Air conditioning facts & history [infographic]
June 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment
The one thing we can all be thankful for come the summer months is the technological wonder that is air conditioning, yet there were plenty of natural solutions to beating the heat back in the day.
Check out this infographic honoring air conditioning pioneers, and, who knows? You might stumble upon a few ideas on what to do if your unit goes down this summer. Cave, anyone?
So Over Stainless in the Kitchen? 14 Reasons to Give In to Color
June 2, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Colorful kitchen appliances are popular again, and now you’ve got more choices than ever. Which would you choose?
Those who survived the invasion of avocado-green and harvest-gold appliances in the 1970s are still trepidatious about using strong color on kitchen appliances. In the 1980s we clung to white and sometimesblack, and sometime during the 1990s, stainless steel took over as the must-have finish for appliances. Next we started to hide the appliances, camouflaging refrigerators and dishwashers with panel fronts that matched the cabinetry.
In typical fashion, now things are swinging back. Home cooks are proud of their appliances and want to make them stand out. Once only offered by a few companies, a wide range of appliance color options are now being offered by many manufacturers.
Kitchen Counters: Try an Integrated Cutting Board for Easy Food Prep
May 31, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Keep knife marks in their place and make dicing and slicing more convenient with an integrated butcher block or cutting board
Last weekend I caught my husband as he was about to slice some cheese. With a butcher knife. On the coffee table. Using only the parchment paper in which it was wrapped to protect the surface. Yeah, I know. I caught him as he was cutting the cheese. Hilarious. Although it certainly wouldn’t have been if he’d left knife marks on the coffee table.
And yet I think there are probably a lot of homes in which a careless or harried cook has inadvertently left knife marks on a table or countertop. Fortunately, adding an integrated cutting surface can be an effective preventative measure, particularly in small or modern kitchens, where leaving the board sitting out creates clutter. Because why use the coffee table to slice up a snack when the kitchen island is one big butcher block?
With that in mind, here are eight integrated cutting surfaces to help keep knife-mark accidents at bay.
Home Offices: 10 Ideas to Make an Open-Plan Office Work Hard
May 19, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Don’t let your desk space be an afterthought – whether it’s hidden away or on display, here are some ways to integrate it seamlessly
Creating an office in an open-plan room is a great idea. Not only does it give your space an extra function, it forms a dedicated area for work projects, paperwork and bills – prone to spread around the house if not restrained! Whether you slot a study into an alcove, house it in a bay, or create a separate zone, make sure you choose colours and furniture that complement the rest of the room for an effortless look.
Rebels With a Cause: 18 Bathrooms That Break the Rules
May 14, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Find inspiration from these show-stopping bathroom designs that ignored the rules to make their splash
With a complete bathroom overhaul becoming one of the most popular projects for homeowners, designers are rising in arms against traditional designs and looking for more ways to create a wet space to suit every need – whether that’s installing a toilet in the shower, adding an unconventional bathtub or flipping the whole concept of the ‘bath room’ on its head.
Take a look at these 18 rule-bending bathrooms.
Say No To Boring Shower Heads
March 29, 2014 By Leave a Comment
The obvious objective of taking a shower is to cleanse your body. But, if you’re like me, you know the shower is also a time to enjoy 10-15 minutes of relaxation and thought. There seemingly is nothing that can interrupt this small brake in time. That’s why, having a shower head that you love is really important. I’ve found a few that are on my wishlist, check them out below. What would be your ideal shower head?
1. 90 Degree Chrome Eco-Performance Rain Shower Shower Head
With ultra–modern styling, the 90 Degree collection is a study in minimalism. Geometric forms, squared corners and straight lines create an urban focal point for today’s contemporary baths. (Moen)
2. WaterTile®
WaterTile bodysprays lie virtually flush to the wall and can be placed almost anywhere. This square 54-nozzle configuration delivers a relaxing spray for a soothing hydrotherapy experience. (Kohler)
3. Symbol®
Inspired by nature, this Symbol multifunction handshower brings a fluid, organic design to your bathroom. It provides four distinct sprays, including an all-encompassing wide spray, an invigorating massage spray to help ease aches and pains, a gentle aerated spray, and a water-conserving reduced-flow spray. (Kohler)
4. Moxie
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Your music. Your shower. Your time. To chill out. To sing. Refresh. Energize. Escape. The Moxie shower head + wireless speaker delivers up to 7 hours of music, news and more by pairing wirelessly with your device enabled with Bluetooth® technology. (Kohler)
5. Pegasus Sunflower 4 in. Dual Showerhead
Twin 4 inch Sunflowers are made of solid brass with 360 degree swivel brass ball joints. It features a long extension arm with 2 elbows for more space reach and flexibility operation. (Home Depot)