The Steel Framed Home Building Advantage

Andie Levine Houses September 19, 2017

With the huge variety of materials available to home builders these days, we are rather spoiled for choice. But we can narrow down those choices when we takes into consideration the site we have chosen to put the home on, and the weather conditions that exist in the chosen area. More and more people are choosing steel framed  homes because of its versatility, its strength, and the fact that when combined with other materials it is incredibly energy efficient.

Steel framed homes are extremely durable and, as they are preconstructed at a manufacturing plant, they can be put together on site so much more quickly than traditional building methods. The durability of steel means that it requires much less maintenance of your home over the years, and steel can easily be recycled so there is hardly any construction waste attached to a steel framed building. The prevalence of steel use in building construction means that the cost of using steel is less than in traditional wood framed homes and and so is insurance on steel framed homes.

Another big advantage to using steel frame construction is its resistance to termites, high winds, and snow loads. This is not only a safety issue and makes your home more protected, but is also a great money saver. The repairs on a steel frame constructed home are so much less than on any other type of construction. The variations of style with steel framed homes are many. Really, anything goes with steel. It is very pliant in manufacturing and can take any shape, so if you long for a bay window, you can have it.

So, if you are considering a new home, give some serious thought to using steel frames. They are cost effective, and can be erected on your site in a short time.

All images, including the featured image are courtesy of Pinterest and can be enlarged.

Source

48 total views, 14 today

Ultra-Posh Tiny Homes

Kimberly Smith Tiny House September 13, 2017

The tiny house movement has come a long way; from the humble wooden homes to homes with lofts, chef’s kitchens, and master bedrooms. The tiny house is no longer just for those seeking to downsize, it is also for those seeking a getaway, vacation home, a place to write their first novel, a luxury that the whole family can enjoy.

Tiny homes now have kid’s bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, luxurious tubs, and huge open showers. Many of these features used to be saved for big suburban homes and now the tiny house movement is creating a line of its own luxury housing.

From the traditional wooden house to renovating a school bus, there are so many different varieties of tiny houses from which to choose these days. Many are shaped like Tudor homes, mini-mansions, modern art designs, tree houses and much more. The creativity of the tiny house has no end. These houses are truly a movement and designed to suit their owners’ unique personalities. People are finding that the old saying, “less is more”, is true for them and they are getting everything they want inside and outside their tiny house design plans.

Here is a gallery of the some of the most luxurious rooms and spaces in tiny homes today:

 

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A Great First Impression Made with These Fabulous Doors

Kimberly Smith Home and Garden September 13, 2017

The door is the entry way to your home and its design says a lot about the home dwellers and their personalities. The front doorway says a lot about tradition and also plays a part in the art of feng shui. Which is the Asian art of placement and color. Red doors have a certain meaning, sometimes it’s good luck, gold doors bring abundance and make us think about all our riches. Green doors can do the same thing. Traditional doors say that the family and the home inside is most likely traditional. Modern doors may tell us just the opposite.

The quality of your front door is also extremely important. A front door is not something you want to replace year after year. A quality door will make an entrance way stand out above others. Quality doors should also last for many years, unless the homeowners changes styles, then changing the entrance would only make sense.

As far as styles go, there are endless types and styles of doors from small simple doors, to grand and ornate doors. If you bought a home and are overwhelmed by door choices, simply think about the way you’d like to decorate the inside of the home, and that should help you choose a style of door that truly complements your home.

Below we share a gallery of beautiful quality doors that would suit many different kinds of houses, enjoy the scenery and maybe you’ll find a door just right for your house.

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Your Patio: The Extra Room

Andie Levine Home and Garden September 13, 2017

When the wish for an added room in your home grabs you, but you have neither the resources nor the time, think about creating a patio as an outdoor oasis and your extra room. Whether you  like to sun yourself. or relax under the stars, a patio is your home’s ideal extension. And the beauty of a patio is that you can create one on a budget, as a DIY project, or hire a contractor. Patio floors can be wood, natural stone, pavers, Mexican tiles or painted concrete.

Furniture can be flea market finds or store-bought sofas. Plants are a cost-saving way to add color and texture to a patio without breaking the bank. Small all-weather rugs create added interest. You can feature a home-made fountain or a fire pit for your pleasure and relaxation. The options are endless, and creating this outdoor room can be simple and fun.

