Minggu, 26 Februari 2012

Japan traditional house

Japan traditional house made of wood and wooden poles, supported. But nowadays usually have home Japan's rooms with Western-style wooden floors and is often constructed with steel poles. Anyway, more and more families in urban areas live in apartment buildings of steel concrete.
There are two big differences with western home, i.e. people not wearing shoes inside the house and at least there is one space that tend to be designed in the style of Japan, berlantaikan tatami. People release the shoe into the floor of the house stays clean. Genkan (玄関), driveways, is a great place to release the shoe, put it down, and put it on again. After releasing the shoe, the Japan wear slippers home.
Traditional Japanese houses are made of wood and supported by wooden poles. But today the Japanese house usually has a Western-style rooms with wood floors and often built with steel poles. Besides, more and more families in urban areas live in apartment buildings, a large steel reinforced concrete.
There are two major differences with the west house, the people do not wear shoes in the house and at least one room which tend to be designed in Japanese style, called tatami floors. People leave their shoes upon entering the house to keep floors clean. Genkan (玄关), which is the entrance, is a place to take off our shoes, put it down, and wear it again. After releasing the shoes, the Japanese people wearing house slippers.
So when enter the Genkan (玄関). We can see how the shape of the front view Japanese house traditional and modern big city, those in the city there may be no room for garden and parking area in front of the house but at few other cities such as the city of Higashi Hiroshima usually in front of the traditional Japanese houses there is a garden (niwa 庭) are quite extensive.
Some differences between the houses in Japan with a home in another country.
Front garden and home, genkan 玄关
Japanese-style gardens are usually located in the back and front of house area. Garden which features natural rock pool equipped 盆栽 bonsai, bamboo water fountains, and other bamboo crafts making traditional Japanese house more attractive. The front of the house or porch area of the Japanese are not usually regular and ordinary course, sometimes does not reflect a gate house, seemed not even look like a small stately and usually it goes directly there genkan (玄关) and toilet (トイレ), and the usual entrance in Japan there is only one. this is in contrast with other countries that view the home front of the house looks magnificent and there are a lot has an iron fence entrance, such as garage doors, main entrance, side entrance and rear entrance, etc.. 

Room / room (heya 部屋)
Layout of the dual function in the Japanese house one room could serve as a living room and dining room during the day, and serves as a bedroom at night, its usually not much furniture because cabinets are united with the structure of the building called fusuma ふすま Japanese futon mattress store where (布 団), clothing and others, so do not need to buy a wardrobe. All corner of Japanese rooms will be utilized maximal. In Japan's room is almost no bed because they were accustomed to hold a futon on tatami .
Yes, tatami is  a kind of thick  mats made ​​of straw, have been used in Japanese homes since about 600 years ago. A piece of tatami usually measures 1.91 x 0.95 meters. The size of the room / rooms are usually based on the number of tatami. Tatami floor is cool in summer and warm in winter, and still more fresh than many dive carpet damp in the winter months .. This is due under the tatami is no air vents from under the house and a place to set and ajust the air condition, where a variety of pipes such as running water pipes, gas pipes, toilets and drains etc.
 
Kitchen (daidokoro 台 所)
In the Japanese home kitchen can be said to be very narrow when compared with the kitchen at home in another country. One of the better Japanese kitchen is there to absorb air ventilation when cooking or frying at something that gives rise to smell bad. In few other places in the world, such as kitchen ventilation is usually not observed. Adequate air ventilation is obtained from the kitchen window, and consequently the food will smell out and disturb neighbors. Japanese houses even narrow kitchen space, there are air vents coming out, except in the apartment where the kitchen and bathrooms are in the same space.

Bathroom / Toilet

       Very impressed from the house of the Japanese and Japanese building is beauty, cleanliness, and sophistication of the toilet. Japanese toilet in the house is usually divided between a place to wash my face (senmenjo 洗面 所), bath (ofuro お 風呂), WC and urinal (トイレ). Japanese toilets are usually always dry and there is toilet paper, which is a very important need for the Japanese. They do not use water while in the toilet, toilet paper is used instead of water so that the toilet is always dry. The traditional Japanese house was at home at this time tolietnya were equipped with advanced technology. Shower to wash it instead of manually rotated as usual but with just a button. The options also vary, there is to wash the front, rear, there is not air but water spray to dry. There's even a squirt of perfume fragrances.
Most Japanese people think that the appearance of the home front is not a problem but the cleanliness and sophistication are the main toliet. What's a nice house that is ugly and dirty toilets. This may indicate either one of the Japanese people's personal characteristics when determining where it will stay, and at building a house, the toilet is always under-united.
 





