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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, March 28, 2007

If Architects Had to Work Like Web Designers

A humorous article comparing web designers to architects. Taken from “Brisbane Web Design Company Hello Media

Dear Mr. Architect:

Please design and build me a house. I am not quite sure of what I need, so you should use your discretion. My house should have somewhere between two and forty-five bedrooms. Just make sure the plans are such that the bedrooms can be easily added or deleted. When you bring the blueprints to me, I will make the final decision of what I want. Also, bring me the cost breakdown for each configuration so that I can arbitrarily pick one.

Keep in mind that the house I ultimately choose must cost less than the one I am currently living in. Make sure, however, that you correct all the deficiencies that exist in my current house (the floor of my kitchen vibrates when I walk across it, and the walls don’t have nearly enough insulation in them).

As you design, also keep in mind that I want to keep yearly maintenance costs as low as possible. This should mean the incorporation of extra-cost features like aluminum, vinyl, or composite siding. (If you choose not to specify aluminum, be prepared to explain your decision in detail.)

Please take care that modern design practices and the latest materials are used in construction of the house, as I want it to be a showplace for the most up-to-date ideas and methods. Be alerted, however, that kitchen should be designed to accommodate, among other things, my 1952 Gibson refrigerator.

To insure that you are building the correct house for our entire family, make certain that you contact each of our children, and also our in-laws. My mother-in-law will have very strong feelings about how the house should be designed, since she visits us at least once a year. Make sure that you weigh all of these options carefully and come to the right decision. I, however, retain the right to overrule any choices that you make.

Please don’t bother me with small details right now. Your job is to develop the overall plans for the house: get the big picture. At this time, for example, it is not appropriate to be choosing the color of the carpet.

However, keep in mind that my wife likes blue.

Also, do not worry at this time about acquiring the resources to build the house itself. Your first priority is to develop detailed plans and specifications. Once I approve these plans, however, I would expect the house to be under roof within 48 hours.

While you are designing this house specifically for me, keep in mind that sooner or later I will have to sell it to someone else. It therefore should have appeal to a wide variety of potential buyers. Please make sure before you finalize the plans that there is a consensus of the population in my area that they like the features this house has. I advise you to run up and look at my neighbor’s house he constructed last year. We like it a great deal. It has many features that we would also like in our new home, particularly the 75-foot swimming pool. With careful engineering, I believe that you can design this into our new house without impacting the final cost.

Please prepare a complete set of blueprints. It is not necessary at this time to do the real design, since they will be used only for construction bids. Be advised, however, that you will be held accountable for any increase of construction costs as a result of later design changes.

You must be thrilled to be working on as an interesting project as this! To be able to use the latest techniques and materials and to be given such freedom in your designs is something that can’t happen very often. Contact me as soon as possible with your complete ideas and plans.

PS: My wife has just told me that she disagrees with many of the instructions I’ve given you in this letter. As architect, it is your responsibility to resolve these differences. I have tried in the past and have been unable to accomplish this. If you can’t handle this responsibility, I will have to find another architect.

PPS: Perhaps what I need is not a house at all, but a travel trailer. Please advise me as soon as possible if this is the case.
(Author unknown)

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Combination Shower Heads - combo head I.WO by Hego gives you shower, waterfal...

21 Mar 2010 at 2:33pm

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Italian bathroom brand Hego made its mark on bathrooms with its new combination shower heads. Dubbed I.WO, an acronym of ?In Wonderland,? this modern shower-waterfall-and-shelf-in-one is convenient in function and contemporary-cool in fashion. The unusual shape and stainless steel high-polished finish complement this innovative design beautifully, which doubles as a shower shelf for your shampoo, body wash or razor. Two discreet wheels allow you to control the water flow and temperature, and this combo head lets you choose between a standard shower and a luxurious waterfall. Coordinating designs for the shower, basin and bathtub let you maintain a modern, minimalist aesthetic throughout the bathroom, also available in an electronic model (I.WO.e). For more information visit Hego.

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Artisan Fire Pizza Oven - new by Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet

18 Mar 2010 at 10:03pm

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Just in time for the alfresco entertaining season, outdoor kitchen appliance maker Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet has introduced the new Artisan Fire Pizza Oven ? the latest essential for your summertime soirees. This high-end outdoor pizza oven is the first countertop pizza over to offer an open front and two independently controlled burners, for the outdoor gourmet. ?Innovation is one of the hallmarks of Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet,? says Pantelis ?Pete? Georgiadis, president of Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet.

?We built the Artisan Fire Pizza Oven to deliver a better, more unique cooking and entertaining experience. There is a certain romance built into this oven. Your family and friends will be all over you to watch the flames at the back and the cheese bubble as you are baking your pizza.?

Blending the time-honored tradition of a brick-lined, wood-fired pizza oven and wrapped in a contemporary package of gas-fired stainless steel, this new outdoor dining essential tops over 800 degrees to deliver your gourmet pizza, calzones or artisanal bread in no time. And making a big impression at your next backyard barbecue doesn?t take up much space at all ? this compact design measures just 30 inches wide, 30 inches deep and under 20 inches tall. And in true tradition, this oven is built to last, made by hand of heavy-gauge stainless steel that can withstand any weather. The Artisan Fire Pizza Oven retails for $6,495.

To order yours and for more information, visit Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet.


