Archive for April, 2007

Stairs & Balustrades

April 11, 2007


Modern Staircase from Europa Stairways – the Storey stairs model.

Storey stairs from Europa Stairways will have you wanting to make frequent trips to the second floor. This modern Storey staircase could update any decor, adding a fresh twist to a standard staircase design. This unique, high quality model is composed of the finest materials available and has been constructed using exquisite craftsmanship. Its durable stainless steel elements provide structural stability and safety, while contributing to the sleek, modern aesthetic of the design. By emulating the “stepped” profile of the stairs, the steel structure reinforces a sense of strength and gives the design a cleaner, more refined look. The slender treads, seen here in beech, can be specified in a variety of different wood colors. Contact Europa Stairways for further details.


Modern Spiral Stairs from Albini & Fontanot

Spiral stairs have always held an essence of mystery and romance. With their new Genius collection, Albini & Fontanot have created a contemporary modern style for the classic spiral stairs. A light and airy design, the beech treads feature prominently while the solid wood handrail swirls like fine garnish. Solid beech has a rich golden colour, light and warm. The steel supports with their shining smooth surface, contrast fabulously with the wood grain. The Albini & Fontanot stairs mirror the repetition in the treads in the five steel cables that twist around the helical stairs. Besides the modern diaphanous design, Spiral stair can be fantastically practical. Ideal for converted buildings or restricted spaces, spiral stairs take up half the space of traditional flights. This frees up more room for living in, while also adding sparkle and mystery. Albini & Fontanot have created a wonderful addition for modern home design.

Glass Stairs by Joel Berman Glass Studios – Glass Stair Treads and Landing

Joel Berman Glass Studios specialise in kiln-fire glass for architectural installations. Their glass stairs are a creation of light and beauty. The lucent material opens dark stair wells or heavy spiral stairs into bright sculptural installations. Luminescent glass treads elevated by futuristic metal bring a contemporary charm. The glass stairs pictured laminate both of Berman’s floor patterns, Scala and Spruzzo, to create a unique and individual pattern. The fabulous organic and linear patterns provide a brilliant diffusion of light, while still maintaining privacy. All patterns are catalogued and can be reproduced, ensuring easy replacement at any later date. Available in a broad range of textures and colour and appropriate for interior and exterior use, Joel Berman Glass Studio can provide the personalised bespoke solution for any interior.

Glass Balustrade by UltraGlas – Glass solutions for stairwells

Stairways have never been so exciting as this glass balustrade from UltraGlas illustrates. Designed by Ferromobius for UltraGlas, this particular glass balustrade features the UltraSwirl texture, an organic and dynamic pattern that adds life and excitement to an ordinary stairwell. It could easily fit into traditional and contemporary decors, adding a luxury design element to a common balustrade. This dimensional pattern has been designed to diffuse images beyond, allowing light to pass through while providing a sense of privacy for those using the stairway. With 3/8” tempered UltraGlas, these UltraSwirl panels have been bent to follow the curves of this spiral staircase and landing, providing a solid safety barrier that lacks nothing in aesthetic appeal. By using an installation technique that requires no drilling through the glass, these balustrades are an extremely durable (and more interesting!) alternative to traditional wood balustrades. This UltraSwirl glass balustrade – and many others – are now available from UltraGlas.

Ultra Slim Shower Head Trend 2007

April 11, 2007


In the Signorini Shower head ultra slim metallic blocks, studded with rows of tiny nozzles, rain brilliant colored water. Two central lights illuminate the free flowing water in a warm yellow, passionate red, mellow blue or green earthy light. Perfect for creating a dramatic accent color, or merely for it’s therapeutic effect the lighted shower head embraces contemporary style. Created by Signorini Design, the Ultra Slim shower head is available as both a ceiling-mounted and a wall-mounted shower head. The wall-mounted version elegantly reaches out from the wall, while the ceiling-mount shower head has two styles. One which offer a flush mounted finish and one which suspends from the ceiling. Available from Signorini Design, the Ultra slim shower head adds a bright vibrancy to your daily shower routine.



New Oceanfront Luxury

April 10, 2007


Coastal Oregon Rental By Owner

This beautiful luxury home is right on Rockaway Beach the Oregon Coast. Step from the great room right onto the sand.

This by owner 5 bedrooms, 3 bath, Rockaway Beach vacation rental home on the Oregon coast, features two spacious living areas, two gas fireplaces, ping pond table, a pool table, cable tv and more!

The Great Room

Seating for you and all your friends! The great room is furnished with red leather couches, and overstuffed chairs.

Table settings for 20 a great place to eat, watch the ocean, read, enjoy television or a game of cribbage with family and friends.


