Designing a kitchen can be a daunting task. It takes a lot of careful planning to balance functionality (appliances, layout) with aesthetics, and with so many kitchen décor options on the market, it can be hard to put together a complementary design. One foolproof approach to designing a distinctive kitchen is to fall back on two popular kitchen design themes.
1) Modern
Modern kitchen designs are characterized by a high emphasis on functionality, lots of straight lines, and a clean, streamlined look. The goal is to create a kitchen space that is uncluttered, understated, and minimalist. Lots of storage, cutting-edge kitchen gadgets, and eco-friendly materials and features are some of the hallmarks of modern kitchen design. To get the sleek look of an ultra-modern kitchen, incorporate stainless steel appliances, a dramatic lighting scheme, and glossy surfaces or accents.
2) Rustic
Rustic kitchens are inspired by the farmhouse and cottage interiors of bygone eras. Earthy hues, natural materials, and rough-finished surfaces are used to create a warm, earthy space with pastoral charm. Exposed ceiling beams, wrought iron crockery, and lots of natural lighting are all typical elements of a rustic kitchen. Walls may be white-washed, made of untreated wood, or incorporate exposed stonework.
Reclaimed, untreated wood is actually a distinguishing feature of rustic kitchen designs and can be used generously for tabletops, countertops, kitchen furniture, and flooring. Rustic kitchens can also have natural stone floors. You can use vintage kitchen equipment to heighten the nostalgic appeal of your rustic kitchen, or incorporate modern appliances. French Country, Scandinavian Country, and Tuscan style are three interior design schemes that can be used for rustic kitchens.
Remember, the above kitchen design themes never go out of style and sticking to one of these themes can be a good way to simplify your design project. This does not mean that your kitchen has to lack personality. By using carefully selected accessories and artwork you can add a personal touch to your modern or rustic kitchen design.
Green living is not just a passing trend. Nowadays, more and more homeowners are investing in green solutions for the home, from eco-friendly building materials to energy-efficient lighting. Eco-sustainable interior design results in living spaces that are healthier, distinctive, and interesting. Here are some techniques and products to bring out the ‘eco’ in your decor.
1) Eco-friendly countertops
There are now a wide range of choices for environmentally-friendly kitchen countertops. Countertops made from recycled glass have a stylish, mosaic-like appearance and include vetrazzo, fuez, and BottleStone. You can also consider bamboo-based countertop materials like EcoTop or Teragren. Other options include Paperstone made from post-consumer, recycled paper, and Durpalm made from reclaimed, non-fruiting coconut palms.
2) Nontoxic finishes
Nontoxic lacquers, varnishes, and paints are a smart choice for the health-conscious, eco-aware homeowner. They reduce indoor air pollution and you can achieve the same stylish, high-quality surface finishes as with traditional products. Standard paints have VOC (volatile organic compound) in them, a man-made compound which has been shown to have adverse immune, respiratory, and allergic effects on humans. Eco-friendly finishes on the other hand, have low VOC levels or use colorants that are VOC-free. Examples include Yolo Colorhouse exterior and interior paints, and Benjamin Moore’s Natura line of paints. There is also the option of using natural, organic furniture polishes and wood finishes. These contain no toxic hydrocarbons or other biocides and can be either commercial or homemade.
3) Green flooring
Today, there are green flooring solutions to fit a broad range of budgets and tastes. Cork is an excellent eco-friendly and rapidly-renewable flooring material harvested from cork oak trees. A stylish alternative to traditional hardwood flooring, durable, sound-absorbing cork flooring is available in a wide number of colors and styles. Another option is sustainable bamboo flooring which adds beauty and serenity to any interior.
Do you have an unused or neglected room in your house that you don’t know what to do with? Special-function rooms can be a great way to get the most out of the extra space. Specialty rooms not only make fun remodeling projects, they are also a way of personalizing your home to suit your lifestyle and habits. Here are two specialty room ideas to consider.
1) Powder room
A powder room is the perfect remodeling project for a small-sized room. A powder room is a guest bathroom with a toilet and washbasin only. Other optional appointments for a powder room include storage features and a vanity set. When it comes to powder room design, there are practically no rules. Indeed, because powder rooms are small rooms, they are the ideal space to focus on aesthetics. Pick a theme; choose décor, accents, and accessories accordingly; and use multi-layer lighting (ambient, task, and accent lighting) to enhance the atmosphere of your powder room.
