Rent to Own.ph Blog

South Korea's Home of the Future

2012-02-19T17:17:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com

A stove that recommends recipies, wallpaper that changes colour at the touch of a finger and a table that may just be the world's largest iPod --- it's not science fiction, just the first wave of futuristic homes in South Korea.

Cut the Clutter: Inspiring Ideas for Kids' Room Storage and Organization

2012-02-12T18:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.hgtv.com

Hoover: Dragon babies and moms will surely love these ideas for children's rooms! Find out how to make your child's small space functional and beautiful.

If your kids' idea of a clean room is everything piled in the corner, it's time for a storage-solution intervention. Check out these designer spaces that use fresh ideas to create clutter-free kid spaces.

Toy (Storage) Story: Chic Ways to Tuck It Away

Who needs a toy chest when you can store playthings in more chic containers?

Hanging organizers, drawers and baskets clear up space to reveal a pop of purple paint from the closet.

Closet Transformation: Dead Space Becomes a Workstation

Double the storage capacity in your child's closet by adding another rod for clothing.

With all the extra space, you can construct a workstation from MDF (medium density fiberboard) for homework and crafts.

Crouching Deer, Hidden Storage: Decoration With Function

Install kitchen cabinets in a child's room for ingenious storage. The insides can accommodate baskets
full of toys and books, and the cabinet fronts can accommodate decorative decals, so it's not an eyesore.

Conquering Wasted Space: A Newborn's Classy Closet

A baby's closet is usually a mess of clutter because the area isn't organized for anything

other than hanging clothes. Conquer the clutter with containers and smart shelving.

Controlling Chaos: A Tidy Teen Study Center

A teen's desire to express oneself with photos, notes and keepsakes can overwhelm a study space.

Fortunately, these wall rails from PB Teen offer the best of both worlds: Your social butterfly can keep her
photos and keepsakes pinned up, but thanks to the slim design, they won't take over the wall.

Dresser Delight: Storage Fit for a Queen

Decorator Jeanne Benner of Morristown, N.J.-based Greenbaum Interiors creates a storage-filled fantasy
room for this little girl. Because she is too young for a loft, Benner designs a bed with a
dresser-drawer-filled base for storage.

Triple Play: Three Beds in the Space of One

this beachy bedroom thrives on smart use of space and small surprises.

High Society: A Sophisticated Loft Space

The idea of elevating a bed to gain storage below is nothing new, but in this bedroom, Patricia Davis Brown
managed to incorporate a double dresser, a media center, a shelving system and
a study space under one queen-size loft bed.

Presto (Diaper) Change-O: The Disappearing Changing Table

Interior designer Patricia Davis Brown has an innovative changing table armoire, which stores powders,

creams and wipes. However, it has a secret identity: It's also a chalkboard and play area for the older kids.

Slip and Hide: Dressing Up Simple Tables

After interior organizer and home stylist Noelle Micek discovered her kid clients' favorite toys were their tools,

she created a customized table apron to house their beloved screwdrivers, hammers and pliers.

All-Star Storage: Sport-acular Closet Organization

New York apartments aren't exactly known for their ample storage space, but interior decorator and

professional organizer Dawn Falcone hit a home run for this active family with adjustable shelving and a drawer unit.

Not-So-Old School: Rockin' the Lockers

One school's trash is a decorator's treasure. At least that was the case when
Huntsville, Ala.-based interior decorator and organizer Jennifer Mullin saved these lockers
from the wrecking ball for a sports-themed boys' bedroom.

IKEA Small Spaces - Finding Your Own Space In A Shared Space

2012-02-05T16:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com

Six friends living together in 40 square metres might seem like a recipe for disaster, but a home like this proves that when everything - and everyone - works together almost anything is possible. Whether it's an artists' retreat, a student collective, or a cabin in the woods, small ideas to maximise space can make all the difference.

Amazing NYC Apartment - Transformer Style..Storage in Disguise!

2012-01-30T02:00:00.000-08:00

from: www.youtube.com

Very cool New York City "Swiss Army" style space-saving apartment located in Gramercy. A full wall of floor-to- ceiling built-in storage; ultra modern wall bed; foldaway table; and of course....a secret office! The apartment has an incredible view, original 1930 hardwood floors, and ample closet space. For Small Space Storage Ideas and Consults: Email mrbraintastic@mac.com

THE WORLD'S No.1 TV BED - INTEGRATING THE WORLD'S THINNEST LED TV SCREENS

2012-01-23T17:17:00.000-08:00

from: www.youtube.com/

TV Bed Ltd are the innovators of the original Chicago TV Bed and due to this unique product's success have developed a complete range of TV Beds and automated TV furniture to suit all environments from classical to contemporary. TV Beds range of handcrafted, luxury, distinctive design and cutting edge technology make our products unique.

Tips for moving: Use Mobile Storage when Relocating

2012-01-17T19:24:00.000-08:00

from: www.storagecontainer.com

Hoover: This is a company that sells or rents shipping containers as storage facilities in the US. Theirs is a good idea and I am sure some enterprising shipping container owners would soon follow in this line of business here in the Philippines.
Ways to Eliminate Relocation Stress

For businesses and families that are moving to a new location, mobile storage is an alternative to a same-day moving company that can make a significant event less stressful. If you choose this option, you won’t need a truck, have to deal with a moving company, or find it necessary to complete the move in one day, which can be quite hectic.

Benefits Of Using Storage Containers

Renting these containers is both convenient and affordable. For example, you can load a unit from your office or home without having to rent a truck. Today, a wide range of modifications to these containers are available, such as turbine vents, extra doors, and shelving partitions or holes. In addition, storage containers can be modified to meet your exact specifications, such as providing space in the walls for windows.

Today’s refurbished shipping containers have a steel lock box welded to the unit’s surface that encloses, hides and protects the lock from tampering of any kind. They are also water-tested to ensure that they are completely leak-proof, and since the containers are completely enclosed, your contents will be safe and secure in transit.

Deciding To Rent Or Buy Your Container(s)

If your need for storage exceeds 20-24 months, you may want to consider buying your container(s), as it will be more cost-effective. Convenience is another important factor in making your decision. Generally speaking, if you purchase the unit, you will be responsible for maintaining it. With a rental, services are provided for maintaining the unit whenever it needs repairs.

With your moving date in mind, note that you will be dealing with a delivery schedule for your shipping container that is both fast and flexible, and every effort will be made to accommodate you.

Counting On Our Customer Service

Remember that our outstanding customer service is provided by a family-owned business. We are ready, willing and able to be your partner in working out all of the details of moving your goods to your new location efficiently and effectively. Our customers continue to be impressed by the flexibility we offer, our ease in handling large orders, and the availability of our customer service team. In any circumstance, it only takes a phone call to reach our operations manager, our help desk, and/or the personal sales representative working with you. Our goal is to help you create a custom-made solution for your shipping and relocation needs that will make the transition a smooth one.

Consultant Tony Allen works with businesses and residential customers to find the correct use for storage containers or container offices for your business. Whether you’re thinking about storage containers for rent, or purchasing one for a business project, you’ll find their many uses inspiring.

Small Space Inspirations: Built-Ins

2012-01-09T01:00:00.000-08:00

from: www.apartmenttherapy.com

When I walk into a house one of my favorite things to see are built-ins! Besides the fact that they look great and add charm to a home, they are super functional. Built-ins take advantage of otherwise useless nooks and crannies, save floor space, add storage, and eliminate the need for extra furniture! What's not to love?

The classic built-in hutch! Great for storing and displaying tablewares.

Built-ins come in a shapes in sizes, from banquettes to hutches, and window seats to shelving — they're all great and we think more homes should have them! Here are some of our favorite examples of built-ins from past Apartment Therapy posts and house tours.

An amazing circular window seat.

This home has tons of swoon-worthy built-in wood details and shelving.

A gorgeous built-in sofa.

An otherwise useless nook is turned into built-in wine storage with a few shelves.

A bench, dresser, and open shelving all built-in to a roof dormer.

A bookshelf doubles as a guardrail for the adjacent stair, and looks lovely!

This awesome stair includes built-in shoe storage in one of it's risers. It also doubles as a bench!

These built-in bunk beds are cool enough to even make adults envious!

Small Loft Featuring Bright, Vividly Colored Spaces

2012-01-01T23:38:00.000-08:00

from: freshome.com

Hoover: Happy New Year! Out with the old, in with the new. New design ideas for your small space.

Even a small loft can become a candidate for a perfect dream home. This next residential space is an example of how great partitioning and vividly bright spaces adorned with colors and patterns can transform a boring space into a youthful, elegant loft. Occupying 58 square meters, this apartment displays functional spaces divided on two floors. The first floor shelters the main living spaces – kitchen, dining room, living room and bathroom, while the second floor is occupied by the bedroom. The elongated structure of the apartment allowed the living spaces to be united by a stylish spiral staircase. Found on Homedit, the beautiful small apartment seems larger due to the height of the ceilings. This also allowed the space to be configured the way it is – with a mezzanine sheltering the private quarters, where relaxation and joy is enhanced by a feeling of fairy tale design.

Corner Drawers: Solutions for Awkward Kitchen Spaces

2011-12-27T00:37:00.000-08:00

from: dornob.com

Hoover: See some design ideas that turn your kitchen corners into usable space!

For those hard-to-reach places, there are all kinds of crafty solutions – but for looking integrated with the rest of your kitchen, few beat corner drawers.

In some cases, there are vertical solutions that can utilize extra areas even more efficiently – but when there is not space in the Z axis, a 45-degree-angled stack of drawers at least uses half of the void leftover space.

