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Architectural Design – Building Your Dream Home

Posted on 11-07-2010 | By: admin

Category : Summer Home Improvement Articles

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Image : http://www.flickr.com

Architectural design is a very specific discipline. There are many companies that specialise in creating home designs and plans for building new homes, but not all of them are going to necessarily meet your the needs. You need to realise that you are the creator of your own home building destiny. You have to find the designers that you like best based on the sample designs that they have. While price does matter to a degree, it shouldn’t be the only factor that affects your final decision. Instead, you should focus on choosing quality design first and then narrow down your options based on the budget that you have.

Architectural design is very open and varied no matter where you look. Every designer has their own style and is able to work with you to create the best home that you could possibly imagine. When you build a home, you want to make sure that it’s exactly what you want. Buying an existing home allows you to make certain concessions and compromises because it’s already built and you can always renovate it later. However, when you are starting from scratch, you need to make sure that you get the home of your dreams because it’s what you deserve. Good designers will understand this and will work with you to determine what is best for your needs.

Architectural design affords you the chance to see a variety of different styles of homes by designers from all over the region where you live. New Zealand has many great home designers that you can work with, so it’s really just a matter of taking the time to look and find the home designer that you want to work with. Think about your favourite styles, how big of a home you want, and the budget that you have to work with. Using a combination of these elements, you can come up with the right designer and the perfect home design for your new home.

Professional architectural design needs to be a part of your plans for building your dream home. You need to make sure that you choose the most qualified and experienced designer that you can afford. In total, you really just need to take the time to process your options, figure out what you want and need, and then make the decisions that best suit you and your new home.

dsigna Concepts is a professional architectural design and draughting services company based in New Plymouth, Taranaki on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. We deliver services from architectural design to council permit drawings. With the use of computer-aided design programs, we not only offer 2D drawings, but also computer generated 3D images. As well as servicing our local market with custom architectural house design services, we also offer a searchable online database of architecturally designed house/home plans, available to anyone in New Zealand. http://www.dsignaconcepts.co.nz/


Do My Thoughts Deceive Me? Human Factors and Design

Posted on 09-07-2010 | By: admin

Category : Summer Home Improvement Videos

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Google Tech Talk December 16, 2009 ABSTRACT Presented by Jason H. Wong. Our brains are not as reliable as we would like to think. Human factors is the science of understanding human cognition and designing systems to work within its limitations. A lot of time and effort has gone into understanding how our brains work (and when they don’t). However, we continue to make fundamental design errors that not only go against cognitive science principles but common sense as well. This talk will explore some of the quirkier aspects of our cognition, from visual attention to memory and decision making. There will be copious examples of design gone wrong along with discussions of how to understand how we think and how to avoid making design mistakes in the future. Dr. Jason H. Wong is a Human Factors Scientist with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC). He received his Ph.D. in 2009 from George Mason University in Human Factors and Applied Cognition, where he conducted research on visual attention and working memory. He was awarded the Department of Defense SMART Scholarship in 2007. This paved the way for his work at NUWC, where Dr. Wong examines the human-computer interaction aspects of complex systems, develops efficient submariner training methodologies, and creates cognitive models to simulate human performance.


Replacing Sliding Doors With French Doors

Posted on 17-06-2010 | By: admin

Category : Home Management

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Typically leading out to the patio or backyard, sliding doors or French doors allow plenty of sunlight in while giving you a private view and access to the outdoors. Sliding glass doors are simply designed and perform the basic functions but may be seen as outdated and commonplace. A pair of French doors opens fully to the outdoors and adds charm and elegance to a space. Follow these steps to replace your sliding doors with French doors.

1. Take measurements of your old doors and purchase your French doors.

It is a good idea to purchase your French doors before you begin any work to remove your existing doors, since you may have to wait a couple of weeks or longer for the new doors to arrive. In order to purchase the right size of replacement doors, you will need to measure the height and width of your existing sliding doors. French doors come in standard sizes, so if you take your measurements to any reputable lumber yard or home improvement store, they should be able to order the correct size of a set of pre-hung French doors. If in doubt, you may remove the trim from the outside to obtain the measurements for the rough door opening, without removing the old door. It is best to choose a door with dimensions a quarter inch smaller on each side than the rough opening.

2. Detach your old sliding doors.

Once your new doors have arrived, you can get to work replacing your doors. Pry the existing trim and moldings loose with a hammer. The track and the rest of the sliding door unit will be exposed. Unscrew the nails on the side jambs, the top header, and the bottom track that secure the door panels in place. Pull the fixed panel away from the track and remove, followed by the sliding panel. You may need to pry the fixed door panel out of the side jamb if it is stuck.

