These wave apartments have been built in Denmark.
There are 5 ‘Waves’ which were built over a period of eleven years.
To find out more check out www.dezeen.com
For more unusual photos, and Fails, check out What the………………….?
Month: March 2019
A Guide To Updating Home Interiors
Guest post by SuperSize Digital
When you’re updating your home interior, there’s a lot to consider: defining your style, planning out colour schemes, endless hours online saving inspirational photos…and then there’s the eco-conscious perspective that so many of us are working hard to implement in our lives.
When you’re trying to keep your environmental impact light, and you and your family’s exposure to potentially harmful chemicals to a minimum, there’s so much to think about.
Here are some tips on how to update your home while keeping it green.
Floor level finesse
Balancing durability, looks, low-VOC features, and sustainability aspects can be a potential headache.
Look at your lifestyle – would you rather trade sustainability for savings?
Do you have pets and kids that will require something that’s easy to care for?
If it’s time to replace it entirely, and your choice is wood, choose flooring that utilises lumber from sustainable forest sources.
Examples of this are plantation rubberwood, teak, and even bamboo. No matter what your choice, either use or look for a natural-oil hard-finish coating.
If you need something durable for a kitchen or workshop space, an eco-conscious choice that may surprise you is linoleum!
Not only does the long-lasting flooring stand up to decades of use, it’s also derived from natural materials.
The hint was right there in its name all along: It’s made from linseed oil, limestone dust, pine resin, and wood shavings. It’s biodegradable, too!
Wall wisdom
Painting your walls is an easy way to change your home’s look – and it’s a top choice for many remodelers.
However, the concern over its VOC (Volatile Oil Compounds) emissions has caused a lot of concern, creating a market for greener options.
The good news is that manufacturers have responded with zero and low-VOC paints that perform just as well as traditional versions.
Check your favourite brands for versions that give you great coverage with little-to-no emissions. (They usually smell better, too!)
There are also companies that specialise in alternative formulas that are made from sustainable materials such as lime and clay.
If you’ve avoided wallpaper in the past because of its reputation for the vinyl leaking VOCs and other gases, you might want to check out some of the new versions that use eco-friendly water-based inks, recyclable papers, and even recycled ingredients.
Coupled with low-impact and healthier wallpaper paste formulas, the new wallcoverings can be the sort of change you’re looking for in your home.
For another affordable, highly textured option, consider using burlap.
That’s right – the humble fabric now comes in a huge palette of colors, can be purchased by the bolt, and looks amazing on your walls.
If you’re drawn to the look of grasscloth wallcoverings, but are shying away from the price, burlap will make your home’s walls look quite luxurious for a fraction of the cost.
It can be done as a DIY project with glue, or handed over to a wallpaper installer – think about it!
Furniture features
Just like any other wood product, consider the source of the lumber used in your new furniture.
Just like wood flooring, it’s possible to use timber harvested sustainably.
Pieces using reclaimed wood are clearly taking the high road on the green approach.
There are as many creative reuses out there as you could ever think of – and many more!
Pieces utilizing recycled railroad sleepers, teak roots, and architectural components like doors and screens are just a sample of the innovative uses that furniture makers have employed.
Purchasing antique and vintage furniture pieces can be one of the most rewarding ways to go green.
Not only are the woods used of better quality than inexpensive new pieces, there’s also the opportunity to upgrade pieces to your own style.
Wood can be refinished in non-toxic finishes, and upholstery can be updated with your choice of eco-friendly foam choices and fabrics.
Check out the reupholstering option by replacing old polyurethane foam with natural latex or coconut fibre foams, as well as wool or cotton stuffing.
If you’ve been looking at the new mattress materials, you are already familiar with the type of springy alternatives that are out there for your stuffed furniture.
Once you’ve re-stuffed your piece, you can select from more eco-conscious fabrics that use recycled fibres,
Tencel (made from wood pulp), natural ones like hemp, or even recycle your own fabrics by sourcing vintage curtains (they were often made of upholstery fabric), old wool blankets, or deadstock upholstery fabric.
Take care of your new environment
Don’t let your dedication to a greener household end with your fabric and wood choices.
It’s possible to treat and protect them with safe products, too.
Keep your carefully chosen fabrics protected with a next-generation product like protectME.
This is a truly eco-friendly spray that repels moisture and stains for up to 2-3 years.
If you’re thinking that this is the type of product that could be used all over your home, you’re right!
Any fabric can benefit from a treatment – mattresses, pillows, rugs – it lasts for up to 30 washes, makes spills roll right off, and is completely safe for kids, pets, allergy sufferers, and the chemically sensitive.
You’ll never have to deal with that strong odour that fabric protector sprays always have – because protectME doesn’t use any of those toxic chemicals that produce that smell.
Keep your wood pieces clean and polished by sticking with greener alternatives, too.
Look for plant-based soaps and oils for maintaining your floors and furniture. and, just like the technology advances that make a product like the protectME spray available, look to fabrics with microfibers to allow you maximum efficiency with your household cleaning.
