Home & Garden

You’ve designed your new home to the exact specifications you want. There’s never been a home like your custom-designed home. Congratulations! Now you need to call a heating and air contractor and have him go over your plans and advise you of your heating and air needs.

Of all the systems in your home heating and air ranks at the top of the list in importance to your overall comfort. If you are building your home in an area that experiences long, cold winters you will need to make certain that every area of your home is toasty warm and comfortable. Air conditioning needs are most important to the owner who lives in hot, dry climates.

Whatever your needs may be, a heating and air contractor in your region is familiar with the equipment and accessories you’ll need to make your home as comfortable as possible. A contractor can determine the size furnace you need to adequately provide heat and air conditioning for the area of your home. He can suggest the best equipment on the market to help reduce the need for heating repair or furnace repair because he knows the reputation of the manufacturers. Energy-efficient equipment can save you up to 30% on your heating costs per year.

A heating and air contractor is knowledgeable in heating design. The best design will heat and cool your home comfortably and save you money at the same time. Energy efficiency is the number one concern for home owners. For example, you may plan to have your attached garage heated and cooled along with the rest of your house. A contractor can give you the advice you need to determine if it is worth the heating and cooling costs plus the extra ductwork or furnace conversions you may need.

The contractor will obtain the necessary permits from the local government to install your heating and air conditioning system. He will also inspect the work after it has been installed to insure the work is done correctly and to eliminate any surprises. A contractor can advise you of the best windows, doors, and siding to install to keep your home warmer and cooler. This kind of advice is usually asked of contractors who install these doors, windows, and siding but your heating contractor can give you a better recommendation without bias.

You will also need to take into consideration that you will need future heating and air conditioning repairs. Choose a contractor who has an A-1 reputation for quality repairs and service. Your heating and air conditioning contractor should be in on the very beginning of your plans for a new home. He can advise how to have the best energy efficient system possible that will provide comfort and help you save money.

The need to live a healthier lifestyle is something more and more of us are becoming aware of. We are constantly bombarded by the media with shows informing us of the dangers of being overweight, other shows telling us how lose it and more still telling us how fabulous we look and feel when we lose it. Obviously there is much more involved in being healthy than simply losing a little weight but you understand my meaning. As our homes are where we spend most of our time, they should do all they can to help us achieve our health goals.

The most obvious starting point is to install a home gym. If you have a bedroom going spare, a few mirrors and a spot of white paint and matching roller blind and a laminate floor covered with rubber matting should freshen things up in preparation for some exercise equipment. Ideally if you want to install a treadmill, a downstairs room would be better suited due to the loud vibrations caused. If this isn’t an option, try an elliptical machine or cross trainer- both run much smoother and therefore make less noise- they also have the added benefit of providing a whole body workout rather than lower body only, as is the case of the treadmill.

As for the rest of the house, wooden or tiled flooring should is preferable to carpeting as they hold less dust which can lead to mites and create breathing problems- especially in the case of asthmatics. For similar reasons, pets should be kept out of bedrooms.

Make sure your home is clutter free and has lots of obvious places to chill out and re-energize. Cover these areas in blankets, throws, bean bags and cushions- the purpose of the area should be utterly unmistakable.

Paint can now be bought with less toxins and more natural ingredients. Not only is this good for your well being it is also kinder to the environment.

Health however is not only a physical thing; you also need to look after your mental health. Using lighter shades around the house will keep your spirits lifted, and adding colour and texture in the form of soft furnishings and paintings will really increase mental stimulation.

An open plan with lots of window space will allow lots of natural light into the house which is vital for mental well being. Dress your windows with horizontal blinds which allow you to maintain an element of privacy whilst still allowing sunlight to enter. Choosing blinds over curtains also increases the “wipeability” of your home- important for keeping it dust free.

A home which provides us with a setting for socialising will do wonders for our well being. Human contact is proven to be a great mood buster so invest in a large dining room table and make lots of use of it. Also arrange your sitting room around socializing NOT THE T.V.!

Lastly, include lots of plants around the home. Plants take the CO2 we breathe out and replace it with oxygen…which is fairly important I think you’ll agree.

