Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Todays lesson is this: Sometimes more space is not better space.

James Kuan knows it well. Before moving to the midcentury perfect Lamplighter condo tower in Seattle, Kuan lived nearby, loitering there until a spot in the Lamplighter (with its sparkling swimming pool and garden patios) became available: Theres still one person here with no cellphone, so thats why we still have the buzz box.

Patience rewarded, Kuan snagged a 1,000-square-foot unit before it even hit the market. Didnt much matter about the shag carpeting, sea-foam-green walls and shuttered closet doors. Kuan was in.

Theres not a lot of midcentury on Capitol Hill, Kuan says. A friend of mine said, What are you buying? I said, Dont worry, its got good bones. I took enough art in high school to know that it had harmony in the spaces.

Upon moving in, Kuan, now a doctor who knows about bones, did a quick five-day refresh: tearing out the floor for Marmoleum, painting the place white.

The home improvements, however, did not make it a home improved.

I just always remembered what Eames said, that furniture shouldnt be in the way; there should be traffic flow.

And Kuan wanted to go with that, the flow.

How Prentis describes it is its kind of like coming into a cave and then it opens up, Kuan says of his designer, Prentis Hale, of SHED Architecture and Design.

It certainly does, right up to the newly opened kitchen-dining-living area, 30-foot-wide deck and all that lies beyond, a Seattles-best view of the Space Needle, EMP, downtown and mountains beyond.

Continue reading here:
When kept simple, condo design shines

Harvest season arrived in Calgary early this year, with home gardeners scrambling to rescue their tomatoes and herbs before our premature snowfall.

As a result, many of us have produce sitting on our countertops, and farmers markets are overflowing with the usual tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, onions and garlic all at their peak, and as inexpensive as theyll get all year.

Here are half a dozen things to do with them. Most double as ways of preserving whatever you have bushels of as cakes, stews and roasted veggies take up less space and are easier to store and freeze than their fresh counterparts.

TheFrenchProvenal vegetarian stew is one of my favourite things to make during the fall. The jumble of onions, garlic, zucchini, peppers, eggplant and tomato can be done in a pot on the stove or roasted in the oven, but I prefer the best of both worlds.

Have one pot simmering with caramelized onions, then quickly brown each batch of diced veggies for added flavour before tossing them into the pot. Simmer until you have a rich, soft, flavourful stew thats wonderful on its own, over pastaor even on toast.

Ratatouille

Set a large, heavy pan or small pot over medium-high heat add a generous drizzle of oil and saut the onions for four to five minutesuntil soft. Add the garlic and continue cooking for another minute or two.

Set a second large skillet over medium-high heat and add another drizzle of oil. When the oil is hot, add the zucchini (in batches, if necessary, so you dont crowd the pan) and saut for two to threeminutesuntil its turning golden and browning on the edges.

Add to the skillet with the onions and cook the peppers and eggplant in the same way, adding extra oil in between each batch and transferring to the pan with the onions as it browns. Add the leaves off a few sprigs of thyme, and/or some finely chopped rosemary (pull the leaves off the stems first) to the onion pan and stir it often as it simmers.

By the end, the second pan will have lots of nice browned bits in the bottom. Add the tomatoes to the pan and stir for a few minutes until they soften and release their juices, loosening those browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add to the remaining ratatouille, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, for 30-45 minutes, or until the mixture is soft and thick. Season with salt.

More:
Julie Van Rosendaal: What to do with the harvest rescued after Calgary's snowstorm

Harvest season arrived in Calgary early this year, with home gardeners scrambling to rescue their tomatoes and herbs before our premature snowfall.

As a result, many of us have produce sitting on our countertops, and farmers markets are overflowing with the usual tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, onions and garlic all at their peak, and as inexpensive as theyll get all year.

Here are half a dozen things to do with them. Most double as ways of preserving whatever you have bushels of as cakes, stews and roasted veggies take up less space and are easier to store and freeze than their fresh counterparts.

TheFrenchProvenal vegetarian stew is one of my favourite things to make during the fall. The jumble of onions, garlic, zucchini, peppers, eggplant and tomato can be done in a pot on the stove or roasted in the oven, but I prefer the best of both worlds.

Have one pot simmering with caramelized onions, then quickly brown each batch of diced veggies for added flavour before tossing them into the pot. Simmer until you have a rich, soft, flavourful stew thats wonderful on its own, over pastaor even on toast.

Ratatouille

Set a large, heavy pan or small pot over medium-high heat add a generous drizzle of oil and saut the onions for four to five minutesuntil soft. Add the garlic and continue cooking for another minute or two.

