September, 2016 | home improvement

Hotel Ambiance – What is Essential is Invisible to the Eye

September 29, 2016

We define ambiance as the mood or the atmosphere that we encounter in a particular place at a particular instance of time. Ambiance, in this context, is a very important aspect of the hotel experience. It’s not really something guests see, but rather something that is felt, something that is experienced.

Without ambiance, hotels will simply be buildings with a bunch of rooms for lodging-and nothing more. Ambiance helps transform the hotel from a building with accommodations to a home away from home, an establishment where guests can be alive and well. Ambiance is the hotel’s character, important both for the hotel’s own mark as well as for the enjoyment of its many patrons.

Take the Gravetye Manor Hotel, for example. It is perhaps one of the most ambiance-filled hotels ever. This garden hotel located in England may not be the most flamboyant and spectacular hotels in the world, but it is filled with an inherent beauty and character afforded by the garden, the hotel’s stone construction, and a remarkable view of the surrounding English countryside. Its unchanging composition makes travelers come back for more.

Another excellent example is the roof of the Lebua at State Tower, located at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. With its breathtaking perspective overlooking the sprawling Bangkok cityscape, it’s no wonder many voted it one of the most ambient hotels in Asia.

See, the thing about ambiance is that one hotel doesn’t have to be located anywhere in particular just to simulate an atmosphere. Sure, being surrounded by lush groves and a rustic setting helps create a particularly relaxing mood, but it takes more than location to pull it off.

When it comes to creating that perfect atmosphere, well-appointed rooms that complement the hotel’s desired theme or character are always a big plus. Every tiny little detail should be able to work with every other detail as well as the environment, in order to create a unified mood that meshes together perfectly to achieve the desired result.

Sometimes it’s all about getting all things perfectly matched. From the food to the furnishings to the music played in the dining hall, these details all help create a unique ambiance. Lighting, of course, has a big effect on the ambiance. Even the decorations on the doors and the intricate tapestries adorning the walls play a significant role in establishing a mood inside the hotel.

People look for ambiance practically everywhere, from where they will be sitting at lunchtime to where they will be drinking their venti caramel frappuccino when the night comes. Atmosphere is everything-well, maybe not everything, but it sure is a very big something-especially when it comes to choosing hotels. Getting that particular mood just right helps establish the character of the hotel, and it is this defining characteristic that will help make guests book at the hotel more than once. Great ambiance translates to happy clients, and having that down pat means the hotel is well on its way to success.…

Moving Into Your First Home the Green Way

September 29, 2016

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| house

Moving out of the parental home and into one's first home is very exciting, if perhaps a little scary. Suddenly the reality of adulthood is sinking in: rent payments will need to be made on time, bills will arrive on the door step … and household chores are waiting, when one returns home from work or university.

Before one can settle into domestic bliss, there is the stressful day of moving home. No matter how many cardboard boxes one has managed to get from the supermarket, there never seems to be enough to store all one's belongings. Even after a drastic "cull" among the children heirlooms and teenage memories one has been holding on to, there are still the clothes, the files needed for university or work, the books one can not bear to part with and the CDs, DVDs and technical paraphernalia that comes with modern living.

Keeping valuables safe during the house move is paramount, but cardboard boxes from the supermarket or newsagents are not designed to carry heavy loads like books or files, let alone computer equipment. Worse, after the day of moving one is left with a pile of wrappings and cardboard boxes that clutters up the new flat until the day of the fortnightly waste collection. Although purpose made cardboard moving boxes can be recyclable and possibly even reusable after the move, they can be expensive to buy. At a time when most young people are struggling to find work or the money to go to university with escalating university fees, saving money during the house move is more important than ever.

Hiring green recyclable, reusable plastic moving boxes is a viable alternative to cardboard, especially since most cardboard, even the recyclable kind, ends up in landfill sites. Moving boxes can be hired for a whole week for very little money, plenty of time to pack up the things one wants to keep and to take the rest to a charity shop or sell them online. After the move the rented boxes are returned to the hire company. There is no waste and many other people get to enjoy the benefits of using these strong, stackable moving boxes.