 
 

Sabtu, 25 Februari 2012

Energy Efficient Home Design

With the more expensive cost of electrical energy, the architects have developed several ways to design a home that is by utilizing the windows as the source of natural illumination and means out the entry of fresh air into the room.
Skylight Window Design
 One way to make it happen is to apply a window type skylights. Skylights is a window made of glass and transparent acrylic material is then placed on the ceiling of the room. Its function is to channel natural light from exposure to sunlight when the daylight into the room as a replacement lamp. According to The U.S. Department of Energy's the Federal Energy Management Program, exploiting exposure to sunlight streamed through the skylights can save you up to 80% of energy use in the home. In terms of costs, these institutions reported that many commercial buildings that can reduce the total cost of the energies of up to 1/3 of the utilization of this system are performed optimally.

You are looking for a reference window design for proper residential skylights dreams? The following picture and image below serve some references that may be the source of your inspiration.
Use Skylight windows in the ceiling of the bathroom will certainly be a challenge unto itself. Use the design window in order for succulence swinging air can always awake.

As long as the sun shines through the skylights, kitchen room this will definitely always impressed warm and sunny. The right choice to become a family favorite rooms.

Dare to try putting  Skylight Windows in the bedroom? Well, You won't be able to wake up the threatened during the day, ya! ;)

You live in localities densely population thus limiting the presence of the windows on the side next to the House? Placing  Skylight Windows in the ceiling can be a solution.

Living room with simple setup but still impressed warm through exposure to sunlight that streamed skylights.
Are you ready to apply  Skylight Windows in the dwelling of your dreams?  Consult this desire in building expert to get the best advice and solutions. Congratulations to create eco-friendly home!

Jumat, 24 Februari 2012

Fence option

Fence or railing is part of a property that is not less important than the building itself. As the dividing line between public and private areas, fences have an important role to maintain safety and security. Each of the design and look of the fence can give a different impression. For example, a fence of high wall will give rise to an impression of closed, robust, and secure. While the iron fence that opens, will give rise to an impression of light and friendly.
Before choosing the design and look of the fences for residential dreams, it's good You follow first reference here.

WOOD FENCE
If you choose wood for fencing material, choose the type of occupancy of the wood a strong blow against the weather outside. Several alternative wood for exterior is wood, Ironwood, ulin or merbau. Picket fence will give rise to the impression of natural and natural and can be used in many different types of modern minimalist house, well, tropical, and classical. Because it looks natural, wood fence can usually easily. For optimal protection, paint a wood fence with good paint product.

VINYL FENCE
Vinyl is a type of similar plastic resin material made from chlorine and ethylene. The name is taken from the term vinyl polyvinylchloride or PVC. The advantages of this type of fence is a strong material, able to endure long, not easily fade, light, accurate and practical in size, installation process. The disadvantage of this type of fence, tend to be less flexible in terms of design due to the limited model. In addition, the vinyl fence is still rarely used in development country because of the larger market trends point to an iron fence, wood or brick walls. Nevertheless, the current type of vinyl fence is already found in many building materials supermarket in a wide choice of models and colors.
If the convenience and practicality of the installation process becomes your priority, vinyl fence is the answer.

ALUMINUM FENCE
Aluminum material can also be an alternative to the fence, especially if you prefer a decorative element comparable privacy or security. If you want to show the beauty of the landscape and buildings without having to shut down and obstruct the view, aluminum fence can be the right choice.
Like the vinyl fence, aluminum fence is also available in a wide selection of ready-made models that facilitate you in the process of installation. Use Jotun Gardex Premium as a practical solution to coat aluminum material with perfect and optimal.