A Home and Business Headquarters In a Small Space

2011-12-12T00:39:00.000-08:00

from: http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com
http://www.designboom.com

Red Light Districts are commonly littered with many a nook and cranny, dark corners where anything and anybody can lurk, or hide. It would not necessarily be the place to start if you wanted to develop a homestead. But Belgian architects Silvia Mertens and Pieter Peerlings saw an opportunity in Antwerp's former Red Light District, in a space just 2.4m wide, to develop their idea of a home and the headquarters for their business, Sculp(IT).

The dimensions offered no choice but to build upwards. Four stories, sandwiched tightly between two buildings, would represent four different living or working spaces. On the ground floor, the office; the second floor, the dining room; the third floor, the living room and the fourth floor, the bedroom.

Deciding on the floorplan became a matter of modesty rather than convention as the entire frontage of the building is glazed and open to the outside world. In fact, it stands as a light art installation for passers by and an exercise in exhibitionism which salutes to the less than salubrious past of the area. The bathtub, situated on the rooftop, seals this notion, out of the way of most prying eyes but still deliciously extroverted.

It is clear this is not a place for convention. The bedroom is more jailhouse-chic than anything else with a cold silver floor featuring a splash design and a seat-less toilet taking pride of place beside the bed. The metal spiral staircase, which was inserted in one piece, links every floor for a practical yet equally open effect. There are no doors to prevent the channelling of sound between the floors of the container-esque build.

Lack of space and a need for integration of design require an ultra-minimal way of living for the occupants. Personal effects are left with little space to occupy, a single rail playing host to the pair's clothes. Yet this remains a very personal space, almost exclusive despite it's transparency. In designing a space which is so open, it acts in itself as a public display of affection, a unifying space saying 'us against the world', and as an architects office offers a bold display of their honesty showing their dedication to work and displaying their self-expression in architecture and a sympathy to their surrounds. Not a small achievement for a 2.4m space in the dark alleys of Antwerp's former Red Light District.

Hoover: It is fascinating how some people create space in places where others will not look twice.

More Small Space Decorating Ideas

2011-12-04T17:05:00.000-08:00

from: http://www.countryliving.com

Hoover: A few more tips and tricks to get your small space functional and eye-catching.

Functional Cabinet

Install a wall-mounted shelf to keep baking supplies off the counter but within easy reach. Double the shelf's utility by adding hooks to hang towels, pot holders, and tools.

Pin up items to be kept out of sight, such as rubber gloves, sponges, and plastic bags, on the inside of a cabinet door. Using hot glue, affix magnets to the back of plain clothespins, and glue the other magnets directly to the door.

Romantic Hallway Bench

Just a few key elements can keep a busy hallway or entry better organized. A bench provides both a focal point and a place to slip on boots; individual cubbies offer family members a catchall for scarves and gloves. A boot tray collects shoes along with drips and mud, and a hanging pocket organizer holds mail.

TV Cabinet

When you don't have room for a separate living room and den, and you would rather stow the television out of sight when you have guests, an armoire can hide it all away. Keeping the armoire the same color as the wall makes the room feel open.

Built-in Seating

Built-in seating requires less space than chairs and provides the bonus of much-needed storage beneath.

Sliding Drawer

No room for a dedicated pantry? Cabinet manufacturers offer slide-out units that fit into standard base-cabinet openings, or gaps between cabinets.

Sink Skirt

A sink skirt and vintage cabinets add personality and provide extra storage space.

INSPIRING SMALL SPACES

2011-11-28T15:11:00.000-08:00

from: http://www.hgtv.com

Don't let the lack of square footage stifle creativity. See how designers and Rate My Spacers transform their tiny digs.

Use the Entire Wall

Be a collector and a small space dweller with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, like the ones designer Luis Caicedo created for this book lover's bedroom. Different sized alcoves create visual interest and fit the need for larger and smaller books without wasting any space.

Smart Furnishings

Floating nightstands are a perfect solution for petite bedrooms. Most have a drawer or an open area for storage, but they don't take up valuable floor space, which helps the room look larger than it actually is. Design by Rethink Design Studio.

Maximize Your View

A favorite accessory for anyone decorating a small room, mirrors make a space appear larger and create appealing views, especially when placed across a favorite piece of artwork, cool furnishings or a well-designed display.

Stand Out Pattern

Expand the room visually with an oversized graphic that can also act as a one-of-a-kind headboard. RMSer Rethink Design Studio uses a calming neutral palette to push back the walls and adds a collection of small mirrors to bounce light around the room.

Open Up the Walls

Don't weigh down kitchen walls with bulky cabinets. Use colorful open shelving to create the illusion of more space, while still providing plenty of storage.

Everything in Its Place

Tiny pantry? No problem. Use fun woven and wire baskets to keep all your pantry staples in line. Place similar items together on the shelves and make sure the space is well lit.

Two Rooms in One

Get the most out of a small space by having it serve double duty. In this home office/guest bedroom, designer Erica Islas uses a desk that slides out of the way so a Murphy bed can be pulled down when guests are staying.

Built-In Alcoves

A corner between two windows often stays empty because it's hard to find a piece of furniture that fits. Transform it with a built-in corner cabinet to display collectibles, like RMSer Tetbury, or to store books and magazines.

A 430 sq ft Rennovated Apartment in Tel Aviv

2011-11-20T16:51:00.000-08:00

From: http://www.littlediggs.com

This is another excellent example of the use of a 'cube' as a solution for maximizing space, utility, functionality, and design.

Following Tel-Aviv’s soaring housing prices over the last 3 years, many people were forced to renovate their existing apartments instead of selling and buying bigger ones.

This owner decided to transform her studio apartment into a 1 bedroom, including storage units, a large separate kitchen and a full size queen bedroom.

As a design solution, we chose to condense all the programmatic functions and storage units into a cube which was centered in the middle of the space, thus dividing the apartments into 4 zones, while maintaining a 360 degree circulation around it, which makes the space seem endless and bigger than it actually is.

By adding sliding doors that disappear into the cube, the space can be altered according to the time of day and the various needs of the owner, contributing further more to the sense of a multi-functional and multi-layered space.

SMALL KITCHEN DESIGNS

2011-11-13T17:37:00.000-08:00

From: www.free-home-decorating-ideas.com

Hoover: Simplicity and an inventive use of space make these small kitchens not just functional but beautiful as well!

These small kitchen ideas that will help you make the most of your space:

*Purge relentlessly and get rid of everything you don't need.

*Keep your kitchen clutter-free.

*Invest in small kitchen appliances.

*Create pull-out and foldaway surfaces.

*Use the walls for storage.

*Hang racks and rails from the ceiling for storing pots, pans, and utensils.

*Put shelves inside as many of the cupboards as you can for twice the storage.

*Use the backs of doors for spice racks or utensil storage.

*Put drawers at the bottom of your cabinets behind the kick-plate.

*Buy a cutting board that fits over the top of the sink.

*Use shiny surfaces and glossy paint to make your small kitchen feel bigger.

Storage is always a big issue in small kitchen design. Add wall-mounted racks and shelves to maximize storage. This kitchen is given a modern edge with wall mountedstainless steel shelving.

This is a very efficient and effective small kitchen design -- they've used every bit of available space from the backs of doors to walls. They've even added additional shelving in the pantry to double the storage space. Wall hooks and door racks are essential to a clutter-free kitchen.

If you have the space, buy a rack to hang your pots and pans from the ceiling. Pot hangers are especially nice because they keep your pots and pans from getting scratched and they keep everything within arms reach.

Ikea has a lot of storage options for optimizing a small kitchen. These simple wall mounted systems are great for spices and utensils. Rosle also makes a very nice customizable open kitchen collection.

What a beautiful eclectic kitchen design. By purging everything but the bare essentials, this pint-sized kitchen feels inviting and comfortable.

This miniature galley-style kitchen is perfect for someone who doesn't eat or cook at home very much.

The vintage plates on the wall transform this small kitchen into a quaint little country kitchen design while lovely accessories like the silver tea kettle and retro espresso machine add class.

Small kitchen design ideas always address the need for lots of storage. Furniture on castors and wall-mounted peg boards are a great way to add temporary storage.

The pastel blue and white make this small kitchen feel open and spacious. Modern features like the wall mounted pot rack, retro stools, and stainless steel accessories go well with the vintage cabinets and checkered cork tile floor.

Usually small kitchens are short on wall-space, which makes it hard to personalize with artwork and accessories. In this case, colorful wallpaper adds a lot of character while still leaving room for shelving and extra storage.

Even the smallest kitchen can incorporate a country-cottage kitchen style by keeping it light and airy.

OPEN CLOSETS IN SMALL SPACES

2011-11-07T01:26:00.000-08:00

from: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Hoover: "Storage can be a problem in a small apartment. One solution would be to devote a portion of the wall to storage, using a closet system, freestanding rack, or a converted shelf."

Small-Space Home Offices

2011-11-01T00:40:00.000-07:00

from: http://www.bhg.com

Hoover: Having a home office nowadays is becoming a necessity. Spare bedrooms aren't the only spaces that make great home offices. A closet, a corner, a hallway, or even the kitchen island can become the perfect work area both in small or big spaces.

Small But Efficient

Simplicity is key in small spaces. A cozy nook like this needs only the essentials. This built-indesk has one large drawer for files and smallerdrawers for office supplies. Semicustomcabinetry options are an affordable way to get exactly what you want. Consult your local cabinetry store or home center to explore design options. Or measure your nook and hunt down a ready-made desk that will fit your space.

Rearranged Furniture

Move your sofa to the center of your living room or family and use the space behind it as a home office. An elegant glass-top desk and narrow credenza occupy the space behind the sofa. With this arrangement, if your TV is centered in front of your sofa, your desk will be too, providing entertainment while you work.

Along the Wall

A wall of solid shelves can sometimes dominate a room, so change it up a bit by adding a desk between shelving units, or in this case, between a bookcase and armoire. To unify the elements and achieve the look of a built-in, keep everything the same color.

