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Elegant Renovated Home With Acropolis View

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Elegant Renovated Home With Acropolis View
Designed by Minas Kosmidis, the most important element of the renovation of this two storey detached house in Athens, Greece is the exploitation of the view of the Acropolis. The tone of the entire house is neutral. Beige is the main color of the walls and floors. The staircase is made of solid walnut wood. On the ground floor, light comes through only two windows. To solve the problem of lighting, walls and doors have been removed and replaced with big movable panels made of wooden surfaces with either walnut finishing or that of the walls.




















Via: Contemporist

Elegant Small Studio Apartment In New York

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Elegant Small Studio Apartment In New York
The challenge of living in a small space is to make it appear larger than it actually is. This cozy yet elegant 443 sq. ft. studio apartment in New York has a very functionally layout that masterfully maximizes every inch of the floor space. The kitchen, sleeping area, work space and living room are clearly divided within the open plan.






Via: Apartment Therapy

Elegant Tuscan Estate In Aspen

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Elegant Tuscan Estate In Aspen
Inspired by 18th century Tuscan estate, this luxury home located in Aspen, Colorado overlooks hundreds of acres of breathtaking open pastures. Designed and developed by leading estate builder Gregory Skip Gozzo, the 16,000 square foot property combines classic architecture and contemporary design. The outdoor living space features a 15 foot waterfall with a stream that spills into a landscaped pond. The interiors feature mahogany flooring, 100 year old hand hewn timbers, mahogany doors, custom designed cherry cabinetry woodwork, and 18th & 19th Century antique furnishing from around the world.

























Via: Sotheby's

CID Bio-Science headquarters by ZGF Architects

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CID Bio-Science headquarters by ZGF Architects, Camas – Washington
Vacant for 10 years, the structure was a community eyesore with broken windows, leaking roof and rotting siding. The renovation restores the original lodge-like quality of the space and creates an open flexible work environment for CID Bio-Science — a company that designs and manufactures portable, precision instruments for agricultural and environmental research. This adaptive reuse develops 12,000 SF of office/production space, while saving an important piece of Camas, Washington’s history.

The American Legion Hall Bennett-Barnett Post #27 was constructed in 1934 by volunteer labor with wood purchased from the local saw mill. The two-story structure was designed by regionally famed architect D.W. Hilborn and featured a prominent ballroom used for dances and legion events. The lodge aesthetic was a key asset the design team worked to preserve, showcasing the expansive wooden trusses that provide volume and grandeur to the space. New interventions took cues from simple, industrial design influences, with careful attention to marrying the modern and historic elements.

The conference rooms, entry and stairs are on the perimeter, respecting the original character of the hall and preserving its rustic design and detailing. Despite the loss of original windows, doors and the fireplace through years of neglect, the team succeeded in listing the building on the local registry for historic places. The design approach sought to marry influences from mid-century lodges with manufacturing warehouses as well as incorporating the verdant and water-rich landscape of the Pacific Northwest.

New double-paned, aluminum-clad Douglas fir windows reflect the historical character of the building and significantly improve energy performance. The facility employs low-flow water fixtures and uses low-VOC paints and finishes. As much of the original materials were re-used as possible, including light fixtures, wood columns and beams, and other structural features. A bioswale was added on three sides of the building to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water. Native species were selected to blend with the local environment and eliminate the need for long term irrigation.

The company is a strong believer in Lean Design, continually re-evaluating its production and office environment to reduce waste and loss of time. In the open work environment, CID Bio-Science wanted to dedicate each workstation to the assembly of one of its instruments for efficiency and quality assurance. The design team supported this by integrating storage space for personal belongings and developing interaction areas near the workstations to encourage collaboration.





Designed by ZGF Architects

Charming Tiny Bungalow House

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Charming Tiny Bungalow House
The Bayside Bungalow is a cozy vacation rental house located in Olympia, Washington overlooking the Puget Sound. This tiny house was built on an 18 foot flatbed trailer based on a slightly modified Tumbleweed Fencl plan.

