Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Creating curb appeal is one of those landscaping areas where you want your front yard to stand out from surrounding yards without being totally out of place from the rest of the neighborhood. Keep that in mind while looking at these pictures.

Along with this gallery, there are several examples front yard landscape designs and curb appeal in the designs gallery. There's also one rather interesting idea that I created that's worth taking a look at. See: curb appeal.

You'll find it much easier to come up with an idea if you don't try to find an exact match for your yard. Gather ideas from several sources and mix and match. Generally, most yards are unique in shape. It can be very frustrating to try and find an exact example of your front yard.

This gallery is free to visitors of The Landscape Design Site. Also see my original pictures gallery for more photos, examples, and plans.

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Front Yard Landscaping For Curb Appeal

In the city of Phoenix swimming pool construction and landscaping design go by the name of Arizona Pools & Landscape. With over a decades worth of experience as landscapers and swimming pool builders we know what it takes to make your outdoor space compelling. We will work with you hand in hand on your custom landscape and pool with your wishes front and center. Visit our Photo Gallery to see some of our very finest landscaping and pool work, and schedule your free on-site consultation that will serve as the first step in our creative collaboration. Customizing your luxury backyard addition is fun and affordable when you work with the professionals at Arizona Pools & Landscape.

Why work with more expensive and less professional Phoenix swimming pool builders or landscapers when you can find everything you need under one roof at Arizona Pools & Landscape? Our products and services include:

Working closely with you from design through construction is the only way we know how to do business, and our approach will keep you informed and inspired as we bring your landscaping dreams to fruition.

There are many Phoenix pool companies and landscapers to choose from; seemingly one on every corner these days. Most of these companies are average at best, and when upgrading your landscape and pool average just wont do. As one of the most respected landscaping and pool contracting firms in the greater Phoenix area we are passionate about the work we do, and it shows. When its time to upgrade your outdoor space make Arizona Pools & Landscape your first and only call.

Arizona Pools & Landscape looks forward to collaborating with you on the landscape of your dreams, and is proud to serve the cities of:

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Phoenix Swimming Pool Construction | Custom Landscape Design

This free picture gallery is a suplement to our original gallery of swimming pool landscaping pictures. While there are over a hundred great photos and ideas in this directory, I believe the original gallery located at - Planting Ideas Around Swimming Pools - has a lot more to offer in the area of residential landscaping. There's also a lot more design detail in each photo a they are mostly from professional designers sites.

While some of the photos in this gallery are of resort and hotel swimming pools, they still have a lot to offer for gathering ideas. Regardless of specific location, you can incorporate the concepts of most of these in most backyards. Mix and match designs. It's simply a matter of imagination, arrangement, and implementation.

Either way, between the two galleries, there are enough pictures of landscaping around swimming pools to look at for hours. See the original gallery at: Swimming Pool Landscaping Pictures. I think you'll find it to be as good as if not better than this directory.

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Landscaping Around Swimming Pools

Cipriano Landscape Design in Mahwah, NJ Alderete Pools Inc. in San Clemente, CA Shades of Green Landscape Architecture is Sausalito, CA Bianchi Design in Scottsdale, AZ Lightfoot Enterprises Inc. in Vidor, TX Z Freedman Landscape Design in Venice, CA Apex Landscape in Grand Rapids, MI Artistic Group Inc. in St. Louis, MO Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture in Key West, FL Quality Living Landscape in San Marcos, CA

View all swimming pool pictures See four swimming pool styles

Shop Pool & Spa ProductsFind a curated collection of pool accessories, spas, and more. From outdoor showers to stainless steel spas and cedar hot tubs, you will find a variety of products available now.

A swimming pool is the ultimate backyard amenity. It's the center of family life with children spending much of their summers in the water. Other homeowners see a pool as a strong aesthetic element, the focus of the entire landscape. When pools include water features, unique lighting, specialty materials and design features, they have powerful influence on adjacent outdoor living spaces, particularly when well illuminated by night lighting.

It's vital to remember that a pool is just one part of the larger landscape. Therefore, it's best to use a landscape architect to design the pool as well as the rest of the site at the same time. All too often a pool contractor is employed first to design the pool without an overall site plan. The result is that your pool and landscape do not compliment one another, and you lose the opportunity to integrate options that provide more value for the same price.

Because pools are such an expensive proposition, it's important to give a lot of time to design. You'll only build it once, and therefore your choices of materials and detailing should be high quality and timeless so your pool design won't go out of style in the near future. Beware of fads. Question new materials before you invest. The rigors of weather and chemically treated water may have far reaching consequences for newer materials that have not stood the test of time and use.