Kitchen Niche

Pay bills and cook a casserole without ever leaving the kitchen. All this is possible with adesk conveniently located in a kitchen nook. Let the spaces flow into one another by using the same material and hardware for yourcabinetry. Here, a simple surface extension provides the perfect amount of space for a single workstation in the heart of your home.

Smooth Transition

Utilize spare kitchen space by adding adjustable wire shelving to bare walls. Create a seamless transition by continuing the kitchencolor scheme in the underdesk storage area.

Island Hideaway

Add office space to the list of many functions a kitchen island provides. A drop-leaf table slides out from under this island, an ideal spot for doing homework, using a laptop, or paying bills. Storage drawers above the table are handy for storing bills, paper, pens, stamps, and more. When not in use, the table slides back into the island and is concealed behindcabinet doors that match the island's style.

Rethink Your Space

Put an extra closet to use by converting it into a clever and inexpensive workstation. Remove the doors and any extra shelving, paint the interior of the closet, and simply add a desk. To polish off the new nook, install baseboards to match the rest of the room and add task lighting, like these pendant lamps, to illuminate the space.

From Nook to Office

The spare bedroom shouldn't be just for guests. Make the most of a seldom-used space by adding a home office. A sleek, narrow deskand simple furniture increases its functionality without being too distracting. When guests arrive, this room can accommodate work and relaxation in a stylish setting.

Space with a View

Turn your window area into a small office. Install a built-in desk and shelves under a large window for a work area with a view. Here, a wooden ledge mounted under the windowsill serves as a countertop, supported by a shelving unit that ties into its surroundings.

All-in-One Space

With spaces to work, sleep, and relax, there's hardly a reason to leave this master suite. Thisdesk is tucked into the short hall between the master bath and bedroom. The stained pineflooring ties the office space to the other areas of the master suite.

Hallway Hideout

Hallways provide lots of opportunities for multifunctional spaces. This desk is tucked into the end of an upstairs hallway. The windowabove the built-in desk provides a nice view of the neighborhood. The library ladder makes it easy to reach stored books and office supplies.

Double Take

A two-sided desk doubles the workspace, but not the used floor space. This desk is assembled from an unfinished bookcase and a laminate-covered piece of medium-density fiberboard structured by two pairs of legs. The whole structure is just 5 feet long.

Smart Ideas for Small Spaces

2011-10-25T01:55:00.000-07:00

from http://www.bhg.com

Hoover: here are some design tips for small spaces, awkward angles, room colors and storage solutions for your home.

Fabulous Hang-Ups

Turn a closet or nook into a work zone. In this space, drapery panels slide along a curtain rod to make it easy to conceal the clutter. Even without an architectural niche or bay, you can duplicate this effect by curtaining off an area across the width of a room -- just hang thedrapes from a rod or thin wire suspended from the ceiling.

Distinctive Details

Add storage as well as architectural heft with a built-in. Incorporating a recessed daybed into this cabinet's design maximized limited floor space and eliminated the need to buy a sofa. Cushions covered with fabric remnants make this alcove cushy and inviting.

Hidden Assets

Don't let the awkward angles of a dormerdissuade you from taking advantage of square footage -- the light-filled alcoves are often the perfect spot to squeeze in a desk. Two 1 x 4s painted white and mounted on shelving brackets create a handy work zone in this second-story cubby. Built-in benches boost the cozy quotient and allow the space to double as a dining table for two.

Step It Up

Reclaim wasted space under a staircase as storage. Wide-trim molding turns these staggered shelves into a strong architectural feature. Baskets add eye-pleasing texture as they keep linens and other kitchen odds and ends corralled.

Nesting Instincts

Nesting tables are perfect for squeezing a lot of storage out of minimum space. Pull out the lower table when you need an extra surface for holding drinks or reading material, then tuck it away when you're done. Here, a stylishfabric-covered bin keeps DVDs accessible but contained.

Landing Zone

Transform the often-unused space at the top of the stairs into a destination. Built-in bench seating capitalizes on the sunny window on this second-floor landing, creating a cozy reading retreat. Flip-up lids under the bench cushions provide access to hidden storage.

Ceiling Savvy

Most people slap a coat of white paint onto their ceiling and call it quits, but creative use of the space can reap room-enlarging results. A tray ceiling lined with beaded board takes this room to new heights.

Hanging Around

Storage in a play area is a must, and a gridwall unit is a simple way to keep things off the floor but in plain sight. Here, colorful soft-sided bins are secured to the wall between the grid's crossbars, providing instant storage for toys and books. Matching bins below handle the toy overflow.

Art Imitating Life

Home offices are natural candidates for multifunctional spaces. This dining room was too small for entertaining, so it was converted into an artist's garret, complete with a draftingtable and a rolling set of drawers. To expand the room's usefulness, the built-ins hold special-occasion dishes, and extra floor space is home to a vintage bike that doubles as sculptural art.

Keep It Airy

Get big style from a small space through careful design. This kitchen is just 9 feet square, yet careful choices resulted in both beauty and function. Tall cabinets stretch to the ceiling in a mixture of light woods and reflective stainless steel that keeps the space clean and open.

Look Under the Bed

This bedroom uses the space under the bed forstorage. But rather than allowing that space to become a tangle of stuff, well-made drawerskeep things neat.

Tilt and Turn Windows

2011-10-18T21:21:00.000-07:00

Hoover: While on a recent trip, we were amazed at the windows in our hotel that open two ways. You can tilt it or turn it outwards using the same handle. It was even double glazed for noise reduction. Read on.

from: http://www.innotech-windows.com and http://www.swissshade.com

Tilt + Turn Windows achieve exceptional energy efficiency, air tightness, water resistance and sound control. Innovative European style Tilt + Turn Windows also provide excellent draft free ventilation and high levels of security. They are also easy to operate and are conveniently easy to clean.

Closed Position

A multi point locking mechanism with up to 7 cam locks for the (A 3) burglarproof security level keeps the sash tightly locked into it's frame. Wind & Rain resitance: tested and certified for loads of up to 25 lb per sq.ft and short loads (7 sec.) of up to 63 lb per sq.ft. This translates to 100 mi/hr respectively 145 mi/hr wind.

Tilt Position

Tilted inwards on top for optimal, draft-free ventilation. This opening position is still secured against intruders, leaving you and your property safely protected. You can leave the windows tilted open even in rain, (tilted approximately 150 mm (5.9") inwards).
For Ventilation: A traditional open window often causes a draft due to the direct path of the outside wind into the room. With a turn & tilt window, the outside air is channeled through the sides of the window, while hotter air escapes through the top. This process allows efficient air circulation without the draft.

Turn Position

Turn completely open, left or right, for egress/regress or for easy claning. Depending on the position of the window in relationship to the the inside wall, they can be opened up to 180 degree, completely against the inside wall.
For Ease of Cleaning: By swinging the window inward into the room, a homeowner can easily and safely clean both glass surfaces.

Not Just Another Door

2011-09-12T03:09:00.000-07:00

Hoover: Let's face it, doors are almost always the least thought about in any home design. Perhaps these new ideas will jumpstart a creative door trend!

1. SLIDING BARN DOORS
from: http://freshome.com

In most homes, space is the highest commodity and what better way to gain space than to remove your doors? While removing your doors may seem drastic, instead of totally removing your doors, how about removing the door swing that takes up space to open and close your doors? Johnson Hardware has invented home interior door hardware that acts like a barn door to slide across your opening, instead of using a swing and hinge hardware set. Take a look at how wall mounted hardware can save space in your home and provide you with a room that is more functional and spacious.

How the hardware works: Not to be confused with pocket doors, which slide into a wall, the Series 200 Wall Mount and the 2610F hardware have track-and-roller systems that attach directly to the wall, resulting in quick installations and easy operation. This is an ideal solution for walls constructed of brick or concrete block, for wood-framed walls that contain pipes or wiring that would make it difficult and costly to install traditional pocket doors or for the Do It Yourselfer looking to make a big change with minimal effort.

How the hardware saves valuable space: Unlike a standard hinged door that requires 10 to 14 square feet of floor space to swing open, a door mounted with the Series 200WM or 2610F hardware takes up little more space than the thickness of the door. And because the door slides open, a table, chair, desk or other furniture pieces can be placed beside the doorway without interfering with the door’s operation.

2. TWO WAY DOORS
From: http://www.trendhunter.com

Ergon Rototranslating Doors Are Space-saving and Chic

A fabulous futuristic-looking mix of form and function, these chic, ultra-modern Ergon rototranslating doors by Venetian Celegon are an ideal space-saving solution for small homes where space is a premium.
The Venetial Celegon two-way doors permit rotatory and translatory motion at once. Their revolution around a central axis saves about 50% space, as it doesn’t waste the space that a conventional door does as it opens.

3. THE LINE DOOR
from: http://www.trendir.com

Keratuer ExclusiveLine doors are fabulous contemporary entry doors that offer modern security in sleek style. Featuring a strong horizontal element, the 3010 ExclusiveLinemodern entry door uses an innovative framing design that allows edge-to-edge panels of flush glass. The alternation of glass and wood panels allows brilliant light to enter the room while still providing a sense of privacy. The long horizontal handle has a rotating panel that conceals both a special profile cylinder lock and a fantastic fingerprint module. These doors finally bring leading edge technology home in contemporary style. Created by Keratuer, the 3010 ExclusiveLine doors bring sophisticated security to the modern entry door.

4. THE 3-IN-1 DOOR (perfect for all ages and sizes!)
from: http://dornob.com

When is a door not a door? When it is three doors (all ajar!) of course. We pass through entrances and exits all the time, but aside from differences in transparency, style and material there is little variation from one entry door to the next exit portal when it comes to the basic shape, scale or function.

