Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Qingyun Shao --- SDCIC interior designer

By: qingyun shao

View post:
Qingyun Shao --- SDCIC interior designer - Video

For her fifth book, Inspired By ..., (Gibbs Smith, $45) acclaimed English-born interior designer Kathryn Ireland did something unusual in a world where branding is king: She chose not to highlight homes she herself designed, but those of friends and colleagues. It was so much fun -- I felt like an editor! she said. And these really are houses that I love, that inspire me. I could happily live in each and every one of them.

Ireland, a mother of three sons who oversees a thriving business that includes fabrics, wallpaper and furniture (and whose client list includes Steve Martin and Julia Louis-Dreyfus), grew up in London and Scotland, lives in a Santa Monica Spanish Colonial Revival and vacations at her vintage farmhouse in southwestern France. In other words, its lucky that she happened to be home on a recent Saturday, packing for a trip to New York but enjoying a glass of rose while fielding questions.

There are certainly enough homes and rooms to suit everyones style in the book, but, some, like your friend Lady Annabel Goldsmiths grand home in England, might be considered dated or even old lady-ish. What do you love about it?

Its so comfortable. I dont think it looks dated at all -- I think its classic and timeless. Ive stayed in that house and I actually did a few rooms. Ive learned so much from Annabel; you know, the way shell include her childrens art with old masters. Its formal in an informal way, comfy and cozy, but with an air of grandeur. And I absolutely love that its always full of kids and friends and laughter.

Barry Dixons home in Virginia is one of the books highlights and his dark, antiques-filled library is the epitome of charm. Have you spent time there?

Yes! My boys and I spent last Christmas there and the whole house is absolutely ravishing. Its like a stage set, but in an approachable way. No one knows how to layer better than Barry or has a better sense of color. I think hes probably one of the most talented interior designers alive. Geniusly good. And that library is just extraordinary, you just want to curl up in it. Plus, hes got great books!

Obviously, not everyone can afford to live in the homes featured in the book. Lets say Im tired of my living room but moneys an issue. What can I do to change it up?

I always think throws and new pillow covers. And you can make the pillow covers -- who cant sew a square? And you can get old textiles and fabrics at a flea market and cover the furniture. And a lampshade made out of a print or a color makes things look different. And move things around -- houses and rooms need to be freshened up from time to time. Dont be afraid to move your artwork around to different rooms. Fresh flowers are a given -- fresh flowers and tidying up can do wonders.

Are there any staples that you never tire of, that youve used over and over again?

Lloyd Loom wicker chairs - you can put them anywhere, in the kitchen, in a sunroom, and they always look good. Another staple is an AGA cooker. [Laughs] But certainly not if youre on a budget! Growing up in England, we always had one, so I associate it with that warm, cozy feeling. Theyre gorgeous and theyre everything in one -- they cook, they bake, they keep things warm -- they do everything.

Read the original post:
Designer Kathryn Ireland shares her favorite homes in new book

TV host Iyanla Vanzant was pretty much homeless at the start of the year. Yes, she was living in a cavernous 7,500-square-foot house in Upper Marlboro. But the home amounted to four walls and a roof. There was no reflection of her in it. It was an empty shell.

When her boss Oprah Winfrey, head of the OWN Network that broadcasts Vanzant's "Fix My Life" show, heard about it, she decided to transform the interior of Vanzant's home with all the dcorative bells and whistles.

The metamorphosis was a Christmas, birthday, and anniversary gift all rolled into one, Winfrey said. The makeover was so spectacular that Winfrey created a prime-time special centered on the reveal. "Oprah Prime: Iyanla I'll Fix Your House," chronicles the changes made to the Prince George's County estate with the help of celebrity interior designer Nate Berkus.

"This is a gift on behalf of every wonderful thing you have done for others," Winfrey said on the show, which airs Nov. 29 on OWN. "Your home should be your sanctuary."

Berkus scoured the globe to find products that would incorporate Vanzant's Afro-centric roots, deep faith and vibrancy that has won millions of fans for the life coach guru and best-selling author. He found African textiles online; furniture and accent pieces from a vintage homeware emporium in Los Angeles; stone from Italy; tile from France; and locally sourced items such as wood from an old barn near Vanzant's home.

"Even in a very condensed amount of time, the home feels very layered," Berkus said. "It wasn't a bad house. It just was a bit outdated."

Berkus' efforts worked. Five months later, the end result was a home that left Vanzant speechless, tearful and extremely grateful.

"Everyone is just amazed at the way that Nate was able to capture my spirit," Vanzant, 61, said. "The house looks like me. You would expect that I had done the original design."

Vanzant's new home caps off what has been a remarkable year as she embarked on a nationwide tour with Oprah for "Oprah's The Life You Want Weekend" events. On Dec. 4, she will visit Baltimore for "An Evening with Iyanla Vanzant" at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

More than a decade ago, Vanzant was making regular appearances on The Oprah Show to the delight of millions of fans, but her life was spinning out of control. Following a series of setbacks that included the death of her daughter, Gemmia; a divorce from her husband and a falling out with Winfrey over the direction of Vanzant's career, she eventually lost her television gig and filed for bankruptcy, which resulted in the bank repossessing her home.

See more here:
Iyanla's new fix

(PRWEB) November 25, 2014

Celebrating their 10-year anniversary, The American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers announces their 2015 Board of Directors. Drawing from a broad range of industries and dedicated professionals, AAHID has announced that Laura Morris, AAHID, LEED AP BD+C, IIDA, Lean Green Belt has been elected onto the Board of Directors. The American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers is a not-for-profit organization that certifies interior designers who demonstrate the knowledge and experience required to work in the healthcare industry.