The interior has 100 square feet of space on the main floor with an additional 60 square foot loft. The sleeping loft is above the kitchen, closet and bathroom.

Two skylights and 11 windows allow plenty of natural light into the house. A stainless steel fireplace warms the house. The cathedral ceiling makes the tiny home feel quite spacious.
















Via: The Bayside Bungalow

Decorating on a Dime: Money Saving Ways to Beautify Your Home

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Decorating a new home can cost an extraordinary amount of money. However, it does not always have to be the case. There are a variety of ways that the everyday homemaker can use to make their house look perfect.



Search Flea Markets, Yard Sales, and Craigslist

Save a ton of money by purchasing larger items at flea markets, yard sales, or on Craigslist. This method takes a little bit of research, but the benefits more than make up for the invested time. Going to flea markets or yard sales is a great vehicle for finding a variety of different items instead of having to go to a several different stores and only seeing what they have in stock. Furthermore, these markets are good opportunities to find smaller and previously used items at lower costs.

Refinish Things On Your Own

After finding the perfect piece of furniture for your new home attempt to refinish it yourself before paying somebody else to. Cheap materials to get the job done can be found at many local home improvement stores.

Raid the Mismatch Paint Shelf

While some pieces that are used to decorate the home need to be fully refinished, other items simply need a fresh coat of paint. Many home improvement stores have a mismatch paint shelf where you can get paint significantly cheaper than the original cost. However, the consumer just might have to sacrifice their preferential paint color in lieu of what is available.

Find Coupons Online

When looking for deals online try using SumoCoupon coupons in order to find the latest sales. Couponing is another really easy way to save money when shopping for home decorations. Take the extra time to save small amounts on each item and the savings will add up very quickly. Furthermore, try searching for codes online that are available for some online retailers.

A New Set of Matching Towels

Purchasing a new set of matching towels for each bathroom in the house goes a long way for increasing the decorations of your new home. Try finding a set that is complementary to the paint color or theme of your bathroom. Furthermore, these towels do not have to be fancy. Decorative towels are readily available at stores such as Target and Wal-Mart for much lower prices than other stores.

Check Out Pinterest

If you just cannot figure out what you want to do with a particular space, try looking on Pinterest for a unique idea. Quite a few boards are dedicated to low-cost improvements that are do-it-yourself.

Try Using Sheets As Curtains

The idea might sound tacky, but a nice set of sheets can double as curtains. If you have a set of sheets that have not been used in a while, make use of them and hang them up.

Ultimately, saving money when decorating your new home does not have to be as hard as it sounds. All it takes is a little bit of extra time and commitment towards your goal of saving money.

Russell Matthews has always had an eye for design. When he's not sketching and browsing paint chips, he's writing about tips and tricks to modern, classic designs for any home.

How to sell your house quick if moving abroad?

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The very idea of selling off a house is sickening. Not only is it difficult to let go off a house, which is so dear to you but it is equally problematic to find a suitable buyer for it. So the faster the process is, the better it is. There is a mushroom growth of websites that you can check to sell your house quick if you are moving abroad. You can click here at the site.

Some of the reference points that you can use while making a sale are the following:


What do you need while moving abroad?

You may move abroad for a variety of reasons starting from a job prospect and higher quality of life to family issues and marriage. Whatever be the reason, there are complications in the process such as taxes, visa-passport, pensions, currency exchange, healthcare and pet transport. Added to all this, is your home sweet home which you need to sell off quickly. Most of the people who are moving abroad prefer selling off their old house and property. Renting off is yet another cumbersome responsibility.

Making the right choice

You should go for the best when it comes to any agent or company or any other media to sell apartments. The process should be fast yet efficient. You should appoint some agent who can give you an offer within 24 hours of getting a green signal from you. Facilities should be such that your bank account receives full cash at least within 4 weeks of acceptance of the offer. The agent should be available 24/7. You should be well aware of the fees legal or hidden ones.


