Author Archives: Selse1946

Report From Dwell on Design 2011

Walking through the expo in the Dwell on Design seminar in Los Angeles June 24, I found lots of tips for improving modern living spaces I wanted to discuss with you. Below are a few of my favourite finds, from outside living innovations and kitchen and bathroom design options to a light that floats like a cloud. (I invite you to see the vendors’ sites to determine their whole product lines. Click on the green links beneath the photos.)

More about Dwell on Design

Kismet Tile

Kismet Tile

These Moroccan cement tiles offer new geometries and daring color choices while adhering to traditional manufacturing methods. It is a union of the best that old and new need to offer. These gorgeous tiles are packed in color, provided in multitudes of shapes and designs, and can be used indoors or out.

molostore.com

Cloud Softlight Pendant

A exceptional lighting pendant made from pleated paper is a weightless, organic shape that floats in your area like a cloud. Like cloud formations, this design works well in a group. The business creates a corresponding distance divider also made of pleated craft newspaper.

Natalie Myers

Wallter Outdoor Post Planters – $92

Powder-coated aluminum pole figurines will liven up your yard with plants that are elevated and bright colors. All these are nothing like your neighbors’ traditional flower beds. How fun will be the orange posts? They also come in hanging and wall mounted styles.

Jory Brigham Design

Quiet Evolution – Jory Brigham

The bench is a composite of white concrete and timber, and functions as both seats and planter. Its mid-century-inspired silouette creates a really modern and sculptural piece that can be placed indoors or out. Versatility, a fresh material combination, and a solid layout are selling points for me.

Colorhouse Paint

Yolo Paints – $22

A lot of us are looking for greener goods to replace those made with toxic chemicals or that emit harmful gases. Yolo paints are a breath of fresh air (pun intended) for the paint marketplace and therefore are conveniently accessible at Lowe’s and Home Depot.

Radius Shop

Radius Design Shop – EUR 299

A modern style steel mailbox with glass front allows you to bring a personal touch outside your front door. You play with designer by choosing the font or by using your own signature.

LACAVA

AL028 Alia Vanity at Contemporary Vanities – $1,790

Lavaca’s product lineup is on the luxury end of this spectrum, but they are always a great inspiration and on the forefront of both edgy and modern bathroom layout.

Take this rounded variant of this wall mounted vanity. It showcases space-saving layout with clever interior engineering of storage compartments (I opened the cabinet doors in the display to watch for myself). Beautiful wood finishes and amazing matching hardware result in unrivaled bathroom components. Check out their rounded bathtubs too.

Unison Home

Sailor + Regatta Navy Duvet – $108

Always on the lookout for new linen collections, I had been attracted to the minimalist picture look of this striped bedding. The reversible duvet alternates between dense, picture sailor stripes and thin regatta stripes. Matching sheets and cases can be found in both layouts. This simple yet bold line of bedding could work well in a lot of bedrooms and styles of furniture.

Napoleon Fireplaces

HD81 See-Thru Gas Fireplace

A stunning translucent gas fireplace that offers warmth, a dance yellow flame, glowing embers, and a remote controller was a mesmerizing and sexy item. I can see many applications for this type of setup in both residential and commercial areas. It is a sexy touch to divisions between public/private or indoor outdoor spaces.

terriplanty.bigcartel.com

Terriplanty â Home – $76

Your house does not need to be uber-modern along with your pockets additional heavy to have the ability to bring a little of Dwell on Design into your home. The artful terrariums by LA neighborhood Terri Planty are one-of-a- type whimsical pieces full of beautiful collections of vegetation and miniature people and creatures. Custom work could be commissioned.

Next: 10 Favorite Finds from West Coast Green

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Hallways Using a Beckoning Beauty All Their Own

The popularity of open floor plans in modern and contemporary residential design — most evident in the “great rooms” that combine living space, dining room and kitchen has not completely abolished the space which traditionally joins distinct rooms: halls. Even with open floor plans, halls could be integrated as transitional spaces between private and public, inside and out, or between various zones of the house.