If you enjoy entertaining, patios are a wonderful way for guests to spill out of living rooms and dens, and get a breath of fresh air. For shade build a roof over your patio, or put up an awning that can be used or not for added comfort during the daytime. You don’t need an in-ground pool to cool off. Hang curtains for privacy and beauty. No matter your budget, you can create a luxury oasis in your backyard just by adding a patio. It is the extra room you could not add to your house, and provides additional space for parties, and social gatherings. This is something you, your friends, and family can all enjoy.

The images below and resources are all courtesy of Pinterest and can be enlarged.

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Modern Style Decor: Sleek and Uncluttered

Andie Levine Furniture and Furnishings September 13, 2017

Modern style decor is the epitome of clean lines, monochromatic color palettes, and an uncluttered look. Not everyone goes for this style of decor because they believe it to be too cold  and impersonal. But the modern style is far from cold and impersonal. With the occasional splash of color and warm neutral tones, this can be very inviting and cozy. Modern style furniture is not hard nor is it uncomfortable. A variety of textures and hues can be very welcoming for you and your guests and family. A soft throw tossed on a sleek sofa, begs you to sit down.

That touch of red on a pillow in a grey room, adds  excitement and drama.  The stainless steel kitchen appliances do not say “industrial”, but  that it is a clean and efficient work space.  A platform bed can be as comfy as a four-poster bed.

Neutral, and monochromatic color palettes are the hallmark of the modern style. They keep rooms from looking messy and cluttered, and have a calming effect on people. The simple lines, and the clean feel to modern style rooms create a peaceful ambiance that most folks enjoy. There is also a lightness to modern style decor that other styles don’t have. The heavy quality that more traditional styles possess, can sometimes be oppressive. Too many knick-knacks, too many colors and patterns in fabrics can often be overwhelming.

The images below are meant to be inspirational and to help you in finding your particular modern style. All images and resource material are courtesy of Pinterest and the pics can be enlarged.

 

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Updating Your Living Room? Some Great Coffee Table and Decor Ideas

Andie Levine Furniture and Furnishings September 13, 2017

When you are decorating your living room, no matter what style decor you may choose, you want furnishings and accessories to compliment your furniture. The coffee table is an important furnishing in all living rooms. And it serves a variety of purposes for you and your guests. Trunk coffee tables can be storage for blankets and throws for the cold weather. Coffee tables with drawers can hold stationary, pens, and other sundries. Double shelved coffee tables can provide space for beautiful accessories as well as magazines and books. Or coffee tables can be more than utilitarian, and more decorative with candles, vases, small sculptures and art books. You can put plants and flowers on coffee tables for color and interest.

Of course the coffee table is also used for food and beverages. The size and shape of your coffee table should not only compliment the chairs and sofas in your living room, but it should also be large enough for comestibles. Coffee tables are made from many different materials like wood, glass, metal, cushions with trays for stability, and ottomans with fabric.

They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. When choosing your coffee table you should take into consideration your decor style, your needs regarding extra storage, and whether or not you want it to also be a decorative piece of furniture.

The images below are a variety of suggestions to help you make some informed choices about your coffee table and the type of accessories you might like to put on it. All images and resources are courtesy of Pinterest and the images are expandable.

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Sofas – Your Living Room’s Welcome Mat

Andie Levine Furniture and Furnishings September 13, 2017

Whatever your decor style, the furniture you choose for your home says more about who you are than anything else you own. And regardless of your style, what you want from your furniture is for it to be inviting and welcoming. Sofas are the most important piece of furniture in your living room.

Usually, they are also the biggest piece of furniture in your living room. The rest of your living room’s decor revolves around your sofa choice. The ambiance you create in your living room is dictated by your sofa choice. Whether your decor style is modern, traditional, French Provincial, Craftsman style, mid-century, your sofa is the piece of furniture that creates the feel of your home. The materials used for the frame, the fabrics on the cushions, whether or not you have pillows or throws as accent pieces, all go together to make your living room particular to you.

When you create seating groupings, you are creating a flow of conversation for your guests. Sofas  can be sectional, which somewhat directs that flow in the direction of the sections. Some sectionals have ottomans for putting your feet up, for a more casual feel. Velvet and chenille sofas give you a feeling of luxury in their textures. Even more formally designed sofas can be warm and inviting and create a good conversational flow. It doesn’t matter if your sofa choice is an angular one, or one with rounded curves. They all say, “Sit on me”.

The sofas shown below are intended to be used as inspiration for you as you decide what style of sofa is right for you. All images and resource material are courtesy of Pinterest and the pics can be enlarged.