2) Home office
A home office is a great solution if you telecommute, run a home-based business, or relish the idea of having a dedicated space for taking care of household administration tasks. The secret to designing a great home office is to create a space that is not only comfortable and inviting, but also tailored to your personality and working style. Let go of boring assumptions of what an office should look like and instead, choose warm colors, and furniture and accessories (rugs, lamps etc.) that are both beautiful and functional. Decorate your home office with display objects that inspire your creativity, or that have personal significance for your career. You will likely be spending extended amounts of time in your home office, so incorporate features that help boost your productivity over long hours, such as a stocked mini-fridge and a comfortable futon or chaise lounge to recline on during breaks.
A mosquito misting system, sometimes referred to as an automated misting system, is a landscape installation used on residential or commercial properties to mechanically deliver pesticide to flower beds, lawns, or other target areas. These systems work through spray application, whereby nozzles placed around the premises are digitally programmed to release a fine mist of pesticide formula at preset intervals. The pesticide is sent to the nozzles from a pump through tubing.
Automated misting systems come in a variety of brands and models and there are three main differences between the systems currently available on the market.
1) Tankless vs drum-based
Traditionally, mosquito misting systems have been drum-based. Drum-based systems have a tank (a drum) that must be filled with pesticide formula. A typical drum might hold 55 gallons of pesticide formula and has to be refilled a couple of times per year. Each fresh batch of pesticide formula has to be manually mixed beforehand. Newer, tankless systems use snap-in refill cartridges and the unit automatically mixes the precise dose of misting formula for you. Tankless systems cost a few hundred dollars more than drum-based systems; however, compared to drum-based systems, they use an average of 40% less pesticide per year saving you money in the long-run.
2) Stationary vs portable
Some automated misting systems are portable, which others require fixed installation. With portable systems, the misting unit is self-contained, lightweight, and battery-operated so it can be easily transported to different sites. Portable systems save time and money since there is no need to run tubing or install nozzles or risers. With stationary systems on the other hand, the master unit (the pump) is heavier and larger, and tubing and nozzles have to be installed. The unit is also electric-powered so it must remain close to an electric socket.
3) Battery-powered vs motor-powered vs electric-powered
With electric-powered mosquito misting systems, the pump needs to be plugged into an electric outlet. Battery-operated and motor-powered systems on the other hand do not require an electric outlet.
Mosquitoes are among the most annoying of garden pests. They deliver vicious bites without the slightest provocation, and destroy the peace and quiet of your backyard with their annoying buzz. Mosquitoes are also dangerous pests. They transmit numerous infectious diseases like West Nile Virus, Malaria, Yellow Fever, and Elephantiasis. Moreover, mosquito bites can cause allergic reactions ranging from red, itchy, localized swelling, to anaphylactic shock which can be life-threatening.
Clearly mosquitoes are uninvited guests and any self-respecting homeowner will want to rid their yard of these troublesome insects. Here are 5 helpful tips to combat mosquitoes in your yard.
1) Citronella oil
Burning citronella oil is a proven method for keeping mosquitoes at bay. Popular citronella products include outdoor citronella candles and citronella garden torches which can be mounted around the perimeter of the yard. These can be purchased online or from your local home improvement center.
2) Pesticides
Permethrin , Scourge, Malathion, and Anvil are common synthetic pesticides used for mosquito control. Natural pesticides such as Pyrethrin and Bacillus thuringensis (BTI) also do a good job of destroying mosquitoes. Bacillus thuringensis (BTI), commonly known as “mosquito dunks”, is a natural soil bacterium that can be placed around your yard. Mosquitoes feed on the BTI which kills them within days. You can also consider installing an automated misting system which sprays your yard with pesticide at intervals throughout the day.
3) Water control
Treat or drain all sources of standing water in your yard. Flower pots, plant saucers, dog bowls, and blow-up pools should be overturned if possible or regularly emptied of any stagnant water. Even objects like kids’ toys or old tires can collect water. Refill birth baths and water fountains frequently to keep the water fresh, and keep gutters clean so that water does not accumulate in them. Other moisture-retaining culprits are loose tarpaulin, uneven lawns, and organic debris such as leaves and sticks.
4) Mosquito predators
Certain animals, like toads, guppies, and gold fish prey on mosquitoes. If you have a garden pond, having these animals in or near your pond can help control the mosquito population in your yard.