Rather than making many trips with a self-drive rented van because the cardboard boxes can not be stacked high enough, one can save petrol and time by packing up marriages into recyclable, reusable plastic moving boxes fit for the purpose. This saves not just on cost of fuel but also on time with regard to the van hire, since vans can be hired for half days or just a few hours rather than a whole day or weekend.

When one arrives in one's new home, there is always the annoyance of the previous occupant having removed all the light bulbs. Moving into a new home typically means spending some money on replacing every single light bulb in the property. Oh, and one must not forget the toilet paper – that's never where it should be on the …

The Best Place to Start an Organizing Project

September 27, 2016

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| bathroom, kitchen

So where is the universally most effective place to start organizing? Anywhere! Yup, that's right – the first place you select is perfect. This spot is exactly where you are supposedly to begin. That low hard-to-reach shelf in your pantry? Excellent. The random basket of odds and ends in your bathroom? Right on the money! No need for self-doubt or criticism. There really is no wrong place to begin an organizing project; the important thing is that you start and you give yourself lots of credit for doing just that.

With all of the rules and tips and stories out there it is no wonder you fear starting a new project – especially one that has the ability to impact your daily life and that may even force you to change some of your habits. What if you do something wrong? What if you make things worse ?! You're the one who got yourself into this mess and how can you trust yourself to get out of it?

Here is a little secret for you: YOU are the best person for the job. Yes – you! A Professional Organizer brings space layout and product ideas, objectivity and motivation, and lots of energy to make the job easier. But we also know that our main goal is to extract all of those wonderful strategies and solutions that are rattling around in your brain that will work for you. You know your life best!

So trust that you already have the solution inside, pick a place to start – and get to work! Start off slowly and organize for only 15 – 30 minutes at a time. Allow yourself to work your way up to longer sessions. Organizing is a lot like exercising – it takes time to build your energy and stamina to handle a 3 hour cardio and weight-training session. It is the same with organizing! You need to strengthen those organizing muscles and habits to create a lasting change that you will be motivated to stick with.

What have you got to lose? If the mood strikes today, give it a whirl and work through that kitchen drawer or pile of papers and see what happens. My guess is that it'll feel kind of good, take less time then you expected, and hopefully make you realize that you've got what it takes to get the job done right! …

Herb Garden Plants

September 26, 2016

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| garden, kitchen

Herb Garden Plants are not only easy to grow but they offer a fresh scent to any home. Herb garden plants are a wonderful way to bright up any backyard. They are not only add a beautiful aroma, but are beautiful. Many people will grow the herbs in small pots and place them around the kitchen for their scent and beauty. As you decide on where you are going to place the herbs, make sure they have a large amount of sunlight. Herbs need the sunlight to grow. They will need several hours of sunlight a day.

Another place to grow the herb garden plants is in the backyard. Herbs can be added into the landscaping or they can be placed in large pots. No matter where you place the herbs, make sure they are getting adequate sunlight. Remember, no matter where you place your herbs, they will need the sun.

Herbs are very easy to grow as long as you water them adequately. Make sure you do not over water the herbs as this can kill them. Herbs can handle dryer conditions from time to time and can actually thrive in these conditions as long as they do get water. Dry conditions will make the aroma stronger and the flavor better. If you are growing the herbs in pots, make sure the pot has a good drainage system.

Different herbs can be used for different things while cooking. As you learn about the different herbs, you will find the ones that you tend to prefer. As a result, you may want to grow more of one herb versus another. This only can happen with time and learning which herbs are your favorites.

Vinaigrette's:

If you love to have vinaigrette over your salad, then you will want to grow herbs that can be added with olive oil to make fresh vinaigrette. Some herbs that you might want to grow are tarragon, chives, basil, dill, rosemary, thyme, and lemon balm. Add olive oil into a bottle and add your favorite herbs and you have just made vinaigrette.

Herbal Teas:

If you love herbal tea, then you might want to grow chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint, and spearmint.

Spaghetti:

For all your favorite pasta dishes, you might consider growing basil, oregano, parsley, and garlic.