ThreeStyle adds a humble but critical twist to the typical contemporary door – nothing too off-the-wall in terms of its aesthetic, but novel in its approach on a more fundamental level. Simple metal handles sit on wood-paneled frames which, in turn, stack neatly within one another like nesting dolls or something out of Alice’s Wonderland. While it is not their only offering, SlamDoors Ltd.‘s line of modular doors is led by this innovative new approach to a design object as old as the idea of dwelling itself.

5. CHALKBOARD DOOR
from: http://www.toxel.com

Magnetic chalkboard doors are prefect for families on the go. Children can create original works of art directly on the door itself and parents will like it as a place to post grocery and to-do lists.

INTELLIGENT LIVING SPACE

2011-09-07T03:17:00.000-07:00

from: http://www.abito.co.uk/,http://www.littlediggs.com, http://mocoloco.com

Hoover: A forward thinking real estate company in the UK has created "Intelligent Living Spaces" designed to answer the housing needs of young urban professionals. These apartment complexes offer Britons an affordable home in downtown London.

Manchester, UK
347 sq. ft.

Driven by a purity of thought; Abito is dedicated to the elimination of dead space. The central pod becomes the hub of the apartment, housing and hiding all the utilities to liberate space and create a circular walk that makes the flat live and breath every one of its 347 square feet. Physically there is a freedom of movement. Visually there are unhindered views in every direction. And the sturdy walls ensure that your freedom is private freedom. Abito is about creating a living environment that is multifunctional, inventive and easy to live in. It’s about quality not quantity.

Abito is a condo complex with compact, efficient 347 square foot one-room units. A central pod divides the space into two areas, living room and bedroom, and features a built-in fold-down bed and workstation, storage, a room for a washing machine and dryer, another room for a compact kitchen and a toilet/shower-room. The units have 10.5-foot high ceilings, you can even use the space above the pod, a floor-to-ceiling window and a private balcony.

All-in-One Modular Fold Out Living Room Furniture Set

2011-08-28T22:08:00.000-07:00

FROM: http://dornob.com/

Hoover: Smart furnitures are becoming commonplace. These are geared towards maximizing small spaces.

This incredible all-in-one furniture set from Matroshka is still looking for funding – so if you want to have one you might need to become an investor. Named after Russian nesting dolls, this remarkable furniture collection packs down to just 13 square feet but includes: bookshelves, a double bed, corner couch, dinner table, four stools, working space, drawers, a wardrobe and additional storage.

Whether or not these are ever mass-produced this great step-by-step furniture photo shoot should at least inspire do-it-yourselfers to think about how you can create your own highly portable and yet remarkably simple modular furniture sets to suit your own spatial needs:

Space-Saving Bachelor Pad Fits 4 Rooms in 1 Former Studio

2011-08-21T18:53:00.000-07:00

from: http://dornob.com/

Hoover: Folding rooms, smart use of space, one great apartment for the bachelors and bachelorettes!

Pack it up, pack it in, then rearrange it again: an upper-story loft made out of 250 feet of usable square footage sounds like a recipe for cabin fever. That would make this the outstanding exception. Combining elements of Japanese architecture and boat cabins, a whole world unfolds from one tiny room in Barcelona.

What starts as a living room becomes bedroom or dining area on demand, utilizing fold-up and flip-down furniture, never-ending nooks, crannies, cupboards and chests to squeeze every last square inch for storage space.

To give just one example of the transformative thought that went into this refab: the roll-out bed slides out from under the exterior deck, doubles as a bench or couch, then serves as a staircase to the outdoors as well.

Shelves, sinks, dishwasher and pantry are also all tucked into the walls, out of the way unless needed. Toilet and bath are built to bare minimums, serving required functions without taking up too much room.

In fact, when everything is closed, it is surprisingly hidden from sight, making the place feel almost empty.

8 Small Space Shelving Solutions

2011-08-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

From: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Hoover: The main drawback of small spaces is the lack of storage. Well, here are some tips on creating shelving units that will not clutter your small space.

We can part with our CDs, thin out our closets of clothing, stop coming home with curbside finds...but we must find more room for more books. Laure's Book in the Rafters idea and the wrap around ceiling shelving shown above are both efficient uses of overhead space. Corners, stairways, closets and even doorways can be converted into additional storage.

Contactbox Contact shelf is a solution for a slim wall space inbetween rooms, doorways, hallways or bathrooms.

This is a garage storage space project, but could easily be converted into a corner spinning bookshelf for all your paperbacks and knick knacks.

Just a concept design, but we love the sculptural quality of this corner shelf.

Here's the real world budget retail version of the idea above from Sears.

This solution is perfect for renters and students alike. These corner shelves install without nails/screws and hold up to 6lbs of weight using outward friction to stay in place.

We store our shoes up the stairs. Why not books?

Like a paper fan, these folding bookshelves can open and fold away vertically when not in use.

Got a doorway you hardly ever use? You can convert that under utilized space as a rotating/hidden bookshelf!

Lift Off! Floating Features for Small Spaces

2011-08-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

Article by: Lily Gahagan, Assistant Editor, Houzz.com
From: http://www.houzz.com

It's a sad fact: There's only so much square footage in a home, and furniture is taking up a big chunk of it. But if you take into consideration all the available space that starts just past the floor and continues up to the ceiling, all of a sudden endless possibilities open up to you. Float some shelves, a desk or even a loft off the ground to start maximizing the spacial potential of your small home.

The dish rack has long been the bane of my kitchen counter, taking up space and looking none too pretty in the process. A slight lift and it's no longer a space suck. Huzzah!

For a small studio, every extra inch helps. A floating nightstand like this one holds essentials without making a footprint.

In the same studio, the designer used a shelving system to hold items and work as an office space. It's much more compact than a bureau, and leaves the floors wide open.

No garage? Keep bikes out of the way by hoisting them up above. Not the most convenient option for frequent cyclists, but it sure looks cool.

Rather than lightening up from the bottom up, try it from the top down. This drop houses recessed lights and a range hood, and delineates the kitchen from the rest of the open space without blocking it off into a completely separate room.

You can find tinier sinks, sure, but you won't find a tinier double vanity than a floating trough with two faucets. After all, even small space dwellers appreciate a little extra room when getting ready in the morning.

If you've got the ceiling height to accommodate one, a loft is the ultimate floating space saver.

The wide sill on this thin strip of window could hold books or other items to bring a bit of storage to the hallway without overwhelming the tight space.

Open risers keep this staircase light and airy.

Without legs to get in the way, this wisp of a cafe table can easily accommodate a few stools underneath.

Hoover: These are great tips to make your small spaces classy and functional!

Not Just for Kids: 7 Space-Saving (& Adult-Sized) Loft Beds

2011-07-31T21:59:00.000-07:00

By: http://www.renttoown.ph
From: http://dornob.com

Hoover: Here are some loft -bed ideas for small spaces.

Adults sometimes have trouble with the associations a bunk bed conjures to mind. Lofting full-sized beds may be the best-kept secretwhen it comes to bedroom layouts: they can make room for entire desks or dressers below and represent a far cheaper alternative to moving apartments when you run out of space.

Consider, for example, these stand-alone ideas and built-in solutions from via Remodelista. Minimalist metal ladders and railings can make a lofted sleeping area feel much less childish, while decorative touches can integrate an elevated portion of a bedroom without rendering it visually detached from core themes of material, color or decor.

Of course, building out an entire section of a room is not a simple do-it-yourself project. There are other prefab solutions available, likeceiling-suspended beds that hang from heavy-duty supports tied in above (and reinforced by structural connections along adjacent walls.

For the truly space-poor apartment, the sides of a room may be close enough to warrant stretching something between opposite walls and either tying into hidden studs or building a second layer of support on the outside of a drywall-finished and painted surface.

Just think about it for a moment: beds take up the same amount of space regardless of the size of your dwelling. Thus, the smaller your habitat the more area they displace. Recapturing that lost square footage can be well worth the time, effort and/or up-front costs of buying and installing a loft-bed solution.

Compact Toilet Designs

2011-07-25T01:20:00.000-07:00

By: http://www.renttoown.ph
From: http://www.lyring.com

Hoover: Trendy and space saving, this compact toilet design is especially suited for small condos and apartments.

These compact bathroom designs by Hatria are big on luxuries. Check out these G-Full based ideas and solutions by the Italian bathroom brand, made with the compact space in mind. Each element works with the others, both aesthetically and functionally speaking. Two modular benches mean you can position them to fit your space: place them in a linear fashion, or in an L shape in the corner. One wall-mounted “floating” bench incorporates a washbasin or two and countertop, while the other features a ceramic toilet and bidet, topped by a lid that, when not in use, creates additional seating. Underneath, this bathroom line also includes a built-in storage shelf for towels, toiletries and tissues.

Small Cool Condo

2011-07-17T21:57:00.000-07:00

By: http://www.renttoown.ph
From: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com and http://www.littlediggs.com

Hoover: This apartment on the US East Coast was one of the entries on Apartment Therapy's Small Cool 2008 Contest. Read on and find out how the couple made their 46 sq m home one of the coolest places to live in.

Name: Tony & Hilary
Location: Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY
Size: 460 sf
Rent/Own: Rent

Living small forces you to live and think creatively. We moved to this apartment from an 800 square foot apartment and had to think very carefully about what we can and can't live without...

What is the advantage of SMALL?
For instance, if we buy a new pair of shoes, an old pair needs to be tossed. We also love that by living small in an urban center, we're placing less of a demand on natural resources - it's a significantly smaller space to heat and cool and we don't need a car to get around. We also like the idea of creating modular, mobile pieces that can move with us. This way we won't end up throwing out a custom design solution once we decide to move to another apartment.