Structured wiring is a system of wiring used in internal construction whereby all the wiring components in a home or commercial building are set up using a home run configuration. This means all the telephone, video, satellite, cable, internet, security alarm system and other communications wiring are pulled from a central distribution panel, as opposed to a daisy chain wiring scheme whereby wires are looped from outlet to outlet, and jack to jack, throughout the house.
With structured wiring, the central panel is located in a closet, utility room, or any other unobtrusive place. It is strongly recommended that the central panel be installed in a location with low humidity and controlled room temperature so that the panel doesn’t get too cold or overheat. Because all the wires run back to a central panel, it is easy to maintain or make changes to the system; the individual cables can be easily isolated to test for shorts or to change connections if desired.
With daisy chain wiring schemes, the wires are looped and spliced, which degrades signal quality. As signals travel through the looped system they are split and grow weaker so that devices connected further along in the loop tend to have weaker signals and connectivity issues. Also, with daisy chained wiring, if one connection fails, all of the devices further along the chain go out. With structured wiring on the other hand, all of the signals are travelling the same distance and there is no need to split signals. This results in stronger communications signals and more consistent device performance throughout the building.
Structured wiring is considered a superior wiring scheme for homes or commercial buildings. It is a flexible, more layman’s-friendly approach to building wiring that results in a fully and smoothly functioning home or business place.
Smoke detection devices are one of the most common technologies used in fire protection. They are a common sight in apartment complexes, houses, and places of business, but exactly how do they work? Smoke detectors rely on one of two processes: ionization smoke detection or photoelectric smoke detection. The two technologies have different operating features and provide different advantages. For maximum fire protection, it is best to have both types of systems installed.
1) Ionization smoke detectors
Ionization smoke detectors work through the action of an ionization chamber. The ionization chamber consists of two metal plates with about a centimer’s space between them and a minute amount of radioactive material between the two plates. An electric current running through the plates causes the radioactive material to ionize the air in the chamber. When smoke enters the chamber, it interrupts the stream of ions flowing between the two plates, decreasing the electrical charge of the plates, which is what ultimately sets off the alarm.
Ionization smoke detectors respond better to flaming fires, i.e., fires that begin with flames and have a fast-growing smoke layer where the smoke builds up close to the ceiling. For this reason, ionization smoke detectors are best suited for interiors containing highly flammable materials and substances (e.g. cooking oil, gasoline, paper, cotton fabrics etc.) that quickly burst into flames.
2) Photoelectric smoke detectors
Photoelectric smoke detectors work through the action of a light-sensing mechanism. The detector’s sensing chamber contains a LED light and a light-sensitive device called a photocell or photodiode. When smoke enters the path of the light beam, it scatters the light particles, so that some of the light is deflected toward the photocell. When light strikes the photocell it becomes electrically charged, which is what activates the alarm.
Photoelectric smoke detectors respond better to smoldering fires, i.e., fires that start with a long period of smoldering and where the some layer grows slowly and accumulates closer to the floor. These types of detectors are best suited to rooms with a lot of slow-burning materials (e.g. countertops, mattresses, wooden furniture, upholstery etc.) that produce more smoke than flames.
Keypad door locks are part of the “new wave” of home security technologies. Not to be confused with security keypads that are mounted on a wall inside the home and used for arming and disarming an installed alarm system, keypad door pads are used to prevent unauthorized entry into a home or business place. They are mostly installed on the outside of exterior doors (including garage doors), although they may also be used to regulate access to interior rooms as well. With these systems, anyone wishing to enter a home or business place must use the keypad buttons to punch in a secret access code. Keypad door locks are digital systems, i.e., they work through computer programming. There several advantage to these keyless entry systems.
1) Never worry about lost keys
With regular door locks, if you lose your key or your key is stolen, it can cost you a pretty penny to change your locks. With keypad door lock systems, you never have to worry about the inconvenience caused by a misplaced key.
2) Share your key easily
With regular keys, if you want to share your key with a roommate, family member, or other trusted person, it will be necessary to make a copy of the key, i.e., get the key cut. Having multiple physical copies of a key increases the chances of someone you don’t know or trust getting a hold of the key. With keypad door locks, you can program the system so that each authorized person has a unique access code. You can also create temporary access codes, e.g. for babysitter.