Modern/contemporary hallways can be partitioned into three kinds: single-loaded, or outboard routes with rooms on either side; double-loaded, the internal corridors with rooms on both sides; and bridges, be they inside tall spaces or as separate amounts connecting two sides of a house. Hybrids certainly exist, but these distinctions are utilized to structure the examples that follow.

Sagan / Piechota Architecture

This house in Big Sur, Calif. uses all-glass walls to start up expansive views of the ocean and surrounding landscape. Here we can observe it to the left, along with the glass wall to the right way that view is not sacrificed by the hallway that offers entry to the ends of the linear plan.

jessop architects

Direct sunlight is not always desired, even if it’s into a hallway, where heat can build up and radiate to the remainder of the house. The exterior wall within this example uses louvers to cut back on the hot sun. Notice the pocket in the left foreground, which closes off this end of this hallway from the remainder.

Architects, Webber + Studio

This hallway uses solid panels to make a rhythm in the glass outside. As you can see, these panels are ideal for displaying paintings. The clerestories are a nice touch that illuminate the ceiling and lower the need for artificial lighting throughout the day.

John Lum Architecture, Inc.. AIA

More rhythm and art: one opposite the other, Here the Cabinets and photos work in concert.

Jeff Green Photography

The rhythm here, in what I am imagining is the exterior wall at right, is compact but splendid in the light it generates. This can be aided no doubt by the light onto the far wall and the world which appears to beckon.

Sutton Suzuki Architects

In this example the outside wall is a courtyard, so both sides are controlled, allowing for full-height glazing with no shades for privacy. Shelving on the left screens art which may be appreciated even from outside, as people lounge next to the pool.

David Vandervort Architects

This hall does a good job of opening views into the landscape of trees, but note how it also climbs in the distance to follow the topography. An exterior stair visible through the glass in the center of this photo demonstrates that this consideration of site extends into the spaces out as well.

John Maniscalco Architecture

Moving into double-loaded corridors, we can observe that spatially and with respect to pure lighting they are not as dramatic or special since single-loaded ones. But often they’re necessary. This one is treated, using a white wall reverse a wood wall with matching cupboard doors.

John Maniscalco Architecture

Lighting can definitely be used to make halls more unique, and in this scenario rhythmic. Often the doorways that line halls can be irrelevant, creating a random result (not the case here), thus a solid element like those lights may instill its rhythm. Notice the sliding door in the distance, a nice touch that enables the window to frame the end of the hallway when that space is not occupied.

Peter A. Sellar – Architectural Photographer

Even the barest of halls — and I can’t think of one more bare than those two white walls — can be made better by shaping the distance.

Ian Moore Architects

This seems like it could win the award for longest hallway on Houzz, but it’s actually comprised of two segments: In the foreground is a double-loaded corridor with sliding doors onto the left and some ingenious display distance below storage on the best; in the background is …

Ian Moore Architects

… A bridge which links the present house and also. Here again we have louvers cutting back on direct sunlight. This sort of visual “noise” also discourage birds from inadvertently striking glass walls, something which is raised in bridges with glass on both sides.

Fatima McNell

This large bridge seems like it could be utilized as a space, state as a really nice home office.

This second-floor bridge comprises a stair to connect two parts of the house. The dark remedy of this ground and ceiling helps to concentrate attention on the outside along with its daylight.

Kanner Architects – CLOSED

This ground-floor hallway bridges two parts of the house, but in addition, it acts as a transition between the outside (left) along with the courtyard (right).

jones | haydu

What at first glance appears to be only a double-loaded corridor is restricted by a net on the ceiling. From above …

jones | haydu

… we see that this is a bridge which follows the route of the hallway downstairs. In cases like this the location of this bridge is a given, since the distance below the swimmer’s summit is the only place to fit it with enough vertical clearance to walk.

This indoor bridge is illuminated with a glass-block skylight which follows the walls. With indoor bridges, it’s often the situation that what lies in the conclusion is of some importance, like the master bedroom, so the special journey is suitable. A bathroom in the end of this hallway, for instance, would not make much sense.

Turnbull Griffin Haesloop

The last few examples show hybrids which combine bridges together with single-loaded hallways, what are basically mezzanines. This one finds books windows that are opposite , all under a roof.