 

Rugs, like all pieces of furniture you buy or decorating you do, are style statements you have to literally live with so it’s important that you make the right choice first time around. Otherwise you’ll feel a little dissatisfied each and every time you step into the room where your rug resides.

The two main styles of rug provide different angles to design and make different statements about someone’s personality but within each category there are a whole plethora of patterns to be seen and choices to be made.

Traditional rugs are still very popular with their earthy tones and rustic feel and tend to be used to make a room feel more imposing while bringing a certain warmth and homeliness to many a family home. There are a variety of patterns, many of which feature vine-work or interleaving geometric shapes and these rugs are generally chosen by someone looking for a more refined ambience.

The second of the most common rug types feature more modern designs and often have a very urban feel to them. They are classed in a broad way by the term “contemporary rugs” but this really includes anything that counters the traditional style by including more vibrant colour and more chaotic patterns. There are not many rules when it comes to contemporary rug design and patterns can sometimes stop mid-flow or be segregated into areas between which lie clean crisp lines, giving a fresh feel.

There are also rugs which try to cross the borders of these two design schools which are colourful but fall short of the complex patterns seen in either style. They are sometimes considered to be very homely and used mainly as a bringer of warmth and comfort to a room. They are there to fit the natural flow of a room and while bringing elements of other designs together are created more for the style neutral.

Finding the right rug for your home is not as simple as you might think but shopping around is the best advice anyone can give.

Zapotec rugs are gorgeous hand-crafted rugs by the Zapotec Indians from the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. These hand-made rugs are known around the world for their traditional craftsmanship, bright colors, and classic styles. Native rugs are a wonderful southwestern accessory for use in rustic homes and cabins, southwestern homes, or anywhere you would like to add color and elegance. They look great when used on living room and bedroom floors, and also make fantastic Native style wall tapestries for complementary design on your walls. As with the Navajo rug of North America, Zapotec rugs make it simple to get great Native design style in any room of your home.

Studying the history of Zapotec rug making gives you a full appreciation of the time consuming work of weaving rugs. The Zapotec Indians, an ancient people with no known stories of migration, believed themselves to be born of nature. They were primarily farmers until the 1500s, when they were presented with new forms of weaving by the Spanish. As well as with the weaving loom, the Spanish transported the first European sheep to Mexico and taught the Zapotec how to weave. The state of Oaxaca is where the world-famous rug making began and still continues today.

The bright colors and patterns are the first thing you will notice about Zapotec weavings. Although some rug artists have started to use more modern types of dyes, many still use the traditional and natural elements from the area to dye their wool. When passing by the home of an Oaxacan rug artist throughout the day, you might see them mixing wool in big pots of rich colored dye, over an open fire. Some of the things used to dye the wool come from nature. Perhaps one of the most interesting dyes they use is derived from the cochineal, an insect known to the area. After drying the insect, it is then pulverized to make a rich red dye.

Rug weaving often involves the whole family, with each person taking part in the production of an exquisite rug. The wool must first be cleaned and washed, dyed, and then spun into yarn before the weaving process begins. You will find it very fascinating that each rug has a unique design and is an exquisite masterpiece of the artist. The fact that no two rugs have the same design is one of the reasons for their rising popularity. Zapotec rugs are excellent for Indian art collectors that like original pieces, or for those who appreciate Indigenous arts and crafts and rustic home decor.

No matter how you choose to use your Indian rug, whether as a stylish floor rug, or as a Native style wall hanging or tapestry, you will certainly admire the quality design of these Indian rugs. With such a variety to choose from, you will easily find the best style to match your interior. Although you might come across Zapotec rugs or similar style southwest rugs in stores that sell home decor, you will probably find lower prices online. Add great character to your southwest or western style home, with the unique design and elegance that is characteristic of Zapotec rugs.

Interior design guidelines

 

Aesthetics

                       Do you have a theme in mind?Most people prefer contemporary style as it is soothing to the eye and not too high on maintenance.But if you have huge space then can go for a classic or rustic look.

 

Functionality

                      It is better to understand the idea behind each room and its functions.The life style of the family or individual is important too.Those who entertain a lot ,will want a particular look,while someone who travels a lot will want an international look.