Open market

Considering the fact that you get to sell your old house in the open market, your property is more likely to attract higher investment. However you must keep the adverse sides in mind too. A buyer howsoever interested, may not give you enough funds to lend. Certain buyers also wait till the eleventh hour to get a cheaper deal. In that case, you will be running a major risk as you will have to move abroad soon.

Auction

Auction seems to be the most preferable method of selling for various reasons. First, it attracts a huge number of bidders at the same time. Secondly, if you are lucky enough to get 2 buyers simultaneously, then you may wrap up with the best deal of the two! However, there is no certainty that you will get your market value or 2 buyers at once.


Home buyer

Undoubtedly selling off your house to a home buyer is the safest option. To start with, you will get to know the individual personally to whom you will make a deal. You will have to pay zero selling charges. There won’t be any agent fees as well. The exchange will be fairly simple and least stressful. The transaction will take place within 24 hours which is profitable given that you have to move out abroad quickly. On the flip side, you will get 15% less than the market value for the speedy sale.

These are some very handy tips for selling house quick if moving abroad. Click here for more details.

Brighten a Dull Home with Colourful Furniture

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Refreshing your home is a procedure that should be performed regularly if you want to preserve its good appearance for a longer time. It is an indisputable fact that every person has their own point of view when it comes to home improvement and decorations, however if you are a possessor of darker rooms which are mostly painted in 'dull' colours you definitely need to make some changes so that the room could look nicer, cleaner and more colourful.

One of the ways to do this is by changing the furniture in the room. A piece of colourful furniture can always contribute for the better appearance of your home, however it must be carefully chosen and arranged.

Even the darkest rooms can be simply refreshed and become more inviting and welcoming with just a few rearrangements and changes in your home. Bright and light colours look cleaner, but also require more cleaning, so be sure to clean your property regularly.

1.If you think that your home needs some warmth you can draw your attention to colours such as brown, caramel and also warm rust colours. You can pick up furniture with similar colours as there is great versatility in them. They will perfectly suit with dark floors or walls next to them so it is an appropriate choice for brightening the home. This palette is easy to clean and doesn't look dirty. But in a case it gets dirty, CleanersLondon are recommended professionals, they will be able handle the task.

2.If you find your room extremely dark you can bring some diversity by putting an accent pendant light which will change the whole atmosphere in the room. In this way an accent to the usual dark room is removed by simply adding some colourful lights in it. An important moment is to arrange the lamps in the darkest possible places.

3.If you want to refresh the room and especially the bedroom you can start with the sheets and the bed. They often tend to be decisive because they have central place in the bedroom and take greater space. If the colour of the walls seems dull and unappealing, a bed with more vivid colours could totally change the atmosphere of the room. You could also pick up clean sheets in similar colour, for a better effect. This includes also quilts and cushions which are part of the furnishing as well.

4.Light and clean coloured furniture is preferred in most cases because it contrasts well with dark or grey walls. Whether it is an enormous sofa or a simple chair it is enough to change totally the appearance of the room. Even if you are not a fan of the most vivid and sparkling colours sometimes they are the only way to make the room look more colourful and bright.

There are certainly many tricks which you could apply to brighten your room and make it look tidy and clean,however the coloured furniture is one of the most successful options. It has been proven that the less darker and dull nuances in your room can really change the mood of the person. The more vivid and bright colours predispose the person towards positive emotions and experiences and that is why they are preferable in many cases.

If you, unfortunately do not have furniture of those colours and you do not have enough money you could simply repaint your old furniture in the desired colour and change the look of your favourite room. All you need is greater motivation and free time to devote on the home improvement. Do not wait for the last moment but simply decorate your room with the most colourful furniture.

