Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The OneBox from Vision Mechatronics consists of a Lithium battery, hybrid inverter and solar charge controller to give a hassle-free solution for electricity backup in case of power outages. Users with excess solar power generation can save money with net metering by using its grid feed feature.

Diesel generators are the most common means of electricitybackup during power outages. Besides being noisy and polluting, these are also the most expensive means of alternative electricity backup with an operatingefficiencyof25%, requirement for repeated maintenance, hassles of diesel storage and fear of diesel theft.

Providing a clean and green option to diesel generators, Vision Mechatronics has installed in South Delhi a grid-interactive lithium battery based energy storage system coupled with solar rooftop power plant.

The building integrated backup storage systemcalled OneBoxhandles the loads of an elevator (lift), five air-conditioners, two ovens, water pumps, slow chargingelectric vehiclepoints, common lighting of the building, and lights, fans and plug points for one full floor.

The system offers ahigh peak discharge current, whichenables it to handle loads like lift and air conditioners (which require high starting current) witha comparatively smallcapacityof Lithium batteries. It also supportssinglephase outageand has a response time of 7 ms, ensuring uninterrupted supply and zero blackout.

A hassle-free solution

OneBox is a do-it-yourself hybrid solar solution that consistsof the worlds smartest Lithiumbattery, hybrid inverter and solar charge controller to give ahassle-freeplug-and-play solution for backup.It takes care of uninterrupted flicker-free power supply with response time of 7 ms, which keeps all electronic items unaffected by power cut and fluctuations, Vision Mechatronics director Dr Rashi Gupta told pv magazine.

Inverters and batteries come preconfigured inOneBoxas per customer requirements. So, Users neither need to worry about the compatibility of the inverter and lithium batteries, nor about the complex wiring while installation, said Dr Gupta.

Integrating solar panels inOneBoxnot only helps in reducing their carbon footprint but also makes the system cost effective andimproves power availability. Users with excess renewable generation can save money with net metering by usinggridfeed feature ofOneBox.

Predictive monitoring ensures minimal downtime

The differentiating factor in Vision Mechatronics Lithium battery is Active Balancing and Internet of Things (IoT) capabilitiesalong with predictive & preventive monitoring, which helps to increase the life of the battery.

Predictive monitoring featuremonitors cell-level data to predict 15 days in advance that the battery/system needs attention. Generally,thecustomers receive an email in advance. Also, with the auto-on/off feature, the smart battery emails the cause of failure, enabling the customer to take corrective actions.

Return on investment, viability

OneBoxis a cost-effective and eco-friendlysubstitute for dieselgeneratorswith an ROI of about 1.7 to 3 years and an operating cost reaching grid parity, stated Dr Rashi.

Recently, the Bureau of Indian Standards published safety and performance standards for grid-interactive energy storage systems as well as battery management systems for batteries, which is an important step towards standardization of new technologies like lithium batteries.

India is globally the first country to publish a Battery Management System (BMS) Standard, and the BMS used in theOneBoxis compliant to the Indian standards, said Dr Rashi.

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A plug-and-play solar-powered battery backup solution for homes - pv magazine India

Conor and Kate Hardy wanted to replicate the warehouse-style living they'd loved so much in their twenties.

"Our first rental flat together was a light and spacious two-bedroom penthouse in a modern converted office building," says Kate. "We loved the open-plan layout, perfect for entertaining. We had floor-to-ceiling glass and a wraparound balcony where we would sit and watch the sunrise over the city."

When they started searching for a place to buy and came across this two-storey conversion in 2017, just a stone's throw from Clapham High Street, the first thing that stood out was the double-fronted bay windows, which gave it instant kerb appeal.

But the really exciting part was the hidden gem of a loft, which spanned the entire length of the house.

Success story:the mansard loft extension is finished with white walls and neutral bespoke fittings, to open up the space and capitalise on the light (Build Team/ Robin Bell)

The lack of outdoor space was an issue but the house next door had a roof terrace, so the Hardys thought gaining consent to install one of their own would be straightforward.