3. Remove the rest of the sliding door unit.

Unscrew all the nails holding the jambs, header, and track in place. The unit should easily come loose. The side jambs tend to require more work to remove, and you need to be careful not to damage the wall surrounding the door frame. Starting at the bottom, pry the metal jamb away from the side wall.

4. Place the French doors in the opening and assess the fit.

Do not remove any clips or straps that hold your new doors aligned and closed. Center the door unit in the opening and position it into place. Using a level, assess if the door unit is even and plumb. You may need to get a friend to help you hold the door in place while you use shims to adjust the fit of the door. Start with the top and bottom corners and then behind the hinges, making sure to assess for levelness after each shim.

5. Secure the new doors into place.

Attach the frame of the unit to the opening using three nails for each jamb. Nail any shims into the jambs or the frame. Secure the doors on the hinges, remove the clips or straps attached to the doors, and test out their swinging motion. Fill the cracks between the jamb and frame with insulation. Install the interior casing and exterior molding, and apply caulk along the exterior to seal out drafts. Complete your door replacement by following the manufacturer's finishing instructions.

About the Author: Alyssa Davis, who writes exclusively for Metal-Wall-Art.com, offers many suggestions for creating bold interiors with wall art and large wall sculptures.


Good Uses For a Nest of Tables

Posted on 04-01-2010 | By: admin

Category : Home Management

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Any creative home decorator keeps an open mind for new ideas. If you have not been using nests of tables in your designs you are ignoring a very flexible element. Most modern nests of tables consist of three small tables of sequentially smaller sizes capable of being stacked or stored under the largest table. The use of floor space does not have to be more than the space of the largest table. While nests of tables can exceed three nested tables – any number beyond three makes three smallest units too small to be practical. Two unit nests are less common than three units but much more common than four or more units. Most two unit Nested tables are only a few inches tall while in the three table sets the largest table may be 20 to 28inches tall.

There are so many styles of nested tables that one is certain to match your d?cor. From severely modern black and chrome to classical styled mahogany and even glass or [shiver] plastic. There is a nest of tables for anyone. There are shapes and sizes to fit in any space. Nests of tables can be square, rectangular, round or oval.

No room is immune to the benefits and styling of nests of tables. One expects to see nests of tables in a family room. After all when family and guests get together there are never enough horizontal surfaces for drinks, nibbles or ashtrays. Pull out the nested tables and the problem is solved. The broad collection of styles and sizes assures a nest of tables for other rooms as well.

Kitchens can benefit from extra space for snack foods or mood candles. In bedrooms nests of tables offer the designer extra elements to express creativity beyond the bed and a dresser and chair. Whimsical or romantic, colorful or subdued a style can be found tocomplement or complete the theme of your room.

Don't be surprised to find a nest of tables in a bathroom. One small table holding a bowl of decorative soaps can disguise two nested tables with room for your wine and candles while you soak in the warm bubbles.

One must exercise basic design skills to select a nest of tables for a particular room. Factors in the decision will include size, shape, overall style and finish and intended use. In a child's room where a visiting child just might decide it is a seat, you don't want an expensive and fragile antique. The children will be better served by a simple wood or plastic nested cube where the smaller tables seem to disappear within the largest table until needed.

There are even decorative metal styles that work quite well as patio tables. There is always a need for another table for the pitcher of lemonade or a platter of fruit.

Once you visit your local furniture retailer and see the multitude of nests of tables there, you might be tempted to throw out your other furniture to make room for lots of nests of tables. Always remember – there can always be too much of any good thing even nests of tables.

About the Author: Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer. Her current area of specialism is corner sofa, sofa sale and kitchen sale


Ceramic Floor Tiles Through the Years

Posted on 16-12-2009 | By: admin

Category : Home Management

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Bright colors, unique shapes, and intricate designs are the cornerstones found throughout the history of ceramic floor tiles. Archeological discoveries have found ceramic floor tiles still in the pristine condition that was present when they were first fired and installed in family homes. The tiles at that time were used in every area where visitors might visit just as they are today.

More structured elements were added to the composition of ceramic floor tiles as their use extended to all levels of society and it was necessary to maintain a quality standard for each tile produced. Prior to this time there were very few ceramic floor tile makers and the methods for creating the tiles was not recorded. Until mass production was introduced many of the styles and designs that are available today were not affordable for an average family. Today's ceramic floor tiles have seen a resurgence of artist designs seen throughout history and tiles have again assumed their place within the art community in many locations.

Most ceramic tiles are created with an eye toward the dramatic. They are produced in an array of colors and designs which range from bright and bold primary colors to muted neutral tones. Specialists in ceramic tile once again address each project as a creation of usable art by the individual requesting it striving to reflect a distinct disign and character. With the introduction of laser technology these unique tiles can be mass produced at an affordable price and can been seen in every style of home.