Going green in your home interior updates is a great way to care about the earth, as well as your family’s health.
Make it a healthier place for you, them, and even your pets by choosing from our list of ecologically sound alternatives, and carry on your good work by keeping your choices clean and looking new with products like protectME.
Coffee Makers
I’m afraid I’m for the inexpensive, and easy life, so I am happy to use a Nespresso machine which cost me less than $200 (My milk frother came from Aldi)
Being a keen environmentalist I make a point of always returning the aluminium pods for recycling.
Recently however I have been using these ‘Green Ring TM‘ biodegradable coffee pods.
After use I throw them in my worm farm.
I just emptied the bottom tray of compost and though the pod still seemed intact in the compost it crumbled to dust as soon as I touched it, so they really are biodegradable.
I got these pods from STREAT a charity which I support.
Why not save some money with a basic capsule machine, with some biodegradable pods, and help the environment?
Is There Life On Mars?
Well if Elon Musk ever gets there the answer may be yes and he might be living in a house like this.
That doesn’t look like a Tesla parked outside though.
This drawing is of the Mars-X design to find out more visit the by www.spacexarch.com website.
For more unusual photos, and Fails, check out What the………………….?
Choosing Basins
We are currently planning to remodel the bathroom in our retirement unit.
While looking at basins and vanity tops you can see me demonstrating what I see as a major Issue with most basins.
Centrally mounted mixers that are in the way when you want to wash your face.
In the old days there were two taps well out of the way but when mixers came in I am surprised how many manufacturers went for the central mixer.
Well in the end we found this glass vanity top, below, which can take a side mounted mixer . . . . so I was happy.
Steamy Solutions
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Steam Cleaner
Guest Post By Hubert Dwight
It has taken the work out of scrubbing with harsh soaps and elbow grease to ensure that you have sparkling floors.
More importantly, these gadgets have proven themselves to be invaluable in that they can be used for a variety of tasks.
It is hard to fathom that such a technologically advanced cleaning tool could deep clean floors so effectively.
If you are in the market for steam cleaners, you will find that there are handheld as well the standard upright models from which to choose, each with features that can do a number of things beyond cleaning floors.
As is the case with flooring, hard, baked on, ground-into-the-surface debris is easily loosened with a steam cleaner.
Keep reading to learn how you can get the most out of your steam cleaner and keep your home sparkling clean.
In The Kitchen
Your kitchen is a favourite place for grease and oil to build up caking up oven tops and exhaust fans.
The steam cleaner can loosen up the grease that accumulates on and in the stove after repetitive cooking.
It can also help you with cleaning hard, baked on food that sits in the microwave for a while simply by using steam to soften it up.
While a sponge or scrub brush might clean the debris off, your steam cleaner can soften up the food particles making it easier to wipe off.
Around your sink and countertop, the steam cleaner can remove hard deposits that build up around both areas.
Often, the sink and the countertops are plagued with grimy, filmy, brown spots on your fixtures and counters.
Once again, your steam cleaner can come to the rescue and remove these deposits leaving your counters looking fresh and clean.
The Bathroom
Toilets, tubs, and the sink are other areas where hard water deposits and lime build up, making even the most attractive bathroom appear unattractive.
The steam cleaner loosens up the crystalline structures in the deposits making it much easier to clean bathroom surfaces.
Furthermore, if you have a yucky, black tub in bad need of cleaning, your steam cleaner can take care of removing the discolouration around the tub.
Living Spaces
Windows are one of the major places where your steamer can be used to clean the surface.
They can be used to straighten out wrinkly, wayward curtains making them appear smooth and can also be used to clean a mattress and other furnishings.
A fabric couch, for example, would benefit greatly by being steam cleaned once in a while.
Around Nooks And Corners
For the price, a good steam cleaner can do wonders for the areas that are often missed or ignored.
Air vents, mirrors and other fixtures, and window blinds are perfect places to use your steam cleaner to remove excess dust.
If you are looking for an effortless way to remove wallpaper, consider using the steamer to soften the adhesive that attaches the paper to the wall.
Baseboards are also another place where your steamer can help to clean your home effectively by loosening and pulling up hard to remove debris.
How To Maximise Your Steam Cleaner
The best way to maximise a steamer is to find one that has the features needed to clean all of these areas.
Shoppers should look for cleaners with large nozzles, that have highly-pressurised steamers, can hold a large volume of water, provide users with a lot of control without having to hold the handle down, and that have modern conveniences like extension cords.
If you can find an affordable one with some or all of these features, not only will cleaning your floors become effortless, but housework will soon be a breeze.
Is It Just Me?
I fail to see the point of this wash basin for a home.
I sort of understand it in a public washroom where most people just put some liquid soap on their hands and rinse it off.
How do you put a plug in ?
For a private house you want it to hold water, for those of us who have wet shaves, or even just give our face a proper wash.