Chang + Sylligardos Architects

I sense a pattern: more novels along with a sloping roof. Hallways are good places for novels, because they don’t occupy space in other rooms as well as the mental noise they create (look how a lot of the books I have not read yet!) Is tucked out of their way, yet they’re still easily accessible.

John Maniscalco Architecture

Here we’ve got art opposite windows below a sloping roof. The skylight is really a nice touch, illuminating the paintings which may be observed from below as well.

More: Read photos of hallway designs
Design in the End of the Hall

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Design Dilemma: Tricky Attic Conversion

Do you have an idea how to help Houzz user design4meisnoteasy turn her loft into a comfortable, well-organized bedroom? The Houzz Questions section has been buzzing with activity on the subject. Click here to see the original question and join the discussion!

Houzz Design Dilemmas

“I have no clue where to begin because the slanted walls are intimidating,” states design4meisnoteasy. “It doesn’t have large walls or ceilings that are high. It is just a bit in between.”

Houzz Design Dilemmas

She’s expecting to utilize the space as an additional bedroom. Can you help her develop ways to work with the angled walls?

Houzz Design Dilemmas

Click here to visit the original query, find out what others are saying and then discuss your ideas.

Have you been stumped by something in your home? Post your own Design Dilemma.

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Mistakes to Avoid When Doing Water Damage Cleanup

The best way to approach a water damage accident, whether big or small, is with the utmost urgency and care.  If you’re pretty confident in your Orange County water damage capabilities then, by all means, respond as quickly as possible to the water damage, as delayed cleanup can lead to even more damage to your property.

Read on to find out which mistakes you should avoid when doing a water damage cleanup in your home.

Not Recognizing a Dangerous Situation

One of the biggest mistakes that DIY-ers make when it comes to water damage restoration Orange County is taking the problem at face value. It’s important to not make any sweeping assumptions in a water damage situation, as a small puddle on the surface could be hiding some serious structural damage, chemical or sewage contaminants and even mold. That’s why it’s so important to start by evaluating the situation first before you start cleaning up to ascertain what recourse should be taken, and whether or not your expertise will be enough to sort the situation out or if you should call on the services of a water damage specialist.

Using the Wrong Equipment

The most common DIY tools used by homeowners to deal with water damage are the usual mop and bucket, or a wet-dry vacuum cleaner/sump pump for a more heavy-duty job. However, it’s important to note here that the absence of water doesn’t necessarily equate to a finished job, as there could still be water and moisture trapped inside the surfaces of your home.

The best way to figure out how much moisture is trapped inside the walls and floor surfaces is to rent moisture detection equipment and use it to determine the extent of the damage. This will inform your next step, which should be to completely dry out the entire area in order to avoid hidden damage and issues with mold in the near future.

The most efficient drying equipment that we recommend you use for this purpose is either a commercial grade fan or a dehumidifier, both of which you can rent out at a minimal cost.

Ignoring the Details

Oftentimes, it’s the small details that end up spoiling your water damage Orange County efforts. For example, things like removing the carpet padding, securing the furniture and other important valuables, keeping certain doors and drawers closed and others open, ending the drying process too soon, as well as making sure that everything is decontaminated in the entire area. These are all small details that many overlook.

Again, search for hidden damage using dedicated equipment, because moisture can easily hide your subfloors or drywall, causing a serious mold problem later that will take a lot of time and money to fix.  

As you can see, water damage repair Orange County is no easy feat, and is even harder when you’re a one-man (or woman) team. The best way to get the job done efficiently and properly is to act fast and pay attention to detail while making sure that you use the right equipment along each step of the way.

The best way to Grow Heliconias From Rhizomes

Commonly called birds that were fake or lobster claws -of-paradise, the Heliconias don’t develop outside year round except in places like Hawaii. Hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 1-0, lobster claws experience injury if exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore develop them in large containers indoors or in greenhouses. This short lived flowers for three to four years and perennial grows. Lobster claws grow from rhizomes planted in rich soil that is organically.

Drill holes in the underside of a heavy duty big container using an electric drill. Space the holes similarly across the underside. Cut of screen mesh materials with scissors a little bit the dimensions of the container bottom. Place the mesh in the plant pot to stop the soil.

