Sometimes, buying a home means more than getting a place to live. It means putting down roots and investing in a community.
That opportunity is available to the buyer of 833 Holland Ave., Wilkinsburg. The property is being offered for $127,000 (with an assessed value of $23,400) through Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation and is part of a large-scale revitalization project in Hamnett Place, a National Register historic district.
Michael F. Sriprasert, president of Landmarks Community Capital Corp., has worked for more than three years on this project alongside David Farkas, director of Main Street Programs. Both have seen major improvements in the area -- a direct result of many stakeholders coming together.
The group initially got $8.6 million to restore the Crescent Apartments and the Wilson Apartments, which were identified as a cornerstone to the redevelopment. The single-family housing phase started with an investment of $802,000 for four houses, three on Jeanette Street and one on Holland Avenue. Those homes sold for prices ranging from $80,000 to $95,000.
Phase 2 features three houses that are all on the market now -- 517 Jeanette St., and 833 and 845 Holland Ave. All feature four bedrooms, 11/2 baths, central air conditioning and off-street parking.
Mr. Farkas says that the homes are practically maintenance-free.
"Residents are loving living in the homes. The scope of the renovation is so large. We deliver to a buyer a house in wonderful condition with lots of character and architectural elements in place."
The home at 833 Holland Ave. sits on a double lot and features a lovely white spindle-rail porch and a cheery color scheme of tan and soft green. A large tree is at the edge of the property near a two-car parking pad and lots of level space for kids to play or to have a family gathering.
Inside, the entry hall is dominated by a grand staircase whose woodwork has been kept intact. Ornate spindles and panels create interest while light floods the hall through a window and an overhead door transom.
To the left are the living room and dining room, each measuring roughly 12 by 13 feet. The color scheme is neutral, with light tan carpeting that runs throughout the home, cream walls and white trim.
Further down the hall, a quaint powder room has a vinyl floor with a white pedestal sink and matching commode. Another window lights the space.
The kitchen measures 19 by 10 feet and spans the width of the back of the home. It has a smart layout with the cabinets in a U-shape configuration and room for a table and chairs. Dark wood cabinets are contrasted by light solid-surface countertops and white appliances, including a gas stove and a dishwasher. A stainless-steel double-bowl sink rounds out the plan while durable vinyl flooring promises easy upkeep. The room also has an access door to the backyard and another to the basement.
On the second floor, the master bedroom is roughly 13 by 13, large enough to accommodate a queen bed. A little nook could handle a small desk. The second bedroom measures nearly 13 by 12 feet. Both have large closets and make use of a generous bathroom that measures 12 feet wide with a double-bowl vanity top, lots of storage, tile floors and a bathtub/shower combo with more ceramic tile.
The third floor is finished with a small center hallway flanked by a pair of bedrooms. The ceilings are sloped with tons of usable space that's perfect for solitude or rowdy kids.
The basement has a natural stone foundation, is clean and dry and houses the home's mechanicals. A white utility tub sits near a window.
The home down the street at 845 Holland is on the corner. It has a beautiful brick exterior with lots of rich details still intact, including arched window transoms, a double-paneled wood front door, interior pocket doors and decorative exterior brickwork. It sits on a single level lot perfect for someone who wants less yard work. It has 1,972 square feet of living space and is priced at $125,000.
The third home, at 517 Jeanette St., has the largest interior space, at 1,944 square feet. It has all of the amenities of the other homes and features a large pantry wall in the kitchen. It is priced at $125,000.
Mr. Sriprasert explains the special financing available. "Prospective homeowners have a sliding scale of generous maximum income limits. Then, a deferred $20,000 second mortgage is available. It is totally forgiven if the owner stays in the home for 15 years. If they decide to sell, they pay back a prorated portion."
The program has been a success in key Pittsburgh neighborhoods such as Manchester, South Side and Downtown. Mr. Sriprasert said that without both public and private investment, these initiatives would fail. He specifically credited the Allegheny County Economic Development office, county executives Rich Fitzgerald and Dan Onorato, various banks and Richard Mellon Scaife, who has given through both his own foundation and the Allegheny Foundation. He said Mr. Scaife, who has supported PHLF for decades, was also a lead funder on the three earlier city projects.
2012年3月31日星期六
2012年3月30日星期五
Wow factor in custom-built home
“Wow!” is the word Realtor Don Weaver hears over and over again as he takes prospective buyers on a tour of 59 Donelle Way in Lancaster.
The wow factor is evident in every room of this stunning colonial designed by a professional builder as his personal dream house. Luxury, quality and style are apparent in every square foot.
“The owner/builder of this home took his 40 years of experience and attention to detail in building custom homes, and incorporated all the best amenities into this layout,” said Weaver, listing broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Northborough. “The architectural style and craftsmanship are truly unique and second to none.”
The approach to the five bedroom, 5.5-bath home at the end of a cul-de-sac is as dramatic as its architecture. A circular driveway with custom stone pavers leads to the dramatic front door topped by a Palladian window. The door was custom-designed for the owner and crafted in Mexico.
‘Luxurious’ is the word that comes to mind — after ‘Wow’ — upon entering the home.
The effect is stunning as the eye sweeps past a bridal staircase and a sumptuous dining room and to the stately in the living room with its view of a courtyard and gazebo through a bank of windows.
The gleaming black granite foyer floor shows the reflection of the front door and Palladian window as well as the sparkles from an Italian crystal chandelier so complex and delicate it appears to be made from thousands of diamonds.
The chandelier has a motorized support for easy cleaning.
Elegant columns frame the entrance to the living room and dining room.
“There are 96 pieces of wood in these pillars,” said Weaver. “Every little piece is custom made.”
The moldings on the door casings are 9 inches wide and as finely crafted as the pillars. In fact, every piece of woodwork in this home, from the balusters on the staircase to the baseboards crown moldings and tray ceilings, are a beauty in their own right.
“Wherever you go in this house, it’s all quality,” said Weaver. “The broker/customer feedback on this home has been great. They all say it is an up-style home, yet very functional and easy to enjoy. The layout is so well thought out.”
The dining room, to the left of the foyer, has hardwood floors, accent lighting within a tray ceiling, built-in mirrored china cabinets, and a bay window. The dining room also boasts another exquisite Italian chandelier.
The wow factor is evident in every room of this stunning colonial designed by a professional builder as his personal dream house. Luxury, quality and style are apparent in every square foot.
“The owner/builder of this home took his 40 years of experience and attention to detail in building custom homes, and incorporated all the best amenities into this layout,” said Weaver, listing broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Northborough. “The architectural style and craftsmanship are truly unique and second to none.”
The approach to the five bedroom, 5.5-bath home at the end of a cul-de-sac is as dramatic as its architecture. A circular driveway with custom stone pavers leads to the dramatic front door topped by a Palladian window. The door was custom-designed for the owner and crafted in Mexico.
‘Luxurious’ is the word that comes to mind — after ‘Wow’ — upon entering the home.
The effect is stunning as the eye sweeps past a bridal staircase and a sumptuous dining room and to the stately in the living room with its view of a courtyard and gazebo through a bank of windows.
The gleaming black granite foyer floor shows the reflection of the front door and Palladian window as well as the sparkles from an Italian crystal chandelier so complex and delicate it appears to be made from thousands of diamonds.
The chandelier has a motorized support for easy cleaning.
Elegant columns frame the entrance to the living room and dining room.
“There are 96 pieces of wood in these pillars,” said Weaver. “Every little piece is custom made.”
The moldings on the door casings are 9 inches wide and as finely crafted as the pillars. In fact, every piece of woodwork in this home, from the balusters on the staircase to the baseboards crown moldings and tray ceilings, are a beauty in their own right.
“Wherever you go in this house, it’s all quality,” said Weaver. “The broker/customer feedback on this home has been great. They all say it is an up-style home, yet very functional and easy to enjoy. The layout is so well thought out.”
The dining room, to the left of the foyer, has hardwood floors, accent lighting within a tray ceiling, built-in mirrored china cabinets, and a bay window. The dining room also boasts another exquisite Italian chandelier.
2012年3月29日星期四
Living large, inside and out
A touch of Garrison colonial elegance set on a country road. It’s what buyers will find at 66 Fisher Road in Medway. This is combination property, offering unique outdoor amenities and a well-maintained interior with plenty of family-friendly square footage.
“There is a one-stall horse barn on the property, so, by all means, bring your pony. But there’s also an updated and spacious floor plan inside. There’s a lot to see here,” said Realtor Carolyn Chodat of Classic Properties Realtors.
There is much to see, a beautiful spring day offering a blue-sky backdrop to the pleasant backyard, which includes a large play set in addition to the one-stall barn. Good for storage or a hobby enthusiast, the barn could easily be repurposed if the equestrian life is not your plans. The fenced backyard with additional land beyond is well suited for young families and features established perennials and hardwoods. The front boasts equal green space, historical Fisher Road lazily winding by.
The home has large rooms with lots of living space, beginning with a 25-by-13-foot living room. The current homeowners have chosen to flip the square footage, using this space as their formal dining area. It works well in either format, the front-to-back room boasting hardwood flooring, exposed wood-beams and spot recessed lighting. Harvey replacement windows are found throughout the home, bringing improved energy efficiency and an easy-clean design to the mix. While we entered the living room via right off the foyer, we find traditional dining room square footage, 11 by 13, located left off the center hall entry. The dining room features wainscoting, chair rail and hardwood flooring. Painted in a contemporary apple-green palette, this sunny spot is readily converted from toy room to its original use.
As sizable kitchens go, this grand space, 16 by 24, is primed to rival most homes at a median price point. It’s been updated and well-maintained, the oak cabinetry boasting newer hardware, brushed nickel fixtures and easy maintenance ceramic tile flooring. Painted in cherry red, the lower half of the kitchen walls feature barn-board wainscoting in white, offering in an eye-catching effect. Triple windows border a spacious casual dining area while the workspace boasts white appliances, built-in microwave, full pantry closet and glass-front cabinets for display and storage. An updated half bath is located nearby.
Accentuating the living space is a 13-by-25 family room. It features a wood-burning brick fireplace flanked by sconces and Arts & Crafts style windows. Painted barn-board siding brings a touch of rustic charm, opening to an inviting three-season porch. Views are private and expansive with a surround of sliding glass doors. The three-season porch opens to a deck, the perfect arrangement for indoor/outdoor entertaining.
“There is a one-stall horse barn on the property, so, by all means, bring your pony. But there’s also an updated and spacious floor plan inside. There’s a lot to see here,” said Realtor Carolyn Chodat of Classic Properties Realtors.
There is much to see, a beautiful spring day offering a blue-sky backdrop to the pleasant backyard, which includes a large play set in addition to the one-stall barn. Good for storage or a hobby enthusiast, the barn could easily be repurposed if the equestrian life is not your plans. The fenced backyard with additional land beyond is well suited for young families and features established perennials and hardwoods. The front boasts equal green space, historical Fisher Road lazily winding by.
The home has large rooms with lots of living space, beginning with a 25-by-13-foot living room. The current homeowners have chosen to flip the square footage, using this space as their formal dining area. It works well in either format, the front-to-back room boasting hardwood flooring, exposed wood-beams and spot recessed lighting. Harvey replacement windows are found throughout the home, bringing improved energy efficiency and an easy-clean design to the mix. While we entered the living room via right off the foyer, we find traditional dining room square footage, 11 by 13, located left off the center hall entry. The dining room features wainscoting, chair rail and hardwood flooring. Painted in a contemporary apple-green palette, this sunny spot is readily converted from toy room to its original use.
As sizable kitchens go, this grand space, 16 by 24, is primed to rival most homes at a median price point. It’s been updated and well-maintained, the oak cabinetry boasting newer hardware, brushed nickel fixtures and easy maintenance ceramic tile flooring. Painted in cherry red, the lower half of the kitchen walls feature barn-board wainscoting in white, offering in an eye-catching effect. Triple windows border a spacious casual dining area while the workspace boasts white appliances, built-in microwave, full pantry closet and glass-front cabinets for display and storage. An updated half bath is located nearby.
Accentuating the living space is a 13-by-25 family room. It features a wood-burning brick fireplace flanked by sconces and Arts & Crafts style windows. Painted barn-board siding brings a touch of rustic charm, opening to an inviting three-season porch. Views are private and expansive with a surround of sliding glass doors. The three-season porch opens to a deck, the perfect arrangement for indoor/outdoor entertaining.
2012年3月28日星期三
Market Ready
A large walk-in shower could be a selling feature, but the answer really depends on your home’s size and the existing features.
“I see people wrestle with this question regularly,” said Michael Shapot, a senior vice president with the New York office of Keller Williams Realty. “The industry trend is to have walk-in spa showers.” However, he said, “There are people out there who need bathtubs.”
If you plan on renovating only one bathroom, and there is at least one bathtub somewhere else in the home, then “go for it,” Mr. Shapot said. But if you’re contemplating replacing your only tub, you should carefully consider the types of buyers who might be interested in your property.
“If the target market is empty nesters or the elderly, a walk-in shower is great,” Mr. Shapot said. A large luxury shower would also appeal to many single professionals.
“But if it’s a family-sized apartment that would appeal to a young couple that could grow into the apartment and have a child there — like a convertible two-bedroom — you need a tub.”
Robin Elmslie Osler, an architect in New York, said that her residential clients frequently request large walk-in showers. “I think it’s because the idea of taking a bath, in urban areas, carries a connotation of leisure and time,” she said. “And it doesn’t seem like that is something that New Yorkers, in particular, have much of.”
Bathrooms in urban apartments are also often quite cramped, she added, and a generously sized shower can be more appealing than a tiny bathtub — one of the reasons Ms. Osler hopes to replace her own tub with a shower someday soon.
If you do decide to convert your tub into a shower, she recommends using a glass panel to separate the shower stall from the rest of the bathroom, rather than a solid tiled wall. “If the shower is located somewhere near the window, and it’s glass, you can bring the light in,” she said. “We’ve used a lot of translucent glass, but I think clear glass is also a really nice way to go.”
To create an even greater sense of openness, she suggests forgoing a shower door — unless you plan on adding a steam generator or body sprays — and leave an opening at one end of the glass panel, which “visually extends the space of the bathroom.”
For a seamless look, she also recommends using the same type of flooring you have in the shower in the rest of the bathroom, whether it’s concrete, stone or ceramic tile.
The shower can then be finished off with high-quality fittings (Ms. Osler prefers Dornbracht controls for modern or traditional bathrooms), and maybe a rain showerhead, “if there’s enough water pressure in the building.”
“I see people wrestle with this question regularly,” said Michael Shapot, a senior vice president with the New York office of Keller Williams Realty. “The industry trend is to have walk-in spa showers.” However, he said, “There are people out there who need bathtubs.”
If you plan on renovating only one bathroom, and there is at least one bathtub somewhere else in the home, then “go for it,” Mr. Shapot said. But if you’re contemplating replacing your only tub, you should carefully consider the types of buyers who might be interested in your property.
“If the target market is empty nesters or the elderly, a walk-in shower is great,” Mr. Shapot said. A large luxury shower would also appeal to many single professionals.
“But if it’s a family-sized apartment that would appeal to a young couple that could grow into the apartment and have a child there — like a convertible two-bedroom — you need a tub.”
Robin Elmslie Osler, an architect in New York, said that her residential clients frequently request large walk-in showers. “I think it’s because the idea of taking a bath, in urban areas, carries a connotation of leisure and time,” she said. “And it doesn’t seem like that is something that New Yorkers, in particular, have much of.”
Bathrooms in urban apartments are also often quite cramped, she added, and a generously sized shower can be more appealing than a tiny bathtub — one of the reasons Ms. Osler hopes to replace her own tub with a shower someday soon.
If you do decide to convert your tub into a shower, she recommends using a glass panel to separate the shower stall from the rest of the bathroom, rather than a solid tiled wall. “If the shower is located somewhere near the window, and it’s glass, you can bring the light in,” she said. “We’ve used a lot of translucent glass, but I think clear glass is also a really nice way to go.”
To create an even greater sense of openness, she suggests forgoing a shower door — unless you plan on adding a steam generator or body sprays — and leave an opening at one end of the glass panel, which “visually extends the space of the bathroom.”
For a seamless look, she also recommends using the same type of flooring you have in the shower in the rest of the bathroom, whether it’s concrete, stone or ceramic tile.
The shower can then be finished off with high-quality fittings (Ms. Osler prefers Dornbracht controls for modern or traditional bathrooms), and maybe a rain showerhead, “if there’s enough water pressure in the building.”
2012年3月27日星期二
Island firefighter saves swimmer in Mexico
Joseph Larstanna, a lifelong Staten Islander, has been a firefighter with the FDNY for 20 years and is assigned to Ladder Co. 168 in the Bath Beach section of Brooklyn.