Downstair’s Bathrooms
Two large, full bathrooms downstairs. Both offer double sinks, and extra large showers, plenty of hot water and soft, colorful, oversize towels.

Bathrooms are stocked with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hair dryers. A closet full of beach towels ensure everyone stays warm and dry.

Building a Custom Home on Cape Cod: Interior Designer

April 10, 2007

A custom home should reflect your vision. A good interior designer will help you determine or confirm your choice of finishes that will compliment your home. Involving your designer at the beginning of the project will save time, money, and worry. The overall design and style of your home will determine many of the interior selections such as tile, stone, or hardwood floors. By recommending the proper flooring, finishes, fireplaces, and cabinetry designs at the beginning of the project, a designer reduces the need for expensive changes later and enables the builder to keep the construction schedule.

If your designer’s selections are made early in a project, the interior design process will be less stressful, more efficient, cost effective, and fun!

Once your lot or home has been purchased, you will start the creative process of putting your dreams and ideas on paper. An important part of custom building or remodeling is the delicate balance of what you need, what you want, and what you have budgeted for the project. When you are satisfied with the balance, the project can be completed without unhappy surprises or costly last minute changes.

Cataldo Custom Builders, Inc. and your architect will consult with you regularly on the design and construction of your home or remodeling project. The interior designer will also work with you at this stage, making sure that the details are outlined from the foundation to the size, shape, and placement of appliances. The team will work together on designing a home that is both pleasing to you and one that will appreciate in value based on your decisions.

Your ’step by step’ guide to building with Beach Life Homes

April 10, 2007


1. Selecting your block: Will the block you are about to purchase suit your wishes and desires? We suggest you discuss this with one of our architects. It will cost you nothing and in the past has saved our clients thousands of dollars.

2. Choosing a design: We have developed a series of standard plans for you to peruse. Feel free to alter and modify the plan you would like us to build. Alternatively you may have your own plan. Our draftsman, Neil Harris, is only too happy to work with you.

Most clients have one of our architects custom design their new home.

We suggest you have an initial meeting with one of our architects. This meeting is obligation free and will last approximately one (1) hour. Their experience in the industry spans some 42 years and during this time, they have been recognised by the receipt of various awards.

3. Decision to proceed: To have one of our architects commence designing your new home, an initial investment of $2500.00 is required. This initial investment includes the commissioning of a contour survey. A contour survey determines accurate dimensions of your block, the extent of any site works, the actual positioning of your new home on your block, driveway gradients, Telstra location etc etc.

4. Concept design: Our architects are now in a position to begin designing your new home. This meeting will require your input and direction, and will last approximately 3 hours.

5. Presentation of concept: Within 10 days you will be presented with your new home based off your previous meetings with one of our architects. The concept will be ‘on budget’ based on the budget you set our architect. It will have been ‘double checked’ by our Estimator, Steve Hoey.

6. Sketch plan: Having approved your concept plan and being satisfied we are on budget, our draftsperson, Neil Harris is ready to take the architect’s concept and turn it into reality. Within 10 days you will be forwarded an accurate, detailed computer sketch for you to check.

7. Budget estimate: You’ve now approved Neil’s computer sketch of your new home. Our estimator Steve will need 10 days to check his original ballpark figure and provide you with a concise and itemised estimate.

8. Working drawings: On acceptance of the budget estimate, the next step is for our draftsperson to complete your “working drawings”. These drawings will be ready for you to check in approximately 10 days time. Your lending institution will certainly require these drawings to process any loan application.

9. Complete paperwork: Once you have approved our paperwork which includes contractual documents, fixed price quotation letter, home owners warranty insurance application, working drawings, and you have paid your deposit, we are now ready for any architectural review committee and council.

10. Plans to council/colour selections: Whilst your plans are being processed by council, (this could take anywhere from 4-8 weeks) you are now in a position to meet with Sue Carlaw who will document all your colours and selections. One of our interior decorators will also meet with you and will require around 2 hours of your time.

11. Commence construction: Your plans have now been released from council and include all the necessary permits and certificates for one of our construction managers to schedule your job and commence construction.

12. During construction: Your construction manager will now guide you through the construction process to completion. He can be contacted by mobile ensuring a smooth and worry free time. Meetings can be held onsite at various times during construction.

13. Handover day: Your construction manager will walk you through your new home to inspect and double check all work is completed to your absolute satisfaction. Keys and any monies owed are now exchanged and you’re ready to move in.

14. Defect liability: Your hand over kit will not only include warranties and certificates, it will also include a form in which any defects that should arise over the next thirteen (13) weeks can be documented. You forward this to Beach Life Homes for attention.

