Home Interaction

I love my TV. I mean, I hate my actual TV, but I watch a decent amount of it.  A source of education, comfort and entertainment I will never be one who claims watching TV is terrible for you. It can be if you rot your brain on reality TV non-stop but sometimes after a bad day there is nothing more soothing than popping in a DVD (Twilight-ahem) and having a glass of wine curled up on the sofa.  But unfortunately, TVs aren’t that attractive. And placing them in a room can be a source of stress (men have very strong opinions about this I’ve found- groundbreaking, I know) but I hate when it’s the absolute focal point.  In our last home I refused to put the TV over the fireplace and have it be the first thing you see when entering the house so we had it on this other wall where we’d both get neck cramps from having to position ourselves such a way as to both see the TV.  So now in our new place it’s over the stupid fireplace.  Once we figure out our permanent (or more permanent) residence I’ll amend this.  I the meantime, here are some ideas on how to work with a TV in a room….

Hanging a TV on a dark wallpaper or wall color like this Osbourne & Little paper below totally camouflages the TV!

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Succulent fountains are becoming increasingly popular for a variety of reasons: homeowners can’t keep up with constant filling if their water feature doesn’t automatically fill, mosquitoes are a problem in fountains where the water doesn’t circulate enough, and then there are the pumps and filters that need frequent fiddling.

Filling a fountain or other water feature with succulents is an easy alternative. And we are seeing more and more of these funky focal points out and about.

A colorful mix of all kinds of succuelnts provide a pretty focal point in a dry landscape.

It might be noted that many of us feed the birds with seeds and nectars and fruit.

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If you wish you could wake up every morning to a nice swim with tropical fish in the front yard, well, you have to own an oceanfront home to make that dream a reality this built-in enclosure aquarium might be a close enough second for more ordinary houses.

Translucent glass gives you a window into a miniature underwater world to accompany your showering experience, letting in light and allowing views from inside while protecting privacy on the outside.

Embedded directly in the shower stall walls, it could be used for little land animals or other environments, landscapes or objects of design, but somehow fish do seem the most fitting. Design by Cesana.

It is Quilting Dogs and Cats by Lynette Anderson-O’Rourke will delight animal-loving quilters. It features several delightful patterns, including hand bags, journal covers, pillows, wall hangings and a full-size quilt. Many projects feature embroidery as well as piecework.

The Civil War Quilting Circle by Kathleen Tracy features authentic historic quilt patterns from the American Civil War and will please quilters, history buffs, and re-enactors. The author has included letters and stories of the soldiers and the women on the homefront who made valuable contributions to the soldiers’ welfare.

Want to make a quilt in a day? More 90-Minute Quilts by Meryl Ann Butler lets you do just that. It features fifteen projects made with only squares or triangles.

Quilt a Gift by Barri Sue Gaudet features delightful heirloom baby blankets, quick hostess or house warming gifts, many Christmas items and much more.

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How can I install in-floor heat with PEX piping on an existing cement slab on grade?

Jake, one way to install a radiant floor heat system over an existing cement slab is to use a prefabricated radiant panel, such as those manufactured by Warm Board. These insulated floor panels can be installed over an approved vapor barrier and attached directly to your home’s concrete slab. The surfaces of the radiant panels have grooves routed into them, into which the PEX piping is installed. The great thing about this type of product is that you have several options when deciding which type of finished flooring to install over the radiant panel. In most cases you can install hardwood, carpet, tile, or even sheet goods and laminates over the radiant panel system.

When designing your radiant heat system, you would be wise to consult a HVAC contractor who has experience with radiant heat systems. When these systems are sized correctly and installed properly they can provide heat to your home in a very comfortable and efficient way.

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Florida beaches can be beautiful but floods are far from fun . This house, however, seems to welcome oncoming waves with a huge sweeping arc of its own.

This impressive mid-sized vacation-and-guest residence is situated on a thin barrier island, straddling a forested strip of Casey Key turf sandwiched in surf on both sides.

Designed by Totems Inc to mimic canoe and ship hulls, glue-laminated pine beams bring wooden warmth to the inside while allowing curves that would be impossible with traditional lumber.

Sometimes the best home property insurance for a flood lies in the architecture rather than a contract.

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