Inspired by the eating bill of the colorful species of parrots known as the Toucan, Tukannki is a new design as an alternative to wooden chopsticks. Lincoln Kayiwa is a Finnish designer and recent graduate of the University of Art and Design Helsinki UIAH in 2007. Tukannki is a dishwasher-safe product with a clever hoop on one end for storage on a hook. More information can be found at the website - Kayiwa.
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I was recently looking for a home mail box and was astounded with all the different versions and varieties. What first struck me was the size of some versions. Frankly, many were just too large. Now I don't receive a great many packages and if I do they normally are placed near the front door. Many of the other versions I saw were not very attractive. There are a lot of things that you can go cheap on, but having something that takes away from the curb appeal of a home is a problem for me. Eventually, I came across the Postino home mail box. Postino is simple, small, and fits the purpose. It is available in stainless steel or black. Measurements: 7.5" x 14" x 4". Price: $63. Available: here.
When you hear the word investment, most people think of stocks and bonds, property, or business ventures. Purchasing quality design pieces can sometimes take you through some of the same processes as your other assets. Like stocks and bonds, you must decide where you feel comfortable spending your money and what is more likely to yield a return on your investment. When it comes to purchasing property, you think about what area is going to continue to rise in value. Think about what areas of the home will help to increase your home's worth. Like a business venture, you need to have money to put into something, in order to see a return.
The first places to invest in good design are the kitchen and the bathroom. These will yield the highest turn around because the things you spend money on there are more likely to stay in the home, and add value because is shows the home has had recent updating. Cabinets are always a safe bet, and if you get a brand name like Woodmode or Brookhaven, they can be just as good of a selling tool as natural stone countertops (granite, limestone, and marble are very popular). Spending extra on counter depth refrigerators, and professional looking ranges and hoods is also a good idea. These items are good investments, not only because they look great, but also when it comes to appliances, you get what you pay for. The more expensive and professional brands last longer, and work better than a generic value brand. Same deal applies to plumbing. Look for faucets with ceramic seals, those brands that still use rubber and plastic are made cheaply, but might be just as pricey as the better brands. Look into Kohler, Rohl, Dornbracht, Hansgrohe, and Grohe.
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Posted by J. Chandelle, in General.
Picking an Interior Designer is a little like picking a best friend. You need to find someone you mesh well with, someone who listens to you, and someone who isn't afraid to give you their honest opinion. The connection you make with your designer is very personal, and you must let them in on things about yourself that most people don't know. Depending on which space they are designing they may need to know things like your bathroom habits (does your husband like to read in the toilet room?), how you like to cook in your kitchen (where do you like to cut veggies, at the sink or on the island?), even some of your more personal preferences like shared or separate master bedrooms.
Your first stop to finding a designer should be by calling a professional membership association like ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) or NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association). They can help direct you a few designers who specialize in what you are looking to achieve. Is it lighting design? How about a kitchen design? Maybe it is a whole home project that encompasses many different spaces. If you are going to hire a designer, having a professional association direct you is a great shortcut to finding the right designer for you. Another good way to find a designer is to ask around! See if anyone you know has used an Interior Designer lately, then ask to see the persons home. If they are proud of the designers work, they usually like to show their gorgeous home off. If you like the work, get the designers information.
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Posted by J. Chandelle, in General.
There is nothing like the constant love and affection from a dog. Their love is unyielding, they don't have bad days, and they love you despite what you have done. We all know how great a companion they can be. The challenge comes with combining dogs into your living space. A good majority of dogs live inside our homes and thus require us to create a habitat in our home that is suitable for their living. At the same time, you want to create the home of your dreams featuring the décor that you have always dreamed of.
Well there are a few luxury indoor dog houses that may help you create that living space for your dog while not upsetting the balance of your decorating. DenHaus offers three models of dog houses that are designed to fit this niche. Their slogan is, "homes for pets, designs for people". Their larger slogan is, "Living room quality furniture that brings your pet back into the family". I think that is fitting when I first came across their three models of pet housing: TownHaus, ZenHaus, and BowHaus. These models cost from $399-$565 depending on the size that is ordered. More information can be found on their website here DenHaus.