Envato office by Büro, Melbourne – Australia

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Envato office by Büro, Melbourne – Australia
This fit-out of a 3 level office building in Melbourne is the new home of creative online digital marketplace company, Envato. Büro undertook a thorough workplace analysis that identified current and future requirements to ensure that the new office will accomodate these and match the company’s creative identity and workforce. The design features abstract, tree-like seating pods that “grow” through the three levels.

Melbourne artist Ghostpatrol was commissioned to create murals throughout. “We gave Buro a very difficult brief. We asked them to deliver the sort of space which would compete with top technology companies internationally, to make it warm and innovative, and to do it on a very small budget. They not only met our expectations, but exceeded them. Beyond that, they were fantastic to work with! Nothing was too much trouble, and they were genuinely committed to delivering a space that is a very real asset to our company.” Collis Taa’ed, CEO






Chelsea Maisonette Apartment

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Chelsea Maisonette Apartment
London-based architectural firm Stiff + Trevilion consolidated the top two flats of a building in Chelsea, London, England to create one large maisonette. The apartment enjoys views over the Thames and Albert bridge to the south and the Chelsea Physic garden to the north.










Your TV is a big part of your living room

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When we think about living rooms, more often than not it’s sofas, coffee tables and inevitably, a TV. Ever since its introduction, the television has become a living room mainstay in households all over the world. In the common area where members of the family converge in the same space and bond over a shared interest, the TV is usually the focal point. Whether you're watching the latest episode of your favourite sitcom or sitting down for a movie marathon, the TV provides entertainment that everyone can appreciate.
 


Choosing a TV set for your living room is an important decision that needs a certain amount of consideration and know-how. Whether you're planning to buy your first set or upgrade your old one, there are a few things to consider before investing in a TV.

Size

Prices, brand names and other perks are all factors when choosing a television. However, size is probably the thing that should be considered first. People usually consider only two things when it comes to size: choosing the biggest TV they can afford or picking one that fits nicely in the space created for it. While these are points to consider in themselves, there's also so much more than meets the eye when it comes to sizes.

You need to take note that flat-screen televisions take up less space than CRTs, so your new LCD may sit farther away from your viewing position than is necessary, making it appear smaller. Consider also that the larger the TV, the more it will reveal the weaknesses in standard-definition pictures.

The secret to choosing the perfect TV for your home is to make sure the set is large enough to fill your line of vision and just the right size to provide a sharp and clear picture. If your future viewing plans only include standard-definition sources, invest in a screen ideal for this type of input.



Extended Warranties

Warranties are available for most electrical goods. An extension for these warranties is often an option, and they provide extra benefits on occasion, such as customer helplines and assistance. From getting your hoover an extended warranty, to an extended warranty for LCD tvs, they are quite common. But no matter the kind of television you have, if it has been a big investment for you, then you’ll definitely want to keep it safe.

To get security for your new television, you will want to take up an extended warranty. The initial factory warranty isn’t always great, and on most occasions only lasts a year. So by obtaining an extended warranty, you can assure that if you accidently throw your TV remote at the screen, you’ll be covered. TVs tend to last quite a long time, but you never want to run a risk you shouldn’t have to.

Features

Once features enter the fray, the list of things to consider could go on and on, so it's important to priorities. Make sure the TV you’re considering is HD ready, which means it meets the European Information and Communications Technology Industry Association (EICTA) requirements. If the TV's specs tell you it's got at least one HDMI port, at least 1024 x 768 pixel density and component video inputs, then chances are your chosen set can handle high-definition images.



Digital tuners are also a must, especially with analogue TV broadcasts being phased out completely back in 2012. Most models now come with Free sat HD or Free view HD. Check to see if the set also features USB sockets and slots for memory cards as these will be useful for viewing pictures and videos from your digital camera and camcorder.

