Fireplaces

Preview: The Shops at Goal Take a New Approach

| Ause1977

I’ve heard some war stories of shoppers who have braved the opening day of Target popular designer collaborations. (Dare I bring up the mayhem Missoni for Target wreaked on quiet searching strips the country above, or is it still too soon?) But Target’s upcoming capsule sets imply the corporation might have eventually figured out how to work a cooperation whilst maintaining everyone’s sanity. The Shops at Target, opening May 6, veers away from the version employed previously of a single big-name designer and rather features goods from five handpicked boutiques throughout the country. Contained are a clothing collection in Miami luxury shop The Webster, beauty resources in Aspen’s Cos Bar and colorful sweet treats from San Francisco’s Chocolate Store. But let’s get down to brass tacks? Target Privet House Placemat and Napkin – $3.99 The bulk of the home things in The Shops comes in Privet House, a Greenwich, Connecticut,…

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Decorating Guides

Locating the 'Wabi-Sabi' in Midcentury Modern Design

| Ause1977

In this series I am analyzing the parallels between contemporary Western style and wabi-sabi, the early Japanese philosophy of finding beauty in things which are imperfect, impermanent and aged. Purists may see that as disloyal to the philosophy’s core, but I am following the advice of Shiho Kanzaki, an esteemed potter and tea master who generously shared his wisdom with me once I was in Japan in 2003. Kanzaki-san’s beautiful vases, pots and tea bowls, fired in conventional wood-fired anagama kilns, embody wabi-sabi’s very character. However, Westerners in search of wabi-sabi, he told me, should not imitate the Japanese vernacular, because this wouldn’t be authentic. They should seek out their native design constructs that exude simplicity and imperfect beauty, ” he said. When Kanzaki-san visited the United States in the 1980s, he found wabi-sabi in Pennsylvania Dutch barns. My musings have led me to find parallels in fresh, crisp, unadulterated…

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Fireplaces

Multiply and Conquer With Layout Groupings

| Ause1977

One of my favorite means of creating a dynamic visual experience within a room is by simply replicating a layout piece over and over again. The result is a sculptural and participating installment that rewards with both simplicity and creativity. Therefore, in case you like a decorative piece and can afford it, why not get several? Here are a couple of examples of several very powerful designs shared by fellow ers that exemplify the power of multiples. HUISSTYLING The installation of random lights fits so perfectly in this attic. And even though those pendants are absolutely stunning in their own, they make a much bolder statement in multiples. Their translucent texture readily allows grouping them together without obstructing any natural light or town views. Erika Bierman Photography You don’t have to restrict yourself to replicating just one item. Instead, since this interior reveals, you can double or triple a whole…

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Eclectic Homes

Guest Picks: Treat Yourself to Designs

| Ause1977

After a nasty breakup with my daily latte, I’ve found comfort in a new ritual: morning tea. The exploration of taste varieties has been beautiful, but — oh — the designs and all the pretty accessories that include tea time are much better! I am not just talking about kettles either. From storage containers towels, pinkies up lovelies, it’s brew time! — Kristin in The Cuisinerd Poketo Japanese Enamel Kettle – $125 Kettles for everyone. These are just so gosh darn cute — I will take each of three. Amazon Staub 1 Quart Round Teapot, Graphite Grey – $129.95 Dear France, How are you always so smoothly chic? Even your teapots are instant classics. I want a few style points from you when you get a moment. Thanks. Stylepark Venie Tea Holder This container looks more like a cologne jar compared to the usual tea hideaway. I really like the…

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Color

Rub-a-Dub-Dub, Add Shade

| Ause1977

Just as I am a fan of contemporary, minimalist design, I am also a sucker for things classic and adorned, especially older claw-foot bathtubs. I am not much of a bather, but there is something so charming and delightful about these retro fittings. I also love seeing fun colour used in unexpected ways, so that I have a tendency to squeal with glee whenever I spot a recently posted photo of a painted claw-foot bathtub on . Whether you have a weathered and worn old tub that needs to be refinished, or you are buying new, consider including a splash of fun colour to your bathroom through a painted tub. Because it is a relatively small surface area, ” I say go as bold and bright with colour as you would like. I have gathered some excellent examples of painted bathtubs, along with suggestions on how to incorporate a vibrant…