His colleague Giuseppe DiStefano reached out to us to publicize Joseph’s selfless act of bravery, knowing full well that Joseph would never toot his own horn.
Giuseppe says he and Joseph were vacationing at Live Aqua Resort in Cancun, Mexico, with Joseph’s wife, Giuseppe’s girlfriend and two other couples early last month. The Larstannas were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary and another couple’s recent marriage. Plus, all simply needed to get away.
Two days into the vacation, Joseph went out for an early-afternoon swim while the others were lying on the sand soaking up the rays. Alerted by faint cries for help, one of the friends spotted a couple who had fallen prey to rip tides.
The vacationers yelled to get Joseph’s attention — they knew he’d been trained in water rescue.
Joseph, who had been on the point of leaving the water, dived right back in and swam toward the woman as the lifeguard on duty headed for the man.
“He reached for the female victim, turned her around and pulled her to shore,” said Giuseppe. Both husband and wife were saved.
Joseph was modest about his act of bravery, as are most firefighters. After all, it’s all in a day’s work.
Angels come in many forms — and the Russo family know it better than most.
While Teri’s House, a Pleasant Plains residence for young men with Down syndrome, continues to be a work in progress, Teri tells us her angels come in the form of an attorney and his family: Steve and Theresa Mandracchia, who not only donated to the effort financially but took on the role of liaison with all construction trades involved in the project.
Also to be acknowledged are the family of Brian and Helen Daly, who have financed more than 50 percent of the cost of building the home, in addition to neighbors like Anne and Brian Larsen, who showed up on weekends and worked diligently with the Russo boys behind the scenes. Teri says they even put up a Christmas tree and decorated the outside of the house when Damian Russo became a little depressed at holiday time.
Julio Rivera painted the entire interior of the house and took on many odd jobs to keep the endeavor moving along and helped the family move in time for the Christmas.
Thanks to folks in the building trade like Paul Toth, who has been carting debris away since day one; to Casa Concrete, which donated all the concrete, stone and block; Kevin Radigan of the Concrete Depot; to Alan Becker of Trades Construction, who took over the project when the original contractor failed; to Lenny Rampulla of Rampulla Architects, who donated not only the drawings but many hours of time; to Alexandria Fernandez of DNA design, who donated her time with the interior of the home; to Richmond Tile for their ceramic tile; to Pete Battista of Details Moulding for molding and trim; to JPR lighting for the high hats; to Shamrock Paints, which either discounted and/or donated paint; to Total Fire Protection for fire extinguishers and a complete first aid cabinet; to Duo Plumbing, to AJ Caruso Electric and to Staten Island Kitchen Cabinets, who continued working not knowing whether or not they would be compensated.
And although there’s still work to be done and funds needed to complete the project, Teri’s aware of several individuals and companies who planned to donate but couldn’t because of tough economic times.
Teri explains they are very grateful to all the angels who have gotten involved — and for the donations — both big and small — that made Teri’s House a reality.
“This house will be a home to many disabled adults long after all the Russos are gone,” says she, before adding, “It is a home where individuals with disabilities can grow old and live with dignity and have all their needs taken care of.”
His colleague Giuseppe DiStefano reached out to us to publicize Joseph’s selfless act of bravery, knowing full well that Joseph would never toot his own horn.
Giuseppe says he and Joseph were vacationing at Live Aqua Resort in Cancun, Mexico, with Joseph’s wife, Giuseppe’s girlfriend and two other couples early last month. The Larstannas were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary and another couple’s recent marriage. Plus, all simply needed to get away.
Two days into the vacation, Joseph went out for an early-afternoon swim while the others were lying on the sand soaking up the rays. Alerted by faint cries for help, one of the friends spotted a couple who had fallen prey to rip tides.
The vacationers yelled to get Joseph’s attention — they knew he’d been trained in water rescue.
Joseph, who had been on the point of leaving the water, dived right back in and swam toward the woman as the lifeguard on duty headed for the man.
“He reached for the female victim, turned her around and pulled her to shore,” said Giuseppe. Both husband and wife were saved.
Joseph was modest about his act of bravery, as are most firefighters. After all, it’s all in a day’s work.
Angels come in many forms — and the Russo family know it better than most.
While Teri’s House, a Pleasant Plains residence for young men with Down syndrome, continues to be a work in progress, Teri tells us her angels come in the form of an attorney and his family: Steve and Theresa Mandracchia, who not only donated to the effort financially but took on the role of liaison with all construction trades involved in the project.
Also to be acknowledged are the family of Brian and Helen Daly, who have financed more than 50 percent of the cost of building the home, in addition to neighbors like Anne and Brian Larsen, who showed up on weekends and worked diligently with the Russo boys behind the scenes. Teri says they even put up a Christmas tree and decorated the outside of the house when Damian Russo became a little depressed at holiday time.
Julio Rivera painted the entire interior of the house and took on many odd jobs to keep the endeavor moving along and helped the family move in time for the Christmas.
Thanks to folks in the building trade like Paul Toth, who has been carting debris away since day one; to Casa Concrete, which donated all the concrete, stone and block; Kevin Radigan of the Concrete Depot; to Alan Becker of Trades Construction, who took over the project when the original contractor failed; to Lenny Rampulla of Rampulla Architects, who donated not only the drawings but many hours of time; to Alexandria Fernandez of DNA design, who donated her time with the interior of the home; to Richmond Tile for their ceramic tile; to Pete Battista of Details Moulding for molding and trim; to JPR lighting for the high hats; to Shamrock Paints, which either discounted and/or donated paint; to Total Fire Protection for fire extinguishers and a complete first aid cabinet; to Duo Plumbing, to AJ Caruso Electric and to Staten Island Kitchen Cabinets, who continued working not knowing whether or not they would be compensated.
And although there’s still work to be done and funds needed to complete the project, Teri’s aware of several individuals and companies who planned to donate but couldn’t because of tough economic times.
Teri explains they are very grateful to all the angels who have gotten involved — and for the donations — both big and small — that made Teri’s House a reality.
“This house will be a home to many disabled adults long after all the Russos are gone,” says she, before adding, “It is a home where individuals with disabilities can grow old and live with dignity and have all their needs taken care of.”
2012年3月26日星期一
Floor It!
Whether you’re looking to update your foyer or kitchen, or are building a new bathroom from the ground up, tiling still reigns supreme. But before you start laying the grout, you should consider a few things first.
Neutral colours are always in. For instance, consider a shade of white, beige, taupe or grey. The best thing about a neutral-coloured tile is that you won’t easily grow tired of it.
After establishing a colour, you can then begin thinking about the print or pattern. Unpolished stone looks great in the foyer and adds a rustic element to your home. Meanwhile textured finishes and wood-grain patterns are popular and perfect for the bathroom because they typically have non-slip surfaces. Wood-grain patterns are also great if you prefer an earthy, natural look and feel in your home. Not to mention they add a certain organic, serene and spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom.
Looking to really indulge? Consider underfloor heating to warm you up after you step out of the shower. Though you may not be able to take a daily trip to the spa, you can bring the experience home by giving your bathroom the spa treatment with a brand new remodel.
When considering print and pattern in the kitchen, ceramic works best because it is easy to clean and is a durable material.
Sometimes a neutral colour can look too sterile in the home. So to liven up your home and make it look and feel more cozy, consider adding a pop of colour. Pantone Color Institute — the leader in colour trends — named Tangerine Tango the colour of year. The bright orange shade works great in small doses. Whether it’s the colour of the stand mixer in your kitchen, a throw pillow or blanket on your living room couch, or as a shower curtain in the bathroom, the bright orange will be sure to energize your surroundings.
Because home decor trends are forever changing, your best bet is to stick with a neutral colour and incorporate accent pieces by the season. Switching it up will freshen up any space and keep it lively. But if you’re particularly drawn to Tangerine Tango or another colour, don’t be afraid to commit to it either. By using different shades of one colour, you can create an interesting gradient mosaic pattern to cover the shower walls or to create a great focal wall in your foyer or living room. Or you can use your favourite colour in thin, border tiles to accent the neutral-coloured tiles.
Whether you have an idea of what you want your room to look like, or are still trying to gather ideas, you can head over to a tile showroom to experience the look and feel of the different tiles.
Neutral colours are always in. For instance, consider a shade of white, beige, taupe or grey. The best thing about a neutral-coloured tile is that you won’t easily grow tired of it.
After establishing a colour, you can then begin thinking about the print or pattern. Unpolished stone looks great in the foyer and adds a rustic element to your home. Meanwhile textured finishes and wood-grain patterns are popular and perfect for the bathroom because they typically have non-slip surfaces. Wood-grain patterns are also great if you prefer an earthy, natural look and feel in your home. Not to mention they add a certain organic, serene and spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom.
Looking to really indulge? Consider underfloor heating to warm you up after you step out of the shower. Though you may not be able to take a daily trip to the spa, you can bring the experience home by giving your bathroom the spa treatment with a brand new remodel.
When considering print and pattern in the kitchen, ceramic works best because it is easy to clean and is a durable material.
Sometimes a neutral colour can look too sterile in the home. So to liven up your home and make it look and feel more cozy, consider adding a pop of colour. Pantone Color Institute — the leader in colour trends — named Tangerine Tango the colour of year. The bright orange shade works great in small doses. Whether it’s the colour of the stand mixer in your kitchen, a throw pillow or blanket on your living room couch, or as a shower curtain in the bathroom, the bright orange will be sure to energize your surroundings.
Because home decor trends are forever changing, your best bet is to stick with a neutral colour and incorporate accent pieces by the season. Switching it up will freshen up any space and keep it lively. But if you’re particularly drawn to Tangerine Tango or another colour, don’t be afraid to commit to it either. By using different shades of one colour, you can create an interesting gradient mosaic pattern to cover the shower walls or to create a great focal wall in your foyer or living room. Or you can use your favourite colour in thin, border tiles to accent the neutral-coloured tiles.
Whether you have an idea of what you want your room to look like, or are still trying to gather ideas, you can head over to a tile showroom to experience the look and feel of the different tiles.
2012年3月25日星期日
Longtime china painter still passionate about her art
Artist Jean Fehl was first introduced to china painting during a Peoria Park District class at Proctor Center in 1966.
"I would do anything to get out of the house - I had five kids at home," said Fehl with a laugh while sitting in the light-filled studio at her Bartonville home recently.
Married at 19, Fehl had five children over nine years, which left little time for artistic endeavors. She took that first class when her youngest was 2, and it turned into a life-long passion.
Fehl has been featured in national china painting publications, taught classes, and lectured all over the U.S. While the 78-year-old has slowed down her schedule in recent years, at one time she was traveling almost every weekend.
"I did that for a long time," Fehl said. "When my husband retired, he went with me. He would take his golf clubs."
During seminars Fehl spoke about the ancient history surrounding the art.
"China painting has been around forever," said Fehl. The art form has been around about as long as fine porcelain, which evolved from coarser forms of pottery. Before the manufacturing process for porcelain became widely known, it was much sought after, said Fehl. "At one point it was called white gold," she said.
Once the domain of professional artists working for china manufacturers, china painting became a popular hobby in the late 1800s when industrialization changed the way china was produced.
"I think the '60s and '70s were sort of the golden age of china painting," said Fehl. Many women did not work outside the home, and had more free time to devote to art.
People are attracted to china painting because they can create something both beautiful and functional, said Fehl. The variety of forms available for decoration is almost limitless, from the traditional china cup, to vases, tiles and jewelry.
Fehl has been painting china for so long she can do some designs, like roses, from memory. But for more complex images, she uses an extensive collection of photographs for reference.
Fehl always carries a camera to photograph things that catch her eye, from an interesting flower to broad scenic backdrop. On a trip to Colorado a few years ago, Fehl photographed a picturesque barn perched on a sweeping hillside which later became a watercolor painting she displays on her studio wall.
"I would do anything to get out of the house - I had five kids at home," said Fehl with a laugh while sitting in the light-filled studio at her Bartonville home recently.
Married at 19, Fehl had five children over nine years, which left little time for artistic endeavors. She took that first class when her youngest was 2, and it turned into a life-long passion.
Fehl has been featured in national china painting publications, taught classes, and lectured all over the U.S. While the 78-year-old has slowed down her schedule in recent years, at one time she was traveling almost every weekend.
"I did that for a long time," Fehl said. "When my husband retired, he went with me. He would take his golf clubs."
During seminars Fehl spoke about the ancient history surrounding the art.
"China painting has been around forever," said Fehl. The art form has been around about as long as fine porcelain, which evolved from coarser forms of pottery. Before the manufacturing process for porcelain became widely known, it was much sought after, said Fehl. "At one point it was called white gold," she said.
Once the domain of professional artists working for china manufacturers, china painting became a popular hobby in the late 1800s when industrialization changed the way china was produced.
"I think the '60s and '70s were sort of the golden age of china painting," said Fehl. Many women did not work outside the home, and had more free time to devote to art.
People are attracted to china painting because they can create something both beautiful and functional, said Fehl. The variety of forms available for decoration is almost limitless, from the traditional china cup, to vases, tiles and jewelry.
Fehl has been painting china for so long she can do some designs, like roses, from memory. But for more complex images, she uses an extensive collection of photographs for reference.
Fehl always carries a camera to photograph things that catch her eye, from an interesting flower to broad scenic backdrop. On a trip to Colorado a few years ago, Fehl photographed a picturesque barn perched on a sweeping hillside which later became a watercolor painting she displays on her studio wall.
2012年3月22日星期四
On the Brink, Senior Center Fights for Survival
It’s just past 10 a.m. and the Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center is teeming with activity. The new facility, anchored by a sprawling auditorium that features plenty of natural light, plywood floors and a large painted piece of blueberry pie emblazoned on a leaf-colored wall, opened earlier this year.
The adult center is the newest crown jewel of Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park, long a destination for young t-ballers and older residents looking for a pastime. Today, however, operations at the adult center are in danger of slowing to a halt.
Unless they can raise $70,000 in contributions, leaders of the facility fear they may not be able to pay staff members who operate the center, which provides vital health check ups, a regular supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, tax preparation services and, of course, bingo three days a week.
Today, the auditorium is packed for Wednesday bingo. Some may consider the game a welcome diversion; Helene Gluck says it literally saved her life.
Blind and a breast cancer survivor, Helene celebrated her 76th birthday recently. Like many of the center’s regular guests, she relies heavily on the adult center for a number of services. The most important, she says, is her physical health. When Helene was 17, doctors diagnosed her with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye condition that slowly – in her case 47 years - leads to incurable blindness.
But Helene carried on, graduated from Berkeley at 20 and saw the world before marrying at 26. Years later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Morbid and depressed, Helene found solace in food.
“I figured I was gonna die, so I might as well eat,” she said. But her weight ballooned north of 200 pounds and doctors warned that if she did not eat healthier, diabetes would consume her body – a fate her brother was not able to escape when he died at 62.
For the past five years, she’s been a regular at the center and says without the nutrition it provides and the volunteers and staff who dole out equal helpings of health and love, she does not know where she’d be.
While Helene, now diabetes free, and others derive tangible health benefits from the services the center provides, it’s the array of intangibles that keeps guests coming back.
“The currency of our enterprise is love,” said former Executive Director Sherry Revord, who helped run the center for more than three years, from its old North Hollywood campus to its current state-of-the-art location in Sherman Oaks.
For more than three decades the East Valley Multi-Purpose Senior Center was housed within the Faith Presbyterian Church as part of the Valley Interfaith Council, with which it’s still affiliated. While the aging building had its share of plumbing issues and heating problems it was the high rent that eventually led city officials to look for a new home.
Officials settled on the northwest corner of Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park, where an aging building stood ripe for a replacement. An $11.3 million investment of federal, state and local funds was used to build a new 16,000 square foot facility, which includes the auditorium, green spaces outside and plenty of activities. Construction started in 2009 and the center was completed and opened in 2011.
“This has been a long journey, and you can see the end of that journey is this magnificent facility," said Councilmember Paul Krekorian at the grand opening.
Though the luster of the new building remains, the center’s bare bones staff and an economic downturn that has frozen once flourishing levels of funding have made continued operations difficult.
On Feb. 9, the adult center kicked off a $70,000 fundraising drive, more than twice the amount they’ve ever asked for during semi-regular pledge drives. The money collected will be used to increase the center’s ability to continue paying for a part-time nutrition coordinator and a dining coordinator who each ensure donated food is picked up, and doled out and that each guest is cared for. It’s not unusual for Krystyna, the dining coordinator, to work full time though she’s paid for just half that.
“These are my babies,” Krystyna said. “You definitely do get caught up in the emotion.”
While Revord, Krystyna and Irma Allen, the nutrition coordinator, make certain operations run smoothly, it is the center’s dozen volunteers who fill in the gaps, doing everything from tax preparation, handling the food and operational tasks.