Other things you need to consider are contrast, colours, fine detail, edges, motion and image artefacts. The best way you can test all of these features is to observe the TV during a demonstration. Are the colours bright and solid? How much texture does the screen provide? Make a checklist to make the process of choosing a model easier and more efficient.

Choosing New Furniture for your Kitchen

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Buying new furniture for your kitchen can be a daunting prospect, especially if you're looking to try a different approach but can't quite decide on a specific theme. There are so many options available on the market today, making choices may be harder than you expect-you may find yourself wondering what kind of material you want, as well as what kind of colour or finish. Do you want it all to match or to create a more eclectic style? Once you have the answers to these questions, you should be able to make a more informed decision.
 

But what about those aforementioned options? What about the different types of cabinets, drawers, worktops and splashbacks available? Well, this is all down to your own personal preferences as much as it is about practicality-you need to consider how often you cook, how often you prepare specific varieties of food, and what kind of storage you'll need.



Worktops

If you're liable to order takeaways or buy pre-prepared food on a regular basis, it's fair to say you won't need much space for slicing and dicing ingredients-which means you're free to choose your worktops mainly on their aesthetic value rather than their function. However, if you enjoy cooking and aim to create fresh dishes from scratch most days, you'll find a worktop needs to offer enough space and support, and stands up to extensive use. Solid wood worktops offer robust durability and a stunning look, with numerous finishes available to suit all dcor styles and colour schemes.



Cabinets:

Another important aspect of kitchen furniture is the cabinets. Whether you need to store a large collection of drinking glasses and fine china, or you like to keep lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, cabinets come in all shapes, sizes and styles. No matter if you want a single large cabinet or you'd like to break your storage down into a few smaller units-including corner cabinets, ideal for using up some much-overlooked space-there are pieces to suit all needs. Whilst some are designed to allow items inside to be proudly displayed, there are others designed solely for enclosed storage.



Splashbacks

Splashbacks are a key part of many kitchens today, with a huge selection of materials and colours. Splashbacks provide protection for your cooking area and help to make your kitchen look more professional-they prevent juices hitting the wall, which can sometimes leave stains or require extensive scrubbing. Choosing these may be left until later, as you should have a better idea of how they'll fit in with the other colours and pieces you've selected.

Lance Morrison is a freelance writer and regular contributor to various diverse sites across the web. Amongst his many areas of interest are home furnishings, from kitchen cabinets to sofas; he uses sites such as http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk for research.

Choosing Wooden Playground Equipment Can Be Quite Beneficial

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The need to start education, at a very early age, has become very important in these modern times. You may say that this is mainly due to the stiff competition children have to face, in order to achieve their goals. The sooner the parents start sending their kids to school, the better equipped they will be to face the world. If you ever visit a kindergarten school, you will notice that these are full of playground equipment of various types. Of late, the demand of such equipment has gone up in leaps and bounds. As a result of this, you will find numerous dealers selling different kinds of playground equipment. Some schools prefer to choose plastic ones, whereas, some prefer to go for wooden playground equipment. Again, this choice is completely dependent upon the budget of every school.



Many dealers say that choosing wooden playground equipment can prove to be beneficial in several ways. Are you wondering how this is possible? If you have never purchased such equipment for your school, then you may not understand about the benefits of buying wooden equipment. Some of these advantages are mentioned below.

Lasts longer

It is needless to say that playground equipment is only meant to be used by kids. Small children do not have any idea how to use things, in order to ensure their longevity. This often results in damages to such equipment. It is mainly seen that playground equipment, made out of plastic, tends to suffer greater amount of damage than the wooden playground equipment. This is why choosing the wooden ones are highly beneficial. These will always last longer than those made of plastic and also prove to be steadier than any other type.

Looks sturdy and attractive

Creating a good impression in the minds of the parents is very important for any school. This is especially true for new kids, who have come for admission. If you are a parent yourself, then you will know that school officials usually take you around the premises, to help you understand their way of teaching small kids and what all arrangements they have for your kids to play. This is when you get to see their playground equipment. From a school’s point of view, wooden playground equipment help to create a good and lasting impression in the minds of the parents, as compared to plastic ones. These not just look sturdy, these also look attractive.