"We saw this as an opportunity to combine the best of old and new, maintaining the period charm on the first and second floor while delivering something surprising and modern in the loft," says Conor.

With space in London at a premium, they also knew they could increase the value of the property.

"We wanted to extend with a mansard loft instead of a dormer and chose a local design and build company called Build Team.

"The architect at Build Team advised us to submit the planning applications as two separate projects one for the loft and one for the terrace," says Conor. If the roof terrace plans were rejected, they'd still be able to move forward with the loft project.

This proved to be sage advice. The loft application was accepted, as long as they maintained the sloping roofline, but the roof terrace was rejected.

To the couple's surprise, the council felt it wasn't in keeping with the local vernacular.

Lofty ideas: Conor and Kate Hardy wanted to replicated the warehouse-style living they'd loved in their first rental flat in their twenties (Daniel Hambury)

Converting the Victorian part of the building threw up challenges. "We realised quite quickly that we would need to level part of the floor, and then discovered much of the existing wood was rotten and needed to be replaced," says Kate. "When it came time to strip the wallpaper, nearly all of the plaster came off with it.'' They then went to appeal over the roof terrace.

It took nine months to get approval, by which time they had overspent their budget by at least 25 per cent.

And though on the whole the couple had prepared well for their project, there were issues they had never thought about.

"We'd done our research, but with the project being a flat we had three party wall processes to go through," says Conor. "Each property appointed a surveyor and we paid for everything."

Chic neutrals: an elegant living space done in easy-on-the-eye shades (Build Team/ Robin Bell )

The flat is a success story, with the original first and second floors retaining period fireplaces and mouldings, and with Victorian-style bathroom fittings and tiling.

"We wanted to preserve the character look and feel downstairs, so we just did the essentials we rewired, re-plastered, and re-plumbed new radiators," says Kate. "In the loft we wanted the open-plan space where we could entertain like we had done in our first rental, which is why we've installed so many rooflights and Velux windows."

They chose white walls and neutral bespoke kitchen fittings to open up the space and capitalise on the light.

They have achieved their vision of creating an uplifting, spacious entertaining area within a grand period property.

Link:
Loft conversion inspiration:light-filled loft in Clapham is a masterclass in open-plan warehouse-style living - Homes and Property

Save Money by Installing a Wall Fountain Yourself

Today, we see an increasing number of home and business owners looking for ways of creating a serene environment. Some people choose plants, others fish tanks, and yet others, art. However, an exceptional way to produce a calm setting while improving the decorum of the room is with indoor wall mounted fountains. In addition to being beautiful, these fountains are also affordable and cost little to operate. As you will discover, installing indoor wall water fountains is something anyone can do. Of course, these instructions are general so you always want to read the instructions that come with the fountain but this will give you a good idea of the time and tools required for the job.

Hanging wall fountains can typically be installed within an hour. Keep in mind that in some cases, you may need to have an electrical outlet installed or help lifting the fountain due to weight.

Tools Needed:

Instructions

As you can see, hanging wall fountains is not a difficult task. With a little time and effort, you will transform the appearance of any room. The benefits that you will enjoy from the sound of trickling water and design of the fountain are tremendous.

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Install Indoor Wall Water Fountains in Six Easy Steps ...

Is there anything more relaxing than the quiet, steady burble of flowing water? Large or small, indoors or out, a fountain adds grace, beauty and serenity to almost any setting. It can also be a surprisingly low-cost home improvement.

Installing a fountain can involve as much or as little work as you want. You can work from a kit that assembles all the components for you (although you'll lose some flexibility in terms of design). Or, once you understand how the different components fit together, you can construct your own fountain from available materials -- including the earth in your backyard.

But first things first: you should know what you're getting into. Different fountains work best in different places -- tables, walls, floors, patios, gardens. No amount of tinkering will make your table strong enough to support a floor fountain, or keep the end result from looking awkward as well as unstable. And no table fountain will look anything but diminutive if you install it on a floor. Look around to find a fountain in the appropriate scale for your setting. Think about materials -- stone, slate, bamboo, granite -- that will coordinate with the rest of your decor.