What's your favorite resource for your home?
Craig's List is where we've found our vintage furniture, Ikea for unobtrusive basics, Muji for office supplies and our family and friends for basic hand-me-downs and decorative items. The two dressers were found by Tony's grandfather in an old rental unit. The hardware store/lumber yard has to be the best resource. Hilary made the cube bookshelves, coffee table and side tables from MDF and particle board (very cheap). We designed the loft ourselves and hired a furniture designer to build it for us from birch plywood.

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home?
We love the high ceilings, natural light and our live/work loft. We have space for our closet, media and book storage, a home office and entertainment center before we even get to the bed. At the top of the loft, we have a queen size bed, enough space left to sit up comfortably in bed and more storage for our linens in the headboard. All of our furniture is made to move easily since we're still renting. The loft is like a big piece of furniture, but comes apart so when we move, it can move with us and change to fit in a new space. Living here as a couple with a cat, we have enough space to store everything we need without sacrificing comfort.

Soda Bottle Self Watering Plant Container

2011-07-10T19:48:00.000-07:00

from: http://www.youtube.com

This self-watering plant container system is easy to do. Use empty plastic bottles, plant your herbs and start a small vegetable garden right on your small terraces and balconies. This is also a good way to start the kids into home gardening!
Watch it here:

Tree Cabin Features Rooftop Deck & Top-Down Entry

2011-07-03T17:31:00.000-07:00

by: Rent To Own
from: http://www.dornob.com

Hoover: There is a growing trend for compact, livable tree houses and hotels in various parts of the world.

This latest lofted tree hotel room in Sweden seems to shoot through its forest surroundings – a suspended steel bullet in the sky.

The means of support are attached at the top, with the cabin hanging from tree-connected steel beams. Likewise, an upper bridge leads to an entryway on the same level as the roof deck, with occupied spaces sitting below.

Inside, the living room faces a fantastic view down the steep slope and up the next rise, while the bedroom behind likewise looks out on the forest surroundings but without being visible from the ground below. Long windows along each side provide nearly 360-degree perspectives on what lies on all sides.

With little space there is insight is naturally given over toe must-have functions and a modest community space – the roof-topping terrace provides supplemental square footage for outdoor dining and stargazing on a nice night.

An Eco-friendly Cleaning Kit by Shannon Lush

2011-06-26T23:57:00.000-07:00

by: Rent to Own
article from : http://www.lifestyle.com.au/

Shannon Lush is an Australian publishing sensation and radio star. She is the author of best-selling books Spotless, Speed Cleaning and How to Be Comfy (over one million sold in Australia alone).

Below is the list on Shannon Lush's all-important eco-friendly Cleaning Kit. Learn the value of non-toxic must-haves like bicarb soda, white vinegar, unprocessed bran and tea tree oil.

1. Bicarb Soda – an alkaline and mild abrasive. Also a natural cleaning agent. When mixed with white vinegar cleans hard surfaces very efficiently.

2. White Vinegar – a mild acid. When mixed with bi-carb soda a chemical reaction occurs.

3. Methylated Spirits – an alcohol solvent, which removes pen marks

4. Lavender Oil – when mixed with water it becomes a mild cleaner and deoderiser – good for finger marks on walls and general light cleaning. Also an effective air freshener and personal insect repellent. Mix 1 teaspoon per litre of water

5. Lemon Oil – extracted from the peel of the lemon, very good at keeping spiders and other insects at bay and also for stain removal

6. Tea Tree Oil – an oil extracted from the tea tree bush. It’s used as an anti-bacterial. Also good at getting sticky marks/labels off jars etc.

7. Oil of Cloves - cold pressed oil from the dried flower bud of the clove tree. A useful mould inhibitor and insecticide. To lift mould from shoes add a quarter of a teaspoon of oil of cloves to 500ml bottle of Baby Oil. Daub onto leather with pantyhose and wipe mould away.

8. Unprocessed Wheat Bran – a light abrasive and absorbent, when mixed with white vinegar and placed in a pair of pantyhose makes an effective cleaner for soft toys, dusty lamps, sisal flooring and more

9. Tea – Contains tannic acid which cleans timber. Make up a teapot with 4 or 5 tea bags and pour into a bucket of boiling water. Mop the timber with pantyhose dipped in the tea.

10. Pantyhose – Mildly abrasive fibres become more abrasive as they get wet – this won’t damage surfaces but cuts through grease and grime. To make a pantyhose mitten just wrap the hose around your fingers and fold the open end over your finger tips to form a glove - this can then be washed and re-used. This is a very good dust lifter when used with lavender oil and water.

These items can be found in supermarkets and pharmacists. Naturopath stores like The Body shop carry the Tea tree oil and the other oils can be bought from local essential oil suppliers such as Hotels and Spa Essentials (http://www.hotelandspaessentials.com/; tel nos. 8382167 8382170).

VERTICAL VEGETABLE GARDEN

2011-06-20T00:22:00.000-07:00

BY: http://www.renttoown.ph/
FROM: http://www.instructables.com/

Hoover: A lady from Somerset, England solved a problem by creating a vertical herb garden. Below is the step by step process that ANYONE can follow. This is a great idea especially for those living in condominiums and apartments with a little balcony space to spare.

''How to solve a problem like cats digging and toileting in the vegetable patch'', and growing vegetables in a very small garden. I needed a solution and the answer occurred to me after watching The Chelsea Flower Show on TV and seeing walls of flowers and herbs. The only thing I had on hand was a hanging pocket shoe storage and I decided to use it to grow my plants in.

STEP 1: Materials needed

- Hanging pocket shoe organiser
- Pole and attachments ( curtain pole or pipe fittings, screws).
- Strong metal saucepan or utensil hanging hooks
- Compost of a good quality moisture holding type.
- Selection of plants or seeds... e.g. mixed leaf salad, herbs,sorrel, peas, mini tomatoes.
- Piece of wood 2"x2" as long as the width of the pocket store to keep the base of pockets away from the wall.
- Trough planter to catch drips.

STEP 2: Attach pole to shed or wall

I attached a strong chrome pole with metal fittings to the shed or wall. You could use a curtain pole. Make sure it is at the correct height especially if you want to grow plants in a trough below ( see step 7). This uses the surplus water from the pockets above.

STEP 3: Attach hanging shoe organizer

Use strong hooks or wire to attach the shoe store. They must be strong enough to support the weight of the compost, plants and water.

STEP 4: Test drainage

Pour water into the pockets to check the drainage, if they don't drain then make a few small holes in each of the pockets.

STEP 5: Fill each pocket with compost

Add a good moisture retaining compost, fill to 1" below the rim so that water does not pour out over the rim.

STEP 6: Add plants or seeds

Sow seeds or add seedlings I suggest....

- herbs thyme, sorrel, chives, basil

- salad mixed leaf, mustard, cut and come again, or spinach

- cherry tomatoes

STEP 7: "Drip Aid"

Use a piece of wood attached to the bottom back of the shoe organizer to make sure the excess water drips into the trough below.

STEP 8: Maintenance

- Water slowly with a gentle flow

- Add water retaining crystals to the compost. HINT... add water to some crystals in a container and allow them to swell then add that to the compost and fill your containers, otherwise when the crystals swell they can grow so much that they push the compost, seeds and plants out!!

- Plants like tomatoes will need regular Tomato fertilizer (and use slow release granules) as the fertility of the compost will soon get exhausted.

- Do not over pick salad leaves, so the plant regrows.

- It is important to keep a look out for aphids, slugs, caterpillars and other pests.

- Remove diseased, infected or damaged leaves... compost them.

- Remove unproductive plants and compost them

- When reusing pockets add some fresh compost.

Now you have your own organized, vertical vegetable garden!

Furniture Transformer – Boxetti Collection

2011-06-12T21:44:00.000-07:00

By: http://www.renttoown.ph
From: http://www.designswan.com

Hoover: More and more companies are coming out with new ideas on compact furniture systems which are expensive at the moment but might become more reasonably priced in the future. Obviously, small spaces benefit the most from these types of furniture. It is exciting to see new ideas on future living concepts!

Boxetti collection is one of the most fancy furniture designs I’ve ever seen. It is driven by three basic design principles – functionality, advanced technologies and contemporary aesthetics of minimalism. Each of Boxetti modules is designed to achieve maximum efficiency of particular demands for functionality and suitability. The capability of the modules to be transformed into compactly solid blocks is essential for the design concept in order to obtain an unobstructed and comfortable space – free of uselessness.

1. BOXETTI_PRIVATE – bedroom module
Boxetti Private contains the set of basic bedroom functions –a double bed, night stand and a wardrobe. The foldaway bed platform is automatically lifted by a remote control, together with a built-in night stand. The unit is equipped with a spotlight and an ambience lighting fixture above the headboard. The integrated wardrobe consists of six sections including shelves, drawers and a clothes rail.

2. BOXETTI_PRACTICE – workspace module
BOXETTI_PRACTICE has a manual foldaway desk top with a block of drawers, a bookshelves system and a upholstered chill-out niche for a more relaxed practice, equipped with a smaller adjustable desk top.

3. BOXETTI_LUNCH – a kitchen module
Boxetti Lunch is a multifunctional kitchen island unit containing all the necessary kitchen equipment. The unit has an automatic sliding surface uncovering a built-in sink with a tap.
The work surface contains a closed space for tableware together with a default set of kitchen knifes.
The part of the top surface is foldable to uncover the oak tree cutting board, the foldable cover has a built-in LED spotlight. The unit is equipped with two extensible bar seats, a space for built-in fridge, a standard set of shelves and drawers.

4. BOXETTI_THRILL – TV and sound system module
Boxetti Thrill is a set of TV and a built-in hi-fi audio system. The remote control automatically transforms the compacted unit into a stunning design object providing a high quality sound and vision performance. Boxetti Thrill contains a built-in sound system and an automatic HAFELE lift system for a flat TV screen up to 46”, High Standart 7.1ch RECEIVER and a Basic BluRay Player. The unit contains a closed section for a DVD collection.