Many homes with older pools are being upgraded, and that means the pool itself must be remodeled. Do not underestimate the cost and difficulty of such a proposition. Remodeling can cost almost as much as building a whole new pool. Problems with the old pool such as corroded rebar, leaking shell, or aged electrical and piping can be costly to repair because there is so much demolition involved. Designers and contractors should be experienced with remodeling pools before you decide who will take on your project and for how much.

Above all, stick with well known companies that have been in business a long time and will remain so into the future. With recent unpredictability in the economy, the risk of contractors going out of business is greater than ever before. Do your homework and research customer satisfaction because pools take time to build, and if you are left with an incomplete project by a shaky contractor, the cost of finishing it up with someone else is sure to exceed your budget.

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Swimming Pool Design Ideas - Landscaping Network

A national recycling company is at the end stretch toward garnering the necessary Planning Board approval for developing a facility on Ridge Hill Road, according to Planning Board Vice Chairman Keven Desmarais.

Republic Recycling representatives met with the Planning Board on Tuesday, and the board still wants some more traffic design improvements to take place. Specifically, the company has been asked to widen the intersection of Ridge Hill Road and South Main Street to include a third lane. The company is working with adjacent property owners toward land-taking issues, according to Planning Technician Lauren Moreau.

Desmarais said that the improvements will allow some of the tractor trailers traveling north and south to more easily turn into Ridge Hill Road. Desmarais said the traffic mitigation will improve safety.

They didnt balk at it, Desmarais said. They recognized it is good for them and good for us.

Moreau and Desmarais added that the company will add some landscape buffering to the north of that intersection as well.

The hearing on the matter has been postponed until Jan. 7.

Jeff Burdick, the New England and New York company president, could not be reached this week for comment. Earlier this month, Burdick confirmed that the company plans to redevelop the former Weyerhaeuser building on Campanelli Drive. He said there will be infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the 85,000 square foot facilitys blueprint, including road and building upgrades. Burdick said the facility will also employee at least 50 people when it is operating at full capacity.

Burdick said there will be an uptick in truck traffic but it would be restricted to weekdays 6 a.m to 4 p.m. He noted that the facility would also be located next to Route 24, mitigating traffic on South Main Street.

The company takes single stream recycling from the bins of customers, dumps it into an area, feeds it to a hopper and then a conveyor, before people sort it out. It is then neatly transformed into a square bale and sent out for reuse.

Last month, Planning Board Chairman Robert Raymond indicated that the volume of truck traffic will be manageable.

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Freetown close to approving recycling facility on Ridge Hill Road

Land Clearing

Land clearing was another important job of the engineers in their operational support role; in fact, engineer methods of land clearing gained wide acceptance as among the most effective tactical innovations of the war. As techniques evolved for the employment of land-clearing units, these units more and more became the key elements in successful operations aimed at penetrating enemy strongholds, exposing main infiltration routes, denying areas of sanctuary, and opening major transportation routes to both military and civilian traffic. Engineer land-clearing troops on many occasions formed the vanguard of assault forces attacking heavily fortified enemy positions, while even under ordinary circumstances their use in clearing the jungle ahead of tactical security elements placed them routinely in a position of direct vulnerability to enemy action. These engineer troops rapidly developed a zestful pride in the importance, difficulty, and hazards of their occupation, and while their deportment and appearance sometimes fell short of normal standards, their spirit, courage, and persistence under the most adverse conditions entitled them to a substantial claim to elite status.

In the vocabulary of U.S. forces in Vietnam, Rome Plow came to be synonymous with land clearing. Of all the various types of land-clearing equipment tested in Vietnam, the military standard D7E tractor, equipped with a heavy-duty protective cab and a special tree-cutting blade manufactured by the Rome Company of Rome, Georgia, proved to be by far the most versatile and effective. The tractor took its name from its most imposing feature-the huge blade on the front.

The giant Rome Plow blade was designed to move over the ground six inches above the surface, shearing off most of the vegetation but leaving the root structure to prevent erosion. The blade has a leading knife-edge that Was sharpened by a portable grinder at least once daily. It is slightly angled so that cut material is discarded to the right. The leading corner of the blade is extended by a rigid "stinger" with which the operator attacks the larger trees by a succession of stabbings and dozer turnings.

The potency of the Rome Plow was early recognized by the troops in the field. Lieutenant General Julian J. Ewell, commander of II Field Force, was so impressed that he was led to remark that the Rome Plow Was "the most effective device" for winning the war. It played a substantial role not only in achieving military success but also in building the South Vietnamese economy through land clearing for redevelopment purposes.

