popular at the time. Unfortunately, this practice can cause a consumer to miss out on some great flooring options.

One of these hidden gems is cork flooring. Imagine a floor covering that is attractive, comfortable, environmentally friendly, durable and affordable. When most people think of cork, they think of a wine bottle or a cork board, and due to this lack of consumer awareness, this product is commonly overlooked. In order to appreciate this material, you really need to understand its unique characteristics.

Origin

Cork is actually the bark of the cork oak tree found in the Mediterranean. Portugal is the largest supplier with over 30% of the world's cork trees and 70% of the world's cork production. Every nine years the bark is harvested by hand with the average tree yielding about 4,000 corks.

The bark is honeycomb in nature, containing 90% air that can be compressed to 40% and then quickly returning to its original shape. This feature creates a natural shock absorber.

Benefits

Due to its air like composition, walking on cork is like walking on air. Its comfortable walking surface is perfect for kitchens where you are standing for lengthy periods of time.

Cork has a natural beauty with a rich, varying grain, similar to wood. It also comes in many different patterns and tile sizes from various manufacturers.

The same feature that makes the floor comfortable creates a natural noise reducer. It's extremely quiet to walk on and reduces the impact if an object is dropped on its surface. It's insulating effect make cork a great choice in a bathroom over radiant floor heating or even installed over cold concrete floors.

Cork is an environmentally friendly product in many ways. Since the bark from the tree grows back nine years after harvest, it's a reusable and sustainable product. It also contains suberin, a substance that is resistant to insects, mold and protects cork from rotting when exposed to moisture. Suberin is naturally fire resistant and cork doesn't release any toxic gases when it burns.

The durability of cork makes it a perfect choice for virtually any room in the house, including those high traffic areas. It has been successfully used in churches and other public buildings since 1898.

Disadvantages

Due to its resilience, heavy furniture can dent the flooring, so it's important to use castors or furniture pads under table legs. Just as with wood, an excess of water can damage the finish. It shouldn't be used where you have problems with moisture or flooding.

Costs

The cost of cork flooring compares to high-end laminate or hardwood and runs approximately $4 to 6$ per square foot.

Maintenance

Cork floors are extremely easy to maintain with regular sweeping or vacuuming. Damp mop the floor monthly with a mild detergent and very little water and avoid using abrasive or ammonia-based cleaning products.

The flooring requires up to five coats of urethane sealer, which will last several years. A dulling floor can be refreshed with another coat.

About the Author:

Visit Land on Water Realty, your one-stop resource for Myrtle Beach real estate. Have all your questions answered by Preston Guyton, a professional Myrtle Beach Realtor.

The Importance of Home Alarm System

We always want our family to be safe. It is one of the most important things to us. But when we need to go to work for our family and upon leaving the house, we want to know that they are protected from harm. To be able to have a security to our houses, we should look into home alarm system. Aside from it is affordable to have a home alarm system, but it is well worth the expense when we know the benefits it gives of keeping our family and home safe.

Why do we need a home alarm system? Having a good home alarm system will lessen or definitely decrease our chances of intruders and thieves from getting into our houses. If we have a home alarm, and when intruders or thieves broke in and the alarm went off then they will probably have no time to hang around too long and so they would get less of our valuable items.

How does it work? Let us say, one of the sensors installed are triggered, then the security company will call the home owner and verify the emergency. The security company will alert the police, paramedics, or fire department to come to your property for the assistance. But if you do not respond to the call, the company will send out police to check out the situation. You can also include surveillance cameras for ultimate protection. Surveillance cameras are used for those who hire unsupervised people such as home cleaners and babysitters to ensure that they are receiving adequate services.

Will it cost a lot of money? Home alarm system is very affordable. Having a home alarm system will let us save on insurance costs as well. Some insurance companies offer a discount on the policy when decided to install an alarm system. Besides there are products of good quality that we can purchase. Try to do some research over the Internet or ask someone who have their home alarms installed in their houses. A little bit of research will yield rich rewards and set you on the path to making an informed decision. Purchasing a home alarm system does not end with having an alarm installed on the property. You will be paying a monthly fee that will provide you with 24 hour home monitoring from the company’s monitoring centers. Would you still mind the price when you know the benefits it gives you?