Mix together equal parts of potting soil, woodchip mulch and peat moss to get a fast draining soil mixture that can hold the correct amount of water for the lobster-claw plant’s roots. Fill the plant pot together with the soil mixture up to 1-inch in the rim.

Dig a hole 1 to 3″ deep, with respect to the dimensions of the rhizome. Place the rhizome in the hole using the most apparent developing factors. Level them downward whether there are roots. Don’t worry excessively about planting the rhizome upside down, as it’ll just have a little longer to produce it to the area.

Water the soil drains out the underside of the container. Place the plant pot – catch and place in a area with indirect light. Growth starts in two to eight months. While the rhizome is developing, keep the soil moist.

Feed the lobster-claw with well-balanced water soluble fertilizer when the plant is approximately a month-old. Feed every 8 weeks after the fertilizer manufacturer’s instructions

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The best way to Determine Laminate Flooring Quality

Lots of laminate items also go longer longer, and floors were created to look, feel and even seem like genuine hardwood with no hardwood value tag and wear better in relation to the real thing. The broad selection of flooring supplies on the industry can appear overwhelming, particularly for those who have never installed a floor. To choose a new ground that can assist you as well as your family properly for years to come, do not be be scared ask questions and to look carefully. The more you know concerning the materials you select, the more likely you’re to get a great-quality merchandise.

Ask the salesperson regarding the grade of the product’s. Floors are graded for quality on a three-level scale: best, better and excellent. Products with higher grades could be be more costly, which means you may not be in a position to make your selection with this factor.

Look in a sample of the flooring installed in the shop. Check the alignment of the boards and look for unevenness or gaps. Good-quality laminate floor boards produce a flat area and should lock together.

Examine the flooring sample to view if you’re able to spot the pattern that is repeating. Higher-quality laminate floors have styles with enough selection they look natural. In the event the ground appears machine made, it’s of lower-quality.

Ask the salesperson in the event the materials is immediate- or high pressure. While both processes generate practical flooring, high pressure laminate is a often of better-quality and a a more recent engineering.

Confirm together with the salesperson the product includes a UV area. This assists keep the hard-wood picture on the flooring in great problem.

Look in the label on the materials or request the salesperson exactly what the ISO rankings of the product’s are. Good-quality laminate h AS an ISO score of 9001.

Check the item for a NALFA Certification Seal. The Us Laminate Flooring Association (nalfa.com) certifies laminates after subjecting them to 1 quality assurance assessments, including water-resistance, stain resistance and toughness under different other types of tension.

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Essential Tips When Renting a Roll Off Dumpster

Renting a dumpster can be a great solution to get rid of any debris from your house. Whether you are doing a major remodeling at home or maybe you have finally decided to do that spring cleaning you’ve been planning for months, a roll off dumpster is a great option. However, there are a number of important things you will need to keep in mind when you choose a handyman Bloomington in service.

The following are some of the most important ones:

Prepare a Location for the Container

A standard dumpster is relatively big. A 40-yard roll off dumpster, for example, will measure about 22 feet long and 8 feet wide. For homeowners who have a small driveway, such a large dumpster will not fit.  In this case, you need to plan for an alternative space. You can move your car out of the driveway and see if it will work. The goal is to make sure that the roll-off truck can enter your driveway.

Shop Around

There are many dumpster rental companies out there, most of which have unique services. If you are looking to rent for the first time, make sure you take advantage of these options. Instead of hiring the first handyman Bloomington you come across, take some time to look at what various companies are offering and pick a provider that meets your needs and your budget.

Choose the Container Size Carefully

Dumpsters for rent come in different sizes. This diversity in size is based on the fact that different people have different needs. The bigger the dumpster the more money you will pay for it. Bigger dumpsters are also bulky and very difficult to handle. However, it all depends on the job you have. If you are moving a lot of debris then a bigger dumpster will offer great value for money compared to a smaller one. The most important thing is to clearly assess the job at hand.

