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Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Javascript Thumbnail viewer

For quite a while I was using on my blogsite 24/7talk interior design a javascript thumbnail viewer which worked out quite well for me, only a 100% validation with W3C was never possible as some of the used expressions were not XHTML compliant. Something that I personally bothered me quite a bit. So after searching for a replacement, I found a new javascript thumbnail viewer which is similar in its capabilities than what I used. I ended up with Highslide JS an open source JavaScript software, offering a Web 2.0 approach to popup windows. As per the Author Thorstein Hons, it does streamlines the use of thumbnail images and HTML pop-ups on web pages. The library offers these features and advantages

  • No plug-ins like Flash or Java required.
  • Pop-up blockers are no problem. The content expands within the active browser window.
  • Single click. After opening the image or HTML popup, the user can scroll further down or leave the page without closing it.
  • Compatibility and safe fallback. If the user has disabled JavaScript or is using an old browser, the browser redirects directly to the image itself or to a fallback HTML page.

I started to use some of the code already and except of some small missing necessary CSS adjustments it does perform perfectly and also validates as 100% XHTML. As with any new Software one has to work with it for a while to get used to its strengths and or weaknesses. One reason also that I choose Highslide JS was that the Author has an active Support Forum with great support.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Motorized Sun Shades for Skylights

One effective way in controlling Sunlight and heat in your Home or Office is with Solar Sun Screen fabrics which are used with Roller Shades or Roman Style Window Coverings.

Somfy Sun Sensor Control Panel
Somfy Sun Sensor - Control Panel

Just last week we tackled an Issue of Sun protection and Heat in one of my Client’s Home. Our Client wanted a atractive protection from heat and solar glare for his Hallway. A couple Issues we had to deal with:

  • Height of Shade Installation - over 20ft in a narrow Stairway
  • Length of Shade over 15ft
  • Depth of Shade – no possible interference with Smoke/Fire Detectors
  • Visual Attractiveness of Shade – in open as well closed position
  • automated operation required

Solar Skylight in open positionl
installed Solar Skylight in open position
We solved the problem with installing a solar screen skylight shade, controlled by a smart Somfy Sun Sensor and an additional standard Switch control to enable the user to override the opening or closing of the Solar Screen Shade from the smart automated Somfy Sun Sensor. Solar Skylight Shade in retracted position
Solar Skylight Shade in retracted position
Installation went without any problems and after the usual adjustments, the motorized Solar Sun Screen worked like it should. It will close when the Sun rises (as required) and opens at dawn again to let additional light into the Stairwell.

Monday, January 28, 2008

New technology for precise measuring

Having to go out to Clients Homes or Offices and taking exact measurements has always been a time-consuming task.
My solution to this particular issue has been a product called Leica Disto ( a measuring device which measures the distance with a Laserlight - exact to a 1/16" of an inch).
Leica Disto
perfect tool for precise measuring

It is a very versatile Product.
Great when measuring Rooms for Floor Covering Products such as Carpets, etc. Very efficient, as one does not have to fiddle along with a long 25' Tape. No Posibility of scratich Furniture or Walls. Specially great when measuring long Hallways of Offices during Business Hours.
Like last week, I was out on a Job, measuring a Room for a Lighting Design Project. In a very quick and fast efficient way, I had measured the import Details one needs to know with no running a long 25' Tape across the Room. Even the Client was surprised how fast it went.
Or another Example: Modern contemporary Home, one has to measure for large Triangular Windows for Shades. A 25' Tape would be cumbersome and probably not exact either as all the Windows are 15' above Floor and difficult to reach.
With the Leica DISTO it was a snap to do. Precise and fast and not time consuming at all. Hunter Douglas Window Fashions now realized the advantages of this Laser Tool now too and just commented in their latest Views Magazine (Magazine for HD Window Fashion Retailers), that they are working on an Interface, which takes the measurements from the Leica DISTO and transfers them into their Ordering System. Something I recommended already several years ago when attending their Training Seminars.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Kitchen Counter Top alternatives

Quartz Surfaces by Caesarstone


In my last discussion about Choices of Kitchen Counter Tops, I talked about the use of Quartz Surface Materials for Counter Tops.
One of the Products, which we have successfully used for some of our Projects, is made by Caesarstone.
Quartz Counter Top in Kitchen by CaesarStone
Counter Top by CaesarStone