 

Budget

                  This can be discussed only after you select a design of your choice.Costs can be reduced by making intelligent choice.If you can see what you are going to get , then many costly mistakes can be avoided.3D visualization helps a  lot in this aspect.You can see as if in an photo how your home will look like.You can exactly know if there should be a window there ,whether your daughter will like that pink colour or your wife will be  happy with that kitchen space. For more information visit www.3dbricks.com

 

Time factor

                   How fast you want it to be done.Creativity needs time and space to grow.Do you have enough time to invest,or else how can you divide the time effectively.On an average a 1000sqft flat will take 6 months ,with a month more to confirm and finalize the plan and budget

Discussions

                   While doing up your house consult each and every family member as to his/her choice of colours,requirement,style of each room,furniture preference…. and then you can come up with a design that blends.

 

 

Passive Solar Design consists of architectural elements such as windows and building layouts that seek to take advantage of sunlight in order to heat or power a building. Collection, storage, and use of the sun’s heat reduces energy bills and carbon emissions from more traditional energy sources.

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Types

There are three different ways to approach passive solar design. Direct Gain allows sun to directly penetrate a building via windows and uses heat absorbing materials to soak up the ambient warmth. Indirect Gain absorbs sunlight and stores it for later use, but does not allow for any direct access into a building. Isolated Gain concentrates heat to a specific area of the living space and elements are often stored apart from the main building structure.

General Passive Design Rules

Optimal passive design relies on a south facing building that receives direct sun during the day and installation of windows on the south side to maximize passive heat collection. Buildings should also be built in more of a rectangular shape to provide additional south facing space. Floor plans should be open to allow for free flow of air and even heat distribution. Sloping roofs will limit heat loss from northern walls of a building.

Direct Gain

Direct Gain passive solar design uses livable space as a solar collector and will convert between 60% to 75% of the sun’s energy into usable heat. Direct Gain relies on multiple windows and heat absorbing construction materials, such as concrete walls or floors, to collect the sun’s heat. Direct Gain design precludes the use of carpet since concrete must be exposed to absorb heat. In general, for each square foot of south facing glass, 150 pounds of concrete will be used.

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Indirect Gain

Indirect gain passive solar design collects the sun’s heat outside of the living space and then conducts it where desired. This method of passive solar design uses between 30 to 45% of the sun’s heat. Trombe walls, solar panels, and roof ponds are examples of indirect passive design methods. Roof Ponds use 6 to 12 inches of water on the roof and word best in regions with low humidity. Trombe walls use thick wall construction to store heat and vents to distribute it and solar panels use sunlight to give silicon an electric charge which generates heat or electricity.

Isolated Gain

Isolated Gain refers to passive solar design where heat collection is focused on one specific area apart from the main living space. A sun room is an example of Isolated Gain solar collection and so is a closed system that uses water to collect heat outside a building and then move heated water inside. Isolated Gain utilizes just 15 to 30% of the sun’s energy. Sunrooms should be vented and built with appropriate wall thickness to maximize heat absorption.

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There are a number of reasons that Scottsdale, Arizona homes, land and real estate are so highly sought after by families. Here’s one: there’s so much to do, whether your lifestyle leans towards indoor luxuries or outdoor amenities.

For example, internationally renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright came to Scottsdale in 1937 and purchased what was then barren real estate. Designed as his personal winter home, studio and architectural campus, he built Taliesin West in the lush high Sonoran desert directly in the shadows of the McDowell Mountains in northeast Scottsdale.

Wright created a new form of architecture and established a legacy that still draws visitors from all over the world to Taliesin West, which is a living laboratory of Wright’s ideas. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation has made many renovations to Taliesin West over the years, giving guests the opportunity to view Wright’s private home which has been restored inside and out to its original appearance.