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Eclectic Homes

Do Landlords Have to Supply Air Conditioning?

| Ause1977

During warm summer days, cool air from an ac unit may improve the living conditions in apartment or a home. State laws do not need a landlord in California to furnish air conditioning. California state law generally considers air conditioning an amenity rather than a necessity of habitability while a heating system must be usually provided by a landlord. Providing an Air Conditioner Even though landlords don’t face a requirement to provide an air conditioner many landlords provide a heating system. In some areas of California with humidity, landlords put in an evaporative or swamp cooler to meet with heating needs. Tenants should ask about the availability of a system that is working before they decide to rent the home or apartment. Factors Affecting Habitability Rental houses and apartments in California must comply with habitability needs as described in California Civil Code 1941. There is A unitn’t listed as a…

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Eclectic Homes

Do I Have the Right to Trim a Tree on My Property?

| Ause1977

Trees on private property are usually the responsibility of the proprietor. But some Iraqi authorities may place restrictions on certain types of trimming or pruning, even if done on private property. In populated areas, street trees, situated adjacent to private property at the right-of-way between sidewalks and roads, may be regulated by local municipalities. Before pruning a tree (especially major pruning), check with local authorities for specific regulations. Unique Situations Several regional governments prohibit certain kinds of tree pruning, like topping. This practice involves cutting the tree’s development back to the back or to a series of lateral branches that aren’t powerful enough to support substantial development. Topped trees will sprout new development, but it’s going to be thin, spindly and easily damaged. Topping may also weaken the tree by causing trunk decay. Reputable arborists and tree maintenance companies will not undertake topping and will not suggest it to property…

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Home Cleaning

How to Clean Fingerprints Off Windows

| Ause1977

Smudgy fingerprints mar over windows. Remove them and they won’t disturb an otherwise beautifully decorated dwelling. But the oils in your skin make fingerprints difficult to remove — unless you know a easy trick. Grease-Busting Power Dish soap is designed to cut through grease or oils like those deposited on windows by skin. Mix a little squirt of dish soap in about 1 gallon of warm tap water to create a barely sudsy alternative. Clean your windows with the slightly soapy water and a clean, wrung-out dishcloth. For tenacious fingerprints, add slightly bit more dish soap into the water. Smear-Free and Shiny After washing the glass, then rinse the fabric with clean, hot tap water and use it to wipe the soap in the windows. Hot Water dries or disappears quicker than warm or cool water does. Dry the glass into a shine with paper towels or a clean, dry…

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Wine Cellars

When to Harvest a Honeydew Melon?

| Ause1977

Honeydew melons (Cucumis melo spp.) Belong to the family of winter melons, together with Persian, Crenshaw, casaba and charental melons. Although they need warm weather to thrive, winter melons are so named because they take longer to ripen than summer kinds like watermelon. Understanding when to crop a honeydew melon is an issue of calculating dates based on the days to maturity of the cultivar, together with such sensory clues as texture, size and colour. Date Your seed packet provides an approximate date of when to begin to look for ripeness on your honeydew melons. Days will vary based on the cultivar — some take as long as 110 days — however most common cultivars ripen about 92 days following seed planting. Notice the date the seeds have been planted, and include the listed “days to maturity” to determine the approximate crop date. In Mediterranean areas, summer and winter melons…

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Traditional Architecture

How to Figure Roof Pitch on a New Building

| Ause1977

In some cases, a homeowner that is having a new home constructed may have reservations about the pitch of the roof that is shown on the construction plans. The plans demonstrate opposing rafters growing to a summit at the ridge since they’ll be installed by the contractor. A pair of numbers nearby indicate the pitch, like 4 and 12. To figure a different pitch, or any roof pitch, use a method that’s used by contractors and roof framers. After figuring a pitch, ask the contractor to put in a mock rafter assembly with two opposing rafters. Measure the length of two adjoining exterior walls from end to end. With few exceptions, rafters attach at the top of opposing longer walls and climb to the ridge at the middle point of the wall. Notice the length of the shorter outside wall. Divide the length of the shorter wall in half. The…

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