Check out the Video from : http://www.youtube.com

Bridge Building Idea: Modular Mobile Green River Homes

2011-06-06T00:14:00.000-07:00

by www.renttoown.ph
from: www.dornob.com

The closer you come to the center of a city the more difficult it is to find unused space available for new construction, except perhaps at the cost of all-too-valuable public parks and other civic places.Building above and below bridges is thus of increasing interest to engaged urban designers around the world.

Like products on shelves, this modular housing system is designed byh3ar to accommodate homes that are plugged into a grid, occupied for a period of time and then removed when necessary. Much like cargo container architecture and other standardized systems, this design is meant for an ever-more-mobile as well as increasingly crowded world.

The location on the water is also no accident: multistory structures become much more accessible by boat-borne cranes already passing along the river, or modified container ships. Aside from a core steel framework each building operates independently and can be pulled back out and shipped somewhere else as needed.

Hoover: Imagine this structure on the Pasig River... Perhaps in the future, this would be possible.

A DIY Small Home Solar Power System

2011-05-29T22:44:00.000-07:00

Filipinos should capitalize on solar power systems as we are a tropical country after all. Watch this video and keep it in mind for future solar powered system projects.

from: http://www.youtube.com

Open+Hidden: Space-Saver Dining Room & Kitchen Concept

2011-05-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

By: Rent to Own
from: www.dornob.com

Hoover: More space-saving, eco-friendly furnitures!

Conserving energy, reusing and recycling are all well and good sustainable living strategies, but reducing waste in the first place – particularly when it comes to home construction – is perhaps the most important step in saving on power and materials costs. Powered by rooftop solar energy, this transforming kitchen emerges for meals and then disappears at the push of a button to make way for movement and gathering space.Fo

More than most parts of a home, kitchens are places used only during select times of the day – the rest of the time they simply sit idle and empty awaiting preparation and consumption of breakfast, lunch or dinner. So why not clean the slate and hide the cookware and kitchen furniture when they are not in use? Designers Magda Masalska & Marta Pala imagine doing just that in the not-so-distant future.

Designed to rise up from the ground and then disappear below translucent lit-glass panels, the core cooking and dining elements of this kitchen are tucked neatly away under the floor when they are not needed. And as a final futuristic design gesture: a set of miniature garden plots (presumably perfect for growing vegetables, fruits and herbs for cooking) drop down from the green roof area on top of the house on call to provide food for the table.

Sustainable Cabin at Texas Tech

2011-05-10T02:50:00.000-07:00

Sustainable Cabin at Texas Tech

By: Renttoown.ph
from: www.smallhousestyle.com

Living in a trailer carries with it a certain stigma but this didn’t stop Urs Peter Flueckiger and his students at the College of Architecture, the College of Visual and Performing Arts, and the College of Engineering atTexas Tech University from requisitioning part of a derelict doublewide and turning it into the prefabricated Sustainable Cabin. Destined for a landfill, the professor et al. extensively remodeled a section to test sustainable architectural concepts in construction materials and techniques, with the end goal of better understanding their methods and applications.

Ascribing to the minimalist living ideas espoused by author Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) who himself lived in a tiny 150 square foot home, the Sustainable Cabin pursues those ideas of a simple life in natural surroundings.

With solar energy as its only source of power, rainwater harvesting and a composting toilet, this design is quite at home in the middle of nowhere, completely off the grid, and serves as a working laboratory for the students and faculty. It is currently up and running in Ford County, 45 miles west of Wichita Falls, Texas. It measures 14-feet wide and 28-feet long and has a composting toilet, battery energy storage, solar panels, cedar and corrugated iron exterior, recycled denim insulation, bamboo flooring, and energy-efficient Morso stove.

The exterior siding consists of corrugated iron and cedar planks.

The interior has a bamboo floor and yellow pine cladding on the walls and ceiling, concealing the recycled cotton insulation made primarily from old blue jeans. The stove is constructed from recycled scrap iron.

Obviously, this unit is one of a kind and is not being produced commercially by the university, but the simplicity of the design and construction process means there’s no real reason a commercial consideration wouldn’t be viable. A self-contained cabin with electricity and water would certainly provide a much more affordable and convenient alternative to current cabins that either have to be expensively connected to the utilities or uncomfortably go without.

Check out these videos:

This one is an interview with Urs:

And this one by Jetson Green, is about the architectural solutions to ecological building issues that Urs and students at Texas Tech University addressed including water use, energy production, and resource consumption — i.e., water harvesting, composting, natural ventilation, and solar power:

Hoover: Ingenious students at Texas Tech create a home that is mostly environment-friendly.

Rooftop Gardens From Around The World

2011-05-05T01:38:00.000-07:00

By: Rent to Own

from: www.thegrowspot.com

When space is limited, sometimes a gardener must take to the roof. Around the world resourceful gardeners are turning what would otherwise be an overlooked and underutilized area into a place of beauty and serenity. Plus, you'd be amazed at the amount of fruit and vegetable you can coax out of these small spaces.

This garden is part of a spa/health club complex in the Embarcadero section of San Francisco. When there is limited green space in a downtown area, sometimes you've just got to create it.

A playful and sprawling rooftop garden at the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo, Japan.

This is a sixth floor rooftop garden at St. Luke's International Hospital in Akashi, Tokyo.

Waking up to this Seattle, Washington garden can make you forget that you actually live in a bustling city!

A gorgeous herb garden in Southern California. Looks like they're producing enough in this space to keep the whole neighborhood in herbs.

Another beautiful example of carving out some green space in an urban area is the City Hall building in Chicago.

While the garden is not open to the public (except the occasional tour group) it is visible from nearby office buildings.

The growers of this Senegalese garden produce an income by cultivating several varieties of mint, as well as a host of other edibles.

These London residents turned a drab parking structure into a lovely little gathering place. It does an amazing job of breaking up the monotony of brick and concrete while adding some bursts of color to the surroundings.

While this may not be a traditional garden, I couldn't resist including a photo of these trees growing atop an Italian building. It appears to be possible to grow anything on your rooftop!

Hoover: A big or small space, a little creativity, and a little diligence goes a long way in creating your own rooftop garden!

Stunning Shipping Container City Springs up in Mexico

2011-04-27T01:35:00.000-07:00

Stunning Shipping Container City Springs up in Mexico

by: www.renttoown.ph
from www.inhabitat.com

This hip, colorfully painted shipping container city recently sprung up just outside of Mexico city. Created by a small community of businesses, the project features restaurants, gallery space, bars, funky stores and even living spaces constructed completely out of recycled shipping containers.

Container City is located about two hours outside of Mexico City in Cholula, and is comprised of about 50 standard shipping containers. The developers took 4500 sq meters (48,500sq.ft) of space and plopped down the containers, stacking them to create courtyards, alleys and streets. The containers were then painted bright colors and outfitted with lighting, kitchens, dining areas and more. There is even an open public area with ping pong tables where people can go and hang out.

The city consists of restaurants, juice bars, normal bars, funky little shops, bookstores, art galleries as well as a few residential apartments. There’s plenty of outdoor space to sit around and hang out and there are events and bands scheduled all the time.

Hoover: This container city is great for compact city spaces.

Room in a Box: Saving Interior Space via Bedroom Cubes

2011-04-18T16:17:00.000-07:00

by:www.renttoown.ph
from: www.dornob.com

Hoover: This room can be created anywhere in your homes.

Some people walk into unfilled apartments for rent and find it impossible to envision living in them – others see a blank slate to be filled with creative possibilities. For those in either camp, this self-contained, twelve-piece prefabricated room is a great plug-and-play solution.

The component parts of the Z Box by Dan Hisel are made large enough to be few in number, but small enough to carry up winding stairs and slot through conventional human-scale doorways.

Once on site, assembly is relatively simple and low-impact – it can be positioned wherever you want it within an open-plan layout, creating space within but also shaping space around it. In addition to color and texture cues, the structure pulls back at the base to make it feel more like the box is a floating element within the dwelling, not a permanent built-in object.

Curtains pull back to reveal a beautiful wooden bedroom (which would work great as a study, library or other meditative space, too), while modern wire mesh gives it a sense of security and autonomy when viewed from the rest of the residence. There is shelving inside and outside as well as nooks for pets, slots for shoes, diffused lighting and other elements making the most of each square inch displaced by the box.

Eco-Friendly Home Improvement

2011-04-11T18:12:00.000-07:00

Eco-Friendly Home Improvement

www.renttoown.ph
http://www.youtube.com

with Jonathon E. Stewart

Just a few small changes to your home can make a big impact on the amount of energy and water you use. Take a few minutes to implement these easy energy adjusters, and you'll save money while helping to save the planet.

Hoover: Simple tips to make your homes energy efficient and earth friendly!

Tiny Houses & Little Lots: Floor Plans for Very Small Homes

2011-04-05T01:04:00.000-07:00

by: www.renttoown.ph
from: www.dornob.com

Floor plans for small houses often look cramped on all sides, drawn furniture crowding each interior space. Not so with the work of Atelier Bow-Wow, an architecture and design group that (as the dog-referencing name suggests) specializes in the creation of extra-small dwellings as well as tall residences on tiny lots that bridge the gap between ‘little’ and ‘luxury’ living.

There is an art to small space living and tiny home design that goes beyond making little lots feel bigger or making the most of what you have. Done right, a small structure can feel downright comfortable and cozy – not just livable or sufficient. These designers have no room for small minds, just big ideas for small spaces.

Take this tower home for instance: the plans above show just how small each level is, but the sectional models reveal a series of interconnected spaces – and photos of the finished structure are the most amazing of all, illustrating the clear visibility up, down and all around inside the house.