For more unusual photos, and Fails, check out What the………………….?
Liquid Limestone
Really its just a different type of concrete.
It is much more common in West Australia than other states.
The differences between conventional concrete and Liquid Limestone are:
- Instead of standard Portland ‘Grey’ Cement it uses White Cement.
- It uses crushed limestone rather than other types of rock gravel and sand.
- Quite often a plasticiser is added. This means the mixture can be poured without having to add too much water.
Various patterns can be applied to the surface as the concrete sets. (see above photo)
As well as the standard limestone appearance the supplier can add various pigments. If you want a strong colour I think you would be better off just going for coloured concrete.
Because it can be laid in large slabs like concrete there are less joints than in conventional brick or concrete slab paving. (There will still need to be some joints. For joint spacing see: Concrete Joints 1)
With the lighter colour it can be cooler underfoot than other pavements.
To maintain its appearance liquid limestone will need to be sealed around a week after laying.
Thanks to Concept Concrete WA. for these two great examples of Liquid Limestone Paving
For posts on on getting your paths and driveways correct see Concreting
Understanding Plans – Basic Floor Plan
A basic floor plan is the sort of plan you will see in the developer’s brochure or on their web site.
Most people aren’t used to looking at plans and relating them to what they are going to get.
So here is a way of helping you understand.
1. Get a pad of metric graph paper. These usually have smaller squares with 2mm sides and heavier lines every 10mm.
2. If we are going to draw a plan at 1 in 100 then the side of every small square is equivalent to 200mm, or 20cm.
3. Start in a simple room, say a bedroom, and measure one wall. Draw a thin line along one of the lines of the graph paper.
4. From one of the corners measure to the next corner and draw this line on the graph paper, don’t worry about the doors or windows at this stage.
5. Carry on measuring and drawing until you have gone right the way around the room. You should now have drawn a box that looks something like the picture below.
6. Mark the position of the doors and the windows.
7. Thicken the outside of the lines to the thickness of one square for external brick walls.
8.Thicken the outside of the lines to the thickness of half a square for internal walls.
9. Draw in a quarter circle to show the way that the door opens. You should now have a drawing that looks something like the picture below.
10. This will help you relate the size of your existing room to one you see on a plan.
11. If you want to see how the furniture looks its better to cut out sections of graph paper the same size as the furniture rather than draw on the paper. You can then move these around.
Once you have got the hang of this you can expand the drawing to include all the rooms of the house.
For similar posts see Drawings and Floor Plans
3 Ways You Can Use Your Home to Build Wealth
Guest Post by Martin William
If determined enough, your home can actually bring you wealth by taking advantage of the various opportunities there are.
Buying a home was for a very long time considered the best way to go due to its return on investment abilities, as compared to renting.
Real estate business will always remain one business that hardly depreciates in value and if you are determined to make some cash over time, follow these top 3 ways and you will live to thank your home for taking care of you.
Rent out your extra rooms
This has been a very common method of many home owners to get the extra cash out of their homes.
One can easily rent out their basement or even a ‘Granny Flat’.
If they are not independent of the main house, it might be time to make those arrangements. Have the either the basement / ‘Granny Flat’, renovated and furnished to look presentable.
Advertise them out for renting and you will be getting a clean income after every month without having invested much on it.
Depending on the rates of your place of residence, you will be able to determine how much the rent will be.
Business With a Caveat Loan
To most of you, this might be a fairly new terminology.
A caveat loan can simply be described as leverage or collateral. In the case, a lender gives you money for your own use then places a caveat on your property’s ownership title.
A caveat is bound by law and it doesn’t necessarily mean that the lender is now in charge of your property but they have an interest in it. The lender is mandated by law to liquidate the property should you default that caveat.
If you have a great business idea, have performed market research and know you can fulfill the needs of customers, then this could be a great financial vehicle to use.
Caveat lending company Maxiron Capital, say they allow “clients to borrow up to 100% of its Loan to Value Ratio (LVR), within just 24 hours.
LVR is a percentage that is calculated by dividing the loan amount being borrowed to the value of the property that the applicant is using as security.
In simpler terms, Max Funding allows its clients to borrow up to 100% of their property value”.
This is definitely going to work for you if you have clearly set goals and once you have cleared the repayment, you are viable of taking another caveat to either improve your business or to venture into other businesses.
Build on equity
Owning a home, unlike renting it out, will bring you tangible equity that will enable you to call it upon when you require it.
If you pay more on your home, the more money you will have built up as equity. In layman terms, a home equity is the interest of the homeowner in a home.
When one took a mortgage to buy the house, their equity increases when whatever remained of the mortgage loan is paid down or whenever the value of the property increases.
There are several common ways you can use your home equity to create more wealth for yourself including; buying your next home, borrowing against the equity or using it to fund for your retirement.
Conclusion
Many home owners have little or no idea that they can actually make money from their homes without necessarily having to sell them.
Now get busy making money!