IRON FENCE
In some wealthy nations or countries that have potential as a producer of iron ore, iron fence is commonly used because it is easy to find on the market and flexibility in the selection of the design. A common type of iron is the metal with the chosen hollow size 4 x 4.2″ x °, 4 °, or 4 ° x 6 °. Processes need to pass some stages. First, iron needs to be forged in advance by using the las. After the process is finished, and then coated with paint. Because processes can be customized, the iron fence models can be tailored to your wishes and meet the needs of many different types of home.
For finishing, paint products with excellence anti fungal, anti rust, 100% lead free, 100% mercury free, low odor, optimized drying time remains the best option to protect material of iron.

FENCE WALLS
 In addition to the 4 options, other materials commonly chosen is a regular wall fence made of brick and natural stone. For bricks, you can choose natural style (exposed brick) or diaci and covered with paint. The second option to use natural stone or stone-like stone Temple is commonly taken to display her impression of natural eskterior in the House.
If the bricks be your choice,  paint walls with a good paint product that is able to protect the walls from exposure to the weather outside. If the natural stone to be your choice, apply the paint coating as protection.
So some alternative material to choose from for your residential fencing. His has drawbacks and advantages which can be adjusted with the convenience and needs of the residents. In addition, consider some other factors such as the model or design, the function of protection or decorative functions, ease of installation, and his daily care.

Vinyl Fence Design

Wall Design

Wood Fence Design

Alumunium Fence Design

Iron Fence Design

Futuristic of Furniture Concept

If your living room is small, like a living room in an apartement, then to choose a sofa that is needed, we should consider between the comfort and spaciousness of the room.
Of course at first is very difficult for us to sacrifice style and comfort that is caused by the small space of our living room.
Then what should we think about when in the fact that the small sofa is that we need.
Some of the things we have to do is:
1. Find information about sofas through internet literature and the people in need.
2. Choose some examples of pictures of the sofa to suit the needs of the room.
3. Sofa which is used in the small living room should also still look stylish and trendy.
4. The motifs cover should also appear to be simple yet elegant.
5. If you already like the style of the sofa is there, but the colour is less appropriate, change the cover sofa with motifs which are more appropriate, for example, cover a sofa with yellow flowers design for leafy green room walls are colored dark brown and beige, or contemporary motifs, such as the combination of a plain beige, black and neutral colors.
6. The size of sofas commonly used in small room is 72 inches or smaller i.e., 63 inch, 58-inch and 48-inch. It  depends on the size of the room was available. It is usual for small spaces that would better fit the sofa without arms, these conditions will enhance the impression of the room will look more spacious.
Sometimes we will receive many guests. So, choose furniture that can change its shape in just seconds into the Sofa L type and some simple chairs. This concept may be increasingly popular with more and more people living in urban areas with limited living area. And apparently the concept will be the futuristic of furniture concept.





Kamis, 23 Februari 2012

The 25 Best Indoor Plants

Click here to find out which plant suit your house!

Article taken off ivillage.com


The 25 Best Indoor Plants


House Plant Care Guide

Want to brighten your life? Indoor plants can make your space more inviting, clean the air and even improve your mental health. Houseplant expert Anne Moore, author of Houseplants are Houseguests, has one simple rule: make your plants as comfortable in your home as they would be in their natural habitat. With help from Moore, we’ve identified 25 of the best houseplants for your aspiring green thumb.


Plant Jargon to Know

Plant experts have specific terms they use to identify the quality of light in a space — an important factor to consider when selecting the right plant for your home. Here are the three phrases you'll need to know:

Bright Light: light from a southern facing window with bright light for most of the day.

Indirect Light: light from an eastern facing window or the interior of a room with southern or western facing windows.

• Bright, Indirect Light: the natural light in a room with southern or western facing windows or light from an all-day northern exposure.


African Violet

The African violet, or saintpaulia, can flower throughout the year and fits neatly on a desk. To ensure it prospers, adhere to these four simple rules:

• Because it is continually flowering, the African violet needs more sun than the average green foliage plant. Keep it near a southern facing window, especially in winter.

• Wait until the surface of the dirt is dry then water directly at the roots of the plant.

• Keep your environment around 60 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and average temperature in summer

• Keep moist by placing the plant on a tray of pebbles or mist it often.

