Money saving and kinda fun!
Archives for August 2012
Quick and Simple Life Hacks [video]– Part 1
August 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Take a look at these great tricks.
AUDIOBULB | WIRELESS SPEAKER LIGHT BULB
August 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
There is no stopping technology and imagination, the latest mind-boggling product we found are these wireless speaker light bulbs. Appropriately named AudioBulb, the revolutionary device allows you to use up to eight light bulbs as speakers, connected wirelessly to your iPhone/iPod or any other auxiliary input. You can also dim the lights from your iPhone, all this avoiding holes in the wall for running wires through! source
Wee Washrooms: Stylish Subcompact Apartment Bathrooms
August 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Small-space living often necessitates compromising on style, functionality, or both. The Subaco line of tiny bathrooms from Japanese company Spiritual Mode is rich in style but doesn’t skimp on function – and manages to cram it all into an impressively tiny footprint.
The sub-compact bathrooms can include tubs, toilets, sinks, and perhaps even laundry and/or kitchen facilities in an area no bigger than 2 square meters. Although definitely not large enough to be considered luxurious, the bathrooms offer just enough room to take care of necessary hygiene tasks.
The designers user vertical space in their designs as well. The bathrooms can be lofted to allow for a second level, giving a bit more space (and a fair dose of minimalist design cred) for those essential functions without taking up more precious floor real estate.
Paradigm shift for handicapped-accessible housing
August 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Casey Nolan’s goal is to transform handicapped-accessible housing for wounded warriors and their families. He is the project director for Wounded Warrior houses, a public-private partnership between the Army and Clark Realty Capital to upgrade 40,000 family units on bases across the U.S. When Nolan toured Walter Reed Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, he recognized that the units needed more than a makeover.
Taking feedback from returning soldiers, their spouses, caregivers, and doctors, Nolan and his team set out to create both suitable and comfortable homes. Currently, Patriot Homes are constructed for qualified soldiers, but Nolan believes that the project brings a paradigm shift to housing. Rather than perceive the housing needs of the disabled and elderly as unique, Americans will see them as part and parcel of the mainstream market.
12 Ways to Cool Your Home Without Air Conditioning
August 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
If your summer energy bill is leaving you hot under the collar, consider these savvy alternate strategies for cooling down
Summer heat waves have everyone looking for ways to cool down at home. Blasting the air conditioner isn’t always an option, and it certainly uses a lot of energy. Instead of shelling out the big bucks to keep cool, consider several alternatives that can make a big difference.
Browse Bath Products on Houzz- For Example:
Builder Brings Starter Homes to Gen Y Buyers
August 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
As a real estate broker who works with Generation Y buyers, this is a very smart move!
A national homebuilder is wooing Generation Y renters with back-to-basics homes that offer all of the advantages of home ownership on a comfortable budget.
Chicago, San Antonio, and St. Louis are the test markets that Centex Homes is using to convert younger tenants to owners. Fred Ehle, vice president of marketing for PulteGroup, Centex’s parent company, told writer Mary Umberger that the huge demographic was poised for the transition.
"We’re marketing these homes, not with an advertised sales price of $130,000, but with the monthly cost of that home," Ehle said. "Our goal in designing these houses was to make sure we could compete with local rents.
"We can tell this buyer, for what you’re paying in rent, you could be in a new home — this is a revelation for them, because many people in this demographic don’t think they could afford it or they don’t think they could qualify for a loan. For this reason, we offer to connect each buyer to a mortgage adviser before they sign up to buy," Ehle added.
Source: "Builder Woos Gen Y Renters," Chicago Tribune
CASA OLIVI | BY WESPI DE MEURON ARCHITECTS
August 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Casa Olivi is a beautiful renovation by Wespi de Meuron Architects, the 300 year old farm is located in Treia, in the heart of the Marches, the New Tuscany. The Farmhouse renovation took 4 years, the outside style was preserved, but the inside was entirely re-organized according to a luxurious, high comfortable and minimalist style. The 5 bedroom house is on a hill top and features a stunning infinity pool with a 360 degrees view of the beautiful, olive tree landscape. This stylish piece of Italy is available for rent, more details here.