It is comprised of up to 93% natural quartz -one of nature's strongest minerals - and backed by a comprehensive warranty.
CaesarStone's quartz surfaces, with their properties of stain, crack, scratch, chemical and heat resistance, are the perfect choice for carefree kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, flooring, tabletops, wallpaneling and more.
The Caesarstone's quartz surface never need sealing and require very little maintenance to keep them looking like new. The hard nonporous surface makes cleaning simple. In most cases, soap and water or a mild detergent are all thats required to maintain its luster. One item every Customer will like is the a comprehensive and a generous 10-year Residential Limited Warranty so that one can enjoy its beauty and function with an added peace of mind.
CaesarStones quartz surfaces are nontoxic, and in accordance with international NSF 51 safety standards. The nonporous quality of the quartz surface prevents the growth of surface mold and microbes, even while its low-maintenance nature require less detergent use. This combination allows the CaesarStone quartz surfaces easily meet the stringent sanitation requirements of restaurants, hospitals and schools.
Look and Feel: The quartz surface retains the cool, tactile qualities of natural stone. Aggregates range from fine-grained salt and pepper patterns to coarse-grained color blends with a variegated visual texture. Three finishes expand the design possibilities even further: polished, honed (matte) and Viento (textured).
The standard slab dimensions are 120inches by 56.6inches, enabling great design flexibility and maximum utilization of the product. Further there are three thicknesses available: half inch, three quarters inch, and one inch and a quarter which will further help to accommodate a multitude of applications.
To Find Out More information about CaesarStone's quartz surface products, please call us at our Westchester Phone Number: 914.984.4097..

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Interior Design News

Elegant Bathroom Sets by Ceramica Globo - new Relais

11 Mar 2010 at 10:47pm

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Embodying elegance and grace, these chic new bathroom sets by Ceramica Globo make a classic yet contemporary statement of style. The cool angles and simple forms of the new Relais bathroom collection bring a contemporary look to your space. Pictured here in their timeless black and white finishes, this bathroom set has been designed with a variety of pieces that can be mixed and matched to bring your ?dream bathroom? to life. Quite possibly the defining piece of this collection is the freestanding washbasin, available in six different sizes to suit your space. A toilet and bidet let you further customize the look and feel of your bathroom with their suspended, wall-mounted and floor-mounted designs. A luxurious, deep bathtub made of Pietraluce boasts a brilliant glossy finish that?s as durable as it is beautiful, while the coordinating shower with a tray and enclosure satisfies the shower person in the household. Complement the look with matching mirrors and towel rails. For more details on this elegant bathroom set, visit Ceramica Globo.

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Cool Shade Parasol - 'Stingray' Shade Sculpture by Tuuci

11 Mar 2010 at 12:14am

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This cool shade parasol by Tuuci is ?cool? in every sense of the word ? from its contemporary look to the shade it provides. Dubbed the Stingray Shade Sculpture, this sun umbrella features a distinctive shape that makes a modern addition to your yard, patio or poolside space. A polished, wrought aluminum mast curves its way up from the base and is topped by the eye-catching stingray shaped parasol which rotates 360 degrees, delivering cool shade at any time of day. Made of Tuuci?s Tuff-Skins Sunbrella material, the shade is ?tuff? enough to weather the storm, sun, wind ? you name it. Paired with your favorite sun lounger or patio furniture, make a shady spot your hotspot this summer with this shade parasol. For more information visit Tuuci.

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Walnut Bed with Maple Pop-out Boxes - Liffey bed with drawers underneath by S...

11 Mar 2010 at 12:05am

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Country-chic character and built-in storage make the Liffey bed by Shimna a modern urban must-have for the home. This striking bed boasts a substantial design with a strong, natural-grain finish carved from a single walnut slab and topped by a hand-made headboard featuring two tiny pop-out maple boxes perfect for storing earrings or other personal items overnight. Concealed underneath the bed, four maple pull-out drawers provide hidden storage space that won?t impede your aesthetic ambitions, whether your home is modern-minimalist, contemporary-casual or tradition in look. Choose from a variety of hardwoods including walnut, oak, maple and cherry, each with its own distinctive color, grain and look. The standard queen-sized Liffey bed measures 85 inches long by 69 inches wide by 32 inches high, and also comes in full and king sizes. For more information visit Shimna.

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Unusual Toilet and Bidet ? 'Made' compact by NIC Design

9 Mar 2010 at 8:51pm

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If you?re looking for an unusual toilet and bidet for your bath, you?ve got it "Made". The new Made toilet and bidet by NIC Design are cool and compact, and totally untraditional ? just the thing to shake up a boring, dated bathroom. These chic, wall-hung fixtures feature spherical bowls and come in a contemporary white or black finish. Measuring just 62 by 38 cm, this pair makes a great addition to compact bathrooms and powder rooms. Complement the Made collection with polished chrome fixtures and the right accessories, and your bathroom will rival any other room in your home, both in looks and in comforts. Check out this unusual toilet and bidet by visiting NIC Design.