Tip: It’s easy to propagate a new plant by snipping a leaf cutting from an adult violet and placing it in dirt.


Aloe Vera

This succulent, known as the "healing plant" for its first-aid benefits, grows very easily. Since aloe thrives without needing much care, it's an ideal choice for busy or absent-minded plant lovers. In the winter, give your aloe good exposure to light and don’t water very often. Let the soil dry out completely before watering. Come summer, it can be set outside and left to its own devices.

Shopping Tip: Make sure to choose an aloe plant with no brown spots and plenty of thick, hearty leaves.


Amazon Elephant Ear

Huge, arrow-shaped leaves, ridged edges and bright white veins give the elephant ear an air of the spectacular. Because it’s a truly tropical plant, it must be fooled into thinking it’s still in the jungle. Follow these five tips:

• Keep at 70° Fahrenheit in summer and at least 65° Fahrenheit in winter.

• Mist leaves often to create jungle-like humidity.

• Keep in bright, indirect light in winter and semi-shade in summer. Do not expose to direct sunlight!

• Water sparingly in winter and more often in summer. Rule of thumb: feel a few inches into the soil to make sure the root system is moist.

• Repot the plant every spring. Tip: Keep your elephant ear moist but not wet. If the tips of the leaves curl up and turn brown, that’s a sign of over-watering.


Avocado Plant

The next time you make guacamole, take the avocado pit (often called the stone) and push the flat end into a six-inch pot of moist, multi-purpose soil. Leave the pointy end exposed.

Make sure to keep the plant at about 65° F until the first leaf shoots appear. Aftet that, it likes normal room temperatures with slightly cooler temperatures (60° F) in winter.

To encourage upward growth, pinch off new buds when they appear below the top leaves on the plant stalk. With proper care, in three years your Avocado will grow to an elegant, large-leaved houseplant about 3 feet tall.


Boston Fern

This graceful houseplant became common about a hundred years ago, largely replacing the leafy sword fern of the Victorian era. The plant’s benefits go beyond the aesthetic: the Boston fern acts as a natural humidifier, absorbing common air pollutants and releasing water vapor.

The best way to care for your fern is to simulate its native tropical woodland. Hang it by an east or north-facing window as ferns like moderate indirect light. Water very often and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Mist fronds regularly and keep between 60° to 70° Fahrenheit.

Here are some warning signs that your plant is ailing and solutions:

• Yellowing fronds at the base: Your fern is probably too warm. Move it away from a radiator or other souce of heat.

• Yellowing fronds with no new growth: The air is too dry. Mist!

• Pale fronds with scorch marks. Too much sun! Protect ferns from midday sun in the summer.


Bromeliads

This colorful group of jungle natives happen to love artificial light, making them perfect for the home or office. Most bromeliads bloom once a year if the climate is sufficiently warm and moist. Many varieties, such as the Amazonian zebra plant, pictured at left, and the neoregelia tricolor, second from right, have striking foliage all year round. Follow these tips for healthy plants:

• Make sure that your plant has good drainage and don't overwater it; bromeliads have tiny root systems and are easily drowned.

• Mist the leaves in the summer and water every one to two months from above, filling the vase-like structure in the center of the plant to simulate rainfall.

• Keep the soil moist but not wet.


Clivia Miniata

Clivia pops with clusters of orange, red, or yellow blossoms in early spring. It loves cool temperatures. In winter, it is best to keep Clivia plants in unheated rooms with temperatures at about 40° to 50° Fahrenheit. For lots of beautiful flowers, Moore says that it “must be very pot-bound to bloom, so don’t repot until it is absolutely necessary or the pot cracks open.”

Feed it just enough to prevent wilting; this means moderate watering from spring to fall and less often in winter. To enjoy a full season of flowering, look for a plant with buds but no flowers yet. Clivias are fragile, so do not move them when in bud or in flower.


Crown of Thorns

Crown of thorns has long been a favorite houseplant because it bears abundant flowers without much attention. It will be happiest in a bright spot with indirect sunlight. Keep roots moist (but not wet) and let the surface soil dry out before watering again. With enough light, the 3-foot stems can bear tiny red flowers almost all year long. When shopping, look for a bushy, glossy plant with a symmetrical form.