The decorative styles of minimalism and urban chic require that ceramic tiles be in neutral colors that provide a continuous flow from floor to ceiling in kitchens. While the tiles used may be different for the floor and wall, they must provide the textural landscape that provides the illusion of movement. In addition, the tiles must be capable of withstanding the constant flow of traffic that is in a kitchen area as well as resilience when heavy objects fall on it.

Ceramic floor tiles receive ratings that indicate their ability to resist moisture and foot traffic. Choosing tile includes consideration of the rating of the tile and the amount of use that will be taking place in the area in which it is placed. For instance, a patio area would require a ceramic tile with a rating of 4 which indicates that it is the most durable floor tile available and will withstand heavy traffic and use.

A rating of 1 indicates that the tile is very delicate and should not be used in areas where there is any traffic at all. These tiles are very porous and are used primarily for decorative areas on the floors of homes. The more delicate ceramic tile is what is used most often by artisans to create floor tile mosiacs which, when glued together on a floor, create a beautiful artistic pattern that is to be admired by visitors.

In bathrooms today the practice of using floor tiles from floor to ceiling throughout the bathroom is growing in popularity. Class 2 ceramic floor tiles are especially designed for bathroom use and are not appropriate for heavy foot traffic. These tiles are not as porous as many of the ceramic tiles made and are not damaged by the steam produced in many bathrooms. They require care when cleaning because they are covered with a sealing substance which will scratch off if cleaned with the wrong product.

A heavier tile with a rating of 3 or 4 which is specifically designed for moderate to heavy traffic provides the perfect floor for a bathroom or kitchen that is used constantly. These tiles are designed to compliment the more delicate floor tiles and give the illusion of a seamless enclosure in a bathroom. The cost of the higher rated ceramic tile makes enclosure a bathroom in tile much more affordable and the need to replace broken tiles is reduced considerably.

About the Author: Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer. Her current area of specialism is curtain pole, recliner and christmas


Interior Design 101 – Choosing the Right Wall Accents For Your Home

Posted on 15-06-2009 | By: admin

Category : Uncategorized

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Bathroom by Peach Interior Design
Image by Aristocrat via Flickr

Interior Design 101 – Choosing the Right Wall Accents For Your Home

By: Alyssa Davis

Decorating your home can be a difficult and frustrating task. Your dilemma will be where exactly you should begin the whole process of decorating. It will be no surprise at the middle of the task when you will feel a little bit overwhelmed. You may probably have a clear idea on what you want but you are not sure how specifically you can incorporate these ideas on the actual room design.

It is always best to start slowly particularly if you are not a professional interior designer. Finding the perfect wall décor can be a very difficult process so it is essential that you do not rush yourself. Every artist needs a starting point so here are a few suggestions on various types of wall art you can use in the different parts of your house.

• For the bedrooms, you can use family photographs and soft draperies to the bedroom walls. You can even use a theme to decorate the whole room. For instance, you can use music theme wall hangings for your children’s room to create a melodious atmosphere to it. Other themes you can use can be centered on romantic, sentimental and cozy themes.

• Bathroom wall decor can include ceramic fixtures that can be color coordinated to the room’s theme. If you have chosen a Japanese garden theme, you may want to place fortune plants and white pebbles in the bathroom to create that effect. Match accessories such as towel bars, soap dishes to enhance the design.

• The living room is where large and beautiful works of art are displayed. The size of the wall hanging depends on the size and proportions of the whole room. Painting and mirrors are usually placed above fireplaces or sofas. It is important that these masterpieces are secured tightly on the wall it was mounted on. If this is not done properly, it may cause accidents especially when guests are sitting on the sofa.

• Hallways can be decorated by hanging touches of wall accents that can connect one part of the house to another.

• The kitchen or dining area can also be a place where you can have fun with the wall hangings. Have fun and decorate the room with dining or fruit images as well as other decors that you find interesting. In some homes, the kitchen wall is usually adored with beautifully painted plates. You can also hang assorted baskets, fake fruits and cookware which add a homey touch to the kitchen and dining area. Building a wall wine rack can save on space at the same time is a decorative piece.

Choosing the perfect wall accent can surely define an entire room and create the atmosphere you want. For instance, if you are musically inclined then music theme wall hangings reflect your personality best. You should base your decision on you own personal preference and not from advices from home décor magazines. Many people use wall art to make a dramatic statement about themselves. It is also a way of telling a story to your guests. Deciding onhow you would want your room to feel like when you are in it is the best place to start when choosing a wall accent. You should enjoy it as much as everybody else because for the most time, you will be the one staying inside your house.

Article Source:

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_4092.shtml

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