Whether you are a messy cook or have just allowed your kitchen to get a bit out of hand, here are few organizational tips that will whip your cooking area back into shape. When counters, pantries and cabinets are cluttered, it makes the task of cooking harder than it has to be. Clean up your area with a few tips from this list of ideas.
Spice It Up:
Storing spices close to the stove is the best idea in helping a cook stay organized. Keeping them in cabinets or on the walls right by the main cooking area will lessen the clutter on counters while cooking. The spices can easily be located and put back in place when not in use.
Leftovers:
For the best storage ideas for leftovers, only use clear containers. Keep the plastic wear close to the front of the refrigerator to avoid losing track of them. Using leftover vegetables, rice, potatoes, broths, meats, and other items can be great compliments to the dish you are cooking. Knowing exactly what you have on hand will save time and money.
Vegetables on Display:
Put vegetables and fruits out on display on top of your counters. Use racks that will help to stack them on top of one another. This provides you with a great way to decorate your home and keep those fresh ingredients handy.
Cooking Utensils:
Putting a utensil holder and knife block right next to the stove is helpful when cooking. You can easily grab these helpful utensils while you are making a meal. Having them out on the counter will keep them handy at a moment’s notice.
Whether you are an experienced chef or just starting out, keep your kitchen tidy with these organization tips.
A great do it yourself project that could add value to your home as well as give it some unique charm is adding window boxes to the outside of your home. First you will need to decide on what type of wood you would like to utilize. A good choice would be pre-treated Cedar planks as this type of wood can withstand the drastic environmental changes outside. Cedar planks also give your house a natural rustic look.
To begin this project, you will need to measure the length of the window you will plan on building the box under. This will determine the amount of wood needed as well as determined length needed to complete this project. Below you will find the dimensions and amount of wood needed:
(2) ¾ inch cedar planks measuring 8 inches x the length of the window
(2) ¾ inch cedar planks measuring 11 inches x 8 inches (this is for the sides)
(1) ¾ inch cedar plank measuring 11 inches x the length of the window (bottom)
(1) Pre-treated 2 x 4 cut to the length of the window.
Now you are ready to assemble your box.
First take the two 8 inch x window length planks and the two 11 x 8 inch sides and assemble them together portray a box using wood glue and clamps along with 1 ¼ inch exterior wood screws (ensure you secure them together well). Next take the 11 inch x window length plank and secure it to the bottom once again using wood glue and exterior wood screws. Ensure the wood glue is fully dried and all exterior screws holding your box together are tight – this will help increase durability.
Once window box is fully assembled and dried it is now time to mount your window box under the desired window. This can be difficult depending on how you mount it as the window box can become quite heavy depending on what you may plan on putting inside. I have found the best way to accomplish this is by using a cleat. In order to use a cleat, first determine where the bottom of your window box will sit outside of your window. This will help to keep it steady and secured to your home. Take the pre-treated 2 x 4 that is cut to the length of your window and mount it to the wall where the bottom of your window box will be by using ¾ inch concrete screws. Ensure that your cleat is leveled and in the desired position before mounting it.
Once your cleat is mounted set the window box directly on top of ensuring it is flush with the wall. Secure the window box to the cleat using exterior wood screws, screw from the inside of the window box into the cleat. (You may have to use a number of screws to be sure that the window box is securely mounted to the cleat).
Your window box now can be decorated and filled. If you are planning on using soil inside your window box, it is a good idea to use plastic planters or line the window box with plastic as this will help with durability as it will be exposed to soil and moisture which can damage the wood. Your window box can be filled with anything you desire; from plastic plants to pinecones or even sand and sea shells. You can customize your window box any way you choose. You are only limited to your imagination so enjoy!
When you are about to spend a vast amount of money on renovating your most valuable asset it is wise to take time to think about the project before you start. And as most of us only undertake renovations a few times in our lives we don’t always know the pitfalls that we might face.
Our ‘Top Ten Tips’ will help you prepare and being prepared is the best way to avoid the most common problems that are encountered in a renovation.
Ask yourself the vital question, “Why?” The answer to that question will help you choose the type of renovation and set your budget. If your answer is to increase the value of your property then take into account the items that will add most value.