Ranging from one to three hours, tours of Taliesin West are offered on a regular basis, allowing visitors to experience firsthand Wright’s heralded ability to integrate indoor and outdoor living spaces. Depending on the tour you select, you can visit the Cabaret Theater, Music Pavilion, Kiva and Frank Lloyd Wright’s office, all of which are linked by dramatic terraces, gardens and walkways overlooking the rugged desert and the valley below. Knowledgeable guides explain how the site relates to the surrounding desert real estate and provide a general overview of Wright’s philosophies and theories of design. Twilight tours are offered during select months, providing sightseers with the extraordinary opportunity to view Wright’s one-time home in a nighttime setting when the desert masonry structures, lighted from within, appear as sculptures.

According to the Scottsdale Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Wright’s vision and influence are seen throughout Scottsdale, including at one of Scottsdale’s premier resort properties, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa. This luxurious resort enjoys a history filled with Hollywood celebrities as well as an architectural past linked to the Wright legacy. Representing the cosmopolitan side of Scottsdale with its clean lines and minimalist approach, the property was originally designed by architect Hiram Hudson Benedict, a protégée of Wright. What makes it even more unique is the fact that several stunning private homes are snuggled just steps away from the resort’s front doors.

Vernon Swaback, a former student of Wright’s, also has left an indelible mark on Scottsdale’s real estate landscape. He spent more than two decades studying and working at Taliesin West and over the years has been involved in the design of award-winning hotels, office buildings, recreational facilities and custom homes throughout the Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Phoenix metropolitan area.

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The home is definitely where the heart is a well known phrase regarding the value of an abode. Designing a home has become quite simple and basic, due to the numerous architectural and contractual companies. It is advisable in this day and age to design and build a home with all the comforts and luxuries one desires, taking into account the future and spending a worthwhile amount once instead of renovating after every few years. This will enable saving costs in the form of future bills.

First and foremost, be sure of what kind of design you plan on building, whether it’s a modern styled house or a classic work of art, make sure to do your homework concerning your choice in approach. When building your ‘dream home’ careful planning regarding the number and size of rooms, bathrooms, living areas, dining room, living areas, the design of the entrance and the size of the garage is essential. It is advisable to prepare a list of requirements made up of the above mentioned areas. Once this is done, tackle planning for individual rooms which may include kitchen features, bathroom appearances and nitty-gritty’s like fireplace in a particular area or phone lines to rooms etc.

Designing within the limits of your budget is vital. Most people tend to want to include features beyond their means or spend way too much on particular aspects ignoring their budget. Proper care must be taken to plan accordingly to prevent such a disaster from occurring. Make sure to get estimates while planning, this will facilitate your overall plan providing an approximate expense report as you elaborate on detail.

Design your home in such a way that you maximize plot consumption, using your piece of land to the fullest. This may include positioning the garage and lawn as well as the actual home to capitalize on your space. Consider a logical flow to your home when marking out the floor plan incorporating locations of bedrooms, bathrooms, living area, kitchen and rooms for special purposes like study room, garage, gym or basement.. Efficient usage of space is integral.

In case you are unable to build your residence in one go, plan accordingly to accommodate possible expansion in the future. One way of doing so is building your home in phases.

Picture your interior design, how furniture will be placed, where windows will exploit natural light factors and of course clever lighting techniques to reduce electricity bills. Also take into account the sunlight to provide extra illumination to your castle.

Building a home is a complicated task but through appropriate planning and design, you can incorporate all your dreams and ideas into your residence. Let your family and friends envy your new found creative talent!

Homes vary, not only according to the requirements of their inhabitants but, their themes and ambience as well. One of the basic foundations of any efficient home is a smart lay out and design that comes from the much time consuming and elaborate process of surveying the needs of those who wish to live in it. A good design takes into account not only the current needs but also, the future anticipated needs of the inhabitants and is built, in a manner that can provide enough spacing, storing and the living solutions for all.

However, when building the homes the aesthetic attribute is kept in mind as well, which results in making the abodes appear appealing and comfortable. Designs amalgamate all sorts of style elements as well, to create a unique and distinguished look of the homes, which are distinct, practical and functional.

Elegance and simplicity in harmony with the needs evaluation are the essence of the house, which provide a chance for the lifeless walls and roof to emerge and evolve as a realistic theme. Designers of the homes around the world are emphasizing the designs stripped off the extensive detailing and focusing on the viable fundamentals alone. This will allow the homes to project a distinct sophistication and cohesiveness.