Safe and secure

Many a times, you may think that wooden playground equipment may prove to be dangerous for small kids. Well, this is not true at all. These wooden ones are made with utmost care, so that these do not harm children in any way. These are polished and the edges are rounded off, to ensure that these do not damage the skin of small kids in any way possible.

These are some of the benefits of purchasing wooden playground equipment. If you are also searching for one of the best quality playground equipment for your school, always take your own time and search for a reliable and well known dealer. If the dealer is licensed to sell the products of a reputed manufacturer, then it will be a good idea to contact him for all your school equipment. However, do make sure that you stick to your budget and avoid purchasing very expensive equipment.

Top Five Advantages To Owning A Garden Pod Or Outside Studio Office. Why Working From Home In An Outdoor Space Is Beneficial To Your Work Ethic.

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If you've decided to take the leap and work from home a garden pod, or garden office, could be one of the wisest investments that you make. There are many advantages to having one built in your garden, if you're not sure if it's the right thing to do we've compiled the top five reasons as to why it will improve your work ethic, and maybe even improve your quality of life. Address your work life balance and see if a garden pod is for you...
 

1. Quick Turnaround Time

One of the biggest advantages to building a garden studio is the quick turnaround time in comparison to building an extension on your home. Usually studios can be made within 8-12 weeks and installed in five days, depending on site conditions. In comparison to the months that a loft conversion or extension will take to build and design a garden studio is a quick build. Building in this way will save you time and potential heartache.

2. Cheaper to Build

Not only will a garden studio be built quicker, it also won't have any hidden costs. Usually they come in ready made sheets, as designed by an architect or designer, and built on site quickly. As the building regulations are different for garden studios they also come with free site surveys. It's almost like you're buying a kit that will be constructed by experts, this means that the price is agreed beforehand and there won't be any extra costs, unless you change something yourself.



3. Privacy

If you're building the garden studio as an at home office then perhaps one of the biggest selling points will be the privacy you'll have to work in. Keeping your office separate from your personal life will allow you to keep a professional reputation and keep distractions to a minimum. This space away from your home will allow your ideas to grow and give you space to think. It will also allow you to concentrate without interruption, meaning a more productive work day.

4. Professionalism

The studio will also allow you to hold meetings in your home, but in a professional and purpose built space. This is great for people who have clients that need to visit them - such as graphic designers. If you have a work phone you'll also have the added bonus of your work calls not being interrupted by family members. Dedicated space to your work will also show a level of commitment to the work you create, it show that you are serious about your work and want to give it the space it needs.



5. Psychological Benefits

Taking into account all of these positive outcomes of you owning your garden studio there may even be a positive effect on your mental health. Creating a workspace that you have total control over will mean that you get to work in the exact conditions you want. This may lower your blood pressure and make work far less stressful. For some one of the biggest benefits of working from home is cutting out a stressful commute. This means a later wake up call, or chance for you to do things before you start work. You'll also be able to have lunch in your own kitchen, meaning less money spent on food - it may even improve your diet, as it will allow you more time for food.

Author Bio

Ruth Hartnoll is a copywriter and playwright working out of Liverpool. She one day dreams of owning her own garden studio so that she can write with a great view. She often researches about her dream office on www.ecospacestudios.com.

Schorndorf Town Hall by Ippolito Fleitz Group

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Schorndorf Town Hall by Ippolito Fleitz Group, Schorndorf – Germany
Originally built in 1726–30, Schorndorf Town Hall is the jewel and landmark of the town of Schorndorf. In the first stage of construction, we energetically rehabilitated the top floors of the building and restored them in line with historical monument regulations.