With diminished staff time, though, Revord was pulled in too many directions to supervise all the volunteers, forcing staff members to concentrate on providing core services.
“It’s about preserving the standard of service we have now,” Revord said.
The cut in staffing is complicating an already difficult economic period for many of the seniors. Many have lost their financial stability, along with their ability to purchase even basic necessities.
The adult center is the newest crown jewel of Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park, long a destination for young t-ballers and older residents looking for a pastime. Today, however, operations at the adult center are in danger of slowing to a halt.
Unless they can raise $70,000 in contributions, leaders of the facility fear they may not be able to pay staff members who operate the center, which provides vital health check ups, a regular supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, tax preparation services and, of course, bingo three days a week.
Today, the auditorium is packed for Wednesday bingo. Some may consider the game a welcome diversion; Helene Gluck says it literally saved her life.
Blind and a breast cancer survivor, Helene celebrated her 76th birthday recently. Like many of the center’s regular guests, she relies heavily on the adult center for a number of services. The most important, she says, is her physical health. When Helene was 17, doctors diagnosed her with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye condition that slowly – in her case 47 years - leads to incurable blindness.
But Helene carried on, graduated from Berkeley at 20 and saw the world before marrying at 26. Years later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Morbid and depressed, Helene found solace in food.
“I figured I was gonna die, so I might as well eat,” she said. But her weight ballooned north of 200 pounds and doctors warned that if she did not eat healthier, diabetes would consume her body – a fate her brother was not able to escape when he died at 62.
For the past five years, she’s been a regular at the center and says without the nutrition it provides and the volunteers and staff who dole out equal helpings of health and love, she does not know where she’d be.
While Helene, now diabetes free, and others derive tangible health benefits from the services the center provides, it’s the array of intangibles that keeps guests coming back.
“The currency of our enterprise is love,” said former Executive Director Sherry Revord, who helped run the center for more than three years, from its old North Hollywood campus to its current state-of-the-art location in Sherman Oaks.
For more than three decades the East Valley Multi-Purpose Senior Center was housed within the Faith Presbyterian Church as part of the Valley Interfaith Council, with which it’s still affiliated. While the aging building had its share of plumbing issues and heating problems it was the high rent that eventually led city officials to look for a new home.
Officials settled on the northwest corner of Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park, where an aging building stood ripe for a replacement. An $11.3 million investment of federal, state and local funds was used to build a new 16,000 square foot facility, which includes the auditorium, green spaces outside and plenty of activities. Construction started in 2009 and the center was completed and opened in 2011.
“This has been a long journey, and you can see the end of that journey is this magnificent facility," said Councilmember Paul Krekorian at the grand opening.
Though the luster of the new building remains, the center’s bare bones staff and an economic downturn that has frozen once flourishing levels of funding have made continued operations difficult.
On Feb. 9, the adult center kicked off a $70,000 fundraising drive, more than twice the amount they’ve ever asked for during semi-regular pledge drives. The money collected will be used to increase the center’s ability to continue paying for a part-time nutrition coordinator and a dining coordinator who each ensure donated food is picked up, and doled out and that each guest is cared for. It’s not unusual for Krystyna, the dining coordinator, to work full time though she’s paid for just half that.
“These are my babies,” Krystyna said. “You definitely do get caught up in the emotion.”
While Revord, Krystyna and Irma Allen, the nutrition coordinator, make certain operations run smoothly, it is the center’s dozen volunteers who fill in the gaps, doing everything from tax preparation, handling the food and operational tasks.
With diminished staff time, though, Revord was pulled in too many directions to supervise all the volunteers, forcing staff members to concentrate on providing core services.
“It’s about preserving the standard of service we have now,” Revord said.
The cut in staffing is complicating an already difficult economic period for many of the seniors. Many have lost their financial stability, along with their ability to purchase even basic necessities.
2012年3月21日星期三
Broader Horizons
Two years ago, Ilias Panagiotopoulos was working as a tile setter. His wife Evangelia Lymperi was an English teacher. Both were employed, but both saw the writing on the wall.
From their home in Argos, a small Greek city of 30,000 people on the Aegean Sea, they applied for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program in February, 2010.
“We saw that we would soon become unemployed, as we did,” says Evangelia. “We had our parents supporting us and living at their home.”
With four children to support — Tasos, now 24, Sofia, 17, Konstantina, 16, and Maria, 10 — they heeded the advice of their cousins who had recently moved to Regina.
“They encouraged us to come here because there was plenty of work here if you want to work; that’s true,” says Evangelia. “You get lots of opportunities, and for the kids it was better. And things have got lots worse (in Greece) since we came here seven months (ago) and lots of people would like to come here if they could.”
The family arrived on July 25 last year, the three adults on work permits and the girls on study permits.
Ilias found jobs at two tile companies, Heaven’s Hands Ceramic Installation and Precise Tile. Evangelia is a cook, server and dishwasher at Houston Pizza, Wintergreene Estates retirement complex and St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church. She has no plans to go back to teaching: “I think I’ve had enough of that, 23 years. Maybe something different sometime but I haven’t figured it out yet.”
It’s not so much about them, anyway.
“For us, it’s that we came here to give our kids a chance to better life,” says Evangelia.
Tasos is working as a night attendant at Wintergreene; he’s hoping to save up enough money to become a pilot. Sofia plans to study nursing at the U of R next year. Konstantina, in Grade 11, is undecided.
The kids were all proficient enough in English — they studied it twice a week back home — but adjusting to a new school five times the size of their old one has been difficult. They miss life back home: “Our everyday life there, our school, our friends, our grandparents,” says Sofia.
It hasn’t been easy for Ilias and Evangelia, either.
“You miss home and you’re all alone all of a sudden — and we’re not kids. I’m 45 and my husband is 47; you don’t really want such big changes in your life at that time,” she says.
Canada, of course, was settled by Europeans. In the 1800s and early 1900s, people from Europe crossed the ocean in droves, many of them fleeing economic hardships back home. Some of them found a better life in the agriculturally rich prairies.
Now, a century later, many Europeans are again leaving their home countries, looking for a better life across the ocean. In Ireland, a recent report by the Economic and Social Research Institute estimates that almost 1,000 people are leaving each week, many of them highly skilled workers. In Greece, thousands are also fleeing a country with a massive unemployment rate in search of work.
When Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall visited Ireland recently in search of skilled workers, Lisa and Ian Corrigan were a few months ahead of him. The couple moved from Ireland to Saskatoon last summer, leaving a ravaged economy behind.
They were working four jobs to support their family. She was an insurance broker and an event planner. He worked as a consultant for a construction firm. In the evenings, they ran a small pub for extra money. There was barely any time for their kids — Katie, six, and Dylan, four.
“Our reason for coming here was the quality of life,” says Lisa, 30, sipping from her cup of tea.
“Back in Ireland, we were working a hundred hours a week. Each.”
“That’s what people back home are doing,” Ian, 36, pipes in. “They are working every hour God is sending them and they are getting it hard.”
The couple has no relatives here. Back home, they lived next to Ian’s parents and worked with Lisa’s parents.
“If you could pick (your family) up and bring them with you, you would. But Skype is a good thing,” says Ian.
“They can see that people who are home now are struggling,” Lisa adds. “They’ve gone from the thing of missing us to saying we are so lucky, so fortunate to be here.”
Faced with an unemployment rate of nearly 15 per cent, people like Lisa and Ian Corrigan decided it was time to leave.
“The construction industry just plummeted,” says Ian, who is now a construction consultant with Stuart Olson Dominion. “It went from a big boom to just nothing.”
Lisa has just started working with O’Reilly Insurance.
In terms of sheer numbers, Saskatchewan still lags behind other provinces when it comes to international immigration. But this province’s skilled labour shortage means Saskatchewan is seeing an influx of skilled workers from abroad like never before.
From 1998 until 2004, more than 14,000 people came to Saskatchewan from abroad. Since then, that has almost tripled. In 2011 alone, an estimated 9,000 foreigners came to Saskatchewan, the vast majority of them hand-picked for their skills through the province’s immigrant nominee program.
And in one of the largest shifts ever to this country’s immigration policy, skilled workers are bypassing all the usual red tape. They are being courted by the province because of their skills. Ian came over at the request of Stuart Olson Dominion. He and his family are now in the process of acquiring permanent residency and hope to eventually become Canadian citizens.
Between 2000 and 2011, 8,829 newcomers or 19.4 per cent of immigrants to Saskatchewan came from Europe and the United Kingdom. They mainly came from Ukraine, U.K., Germany and Russia. Ireland and Greece don’t even register in the top 10 in terms of countries of origin, but this is not a game of numbers. It’s about a shift in the way the province thinks about immigration.
“It used to be the ones who came here would move after one winter. They would go to Montreal or Vancouver,” says Doug Elliott with the Sask Trends Monitor. “But the whole nature of immigration has now changed.
“Suddenly, all these folks are coming here who are not refugees, who are not families of immigrants. They are now what we call economic immigrants. They are coming here for jobs.”
The Saskatchewan government is working on an aggressive immigration strategy, with a strong focus on places like Ireland. Since the collapse of the Irish boom — dubbed the Celtic Tiger — young, educated but unemployed professionals have become a sought-after commodity.
“In about 2005 to 2007, people here in Saskatchewan were really trying to figure out the magic of the Tiger and they all wanted to go see what they were doing to attract capital and people,” says Joe Garcea, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan. “But of course since then Ireland has collapsed and we are going there not to look at the miracle of it but rather to pick through the pieces and see what we can bring back.”
Konstantinos Makrodimitriou didn’t even know Saskatchewan existed before he moved here from Greece with a work permit. The 28-year-old works as a line cook in a Saskatoon restaurant. He left a country in the throes of eurozone economic collapse. High unemployment and government-imposed austerity measures meant less pay, fewer benefits and higher taxes. More than 20 per cent of the country’s population is unemployed, but the collapse is hitting the youngest the hardest. Over half of Greece’s youth are without work.
“Things are not good in Greece. Jobs are not good anymore. No money, no future if you stay there anymore,” he says in a thick accent.
“Stay there for what? There is no reason. I came here for something better, so we will see.”
According to Greek media reports, in the last six months since the Greek economic debacle peaked, the Rome embassies for Canada and Australia have seen applications for work permits and visas nearly double. Greeks like Makrodimitriou are leaving their native country by the thousands, hoping to get back at least a little of what they lost before the collapse.
Even though they are almost a continent apart, the Irish and Greeks have a lot in common. As in Greece, the unemployment situation in Ireland is hitting the country’s youngest workers the hardest. According to the National Youth Council of Ireland, youth unemployment has tripled since 2008 with one in three young men under 25 being out of work. The organization also estimates that 70 per cent of unemployed youth plan to emigrate.
Canada’s immigration policy has created a double reality for people wanting to move to Canada. On the one hand, there is a massive backlog of applications — some estimates put the number of applications waiting to be processed at more than a million. At the same time, provincial programs like Saskatchewan’s Immigrant Nominee Program allow provincial governments to hand pick immigrants according to their skills. Highly skilled workers with corporate backing can skip ahead, while others are left to wait in line.
From their home in Argos, a small Greek city of 30,000 people on the Aegean Sea, they applied for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program in February, 2010.
“We saw that we would soon become unemployed, as we did,” says Evangelia. “We had our parents supporting us and living at their home.”
With four children to support — Tasos, now 24, Sofia, 17, Konstantina, 16, and Maria, 10 — they heeded the advice of their cousins who had recently moved to Regina.
“They encouraged us to come here because there was plenty of work here if you want to work; that’s true,” says Evangelia. “You get lots of opportunities, and for the kids it was better. And things have got lots worse (in Greece) since we came here seven months (ago) and lots of people would like to come here if they could.”
The family arrived on July 25 last year, the three adults on work permits and the girls on study permits.
Ilias found jobs at two tile companies, Heaven’s Hands Ceramic Installation and Precise Tile. Evangelia is a cook, server and dishwasher at Houston Pizza, Wintergreene Estates retirement complex and St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church. She has no plans to go back to teaching: “I think I’ve had enough of that, 23 years. Maybe something different sometime but I haven’t figured it out yet.”
It’s not so much about them, anyway.
“For us, it’s that we came here to give our kids a chance to better life,” says Evangelia.
Tasos is working as a night attendant at Wintergreene; he’s hoping to save up enough money to become a pilot. Sofia plans to study nursing at the U of R next year. Konstantina, in Grade 11, is undecided.
The kids were all proficient enough in English — they studied it twice a week back home — but adjusting to a new school five times the size of their old one has been difficult. They miss life back home: “Our everyday life there, our school, our friends, our grandparents,” says Sofia.
It hasn’t been easy for Ilias and Evangelia, either.
“You miss home and you’re all alone all of a sudden — and we’re not kids. I’m 45 and my husband is 47; you don’t really want such big changes in your life at that time,” she says.
Canada, of course, was settled by Europeans. In the 1800s and early 1900s, people from Europe crossed the ocean in droves, many of them fleeing economic hardships back home. Some of them found a better life in the agriculturally rich prairies.
Now, a century later, many Europeans are again leaving their home countries, looking for a better life across the ocean. In Ireland, a recent report by the Economic and Social Research Institute estimates that almost 1,000 people are leaving each week, many of them highly skilled workers. In Greece, thousands are also fleeing a country with a massive unemployment rate in search of work.
When Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall visited Ireland recently in search of skilled workers, Lisa and Ian Corrigan were a few months ahead of him. The couple moved from Ireland to Saskatoon last summer, leaving a ravaged economy behind.
They were working four jobs to support their family. She was an insurance broker and an event planner. He worked as a consultant for a construction firm. In the evenings, they ran a small pub for extra money. There was barely any time for their kids — Katie, six, and Dylan, four.
“Our reason for coming here was the quality of life,” says Lisa, 30, sipping from her cup of tea.
“Back in Ireland, we were working a hundred hours a week. Each.”
“That’s what people back home are doing,” Ian, 36, pipes in. “They are working every hour God is sending them and they are getting it hard.”
The couple has no relatives here. Back home, they lived next to Ian’s parents and worked with Lisa’s parents.
“If you could pick (your family) up and bring them with you, you would. But Skype is a good thing,” says Ian.
“They can see that people who are home now are struggling,” Lisa adds. “They’ve gone from the thing of missing us to saying we are so lucky, so fortunate to be here.”
Faced with an unemployment rate of nearly 15 per cent, people like Lisa and Ian Corrigan decided it was time to leave.
“The construction industry just plummeted,” says Ian, who is now a construction consultant with Stuart Olson Dominion. “It went from a big boom to just nothing.”
Lisa has just started working with O’Reilly Insurance.
In terms of sheer numbers, Saskatchewan still lags behind other provinces when it comes to international immigration. But this province’s skilled labour shortage means Saskatchewan is seeing an influx of skilled workers from abroad like never before.
From 1998 until 2004, more than 14,000 people came to Saskatchewan from abroad. Since then, that has almost tripled. In 2011 alone, an estimated 9,000 foreigners came to Saskatchewan, the vast majority of them hand-picked for their skills through the province’s immigrant nominee program.
And in one of the largest shifts ever to this country’s immigration policy, skilled workers are bypassing all the usual red tape. They are being courted by the province because of their skills. Ian came over at the request of Stuart Olson Dominion. He and his family are now in the process of acquiring permanent residency and hope to eventually become Canadian citizens.
Between 2000 and 2011, 8,829 newcomers or 19.4 per cent of immigrants to Saskatchewan came from Europe and the United Kingdom. They mainly came from Ukraine, U.K., Germany and Russia. Ireland and Greece don’t even register in the top 10 in terms of countries of origin, but this is not a game of numbers. It’s about a shift in the way the province thinks about immigration.
“It used to be the ones who came here would move after one winter. They would go to Montreal or Vancouver,” says Doug Elliott with the Sask Trends Monitor. “But the whole nature of immigration has now changed.
“Suddenly, all these folks are coming here who are not refugees, who are not families of immigrants. They are now what we call economic immigrants. They are coming here for jobs.”
The Saskatchewan government is working on an aggressive immigration strategy, with a strong focus on places like Ireland. Since the collapse of the Irish boom — dubbed the Celtic Tiger — young, educated but unemployed professionals have become a sought-after commodity.
“In about 2005 to 2007, people here in Saskatchewan were really trying to figure out the magic of the Tiger and they all wanted to go see what they were doing to attract capital and people,” says Joe Garcea, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan. “But of course since then Ireland has collapsed and we are going there not to look at the miracle of it but rather to pick through the pieces and see what we can bring back.”