Modern Plastic Outdoor Chairs by Domitalia

11 Mar 2010 at 4:52am
modern-plastic-outdoor-chairs-domitalia-baba-1.jpg Making their anticipated debut at Salone del Mobile 2010, these modern plastic outdoor chairs by Domitalia are indicative of the funky direction for outdoor decor in the coming seasons. The Baba and Phantom chairs are fun in their concepts, featuring modern materials, rounded shapes and cool colors, all with a cartoon feel. The Baba chair is a compact stool style-seat with a backrest and integrated handle, making it easy to pick up and move into the shade, the sun, by the bar or where the action is. The Phantom chairs are loosely modeled after a formal dining chair, complete with back and armrests and dressed in a chair cover, ?fabric folds? and all ? executed in plastic! Available in a range of hot hues these funky plastic chairs offer durability and make a great addition to casual outdoor environments. Check them out at Domitalia. modern-plastic-outdoor-chairs-domitalia-phantom.jpg modern-plastic-outdoor-chairs-domitalia-baba-2.jpg modern-plastic-outdoor-chairs-domitalia-baba-3.jpg

Oriental Style Sofas - Jalis soft sofas by COR

1 Mar 2010 at 3:18am
oriental-style-sofas-jalis-cor-1.jpg Designers Mark Jehs and Jurgen Laub put their heads together and came up with this cool, smart sofa design ? the Jalis soft sofas by COR. ?Jalis,? taken from Arabic, translates to ?relaxed communication,? and a more fitting name there could not be. These Oriental style sofas were made for any space and any situation, from casual lounging to formal entertaining. Designed to encourage social interaction, this soft sofa can be combined for a variety of layouts suited to any-sized space. The fine fabric provides support and style, and when the light hits it in a certain way you?ll appreciate a pattern of three-dimensional fine embroidery. The deep seats, cushy backrests and copious cushions deliver comfort and a contemporary signature style that transforms any room into a social hotspot. For more details on these Oriental style sofas visit COR. oriental-style-sofas-jalis-cor-2.jpg oriental-style-sofas-jalis-cor-3.jpg

Modern Mirrored Furniture - mirror covered furniture by Porada

20 Feb 2010 at 4:36pm
modern-mirrored-furniture-empire-1.jpg Mirror, mirror on the wall, the Porada collection of modern mirrored furniture is the fairest of them all! This trendy mirror covered furniture is on the cutting edge of cool, adding that essential glam factor to any room. The Empire cupboard with mirror frame and doors lets you store your knick-knacks in style. The doors boast a touch-and-latch system, so there?s no unsightly hardware to spoil their sleek look. Complement the clean, contemporary design with the Libra mirrored wall-handing bookcases. Alone or as a set, these striking bookcases hide away your fave reading materials behind their chic mirror doors. And while you?re on a roll, accessorize in style with the Megalux oversized floor mirrors. Featuring a mirrored frame, these large-scale mirrors double your decorating fun. For details on this modern furniture, visit Porada. modern-mirrored-furniture-libra-1.jpg modern-mirrored-furniture-megalux-1.jpg modern-mirrored-furniture-libra-2.jpg modern-mirrored-furniture-megalux-2.jpg

Modern Occasional Furniture by Porada

20 Feb 2010 at 4:16pm
modern-occasional-furniture-porada-empire-1.jpg Italian furniture company Porada is putting some fun into your home decor with this modern occasional furniture. These sculptural, unusual furniture pieces are as eye-catching as they are functional ? a must in the modern home. The Flamingo wooden clothes stands bring some order to your clothing chaos. These playful designs let you hang your hat while doubling as an art piece! To accommodate your storage needs, the Empire cupboard is stylishly clad in a walnut, lacquered black or glossy white finish, outlined in a modern mirror frame. Each front door features a divot, and a touch-and-latch system for easy access. Then, kick back and put your feet up on a luxurious leather pouf, the Alcide will do nicely! These classic black and white poufs will complement any decorating style, whether modern, traditional or somewhere in between. For more on these modern occasional furnishings, visit Porada. modern-occasional-furniture-porada-alcide-2.jpg modern-occasional-furniture-porada-flamingo-1.jpg modern-occasional-furniture-porada-empire-2.jpg modern-occasional-furniture-porada-alcide-1.jpg

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