Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

By Steve Jacobs, Nature Designs

Aside from your home, your landscape is typically the second largest personal asset you own. Its an asset that can add tens of thousands of dollars of value to your home. Landscaping not only adds value immediately; it continues adding value for years to come because while other home renovations, such as kitchen and bathroom upgrades, eventually go out of style, plants and tree continue to grow and become more lush and valuable year after year. To ensure that youre adding value to your home, heres a list of investment opportunities to consider:

Add large trees that are healthy and properly prunedRecent nationwide surveys show that mature trees in a well-landscaped yard can increase the value of a house by 7 percent to 19 percent. Not only do trees contribute to curb appeal; they provide much-desired privacy and shade. Strategically placed trees can also cut down on air conditioning and therefore electricity bills.

Quality hardscape Brick, stone, and exposed aggregate there are so many wonderful options for hardscapes. We dont typically recommend pavers or concrete for estates because pavers dont often give that high-level appearance while concrete and stamped concrete tend to show age over time. Its important to choose a hardscape option that complements your garden and home. Investing in a quality driveway material is also something to consider since driveways play such a key role in curb appeal.

Swimming poolsThanks to San Diegos incomparable weather, San Diegans can throw pool parties all year-round! A swimming pool is a must if your goal is to convert your backyard into an oasis. Not only do pools add to your quality of life; a well-designed pool adds value in the luxury home market.

Water features Imagine lounging in your backyard listening to the trickle of water from your fountain, waterfall, stream or pond after a busy week. Water features add a peaceful ambience to an outdoor space, help drown out neighboring noises as well as enhance the beauty of your landscape. Water features also add an element of uniqueness to your landscape that can increase your property value.

Outdoor kitchens and living rooms Experts say that outdoor kitchens and living rooms help sell homes in warmer climates. Its key to build outdoor kitchens and living spaces that blend with your homes design. As an added bonus, you can use the drain water from your outdoor kitchen sink to irrigate your flower beds.

Curb appealFirst impressions are lasting, which is one of the reasons curb appeal is so important for the value of your home. There are so many wonderful ways to enhance curb appeal such as adding colorful planting beds, columns and walls, and upgrading light fixtures. Its also important to prune and lace trees and shrubs to show off their beauty.

In order for landscaping to increase your property value and the value of life in a meaningful way, its imperative to have a landscaping plan. Your landscape is a living asset, meaning that much care is needed so that each plant thrives. A good professional landscape contractor will look comprehensively at the site before choosing hardscape materials and plantings because, for example, if the wrong plant is planted in the wrong location, the results can be overgrown plants that are too close to the house, that block windows and views, or trees with roots that destroy a walkway or driveway. Quality landscape maintenance from trained professionals will ensure excellent results.

Whether youre looking for short term landscaping solutions to increase your home value to sell immediately or long term landscaping solutions to increase your quality of life and property value, visit Nature Designs to learn how we can help make your landscape even more of an asset. Log ontohttp://naturedesigns.net/ or call us at(760) 945-4321.

Continue reading here:
Investing in Your Second Largest Asset Landscaping

For the royal treatment, spend the night in a castle. Here are five to consider.

1. CASTELLO DI CASOLE, TUSCANY, ITALY.

Stay in a reconstructed farmhouse surrounded by vineyards or opt for a suite adjacent to the pool and spa in the centre of the 1670-hectare estate.

Oozing with charm, the restored castle and grounds, dating to 998, provide a fairy-tale backdrop for a family holiday that might include horseback riding, fishing, hiking, yoga in a restored church, exploring neighbouring villages or learning to create local specialties. In the warmer months, enjoy evening concerts on the lawn as the sun drops below the rolling Tuscan hills.

Details: castellodicasole.com

2. OHEKA CASTLE, HUNTINGTON, NEW YORK

This French chateau-inspired castle was built in 1917 as the summer retreat for financier and philanthropist Otto Kahn. Docent-led tours provide visitors a glimpse into the Roaring '20s, when the mansion was the scene of lavish parties attended by Hollywood luminaries and royalty. Guests can enjoy an indoor pool or private beach, explore the extensive gardens, play tennis or work up a sweat in the fitness centre.

Details: oheka.com

3. ASHFORD CASTLE, MAYO, IRELAND

Shed your armour and relax within this enchanting 140-hectare landscape. With 700-year-old turrets as your backdrop, fish in nearby ponds and rivers, ride horses or refine your skills on the nine-hole private golf course.

Read more from the original source:
Holiday like royalty in a castle

Land Clearing with Ken Freddie

By: Eric Rose

Excerpt from:
Land Clearing with Ken & Freddie - Video

1/50 Land Clearing Dio Day #5
Day #5! Sorry it Took Awhile but here you go!

By: CATIPLLIAR143

The rest is here:
1/50 Land Clearing Dio Day #5 - Video

Published: Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 9:37 p.m. Last Modified: Sunday, February 2, 2014 at 10:36 p.m.

About two miles down the rural highway from Byron and Catherine Peavys house, a bulldozer has been clearing a path in their direction.