Konstantinos Makrodimitriou didn’t even know Saskatchewan existed before he moved here from Greece with a work permit. The 28-year-old works as a line cook in a Saskatoon restaurant. He left a country in the throes of eurozone economic collapse. High unemployment and government-imposed austerity measures meant less pay, fewer benefits and higher taxes. More than 20 per cent of the country’s population is unemployed, but the collapse is hitting the youngest the hardest. Over half of Greece’s youth are without work.
“Things are not good in Greece. Jobs are not good anymore. No money, no future if you stay there anymore,” he says in a thick accent.
“Stay there for what? There is no reason. I came here for something better, so we will see.”
According to Greek media reports, in the last six months since the Greek economic debacle peaked, the Rome embassies for Canada and Australia have seen applications for work permits and visas nearly double. Greeks like Makrodimitriou are leaving their native country by the thousands, hoping to get back at least a little of what they lost before the collapse.
Even though they are almost a continent apart, the Irish and Greeks have a lot in common. As in Greece, the unemployment situation in Ireland is hitting the country’s youngest workers the hardest. According to the National Youth Council of Ireland, youth unemployment has tripled since 2008 with one in three young men under 25 being out of work. The organization also estimates that 70 per cent of unemployed youth plan to emigrate.
Canada’s immigration policy has created a double reality for people wanting to move to Canada. On the one hand, there is a massive backlog of applications — some estimates put the number of applications waiting to be processed at more than a million. At the same time, provincial programs like Saskatchewan’s Immigrant Nominee Program allow provincial governments to hand pick immigrants according to their skills. Highly skilled workers with corporate backing can skip ahead, while others are left to wait in line.
2012年3月20日星期二
Hundreds Flock to The M at Englewood For Grand Opening Celebration
Eager Prospective Buyers Visit Premier Condominium Community from Pinnacle Companies. If the turnout for a recent grand opening celebration at The M at Englewood South is any kind of indicator, the market for condominiums in Northern New Jersey is heating up fast. The Pinnacle Companies, a respected developer of luxury homes throughout the New York Metro Area, announced today that the grand opening of the new community of elegant condominiums in the heart of Bergen County attracted an enthusiastic crowd of prospective buyers.
"We were extremely pleased that hundreds of prospective buyers came out to view the completed building and responded so favorably at the grand opening of The M," said Mary Boorman, senior vice president of The Pinnacle Companies. "The community appeals to diverse visitors ranging from singles and families to empty nesters. With people coming from Bergen and surrounding counties as well as from New York City and other states, it's obvious that this community is fulfilling a niche for the buying public."
The M, which presents sophisticated urban living on Route 4 -- close to the George Washington Bridge and within 12 miles of Midtown Manhattan -- offers 125 one-, two- and two-bedroom plus den residences priced from $274,990.
The M's architectural style is sleek and urban, featuring modern kitchens with maple cabinetry, under-counter lighting, granite countertops, GE Profile stainless steel appliances, and many of the two-bedroom models have center islands. Laundry areas are spacious and include GE side-by-side washers and dryers. The spacious layouts feature nine-foot ceilings (10 feet on the first floor) and entire walls of windows, and many of the homes have either views of the golf course or the central courtyards.
Additional features include elegant en-suite master bathrooms with granite countertops and double sink vanities, oak hardwood flooring in the living area, ceramic tile flooring in the entry hall and kitchen, and plush carpeting in the bedrooms. A powder room is included in almost all of the homes. One garage space is included in the price and shuttle service to New Jersey Transit bus stop is also provided.
Additionally, Pinnacle has two innovative lease-to-purchase options that allow renters to place a portion of their monthly payment into as escrow account to eventually be applied toward the sales price.
The "License to Occupy" option requires pre-approved, potential homeowners to sign a contract for six months to a year as well as an occupancy agreement for the same time period. Pinnacle saves approximately 50 percent of their rent in an escrow account toward the down payment. A small down payment ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 is required to start the program. The potential homeowner must close within a year of signing.
With the "Lease Now, Buy Later" option, pre-approved, potential homebuyers sign a condominium lease and, at the end of a one-year term, are offered the home at a price guaranteed at the time the lease is signed. Pinnacle then gives them approximately 25 percent of their lease payments back toward the down payment.
"Visitors at the grand opening expressed interest in both our for-sale and our lease-to-own programs," Boorman added. "It was clear to us that the recent favorable economic news has signaled a bottoming out of the market. We believe that many people are looking to buy before interest rates and eventually prices go up. Those interested in The M at Englewood South need to act soon to take advantage of the current economic climate."
Amenities at The M at Englewood South include an outdoor pool and a residents' lounge perfect for large parties and entertaining. Buyers will also receive a year's membership at The Gym Englewood, 20 Nordhoff Place, the area's most upscale fitness center. Maintenance also includes satellite TV and Internet service, and the community will be offering attractive audio/video packages as upgrades.
The pedestrian-friendly main streets of Englewood and nearby Ridgewood and Teaneck are perfect for leisurely strolls and window shopping as they offer both high-end designer and eclectic shopping venues as well as fine dining and café-style eateries. The Bergen Performing Arts Center in downtown Englewood provides shows year-round featuring top-name talent.
"We were extremely pleased that hundreds of prospective buyers came out to view the completed building and responded so favorably at the grand opening of The M," said Mary Boorman, senior vice president of The Pinnacle Companies. "The community appeals to diverse visitors ranging from singles and families to empty nesters. With people coming from Bergen and surrounding counties as well as from New York City and other states, it's obvious that this community is fulfilling a niche for the buying public."
The M, which presents sophisticated urban living on Route 4 -- close to the George Washington Bridge and within 12 miles of Midtown Manhattan -- offers 125 one-, two- and two-bedroom plus den residences priced from $274,990.
The M's architectural style is sleek and urban, featuring modern kitchens with maple cabinetry, under-counter lighting, granite countertops, GE Profile stainless steel appliances, and many of the two-bedroom models have center islands. Laundry areas are spacious and include GE side-by-side washers and dryers. The spacious layouts feature nine-foot ceilings (10 feet on the first floor) and entire walls of windows, and many of the homes have either views of the golf course or the central courtyards.
Additional features include elegant en-suite master bathrooms with granite countertops and double sink vanities, oak hardwood flooring in the living area, ceramic tile flooring in the entry hall and kitchen, and plush carpeting in the bedrooms. A powder room is included in almost all of the homes. One garage space is included in the price and shuttle service to New Jersey Transit bus stop is also provided.
Additionally, Pinnacle has two innovative lease-to-purchase options that allow renters to place a portion of their monthly payment into as escrow account to eventually be applied toward the sales price.
The "License to Occupy" option requires pre-approved, potential homeowners to sign a contract for six months to a year as well as an occupancy agreement for the same time period. Pinnacle saves approximately 50 percent of their rent in an escrow account toward the down payment. A small down payment ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 is required to start the program. The potential homeowner must close within a year of signing.
With the "Lease Now, Buy Later" option, pre-approved, potential homebuyers sign a condominium lease and, at the end of a one-year term, are offered the home at a price guaranteed at the time the lease is signed. Pinnacle then gives them approximately 25 percent of their lease payments back toward the down payment.
"Visitors at the grand opening expressed interest in both our for-sale and our lease-to-own programs," Boorman added. "It was clear to us that the recent favorable economic news has signaled a bottoming out of the market. We believe that many people are looking to buy before interest rates and eventually prices go up. Those interested in The M at Englewood South need to act soon to take advantage of the current economic climate."
Amenities at The M at Englewood South include an outdoor pool and a residents' lounge perfect for large parties and entertaining. Buyers will also receive a year's membership at The Gym Englewood, 20 Nordhoff Place, the area's most upscale fitness center. Maintenance also includes satellite TV and Internet service, and the community will be offering attractive audio/video packages as upgrades.
The pedestrian-friendly main streets of Englewood and nearby Ridgewood and Teaneck are perfect for leisurely strolls and window shopping as they offer both high-end designer and eclectic shopping venues as well as fine dining and café-style eateries. The Bergen Performing Arts Center in downtown Englewood provides shows year-round featuring top-name talent.
2012年3月19日星期一
The new Kings Cross railway station
Let there be light! Let your eye fly upwards and zoom along the white ribs of the new 150-metre-wide canopy – the largest single-span structure in Europe – that soars 20m over the western facade of London’s Kings Cross railway station. Sleek, spare, and modern though it is, I immediately think of the exquisite fan vaulting gracing Gothic cathedrals such as Bath.
Kings Cross is a confluence of overground, underground and rail links. Roughly 90 million people use the station station in the course of a year. Many are Scots: the station is London’s gateway to the north, the southern terminus of the East Coast line. On top of that already heavy burden came the news that London would host the 2012 Olympics, and the decision to create a high speed rail link – the Javelin – between St Pancras and the Olympic village, about six miles to the east. It meant Kings Cross would take on even more traffic as passengers made connections to and from its next-door neighbour.
Finally, as every child knows, this is also the station where Harry Potter and his fellow wizards embark, from Platform 9, for Hogwarts. The enormous popularity of those books and films have turned the station a must-see tourist stop, as well.
Originally built in 1852 by engineer/architect Lewis Cubitt, the original train shed had two platforms – arrivals and departures. Over the years Kings Cross expanded, and saw endless changes, including the arrival of the original Flying Scotsman, the first train to reach a speed of 100 miles per hour. Kings Cross became one of the busiest transport hubs in Europe, but at the same time, the neighbourhood around this Grade I listed station went into decline. Hiro Aso, director of urban infrastructure for the architectural firm John McAslan + Partners (JMP), told one newspaper that an early visit to the site was cut short when two prostitutes wielding baseball bats chased him down the street.
A chunk of the station was destroyed by German bombs during the Second World War, and matters weren’t helped by the construction of unsightly retail space tacked onto its southern facade in the 1970s. Indoors, the concourse was far too small to accommodate hordes of passengers arriving and departing around the clock, the vast majority of whom get there via the Underground.
The regeneration of Kings Cross has been bubbling away since 1997, when JMP won the commission to tackle what’s being called the largest urban regeneration project in Europe. It combines reuse, restoration, and new-build, at a budget of 547 million.
From 1997 until 2005, when plans were finalised and construction could begin in earnest, the firm was busy liaising with its client, Network Rail, and the main stakeholders, including Camden borough, English Heritage, and what was then called Railtrack. Simon Goode, associate director at JMP, explains that there were frequent meetings to determine what was wanted, what was needed, and what was possible. These years were also devoted to making planning applications and identifying engineering challenges and solutions.
One of the biggest questions was where to locate the main entrance concourse. Every possibility was explored. John McAslan, the chairman of JMP, says: “We knew that in order for Kings Cross to increase over next 25 years and beyond, the new concourse needed to be at least three times the size of the current one, to handle the amount of passenger traffic. When we began, Network Rail only had ownership to the perimeter of the station itself. The land where we went on to build the new concourse belonged to someone else and that was a problem, because it was an obvious choice for expanding the station.
“Other options included looking at a way that the tracks could be pushed northwards, to make the south concourse deeper. Another was to create a mezzanine within the train shed, or to build a concourse beneath the platforms themselves. So we had a whole bunch of options, all of which were eliminated for various reasons. For example, pushing the platforms out would have cost 600m or 700m, at least, and created problems upstream along the Regent Canal.”
Kings Cross is a confluence of overground, underground and rail links. Roughly 90 million people use the station station in the course of a year. Many are Scots: the station is London’s gateway to the north, the southern terminus of the East Coast line. On top of that already heavy burden came the news that London would host the 2012 Olympics, and the decision to create a high speed rail link – the Javelin – between St Pancras and the Olympic village, about six miles to the east. It meant Kings Cross would take on even more traffic as passengers made connections to and from its next-door neighbour.
Finally, as every child knows, this is also the station where Harry Potter and his fellow wizards embark, from Platform 9, for Hogwarts. The enormous popularity of those books and films have turned the station a must-see tourist stop, as well.
Originally built in 1852 by engineer/architect Lewis Cubitt, the original train shed had two platforms – arrivals and departures. Over the years Kings Cross expanded, and saw endless changes, including the arrival of the original Flying Scotsman, the first train to reach a speed of 100 miles per hour. Kings Cross became one of the busiest transport hubs in Europe, but at the same time, the neighbourhood around this Grade I listed station went into decline. Hiro Aso, director of urban infrastructure for the architectural firm John McAslan + Partners (JMP), told one newspaper that an early visit to the site was cut short when two prostitutes wielding baseball bats chased him down the street.
A chunk of the station was destroyed by German bombs during the Second World War, and matters weren’t helped by the construction of unsightly retail space tacked onto its southern facade in the 1970s. Indoors, the concourse was far too small to accommodate hordes of passengers arriving and departing around the clock, the vast majority of whom get there via the Underground.
The regeneration of Kings Cross has been bubbling away since 1997, when JMP won the commission to tackle what’s being called the largest urban regeneration project in Europe. It combines reuse, restoration, and new-build, at a budget of 547 million.
From 1997 until 2005, when plans were finalised and construction could begin in earnest, the firm was busy liaising with its client, Network Rail, and the main stakeholders, including Camden borough, English Heritage, and what was then called Railtrack. Simon Goode, associate director at JMP, explains that there were frequent meetings to determine what was wanted, what was needed, and what was possible. These years were also devoted to making planning applications and identifying engineering challenges and solutions.
One of the biggest questions was where to locate the main entrance concourse. Every possibility was explored. John McAslan, the chairman of JMP, says: “We knew that in order for Kings Cross to increase over next 25 years and beyond, the new concourse needed to be at least three times the size of the current one, to handle the amount of passenger traffic. When we began, Network Rail only had ownership to the perimeter of the station itself. The land where we went on to build the new concourse belonged to someone else and that was a problem, because it was an obvious choice for expanding the station.
“Other options included looking at a way that the tracks could be pushed northwards, to make the south concourse deeper. Another was to create a mezzanine within the train shed, or to build a concourse beneath the platforms themselves. So we had a whole bunch of options, all of which were eliminated for various reasons. For example, pushing the platforms out would have cost 600m or 700m, at least, and created problems upstream along the Regent Canal.”
2012年3月18日星期日
A picture-perfect Weston Cape
The opportunity for grand is a common theme in Weston. Buyers, more often than not, shop well into the seven-digit range. So it’s an uncommon opportunity when the price point dips south of the million-dollar mark. It’s even more uncommon when the property for sale is a picture-perfect, family-friendly home.
Located on Valley View Road, a popular and established neighborhood, this pleasant Cape Cod style home boasts a surprisingly spacious floor plan with nearly 3,000 square feet of living space and appealing updates. Those updates begin in the newly renovated 15-by-14 kitchen. While the space can be described as efficient, it’s an excellent use of square footage that features custom cherry cabinetry, granite counters and high-end stainless steel appliances that includes names such as Thermador and Bosch. An integrated island offers breakfast bar seating with ample prep space available to the cook. Oversized ceramic tile flooring is key to this kitchen makeover, the neutral tone choice resulting in a spacious visual. The kitchen also features a custom tile backsplash, designer light package and a built-in desk area for everyday household activities.
The property is a 1979 build, but it offers the livability of a modern floor plan as the kitchen opens into a sizable casual dining area that connects to the family room. Wide plank knotty pine flooring is found underfoot throughout both areas, adding a touch of rustic charm to this Weston Cape. A wood-burning stove with brick hearth, beamed ceiling and interior columns are also part of the motif. The eating area opens to a screened porch, perfect for seasonal dining and entertaining. A wooded and level backyard offers plenty of play space for the entire family.
Formal rooms are also part of the first-floor layout, including a 13-by-11 dining room. Painted in a mossy green hue, the dining room features chair rail, updated chandelier, hardwood flooring and a period built-in china cabinet. A front-to-back living room measures 27-by-13. This sun-filled spot boasts like-new hardwood flooring and a center-set brick hearth fireplace with millwork mantel and complementary sconces. Sliding glass doors open to a large deck, which connects to the screened porch at the opposite end of the footprint.
This traditional floor plan makes the most of its Cape Cod design with four large bedrooms. In fact, buyers who want a little flexibility in their future will be particularly pleased with the possibilities. In addition to the original master bedroom, which measures 26 by 13, and offers a small en suite bath, bedroom four also brings master suite potential. It measures 19 by 19, boasting two large closets, built-in and wide plank knotty pine flooring. The square footage already exists for ideas about adding an opulent private bath, transforming it into a new master suite. The current master bedroom features hardwood flooring, dual closets and the bonus perk of a Juliette balcony. Bedrooms two and three are also sizable, the larger measuring 16 by 12. It features a dormer niche and ample storage. A family bath with tile trim is located nearby.