Container Herbs:

If you have kids that love to make things, consider making a container herb. Some good container herbs to make are thyme, mints, parsley, basil, sage, marjoram, and oregano. So use your imagination and go wild on what to do with these plants. It is a wonderful addition to any home. As I always say, have fun with it!

By: Keith Greene …

Home Kitchen Garden – Twelve Tips to Help You Grow a Successful Organic Garden the First Time!

September 26, 2016

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| garden, kitchen

As a novice in home kitchen gardening, there are a few things that you must learn and understand. Here are some tips to help make sure that your attempt at gardening is successful right from the beginning.

Do …
* Look for a space that catches a lot of sunlight, plants need sunlight to produce their food to help them stay alive.
* Make sure that the soil is fertile and well cultivated, most of the nutrients are found in the soil so this is really a must.
* Plant crops that is in season, this will help you maximize your yield.
* Water the crops on a regular basis; water is needed in photosynthesis just like sunlight
* Protect your plants from stray animals by setting up defense such as gaps or walls
* Remove weeds and unwanted grass for they steal the nutrients that should be going to your plants.
* Fertilize the soil by adding natural fertilizers; this will make the soil healthier due to the abundance of nutrients.

Do not …
* Over water the plants for they may wither and die
* Eliminate all insects for most of those found in the home kitchen garden help the crops grow
* Do not use chemical based fertilizers, make your foods as safe as it can be, there are a lot of organic fertilizers that you can use as substitute
* Forget to harvest the crops regularly; this will help them become more productive
* Despair if you fail on your first try because as they say, practice makes perfect, so just keeping trying.

A home kitchen garden is very beneficial for it does not only provide fresh, healthy and safe foods on your table, it can also be a means of recreation for you and your family and a source of additional income. So, considering all of these benefits it is well worth the time and effort! …

Where Do Bathroom Cabinets Come From?

September 25, 2016

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| bathroom

You may be amazed at how many places there is to search for bathroom cabinets. I can recommend the internet and the nearest specialist. At the bear minimum have a brief description of what type of bathroom cabinets you really want. Try and get an idea on the net as to costs and availability and then go to a few of the well known high street stores. It will help you not to get over charged. A great deal of the upper end bathroom cabinets can be cost so you should really know what you are going to finish up with. Your bank account will tell you if it's in the budget.

The cost difference of a bathroom cabinets from a continent to a different one is massive. This is down to the cost of moving things round the globe. And as well how little individuals earn in every country. Please look at the place of origin. I would think it will be the far East. It has been like this for ten years now.

Any person you has had any experience in purchasing good quality ones before bought to be consulted. I am certain they should assist you. To agree to a trade at this moment would be a very bad idea. A discount probably will be misleading. If you were in their shoes you would push the one that you will make the most from. You really should not go for it just yet.

Now you've done the hard work you should be building up a good idea of the end buy. Try to not get too way in front of things though at the moment. You truly musn't rush into a decision. Because of the high cost of the bathroom cabinets you really are required not to rush at this moment. Almost all good bathroom cabinets stores will help guide you along the way. You may wish to stay to the store you have got favorable with. You should consider that you could trust him now. It could even save you money. Being on good terms with a shop may influence their discount.

You should feel comfortable with the deal on offer to you. Before you sign up it may be an idea taking the price to other stores and receiving an alternative quote. You should then realize if it is a fair price. They might well want to put you in contact with previous clients. I would start to panic if they can not provide this service. With the way things are in the world now you recognize how much you had to work to be fortunate enough to be able to afford your brand new bathroom cabinets. Do not make it a costly mistake. …

Do not Let the Weather Design Your Home

September 24, 2016

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| garden, interior

Half way through August and the first false hints that autumn is not far off are creeping into our gardens. Blackberries are ripening in the hedges, crab apples are flushing with rosy hues begging to be picked and turned intoicate jams and anyone venturing onto the lawn in the early morning has to step carefully to avoid the maze of spider's webs threaded amongst the dew drops.

With summer coming to an end our thoughts turn indoors to redesigning and decorating ready for Christmas. With a virtuously limitless choice of colors and a vast range of materials, interior design has never been such fun. Unfortunately, with such a choice, unless you follow the latest trend, interior design has also never been so confusing. Just how do you choose from the whole sweetshop of possibilities?