As you choose the location for your fountain, keep in mind that a fountain needs a power source. Some outdoor fountains have solar panels, but the rest will need to be within reach of electricity. Outdoor fountains also need seasonal maintenance, so make sure you choose a relatively accessible spot.

This article explores the different types of fountains in more detail. We'll also look at the plans and tools you should have on hand before you delve into the installation process.

Link:
How to Install a Fountain | HowStuffWorks

A memorable wedding day ensures that you have a long and healthy marriage right from the start. Thus perfecting your wedding to the very last details is quintessential. The venue, decorations, catering etc. everything needs to fall in place if the moment has to be extra special. Along with all these things, you also have to make sure that your arrangements dont leave a gaping hole in your wallet as you have a life to plan after the wedding.

In this regard, I find it a little weird that people opt for wedding plazas and banquets when they have big beautiful lawns in their own backyards. A wedding gazebo tent can create the perfect ambience and at the same time provide more breathing room. These canopies are weatherproof and have an ultra-luxurious feel to them. Here are a few reasons why you should use a wedding gazebo tent for your wedding.

Dont worry, the wedding gazebo tents have you covered.

Be it rains, snowfalls or sunshine, Wedding Gazebo tents are well equipped to tackle any weather-related adversity so that your wedding day remains a hassle-free affair.

Wedding gazebo tents are like blank canvases, and they can be decorated in any manner possible. You can go as lavish or as minimalistic as you want. The freedom and extent of customization that these canopies provide in unparalleled.

Not just the decorations, with wedding gazebos you can also design the layouts as these are not pre-defined as they would be at a pre-defined venue.

This gives you additional freedom to decide where youd want your guests to sit, where you would want your dance floor to be etc.

And these issues can be so daunting at times that you may not feel it.

Wedding gazebo tent comes to the rescue again. With Wedding Gazebos, you can have a party any time of the year. Sidewalls that come with the marquee will also ensure complete protection from unwanted pests and provide privacy for certain parts of the ceremony that you want.

Professional marquee makers provide accessories which can help you sort out things such as tables, seating, linens, and lighting at one go.

Now that is what you call a proper one-stop-shop.

They provide the extent of customization that no plaza or church can.

You can always find a tent that is just the right size for your wedding and then customize it things such as flooring, sidewalls, etc. that align with your wedding plans.

Who does not want the most memorable wedding day photos?

Ill be honest in saying that it does depend a lot on the photographer, but the setting or the background is not something that he/she can always control.

Hence coming up with a picturesque setting for your wedding is very critical.

Wedding gazebo tents come to the fore even in this regard. You place to position your gazebo in the backdrop of a mountain or at the banks of a river or a serenely calm beach.

This could result in some amazing wedding day photographs. It will be a literal trip down the memory lane.

You can for formal or informal when you decide to opt for a wedding gazebo tent.

The entire decoration and customization are up to you, and hence you can decide on a tie and trouser formal affair or an outdoor barefoot intimate affair.

After all, it is YOUR WEDDING.

You risk a host of problems because of this venue fiasco like:

With a wedding gazebo tent, you will face none of it. As a matter of fact, most marquee providers take all these factors into consideration and help you get the highest value for every penny you spend.

Wedding is an intimate and celebratory event, and we all want it to be as special as it can. Wedding gazebo tents help us achieve that objective with leaving a hole in our budget. So if you are looking for the best deals that on these big party tents, call 1300 850 832 or visit https://www.extreme-marquees.com.au/.

Read more:
What are the benefits of Wedding Gazebo Tents? - - VENTS Magazine

Whats the deal at Woodtex?

The company has apparently gone out of business, and without much warning at that. The company was formed back in 1983. Its founder, Sanford Lapp, moved from Pennsylvania to Yates County.

Sheds, barns, gazebos, horse barns, and garages were the areas of focus. Small structures, which were popular items in the rural Finger Lakes.

Lapps sons, identified as Kent and Ben by the Finger Lakes Times, took over the business in 2010. The FLT looked into the local closing after a post to Facebook from a dissatisfied customer.