Located on Valley View Road, a popular and established neighborhood, this pleasant Cape Cod style home boasts a surprisingly spacious floor plan with nearly 3,000 square feet of living space and appealing updates. Those updates begin in the newly renovated 15-by-14 kitchen. While the space can be described as efficient, it’s an excellent use of square footage that features custom cherry cabinetry, granite counters and high-end stainless steel appliances that includes names such as Thermador and Bosch. An integrated island offers breakfast bar seating with ample prep space available to the cook. Oversized ceramic tile flooring is key to this kitchen makeover, the neutral tone choice resulting in a spacious visual. The kitchen also features a custom tile backsplash, designer light package and a built-in desk area for everyday household activities.
The property is a 1979 build, but it offers the livability of a modern floor plan as the kitchen opens into a sizable casual dining area that connects to the family room. Wide plank knotty pine flooring is found underfoot throughout both areas, adding a touch of rustic charm to this Weston Cape. A wood-burning stove with brick hearth, beamed ceiling and interior columns are also part of the motif. The eating area opens to a screened porch, perfect for seasonal dining and entertaining. A wooded and level backyard offers plenty of play space for the entire family.
Formal rooms are also part of the first-floor layout, including a 13-by-11 dining room. Painted in a mossy green hue, the dining room features chair rail, updated chandelier, hardwood flooring and a period built-in china cabinet. A front-to-back living room measures 27-by-13. This sun-filled spot boasts like-new hardwood flooring and a center-set brick hearth fireplace with millwork mantel and complementary sconces. Sliding glass doors open to a large deck, which connects to the screened porch at the opposite end of the footprint.
This traditional floor plan makes the most of its Cape Cod design with four large bedrooms. In fact, buyers who want a little flexibility in their future will be particularly pleased with the possibilities. In addition to the original master bedroom, which measures 26 by 13, and offers a small en suite bath, bedroom four also brings master suite potential. It measures 19 by 19, boasting two large closets, built-in and wide plank knotty pine flooring. The square footage already exists for ideas about adding an opulent private bath, transforming it into a new master suite. The current master bedroom features hardwood flooring, dual closets and the bonus perk of a Juliette balcony. Bedrooms two and three are also sizable, the larger measuring 16 by 12. It features a dormer niche and ample storage. A family bath with tile trim is located nearby.
2012年3月15日星期四
Last townhouses complete Milton project
Builder Heathwood Homes has gone to great pains to provide lush parkland, meandering walking trails, stone gates, a cobbled entrance and grand boulevards at its Traditions development in Milton.
But apart from those structural elements, Heathwood has made an added effort to create a true community feeling by organizing numerous family-friendly activities.
“We don’t often get the opportunity to create this sense of community that we have at Traditions,” says president Hugh Heron. “We’ve had a total of 26 classes here that we’ve carried out over the last five years, such as babysitting courses, book clubs and a two-week summer camp.”
Adults are encouraged to attend dog grooming seminars and tai chi and belly-dancing classes or make it a family affair at barbecues, movie nights and Christmas house tours.
“It’s for the whole community,” adds Mr. Heron. “I can’t stress enough the sense of community out there at Traditions. It’s really exciting and wonderful.”
The latest collection of 25 townhouses, called the Village at Traditions, will mark the final phase of the master-planned community of 600 upscale townhouses, semi-detached and detached houses. “This is the last piece of land available for development within the Traditions land-owned by Heathwood,” says Mr. Heron. “We’ve got a whole mix of people moving into their first home and people buying down. We also have some people buying in there whose parents or family had bought in previous phases.”
These freehold townhouses will be situated at the northeast corner of the site, just south of Main Street and west of Bronte Street.
“These townhouses are a two-minute walk to the sidewalk that will take you right to Main Street,” says Mr. Heron. “So it’s very close to downtown Milton.”
With the town nestled at the base of the Niagara Escarpment, the site is also within a short distance from hiking and biking trails, golf courses, conservation areas and the Glen Eden ski area.
“It’s a super place to live, right by the Escarpment and downtown,” says Mr. Heron, who also cites the proximity of hospitals and highways. “Everything you need it right there, right now.”
To represent the two-storey designs available, there are two model homes on site designed by Bryon Patton and Associates.
There is more than 1,600 square feet of space in the larger Robindale model, which features a traditional look with French Country-inspired appointments.
To the side of the garage, a front porch welcomes guests into a two-storey foyer leading into an open eat-in kitchen with an island and a breakfast bar overlooking a wide room with large windows and a rear walkout.
Up one floor, there is a computer niche and three bedrooms, including a master suite with a walk-in closet and spa-inspired bathroom. Meanwhile, the 563-square-foot basement offers extra finished living space.
Nine-foot ceilings, oak hardwood floors, granite counters and ceramic tile backsplashes will appear in each house, which will also be built to Energy Star standards. That means, these townhouses will be 30 to 40 per cent more energy-efficient than homes built to minimum code.
“In the future when people are looking at resale homes, they’ll be asking not only about the square footage and taxes and so forth, but they’ll be asking about the heating costs in their homes,” says Mr. Heron. “And it complements the attention to detail we’ve put into the interiors of these units as well.”
But apart from those structural elements, Heathwood has made an added effort to create a true community feeling by organizing numerous family-friendly activities.
“We don’t often get the opportunity to create this sense of community that we have at Traditions,” says president Hugh Heron. “We’ve had a total of 26 classes here that we’ve carried out over the last five years, such as babysitting courses, book clubs and a two-week summer camp.”
Adults are encouraged to attend dog grooming seminars and tai chi and belly-dancing classes or make it a family affair at barbecues, movie nights and Christmas house tours.
“It’s for the whole community,” adds Mr. Heron. “I can’t stress enough the sense of community out there at Traditions. It’s really exciting and wonderful.”
The latest collection of 25 townhouses, called the Village at Traditions, will mark the final phase of the master-planned community of 600 upscale townhouses, semi-detached and detached houses. “This is the last piece of land available for development within the Traditions land-owned by Heathwood,” says Mr. Heron. “We’ve got a whole mix of people moving into their first home and people buying down. We also have some people buying in there whose parents or family had bought in previous phases.”
These freehold townhouses will be situated at the northeast corner of the site, just south of Main Street and west of Bronte Street.
“These townhouses are a two-minute walk to the sidewalk that will take you right to Main Street,” says Mr. Heron. “So it’s very close to downtown Milton.”
With the town nestled at the base of the Niagara Escarpment, the site is also within a short distance from hiking and biking trails, golf courses, conservation areas and the Glen Eden ski area.
“It’s a super place to live, right by the Escarpment and downtown,” says Mr. Heron, who also cites the proximity of hospitals and highways. “Everything you need it right there, right now.”
To represent the two-storey designs available, there are two model homes on site designed by Bryon Patton and Associates.
There is more than 1,600 square feet of space in the larger Robindale model, which features a traditional look with French Country-inspired appointments.
To the side of the garage, a front porch welcomes guests into a two-storey foyer leading into an open eat-in kitchen with an island and a breakfast bar overlooking a wide room with large windows and a rear walkout.
Up one floor, there is a computer niche and three bedrooms, including a master suite with a walk-in closet and spa-inspired bathroom. Meanwhile, the 563-square-foot basement offers extra finished living space.
Nine-foot ceilings, oak hardwood floors, granite counters and ceramic tile backsplashes will appear in each house, which will also be built to Energy Star standards. That means, these townhouses will be 30 to 40 per cent more energy-efficient than homes built to minimum code.
“In the future when people are looking at resale homes, they’ll be asking not only about the square footage and taxes and so forth, but they’ll be asking about the heating costs in their homes,” says Mr. Heron. “And it complements the attention to detail we’ve put into the interiors of these units as well.”
2012年3月14日星期三
Bryan Voltaggio’s home kitchen
The kitchen in Bryan Voltaggio’s previous home was small. It had an electric oven, bisque-colored appliances and such a dearth of cabinet space that most of his cooking equipment was stored in a free-standing cabinet in another room.
The kitchen in his home today? Well, it’s much different.
Earlier this year, Voltaggio, 35, moved his family of four to a five-bedroom house just down the road in Frederick. Not surprisingly, the kitchen was one of the main attractions for the chef.
“I like that it feels like a professional kitchen environment,” says Voltaggio, “and we have space to entertain a lot of people.”
A spacious, 20-by-20-foot room houses multiple rows of dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, a walk-in pantry, a wet bar, a granite-topped center island and stainless-steel appliances, including the high-tech Samsung refrigerator that Voltaggio and his brother, Michael, can be seen pitching in a recent television commercial.
Adjacent and open to the kitchen is a 21-by-11-foot addition, which the previous owners used as a sunroom. But the Voltaggios consider it an additional dining area. A 77-inch white oak table sits in the center, and a wine refrigerator stands nearby.
With the ample space, Voltaggio now has more than enough room to house all of his favorite kitchen “toys,” as he calls them, including a Vitamix blender , a Delonghi espresso machine , a Breville toaster oven and, the most recent addition, an Acrobaleno pasta extruder .
The extra room also makes it easier for him to do something else he loves: cook with his 4-year-old son.
“Thatcher likes to cook more than he likes to eat,” says Voltaggio. “Sometimes I’ll come home and there will be carrot peels on the counter. He won’t eat the carrots, but he’ll peel them.”
To foster his son’s interest in food, Voltaggio includes Thatcher in meal prep.
“Kids love Play-Doh, so why not give them pasta dough?” he says. “Their eating habits will be better if you cook with them.”
Voltaggio says he cooks at home less than one would think. But when he does, it’s typically for crowds. For last month’s Super Bowl, he and his wife, Jennifer, hosted 50 people.
Cooking for large crowds has become second nature to Voltaggio, whose Frederick restaurant Volt has become a popular, hard-to-get-a-reservation-for destination. Besides his cooking , the restaurant’s high profile can be attributed to his appearance on “Top Chef” seven months after Volt opened in 2008.
“I’m glad I did ‘Top Chef,’ ” he says. “I definitely enjoyed the experience, and I can’t deny we are busier because of it. But I was asked to do All-Stars, and I declined because I want to stay in the restaurant. . . . I want to stay close to the stove.”
Back in his home kitchen, Voltaggio is planning a few minor tweaks. He’d like to remove the island and replace it with a U-shaped or L-shaped cookspace. He wants to add a wine cellar in the basement, replace the double oven and microwave, swap out the gas range with an induction cooktop and, maybe, change the ceramic tile backsplash.
The kitchen in his home today? Well, it’s much different.
Earlier this year, Voltaggio, 35, moved his family of four to a five-bedroom house just down the road in Frederick. Not surprisingly, the kitchen was one of the main attractions for the chef.
“I like that it feels like a professional kitchen environment,” says Voltaggio, “and we have space to entertain a lot of people.”
A spacious, 20-by-20-foot room houses multiple rows of dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, a walk-in pantry, a wet bar, a granite-topped center island and stainless-steel appliances, including the high-tech Samsung refrigerator that Voltaggio and his brother, Michael, can be seen pitching in a recent television commercial.
Adjacent and open to the kitchen is a 21-by-11-foot addition, which the previous owners used as a sunroom. But the Voltaggios consider it an additional dining area. A 77-inch white oak table sits in the center, and a wine refrigerator stands nearby.
With the ample space, Voltaggio now has more than enough room to house all of his favorite kitchen “toys,” as he calls them, including a Vitamix blender , a Delonghi espresso machine , a Breville toaster oven and, the most recent addition, an Acrobaleno pasta extruder .
The extra room also makes it easier for him to do something else he loves: cook with his 4-year-old son.
“Thatcher likes to cook more than he likes to eat,” says Voltaggio. “Sometimes I’ll come home and there will be carrot peels on the counter. He won’t eat the carrots, but he’ll peel them.”
To foster his son’s interest in food, Voltaggio includes Thatcher in meal prep.
“Kids love Play-Doh, so why not give them pasta dough?” he says. “Their eating habits will be better if you cook with them.”
Voltaggio says he cooks at home less than one would think. But when he does, it’s typically for crowds. For last month’s Super Bowl, he and his wife, Jennifer, hosted 50 people.
Cooking for large crowds has become second nature to Voltaggio, whose Frederick restaurant Volt has become a popular, hard-to-get-a-reservation-for destination. Besides his cooking , the restaurant’s high profile can be attributed to his appearance on “Top Chef” seven months after Volt opened in 2008.
“I’m glad I did ‘Top Chef,’ ” he says. “I definitely enjoyed the experience, and I can’t deny we are busier because of it. But I was asked to do All-Stars, and I declined because I want to stay in the restaurant. . . . I want to stay close to the stove.”
Back in his home kitchen, Voltaggio is planning a few minor tweaks. He’d like to remove the island and replace it with a U-shaped or L-shaped cookspace. He wants to add a wine cellar in the basement, replace the double oven and microwave, swap out the gas range with an induction cooktop and, maybe, change the ceramic tile backsplash.
2012年3月13日星期二
Is the Home Improvement Programme really necessary?
My precinct recently polled to have the Home Improvement Programme .
The free package includes the repair of cracked ceilings and a change of pipes, sink, etc. The toilet floor must pass the leak test or it will be hacked together with the wall tiling.
I feel that government monies could be spent more prudently, as some households have already had their homes renovated, possibly in a certain decor, with their sinks and tiles still in good condition.
These must be replaced by standard decor if at least 75 per cent votes in favour of the HIP for a block. What a waste of resources.
The toilet leak test is redundant. The neighbour below would make a report if a toilet above is leaking and the Housing and Development Board does co-share part of these repair costs where appropriate, with both neighbours splitting the cost.
Toilet floors should not be hacked unless there is a leak or the owner wants the renovation. If the main pipes leak, the town council already takes responsibility.
The HIP also causes inconvenience. Residents would need to take leave for the renovation and clean up the dust each day for two weeks. Asthmatics would still suffer.
We would also need to go downstairs to use a toilet, a real stress for those with renal problems. A temporary toilet could be installed in the flat, but this depends on feasibility.
Moreover, some of the HIP works may not be done properly due to mass production in a short span of time. If an owner sells his flat in time and the buyer does not like the HIP decor, renovations are done again.
Finally, some poll officers are not impartial and would like us to vote "yes". Some illiterate residents do so, when they had wanted to vote "no".
Given the Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme, if the HDB feels that some blocks are too old, it could relocate the residents and, thereafter, fully renovate the old blocks and resell them in the market.
Surely the public would buy flats in mature estates and which they could move into without doing much renovation.
Alternatively, HIP works could be offered without polling. Residents could approach the HDB or their town council when repair needs arise. We should not choose to renovate just because it is free.
The free package includes the repair of cracked ceilings and a change of pipes, sink, etc. The toilet floor must pass the leak test or it will be hacked together with the wall tiling.
I feel that government monies could be spent more prudently, as some households have already had their homes renovated, possibly in a certain decor, with their sinks and tiles still in good condition.
These must be replaced by standard decor if at least 75 per cent votes in favour of the HIP for a block. What a waste of resources.
The toilet leak test is redundant. The neighbour below would make a report if a toilet above is leaking and the Housing and Development Board does co-share part of these repair costs where appropriate, with both neighbours splitting the cost.
Toilet floors should not be hacked unless there is a leak or the owner wants the renovation. If the main pipes leak, the town council already takes responsibility.
The HIP also causes inconvenience. Residents would need to take leave for the renovation and clean up the dust each day for two weeks. Asthmatics would still suffer.
We would also need to go downstairs to use a toilet, a real stress for those with renal problems. A temporary toilet could be installed in the flat, but this depends on feasibility.
Moreover, some of the HIP works may not be done properly due to mass production in a short span of time. If an owner sells his flat in time and the buyer does not like the HIP decor, renovations are done again.
Finally, some poll officers are not impartial and would like us to vote "yes". Some illiterate residents do so, when they had wanted to vote "no".
Given the Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme, if the HDB feels that some blocks are too old, it could relocate the residents and, thereafter, fully renovate the old blocks and resell them in the market.
Surely the public would buy flats in mature estates and which they could move into without doing much renovation.
Alternatively, HIP works could be offered without polling. Residents could approach the HDB or their town council when repair needs arise. We should not choose to renovate just because it is free.
2012年3月12日星期一
Restoring a French farmhouse
Twelve years ago the interior designer Henri Fitzwilliam-Lay came across the house of her dreams in the south of France. Friends joked that she and her husband, Hugh, a venture capitalist, and their young daughters would leave London, never to be seen again. In reality the house had been sorely neglected and it would end up taking many years before its restoration was complete.
'It had been very unloved,’ Fitzwilliam-Lay says. There was glaringly white crazy paving in the car-park, and wild boar regularly dug up the garden. But she looked beyond the grotty decoration, pink pebbledash render and plastic chairs and started work bit by bit. Gradually the flooring was replaced with reclaimed paving stones and five of the 40 acres nearest the house were fenced to keep the boar out.
The family would visit during the summer months, and at the end of each holiday she would meet the builder to discuss what jobs could be done during the winter. It went on like this for nearly a decade. 'I don’t believe in fast design,’ she says. 'You can’t buy a life in a couple of months. Decorating takes time and consideration.’