Have your property given a full health check before you even start to plan your renovations. This will let you know of any problems that have to be addressed before you start your renovations, such as problems with the subfloor or underpinning of your property and will inform your planning.
Check with local realtors about the potential value of your home once you have renovated. Take that into account and ensure you don’t overspend on renovations that are not going to pay you back when you eventually sell the property.
Decide how you are financing your renovations. Using the equity of your home is one option, while taking out a loan is another. But make sure that you won’t be overextending yourself.
Take into account that your renovations will increase your home and contents insurance. Set that insurance in place as soon as your renovations get underway.
Set your budget. Be aware that costs can spiral if you don’t keep a tight rein on them, so set your budget and have an amount set aside for unforeseen situations. And once you start the renovation monitor your budget carefully.
Have all your paperwork and permits to hand when you are approaching a lender. It will push the loan application process through much faster.
Buy the best quality materials you can, and cut costs in other ways.
Choose the contractor very carefully; check references and set up both a proper contract and planned progress reports.
Only do things yourself if you are competent. Fixing incomplete or unsafe work later always costs more. Leave it to the professionals unless you are certain that you can do it yourself safe and to code.
As we all know, when you are making renovations to your properties there are many ways to go wrong. But by being ‘street smart’, making sure that you have all of the proper permits and hiring the right contractor you are on the path to success!
As with all things in life the old cliché “Failing to plan is planning to fail” holds true. So, start off by doing your research!
And very importantly, when planning your renovation, keep in mind the potential resale value of your property and what appeals most to buyers.
Considering that the average renovation is valued at around $100,000, there are at least one hundred thousand reasons that you should make sure that you know what you are getting into.
When setting your budget remember that about half of the cost will go to materials, with the remaining money going to labour and permits, fees and taxes.
Here is our ‘Top Ten List of Renovation Mistakes’:
One – Being the best house on the street.
Realtors say that three things matter when buying a house; location, location, location. So, being the best house in your neighborhood isn’t going to give you the return you might expect. Bear in mind your neighbourhood and plan accordingly.
Two – Cheap and Cheerful.
Make sure that your renovation blends in with the original structure. One article in a June 2013 British newspaper showed a renovation of a mobile home literally stuck onto the side of the house. Cheap, yes. Cost effective and adding value to your home, no! Make sure that your renovation is sympathetic to your current home to add maximum value.
Three – Illegal additions.
If you don’t have the correct permits before you start work you might find that the local authorities make you take down all of the work that has been done, wasting all that cash and time. Get the right permits before you start. A reputable contractor will be able to guide you, but do your own homework too. Check with your local authorities before you start work.
Four – Do it Yourself.
This can seem like a great way to save money, but faulty wiring and plumbing causes big problems and safety concerns down the line. And having to re-do the work is always more expensive than having it done correctly, and safely, at the time.
Five – Bringing the space indoors.
People want outdoor space, so if your renovation uses up all of your outdoor space you could be in a quandary when it comes to resale value. Make sure that you have an attractive outdoor area where people can enjoy summer barbecues and relax. Also, bear in mind that removing trees is not always a good choice. Mature trees on a lot add value to a home.
Six – Personal choices
You may be sure that those solid gold taps are worth every cent, but the chances are that future buyers won’t share your taste and won’t be prepared to pay for the over the top finishing touches you added to your renovation. Spend the finishing touches cash on items that future buyers will want, such as quality tiling in the bathrooms and kitchen. Luxurious showers never go unnoticed. And going open plan and adding a space for a personal office are always great additions to any renovation.
Seven – Stuck together with spit and glue
The major problems that are caused when extensions are not attached to an existing structure correctly are overwhelming. Make sure that your current building is sound, and that the extensions are structurally matched to the existing building, ensuring they are not impacting negatively on the integrity of the foundations or causing cracks in the building in the future.
Eight – Building your house on sand.
Check your subfloor for soundness! Otherwise you could discover that your beautiful new kitchen or bathroom is destroyed in just a few years. A sound subfloor is essential in successful long term renovations.
Nine – Blocking the Light.