One simple way of cutting your way through the maze is to employ an interior designer. They can help with advice on trends, fabrics and color combinations. Not only that, but interior designers can suggest best layouts for rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens, create moods for bedroom design, help you make the most of small spaces and suggest the best lighting to enhance mood.

Whilst interior designers can suggest colors and layouts they will be working with you and matching your style to the final plans. Although some of your tastes do not tend to change, others will migrate over time and it is important to recognize this when you are looking at color and fabrics. One aspect that many people overlook is the effect that the season has on their choice of colors.

Mention autumn and the instinctive reaction is to think of russets and browns, of long walks in autumn gales and snuggling up at night next to a dancing log fire. This instinct translates into the way we look at our homes and we are more likely to think about warm colors when we decorate in autumn and winter. Spring, with its new life and fresh breezes moves us towards greens and yellows whilst summer opens up brilliant whites and the clear blue of the sky.

Your interior designer will help guide you through these sentences and work with you so that you can visualise how your home will look through the year. Sometimes something simple such as a variety of throws or a change of lamp shade combined with variable lighting will enable you to change the feel of a room with the seasons. Alternately you may have a room that is more used in the winter than the summer and decorating that with warm colors will meet your winter needs while using clear brighter colors may suit rooms leading directly to the garden.

Whatever you choose, make sure that it fits with your personality and style. At the end of the day, you have to live with the décor and it is your home. Remember that and enjoy your interior design. …

Custom Office Signs – Different Options, What’s Best?

September 23, 2016

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| garden, house, interior

Beyond multimedia ads, posters, product labels and other marketing collaterals, you still need to keep your company’s image or “presence” visible in places or situations where you and your employees may be too busy to speak for the company. Custom-made office signs can help do some of that talking!

Outdoor signs

If your business depends on walk-in clients, you need an outdoor sign so they’ll actually find you. Make sure your outdoor signs reflect the same company logo, fonts, colors, style, marketing tagline, etc. as in the rest of your marketing campaign.

Standing ground signs. Installed on the front lawn of your office, these need to be durable and weatherproof, with at least two display sides that can be easily read from nearly any angle and as far away as possible. These can be made with cedar posts and treated plywood (i.e. Crezon Plywood or Alumiclad Plywood), with garden floodlights to illuminate it by night. You can also have a backlit sign, with durable semi-transparent plastic displays and an aluminum frame to house the lights within.

Building IDs. If you don’t have a lawn or spot on the sidewalk, take it higher. Place a “building ID” sign prominently at the outer wall of your office building, or as an overhanging sign facing passersby. These signs are best done as backlit “light boxes”, made of durable plastic or semi-transparent material and aluminum framing.

Interior signs

Once inside your office, you need to impress visitors by restating your company’s presence in a more polished manner.

Lobby wall signage. These are large versions of your company’s name, logo and tagline (if any) made out of metal (i.e. polished, cut or cast), formed plastic or acrylic, or even foam, and mounted on your receiving area’s most prominent wall (usually where your receptionist’s desk is). For the best effect, use raised mounts (spacers between the mounting surface and the actual signage). For drama, have ceiling spotlights trained on the signage or attached behind the signage itself.

Office nameplates. These are signs for doors or areas designated for particular departments and officers. Though simpler, these signs should still bear the same style and personality as your official logo. Use the same font and colors as with the lobby wall signage to mark important areas such as “Product Development”, “Sales & Marketing”, “Accounting”, “President’s Office”, and even “Cafeteria” and “Restrooms”. Instead of using cheap static cling or decal signs over each department’s glass doors, do your best to budget for the same material you used for the lobby’s wall signage-it does make your company look more credible to both clients and employees!…

Top Agents’ Approach To SELLING Houses

September 21, 2016

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| general

There’s no such thing, as a sure – thing, approach, or way, to successfully selling houses. However, when we examine some of the things/ techniques, which have worked, consistently, effectively, by top agents, for a substantial period of time, as well as evolving methodologies, dedicated agents, who focus on listing houses, and representing homeowner – clients, become better capable, of achieving the best, possible results. With this in mind, this article will briefly consider, and review, using the mnemonic approach, some of the approaches/ methods, top agents use, for SELLING houses.