The mas (Provencal farmhouse) sits high up in the hills above the beaches of St Tropez and has a winding drive that leads down to the entrance at the back of the property. Enter through floret-studded metal double doors, bought from a local chateau, to a hall busy with starburst mirrors (many of which were bought at Battersea Antiques Fair). 'I tend to go off on a theme,’ Fitzwilliam-Lay explains of the mirrored hall. Stone stairs lead up to five bedrooms on the first floor, including a master bedroom with en suite dressing-room and Carrara marble-tiled bathroom. From the entrance hall stairs also head down to an open-plan sitting- and dining-room and separate marble kitchen. Fitzwilliam-Lay didn’t really mess with the basic layout of the house, and maintained a warmth by using as much reclaimed material as possible. 'The tiles on the kitchen floor are reclaimed; we had to lay them out in the garden to see how they would work. All the doors are from a local salvage yard in Cogolin.’
Fitzwilliam-Lay has used an unorthodox approach to the interiors. 'I’m constantly fighting against falling into Provencal cliches,’ she says. 'And that’s hard because those cliches are so easy on the eye.’ There are no ochre walls, Louis-style furnishings or 'rustic’ French armoires. Although they are in a traditional style, the kitchen cupboards are painted black and the counter tops and splashbacks are slabs of Carrara marble. Bright white walls, decorative Moroccan tiles and a large industrial pendant light help make the breakfast room a bright and modern space. The colonial-style armchairs and deeply buttoned chesterfield sofas in the living-room are rather more west London than south of France.
When the work was nearly completed, she and the girls (Charlotte is now 14, Josephine, 12, Lucy, 10, and Edith, five) did spend a full year in the house. 'It was fantastic,’ Fitzwilliam-Lay recalls. 'Hugh had to do a lot of travelling because of work, but by being down there out of season we were able to feel like complete locals.’ The family still decamps to the house every summer, and friends have been invited to make good use of it. The property also has two guesthouses, each with two bedrooms.
During the summer months, family life is mostly outside, there are games of boules and tennis, and going to the beach. Baguette, cheese and rose wine lunches are enjoyed, often under a wisteria-covered iron pergola that runs alongside the house. 'In the summer it gives shade and in the winter it looks quite beautiful, all gnarled and knotted,’ Fitzwilliam-Lay says.
'It had been very unloved,’ Fitzwilliam-Lay says. There was glaringly white crazy paving in the car-park, and wild boar regularly dug up the garden. But she looked beyond the grotty decoration, pink pebbledash render and plastic chairs and started work bit by bit. Gradually the flooring was replaced with reclaimed paving stones and five of the 40 acres nearest the house were fenced to keep the boar out.
The family would visit during the summer months, and at the end of each holiday she would meet the builder to discuss what jobs could be done during the winter. It went on like this for nearly a decade. 'I don’t believe in fast design,’ she says. 'You can’t buy a life in a couple of months. Decorating takes time and consideration.’
The mas (Provencal farmhouse) sits high up in the hills above the beaches of St Tropez and has a winding drive that leads down to the entrance at the back of the property. Enter through floret-studded metal double doors, bought from a local chateau, to a hall busy with starburst mirrors (many of which were bought at Battersea Antiques Fair). 'I tend to go off on a theme,’ Fitzwilliam-Lay explains of the mirrored hall. Stone stairs lead up to five bedrooms on the first floor, including a master bedroom with en suite dressing-room and Carrara marble-tiled bathroom. From the entrance hall stairs also head down to an open-plan sitting- and dining-room and separate marble kitchen. Fitzwilliam-Lay didn’t really mess with the basic layout of the house, and maintained a warmth by using as much reclaimed material as possible. 'The tiles on the kitchen floor are reclaimed; we had to lay them out in the garden to see how they would work. All the doors are from a local salvage yard in Cogolin.’
Fitzwilliam-Lay has used an unorthodox approach to the interiors. 'I’m constantly fighting against falling into Provencal cliches,’ she says. 'And that’s hard because those cliches are so easy on the eye.’ There are no ochre walls, Louis-style furnishings or 'rustic’ French armoires. Although they are in a traditional style, the kitchen cupboards are painted black and the counter tops and splashbacks are slabs of Carrara marble. Bright white walls, decorative Moroccan tiles and a large industrial pendant light help make the breakfast room a bright and modern space. The colonial-style armchairs and deeply buttoned chesterfield sofas in the living-room are rather more west London than south of France.
When the work was nearly completed, she and the girls (Charlotte is now 14, Josephine, 12, Lucy, 10, and Edith, five) did spend a full year in the house. 'It was fantastic,’ Fitzwilliam-Lay recalls. 'Hugh had to do a lot of travelling because of work, but by being down there out of season we were able to feel like complete locals.’ The family still decamps to the house every summer, and friends have been invited to make good use of it. The property also has two guesthouses, each with two bedrooms.
During the summer months, family life is mostly outside, there are games of boules and tennis, and going to the beach. Baguette, cheese and rose wine lunches are enjoyed, often under a wisteria-covered iron pergola that runs alongside the house. 'In the summer it gives shade and in the winter it looks quite beautiful, all gnarled and knotted,’ Fitzwilliam-Lay says.
2012年3月11日星期日
Bardane villa model opens in La Caille at Quail West
McGarvey Custom Homes' Bardane villa model is now open and available for immediate purchase in the La Caille neighborhood of Quail West, the 1,180-acre master-planned private golf course community in North Naples.
The two-story great room floor plan offers 3,788 square feet under air and includes an oval-shaped foyer, four bedrooms, a study, staircase that leads up to the loft, three-and-a-half baths, a gourmet kitchen, a free-form pool, spa and landscaped pool deck and a covered outdoor living area.
The model includes an optional outdoor kitchen and fireplace as well as an optional wine cooler in the kitchen. The master suite has a sitting area that opens to the outdoor living area and offers golf course and water views.
The Bardane's interior was designed and executed by Tina Margrander, ASID, NCIDQ of KVS Interior Design.
Margrander's classic-transitional design style features a color palette that includes light, creamy backgrounds with pops of chocolate browns and aqua blues as well as gold and white contrasts. Tropical style art selections, including a piece by Quail West resident Carol Weber, brings additional color to the setting. A combination of classic and cleanlined furnishings mixes wood tones with painted pieces.
Ceramic tile floors, crown molding, distinctive ceiling treatments and other elegant features and finishes are found throughout the Bardane. The kitchen includes raised panel wood cabinetry, granite countertops, under-cabinet accent lighting and a Bosch stainless steel appliance package. Granite countertops are also found in the master bath along with his-and-her vanities, a tiled walk-in shower, a separate tub and his-and-her walk-in closets with built-in cabinets. The two second-floor guest suites include separate private baths.
The fully-furnished Bardane residence is priced at $1.536 million. The unfurnished Bardane floor plan is base priced at $1.195 million.
The Bardane is one of six La Caille single family villa floor plans at Quail West. Two additional models are under construction and nearing completion.
The 3,546-square-foot under air Florencia model is a courtyard home that is ideal for Southwest Florida's outdoor lifestyle. The fully furnished Florencia villa model is priced at $1.516 million, with options. The unfurnished Florencia floor plan is currently base priced at $1.215 million,
A third villa model under construction, the Avarone, is the first model to be built in La Caille Phase II. The 3,237-square-foot under air floor plan features a tower entry over a grand foyer that opens to the great room. The fully-furnished model with optional features is priced at $1.341 million. The floor plan is base priced at $1.04 million.
McGarvey Custom Homes' six La Caille floor plans range from 2,700 to 3,600 square feet and are priced from $895,000 to $1.589 million. A variety of layouts include single-story residences, two-story homes with balconies and terraces, and a courtyard design with a outdoor living area and cabana.
"The La Caille villas are a perfect selection for luxury homebuyers who are seeking a modestly sized single-family home that provides a maintenance-free and prestigious country club lifestyle," said McGarvey Custom Homes' Jim Hamilton. "We have designed and executed our villa residences to meet the expectations of sophisticated luxury buyers. The villa sales we've experienced to date at Quail West are an excellent measure of the degree to which we have met those expectations."
Three additional fully-furnished La Caille villa models are currently available for viewing.
The recently completed Cadera model is a great room design with 2,702 square feet under air, three bedrooms, a den, three-and-a-half baths, a tower entry, wet bar and an outdoor living area with a free-form pool, spa, landscaped pool deck, fireplace and outdoor kitchen. The interior was designed and executed by Faith Fix, ASID of Freestyle Interiors. Stone floors, crown molding and other features and finishes are found throughout the home.
The Cadera model is priced at $1,139,500 fully-furnished. The unfurnished Cadera floor plan is base priced at $895,000.
The Cipriani villa model features 2,965 square feet under air, three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and a study. A gated entry opens to the courtyard, a space that serves as an entrance and an outdoor living area. The tropical style interior was created by Edgar and Tiffany West The unfurnished Cipriani base floor plan is priced at $1.035 million.
The Domani villa model is a two-story residence with 3,612 square feet under air, three bedrooms, a study, three-and-a-half baths, an optional pool bath, two-and-a-half car garage, verandas on both levels and an outdoor living area. The interior was designed by KVS Interior Design's Kelli Sultan, ASID, NCIDQ. Her eclectic, traditional theme caters to comfort and ease as indicated by the see-through views of the pool, lake and golf course from the foyer. The unfurnished Domani floor plan is base priced at $1.23 million.
Quail West's featured builders include Castle Harbour Homes, Diamond Custom Homes, Florida Lifestyle Homes of Fort Myers, Imperial Homes of Southwest Florida, London Bay Homes, McGarvey Custom Homes, Robert D'Angelo Jr. Construction Company and Stock Construction.
In addition to the La Caille Villas, Quail West's mix of single-family luxury homes includes 4,500-square-foot and larger custom estate residences priced starting at $2 million and the Tamworth Collection, 24 floor plans and models ranging from 3,500 to 4,500 square feet.
The Club at Quail West is a member-controlled, debt-free club. The club's two 18-hole golf courses were designed by Arthur Hills. The club also offers a full-service spa and beauty salon, fitness center and a lagoon-style solarium pool. Tennis enthusiasts enjoy eight lighted red-clay, Hydro-Grid tennis courts. The Quail on the Beach Club provides right to use beach access and dining privileges at the facility. Quail West will be shared by 600 members.
The two-story great room floor plan offers 3,788 square feet under air and includes an oval-shaped foyer, four bedrooms, a study, staircase that leads up to the loft, three-and-a-half baths, a gourmet kitchen, a free-form pool, spa and landscaped pool deck and a covered outdoor living area.
The model includes an optional outdoor kitchen and fireplace as well as an optional wine cooler in the kitchen. The master suite has a sitting area that opens to the outdoor living area and offers golf course and water views.
The Bardane's interior was designed and executed by Tina Margrander, ASID, NCIDQ of KVS Interior Design.
Margrander's classic-transitional design style features a color palette that includes light, creamy backgrounds with pops of chocolate browns and aqua blues as well as gold and white contrasts. Tropical style art selections, including a piece by Quail West resident Carol Weber, brings additional color to the setting. A combination of classic and cleanlined furnishings mixes wood tones with painted pieces.
Ceramic tile floors, crown molding, distinctive ceiling treatments and other elegant features and finishes are found throughout the Bardane. The kitchen includes raised panel wood cabinetry, granite countertops, under-cabinet accent lighting and a Bosch stainless steel appliance package. Granite countertops are also found in the master bath along with his-and-her vanities, a tiled walk-in shower, a separate tub and his-and-her walk-in closets with built-in cabinets. The two second-floor guest suites include separate private baths.
The fully-furnished Bardane residence is priced at $1.536 million. The unfurnished Bardane floor plan is base priced at $1.195 million.
The Bardane is one of six La Caille single family villa floor plans at Quail West. Two additional models are under construction and nearing completion.
The 3,546-square-foot under air Florencia model is a courtyard home that is ideal for Southwest Florida's outdoor lifestyle. The fully furnished Florencia villa model is priced at $1.516 million, with options. The unfurnished Florencia floor plan is currently base priced at $1.215 million,
A third villa model under construction, the Avarone, is the first model to be built in La Caille Phase II. The 3,237-square-foot under air floor plan features a tower entry over a grand foyer that opens to the great room. The fully-furnished model with optional features is priced at $1.341 million. The floor plan is base priced at $1.04 million.
McGarvey Custom Homes' six La Caille floor plans range from 2,700 to 3,600 square feet and are priced from $895,000 to $1.589 million. A variety of layouts include single-story residences, two-story homes with balconies and terraces, and a courtyard design with a outdoor living area and cabana.
"The La Caille villas are a perfect selection for luxury homebuyers who are seeking a modestly sized single-family home that provides a maintenance-free and prestigious country club lifestyle," said McGarvey Custom Homes' Jim Hamilton. "We have designed and executed our villa residences to meet the expectations of sophisticated luxury buyers. The villa sales we've experienced to date at Quail West are an excellent measure of the degree to which we have met those expectations."
Three additional fully-furnished La Caille villa models are currently available for viewing.
The recently completed Cadera model is a great room design with 2,702 square feet under air, three bedrooms, a den, three-and-a-half baths, a tower entry, wet bar and an outdoor living area with a free-form pool, spa, landscaped pool deck, fireplace and outdoor kitchen. The interior was designed and executed by Faith Fix, ASID of Freestyle Interiors. Stone floors, crown molding and other features and finishes are found throughout the home.
The Cadera model is priced at $1,139,500 fully-furnished. The unfurnished Cadera floor plan is base priced at $895,000.
The Cipriani villa model features 2,965 square feet under air, three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and a study. A gated entry opens to the courtyard, a space that serves as an entrance and an outdoor living area. The tropical style interior was created by Edgar and Tiffany West The unfurnished Cipriani base floor plan is priced at $1.035 million.
The Domani villa model is a two-story residence with 3,612 square feet under air, three bedrooms, a study, three-and-a-half baths, an optional pool bath, two-and-a-half car garage, verandas on both levels and an outdoor living area. The interior was designed by KVS Interior Design's Kelli Sultan, ASID, NCIDQ. Her eclectic, traditional theme caters to comfort and ease as indicated by the see-through views of the pool, lake and golf course from the foyer. The unfurnished Domani floor plan is base priced at $1.23 million.
Quail West's featured builders include Castle Harbour Homes, Diamond Custom Homes, Florida Lifestyle Homes of Fort Myers, Imperial Homes of Southwest Florida, London Bay Homes, McGarvey Custom Homes, Robert D'Angelo Jr. Construction Company and Stock Construction.
In addition to the La Caille Villas, Quail West's mix of single-family luxury homes includes 4,500-square-foot and larger custom estate residences priced starting at $2 million and the Tamworth Collection, 24 floor plans and models ranging from 3,500 to 4,500 square feet.
The Club at Quail West is a member-controlled, debt-free club. The club's two 18-hole golf courses were designed by Arthur Hills. The club also offers a full-service spa and beauty salon, fitness center and a lagoon-style solarium pool. Tennis enthusiasts enjoy eight lighted red-clay, Hydro-Grid tennis courts. The Quail on the Beach Club provides right to use beach access and dining privileges at the facility. Quail West will be shared by 600 members.
2012年3月8日星期四
Tile Makers Creating Orion Shield
Workers recently began cutting and coating the first thermal protection system tiles - part of the heat shield that will protect an Orion spacecraft during an upcoming flight test which will simulate the re-entry speed and heating of returning from deep space.
The tiles are made of the same material and coating as those used on the space shuttle's belly. On Orion, however, the tiles will be placed along the sides and top of the conical spacecraft. A separate heat shield akin to the ablative design used during Apollo is being developed to protect the bottom of the spacecraft, which will encounter the highest temperatures.
The manufacturing work at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., marks an important time in the progression of the spacecraft following the shuttle's retirement in 2011, said Thermal Protection System, or TPS, engineers Joy Huff and Sarah Cox.
"We're making something that's going to fly again, which is what we were doing for years," Huff said.
There are about 40 people involved in the tile work: 20 to make the tiles and 20 to install them.
"We're at the starting line," Cox said. "It's going to take some time to get all the parts fabricated."
The same shop that manufactured space shuttle tiles will make the 1,300 tiles needed for the Orion flight.
It is not fast work. In fact, workers will spend about 11 months shaping the insulating blocks and laying on a heat-resistant, ceramic coating. They use a 5-axis mill loaded with precise dimensions to cut blank tiles to their shapes. So far, the shop has finished 33 tiles.
Many of the tiles will have special cutouts for instruments to collect data during the flight test. Many fewer cutouts will be needed for future missions.