Michael Jackson’s New House

April 10, 2007


Michael Jackson, 48, has moved into a house in Las Vegas and plans to live there while working on a deal to do a live show on the Strip, a la Celine Dion, a source tells Us Weekly.

A veil-clad Jacko arrived at McCarron airport’s private hangar on Saturday afternoon, eager to take up residence in his new pad. The gated Spanish-style mansion (featured above) is located in a custom-home community on the city’s west side, and features a classic stucco red tile roof.

Las Vegas entertainer Jeff Beacher, creator of Beacher’s Madhouse at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, confirms Jackson’s arrival in Vegas.

“He wants to make his comeback here,” the LV entertainer tells Us. “Jackson wants this to be his new Neverland.”


Sources tell the Las Vegas Review Journal that Jackson’s friend, gaming dealmaker Jack Wishna, was instrumental in having the pop icon move back to the United States.

Wishna confirmed Jackson’s move to the Journal Review, saying “We are working on several projects.”

Calling Jackson “one of the greatest entertainers in the world,” Wishna said the singer “is poised to return to the top of the entertainment world soon.”

After being acquitted of child molestation charges in June 2005, Jackson left his famed personal theme park, Neverland Ranch, and relocated to Bahrain, an island in the Persian Gulf, along with his son, Prince Michael I, 9, daughter, Paris, 8, and son Prince Michael II, 4. He moved his brood to Ireland in June 2006 where they have been living with Irish dance sensation Michael Flatley in his castle in County Cork

Powerful Home Design Software for Building Professionals

April 10, 2007


Create custom plans and Blueprints with a complete Materials List
Add details to your designs with a complete CAD Software tool set
Create designs for clients to visualize as a 3D model in minutes
Produce dramatic, photo-realistic 3D Renderings
Create a Virtual Walk-Thru to share with Clients
Design in 3D with drag & drop Architectural Software Objects
Choose from a Library of more than 18,500 items for your designs
Establish more business, be more productive, and ensure more satisfied customers using Chief Architect on your next design project!


Products Shop Traning

Chief Architect is the industry leader for residential architectural home design software. We have focused the past decade on making this program easy to use for the building professional. Chief Architect will help you be more productive, and we guarantee it.

In today’s environment you need to be both competitive and productive with your design work and your clients expect professional designs. Establish more business, be more productive, and ensure more satisfied customers using Chief Architect on your next design project!

Chief Architect was designed from the ground up for residential architectural design. With our Getting Started Guide, you can design your first house in 30 minutes out of the box, guaranteed. Chief Architect enables you to communicate and illustrate a 3D model of your project.

Home Design Software Programs

April 9, 2007

Anyone with a dream and a computer can draw floor plans, house elevations, and stunning 3D pictures using these home design software programs. The programs can’t take the place of an architect and most aren’t recommended for creating working drawings. They can, however, help you visualize your house and some rival the professional-grade CAD (computer aided design) software programs architects use. Some programs are even FREE!

1) Broderbund 3D Home Architect
Over the years, Broderbund has offered a variety of very good home design programs that let you customize preset floor plans or create your own original. Broderbund has discontinued its home design software suites, but you can still find many of the Broderbund titles. You won’t receive full technical support for discontinued versions, but this software is so easy to learn, you might not need extra help.

2) Punch! Home Design Series
A single, beginner-friendly interface incorporates 32 programs with powerful tools,including CAD for 3D home and landscape design. You can plan your electrical and plumbing systems, design doors and windows, create custom trim, and much more. Buy the complete software suite, or choose the programs you need the most.


3) Abracadata Design Your Own Home for Mac
If you have a Mac, your choices are limited. Abracadata’s Design Your Own Home is a simple drawing program for a Macintosh operating system. The cost is sensible, but if you’re looking for free, also be sure to check DesignWorkshop Lite, which is listed below.

4) Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer
Better Homes and Gardens partnered with Chief Architect, Inc. to create home design software that is easy enough for the layperson. Unlike the professional-grade “Chief Architect” software, Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer requires no special training. Save money on an older version, or look for the most recent update.

5) Google SketchUp
Download the free SketchUp program from Google and you can draw 3D images of your building project. After you’ve created your 3D image, you can print it out or upload it to a “3D Warehouse” to share with others. The Warehouse also has drawings you can add to your own 3D picture.

6) DesignWorkshop Lite (FREE)
The cost-free DesignWorkshop Lite software program lets you build your own 3D models of architecture, landscapes, exhibits, or any kind of spatial design. For a small price, you can also order complete documentation, tutorials, and additional example building models.DesignWorkshop Lite has a dual platform for both Macintosh and Windows operating systems.

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