Set a second large skillet over medium-high heat and add another drizzle of oil. When the oil is hot, add the zucchini (in batches, if necessary, so you dont crowd the pan) and saut for two to threeminutesuntil its turning golden and browning on the edges.

Add to the skillet with the onions and cook the peppers and eggplant in the same way, adding extra oil in between each batch and transferring to the pan with the onions as it browns. Add the leaves off a few sprigs of thyme, and/or some finely chopped rosemary (pull the leaves off the stems first) to the onion pan and stir it often as it simmers.

By the end, the second pan will have lots of nice browned bits in the bottom. Add the tomatoes to the pan and stir for a few minutes until they soften and release their juices, loosening those browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add to the remaining ratatouille, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, for 30-45 minutes, or until the mixture is soft and thick. Season with salt.

Link:
Julie Van Rosendaal: What to do with the harvest rescued after snowstorm

THE Philippine Institute of Interior Design will be joining for the first time a real estate firm in Cebu.

The Cebuano market is a good niche for design and every Filipino deserves a really good space. That is why we create trendy and functional space for all from low end to high end, said Hermie Ray Oplado, president of the Philippine Institute of Interior Design (PIID)-Cebu Chapter.

For the first time, PIID is joining a real estate fair in Cebu that will happen on Sept. 19 to 23 on the third floor of Pacific Mall in Mandaue City. Organizers said the Realty Fair 2014 is the biggest real estate festival since it will gather 25 prominent property developers with project sites located south and north of Cebu Province. The participation of 60 members of PIID-Cebu is aimed to make choosing homes much easier since professional designers will educate buyers especially on style, innovation, and functional models.

The Philippines is the first country to formulate laws governing the Interior Design profession and we are truly glad that the Phil. Interior Design Act of 2012 has been amended and enforces stricter rules. The law was born out of the need to safeguard the local profession and protect the rights and talents of Filipino interior designers, Oplado explained.

He said the need to educate Filipinos on the difference between a mere decorator and professional interior designer. The latter must pass the government board examination and must undergo training to address safety measures.

If you have a natural talent for arranging things, you are just a decorator, said PIID Vice President for External Affairs Janet Lee. An interior designer goes beyond decorating. Professional interior designers address safety, materials and space planning, and make use of scientific methods for measurements and color theory for comfortable living.

Under the new law, the interior designer will provide the client a one-year guarantee from the time of the formal turnover to the client. Interior designers follow the standard building code and they get clearances. Decorators, architects, furniture makers, suppliers, etc. cannot call themselves interior designers. And foreign interior designers must get temporary permits and collaborate with a local counterpart.

The Realty Fair 2014 is a combined expo to celebrate lifestyle choices with design ideas to fit any property buyers budget and way of life. EAP

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on September 18, 2014.

Link:
Interior designers group joins Realty Fair 2014

Youtube

Matt Watson's Northland bach for sale.

Kiwi fishing legend Matt Watson is selling his 'cool as beach bach' at Tokerau Beach in Northland, but he says the decision hasn't been an easy one.

"It's hard to not get emotional about the thought of letting it go. The family and all our mates have been coming here since we bought it back in 2006 and we just love it. But we are building a new home in the Bay of Islands, so it is time to move on."

With 'hands-down' the best fishing in the country, Watson says the location was definitely the main reason for buying the property but since then it has become so much more than that.

"We have had some large gatherings up here. It is easy to get five family-sized tents on the lawn and then the grandparents get to stay inside. The biggest party we had was probably one New Years with about 90 people who were a mix of locals, gatecrashers and friends."

And while almost everything comes with the property - it is for sale fully furnished - one thing Watson will be taking with him is the door frame with his kids' height markings on it.

"That is definitely coming with us, my two have done a lot of growing here over the years. But don't worry, I will replace it with a new one."

A quintessential kiwi beach bach, Watson has made a few vital additions over the years - a large deck out the front, a home made smoker out the back, and a lockable versatile garage that fits the boat, the quad bike and, of course, the fishing gear.

Hopeful the home will go to a family who will love the place as much as he and his family has over the past eight years, Watson also wants to share a few spots with the new owner, if fishing is their thing. And it probably should be in a location like this.

More here:
Matt Watsons beach bach

By Deborah Neyens, correspondent

CEDAR RAPIDS The summer and fall months typically are a busy time for people in the home building industry, and this building season has been an extra hectic one for Tasha Stone.