In an advancement from the shuttle days, each tile's dimensions are sent over digitally from Orion builder Lockheed Martin and the final tile is photographed with a 3-D camera so computers can fit the pieces together virtually before they are placed together physically, Huff said. The details are far more exact than in the past.
"They've had such good success that (technicians) are going to eliminate one pre-fit step," Huff said.
The comparisons with the tile work for the space shuttles are plentiful. For example, the smaller Orion uses tiles that average 8-inches by 8-inches compared to the shuttle's 6-inches by 6-inches. Also, Orion's design allows for many of the tiles to be the same dimensions with the same part number, but each shuttle tile was a unique configuration unto itself, with individual part numbers.
"That's a huge improvement over shuttle," Huff said. "Even having nine or 10 of the same part is a big improvement."
Perhaps the biggest comparison, though, is the sheer number of tiles involved. A space shuttle heat shield required more than 23,000 tiles to the Orion's 1,300.
"It's smaller, so there's less parts," Cox said.
However, Orion's tiles will be used only once because the spacecraft will splashdown in the ocean, drenching the absorbent tiles. That means that technicians will make and install all 1,300 tiles between Orion missions. Shuttles required 100 to 150 new tiles between flights, Cox said.
Technicians who applied the tiles for the shuttle will bond Orion's tiles, too. That work will start sometime in the summer. The tiles will be connected to nine panels that will be connected to the spacecraft to make the outer skin of the spacecraft.
Although it's a new spacecraft with a new mission, it still calls for many of the same skills the work force at Kennedy used for 30 years of shuttle preparation.
Orion is expected to see significantly hotter re-entry temperatures because it will be slowing down from about 25,000 mph when returning from the moon or some other deep space destination. Space shuttles used their heat shields to slow down from about 17,000 mph, the speed required to stay in orbit around Earth.
"The heat shield has been a very technological challenge and it will continue to be," said Huff, who has been working Orion's TPS development since 2005.
To get to this point, when tiles are being cut that will be used on a mission in space, has given the project more of a sense of being real, the engineers said. They know there is plenty of hard work ahead, but they are happy to see it start.
The tiles are made of the same material and coating as those used on the space shuttle's belly. On Orion, however, the tiles will be placed along the sides and top of the conical spacecraft. A separate heat shield akin to the ablative design used during Apollo is being developed to protect the bottom of the spacecraft, which will encounter the highest temperatures.
The manufacturing work at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., marks an important time in the progression of the spacecraft following the shuttle's retirement in 2011, said Thermal Protection System, or TPS, engineers Joy Huff and Sarah Cox.
"We're making something that's going to fly again, which is what we were doing for years," Huff said.
There are about 40 people involved in the tile work: 20 to make the tiles and 20 to install them.
"We're at the starting line," Cox said. "It's going to take some time to get all the parts fabricated."
The same shop that manufactured space shuttle tiles will make the 1,300 tiles needed for the Orion flight.
It is not fast work. In fact, workers will spend about 11 months shaping the insulating blocks and laying on a heat-resistant, ceramic coating. They use a 5-axis mill loaded with precise dimensions to cut blank tiles to their shapes. So far, the shop has finished 33 tiles.
Many of the tiles will have special cutouts for instruments to collect data during the flight test. Many fewer cutouts will be needed for future missions.
In an advancement from the shuttle days, each tile's dimensions are sent over digitally from Orion builder Lockheed Martin and the final tile is photographed with a 3-D camera so computers can fit the pieces together virtually before they are placed together physically, Huff said. The details are far more exact than in the past.
"They've had such good success that (technicians) are going to eliminate one pre-fit step," Huff said.
The comparisons with the tile work for the space shuttles are plentiful. For example, the smaller Orion uses tiles that average 8-inches by 8-inches compared to the shuttle's 6-inches by 6-inches. Also, Orion's design allows for many of the tiles to be the same dimensions with the same part number, but each shuttle tile was a unique configuration unto itself, with individual part numbers.
"That's a huge improvement over shuttle," Huff said. "Even having nine or 10 of the same part is a big improvement."
Perhaps the biggest comparison, though, is the sheer number of tiles involved. A space shuttle heat shield required more than 23,000 tiles to the Orion's 1,300.
"It's smaller, so there's less parts," Cox said.
However, Orion's tiles will be used only once because the spacecraft will splashdown in the ocean, drenching the absorbent tiles. That means that technicians will make and install all 1,300 tiles between Orion missions. Shuttles required 100 to 150 new tiles between flights, Cox said.
Technicians who applied the tiles for the shuttle will bond Orion's tiles, too. That work will start sometime in the summer. The tiles will be connected to nine panels that will be connected to the spacecraft to make the outer skin of the spacecraft.
Although it's a new spacecraft with a new mission, it still calls for many of the same skills the work force at Kennedy used for 30 years of shuttle preparation.
Orion is expected to see significantly hotter re-entry temperatures because it will be slowing down from about 25,000 mph when returning from the moon or some other deep space destination. Space shuttles used their heat shields to slow down from about 17,000 mph, the speed required to stay in orbit around Earth.
"The heat shield has been a very technological challenge and it will continue to be," said Huff, who has been working Orion's TPS development since 2005.
To get to this point, when tiles are being cut that will be used on a mission in space, has given the project more of a sense of being real, the engineers said. They know there is plenty of hard work ahead, but they are happy to see it start.
2012年3月7日星期三
Work that sexy cement floor
Cement floors in painted, stained, coloured and personalised glory are appearing in homes, trendy restaurants, retail stores and modern office blocks. Not only do they protect your surfaces but they transform the space and add aesthetic appeal.
As with all trends we want to hold onto them for as long as possible so we give them a twist.
When most of us think of cement flooring, a garage comes to mind.
Modern trends in cement flooring have made these foundations much too pretty for simply parking your car. With a plethora of colours and styles and a durability that can't be beaten, it makes sense that cement is moving to the top of the pack in flooring choices.
However, these cement floors do need to be painted in order for them to be protected against foot traffic and the elements.
When it comes to flooring, think ‘barefoot luxury. It’s all about texture and sensuality and the preference of feeling a solid cement floor.
“Painting cement floors can transform the space, bringing new life to both interior and exterior areas,” says Simon Stekhoven, CEO of Duram paints, innovation-driven paint developer and manufacturer of decorative paints and protective coatings.
Local manufacturer Duram Paint suggests why you should consider cement flooring as it’s easy to clean and maintain, highly resistant and durable as well as easy to change especially if you sell your home whereby the next owner can place carpet or wood on top of the cement slab. It’s also an excellent alternative to carpet if you have allergies.
Gone are those patios that fade, chalk or yellow and here’s to a new range of earthy colours — white, platinum, flagstone, slate, burnt red and forest green — that add a distinctive style to the area.
A newcomer to South Africa’s paint industry, Duram Showfloor is an attractive long-lasting cement floor paint using the latest in water-based technology yet with polyurethane properties and performance to ensure enhanced weather/ UV protection and help enhance resistance to impact, wear and abrasion.
The Showfloor range is ideal for residential or commercial floors, in or outdoors and on either new or previously painted cement. Preferred areas include showrooms, restaurants, kitchens, patios, garages as well as light industrial floors.
Unlike other paints, Duram Showfloor is a range that comes in a user-friendly single pack so there’s no measuring or mixing or special skills or equipment for its application.
The Showfloor range is made up of a cleaner and greaser as well as a cement floor primer applied prior to the innovative polyurethane top coat that leaves a luxurious medium sheen finish.
“The beauty of this range - that uses the very latest polyurethane technology from Germany - is that it is an easy to apply, affordable and durable way of painting floors.” says Simon Stekhoven, CEO of Duram.
In addition to its decorative advantages, this low maintenance water-based paint is UV, weather, chemical and stain resistant, low odour, non-toxic as well as heavy metal and lead-free.
As with all trends we want to hold onto them for as long as possible so we give them a twist.
When most of us think of cement flooring, a garage comes to mind.
Modern trends in cement flooring have made these foundations much too pretty for simply parking your car. With a plethora of colours and styles and a durability that can't be beaten, it makes sense that cement is moving to the top of the pack in flooring choices.
However, these cement floors do need to be painted in order for them to be protected against foot traffic and the elements.
When it comes to flooring, think ‘barefoot luxury. It’s all about texture and sensuality and the preference of feeling a solid cement floor.
“Painting cement floors can transform the space, bringing new life to both interior and exterior areas,” says Simon Stekhoven, CEO of Duram paints, innovation-driven paint developer and manufacturer of decorative paints and protective coatings.
Local manufacturer Duram Paint suggests why you should consider cement flooring as it’s easy to clean and maintain, highly resistant and durable as well as easy to change especially if you sell your home whereby the next owner can place carpet or wood on top of the cement slab. It’s also an excellent alternative to carpet if you have allergies.
Gone are those patios that fade, chalk or yellow and here’s to a new range of earthy colours — white, platinum, flagstone, slate, burnt red and forest green — that add a distinctive style to the area.
A newcomer to South Africa’s paint industry, Duram Showfloor is an attractive long-lasting cement floor paint using the latest in water-based technology yet with polyurethane properties and performance to ensure enhanced weather/ UV protection and help enhance resistance to impact, wear and abrasion.
The Showfloor range is ideal for residential or commercial floors, in or outdoors and on either new or previously painted cement. Preferred areas include showrooms, restaurants, kitchens, patios, garages as well as light industrial floors.
Unlike other paints, Duram Showfloor is a range that comes in a user-friendly single pack so there’s no measuring or mixing or special skills or equipment for its application.
The Showfloor range is made up of a cleaner and greaser as well as a cement floor primer applied prior to the innovative polyurethane top coat that leaves a luxurious medium sheen finish.
“The beauty of this range - that uses the very latest polyurethane technology from Germany - is that it is an easy to apply, affordable and durable way of painting floors.” says Simon Stekhoven, CEO of Duram.
In addition to its decorative advantages, this low maintenance water-based paint is UV, weather, chemical and stain resistant, low odour, non-toxic as well as heavy metal and lead-free.
2012年3月6日星期二
Mannington Mills buys United Kingdom-based flooring manufacturer Amtico International
In a move that broadens its U.S. manufacturing base and global reach, local flooring manufacturer Mannington Mills announced Monday that it has acquired United Kingdom-based Amtico International, a manufacturer of high-quality luxury vinyl flooring products.
“This is a huge opportunity for Mannington,” said Keith Campbell, chairman of the board of Mannington Mills.
“It’s exciting because it opens up the opportunity for Mannington products to be sold worldwide.”
The purchase price was not disclosed.
Luxury vinyl tile is the fasted-growing segment in the flooring industry both in the residential and commercial markets, according to Campbell.
The acquisition of Amtico will allow Mannington to manufacture luxury vinyl tile in the U.S. It will also open up opportunities for Mannington to sell its products in markets were Amtico already has an established presence including throughout Europe and in the future in emerging markets in South America and along the Pacific Rim, according to Campbell.
“It makes us an international player. It will naturally allow us to expand into Amtico’s marketplace.”
Campbell also said the acquisition of Amtico will also help Mannington better weather downturns in the economy like what the U.S. has experienced in the past few years.
“Companies with a global presence have been able to weather the storm better,” he said.
Mannington has been in the luxury vinyl tile business for more than seven years, but imported the product from China. Monday’s move will allow Mannington to shift production of the tile back to the U.S. at plants currently operated by Amtico in Georgia. Production would also continue at Amtico’s plant in Coventry, England.
“We looked at the (luxury vinyl tile) market increasing and wanted to manufacture luxury vinyl tile ourselves and we certainly wanted to manufacture it in the U.S.” Campbell said.
Campbell said Amtico became available for sale and “we stepped up.”
The acquisition of Amtico makes Mannington the world’s largest manufacturer of luxury vinyl tile.
Mannington Mills one of the largest and oldest flooring manufacturers in the United States. It makes and markets residential and commercial resilient, laminate, hardwood and porcelain tile floors, as well as commercial carpet and rubber.
Amtico will maintain its brand identity and become a Mannington subsidiary. Current operations at all Amtico locations will continue, company officials said.
Mannington was founded in Salem City in 1915 by John Campbell and today Keith Campbell is the fourth generation of his family to run the privately-held company.
Mannington Mills employs more than 1,700 people at its corporate headquarters and manufacturing plant here and at six other sites in the South and in California.
Amtico International, based in Coventry, England is the world’s leading luxury vinyl tile company.
It manufactures luxury vinyl tile in its U.S. and United Kingdom plants and sells around the world under the “Amtico” and “Spacia” brands.
Amtico International, which employs more than 600 people — 200 in the U.S. and 400 in Europe — was founded in 1965 and became an independent business in 1995, owned by its management and outside investors.
“We look forward to being part of the Mannington organization,” said Jonathan Duck, CEO, Amtico International, “and bringing together a wider product range, local manufacturing and excellent design for the benefit of all our customers. This really is a great fit between two companies.”
“Amtico has long been recognized as the design, innovation, and performance leader in the luxury vinyl flooring category,” said Mannington Mills President and CEO Russell Grizzle.
“Its commitment to quality, customer service, sustainability and delivering exceptional value to the market fits seamlessly with Mannington’s core values.”
“This is a huge opportunity for Mannington,” said Keith Campbell, chairman of the board of Mannington Mills.
“It’s exciting because it opens up the opportunity for Mannington products to be sold worldwide.”
The purchase price was not disclosed.
Luxury vinyl tile is the fasted-growing segment in the flooring industry both in the residential and commercial markets, according to Campbell.
The acquisition of Amtico will allow Mannington to manufacture luxury vinyl tile in the U.S. It will also open up opportunities for Mannington to sell its products in markets were Amtico already has an established presence including throughout Europe and in the future in emerging markets in South America and along the Pacific Rim, according to Campbell.
“It makes us an international player. It will naturally allow us to expand into Amtico’s marketplace.”
Campbell also said the acquisition of Amtico will also help Mannington better weather downturns in the economy like what the U.S. has experienced in the past few years.
“Companies with a global presence have been able to weather the storm better,” he said.
Mannington has been in the luxury vinyl tile business for more than seven years, but imported the product from China. Monday’s move will allow Mannington to shift production of the tile back to the U.S. at plants currently operated by Amtico in Georgia. Production would also continue at Amtico’s plant in Coventry, England.
“We looked at the (luxury vinyl tile) market increasing and wanted to manufacture luxury vinyl tile ourselves and we certainly wanted to manufacture it in the U.S.” Campbell said.
Campbell said Amtico became available for sale and “we stepped up.”
The acquisition of Amtico makes Mannington the world’s largest manufacturer of luxury vinyl tile.
Mannington Mills one of the largest and oldest flooring manufacturers in the United States. It makes and markets residential and commercial resilient, laminate, hardwood and porcelain tile floors, as well as commercial carpet and rubber.
Amtico will maintain its brand identity and become a Mannington subsidiary. Current operations at all Amtico locations will continue, company officials said.
Mannington was founded in Salem City in 1915 by John Campbell and today Keith Campbell is the fourth generation of his family to run the privately-held company.
Mannington Mills employs more than 1,700 people at its corporate headquarters and manufacturing plant here and at six other sites in the South and in California.
Amtico International, based in Coventry, England is the world’s leading luxury vinyl tile company.
It manufactures luxury vinyl tile in its U.S. and United Kingdom plants and sells around the world under the “Amtico” and “Spacia” brands.
Amtico International, which employs more than 600 people — 200 in the U.S. and 400 in Europe — was founded in 1965 and became an independent business in 1995, owned by its management and outside investors.
“We look forward to being part of the Mannington organization,” said Jonathan Duck, CEO, Amtico International, “and bringing together a wider product range, local manufacturing and excellent design for the benefit of all our customers. This really is a great fit between two companies.”
“Amtico has long been recognized as the design, innovation, and performance leader in the luxury vinyl flooring category,” said Mannington Mills President and CEO Russell Grizzle.
“Its commitment to quality, customer service, sustainability and delivering exceptional value to the market fits seamlessly with Mannington’s core values.”
2012年3月5日星期一
New designs for the old
Considering that old age is inevitable, it is strange that so little thought is given to making living spaces elderly-friendly. Failing eyesight, slower reflexes, weaker bones and tentative grip are issues that we all succumb to with advancing years. So making houses barrier-free, accident-proof and easy-to-access make more sense than unsightly and ad hoc additions to the building as the years go by.
Subtle is beautiful. Right from floor plans to storage spaces, creating friendly spaces for the aged is possible without using overt and patronising fixtures. “Ideally, this should be incorporated into the design,” says architect Anuradha Naresh Rao, Aprobuild Architects.
“Right from the point of entry at the gate, have a gentle ramp leading up to the house,” suggests architect Sriram Ganapathi, KSM Consultants.