May we put in our minds that it is better to be safe then sorry when it comes to the safety of our family. Intruders and thieves are almost everywhere, it is just right for us to be extra careful. If you decided to purchase a home alarm system, then you will see that there really is not a single downside. Sure you and your family will enjoy the continuous 24 hour protection, be at home and protected properly and possibly saving your life. The feeling of security will give you and your family peace of mind everyday.

About the Author: Allison Jane Perez is working as a webmaster and as an online marketer.

Tuesday 4 December 2007

bathroom in wood. Part two.

Bathtubs with this structure look more than stylish, and, as a rule, keep to the strict minimalism. Most commonly they are a part of designers' collections, where besides them are present a wooden wash basin, receptor, wall panels and accessories, which allows to create a completely finished image of a bathroom space as a whole.

The third and most popular type of wooden bathtubs radically differs from all the preceding. In the first place their main feature is not a stylish modern bathroom design, but something quite the contrary. They are deliberately archaic, cottage style, which attracts none the less, and sometimes even stronger, than the quaint but a little cold minimalism. These are really direct heirs of those same primitive small tubs and bathtubs, in which in all continents and all history the mankind have been bathing.

The bathroom production technology for these bathtubs is at the same time simple and complicated. On the one hand, they are direct descendants of a cask, because they represent a bottom and sides, made of separate boards, fixed by copper or brass bands. The tightness is reached mainly by precise adjustment of all elements to each other, and use of modern sealers is only an auxiliary factor. The method of waterproof wood processing here is approximately the same as with casks.

The form of the bathtubs of this type is usually circular or oval, which is determined by production peculiarities. Tubs strongly remind their prototype, and look like supernormal casks. All in all, for example, "an ofuro" bathtub in a modern version practically doesn't differ from those in which in their times lavished samurais after battles.

By the way, bathtubs and fonts, created after a fashion and style of a cask, are equipped by hydro and air-massage, which makes them even more attractive. And it's in the first instance not a designer's whim or a stylish decoration of the interior, but rather a pragmatic thing, devised to be constantly exploited in a usual regime. But don't indulge a vain hope - bathtubs-casks are not that cheap.

Drawbacks and unquestionable benefits.
Feelings, bestowed by bathing in tender and natural ancient hugs of a wooden bathtub, are incomparable. It's really the thing for which it is worth to take certain expenditures, sacrifices and efforts. What can be matched with a pleasure of touching a polished rich wood... The delight is intensified by a subtle aesthetics of the event. The aura emanated by a live wood block, can't be imitated or faked. Contrary to the wide-spread opinion, it's now technically possible to build in a wooden bathtub hydro and air-massage systems, and also to equip them with chromotherapy appliances. Nevertheless, a number of rather strict restrictions do exist.

As we know, the functions of bathtubs in our houses are often not limited to their direct purpose and are somewhat widened, i.e. people not only bathe in there themselves but wash their four-legged friends. So well, in case of a wooden bathtub it's absolutely out of the question.

One must choose cosmetics with a special thoroughness. Caring and cleaning a precious article should be done strictly in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Properly, for major hygienic procedures, one should better have a separate shower-cabin, and leave the bathtub exclusively for pleasure and relaxation, and as far as possible not use it severely. Strange as it might sound, it's too good for its direct purpose, that is, for simple bathing.. .

There is no telling, that now wood together with cast iron, acrylic and steel is a usual material for manufacturing bathtubs. It's still another item, it's chic. But a wooden bathtub cannot be considered a special exotics, a rare exclusion from common rules, like it was several years ago. And if only recently there existed only one or two models, and each was a unique rarity, now producers of costly bathroom fixtures have formed a sufficiently big offer, and in various bathroom style solutions at that. This, of course, is expensive, and will be always expensive, but where there's a wish to possess a desired new bathroom design, no other obstacles exist!

bathroom in wood. Part one.

For many years there occurs in a modern bathroom a silent battle between necessary practicalities and designers' ideas. Now and again people place there something out of the common. One of the demonstrative examples of this kind might be a bathtub, made of a natural wood. By some reason, we believe that water and wood are incompatible. But let's remember ancient small tubs, casks and troughs. Well, we might consider a wooden bathtub a distant descendant of its archaic ancestors, and it looks into the future with quite confidence.