A second phase of construction followed with a redesign of the public area of the ground floor and a new façade design. The main idea behind the design was to make the historical space as visible as possible. The resulting transparency in all areas demonstrates a citizen-oriented understanding of democracy and recalls the former marketplace function of the ground floor.

A staircase leads up from the foyer with its historical wooden pillars to a glass-fronted wedding hall. This free-floating unit with a subjacent window to the plenary hall are made of glass, so the room can be perceived as a whole. The plenary hall is characterised by an undulating ceiling sail and a seating arrangement that is optimised for maximum eye contact, thus promoting a constructive atmosphere for communication.




Designed by Ippolito Fleitz Group  - Photography by Zooey Braun

Chic Contemporary House On Australia’s Gold Coast

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Chic Contemporary House On Australia’s Gold Coast
Located at Paradise Point on Australia's Gold Coast, this luxury contemporary house offers open-concept living space with simple lines.










Via: CONTEMPORIST

Australian Institute of Management office by futurespace, Australia

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futurespace has collaborated with the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) and state-of-the-art technology provider Sony to create a dynamic new learning and training facility. AIM is one of Australia’s most established professional education providers; relocating to the heart of Circular Quay provided the opportunity to reposition AIM’s brand as market leaders. This environment sets a new benchmark in the education experience. AIM’s brief to futurespace was to create flexible, sophisticated and technology enabled spaces that offered a stimulating learning experience for their professional clients.

The design was underpinned by first creating and then facilitating the consumer’s interactive journey through the environment. The design was underpinned by creating and facilitating the consumer’s interactive journey through the technology defined spaces via the Learning, Working, Listening and Capturing zones; the “Great Wall” of touch TV’s offer an interactive learning experience by featuring AIM and Sony content. Training room tablets allow for specific user controls. Headphones and tablets in the members lounge offer quiet and focused listening and a prominent feature wall captures live twitter feeds further enhancing the interactive learning experience.

Maximising natural light and active views throughout, the environment offers a stimulating experience for learning. The new facilities feature acoustic training rooms, conference rooms and a “Knowledge Centre” including a retail bookshop. The centrally located dining zone boasting city views is a hub of activity, featuring large central tables facilitating collaboration and social interaction. The members’ facilities include an exclusive lounge, library and meeting spaces providing settings for both individual and collaborative work.

The materials palette features natural bamboo veneer throughout, rich and vibrant definitive colours, echo panel wall cladding and acoustic ceiling detail “fold-it” by Woven Image. The central stairs are illuminated by a backlit Barrisol ceiling light encouraging visitors to journey upstairs from reception to the main training facility. The aesthetic is designed to stimulate the senses and strengthen both AIM’s brand and culture. The member’s facilities feature rich, inviting colours and materials that reflect sophisticated executive zones. The entire space is punctuated by bold way finding graphics and equipped with Sony’s latest technology providing state-of-the-art facilities for the executive education sector.


Chic Houseboat On Portage Bay

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Chic Houseboat On Portage Bay
This chic houseboat on Portage Bay in Seattle, Washington enjoys expansive views while floating on Lake Union. A private entrance leads you to a 600 sq. ft. studio and a 1,200 sq. ft. guest house. Interior design by Jennifer Randall offers bright contrasting colours.















Via: VDB

What You Need to Make Your Window Cleaning Easy

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If your windows are crystal clear, chances are you are a very satisfied home or apartment owner.  However, if the windows are not very clean, many people look forward to cleaning them later in the year, especially in spring. While a window cleaning service is what you might want to go for first, you can always clean your windows on your own. Here are a number of things you need to have in mind. 


Vacuuming the window 

Before cleaning the window, ensure you have prepared it well. You can break out your vacuum and get into action. Sweep or vacuum around your windows, especially on the windowsills, screens and corners. Vacuuming will not clean mineral deposits, water stains or dirt on window glass, but it will ensure debris and dust that mostly collect around the frame of your window are kept away. Grime that hides in corners can be cleaned with a vinegar moistened cotton swab. Apartment windows with drapes or blinds can be removed before you begin cleaning the windows. 