Try to accomodate the bedroom of the elderly person in a quiet spot of the house, with a view of the street. “At the same time, this room must be well-connected with the rest of the house so that the person can see and hear what is going on. On the other hand, a cry for help should also not go unheard,” says architect Pradeep Varma of Varsha and Pradeep Architects.
Along walkways, grip support in the form of pillars, seats and other structures can be installed rather than plain railings. Consider the grip bar that Aprobuild designed: a granite fence post embedded horizontally on the walls, which blends with the décor. Coating the granite grip bar with a layer of resin can help keep it moss-free, informs Anuradha. Provide grip supports in all spaces, especially the kitchen, washroom, and by the water closets and basins. Placing a cuddapah or granite seat under the shower would also facilitate a comfortable, seated shower or bath. “It is good to have hand railings along both edges of the stairway. When you have to stand aside and give way, this will provide a support to hold on to,” says Pradeep.
The shiny, smooth vitrified tiles that have become so popular now, are unnerving for most elders.
Moreover, if you walk for long on it, it hurts your knee or back, because you have to strain your body to retain grip when walking on the smooth surface. “Anti-skid, matt finish are advisable,” says Sumitra Vasudevan, Aprobuild. Also, maintain the same flooring material throughout the house.
If there are level differences in the floor, highlight it with colour or textural changes, so that an elderly person does not miss noticing the step. “Introduce a textural change just before it too, which alerts the elderly person of the step, because they may not be able to see as well as they can feel. Inputs from the two senses can work better than input from just one,” suggests Sriram. “Don't settle for a one-step level difference. If there are two or three steps, the level difference is difficult to miss,” mentions Pradeep.
Provide for good ventilation and natural lighting within the house, as elders are not going to get adequate exposure of the outdoors. If space permits, an open courtyard within the house can be a blessing, allowing housebound elders to experience the outdoors.
“A track of (low energy consuming) LED lights at a height of one and half feet from the floor level, can help light the way during elders' nightly walks to the washroom or other places,” suggests Anuradha. Ironically, toilets, the space most often associated with slips and falls get allotted dim bulbs. Have adequate lighting in the washrooms.
Doors should open into the room, rather than into the bathroom. “It is difficult to manoeuvre a wheel chair within the bathroom, to create space to swing the door shut. And from a wheelchair, it is easier to pull than to push,” says Sriram. For windows, sliding doors are easier to handle than pull-push doors.
Storage spaces such as shelves and drawers shouldn't be below the counter, because bending to take out things gets difficult with age. Having drawers is a better option. Remarks Sriram, “It is very trendy to have low-slung furniture, as it generates a sense of space; but when you sit on it, the knee bend is above the hip level, and aging knees find it a tough proposition to lift their own weight from a lower level.”
Subtle is beautiful. Right from floor plans to storage spaces, creating friendly spaces for the aged is possible without using overt and patronising fixtures. “Ideally, this should be incorporated into the design,” says architect Anuradha Naresh Rao, Aprobuild Architects.
“Right from the point of entry at the gate, have a gentle ramp leading up to the house,” suggests architect Sriram Ganapathi, KSM Consultants.
Try to accomodate the bedroom of the elderly person in a quiet spot of the house, with a view of the street. “At the same time, this room must be well-connected with the rest of the house so that the person can see and hear what is going on. On the other hand, a cry for help should also not go unheard,” says architect Pradeep Varma of Varsha and Pradeep Architects.
Along walkways, grip support in the form of pillars, seats and other structures can be installed rather than plain railings. Consider the grip bar that Aprobuild designed: a granite fence post embedded horizontally on the walls, which blends with the décor. Coating the granite grip bar with a layer of resin can help keep it moss-free, informs Anuradha. Provide grip supports in all spaces, especially the kitchen, washroom, and by the water closets and basins. Placing a cuddapah or granite seat under the shower would also facilitate a comfortable, seated shower or bath. “It is good to have hand railings along both edges of the stairway. When you have to stand aside and give way, this will provide a support to hold on to,” says Pradeep.
The shiny, smooth vitrified tiles that have become so popular now, are unnerving for most elders.
Moreover, if you walk for long on it, it hurts your knee or back, because you have to strain your body to retain grip when walking on the smooth surface. “Anti-skid, matt finish are advisable,” says Sumitra Vasudevan, Aprobuild. Also, maintain the same flooring material throughout the house.
If there are level differences in the floor, highlight it with colour or textural changes, so that an elderly person does not miss noticing the step. “Introduce a textural change just before it too, which alerts the elderly person of the step, because they may not be able to see as well as they can feel. Inputs from the two senses can work better than input from just one,” suggests Sriram. “Don't settle for a one-step level difference. If there are two or three steps, the level difference is difficult to miss,” mentions Pradeep.
Provide for good ventilation and natural lighting within the house, as elders are not going to get adequate exposure of the outdoors. If space permits, an open courtyard within the house can be a blessing, allowing housebound elders to experience the outdoors.
“A track of (low energy consuming) LED lights at a height of one and half feet from the floor level, can help light the way during elders' nightly walks to the washroom or other places,” suggests Anuradha. Ironically, toilets, the space most often associated with slips and falls get allotted dim bulbs. Have adequate lighting in the washrooms.
Doors should open into the room, rather than into the bathroom. “It is difficult to manoeuvre a wheel chair within the bathroom, to create space to swing the door shut. And from a wheelchair, it is easier to pull than to push,” says Sriram. For windows, sliding doors are easier to handle than pull-push doors.
Storage spaces such as shelves and drawers shouldn't be below the counter, because bending to take out things gets difficult with age. Having drawers is a better option. Remarks Sriram, “It is very trendy to have low-slung furniture, as it generates a sense of space; but when you sit on it, the knee bend is above the hip level, and aging knees find it a tough proposition to lift their own weight from a lower level.”
2012年3月4日星期日
Trying to save bucks during Formula One visit?
Looking for a way to make some bucks over Formula One's inaugural race weekend in November?
You might try what Tip and Joy Giles are considering. They're talking about turning the side yard of their Southwest Austin home into a campground for a few days. Hey, with motel room rates reaching $500 for that weekend, why not provide a low-budget alternative?
"We were thinking about it, and my wife said maybe what we ought to do is rent out parcels of our land for tent camping, and that's how it got started," Tip said. "It started out as a joke."
And it may continue as a joke. Tip and Joy, who are retired schoolteachers, live in Tanglewood Forest, and Tanglewood Forest has a neighborhood association. And you know how those people are. Tip said they occasionally take pictures of uglified yards. And you can imagine the stir if a bunch of European motor monkeys are out there yodeling and carrying on.
"One of my neighbors is on the neighborhood board," Tip said. "I haven't run it by him yet, but I'm sure he'll look at me and say, ‘You're kidding, right?' And I'll say, ‘Well yeah, sort of.'"
"We'll call hell, and if hell freezes over, we'll do it," Joy said.
Meanwhile, Tip and Joy have come up with a rate structure for those who want to pitch a tent in their side yard, a standard 125-by-55-foot yard with a cedar fence running through the middle. Tip figures the yard would probably accommodate six couples. Staying in the front section would be cheaper than the back section, since it's closer to the street and traffic noise.
With no amenities except for use of the land, you're looking at $50 a night per person. Access to the garden hose jacks it up to $75 a night per guest. Add use of the extension cord, and you're looking at $100 a night. Isn't that a little steep? "If they can get $450 a night at Motel 6, we can at least get $200 for camping with a water hose," Tip said.
And that's not all. "For an extra $25 a day, we will include a continental breakfast — Twinkies and juice — and nightly entertainment — me playing my guitar on the our backyard deck," Tip said.
We're talking about fresh Twinkies, too. "The Twinkies will be within the shelf life," Tip said. What is the shelf life on a Twinkie? About two millennia?
There would be an additional fee for camping under the yard's arbor, a small open-air structure with a tile floor, a ceramic fish for decoration, a bench for sitting and a roof.
"That would be an added charge because you're covered," Tip said. "That hot November sun can be tough."
I hope the neighborhood association goes for it. These two folks did their time educating our kids. Tip taught at Menchaca and Odom elementary schools for a total of 25 years, with an additional five years in Del Valle and Fredericksburg, and Joy taught history for 30 years at Lockhart High. So they deserve a little economic bump, right?
This is not the first time the Gileses have been involved in a lark. They were in a loose-knit group called the Austin Non-Jog.
In April 1980, the group gathered in the morning along the route of the Capitol 10,000 race, handing out beer to the runners as they went by. Some joggers appreciated the handout. Others got their jockstraps in a twist.
I was covering the race that day. Tip said he offered me a beer. He said I told him, "No thanks, I have my bourbon," and that I had a flask in my back pocket. I don't remember that part of it. Maybe because I had a flask in my back pocket.
Anyway, it's a nice yard with plenty of healthy eats for campers. Joy grows lots of organic vegetables and fruits: Swiss chard, onions, plums, all sorts of greenery.
And if you want to use the bathroom, I guess you could go next door and bother the neighbors.
You might try what Tip and Joy Giles are considering. They're talking about turning the side yard of their Southwest Austin home into a campground for a few days. Hey, with motel room rates reaching $500 for that weekend, why not provide a low-budget alternative?
"We were thinking about it, and my wife said maybe what we ought to do is rent out parcels of our land for tent camping, and that's how it got started," Tip said. "It started out as a joke."
And it may continue as a joke. Tip and Joy, who are retired schoolteachers, live in Tanglewood Forest, and Tanglewood Forest has a neighborhood association. And you know how those people are. Tip said they occasionally take pictures of uglified yards. And you can imagine the stir if a bunch of European motor monkeys are out there yodeling and carrying on.
"One of my neighbors is on the neighborhood board," Tip said. "I haven't run it by him yet, but I'm sure he'll look at me and say, ‘You're kidding, right?' And I'll say, ‘Well yeah, sort of.'"
"We'll call hell, and if hell freezes over, we'll do it," Joy said.
Meanwhile, Tip and Joy have come up with a rate structure for those who want to pitch a tent in their side yard, a standard 125-by-55-foot yard with a cedar fence running through the middle. Tip figures the yard would probably accommodate six couples. Staying in the front section would be cheaper than the back section, since it's closer to the street and traffic noise.
With no amenities except for use of the land, you're looking at $50 a night per person. Access to the garden hose jacks it up to $75 a night per guest. Add use of the extension cord, and you're looking at $100 a night. Isn't that a little steep? "If they can get $450 a night at Motel 6, we can at least get $200 for camping with a water hose," Tip said.
And that's not all. "For an extra $25 a day, we will include a continental breakfast — Twinkies and juice — and nightly entertainment — me playing my guitar on the our backyard deck," Tip said.
We're talking about fresh Twinkies, too. "The Twinkies will be within the shelf life," Tip said. What is the shelf life on a Twinkie? About two millennia?
There would be an additional fee for camping under the yard's arbor, a small open-air structure with a tile floor, a ceramic fish for decoration, a bench for sitting and a roof.
"That would be an added charge because you're covered," Tip said. "That hot November sun can be tough."
I hope the neighborhood association goes for it. These two folks did their time educating our kids. Tip taught at Menchaca and Odom elementary schools for a total of 25 years, with an additional five years in Del Valle and Fredericksburg, and Joy taught history for 30 years at Lockhart High. So they deserve a little economic bump, right?
This is not the first time the Gileses have been involved in a lark. They were in a loose-knit group called the Austin Non-Jog.
In April 1980, the group gathered in the morning along the route of the Capitol 10,000 race, handing out beer to the runners as they went by. Some joggers appreciated the handout. Others got their jockstraps in a twist.
I was covering the race that day. Tip said he offered me a beer. He said I told him, "No thanks, I have my bourbon," and that I had a flask in my back pocket. I don't remember that part of it. Maybe because I had a flask in my back pocket.
Anyway, it's a nice yard with plenty of healthy eats for campers. Joy grows lots of organic vegetables and fruits: Swiss chard, onions, plums, all sorts of greenery.
And if you want to use the bathroom, I guess you could go next door and bother the neighbors.
2012年3月1日星期四
Design flexibility in Laurel condos
Plenty of older homeowners would love to ditch their household chores, including shoveling snow or mowing the lawn, but many think they can’t afford to move into a brand-new home. At Legacy at Cherry Tree, homeowners age 55 and older can purchase a condominium from Ryan Homes within an active-adult community starting at $199,990.
Legacy at Cherry Tree, in Laurel in Maryland’s Howard County, offers a low-maintenance lifestyle along with amenities designed to keep residents socially and physically active. The development has a clubhouse with a fitness center and space for community activities.
For those who enjoy walking, Legacy at Cherry Tree has plenty of green, open space and is within walking distance of a grocery store and other conveniences. In addition, the shops, restaurants and entertainment venues of Maple Lawn are within a short drive.
Residents who commute to work or want to enjoy cultural and recreational activities will find the location near Route 29 and Route 216, two miles from Interstate 95, convenient to Columbia, Baltimore and the District.
The Hampton Court condominiums at Legacy at Cherry Tree each have approximately 1,400 finished square feet with two bedrooms and two full baths. Ryan Homes is offering buyers a choice of $3,000 toward closing costs or an upgraded kitchen. Monthly condominium fees are $245.
The brick-and-siding midrise buildings at Legacy at Cherry Tree include elevators. Each home has a patio or balcony. Inside, the homes have 9-foot ceilings, hardwood flooring in the foyer and ceramic tile flooring in the baths. The kitchen has 42-inch cabinets.
Each home has a foyer entrance with a coat closet and a storage closet. The foyer offers a glimpse of the open floor plan, which includes a dining area and a living room with three floor-to-ceiling windows facing the balcony or patio. The kitchen includes a pantry, a closet with a side-by-side washer and dryer and a breakfast bar that opens to the living room. Buyers can add a gas fireplace in the corner and a built-in entertainment center.
A decorative column defines the sunroom, which has a glass door that opens onto the balcony or patio. Buyers can convert the sunroom to a formal dining room, a study with French doors or even a third bedroom.
The master-bedroom suite includes a walk-in closet and a standard closet and has two windows. The master bath has a linen closet. Buyers can choose to add a second sink and replace the combination tub and shower with an oversized shower. An optional luxury bath features a soaking tub and separate shower.
The second bedroom, on the opposite side of the living areas, has a standard closet and a private door leading to the adjacent hall bath. The bath has a combination tub and shower and a linen closet, but buyers can convert the tub into a larger shower.
Another option for the upper-level Hampton Court models is to add cathedral ceilings to the master suite and the living area or a loft that overlooks the living area. Buyers also can add recessed lighting and ceiling fans to their home.
Legacy at Cherry Tree, in Laurel in Maryland’s Howard County, offers a low-maintenance lifestyle along with amenities designed to keep residents socially and physically active. The development has a clubhouse with a fitness center and space for community activities.
For those who enjoy walking, Legacy at Cherry Tree has plenty of green, open space and is within walking distance of a grocery store and other conveniences. In addition, the shops, restaurants and entertainment venues of Maple Lawn are within a short drive.
Residents who commute to work or want to enjoy cultural and recreational activities will find the location near Route 29 and Route 216, two miles from Interstate 95, convenient to Columbia, Baltimore and the District.
The Hampton Court condominiums at Legacy at Cherry Tree each have approximately 1,400 finished square feet with two bedrooms and two full baths. Ryan Homes is offering buyers a choice of $3,000 toward closing costs or an upgraded kitchen. Monthly condominium fees are $245.
The brick-and-siding midrise buildings at Legacy at Cherry Tree include elevators. Each home has a patio or balcony. Inside, the homes have 9-foot ceilings, hardwood flooring in the foyer and ceramic tile flooring in the baths. The kitchen has 42-inch cabinets.
Each home has a foyer entrance with a coat closet and a storage closet. The foyer offers a glimpse of the open floor plan, which includes a dining area and a living room with three floor-to-ceiling windows facing the balcony or patio. The kitchen includes a pantry, a closet with a side-by-side washer and dryer and a breakfast bar that opens to the living room. Buyers can add a gas fireplace in the corner and a built-in entertainment center.
A decorative column defines the sunroom, which has a glass door that opens onto the balcony or patio. Buyers can convert the sunroom to a formal dining room, a study with French doors or even a third bedroom.
The master-bedroom suite includes a walk-in closet and a standard closet and has two windows. The master bath has a linen closet. Buyers can choose to add a second sink and replace the combination tub and shower with an oversized shower. An optional luxury bath features a soaking tub and separate shower.
The second bedroom, on the opposite side of the living areas, has a standard closet and a private door leading to the adjacent hall bath. The bath has a combination tub and shower and a linen closet, but buyers can convert the tub into a larger shower.
Another option for the upper-level Hampton Court models is to add cathedral ceilings to the master suite and the living area or a loft that overlooks the living area. Buyers also can add recessed lighting and ceiling fans to their home.
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