Ideas for my home

This is an excellent, highly insulate material, which benefits from little or no external maintenance. It is readily available and well tested and is usually the lowest cost option of all three materials. It is mainly seen in white but also available in Mahogany and Oak woodgrain styles. PVCu is by far the most popular material for windows and doors today. There are many well-proven PVCu extrusions available. Problems with discoloration are virtually unheard of and most suppliers will warrant against this. The design of the windows varies from company to company. Here are a few of the main points. You may like to raise them with your supplier.

Internal or Externally glazed windows Most

Most PVCu systems will now give you this option. As a generalisation Internally beaded windows (where the glass is held in from the inside) are considered more secure and burglar resistant. That said there are a lot of satisfactory externally beaded PVCu systems about – many of which feature either internal wedge gaskets or a “double sided” tape which holds the external bead firmly in place. You should investigate this particular issue with your supplier.

Thickness of PVCu walling?

Most PVCu systems for window and door construction are “multi-walled” with internal reinforcement by means of either Aluminium or Galvanised Steel box section. Wall thickness can vary from system to system – most are around 3 – 3.5 mm thickness. Generally speaking the “thicker” the walling – the stronger the section. Ask your supplier for an example section and enquire if the frames are fully reinforced. Note also that the greater the number of internal walls – the greater the strength.

Depth or thickness of frame

Actual depth of frame extrusion varies from as low as 50 mm to a number at 70 mm and above. Most are in the 60 – 65 mm region. Clearly this does have an effect on the structural strength of your replacement window or door. This is especially worth bearing in mind when comparing prices. It would not for instance be fair to compare the price of a conservatory built using a 55 mm depth of frame with a window made using 70 mm depth of frame.
We bring the points above to your attention purely to give you a feel for the sort of questions you should ask a potential supplier. The above is by no means the whole story, and there will be varying arguments one way and the other. Here is a short list of PVC systems companies supplying extrusion for the manufacture of PVCu windows and doors: Rehau, Veka, Spectus and Synseal.

Coloured Frame Options

What colour do you want? You name it and today you can almost certainly get itStandard colours for PVCu and aluminium are white, whilst for hardwood it is a natural stain option such as mahogany, walnut or light oak. You can, however,have hardwood already primed in green, cream and teak plus a whole host ooptions to your specification. PVCu in mahogany woodgrain and cherry oakwoodgrain styles is also increasingly popular. Additionally, both PVCu and aluminium can be specially colored in red, blue, green, black and orange.

Buyers Tips – Top Design Tips

In this section we introduce you to some very important but often overlooked issues when choosing window designs. Regrettably we find that quite often some aspects of window design are not discussed at the buying stage.

One such issue is “equal sight lines”

When manufacturing most modern replacement windows it is normal for there to be smaller areas of glass wherever there are openings (sashes) fitted. Where the frames are fixed the glass area will be larger. This “unequal” site line is quite
normal and acceptable to most people.

However on a lot of older properties (and indeed some newer ones) it was more common to have an equal sight line. (i.e. you would not be able to tell from the outside which windows opened and which did not.) Fitting “dummy sashes” or “dummy openers” into the frames created this “equal” sight line.

Another design issue that is often overlooked is whether to use black gaskets or white gaskets on your white PVCu windows.

Consider your Neighbours

For instance if you and your neighbour both agree on a style for your windows the overall effect can be considerably better if you both agree to use similar designs. It doesn’t matter if you both use the same company or even have the
work done at the same time.

Because you probably will only buy a new kitchen once or twice in your life, you will need all the help you can get. Especially with the ever changing trends and the home improvement and cookery programmes on television it becomes more and more difficult to make a sound choice. This step-by-step decision planner will help you on your way to your dream kitchen.

Kitchen Plan

First it is important to choose whether you want a fitted kitchen or a freestanding kitchen. If you choose for a fitted kitchen, you will make the most of your space, as all the difficult corners can be hidden and used for storage. You can choose for flat pack, rigid or custom built to suit your needs and budget.
Choose a freestanding and you will get that individual and informal look you might have been looking for. You can use all kinds of furniture to create the ambiance you prefer. You will have to choose your furniture well though to create as much storage space as in a fitted kitchen.
Different people have different lifestyles. It is obvious that a single person or a couple will have different expectations from their kitchen than families with growing up children. Make sure the kitchen will fulfil all your needs.
Sink, preparation area and hob should never be too far apart and that the fridge should be near the entrance of the kitchen. This all will have effect on where you will plan to put your basic equipment and where the service points for water, electricity and gas will be. Keep the existing service points in mind when planning your new kitchen as rewiring and re-plumbing your kitchen will take a lot of time and money.