This post is not intended to berate a company or start a fury of negative posts. It is meant as informational only, Mary Maslyn wrote. I have dealt with Woodtex in Himrod for years and have nothing but good things to say about the folks there. This is out of their control. Just wanted to give folks a heads up in case they have ordered a shed or other structure.

She never received a shed that was paid for to the company that now operates Woodtex or did up until recently.

The FLT reports that Riverwood Cabins, which is located in Tennessee near Nasvhille was collecting deposits from new customers as recently as mid-January. They took in more than $4 million in customer deposits, who did not receive cabins before the company declared bankruptcy.

Now, customers like Maslyn are left looking for answers as the company moves through bankruptcy.

More:
Woodtex in Yates County closes up shop, customers left without sheds they paid for - fingerlakes1.com

The country? Austria. The year? 1930-bad. The Sound of Musics Rolf (John Mulaney) and Liesl (Cecily Strong) are sharing a romantic gazebo moment well before, ugh, the von Trapps have to escape the Nazis, but something seems off about Rolf. Age is just a number that the government keeps track of, he reminds Liesel as he increases his years to 33, 38, 41, and eventually 46. Youre only as old as you feel. Do you know what statutory means? It means I looked it up and were on the right side of the cusp. Given that shes rich and good with puppets and hes just a geriatric telegram boy, shes not exactly sure the math is in her favor. Also, he only owns a bike and still lives with his mom? Thats a dealbreaker, ladies. And hes older than her dad, the captain? As Rolf not incorrectly notes, Damn, how sexy is that.

Read more here:
John Mulaney Will Sexually Confuse You With His Sound of Music Nazi, Whos 33 Going on 46 - Vulture

Irvings Heritage Park moved closer toward a dramatic overhaul Wednesday night.

The city voted unanimously to award a $5.67 million contract to North Rock Construction to redevelop the park.

The small, 32-year-old park at 217 S. Main St. features replicas of a water tower and a settlers cabin, an antique caboose at a small railroad depot, a gazebo and an old library building. Much of the space is open grass with benches.

The redevelopment plan, unveiled in August 2019 with input from residents, calls for most of the existing structures to be rearranged and for the water tower to be moved elsewhere. The open space will be reconfigured for concerts, featuring a permanent stage with a large video screen and speaker system.

The updated park will also have parking for food trucks, new public restrooms and a fountain feature with dancing water jets.

The issue notice to proceed with the project is expected sometime in April, and the updated park is projected to open in summer 2021.

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Irving awards $5.6M contract to redevelop Heritage Park, adding space for concerts and food trucks - The Dallas Morning News

Listing of the Day

Location: Kings Point, Great Neck, New York

Price: $25 million

This seven-acre estate set in an area of Long Island, New York, made famous by F. Scott Fitzgerald in "The Great Gatsby," stands on the shores of the Long Island Sound estuary.

Chteau North is in Kings Point, a village where Fitzgerald once lived and which was reportedly the neighborhood that inspired the books West Egg.

Chteau North was built in the style of a Normandy chateau and has a fairy tale setting to match. The landscaped grounds roll down to meet the waters of the estuary and feature a rotunda garden, a beach, a swimming pool and two boat jetties.

More: Ken Griffin Adds Calvin Kleins Hamptons Compound to Collection of Luxury Homes

The white stucco house modeled on a French country house is both grand and cozy. Tucked away in wooded grounds, it has a turreted circular entrance hall, a sweeping wooden staircase, an array of timber detailing and an open fireplace. Wood-paneled reception rooms have glossy timber flooring and water-facing curved bay windows.

"Chteau North is a massive house for the area and is one of the last remaining of its size," said Jason Friedman of Daniel Gale Sothebys International Realty.

"The best feature is the all-season organic English garden with its sitting rotunda, with decorative box hedging, an irrigation system, exotic flowers and multiple varieties of fruits and vegetables," he said.