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9 bedrooms Guaranteed to Promote Sound Sleep

Andie Levine Furniture and Furnishings September 13, 2017

If your bathroom is your at-home spa, your bedroom is your haven, your sanctuary – the place you go to unwind and become renewed. Sleep is something we all need to function in this world and getting a good night’s sleep is an important part of your day. Bedrooms need to be soothing so monochromatic color palettes are often used to provide that atmosphere. Neutral tones are a great canvas for bedroom accessories and easy splashes of color.

Your bed is, of course, the most important piece of furniture in the bedroom. But the choice of what kind of bed to get is dependent upon your particular needs and tastes. Whether your mattress is soft or firm, whether you sleep on a futon or in a four-poster, your bed must be inviting. The addition of lots of fluffy pillows, throws, and cozy blankets, adds to your bed’s invitation to get in it.

It is so important that your bedroom has no distraction, nothing that can disturb your mind and sleep rhythm. Many people put televisions in their bedrooms for late night viewing, but a minimum of electronics is often advised by sleep experts. Also a  dark room is in keeping with your evening circadian rhythm, so be sure to turn that television off before retiring. Keep your computer in your office. Your bedroom can be formal or casual and still provide the peaceful quality you need for a sound night’s sleep. The 9 bedrooms featured below are all illustrations of the comfy bedroom. Even the unique hanging bed is an example of an inviting piece of furniture.

The images below and resource material here are all courtesy of Pinterest and the pics can be enlarged. They are also intended as inspirations for your style and choices.

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Craftsman Style Homes Stand the Test of Time

Andie Levine Craftsman Home September 13, 2017

The Craftsman style home grew out of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, which began at the end of the 19th Century and lasted into the 1930’s. Recently it has had a renaissance of sorts and become popular and desirable once again.

The Craftsman style home is characterized by natural materials like wood and stone, and typically has gables and porches, and wooden shingles on the exterior. With great attention to detail, with mouldings and beautiful staircases, this style of living has stood the test of time. Clean lines and simplicity of design, with lots of natural wood are the hallmark of the Craftsman style home. And there is a beautiful and easy flow from room to room in the Craftsman home.

The Arts and Crafts Movement prided itself on hand work rather than mass production, so each Craftsman style home is unique. Some of the most typical features of the Craftsman home are exposed rafters, square columns supporting the main roof, the motifs of Frank Lloyd Wright in the homes interior, a front porch, a mixture of natural materials, and hand crafted wood and stone elements.

Fireplaces are also very common to the Craftsman home, and add to the warmth of the materials used in its design. Interestingly, when the Craftsman style home was introduced it found its place among the wealthy and upper middle class. Nowadays this style home is highly prized, and you can find it all through the country, not just in the American west where it was first built.

Most of the homes illustrated below are more modern versions of the Craftsman style home. These images are intended to inspire your creativity and give you an idea of what the Craftsman home was all about. The images and some of the resource material are courtesy of Pinterest, and all pics can be enlarged.

Additional Source: http://www.homeplans.com/house-plans/hp/styles/craftsman-home-plans-craftsman-homes.html

70 total views, 8 today

Futons: Doing Double Duty

Andie Levine Furniture and Furnishings September 13, 2017

When I lived in a tiny studio apartment in New York City my favorite piece of furniture was my futon sofa. By day my little room was a living room with as much space as I could have possibly gotten out of it. And by night it was a cozy bedroom. My futon made it possible for me to have people over for dinner. It was very comfortable as both a sofa and a bed. It was easy to open and close and Made me feel like a lived in a bigger apartment. It made what could have been a claustrophobic life, not so. I loved my futon.

Futons are one of the most versatile pieces of furniture you can own and they can be used in just about any room. If you enjoy having sleep over guests but don’t have a guest room, a futon sofa can turn your office or living room into a bedroom in the blink of an eye. They can be built as a twin, full size, queen or king size bed. They are available not only as sofa beds but also as convertible chairs for a child or small adult. There is some science that purports that futons are better for your back than the more traditional sleeper sofa. They come in different thicknesses, and can be constructed from natural or synthetic materials. There is a myriad of futon covers to match your home decor and color palettes. And they can offer splashes of color in more neutral settings. The frames are usually made of wood or metal, and both offer comfort and style and also drawers for storage.

The images and resource material are courtesy of Pinterest and all images can be enlarged. If you need some versatility in your home, a futon may be just the piece of furniture for you.

29 total views, 1 today