3) Better home security
Regular door locks can be easily picked by a practiced burglar and by running a quick Internet search, even an amateur thief can learn how to pick locks. Keypad entry systems provide an added layer of protection for your home or business place. The access codes are impossible to duplicate, thus the chances of unauthorized access are greatly diminished.
4) Easier entry when it counts
The ability to enter your home or office in a quick and alert manner is an important security factor. With keyless entry systems you won’t ever again have to dig in your purse or pocket for your keys, or fiddle at length with a difficult lock. The keypad illuminates when touched so that even in conditions of low visibility, you can quickly punch in the code and make a swift entry.
Nowadays, it is safe to say that interior design has become a lot greener. Growing awareness of the toxicity of many interior design products (e.g. VOC-laden house paints) has prompted many homeowners to reconsider the way they design their homes. Also, as we learn more about the adverse environmental effects associated with the manufacture and use of many interior construction and finishing products, green remodeling is gaining more currency.
Living rooms and kitchen spaces have been popular choices for eco-friendly makeovers, but what about the bathroom? Is it possible to design an eco-friendly bathroom and how so? Here are 5 tips to creating an eco-friendly bathroom design that both you and the environment can enjoy.
1) Conserve water
There are many water-savings technologies and products for the environmentally-aware homeowner. Look for low-flow faucets and showerheads that are EPA-approved (EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency). Low-flow bathroom fixtures use as much as 20% less water than their standard counterparts. You can also install aerators on your standard faucet or showerhead to decrease water usage. Another way to save water is to install a low-flow, high-efficiency toilet. These toilets have cyclonic flushing technology which means that very little water is used per flush. Installing a controllable flush handle is a good way to conserve water without having to buy a new commode.
2) Choose eco-friendly materials
Eco-friendly materials can give rise to a very distinctive bathroom design. For example, consider a bathroom vanity with an attention-grabbing vetrazzo or fuez (materials made of recycled glass) surface, or ceramic bathroom tiles made from post-consumer, post-industrial materials.
3) Use all-natural fabrics
A simple way to boost your bathroom’s green quotient is to use earth-friendly fabrics. Instead of toxic PVC vinyl shower curtains, use shower curtains made from EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), organic cotton duck canvas, or hemp. Earth-friendly bathroom rugs and mats are made from a wide range of materials including organic cotton, repurposed towels, or sustainable bamboo, cork, or teakwood. Finally, choose hand towels, wash cloths, bath towels and bathrobes made from natural fibers such as organic cotton or bamboo.
Finishing a basement is the process of transforming a basement from an inhabitable utility space into a fully livable space. Designing a finished basement is an exciting remodeling project because it’s a great way to personalize your home. From hobby room to wine cellar, to home office or a playroom for the kids, there are so many ways you can put your basement space to use.
A key step in finishing a basement is making sure the basement is watertight. In older homes especially, the basement tends to be damp or leaky. Wet basements can pose a health hazard because they invite mildew and mold which can cause allergies and respiratory illness. Waterproofing is also important because you don’t want to run the risk of incurring expensive flooding damages further down the road. Furthermore, because accumulated ground water around the foundation of a house exerts pressure on basement walls, proper waterproofing is crucial to prevent cracks from appearing in your basement walls.
Here are 2 simple ways to ensure your basement is properly waterproofed.
1) Backfill, drainage, and sealants
Walk around your house and carefully inspect the exterior walls at ground level (the foundation). The ground adjacent to the foundation should slope away from the foundation. If the ground slopes toward the house, the backfilled dirt surrounding the foundation will most likely be saturated with accumulated ground water. In such cases, the best solution is to install a drain pipe around the foundation and cover the pipe with gravel. If your house is on flat land, you will also need to install a French drain or sump pit to collect the water from the drain pipe.
It is also recommended that you seal the foundation walls then cover them with a protection board made of rock, polystyrene foam, or fiberglass. Rubber-based water sealants are better than asphalt-based sealants because they are moisture resistant and will not crack.
2) Remove sources of water accumulation
Remove any plants or shrubs growing close to the foundation since plant roots can create a direct route for moisture to flow down into the foundation of your house.
Also, inspect your gutter downspouts; they may be depositing water on the ground right alongside the foundation of the house thereby contributing to ground water accumulation. The simple way to avoid this is to make sure your gutters and downspouts are clean and that they are expelling water away from the foundation. You might need to install a drain line to divert downspout water away from the house.
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