Surround Sound MP3 Sofa by Natuzzi

18 Mar 2010 at 6:43pm

Italian furniture innovator Natuzzi is taking seating to a new world of sights and sounds, with the new 'Surround' sound MP3 sofa. Its contemporary look and integrated modern technology make this a must-have for tech lover with a cool sense of style. Relax in the comfort of this chic sectional sofa, and drift away to your favorite tunes. The speakers and docking station are built right into this elegant design, rich in aesthetic details like the stitching and sleek silhouette. A modular backrest ensures the level of comfort matches the level of style. Available in a wide range of leather colors, the cool Surround sofa looks as good as it sounds! Check it out at Natuzzi.

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LED Lighted Shower Column by Megius ? Waterwall

18 Mar 2010 at 6:32pm

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Shower yourself in luxury and light, with this cool LED shower column by Megius. Combining water with color, Waterwall is the latest in home-spa essentials, allowing you the relaxation of chromatherapy as part of your daily routine. This LED lighted shower column features a skirt and variable-length blowholes, and it can be installed as freestanding, recessed or semi-flush with shower enclosures, as per your bathroom design. Available in two variations, the Waterwall features a panel with 6mm tempered glass in a glossy back or white finish equipped with digital soft-touch controls. The illumination factor comes via two vertical LED strips running the length of the column. But the luxury doesn?t stop there! This sumptuous column boasts six anti-dorsal jets, a thermostatic mixing valve, a hand-shower with a magnet for easy storage, and a showerhead with four water dispensers. Turn your showering experience into something you can really sing about! For more information on the Waterwall shower column, visit Megius.


Funky Chair Designs with Removable Seats - 'Snap' chairs by Karim Rashid from...

19 Mar 2010 at 6:09pm
funky-chair-designs-snap-karim-rashid-feek-1.jpg Karim has done it again! These funky chair designs by Karim Rashid let you mix and match your way to a more exciting home decor. The Snap chairs are the latest ultra-modern innovation from Belgian furniture brand Feek, featuring high-polished chrome frames with removable split seats made of expanded-polypropylene pieces, available in a range of hot cool colors including hot pink, orange, red, silver, black and white. An all-white or all-black chair is a classic choice suited to any style, but when the mood strikes you can shake things up by mixing and matching the split seats in any color combination. Simply snap the seats in place ? hence the chair?s name ? and relax ?cause it?s just that easy! To check out these fabulously funky chair designs, visit Feek. funky-chair-designs-snap-karim-rashid-feek-2.jpg funky-chair-designs-snap-karim-rashid-feek-3.jpg funky-chair-designs-snap-karim-rashid-feek-4.jpg funky-chair-designs-snap-karim-rashid-feek-5.jpg funky-chair-designs-snap-karim-rashid-feek-6.jpg funky-chair-designs-snap-karim-rashid-feek-7.jpg

Pink Bedroom Furniture by Karim Rashid for Valdichienti

17 Mar 2010 at 5:44am
valdichienti-bed-karim-rashid-collection-1.jpg This new bedroom suite by Karim Rashid is hot ? hot pink, that is! Designed for Italian furniture house Valdichienti and geared up for its big reveal at Salone del Mobile 2010, this pink bedroom furniture represents a new ideal in furniture, combining fashion and function, with a little flair thrown in for good measure. This playful set is characterized by its rounded corners, soft lines and of course, it?s stand-out color great for a girl?s bedroom or a sophisticated bedroom retreat. The bed boasts a chic pink and white headboard with exaggerated curves reminiscent of lips. A matching pink and white pouf features three parts that can be combined or separated for additional seating. A sofa rounds out this bedroom furniture collection, with a modern silhouette and Rashid?s signature pink hue accented by funky outlines. Designed for comfort and contemporary style, this sweet bedroom suite is a must-have in our books! Check it out at Valdichienti. valdichienti-pouf-karim-rashid-collection-1.jpg valdichienti-sofa-karim-rashid-collection-1.jpg

Patricia Urquiola Furniture Collection - new Fergana for Moroso

14 Mar 2010 at 3:44am
patricia-urquiola-furniture-collection-fergana-moroso-1.jpg Italian company Moroso has unveiled its new furniture collection ? Fergana seating by Patricia Urquiola, which combines tradition with technology. Patricia Urquiola artfully incorporated old and new into this innovative seating line; history and evolution meld together on this broad seating modeled in Oriental salon style and embellished in an embroidered motif where ancient scribes and symbols meets modern characters with a pop aesthetic. Specially made for large spaces, this furniture line invites you to flop down and sprawl out, casually and comfortably. These modular pieces can be arranged in any configuration, to any proportions, making them ideal for a den, family room or home theater. For the specifics visit Moroso. patricia-urquiola-furniture-collection-fergana-moroso-3.jpg patricia-urquiola-furniture-collection-fergana-moroso-7.jpg patricia-urquiola-furniture-collection-fergana-moroso-9.jpg patricia-urquiola-furniture-collection-fergana-moroso-10.jpg patricia-urquiola-furniture-collection-fergana-moroso-2.jpg patricia-urquiola-furniture-collection-fergana-moroso-4.jpg patricia-urquiola-furniture-collection-fergana-moroso-5.jpg patricia-urquiola-furniture-collection-fergana-moroso-6.jpg patricia-urquiola-furniture-collection-fergana-moroso-11.jpg

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

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