1. Strengths; system; sales/ marketing: From the onset, the agent and homeowner, should agree, what the most relevant strengths, a particular house, possesses! When they are on the same – page, and agree, as to the strategy, responsibilities, etc, results usually benefit! Creating a system, which attracts qualified buyers, and networks effectively with other agents, improves the potential results! It is important to understand and realize, sales and marketing, must work together, hand – in – hand!

2. Emphasis; empathy; enthusiasm/ energy: How a real estate professional, proceeds, and what his emphasis, might be, focuses efforts, in a directed way! Only when an agent proceeds with the highest level of genuine empathy, does he become capable of using quality teamwork, and the most desirable results! When agents possess quality enthusiasm, and an energy, which attracts others, it certainly makes a real difference!

3. Listen: Agents must focus, and effectively listen, to their clients, as well, as what potential buyers say, and the feedback provided! One must be proactive, and address, any area of perceived weakness, etc.

4. Learn: Only if someone goes beyond, merely listening, and learns effectively from every conversation, experience (positive and negative), feedback, etc, can he possibly, get the best positive results!

5. Imagination; ideas: How will someone make a particular property, stand out, in a positive way, from the rest of the pack? How has he enhanced his level of imagination, and created, and used, quality ideas, which bring about desirable results!

6. Needs: Serving a homeowner/ client’s needs, priorities, etc, and articulating/ communicating, to potential buyers, how the property, will meet their needs, should be a top priority!

7. Good teamwork/ plan: When client and agent, remain on the same page, throughout the transaction process, they develop an understanding, of their respective responsibilities, and how they might, best work together. It is, indeed, this quality, good teamwork, which is a major reason, for positive, desirable selling results! There must be an agreed – upon, quality plan!

There is no doubt, the better one’s approaches and techniques, the better, the SELLING results. Doesn’t that make sense?…

Choosing Wall Art For The Home

September 20, 2016

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| decor

Choosing Wall Art for each Room

One of the most frustrating and cruel parts of home decoration is picking out wall art. Choosing a piece of art that reflects your personality, interests, tastes and getting it to fit in with the overall theme of your home is a monumental task. It only goes to figure that the hardest task of decorating your home is also the most important one. I've put together a few simple tricks and ideas that mights to make the chore of picking out wall art a little easier.

What Do You Envision uses each room for?

Some very important points to consider when picking out wall art is, what will you be using the room or space for? Do you regularly have guests over? Will you be entertaining? Is this just a family space?

These are important question because you can use the answers to help with your choice of wall decor. For example, lets say you have friends over on a regular basis for wine and dinner, then maybe you could display some pictures of wine bottles with glasses and maybe some photos of destinations where wine is made like Italy and France in other rooms. These could be color or black and white prints. The purpose of the room can be a great contributor to choosing a style of art. It is also easier to break it down room by room instead of trying to look at the space as a whole.

Style Choice

I mentioned Photographs before because photographs can easily tell your story. Color photographs are good in that you can easily match the colors to the rest of the room. Black and white photos always look good and will work with just about any decor. They can look modern or vintage.

Photographs are not for everyone and there are many different styles of art to choose from. The best way to choose this is look at many different styles and find what style you are drawn to the most. Some of these styles are contemporary art, graphic art, metal art, oil paintings, period pieces, vintage prints (ads and pictures), modern art, historical pieces, watercolors, etc .. etc … styles is a large task but you will quickly decide upon the styles you are drawn to and the ones you are not.

Placement and Display your New Art

After you have decided upon a style of art that best fits you and your space, you will need to decide upon placement and display style.

If you have large open wall space, you will want to find some large pieces. For example, a large painting or photograph. You could also view a 3 panel triptych photograph or painting or a collection of art to fill a large wall space.

For medium and small spaces you will want to pick wall art that will not overwhelm the room or space. Small space, smaller art. Medium space, medium to small pieces of art.

Another thing …

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