It is important to remain focused to the styles in home that you prefer and communicate it to the designer so that they can sort out the tools to ensure that you get what you want. Think about the everyday chores for not only yourself but, each and every member of the family, so that you do not miss any important aspect that needs to be heed to. This also requires keeping in mind the unique needs of the children which vary from, playing area, to storing the academic books and study area etc. Discuss the issues like, the room you would want to be the hub in the house, and how it should be connected to the rest of the areas to allow ease of access.

One can also obtain the services of the sound designers or purchase online softwares, which allow people to identify the best options of their space to the extent that much software have helped the doctors in designing efficient homes according to their hectic regimes, to perfect their personal and professional life. Even the seniors or those people who have certain disabilities can benefit from such software, to design and plan a home, which can be prove to be their utmost comfort zones and continue to serve as their abodes for the many productive years to come.

Also, make sure that you choose furniture that is durable and fits into to overall theme of the home. Furniture can make a lot of difference to the comfort and overall appearance of the home.

You may love the home you live in, be it a single family dwelling, condo, duplex or apartment, but not be so thrilled with the size of some of the rooms. For some folks, remodelling or adding on to the structure is a solution to the size issue. For many others, the budget is not there for such a project. And for a growing number of people, they are renting a residence and therefore do not have the option of remodelling. In fact, the majority of homeowners (we’ll use the term ‘homeowner’ knowing it could also mean someone who is renting a property) are often looking for ways to personalize, improve and decorate their homes inexpensively.

You can give the overall appearance of more space in a room by taking some simple steps. You don’t need a large budget, and some steps don’t require that you spend any money at all.

First, make sure that the walls are a light color. They don’t have to be stark white, although if you love that look, it’s fine. There are hundreds of shades of off-whites that can add interest and warmth to a room while maintaining an overall neutral palette. When you put dark colors on the walls of a room or area, it can make the walls recede visually, and that is what you want to avoid if your goal is to make an area appear larger. The ceiling should be kept ‘Ceiling White’ for maximum overall lightness in the room.

Your next step is to evaluate the flooring in the room. Your goal is to have flooring that gives a light overall appearance. For example, if your room is carpeted or tiled, ideally it should be a light, neutral color. It’s okay to have a small pattern or variation as long as the overall look is neutral. Wood flooring should be a honey tone or lighter. You want the ceiling and walls to flow into each other as much as possible, and avoid a stark breaking point of light to dark color.

Your third step in this strategy is to remove any unnecessary furniture from the room. If it is not critical to the function and use of the area, remove it. For example, if this is a living area and you currently have a sofa, two upholstered chairs, a wood rocker, two end tables, cocktail table and a floor lamp in the room, consider doing this: remove the wood rocker, cocktail table and floor lamp. You have kept the most important seating in the room as well as a place for lighting and other incidentals. The extra pieces were taking up space and making the room look smaller and more crowded.

The next step in the process is to make sure you are not over-accessorizing the room. I always advise taking all accessories off of the walls, tables, etc and literally removing them from the room. You might put some of them back in the area, but start out with blank walls and furnishings. Your goal in this step is to accessorize the room to add warmth and interest, but not clutter. If you had three pictures, a mirror and a wall sculpture on the walls of this room before, try two pictures and a mirror. Keep it very simple. If there is so much going on in the room that your eyes don’t have a resting point, it will seem cluttered, and that is what you want to avoid.

Finally, if at all possible, keep everything in the room to an overall neutral look, and use color sparingly and only as an accent. For example, your walls may be painted Navajo White, the ceiling is white, your floor is carpeted with an off-white Berber and your upholstered furniture is beige/light brown. You love the color red, so this is your accent color, but sparingly. On the wall is a picture with a burst of red in it. On the sofa are patterned accent pillows that include bright red.

As you look around this room as described, you see soft, calming, neutral colors, with no stark stopping or break points between walls, ceiling, floors and furnishings. However, the room is interesting and has some drama with the addition of red as an accent color. Best of all, you now have a room that has an open, spacious look and feel, yet still functions well for your lifestyle.