Other architectural projects from this firm may look more conventional on the outside by have amazing details, like the wooden walls, shelves and staircase structure of the more conventional-looking house with plans and sections as shown above.

Even their own live/work studio spaces fit into an extremely skinny lot – a simple tower with much more going on inside than you might first realize.

Again: the use of open-tread stairs, warm materials and generously-sized windows make these places more of an adventure than most homes could hope to be. Besides, with all of the new technology available today for building structures we sometimes forget that the best way to go green is to build small.

Hoover: BIG IDEAS ON SMALL SPACES. What do you think?

How To Grow Fresh Air

2011-04-03T01:26:00.000-07:00

Want clean, fresh air in your homes the natural way? Watch this! You don't need an air purifier.

Under The Stairs Smart Storage Solutions

2011-03-22T03:17:00.000-07:00

by: www.renttoown.ph
from: www.decodir.com

Hoover: Thinking of what to do with that wasted space under the stairs? Read on and find simple ways to transform that space into something functional!

There are more innovative design for smart under stairs storage solutions that can help you to create space saving furniture tricks and ideas in your home. Especially, these design is very suitable for you who has small home spaces interior, so you can save your stuff neatly. Usually, space under the stairs used for handbook store, shoes even to save your seasonal item like jacket, blanket, bed cover or else. These designs, however, show just how creative one can be with what seems like the hardest space to deal with in a house.

You can turn your stairs into drawers to be simple way to get easily accessible storage space out of a staircase. This design is perfect to put your favorite shoes in secure place. Along similar lines, there a number of other clever but more technically advanced ways to hide under stair storage or even an entire hidden room or secret passage. You could try to converting your enough space under stair into a beautiful home office space and workspace area. The most common method for utilizing the space below the stairways and it has been done in many ways is by creating under stair shelving. Under the stairs bed is another inspiration you can consider. installing electronic entertainment systems beneath the staircase could be a great idea or you can create bookcase and bookcase and stairs combination to shows off your favorite volumes to anyone traveling between the floors of your house. Now, with this smart ideas, you can adjust it by yourself how your stuff be in the right place.

A Day Made of Glass... Made Possible by Corning

2011-03-15T03:00:00.000-07:00

Space Saving Furniture Ideas

2011-03-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

by: www.renttoown.ph

from: www.decodir.com

Hoover: Here are more amazing space saving furnitures!

One of the most interesting episode of OPRAH that I will never forget is when there are performances from the furniture company featuring a variety of beautiful furniture but also multi-functional and space saver. The clever strategy that can be applied in small houses.

Just look at the one beautiful green sofa, in a minutes it could be converted into a cool comfy bed, either with or without its canopy. Or the stunning table designed like a box of matchbooks, when the sides open, you can used it for book store. The great one is blue bookcase that very functional for you seat there and writing something ideas, also awesome diningset that very efficient if all the seat was inserted.

The Kewb dormitory chair is also inspiring with its nice transformable furniture idea to create a japanese seating design style consists of a chair, a lounge or a small table with seat cushions. The Casulo modular furniture could be your best choice for your small apartment room with its compact furniture such as an armoire, a desk, a height-adjustable stool, two more stools, a six-shelf bookcase, and a bed with a mattress just in one small box. The comfortable sofa bunk bed is another amazing space furniture design that is match to your modern living room space. Add the fusion pool table furniture at your dining room and to combining food and fun together. Please transform your space with this “two thumbs up” one.

One + Small Modular Prefab Homes

2011-02-28T20:05:00.000-08:00

by: www.renttoown.ph
from: www.modresdes.com

Lars Frank Nielsen, an architect of the Danish studio ONEN has designed a small home modular system called One+. One+ is stylish little house created for Swedish company Add-A-Room. The units are prefabricated in Add-A-Room’s factory in Tyresö.

Based on 15 square meter modules, the system could be positioned in various ways in conjunction with other modules for a variety of building designs. It looks like playing with legos. Thanks of high quality local Swedish materials, energy efficient, future-proof design and deck and pergola include. The modules are made of solid Scandinavian materials which require minimal maintenance and thin outer panel made of Super Wood. This small home is also fully insulated with energy efficient windows and doors from VELFAC, while the pergola provides shade from the sun.

Like other small houses, this modular housing system could be used for a lot of implementations. You could be used as an office, studio, guest house, teenage accommodation or even as a summer house. Comes with electricity and plumbing ready to go as well as the veranda and pergola, the minimal price from one small house module is 250,000 SEK ($35,000 USD) and 350,000 SEK for one with a kitchenette and bathroom.

Hoover: This small home is a complete unit in itself but it can also be used as an add on to bigger houses in need of more space. Ingenious, isn't it?

Space Saving Ideas for Children's Bedrooms

2011-02-22T01:33:00.000-08:00

by: www.renttoown.ph
from: www.decodir.com

A clever solution of space saving ideas collection designed for small kids rooms layout from the Spanish designer Sergi that we have featured before on Kids Bedroom + Study Room Ideas. The designer has created magic with colors, furniture arrangements, working with less or small space and creating more out of it.

Fully maximizing the space in your childs’ room means trying to find furniture that serves multi-purposes. There are many types of kids bedding furnitures available that help make the maximum use of the kids room space. The loft beds, bunk bed, Murphy beds, futons, sofa beds, trundle beds are some of the many options available in the market. Effective space planning and interior design requires that you plan in three dimensions. There are great functional bedding and storage solutions you can use to easily double your floor space in a bedroom and its functional storage space. For an instance, try to take a look at this cool inspiring space saving ideas from the spanish designer, Sergi.

Hoover: Bright colors and creative space use makes these bedrooms a child's dream come true!

Lazy Susan Kitchens

2011-02-14T18:34:00.000-08:00

by www.renttoown.com
from www.decodir.com

This Circle Kitchen Ideas is a great solution in managing space problems in your kitchen designed by Alfred Averbeck for Compact Concepts. Also called as the Lazy Susan Kitchen, the kitchen furniture manages to address space problems in a highly functional and stylish manner, although it only measures 1.8 square meters. The kitchen is fully circular, rotating a full 180 degrees furniture piece, which incorporate everything from kitchen sink and dishes to microwave and dishwasher. 360 degrees rotating shelves help to access to pots, pans, glassware and so on.

Circle kitchen has exactly the same amount of kitchen cupboard as any other middle sized kitchen. This Circle Kitchen features all the characteristics of an usual kitchen table. Integrated with the ability to rotate as much as 180 degrees, the Circle Kitchen is able to provide all items that is being offered from a regular sink, to dishes, a microwave and even a dishwasher. The retail price for this unique circular kitchen design ranges from $6,500 to up to $15,000 depend on gadgetry.

Hoover: What do you think of this lazy susan kitchen?

A Functional 182sq ft Condo

2011-02-07T21:06:00.000-08:00

By Rent to Own
from: www.littledigs.com

A former maid's room has been restructured to include a kitchen, bathroom, staircase and mezzanine.

A staircase lit by a skylight leads to the loft-room.

In the kitchen, the table is used as a bar, dining and work table.
Below the counter are some storage cabinets. The bathroom is separated
from the kitchen by Japanese paper wall. It contains a shower, toilet
and a built-in stainless steel sink.

A fireplace and nineteenth century floors are original features. Behind the staircase,the first step serves as a small bench and each succeeding step
becomes a drawer for more storage spaces.

In the kitchen of 27 sq ft (2.50 m2), all appliances are some of the smallest
in the market. A window created above the kitchen area takes advantage of natural light.

Hoover: Another example of ingeniuos space use.

Innovative Space Saving Furniture

2011-02-02T01:33:00.000-08:00

from: www.youtube.com

Founded in 2000 by Steve Spett and Ron Barth, Resource Furniture has gained a reputation for providing Interior Designers, Architects and Specifiers access to European Furniture not widely distributed in the US.

Hoover: Great designs for space saving furnitures!

Garden Inside a Small Japanese House Design

2011-01-23T16:49:00.000-08:00

from: www.decodir.com

Japan is the center of highly creative architects. They are due to background the history behind the man had grown into men who are not easily defeated by limitations. The simple example is about space. Houses in Japan are generally small, so they create a beautiful japanese garden inside home especially for those who don’t have a yard.

The idea, if the space out there are not enough, why don’t we create a garden inside the house? By seeing the picture below, you will be able to watch which space that can be maximized to create a garden inside the house. One place that can adopt this garden inside the house is the kitchen. You can plant crops in the land remaining in this kitchen. This mini garden will create a fresh atmosphere as you enjoy the cooking or having a breakfast, lunch or dinner with the family.

Another idea is to utilize the land at the turn of the inter-space as an example between the bathroom and bedroom. Make your garden by adding small stones as decorations just like this beautiful japanese garden house. You should choose plants that have the power to grow stronger in space with small amount of lighting, or you can also put a few pots on the balcony. Who says a house can’t be contrived into narrow small garden ? The transparent transition that separate the garden to these small japanese home interior is a wide transparent glass that could maximize indirect lighting that flowing to the interior. But one thing to remind, the wide transparent glass will need a great efforts to maintain and clean every day. The architects seems to have a cool solution to this small house in moriyama by covering the garden landscape with gravel to cover the soil.

Hoover: Wouldn't you like to "greenify" your own homes? Small spaces can be made as beautifully green as big spaces.

Egg Pod House

2011-01-16T01:28:00.000-08:00

By Rent to Own

from: www.littledigs.com
Architects: dmvA

Living Area: 215 sq. ft (20 m2)

Belgian architectural firm dmvA designed 'blob VB3', a mobile unit for the office of xfactoragencies as an extension to the 'house'. the space - egg house consists of a bathroom,kitchen, lighting, a bed and several niches for storage. the nose can be opened automatically and functions as a kind of porch. It's easily transportable and can also be used as an office, guest room or garden house. Polyester was the primarily material used in construction of the 'blob VB3'.