One of the top selling features in any house is the amount of natural light that big windows let in. When planning your renovation make the most of the garden and natural scenery. Put in large windows that let in lots of natural light and consider using French doors instead of windows in downstairs rooms, especially the kitchen were access to the garden is always a bonus. And a bathroom with a garden view window; always a winner.
Ten – Check references.
This should probably be top of the list. But just to make sure that you remember we put it at the end. This is vital. Check every reference that your contractor provides and ask the references for the references that they checked, too! All reputable contractors are happy to provide you with references, and those who don’t want to give references are not the contractors you want to work with.
And as a final point, remember that curb appeal really matters!
Spruce up the front of your home with a fresh coat of paint and some well-planned planting. Spending a few hundred dollars on the first impression that potential buyers will have of your home is money well spent!
This Valentine’s Day, take some time to build unity with your sweetheart by tackling a fun home project. Working together to create something new is a great way to spend the holiday. Check out some of these simple DIY projects that can be accomplished in one day.
1. Revamp the Bedroom
Take a look around your bedroom and tackle a project or two that will bring new life to your getaway spot.
Picture Collage- Use an old wooden shutter to create a picture collage of special moments from your relationship. Paint the shutter a complimenting color and arrange the pictures in a decorative way.
Wall Art- Glue small wood letters onto a blank canvas into phrases of love or endearment for your loved one. Spray the entire surface of the the canvas and letters with a light color, such as off white or yellow.
2. Ambient Lighting:
Hanging ambient light around your home can cast a romantic glow on your Valentine’s Day weekend.
LED Picture- paint a canvas board with a dark solid color. Use an ice pick to poke holes into the canvas in the shape of your desired design. With white LED lights, poke the bulbs through the holes.
Bulbs- Change the bulbs out in table lamps to red or blue to cast a beautiful shade onto the wall.
3. Spruce up the Entryway:
Make the front doorway of your love filled home inviting and completely stand out to the neighborhood.
Paint- Pick a bright color to paint your front door, such as red or blue. Paint crossbars white for an added dimension.
Plant Stand- If you have a covered entryway, paint a bookcase with the same paint as the door, and use for a potted flower and herb stand.
It used to be thought that there was only one design for yachts. But now, the world is literally your oyster with designer yacht concepts ranging from futuristic to historic.
If you can dream it, the chances are that a world class yacht designer can create it for you, and they will be able to add luxurious touches that elevate your dream to a reality in the form of a yacht that that will draw gasps from even the most jaded sailors.
The curves and planes of these designer yachts are what dreams are made of. The sleek lines of a designer yacht make it a joy to behold both at dock and at sea.
World class designers vie to create the must have design, with some seeking inspiration from the past, creating yachts filled with nostalgia and drawing on the ocean going craft of bygone eras while others seek to create a vessel that brings space travel to mind.
Bringing their passion, vision and dreams to the drawing board designers create yachts that are both beautiful and functional. Lighting is used to draw the eye to the craft both through the day and at night, while the use of advanced aerodynamics allow the yacht to slice through the waves while keeping the pitch and roll under control.
No longer are new yacht owners faced with just one option, now the options and choices are endless. And all result in a yacht that is designed to meet the owner’s exacting needs and demands while clearly demonstrating to all the style and class that the yacht gives.
With designers as skilled as those who are working today, it is entirely possible to have your dream made reality, and within a budget that will delight.
Owning a yacht is a life style choice, and with the wonderful range of options and designs now available there has never been a better time to join the ranks of the world’s yacht owners.
The kitchen space within your home is designed to be both functional and stylish. Updating your kitchen can create a new look within your entire home. By following remodeling design trends you can attain an elegant and distinct kitchen that looks appealing and functional.
Mixing Black and White
Contrasting colors is the best way to create a simplistic and stylish look. By choosing black countertops and white cabinets you can create a sleek and modern kitchen that is adored by all. Selecting appliance of one color will create a cohesive look that is perfect for your kitchen.
Advantages of Proper Lighting
Lighting is an essential element in every room within your home, but it is especially important in your kitchen. If you have a relatively small kitchen the space can be made larger by adding a chandelier light fixture that hangs over your kitchen island. This will create the illusion that your kitchen is larger than it actually is.