An integral part of the land-clearing operation was aimed at improving security along roadways. No road, no matter how well constructed, was of much value if enemy interdiction made the use of it too hazardous. Wherever a highway passed through jungle or heavy brush in areas subject to enemy activity, the land had to be cleared on either side for distances up to a hundred meters. The Rome Plow was the principal tool in these clearing operations. When the cover provided by the brush was removed, it was difficult for the enemy to stage an ambush. In addition, the land cleared by the plows was often fertile enough for farmers to move in and cultivate.

The story of how the Rome Plow reached the U.S. Army in Vietnam and came to be one of its most effective weapons merits recounting. U.S. Military leaders had recognized early the tremendous advantage the jungle offered the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army in terms of limiting the movement of firepower of the modern military equipment employed against them and in protecting their bases, their lines of communication, and their arsenals. As early as November of 1965 General Westmoreland put his staff to work looking for means of jungle clearing. An officer was dispatched to Australia where success had been reported with a ten-ton or heavier hollow ball approximately twelve feet in diameter towed by ship anchor chains linked to a pair of very heavy tractors. This towed ball worked well in the Australian jungle, but when attempts were made in Vietnam to fabricate some sets of balls and chains, the large size of the ball, the difficulty of transporting it, and inadequate equipment stood in the way of an early success. Suggestions from the United States meanwhile included a 100-ton tracked tanklike vehicle, the three-wheeled LeTourneau tree-crusher, and a Rome Plow attachment for military tractors. A small number of tractors with Rome Plow attachments and accessories were ordered at once. Within hours after they had arrived, been assembled, and been hurried through field tests, large orders for Rome Plow kits were under preparation. While awaiting delivery, the test models in South Vietnam were put to immediate use and organizational training and operating plans were developed. The 100-ton tank was rejected as too hard to move; getting it from ship to shore in South Vietnam and subsequently to the jungle would have created impossible problems.

The LeTourneau tree-crusher was also originally rejected, even though it was capable of being broken down into four or five pieces for shipment. Flotation characteristics were appealing, but it was only marginally effective in the water. Although it weighed sixty tons, it was less trouble to move than some other proposed devices, but it was vulnerable-a target too big to miss in a tactical situation; a complex, though well-protected hydraulic system; and little prospect of extracting the machine if it became deadlined in the middle of the jungle. Nevertheless, the commanding general of the 1st Logistical Command arranged for rental and shipment of a test model to the Long Binh area. In the early spring of 1967 the treecrusher proved its ability to perform in a swampy jungle; however, it was not reliable enough in South Vietnam and was returned to the United States when the lease expired.

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Vietnam Land Clearing History - WELCOME TO THE 59th LAND ...

New Jersey interior designer Mark A. Polo brings over 30 years as a home interior decorator to each redesign he undertakes. He works closely with his clients (who include musicians, actors, doctors, lawyer, politicians, business executives, builders and even other interior designers) to create a professional interior design that brings their visions for their homes to life. There are many New Jersey and New York interior designers to choose from, but few are able to interpret the wishes of their clients in the way Mr. Polo can and does. From color palettes for walls to custom window treatments, draperies, furniture, cabinetry and more, his unique gift for capturing the essence of both casual and formal spaces is unrivaled. Peruse Mr. Polos online portfolio of interior redesign projects to get a feel for his work and what he can accomplish with your interior.

When it comes to interior design, each client is decidedly different and unique. We all have different tastes, and this is particularly so as it pertains to our living spaces. Mark A. Polo never forgets to embrace the individuality of each client; embracing various themes in order to create a finished design that exceeds even the highest expectations. Here are a few things you can expect when you work with Mr. Polo:

Whether it's custom cabinetry for a kitchen remodel or custom window treatments for a bath remodel, Mark A Polo is an interior designer who provides you with the luxury home interiors you want, within budget and on time. It's this kind of professional interior design and interior redesign that impresses clients most, as Mr. Polo is an interior decorator who delivers as promised.

Be it custom upholstery for the living room or custom drapery for the bedroom, this interior designer can help. Contact Mark A. Polo now to discuss your interior design. Call today in New Jersey at 973.402.7400 or 201.425.8199, or in New York at 212.754.1844

Mr. Polo is proud to serve residents of Northern, Central and Southern New Jersey and New York, including:

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New Jersey Interior Designer | NJ Home Décor | New York ...