Surely, wood is not too fit for making bathroom fixtures, but a general trend to sacrifice more functionality for glamorous exterior brought blocks of rich woods back to circulation. Moreover, a certain role was played by a change in the social outlook, and by the aspiration to bring to one's life more of naturalness and, of course, a fashion for all real. As a result, wood has become a terrific lure for effeminate consumer. A possibility to have in one's bathroom a rare, stylish and actually symbolic object has totally compensated for some non-practicality and complicity of care.

Not only wooden bathtub, but stylish bathtub.
During several last centuries practically all the vessels, which crossed the expanses of the seas and oceans of the Earth, were being built only from wood. This centuries old experience was picked up by the modern producers of wooden bathtubs. They use for their production only those species of woods, which naturally possess a high stability towards moister attack, like teak wood blocks, mahogany, wenge wood, larch, i. e. those, which historically were most valued by shipbuilders. A costly and sophisticated modern bathroom technology, with the help of which the bathtubs are protected from ruinous impact of moisture, is a fruit of handling development for ships and yachts hulls. A special chic is in trying to preserve wood in its primeval beauty, to minimize all perceptible coatings. Smooth and streamlined, these bathtubs are made from excellently fitting fragments, they are polished and in some cases covered with additional varnish, and as a result, they form an absolutely whole structure. A beautiful texture of the block becomes a further decorative factor. Naturally, every producer keeps the details in secret.

But some secrets leak out.
Bathtubs by their exterior often remind graceful barks and yachts. An interesting fact: one of Italian factories, which in its time built yachts, was now retrofitted to produce bathtubs!

Very logical that this very outline has become one of the most popular among designers. These bath tubs are especially good for new bathroom designs, styled in such popular now trends as Zen, ambient and minimalism. They not only daintily accomplish the interior, but called in the first place to attract major attention namely to themselves, and they are the main style-forming factor in the bathroom all in all. Usually, such a bathtub is placed in the middle of a bathroom, often on a podium, so as to arrest the attention of all who enter.

The other rather widespread types are massive rectangular bathtubs, performed from a block of natural wood, or specially treated plywood. It might seem at the first glance that they must be not that comfortable, but it's not true. In order that a person felt comfy inside such a fairly hard and deep rectangular structure, a smoothly bent bed with a headrest is placed there.

Winter Checkup Priority: Heater Installation

Opposed to warm air systems like forced air heaters, radiant heaters delivers the source of heat to the floor level — not the ceiling — and it doesn’t stir up allergens or dusts. It is the oldest form of heating used to provide comfort and it is the basis for all and yet the most desired method for delivering comfortable, natural and efficient heat in our homes.
From the days of Ancient Rome, then the adaptation of the Koreans, to this date: most radiant floor heating follows the Frank Lloyd Wright method of routing hot water through pipes in the flooring to add heat during cold climate. And now that the winter season is up, here are some basic ideas for heating installations.
If you're considering a radiant floor heating system, you can choose between electric and water (hydronic) systems and might want to consider whether the installation will be 'wet' (embedded in a concrete slab or lightweight concrete) or 'dry' (attached on top or beneath the subfloor or sandwiched between two layers of subflooring). The right choices will depend on whether you're dealing with new or existing construction, the type of finish floor you have or wish to install, energy costs in your area, and how much you're willing to spend.

A well-designed radiant heat system with a 96% efficient condensing boiler, indirect water heater, Pex tubing, stainless steel, brass manifolds and other necessary equipment to install it will normally cost not less than $3 per square foot.

WINTER CHECKLIST FOR YOUR HEATERS

The BEST time to check your heating system is in the Fall, no later than the end of October; this way it will save you time and energy.

• Test run — turn the thermostat to heat mode and set it to 80 degrees just for testing. Your heater is functioning properly when you hear the furnace turn on and the warm air blows within a few minutes. If it is running okay, you can turn the thermostat back to its normal setting. If in case, the heater is not running properly, you can try diagnosing it yourself using a troubleshooting manual provided by the manufacturer or you can call a heating contractor for help.

• Seasonal Maintenance – The secret of a properly working appliance is to using it accordingly. Turn on the heater at least twice a month for system check-ups.

• Just like your air conditioning system, make sure that you replace a new clean air filter.

• Hire a professional and credible heating contractor in your local area. Not all troubleshooting is translated in the manual. You need an expert’s opinion if something goes wrong with your system, so make sure you have someone just a phone call away.