Avoid Prohibited Items

Each handyman Bloomington service provider has a list of materials that it doesn’t accept. This might include hazardous waste such as car batteries, oils, inflammable materials etc. Before you hire a dumpster, ensure you understand the materials that are prohibited. If you find that you have such materials to move, discuss the matter with the rental service provider for alternative disposal options. Don’t sneak in prohibited items into the debris and assume no one will notice. This will cost you more in the end.

Plan Ahead

You need to have a clear plan on how you will use the dumpster. Have a plan on how the dumpster will be dropped off and how it will be delivered. Create a timeline too for the job and stick to it. This will help you maximize the use of the dumpster.

A handyman Bloomington can help you move a lot of items quicker but you must maximize every rental. Follow the tips above very carefully so you can choose the right roll off dumpster for your needs.

The best way to Remove Wax & Sealer From Vinyl Composite Tiles

Vinyl composition tile is created from chips of vinyl which can be fused together with strain and heat. The tiles are available in various designs and colors and so are made to resemble wood, stone, terrazzo and concrete. Vinyl composition tile is generally employed in locations with high foot-traffic due to the durability. This toughness makes it easy to clear as correctly used chemical flooring strippers and buffer devices not damage it.

Prepare the Ground

Walk the whole ground and examine it for mud, gum or other international products which can be stuck onto the tile. Scrape the international products using a knife up.

Inspect the corners of the workshop where. Scrape the wax buildup out using the knife while being mindful to not dig to the tile.

The ground cautiously using a dust mop to remove dirt and all dust.

Prepare an answer of floor stripper blend, in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, in a bucket completely specified for the stripper blend. Place a mop using a clear heavy duty head in the bucket.

Fill another bucket with warm water that is clear and place a heavy duty mop involved with it it.

Place the ground-buffer device — using a new, black-coloured pad that is stripping — as well as the wet-vac device conveniently from the workshop. Make certain it is plugged in and ready to go.

Stripping and Waxing the Ground

Soak the mop at a time and use it to the ground — one 10-by-10-foot area using a generous quantity of the solution.

Allow the solution setting on the flooring for roughly five to 1 minutes to emulsify sealer and the wax.

Scour the handled section of the flooring with all the black pad as well as the ground buffer device. In order for the stripper pad moves in a round pattern that continually overlaps the prior circle control the movement of the flooring buffer.

Remove the stripper remedy utilizing the damp-vac device while it’s wet. Don’t try to moist-vac the portion of of flooring in the event the the perfect solution is h-AS dried. It’s necessary to repeat the procedure that is stripping before moist-vacuuming.

Mop the portion of of ground with hotwater and the clear mop to grab and rinse a-way all traces of wax remedy and sealer. Mop the flooring several occasions asneeded to keep it obvious and warm, and alter the water.

Wring the mop out completely and mop the flooring dry.

Move to the next 1-by-10-foot area and repeat the process.

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10 Important Considerations for the Bedroom Addition of Your Dreams

painter Escondido, CA is a constant part of any passionate homemaker’s life and if you’ve set your sights on designing the master bedroom of your dreams this coming spring, then you’ll truly appreciate our marvelous tips on what you should consider in your planning process.

Location

Whether it’s on the ground floor facing a garden path or at an upper level of the home overlooking a pool, you want to make sure that your master bedroom is well-placed to take advantage of the surrounding environment. It’s also important to consider how your bedroom layout will affect the rest of the house plan, and whether it enables enough privacy.

If you’re thinking of elevating your master bedroom but don’t have enough space to do so on the existing structure, you can either build it into the existing roof or construct a second floor on top of the current house. Just keep in mind that this route will require new painter Escondido, CA on the existing structure to ensure that it is in line with present-day building codes.

Lightning

These days, you can use various light fixtures to create a unique ambiance in your bedroom. From crystal chandeliers to candles and cove lighting, the options are endless.

Windows

Most homeowners feel that the master bedroom is more appealing when there is plenty of natural light coming through its windows. However, you want it to be completely dark during the night so that you can enjoy uninterrupted sleep, thus it’s important to consider the effect of both light and dark when planning your master bedroom. This will make it possible for you to design your windows in a way that balances both. While large floor to ceiling windows are currently in vogue, blinds are often used to shut out the moonlight at night, while opening them up during the day allows the sun to come in.