Manhattan, KS - infoZine - Finding a balance between being comfortable and conserving energy is key, he said. Some main areas of concentration for winterizing the home include checking the furnace, insulation, and the windows, doors and outlets for leaks to the outdoors. But, having a working programmable thermostat might be the first item on the agenda.

The thermostat setting determines how much you will spend for heating and cooling costs, Snead said. He recommends that people consider setting it down when they dont need it, perhaps when they are sleeping or gone during the day.

Each house is unique, but generally every degree you drop on your thermostat might save as much as 3 percent on your heating and cooling costs, he said.

Furnace checks

The more you use the furnace, the more important it is to check it, certainly at least every three months if not more often, just to make sure that the filters are clean, he said. If you have not had your furnace serviced in two or three years, it would be worth having a service technician do a standard evaluation to make sure everything is still lubricated, operating properly, venting properly and you are getting the most out of the fuel that is being consumed by the furnace to provide comfort in your home.

If people have any combustion appliances, like a furnace, in their home, Snead said they should have a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas that can cause flu-like symptoms or even death.

Windows, doors and outlets Leaks to the exterior of the home are one of the largest drains on energy costs. Snead said it depends on how many windows the home has, the orientation of those windows, how old they are, how many layers of glass they have and how tight they are.

Even if you have leaky, old windows, you can always add an interior layer of plastica shrink-fit film, Snead said. Just choose the proper-sized kit for your window. It can be temporarily installed. Its a good way to maintain the clarity of view of the window, but air tightening by literally sealing the whole window at the surface of the trim.

Another option for people is using temporary caulks, Snead said. If the window is not going to be used at all this winter, the temporary caulks dont bond permanently to the surface but will seal around the window.

If the windows are loose-fitting or decaying because of mold, mildew or moisture, Snead said it is worth having them replaced.

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Making the Home More Cost-effective and Energy-efficient This Winter

Diasporian News of Monday, 23 December 2013

Source: The Guardian

Seven-year-old Enoch wants to be a good student, but circumstances have not been on his side. At his home in Suhum, a ramshackle town in the dewy hills of Ghana's green and mountainous eastern region, straggly wires protrude from the empty shell where electrical sockets should be. The landlord decided halfway through building their two-bedroom home that he did not want to pay to complete the wiring and so Enoch, his parents and his elder sister have no lights at home.

Enoch sleeps on a grubby mattress on the floor by the front door. He has no desk, so he does his homework sitting on a faded armchair, crammed in beside his mother's basket of bread, hot chocolate sachets and oats items she prepares and sells by the roadside.

"It would be better if we had lights at home," says Enoch, who wears worn plimsoll hi-tops, his yellow school shirt emblazoned with his primary school's logo, which bears the words: "Knowledge is power." It's a motto Enoch's parents understand, even though neither of them can read or write and they don't own a single book.

Enoch, however, has 140 books, which he can read even in the dark on a Kindle e-reader he was given at school. Described by his teachers as particularly bright, Enoch likes the Ghanaian stories in the local Tiwi language as well as in English but his favourite book is the dictionary. He scrolls expertly through the neatly cased Kindle, searching for the alphabet to read aloud. Around him other children in stream C at Suhum primary, one of three government schools in the same, gently sloping compound, are sitting in the shade during their morning break, eating bread and oranges and playing ampe, a traditional Ghanaian game of clapping and jumping.

"I like reading this because it teaches me new words and numbers," Enoch says. "I want to be a pilot when I grow up and fly planes."

Suhum primary school is a beneficiary of a project run by the charity Worldreader, whose iRead 2 programme is distributing Kindles to children in nine African countries. The parents make huge sacrifices to send their children to school but, if it wasn't for the project, they would still struggle to master literacy. More than 12,000 students and their families have so far benefited from the more than 2,000 titles available on the Kindles, in English and local languages.

The need for outside intervention at Suhum is clear. Despite being a model school, with good attendance rates and disciplined children and staff, the school has been beset by a lack of funding and chronic shortages of essential materials. "The government has not been providing us with enough books; it is a very serious problem," said Patrick Kyere-Koranteng, 30, an English teacher at the school. "The children are many, and sharing the few books we have was difficult. That affected their academic performance. And without textbooks it is very difficult to do a good job as a teacher."

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The Guardian and Observer Christmas appeal 2013: Worldreader

2 Sunnyside Dr, Montvale, NJ
Welcome To 2 Sunnyside Dr, Montvale, NJ - Custom Colonial built by one of the area #39;s premier builders. wonderful open floor plan with family room/fireplace, ...

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2 Sunnyside Dr, Montvale, NJ - Video