Hoover: What do you think of futuristic house?

Tiny Apartment Shows The Value Of A Good Fit

2011-01-09T01:23:00.000-08:00

By Rent to Own

photos from: www.thechive.com
article from: www.seattletimes.nwsource.com

Steve Sauer's 182-square-foot Seattle condo shows the value of a good fit, from the soaking tub built into the entry floor to the "video lounge" tucked beneath the "cafe area." Sauer shopped Ikea for many of his home's furnishings, such as a little table,and used tabletops to fashion cabinet fronts.

Steve Sauer watches television in the video lounge, which has seating for two.
The horizontal band around the condo, accenting the powder-blue walls, is coated with blackboard paint.

Sauer relaxes in the cafe area of his 182-square-foot condo.
"I was worried as I filled in all the upper spaces that it would feel cramped, but it didn't," he says.
The window is at street level. The little table is Ikea. It has a glass top that swivels open, providing storage.

Sauer checks his messages at the dining table, which includes a leaf to expand for company.The undercounter refrigerator is Frigidaire, from Lowe's.

Sauer designed the tiny condo for two. Just inside the door is the bathroom
to the left, and a soaking tub inserted into the floor and covered with a 3form Chroma panel.

One bike is tethered to the ceiling for storage. Steam heat comes from the building's system.
The ventilation chimney runs across Sauer's ceiling, and was easy to pipe into. "It was passing through here anyway."

The video lounge is tucked beneath the cafe area and next to the dining table.
"All along the way this project's had good chi, so that's good," Sauer says.
The bureau is from West Elm. "It fit to within 1/8 inch. It was a nice find.
I didn't want to build another piece of furniture." The floor is Brazilian walnut.

The bathroom wall is covered in 1-inch tiles from Tiles for Less.
Light filters into the room through a 3form Chroma panel, shared with the kitchen.
The ceiling is tempered glass meant for a table top from Ikea. The toilet is Philippe Stark for Duravit.
Sauer designed and manufactured the stainless-steel shower caddy and towel bar.

Hoover: What do you think of this 16.90 sq. m. apartment?

Folding Bed Intergrated Home Office Desk for Small Apartment

2011-01-04T10:20:00.000-08:00

By Rent to Own
From: www.decodir.com

Love the design? I do. The perfect choice for those who love the modern design in space saving furniture. Painted in eye catching color like lime green, shocking pink, yellow and blue, surely this bed will surprising you all with their handy system. Integrated with storage and home office desk, this furniture is big help for small spaces/apartment that need multi-functional furniture to maximize space.

The Cabrio is available in single bed (Cabrio 80) or a small double bed (Cabrio 120) that transforms into a bed for night with a simple movement and back into a desk without having to remove any objects for the day. Wonderful. This type of folding bed storage arrangement is perfect for apartments, dorm rooms, and high rise condos with smaller floor plans.

Hoover: What do you think of this design?

Innovative Compact Kitchen Design for Small Apartments

2010-12-25T22:09:00.000-08:00

By Rent to Own

From http://www.designswan.com

Designed by Kristin Laass and Norman Ebelt from Germany, this clever project is called “Small Type” and it has the wonderful and extremely practical ability of fitting in almost any interior, no matter how tiny.

This kitchen module is intended to fit into the small spaces and accommodate the diverse habits of its users. The focus of the prototype is to provide a smooth work cycle and intuitive operation to those using the kitchen. At only 1m² when closed, ‘small type’ serves as a dining table. When the table is rolled away, the full capability of the kitchen unit is revealed with a refrigerator, induction cook-top, oven, and storage space.

This design is not only practical, but also looks amazing. It could easily be complemented by a simple set of chairs in order to create a cozy work area.

Hoover: What do you think of this kitchen design?

34sqm. condo that turns into 24 rooms!!!

2010-12-18T18:31:00.000-08:00

In Hong Kong, because of the space, apartments are small and expensive. Gary Chang, an architect, decided to design a 344 sq. ft. apartment to be able to change into 24 different designs, all by just sliding panels and walls. He calls this the "Domestic Transformer."

This video is not owned by me and I do not take any right of it.

Watch this video and many more at World's Greenest Homes on PlanetGreen.com (http://planetgreen.discovery.com/videos/worlds-greenest-homes/).

Do you think you can live in a condo like this?

Incredible Space Maximization in a Small Studio Apartment

2010-12-18T00:44:00.000-08:00

by www.renttoown.ph

I got this from www.freshome.com

You’ve seen a lot of ingenious ideas on how to decorate small apartments on Freshome. Here is another tiny crib that manages to maximize space and create a cozy living environment as well. The East Village Studio comes from JPDA Architects, stretches over an area of 46 square meters (500 square feet) and was built as a little “nest” for the owners who also work here. It has all the utilities a common looking contemporary home has and dare we say a lot more. This original crib has storage space and shelves in the most unusual and unexpected places, reducing clutter and contributing to a clean and fresh interior design. The wood gives this home its warmth which is “intensified” by the friendly vegetation pots spread around the open studio.

Hoover: What do you think of this use of space?

To Avoid Flooding its Altitude, Altitude, Altitude. Gaano Kataas ang Lugar Mo?

2010-11-29T13:34:00.000-08:00

By Hoover Uy de Baron (hoover.uydebaron@gmail.com)

When Ondoy struck last year I thanked my lucky stars hindi kami na-Ondoy. The reason I considered myself lucky was that when I bought my condo here in Ortigas Centre I had no idea that it was 60 metres above sea level.

What Ondoy did was expose Metro Manila's weak drainage system and infrastructure. I didn't know that flooding was such a life and death issue here. I mean, sure, I knew Metro Manila flooded but I didn't think people could die from it! Like many property owners I thought that if its near a main road and its in a nice neighbourhood you would be ok. How could we have known that Ondoy would strike in Marikina, lower Pasig, Cainta and even in the exclusive villages of Valle Verde and Magallanes.

Being in the property business I decided to study the effects of flooding in different areas of Manila and it all boils down to this:

Altitude of the surrounding area

Drainage of the surrounding area

Proximity to rivers, creeks and lakes

Unfortunately its hard to control 2 out of the 3 factors when choosing an area that doesn't flood. It's difficult to know if the creek nearby will flood and even more difficult to know just how good a place's drainage system is. So really, when looking for property its altitude, altitude altitude... Gaano kataas ang lugar mo?

One more thing... Don't rely on hearsay... Don't rely on neighbours who tell you - huwag ka magalala mataas dito! The only sure way is to get an altimeter and measure how high the property is above sea level. As a guide you should be looking at a property which is at least 10 metres above sea level.

Now its hard to buy an altimeter just to know the altitude of your property so here are the heights of some of the well-known areas in Metro Manila:

Kapitolyo, Pasig - 30-40 mtrs. above sea level

Fort Bonifacio, Taguig - 20-45 mtrs. above sea level

Eastwood, Quezon City - 13-15 mtrs. above sea level

Magallanes, Makati - 3-11 mtrs. above sea level

Valle Verde 2, Pasig - 11-13 mtrs. above sea level

Ayala Ave, Makati - 15-50 mtrs. above sea level

Do you know how high your place is? Tell me your address (hoover.uydebaron@gmail.com) and I will let you know.

Hoover Uy de Baron is a Director at Rent to Own.ph. Rent to Own.ph specializes in rent to own properties in thePhilippines. For more information visit www.renttoown.ph.

A House Built on a Car Park Space

2010-11-20T13:40:00.000-08:00

Ultra-small is beautiful for one Tokyo resident who built a house on land the size of a parking space.

Do you think you can live in a house like this?

Are Stairs in your Home a Problem?

2010-11-13T13:44:00.000-08:00

Check this out! I always thought that putting an elevator in your house would be too expensive and impractical, but this solution is ingenious...

Would you be willing to put an elevator in your house?

Living in a Container House

2010-11-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

Got this from point2agentblog.com. An interesting article by Tanis Macala.

Have you ever thought about living in a container? Yes, you heard me right! No, I’m not talking about being forced into due to the economy, but rather living in one by choice, thanks to the ingenuity of local entrepreneurs.

The other day, a colleague and I made our way to a site on the outskirts of the city to meet with ‘container gurus’ Bryan McCrea and Channing McCorriston to have a peek at a “container home” demo unit. The two (along with Evan Willoughby, who was not present) are the founders of 3twenty Solutions – a company looking to produce affordable dwellings based on containers, right here in Saskatoon.

Their award-winning business concept of recycling and renovating shipping containers for purposes such as office space, sleeping quarters, and housing units has been raising eyebrows and taking heed from a number of industries and property seekers.

The two were kind enough to give us the grand tour of a renovated container – and let me say, I foresee myself wanting one…or three!

Here’s a look at some of the prep work conducted to make these units livable…

And here’s a look at end product…who knew a shipping container could look this sexy!

The great thing about them – they come standard sizes, which means the dimensions are the same throughout the container. No need for endless measuring, you know exactly what you are getting. Containers are also made of Corten (the strongest steel out there), and have the ability to withstand just about any weather condition.

While this concept might seem revolutionary to North Americans, the truth is that containers have been re-purposed in other parts of the world for quite some time. Containers have been found & reused in parts of China, Australia, and Western Europe – but the trend is just now starting to catch on domestically. For example, check out this video of a container office being constructed in Providence, Rhode Island:

In fact, even some of Google’s Data Centers reside in a complex made of shipping containers. But, thanks to local companies like 3twenty Solutions, these units are on their way to becoming one of the hottest trends in urban living – and perhaps one of the next ‘styles’ of real estate.

With over 700,000 idle containers in North America alone, this recycling initiative couldn’t be a greener one.

Hoover: What are your thoughts on living in a container house?