Laura, a graduate of Texas Tech University, designs interior spaces with a goal of combining both healthcare planning and unique design solutions. Laura's healthcare design experience spans over a dozen years and across all service lines. Laura's current endeavors include ambulatory care centers, cancer centers, inpatient units and pediatric spaces. As a LEED Accredited Professional who has been involved with designing LEED Gold healthcare facilities, Laura works with clients to select durable, environmentally-friendly finishes that contribute to healthier interior environments, energy efficiency and waste reduction. In Laura's blog, many facets of healthcare interiors are covered, including an in-depth video regarding the importance of flooring choices in hospitals.

Since AAHID formed in 2004, the organization has been assisting hospital administrators, architects and design firms by identifying the interior designers who are the most qualified in ensuring the health, safety and welfare of medical professionals, staff and patients & their families. AAHID is committed to creating the best environments for healing and healthcare delivery.

Since 1983, Array Architects has been recognized as one of the nations leaders in the design of healthcare facilities and offers a full complement of knowledge-based services including planning, architecture, interior design and advisory services from our six office locations. Our devotion to a healthcare-exclusive practice springs from our belief in the power of design to improve patient outcomes, maximize operational efficiencies, increase staff satisfaction and provide remarkable results for our clients.

Link:
Array Architects Principal Laura Morris Appointed to American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers Board of ...

Why you should obtain a home warranty when selling your home
Listing Specialist Brandon Leon interviews Kelly Bright of American Home Shield about the importance of home warranties for people selling their home.

By: Brandon Leon

More:
Why you should obtain a home warranty when selling your home - Video

Ever weighed the decision between buying a Porsche 918 Spyder and a home in Berkeley, Calif.? Probably not, but they cost about the same. Next to paying for a house or college, a car isamong the most expensive itemsmany of us will buy.

Eighty percent of cars on the road are out of warranty, and many buyers aim for cars that cost less to maintain. After all, getting approved for a car loan is hard enough when youre getting a run-of-the-mill vehicle. Many buyersneed good credit to afford an average car loan (you can check your credit score for free on Credit.com), let alone a loan for a car that could top your mortgage.

But just because you have a beer budget doesnt mean you cant enjoy champagne dreams, or at least take a peek at a few of thepriciest wheels money can buy. For fun, weve mated each of these wild wheels with the location where a house might just be had for the same price.

BMW i8

For eco-minded speed freaks with a hefty budget, theres the BMW i8. This all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid sports car features a TwinPower turbo engine, coupled with an electric motor to produce 357 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Cocooned in the hi-tech carbon fiber passenger cell, BMW claims drivers can rocket the i8 from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds. It does all this while getting 76 eMPG, the new metric used for alternative-fuel vehicles consumption.

The BMW i8s futuristic design features vertical scissor doors, ensuring a rush of excitement with every entry and exit, and a riotous response from curious onlookers. If youre trying to fly under the radar in an i8, youre out of luck expect to be met at every stoplight and gas station by a barrage of fans with camera phones and questions about your exotic ride.

Lusting for Louis Vuitton and have some money to burn? Consider adding the optional Louis luggage, custom-fitted to the i8. The entire luggage collection costs $26,050, which could buy you a new Jeep Cherokee and leave a few grand in your pocket.

The BMW i8 costs $136,650, which could buy the median-priced home in Texas, according to Zillow.

Lamborghini Huracn LP 610-4

The Huracn has got quite the enticing tagline: Its like a time machine. Only faster. This aerodynamic Italian rocket has a 0-60 time that hovers around three seconds, and leaves us wondering if we could drive Back to the Future. The mid-mounted, naturally-aspirated V10 engine, visible through a super cool transparent enclosure, pushes out 610 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque delivering a blinding top speed of 202 mph.

Go here to read the rest:
7 cars that cost more than a house

ADT Twisp WA | Call or Click Order ADT Home Security Services Twisp WA Deals
Call 1-888-289-6503 or Click: http://getalarm.net | For a Free ADT Home Security System When You Sign Up For Alarm Monitoring From ADT : the #1 Home Security Provider in North America! Call...

By: ADTHomeSecurityBestDeals

See more here:
ADT Twisp WA | Call or Click Order ADT Home Security Services Twisp WA Deals - Video

ADT Richmondville NY | Call or Click Order ADT Home Security Services Richmondville NY Deals
Call 1-888-289-6503 or Click: http://getalarm.net | For a Free ADT Home Security System When You Sign Up For Alarm Monitoring From ADT : the #1 Home Security Provider in North America! Call...

By: ADTHomeSecurityBestDeals

Follow this link:
ADT Richmondville NY | Call or Click Order ADT Home Security Services Richmondville NY Deals - Video

ADT Onsted MI | Call or Click Order ADT Home Security Services Onsted MI Deals
Call 1-888-289-6503 or Click: http://getalarm.net | For a Free ADT Home Security System When You Sign Up For Alarm Monitoring From ADT : the #1 Home Security Provider in North America! Call...

By: ADTHomeSecurityBestDeals

Original post:
ADT Onsted MI | Call or Click Order ADT Home Security Services Onsted MI Deals - Video

ADT Lynnview KY | Call or Click Order ADT Home Security Services Lynnview KY Deals
Call 1-888-289-6503 or Click: http://getalarm.net | For a Free ADT Home Security System When You Sign Up For Alarm Monitoring From ADT : the #1 Home Security Provider in North America! Call...

By: ADTHomeSecurityBestDeals

Read the rest here:
ADT Lynnview KY | Call or Click Order ADT Home Security Services Lynnview KY Deals - Video