At their house, behind an automatic gate with a stenciled sign that shouts: VOLUSIA COUNTY WANTS TO TAKE OUR LAND, the Peavys have been waiting for it to reach their front yard.

Rather, what they thought was their front yard.

The Peavys are two of the latest Florida residents to discover land they believed was theirs has been reserved for government use dating back to the Depression era.

The reason is the Murphy Act, a 1937 bailout program that eventually returned tax-defaulted land to private property owners on a few conditions. Among those conditions: The government could come back and claim strips of those lands to improve or expand roads.

So, 77 years after it passed, the Murphy Act is still working, this time to build a section of the East Central Regional Rail Trail, a 52-mile hiking-biking project that will eventually span the county. In Osteen, people like the Peavys say the law is working against them, taking property they thought they owned free and clear.

Volusia County officials say the law is working on behalf of taxpayers because Murphy reservations belong to everyone, and they spare the millions of dollars governments would otherwise have to pay for miles and miles of road right of way.

Whats right in America today is wrong, and whats wrong is right, Byron Peavy said recently in a living room that has sort of become the Murphy oppositions base. Theyre every bit right to take that land, he said of the countys legal claim. But its wrong to do it.

We have an obligation, with it being available to the public, countered Jerry Brinton, the Volusia County engineer overseeing the project. Wed be criticized if we did anything other than use it for what it was intended for.

Read the original here:
Path of Resistance Osteen residents feel blindsided by law from Depression era giving Volusia County access to their ...

Los Angeles Interior Designer HGTV.com Winner
Velvet Hammerschmidt Design is a full-service residential and commercial interior design firm based in Santa Monica California. The firm s success is attribu...

By: Aam Samsudin

More:
Los Angeles Interior Designer HGTV.com Winner - Video

(PRWEB) February 03, 2014

Award-winning interior design firm, Beasley & Henley Interior Design unveils trends in newly installed model homes for Naples-based home builder Stock Development.

The busy design team, led by esteemed Principal Designer Troy Beasley, used an array of eye-catching design trends in The Tuscany model in Quail West in Naples (listed at $1,876,883 ) and the Orchid II in Paseo in Ft Myers (price is not available).

1.Outdoors is the New Indoors In many price ranges, it is common for Beasley and his team to create a complete outdoor living room, kitchen and outdoor dining room to compliment the indoor counterparts. In the Tuscany, the indoor-outdoor living spaces flow together easily to create an ambiance that is clearly connected. Fully pocketing sliders open to a covered lanai with yet another fireplace and a living room area with a beautiful ceiling detail. Ninety-degree pocketing sliders in the family room open to another covered lanai area that features an optional outdoor kitchen, bar and dining area. In the Orchid model Beasley shows that a smaller outdoor living area is just as important with flowing tile, pocketing doors and expansive views from the family room that flow effortlessly through interior, pausing at the outdoor living space and wrapping around the pool for a complete indoor-outdoor luxury experience.

2.Gold or Silver. Silver is still in fashion, but gold is back with a vengeance in everything from light fixtures, to tables, to accessories. In the Tuscany model, the Beasley & Henley design team selected gold finishes for the chic chandeliers and pendants in the master bedroom and breakfast room. Their gold finished drum-style side table is found in the living room. In the Orchid, Beasley selected light fixtures with touches of gold and accessories with glimpses of a sophisticated burnished brass, throughout the home.

3.Lower the Bar In the kitchens Beasley designs, bar heights have changed. Stools will no longer pull up to 000 high bar, but to a counter height ledge that opens to the rest of the serving or cooking areas. Both the Orchid and the Tuscany have comfortable, stylish bar stools that pull right up to the counter with no obstacle between the chef and guests.

4.Wild About Wood Wood flooring is making a valiant attempt to dislodge King Stone from its top spot in as the first choice in flooring. Wood is also increasingly seen in wall details and of course, ceiling designs. In the Tuscany model, Beasley used gray-toned wood flooring accented by a stone inlay in the foyer. The wood then flows through the living room and master suite.

The whole time we were installing these models there was a steady stream of interested buyers and lookers, enthralled by what we doing, explains Beasley. It is always fun.

The Tuscany Model and the Orchid II both opened in late January and are available for viewing.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read the rest here:
Beasley & Henley Interior Design Unveils Interior Design Trends in High-End Homes

TOM Real Estate with Tammy Birchler from Home Warranty of America
Thank you Tammy Birchler for the great presentation you gave TOM Real Estate Realtors about your products for home warranty and for clarifying their question...

By: Oscar Morales

Read the rest here:
TOM Real Estate with Tammy Birchler from Home Warranty of America - Video

HomeTec Home Warranty
http://homeplans.hometec.com/

By: HoneyKisses

Read the original here:
HomeTec Home Warranty - Video

Home Security Systems and Home Automation in Burlington NC, and Mebane NC.
Innovative Sound Security is the answer. We help you protect the people and property important to you, get the most out of in-home entertainment and seamle...

By: guitarsounds333

Read the rest here:
Home Security Systems and Home Automation in Burlington NC, and Mebane NC. - Video