Indeed, the waterside gardens offer the homes finest viewsbest of all are those from the stone gazebo, which has 180-degree views of the Long Island Sound, the North Shore coastline and Manhattans iconic skyline.

More: For New York's Ultra-Luxury Market, 2019 Was a Roller-Coaster Year

Stats

The three-story property has a master wing with a bedroom and en-suite bathroom, seven more bedrooms, six more bathrooms, a playroom, two partial bathrooms, a formal living room, dining room, study, lounge area, kitchen, pantry and kitchen.

Amenities

The grounds include a small sandy beach, two jetties from which small boats can be launched and an outdoor swimming pool a few feet from the waters edge.

In addition to the main house, there is a two-bedroom guest house with two-and-a-half bathrooms and a two-car garage.

From Penta: Global Luxury Brands Are Hard Hit By Coronavirus Fallout

Neighborhood Notes

The property is in Kings Point, a village on the Great Neck peninsula, set on Long Islands North Shore. It has direct views of the Cow Neck Peninsula, located further west along the coast.

Manhattan is only 25 miles away.

Agent: Jason Friedman, Daniel Gale Sothebys International Realty

View the original listing.

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A Home Fit for Gatsby in an Area That Inspired the Books Author - Mansion Global

Penny Churchill looks at a wonderful home that's stupendously beautiful inside and out and has the benefits of Ashford's high-speed links to London.

Its ceaselessly curious how moments in history continue to be felt for generation after generation, in all manner of unexpected ways. The political machinations of the 17th century, for example, had an effect which even today can be felt on the property market in Kent.

The Glorious Revolution of 1688 saw Mary II and her husband, William of Orange, installed as joint monarchs of England and Scotland, and prompted waves of Dutch immigrants across the North Sea. They brought with them skills in many areas: wool, building, gardening and crucially, in the case of parts of Kent engineering of sea defences.

Many of the countys low-lying areas had long been prone to flooding until Dutch engineers came to drain the flood plains, and local farmers were among those to reap the benefits of this Dutch expertise. Among them was one John Mantell, described by genealogists as a grazier, of Tenterden, who made his fortune farming sheep on the reclaimed Romney Marsh and whose Grade II*-listed house, Stone Green Hall, is now for sale at 2.85 million.

One of east Kents finest country houses, the hall is set in 20 acres of outstanding formal gardens, woodland and pasture. Its for sale through the Canterbury office of Strutt & Parker, and is only on the market since the owners, who are based overseas, rarely have time to enjoy it.

Stone Green Hall is built in red-and-blue brick around a timber-frame core and its symmetrical garden front, added in 1712, is the epitome of Queen Anne elegance.

The hall stands at the end of a long private drive on the edge of the village and comes with an adjoining two-bedroom cottage and a period barn.

The house offers more than 8,500sq ft of living space on three floors including, in the 18th-century part, an entrance hall, drawing room, library and snug.

The master bedroom and two more bedroom suites are on the first floor, and three further bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen on the second floor.

Opposite the drawing room, in the older part of the house, is the dining room, the large ceiling timbers of which are the remaining evidence of the original farmhouse, but with wide windows that make it a wonderful room for entertaining.

From here, a door leads to the spacious farmhouse kitchen and on into the distinctively shaped conservatory, reminiscent of one of Kews famous glasshouses.

The beautifully maintained gardens are a major feature of Stone Green Hall. Matured and developed over many years, their structure is provided by a series of tall clipped yew hedges, creating a series of rooms linked by formal lawns.

Each room has its own special character, being either form-ally planted with shrubs within box hedging or designed to create enchanting secret corners one concealing the heated swimming pool, another an ornamental pond overlooked by a temple-style gazebo.

Britain's new high-speed rail network linking the north and the south has been approved, in all its hugely-controversial, 100 billion-glory.

Not only is Solton Manor one of Kent's most beautiful country houses, but it also boasts an interesting and chequered

Penny Churchill looks over a beautiful old house, full of history, which has come up for sale in Kent

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A superb Kent home thats the epitome of Queen Anne elegance, complete with temple-style gazebo and reflecting pool - Country Life