Stone, who has worked in the flooring design and sales business for 13 years, has been assisting several local home builders finish construction in time for the Greater Cedar Rapids Area Home Builders Association Parade of Homes, which starts on Sept.27.

In the middle of juggling multiple projects, Stone found time to launch her own carpet and flooring store.

Its something Ive been thinking about for several years, said Stone, who opened Stepping Stones Custom Floors in Cedar Rapids on Aug. 4.

It all fell into place for an August opening.

While Stone acknowledges that it has been a challenge managing her time between the builds and getting the new store organized, she said the timing was right for her to become a small business owner.

Ive been wanting to be my own boss, she said. I wanted to be able to pick and choose what products come into my own store. I want to build a future and leave a legacy for my kids.

A key to Stones decision to move forward with her business plans was finding just the right location.

I wanted retail customers to know about the location, and what better place than First Avenue, she said.

See original here:
Ground Floor: New Cedar Rapids business owner has an eye for design

Ronald L. Butch Blake, 65, of Sterling, died Monday, September 15, 2014, at Wooster Community Hospital. He was born July 4, 1949 in Waverly, Ohio, to Jack and Dortha (Shannon) Blake and married Diana Perkins July 26, 1970, who survives.

Butch had worked at Diebold, in construction and carpet installation with Gary Murray and at Tekor in Wooster. He was a member of Rittman Moose Lodge 860 and made his home in Sterling most of his life. Butch enjoyed fishing, hunting and watching the Browns and will be greatly missed.

Surviving are his wife, Diana; sons, Ronald Blake, Jr. of Euclid and Chad (Lindsay) Blake of Wooster; his mother, Dortha Blake of Sterling; a sister, Brenda Giblin of North Carolina; four brothers, Larry (Tracie) Blake of Rittman, David Blake of Creston, Steve (Cheryl) Blake of Holmesville and Brian (Sherry) Blake of Reedsburg; seven brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

His father died previously.

Services ill be Friday, September 19, 2014, 11 A.M., at Murray Funeral Home in Creston, with Pastor Bob Meyer officiating. Burial will be in Sherwood Memorial Gardens. Friends may call Thursday, September 18, from 5 until 8 P.M., at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to Murray Funeral Home, 173 S. Main St., Creston, OH 44217, to help with Butchs final expenses.

Tributes may be shared at http://www.Murray-Funeral-Home.com

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Ronald L. Butch Blake

The mansion remodeling project at 360 Mountain Home Road in Woodside is on again. The town had posted a stop-work order on July 3 after staff discovered construction activity not within the scope of project permits.

The Town Council on Sept. 9 voted 5-0 to grant an appeal by representatives of the owner to lift the stop-work order and allow work to resume on the partially demolished 7,423-square-foot mansion.

The decision came with conditions, including that the owner propose to Planning Director Jackie Young, for her review and for her approval at her discretion, sustainability measures such as solar panels and rainwater collectors.

Councilman Tom Shanahan recused himself from the council's decision because he lives nearby. Councilman Peter Mason was absent.

Staff reports list the owner of the 8.74-acre property as SV Projects LLC. The owner has been represented in public meetings by the Mill Valley firm Van Acker Construction Associates, and by attorney John Hanna of the Palo Alto firm Hanna & Van Atta.

The mansion first made news in November 2012 when it was sold for $117.5 million, a new U.S. record for a single-family home, according to news reports at the time.

Stop-work order

The mansion was completed in 2009. The 2013 remodeling plans included replacing wooden siding with stone, expanding the basement and replacing the roofs with gray slate.

While the 2009 home was considered "inconsistent" with the town's design criteria, the limited scope of proposed changes led to permission to raise some areas of the roof and add 400 square feet of floor space.

The town had given the owner permission to remove the basement's floor and the walls. When inspectors visited the site in mid-May, they found the main house sitting on horizontal beams above an empty space where the basement, first floor and first-floor framing used to be, according to staff reports.

See original here:
Stop-work order lifted for mansion in Woodside

E20-918 - IT-as-a-Service test Expert Exam for Cloud Architects Questions
Information with regards to the EMC E20-918 Exam, Visit https://www.passeasily.com/E20-918.htm Exam Section 1 Discovery Test and assessment and evaluation Questions (Test Coverage 17%)...

By: PassEasilyTests

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E20-918 - IT-as-a-Service test Expert Exam for Cloud Architects Questions - Video

Architects - Bitter End Cover
My vocal cover to The Bitter End by Architects. All rights to this song go to the band Architects.

By: Jose Torres

See the article here:
Architects - Bitter End Cover - Video