Kitchen Design

Because cabinet doors are the face of the kitchen, it will be very important that you choose a finish you want to look at for quite a number of years. Wood is one of the most popular choices. It can be used for a solid door, but veneer is a good alternative. Besides that, veneer will give more uniformity, as a piece of wood is cut in thin strips to cover all the doors. Wood itself is available in all kinds of colours, but it can also be glossed, painted, colour washed or waxed to give it the finish you prefer.
Laminate cupboard doors have endless possibilities in colour, texture and shine. They are easy to clean and work well in a modern or classic kitchen alike, just as glass, whereas frosted glass works best in contemporary kitchens.
A worktop will receive the most wear and tear of all the surfaces in the kitchen. It has to endure hot pots and pans, knives, water and dirt. Therefore your worktop has to be made of the most durable material you can afford. Protect your worktop at all times from hot pans and knives by using trivets and chopping boards.
Laminate is very popular for kitchens and worktops, as it is cheap and it comes in a variety of colours. It is easy to transform a kitchen just by changing the worktop. Wood is great for its character, but if used for the worktop it is highly
sustainable to scratching and cutting. Oil it well to protect it from stains and it will improve in character over the years to come.
Stainless steel can be shaped in any way your kitchen goes. The backsplash and the sink can be made into the same piece of steel, which makes that there are no awkward corners that will jeopardise hygiene. Granite is the most expensive material to cover your worktop with. It is highly durable, it doesn’t scratch or burn and it keeps its colour. It’s a natural material that will give great character to your kitchen. And last but not least, solid surfaces. They are hardwearing, they resist scratches, scorches and heat from hot pans, and if you do damage your surface, there are repair kits available to fix it.

Buying a Kitchen

When you go and buy a kitchen, always make sure that you get a fully itemised costing, so that you know what to be expected to pay. Never pay the full payment for your kitchen when you place your order. Purchase from someone that offers reasonable payment terms and make sure you know the terms and conditions.
Check whether the company offers a full after sales service and inspection when fitting is completed. If any questions would arise then they can be answered on the spot and maybe immediately dealt with.
Just before you decide on buying your dream kitchen, look at showroom cabinets and inspect areas that receive the heaviest wear, such as around the edges, hinges and seams, to spot any possible signs of weakness in the materials. Fully fitted showroom kitchens also give you a good idea about whether you will like certain finishes and gives you the possibility to look for different door handles, colours and materials.

Top Planning Tips

• Plan your kitchen according to your lifestyle. A family will have different expectations from a kitchen than a young couple. Keep this also in mind when planning your storage.
• Keep the existing service points in mind when planning the kitchen as rewiring and re-plumbing takes a lot of time and money.
• Think about the ventilation points when planning your kitchen. Don’t plan cupboards over them.
• Decide where your sink, drainer and dishwasher need to go first as this will be the biggest unit to fit in.
• Plan the main areas (sink, food preparation and hob) close together. This will make your kitchen more efficient.
• When measuring the size of the kitchen, make sure that the exact shape of the walls is known. If there is an inwards corner in the room it will influence the shape of the worktop and the place of the wall-cupboards.
• If you decide for a two-way galley kitchen, leave enough walking space between the two galleys.
• If choosing a U-shaped kitchen, consider the floor space you will have left and maybe decide to use one of the legs of the U as a breakfast bar.
• If you like to cook with a lot of fresh vegetables or you need a big freezer, consider a big fridge/freezer at the end of your worktop for loads of storage and easy access.
• In a small and narrow kitchen you can create more space by making the wall-cupboards taller rather than having them protruding outwards. You will create more headspace and the kitchen will look wider.
• Store heavy items in the cupboards underneath the worktop.
• Store rarely used items on the highest shelves of your cupboard to keep easy accessible space free for daily use.
• Kitchens will always have drawers with all sorts of goods in it, like pens, buttons, matches and sandwich bags. To create more order, use little plastic boxes or special drawer organisers. You will find what you need much quicker.
• Store your utensils near to where you are most likely to use them. This will make your kitchen more efficient.
• Keep your worktop clutter free for a tidy look.
• To disguise a boiler you can build a spice rack in front of it. This will not take a lot of space and will be an attractive display for all your spices.
• Think about where you want your main bin to be situated. Try to integrate it in the area below the worktop to keep outlook of the kitchen clean and clutter-free.
• Don’t forget to give your cookery books a place in your kitchen!

Because replacing your bathroom is an operation that will have a lot of influence in your daily live for a few weeks, it is probably not something you will do for pleasure. But think of the result, and it will all be worthwhile. This article will guide you to a relaxing and refreshing bathroom!

Bathroom Planning

It makes a lot of sense to assess the needs of you and your family before you start planning your bathroom. Are you single, living together or having a family with different age groups? All these things matter when you choose your fixtures, storage, flooring and wall coverings.
Families will use a bathroom very intensely at all times of the day. Especially in the morning members of the family might need to use the bathroom at the same time. Young children will appreciate toys they can play with in the bath and stools to stand on when brushing their teeth and all these things will need storage, so plan this carefully.
When you’re single or living together, you don’t need to worry about storage that much. Get a few smart storage boxes for your toiletries and even the most compact bathroom will look clean and uncluttered. You can opt for more luxurious wall coverings and flooring, because it will get less wear and tear.