Theme

Choosing a theme is probably one of the most exciting aspects of all remodels. Theme choices include minimalist, tropical, beach-chic, Victorian or Oriental, to name but a few examples.

Views

Position your master suite to overlook whatever views you have access to from your home, whether it is ocean views, garden views, pool views or even courtyard views. All can be pleasant to look at from an elevated position.

Sitting Space

Most master bedroom Escondido painters also embrace having a sitting area a few paces from your bed, which can be used as a private space where you can relax, read or write in peace and quiet.  

Outdoor Access

Trends show that modern-day homeowners prefer master bedrooms that open onto private patios or balconies, and it’s not hard to see why. There’s nothing better than starting the day by taking in the sunrise from a lavish patio that overlooks your garden while you enjoy your cup of coffee.

Fireplace

You can integrate a fireplace into your master suite as an anchor for your design scheme. Just be sure to consult with your local municipality before you continue with your remodels, just to find out if wood-burning fireplaces are allowed, as most states only allow gas burning ones.

Ceiling Design

Think about it; most of your time in your bedroom is spent on your back gazing at the ceiling, so it makes sense to design it with that thought in mind. Luckily, you have infinite choice when it comes to available ceiling finishes for flat ceilings, while exposed ceiling trusses add charm and interest to any master bedroom.  

Entertainment

There are plenty of beautifully designed surround sound systems that you can include in your master bedroom as part of the décor, and music can play a big role in setting a particular mood in your master bedroom. You can also choose to incorporate a built-in flat screen TV to enjoy private movie nights from the comfort of your bed.

Open Heart Pruning for Flowering Cherry Benefits

Developed over generations of choice in Japan, flowering cherries (Prunus spp.) furnish spectacular spring elegance and graceful kind to spring landscapes in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 through 8, extending to zone 9 for the range Amanogawa. Flowers are double or single, ranging from almost white to deep pink. Trees are 25 feet broad and 25 to 30-feet tall. Shape differs from columnar -shaped, horizontal-spreading, weeping or upright depending on the cultivar that is specific. Flowering cherries usually do not require pruning, but they require when youthful shaping.

Open Heart Pruning

There are two primary techniques of pruning fruit-trees in common: leader pruning and open heart pruning. Open center pruning retains the tree crown reduce high in relation to the leader approach and develops a spreading element for the varieties of cherries. As the tree matures this increases accessibility of the show. It opens up the heart to light and air movements of the tree.

Early Pruning

Open heart pruning begins by by eliminating the leader that is central in the recently-planted tree that is youthful, trimming back it to about 30-inches high. Four powerful scaffolding branches that can develop to the primary framework of the tree or three are chosen, leaving 3 to 4 inches of trunk between the branches that were rising and starting 14 to 18-inches in the ground. About three months following again three to one month later and the pruning, eliminate shoots that take on the scaffolding branches that are chosen. Through the second-year of development of the tree, again eliminate shoots besides the branches that are selected. Cut the branches back to comparable lengths for development that is symmetrical.

Maintenance Pruning

Examine it yearly as the tree grows. Remove the ones that are crossing near to or rubbing against other branches at the same time as diseased, injured, dead or broken branches. On trees that are grafted eliminate water sprouts or any suckers rising from below the graft region. Maintenance pruning after bloom is is completed in late spring or early summer for two factors. Flowers are made on the progress of the previous season’s, therefore winter pruning eliminates flowering wood. Trees including cherries, in the genus Prunus, are vulnerable to infection by cankers, which spread by spores entering wounds in cold temperatures and drop.

Pruning Cuts

On youthful trees with small-diameter branches, use clear, sharp pruning shears to make pruning cuts. On branches over an inch in diameter, use a pruning noticed as well as the -cut approach. Make one cut on the underside of the branch halfway through it. Then produce a 2nd cut from the first-cut about three inches a way on the most notable of the branch and toward the branch tip. The fat of the branch can split the limb involving both cuts. Make an ultimate and third cut prior to the branch bark ridge leaving a brief stub in the place of cutting the branch le Vel together with the trunk area. This decreases the possibility of decay. Therapy is n’t needed by pruning wounds with any type of dressing.

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