Moore advises that “the thorns are sharp and if a stem oozes when cut, the milky latex can cause rashes and blisters.” If you have children, a wall-mounted pot is a good solution.


Cyclamen

Moore calls cyclamen “an absolutely drop-dead gorgeous plant, both in foliage and flowers.” While this plant can be finicky, its big, bright blooms pop up in the dead of winter, making a little extra effort truly worthwhile. “If a blossom is spent, just twist it off and it’ll keep on blooming," says Moore. Buy a plant that has at least some unopened buds to get a longer blooming period.

Even though it looks tropical, cyclamen prefer cool temperatures and indirect light. Moore keeps hers in the garage and recommends keeping it in an unheated breezeway or hallway. A north-facing windowsill that stays around 50° to 60° degrees Fahrenheit is also suitable.“It’s a heavy drinker,” says Moore, so keep the soil moist (but not wet) and check often.


Cymbidium Sarah Jean or 'Ice Cascade'

This hearty plant dispels the idea that orchids are only for skilled gardeners. The cascading white flowers will generally bloom from December to February and will look best in a hanging pot.

• Your Ice Cascade will be happiest with 10 to 15 hours of light each day and a drop in night temperature.

• For optimal growth, place near window facing either south or west.

• Also key: keep the soil most but not wet, reduce watering in the wintertime, and mist the leaves occasionally.


Grafted Cactus

You can find this desert cactus (which is the product of grafting red and yellow topknots onto a chlorophyll-producing base) in your local supermarket as well as any garden store. Beloved for its bright burst of color and relatively low maintenance, this cactus will be happy on most windowsills and works well in mixed planters or dish gardens. Keep in the sun and mist occasionally. Repot each year when the cactus is young.

• Do not over water. Feel a few inches down in the soil or lift the pot to determine if it’s truly dry.

• When you do water, soak the roots to simulate a good desert rainfall.


Indoor Boxwood

Boxwood is typically grown in topiary gardens at a slow pace, but it is a great way to add greenery indoors. Follow these rules for maintaining your Boxwood:

• Your boxwood needs partial to full sunlight exposure. Place it next to a glass door or in any sunny room.

• Put mulch on top of the soil to help retain moisture.

• Water it once a week or when the soil begins to feel dry.

• Prune the tree as necessary to maintain its shape.

• Feed your boxwood once a year with a high-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer.


Jade Plant

Also called a "money tree" and thought to bring good luck, Moore recommends jade because of its longevity. “If well cared for, this plant can outlive you," she says. Water your jade with the “drench and drain” method, allowing the soil to dry out before completely soaking the root system again. Best of all, there’s no need to spend more on a large plant, the best thing about a jade is watching it grow huge and healthy under your care.

• Easily grow a separate plant by cutting off a stem below the node and planting it directly in moist soil..


Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis or the Moth Orchid loves cool temperatures and humidity. They are happiest when maintained at temperatures at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. According to Moore, “they require a distinct drop in temperature at night (20° Fahrenheit is ideal) to induce bloom.” Because they also need a lot of indirect sunlight, a window is the perfect place for your orchid. Follow these tips for beautiful blooms:

• Do not over water. Phalaenopsis don’t require watering very often — once every few weeks should be fine. Use tepid water and keep soil slightly moist and never wet.

• Orchids love humidity; mist leaves about once a week.


Ming Aralia

Interior designers love the ming aralia for its resemblance to a Japanese maple. The key to caring for this beautiful little tree is moisture and warmth. It needs bright, indirect light, so keep it in a room with plenty of natural light. The plant’s roots must be kept moist so water frequently from spring to autumn and less often in winter. Feel a few inches down into the soil to determine if your plant needs watering.

• To keep it thriving, mist the fern-like leaves often and keep your tree’s habitat no lower than 60 degrees Fahrenheit in winter.

• If it’s unhappy, the ming aralia will let you know by dropping its leaves. Consult an expert at your local garden store to determine if your home and habits will work with the tree.