Bathroom Design

There are a lot of different styles to be found in bathroom fixtures, so that you can choose the style that reflects the rest your house. In bathrooms, everything is possible, so let your fantasy loose on gleaming taps, funky toilet seats and tiles that make a statement.
Colour is a keynote in the design of your bathroom. Fixtures are available in a lot of colours. Although white goes with most of the styles, if you really want something different, a coloured fixture might be something for you. How about a frosted glass basin with a chrome pedestal or a shower enclosure made of glass bricks? Wood is also a successful material to use in the bathroom.
Not only bath, shower or toilet design or colour have influence on the atmosphere of your bathroom, taps, shower fittings and levers do too. They will really set off your design and take your bathroom to another level. There are a lot of designs available, from Victorian taps and overhead showers to state-of-the-art chrome shower mixers or levers.

Buying a Bathroom

Set a budget for your bathroom: how much can you spend maximum on your fittings? Bear in mind that when you buy at a DIY-shed but can’t install the bathroom yourself, that you have to hire somebody to do it for you. Try to get a few good quotes from recommended plumbers before you start the project.
Also make sure you list the possible redecorating costs. The fittings might be the
first step to your new bathroom, but your walls and flooring will make all the difference. Accessories and storage are the just as important to create the look that you want. Include them in your budget as well.
If you decide to your new fittings in the same place as your old ones, then measure them before you go to look for a replacement. That way you know that your new bath will fit. Check that the shower tray you’re buying has a non-slip surface. Check with your plumber that the drainage can take the amount of water your shower is producing. Nothing is worse than having an overflowing tray. And always buy the enclosure and the tray as a set. This way you know that the enclosure fits to the shower tray. And last but not least, try to match your taps and levers with the style of your bathroom. If you have chosen romantic fittings then ultramodern will just not do!

Top Planning Tips

• Plan your bathroom so that all the members of your family will enjoy it. Keep the safety of your children in mind when choosing your flooring and lighting.
• Keep the existing service points in mind when planning your bathroom as rewiring and re-plumbing takes a lot of time and money.
• Think about what you want to do with your window. Maximise the amount of light that comes in without having to suffer from glare.
• Plan enough different types of storage. Shelving for products for every day use, cupboards for occasionally used products and towels, and bins for laundry. In families, plan also storage for typical children’s bathroom accessories and toys.
• Decide whether you have the space to install a separate shower enclosure or a shower above the bath. A separate shower will take more space, but two people can use the bathroom at the same time.
• For larger families, a second cloakroom would come in very handy, especially in the morning when everybody needs to get ready at the same time.

Kaesch is a german design studio from Germany, München. Here is some of their work on bathtubs and spas:

More at http://www.kaesch.net/

Ergon door and its double-swing rototranslating leaf:
This feature offers several advantages:
- Reduced necessary spaces;
- Increased accessibility to meet in particular the needs of disabled people on wheelchairs;
- Advisable in those rooms where door and window frames with panic systems are required thanks to its push double-swing system.

From the UK-based company ABF Europe. International manufacturer of the patented Kite folding table. There are 3 versions of the table: kite, rectangle and square.

Integral to the success of the Kite range, the unique ‘Kite table top’ provides endless new possibilities for dynamic meeting and training rooms.
Kite tessellates to form small layouts for 6 or 8 people then combines with rectangles or squares to provide instant innovative facilities for every kind of meeting or training requirement.The Kite shape used as a corner link provides 2 dedicated seating positions.Unlike any other table system, wherever you sit you don’t feel inferior.

Vincent Cadena is a french 27 years old  Interior & furniture designer.  Here are some of the sofas he designed. Very very inspiring:

You can see more of his work on SteelyeyedD.

Newform, an Italian high quality bathroom faucet manufacturer best known for their Tattoo and Morpho collections, decided to start 2008 with three faucet collections that share a style we honestly did not anticipate to come from Newform. As names of the first two collections, Class-X and Neo Class-X suggest, the style is an elegant combination of classical and modern elements – simple and unobtrusive, yet intriguing, it suits both modern and classic bathroom designs equally well.

Sinks from the Grandangolo line, a new line of sinks by Hatria, feature beautiful modern design dominated by a distinct curved line that defines the shape of the sink, a metaphor for space as perceived in perspective.

erfect for mounting in corners of the bathroom, these large sinks invoke emotion with their simple and pure elegance. Equipped with the innovative easywarm system, the Grandangolo sinks are gently heated ensuring that all the ceramic parts stay warm continously keeping the temperature in the bathroom at the ideal level.

Kos, a beautiful modern bathroom collection by Nova Linea. The collection features a simple, yet striking combination of both beautiful curved shapes and straight, sharp lines which combined create a really modern feel, further embellished by beautiful decorative patterns. Featuring a strong contrast of simple shapes and rich decorative patterns as well as color, and ridden of any excess details, such as cabinet door handles which could only disturb the harmony of elements, the beautiful and bold Kos compositions will easily steal the spotlight in any bathroom.