Mirrored Tiles
One of the latest design trends involves mirrored tiles that can be installed on your countertops or used as backsplash. These tiles create appealing light and shadow that can make your kitchen look more modern.
Farmhouse Motif
By adding old fashioned color patterns to your countertop you can create a remodeled kitchen that has farmhouse flair and style.
Large Kitchen Island
For cooking connoisseurs a large kitchen island located centrally in your kitchen will create a highly functional kitchen with immense space and neutral colors.
Much More Than a Kitchen
Due to the latest trends, kitchens are becoming more than just another room in your home. Instead kitchens are the prime location of beautiful decor items and oak flooring. Gold limestone countertops are also a new trend that is only increasing in popularity among luxurious kitchen owners.
Modern Updates
Some kitchens simply require a splash of modern flair to produce an updated and renovated look. By adding new appliances and pot racks, you can create a more modern and functional kitchen with ease.
Neutral Counter Tops
Soft lined and neutral toned countertops are the latest kitchen design trend that is gaining momentum. These countertops blend in well with a variety of kitchen styles.
Open Kitchen Floor Plans
If you have an open kitchen that is connected to your living space, it can be trendy to choose tiling or flooring options that match across both areas. This will create a cohesive and large space within your home.
Trendy Colors
Choosing daring colors can allow you to achieve a unique look within your kitchen. Red and lavender are two distinct color patterns that are popular paint options for your kitchen space.
The beauty and appeal of glass structures has evolved into some of the most impressive and amazing glass houses known to man. Glass allows nature to flood the home which is one of the reasons why these wonderful architects have spent their valuable resources in creating some of the most magnificent homes in the world.
TheGlass Cube
This is a huge corporate structure that is used for informal meetings and professional conferences. Built in 2007 in Bad Driburg, German, the pavilion style structure is constructed with a façade that is made entirely of glass and stands several stories into the air. These glass panels are frameless and extend over six meters tall, even fitted with specialized spring mechanisms to protect the glass from harsh weather and higher winds.
dRMM Sliding House
This home is shaped like a traditional four-sided barn that stands over two stories tall. But the intriguing difference in this structure is the end wall made entirely of glass and steel frames. This glass wall has the ability to extend approximately several meters with just the push of a button, effectively increasing the internal area of the structure as well. This retractable glass enclosure also helps to protect the design from the elements.
Watervilla Korenhoef
This home found in The Netherlands is almost entirely made of glass, resting on a body of water than can be viewed from all four sides of the structure. It even includes a lower basement level constructed of glass walls for a breathtaking view of the underwater world on which is sits. Its floor to ceiling glass walls make privacy difficult, which is why the bathrooms are located on the basement level underwater.
The Case Study House Program
The United States has its noteworthy glass homes as well. This impressive architectural dwelling was a design by world renowned designer John Entenza back in 1945. This was actually a pre-fabricated modular design that was an experiment to provide affordable housing to post World War II America. It came very close to being the model for the tract homes that later developed in the 1950’s.
The Changgyeonggung Palace
This magnificent structure is perhaps the largest and most intricately designed glasshouse on the planet, used for housing rare and beautiful flowers and tropical plants. It is located in Seoul, Korea and is part of one of the 5 major palaces for their country. Designed by Architect Hayato Fukuba who is also famous for the architectural wonder of the Shinjuku Imperial Garden in Tokyo, the Changgyeonggung Palace was actually built and constructed by a French Construction company.
Man has long held a fascination with Mother Nature, and blurring the lines between interior and exterior home features is what makes these glass structures so appealing even decades after their initial construction. The challenge to provide a certain amount of privacy while maintaining the beauty and elegance of a glass house is another significant achievement that cannot go unnoticed. These homes sure are beautiful, but they also come with a great deal of cleaning bills!
To keep your home cool for the summer is often quite the challenge. But the bedroom is generally the most important because you want to enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep. For all the rooms in the home, the bedroom is generally number one when it comes to being cool and comfortable.
What follows are a few simple tips for keeping this room in your home cool. Many of these suggestions are quite practical and limited in cost so you can put them in your budget.