When to clean your windows 

Obviously, there are days you cannot clean the windows. Most people think a bright and sunny day is the best time to do it because they are able to see grime and streaks grounded on the window. However, if you clean the window glass on a sunny day, you will be adding more streaks.  A gloomy day is a much better time to clean your window or when the temperatures are around 21 degrees Celsius. 



Why use the squeegee

Rather than use toilet tissue or paper towels to clean your window, experts think you are better off using a squeegee. A squeegee ensures the inside of a window is cleaned well and completed without creating a huge wet mess.  If you clean your windows once or twice a year, the tool is very important since you can use it to wash a window in between, such as your shower door or bathroom windows every week. 

Window cleaner 

If you look at most of the window cleaners, you will notice claims that after using them the results will be streak-free. However, they leave out the obvious fact there will be immense elbow grease. If you have to buy a good window cleaning solution, go for a non-abrasive one. You can use soapy types of glass cleaners and mix them with warm water and you will cut through the grease and dirt, especially if you are using the squeegee technique. Remember the less sudsy or soapy detergent you use the excellent the results to avoid leaving a soapy residue. 



Proper washing technique is important 

The results you seek are determined mostly by the effectiveness of your cleaning technique. There are different ways of doing it such as starting the cleaning process with a squeegee and following a particular pattern or using a soft sponge with the right window cleaner and water. 

Use a soft cloth to dry

After cleaning your windows you will be doing yourself a disservice if you use paper towels to dry them. A paper towel leaves a lot of lint behind. Reuse soft tee shirts often washed or a microfiber cloth.



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Rachel is a part time blogger who writes resourceful articles on home improvement. She recently had to call upon Cleaner London to conduct  Bathroom mould cleaning in her toilet. She was impressed with their speed and efficiency.

PLH Arkitekter’s studio, Copenhagen – Denmark

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The transformation and interpretation of a former factory building in the city of Copenhagen has created a workspace based on new synergies from inside to outside. The vast hall, which is proportionally long and narrow, was originally a part of the Lauritz Knudsens Factories, and used to manufacture electrical parts in the 1920’s. The conversion project involved refurbishment of the existing building, adding a mezzanine along one side, as a huge ‘piece of furniture’ providing 40 extra workspaces upstairs and diverse ‘laboratory spaces’ below for meeting, model-making, brainstorming and product research.

The interior is defined by its spaciousness, with a ceiling height of 6.5 meters, and the tall, narrow industrial windows. The verticality of the space is underlined through the rhythmic repetition of columns and windows, and the inserted mezzanine level creates a dynamic effect, and exciting new vantage points. To improve daylight and indoor climate, window openings were reverted back to their original full-height and fitted with an extra insulating glass panel and sun screening. To further reduce heat gain, insulation has been added to the inner facades making the building comply with current codes, and the ground floor slab has been insulated with a bed of sand before constructing a new timber floor above.

The original crane structures and elements such as steel trusses and beams are exposed as a dramatic reminiscence of the buildings industrial past. The cranes are now parked in each end of the studio where they create a ‘roof’ that defines the café at one end and team space at the other. New open steel staircases and wire mesh balustrades provide a robust yet transparent connection between the two levels of workspace. In combination with the accent-coloured walls, warm oak flooring and super graphics, the environment has an appealing balance between the rough and delicate, the old and new.

The design brief and concept has evolved through extensive workshops with the entire organisation. The vision for a ‘visibly creative space, reflecting the way we work’ has been realised through a diverse variety of work settings and collaboration areas. The transformation dramatically showcases the architectural practice to staff and visitors alike, and strengthens the firm’s brand – we design for people. The renovation project, inspired by the precinct, has now become a catalyst for regeneration of the entire former industrial area.


Designed by PLH Arkitekter
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