Mother-in-Law’s Tongue

Moore loves this plant for its easy care and exceedingly appropriate name. “The leaves are sharp, pointed and have a cutting edge," she says. "The plant is tough, almost impossible to kill, which means that if you get tired of having it around, you should just throw it out.” That said, the mother-in-law’s tongue is an easy green solution for nearly any room. It can grow several feet tall and likes some bright, indirect light, but can withstand shade.

• In the winter, water it every one to two months and in summer more often, allowing soil to dry out slightly between watering.


Peace Lily

Thought to be good luck, the peace lily will be happiest out of direct sunlight and in a warm room. Peace Lily plants are proven to improve air quality by absorbing common pollutants such as Benzene as well as toxins emitted from synthetic carpeting and plastics.

• Keep the roots moist but not wet (a lily requires less water in winter) and mist the leaves frequently.

• Peace Lilies bloom in mid-winter, so buy them then!

• Repot your plant every spring.


Philodendrons

They come in all shapes and sizes, but philodendrons share a few common characteristics. “They want to be watered and fed moderately,” says Moore. You can either place them in a terrarium, as shown, or give them something to climb on (they will wrap around an entire room on a beam or a wire) to show off their shapely leaves.

• Keep in a room with average warmth, a minimum of 55 Fahrenheit in winter, and with indirect sunlight.

• In the winter, keep the soil just a touch moist. During spring, summer and fall, mist the leaves and water regularly and thoroughly.

• Every few years, transfer to a larger pot at springtime.


Polka Dot Plant

The adorable and easy-to-care-for polka dot plant is a great companion for your other small indoor plants. Some direct sun will enhance its color, so place your plants near a window and let them sit outside in bright sun from time to time. The polka dot likes average warmth, moist (but not wet) soil and moist air. Mist the leaves often and repot your plant every spring.

• Buy several plants at once to bunch together for more abundant pink foliage.


Rosemary, Sage, Thyme

Moore advises that these herbs can get through the winter “well watered in pots on a sunny windowsill, but put them outdoors in the spring for best growth.” Depending on where you live, your herbs may be able to spend the winter outdoors. (Sage is especially hardy.) To find out, consult your local garden center. The elements of successful herb planting:

• Buy seedlings instead of trying to sprout your own plants.

• Plenty of sunlight.

• Keep them in separate pots. Some herbs, especially mint, will take over.

• Keep soil most but not wet. Buy seedlings instead of growing herbs from seeds.


Spider Plant

An all-time favorite houseplant, Moore loves the spider plant for “its blatant urge to reproduce itself -- [it] sends out offspring faster than you can propagate them.” The spider plant is also a good air freshener. Unlike chemical air fresheners, which actually add chemicals to the air, the spider plant absorbs common air pollutants such as formaldehyde and xylene to naturally detoxify your home.

• Using distilled water may help reduce the incidence of brown tips on the long leaves.

• Buy a plant that has plenty of green foliage and no brown under leaves.


Succulents

As legendary houseplant expert D.G. Hessayon quips, succulents “can withstand a great deal of neglect and mismanagement.” As such, they are perfect for an inexperienced horticulturalist. Put them near a window to make sure they get enough sunlight. Other than that, succulents don’t need much attention.

• Water thoroughly only when soil begins to dry out; this will be once every one to two months in winter.

Pictured left to right: Crassula, Eceveria, and Sedum.


Zebra Cactus

Though it’s not a cactus at all, this tiny succulent’s common name derives from its plump green leaves adorned with spiraling white ridges. This is a great starter plant because it’s hard to kill. Average room temperatures from spring to fall are fine for this cactus, which needs bright, indirect sun. In winter, a south-facing window is ideal. Once the whole pot is truly dry, then water the soil thoroughly.

• Buy several of these and a grafted cactus and place them in a small terrarium to brighten your desk.


Zebra Plant

Moore recommends this plant for its dramatic foliage and beautiful fall flowers. However, to avoid leaf drop, the zebra does require some attention. With the right care, it will add drama to your home all year round, grow three to four feet and flower every fall. Follow these tips to help it flourish:

• Feed the zebra plant regularly and never allow soil to dry out.

• Mist leaves frequently.

• Keep the plant warm in winter — never below 55° Fahrenheit.

• Repot it every spring.