Use a Fan: Fans can cool a room considerably at night. Plus, even a light breeze can make the room seem much cooler. For those who many not like having the air blown across the bed, you can put the fan in the window to better circulate the air in the room. Most standard fans will work and cost very little money or you can install and overhead fan that can help reduce the electricity bill as well.
Close the Shades: Only open the shades during the hottest part of the day so that the heat buildup will not be so great. You can also install solar window shades that will reduce the heat coming in from the outside of the home as well. The combination will greatly reduce the heat buildup and you can open the windows at night to let the cooler, fresh air inside.
Pillow in the Freezer: This is a neat trick where you put a small pillow in the freezer for an hour. Be sure to wrap the pillow in a plastic shopping bag to keep ice from forming. The pillow will stay cool for a while as you drift off to sleep.
Decorate with Cool Colors: Your bedroom should be painted in cooler colors such as blues, grays or light greens. Having cooler colors is more of a psychological trick, but it often works quite well in helping people believe that it is actually a cooler room. Sometimes, that’s all you need to accomplish in order to make the room appear cooler.
Silk & Satin: These fabrics are cooler to the touch than cotton or other types of bedding. They are also smoother as well so they will feel more comfortable in the hotter weather. By using satin sheets and silk pillowcases, you can increase the comfort level in your bed while making it cooler to the touch as well.
Hang up the Bedding: Try removing your bedding and hanging it up during the day after you get up in the morning. Then before you go to sleep, take the bedding down and put it back on the bed. By hanging your bedding out of the sun, you help keep it cool and drain away any moisture build-up for a more comfortable sleep.
These are just a few ideas for keeping your bedroom cool this summer. By utilizing any or all of these ideas, you will sleep more comfortably and cooler which means a longer night’s sleep.
The term “blobbiest” may not be the first that comes to mind when thinking of unique buildings, but it is the one term that evokes thoughts of structures shaped like UFOs or curvy parasols or even melted guitars. Emporis of Hamburg, Germany, a building data company has recently compiled a list of the world’s most “blobbiest” buildings to provide a unique category for structures that otherwise may not make anyone’s list.
These building represent the extreme in terms of modern design are have evoked wonder at their very construction. While they may not be the tallest, most beautiful or stylish, they certainly are highly unique and offer insight into the creative minds which designed them and the construction crews that built them.
The buildings often get their nickname “blob” or “blobby” from the water-like shape that is created. The staff at Emporis felt that it was time to honor these unusual creations and now they are starting to spread to different parts of the world.
The List of the Most “Blobbiest” Buildings in the World
What follows is a list, in no particular order, of the buildings that Emporis considered the most “blobbiest” in terms of style.
Metropol Parasol – Spain
Kunsthaus Graz – Austria
Experience Music Project – USA
New York by Gehry – USA
Selfridges Building – England
The Sage Gateshead – England
De Admirant Entrace Building – Netherlands
Golden Terraces – Poland
City Hall – England
DZ Bank Building – Germany
These are certainly some of the most unique, most interesting buildings that have ever been constructed. The Metropol Parasol in Seville, Spain is the largest wooden structure in the world while the Experience Music Project in Seattle, USA is actually locally known as “The Blob”, making it a prime example of this unique architectural approach.
The Golden Terraces in Warsaw, Poland offer a unique, wavy roof that was crafted from 4,700 separate elements of glass. Its remarkable appearance sits over the atrium of a multi-story shopping center as if it were a frozen wave of water.
The Future of “Blobby” Buildings
Although relatively small in number, the future of “blobby” buildings seems to be quite strong despite the less than universal acceptance by the public. For example, the Selfridges Building in Birmingham, England may have been called a “beehive” thanks to the honeycomb-type frame over the façade, but the London City Hall earned the nickname, “Glass Testicle” thanks to its rather familiar-looking shape.
However, new “blobby” buildings are already in the planning stages for many of the world’s major cities, including the new Louis Vuitton pour la Creation in Paris which was designed by Frank O. Gehry, a prominent name in the world of “blobby” buildings, which is due to open this year.
For those who adore these types of structures, there will certainly be more of them about to fascinate and dazzle. However, for those who are not impressed with “blobby” buildings, there will be no doubt a number of creative nicknames that will be created as well.