HEATING CONTRACTORS

There are many available companies that offer heating installations. Whether you are about to build a radiant heat panel for your new home or add a radiant heat system to your house for remodeling, your local heating contractor can help you with your project. If you want to know more about the heating installation, please click this site that services radiant heaters.

Choosing the Right Colors For Your Walls

I am an interior designer and student of personal growth. I absolutely love working with fabrics and color. I find that color is the one denominator that can radically change a room from ho-hum to stunning. Color is what gives your home the warmth and comfort. It does not have to be wild, strong colors. They can be very soft and soothing colors.

However for many, choosing the correct color to paint their walls is a terrifying experience. They may have chosen beautiful fabrics for their home, but when it comes to the walls it is like a different animal. I really can see why a paint chip 2” x 2” is a little unsettling. I have gone into homes where they have purchased a dozen different colors and painted a 1’ x 1’ (if I’m lucky) strip on the wall all lined up like ducks in a row. No wonder this is confusing.

First, when you are sampling paint colors, you need to apply a strip that is at least 3’ x 3’ so you can get a clear picture of the color in a large volume. Also paint that same color in several different areas of the room, some in sun light and some in shade. You will be amazed at how different colors look when influenced by light. Colors will also change during the different times of day. You will think it is a totally different color from morning to evening. If you are considering several different colors, spread them out in different areas of the room so you can look and evaluate each color individually without the influence of your other options. Don’t over analyze the color just live with it over a few days and let your emotions make your decision. You’ll know when you feel it.

Now to what color. Before you chose, you need to ask yourself “do I want my walls to be the background to support all my beautiful fabrics, furniture, art, and rugs?” or “do I want my walls colors to be an intricate part of the color pallet by adding color?” If you want your walls to be a background color, you should stick will neutral tones. This does not necessarily mean off white. Neutrals range from light tones of beige, taupe, tan, and sage greens to darker tones as chocolate, mocha, ochre, rust, and moss green. If you’re looking for the walls to add a color statement, the color should be determined after you have decided on an entire color plan for your home. Usually choose the color that you feel you can enjoy in large doses. The next question you need to ask yourself is “how light or dark (the value) do I want my walls?” If you find you gravitate toward soft pastels in your wardrobe and enjoy the quieter side of colors, lighter value colors will appeal to you. If you enjoy richer and bolder tones, darker values will appeal to you better. A very important factor to keep in mind is the amount of natural light the room receives. With a lot of natural light, you can usually go one value darker than you would think. Obviously, the opposite applies with a room that receives little light.

Have you determined your color plan for your home yet? If not, select two colors that you naturally enjoy from your upholstery fabrics, art work, area rugs or drapery fabrics. Also select an accent color, your “passion or hot” color, usually red, wine, rust or orange. This is now your color plan. If you have determined that you want your wall colors to be the background, select a neutral that works with your color plan. Find a neutral that compliments your flooring color, cabinet and counter tops. If you want your walls to add color, select one of the easier colors you can enjoy in quantity. Remember, color goes a long way on a wall. It is in large volume. You may choose to paint your entire home a single color or select two colors to paint different rooms or accent walls. Accent walls are usually your focal point wall. I recommend that you change your values (light or dark) if you are using a single color. It gives your room more interest and dimension.

I am a big believer in also painting your ceiling. It covers a mass amount of volume and adds great warmth, so why keep in white. Usually your ceilings are a lighter value of the walls if they are less than 9’ in height. If over 9’, you may choose a darker value. Very high ceilings definitely need the darker tones to bring the room into a more personal scale. If you are choosing to paint two colors in different rooms, I recommend selecting a neutral color to use throughout all the rooms. This will usually mirror the floor and give the home a more unifying feeling.

I like to keep all my trim and doors white because white makes the colors stand out nice, clean and crisp.

About the Author: About the Author: Sheri Falcone is a novice author, interior designer and entrepreneur who enjoys helping others achieve their dreams, be it their homes or building financial freedom with her personal development business, www.setnolimits.info. This business system provides all the tools you will need to create greater prosperity. Her enthusiasm is contagious and she believes laughter and appreciation are our emotional healers. If you live in San Diego and would like a color consultation, please call 858 577-0025.