Things To Consider When Building A Greenhouse

 

You’re in exactly the right place if building a greenhouse is something you happen to be considering and has been on your mind lately. Almost every gardener dreams of having their very own greenhouse. It’s like basically taking your gardening skills to the next level. Having a greenhouse means you can extend growing seasons as well as have the option of cultivating exotic and delicate plants all year round. Building and/or designing a greenhouse often seems a daunting task for most but can actually be fun doing with a little guidance, insight and work. Below are a few things you should consider before starting this building project.

1. Location

If optimal growing conditions are what you’re looking for, the most ideal orientation choice for your greenhouse is southeast or south. Having sunlight all day is good and getting sunlight early in the morning can help jump-start the photosynthesis process which then continues throughout the whole day. If it isn’t possible to have a southern orientation, then your next best option would be an east side orientation. End walls should ideally face in the East-West direction so that the sunrise to sunset timing is dictated by the sun itself.

2. Budget

After you’ve determined how you’re going to utilize your space, the next step after that should be to know how much you’re willing to pay to make the project happen. How much are you willing to part with for your greenhouse. Even though it may not be from Greenhouse Stores, you need to get one that fits your budget. If all you need is a small area to start your seedling process, then your cost requirements might not be that high. That won’t be the case if you want some extra space where you and your guests can lounge in.

3. Functionality

How are you planning to use your greenhouse? You have to know why you want to build a greenhouse. Do you want the space to cultivate perhaps a more exotic and/or eclectic plant collection, or do you want it primarily to start and propagate your seedling procedure? Will the greenhouse strictly be used for your own personal planting/plotting or could that space, double up as a functioning informal entertainment area/section for your friends and family to enjoy your collection? These are some of the questions that’ll help with determining its functionality.

4. Structure Style

Modern or classic, steel or wood. The options available are endless and only your dreams limit them. This is an area where advice from a professional would be particularly helpful. Experts will enlighten you on potential complications the likes of native insects, condensation, moisture and so on and so forth. These are usually some things you might not be able to fully determine on your own.

 

Now you know what are some of the things you need to be thinking about before you dive into your greenhouse building project. However, these are only just but a few of the potential considerations. There’s so much more that goes into erecting a greenhouse. Hopefully, this article has been a good starting point for you.

 

 

Florida Real Estate Investment Rental Properties: What Are Your Options?

 

People from all over the world want to visit the state of Florida because of its year-round sunny weather, renowned beaches, and theme parks. The influx of tourists heading over to Florida every year which usually hits millions has since led to increasing demand in rental property investments there that you might want to take advantage of right away.
In order to get started on your investment journey, you can get a real estate license in Florida by enrolling in a pre-licensing course as reviewed by bestrealestatedirectory.com, pass the said state’s licensure exam, and start investing in some real estate there that you can rent out to tourists there looking for a place where they could unpack and unwind.

Here are some of the options you have when investing in a Floridian rental property:

• Key West – south of Florida

If you to invest in a piece of Floridian real estate, look no further than Key West, an island city that’s part of the Florida Keys archipelago. You can find it in the southernmost portion of Florida and is only less than a hundred miles away from Cuba. Tourists in Key West can expect a mishmash of American and Caribbean culture as a result and visit any of these famous tourist spots there that make it a popular destination in Florida:
• Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Bookworm tourists can take a tour of renowned author Ernest Hemingway’s home where he stayed from 1931 to 1939 and get a glimpse of his private life there. The said house was where he wrote portions of his classic novel “For Whom the Bell Tolls” as well as short stories and other works. Also of note are Hemingway’s collection of vintage Spanish furniture and the cats that freely roam within its premises.

• Harry S. Truman Little White House
Originally used as a naval headquarters during the early 20th century, the white house on 111 Front Street eventually served as the vacation home of former US President Harry S. Truman. Since he spent some of his presidency there, it earned the moniker “Little White House” which tourists can consider as an alternative in their itinerary rather than traveling to the original one in Washington DC.

• Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Another former US president had left a longstanding mark in Key West – though his contribution dates back to the Civil War when a military fort had his name attached to it. Nowadays, the said installation has become a state park where visitors can watch reenactments of historic Civil War-era battles or swim in its nearby beach.
Aside from those attractions, tourists can hit any of Key West’s numerous beaches, rent a sailboat to cross its waters, and buy some Cuban rum and cigars as souvenirs of their entire trip there.
Speaking of rent, you should invest in a rental property in Key West where tourists can relax after partaking the various sights there, though you’ll have to take note of the following first before doing so:
• The standard minimum is at least 28 days.
• If you want to use your property as a short-term vacation home instead, you’ll have to apply for a transient rental license to avoid having to spend up to 60 days in jail and $5,000 in fines.
• You should set a budget of more than $635,000 for a piece of real estate in Key West.

• Orlando – east of Central Florida
If you find Key West rental properties to be too expensive and far, you can consider investing in one located in the city of Orlando instead. Since it’s right in the heart of Florida’s mainland, you can expect tourists to flock there in droves along with their children and visit any of the following destinations that make Orlando the Theme Park Capital of the World:

• Walt Disney World
Both kids and those young at heart look forward to visiting Walt Disney World, one of the oldest tourist attractions in Orlando, Florida. The said entertainment complex was responsible for driving the entire Orlando economy upward and turning it into a major American city. It houses the following theme parks that whole families can check out:
• EPCOT which stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow and thus focuses on futuristic innovations, most of which don’t exist yet
• Hollywood Studios where guests can explore some of the most famous settings used in films and TV shows
• Animal Kingdom where visitors can get closer to nature
• Magic Kingdom where tourists can relive their favorite fairy tales and meet Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, his partner Minnie, Donald Duck, and others in the flesh

• Universal Orlando Resort
For those who might find Walt Disney World too crowded with visitors, they can head over to Universal Orlando Resort instead where they can take a tour at any of the following theme parks inside it:
• Universal Studios Florida where tourists can feel as if they’re in the middle of a movie or TV set
• Islands of Adventure for families looking for an adventure they’ll never forget

• Legoland Florida Resort
Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort aren’t the only two options available for groups of families. Some of them might also want to consider the relatively newer Legoland Florida Resort which opened its doors in 2011. While the said tourist attraction only has one theme park, visitors will have a fun time nonetheless exploring its several sections, most of them containing life-sized mascots and rides fashioned after Lego plastic blocks where it got its name.
Whichever among those three major theme parks any tourist family will include in their itinerary, they might look for a place nearby where they can all take a rest from all the walking they’ll do while in Orlando. If you happen to be family-oriented yourself, you can let them stay at your Orlando rental property. Here are some considerations though when investing in one:
• While you can house any guest tenants in your Orlando home for less than or exactly 30 days, you can only rent out half of the total number of bedrooms in your home per the said city’s ordinance on short-term rentals. So if your house in Orlando has two bedrooms, you can only open one bedroom for tourist accommodation.
• You’ll also have to be present in your Orlando rental property every time a guest family plans to rent there on a short-term basis. You might want to move and become a permanent resident there if not a single week passes by without anyone wanting to rent some space in your home.
• You’ll need to invest more than $234,000 for a rental property in Orlando which is roughly a third of what you’ll spend doing the same in Key West.
• Tampa – west of Central Florida
Tampa, a city situated near the Gulf of Mexico, is another location in Florida’s mainland where you might want to invest in a rental property. Visitors in the said area often gather there to check out any of the following:
• Death metal
Enthusiasts of aggressive music highly regard Tampa as the birthplace of death metal. Bands that pioneered the said extreme metal subgenre in the 80’s such as Obituary, Morbid Angel, and several others all had their start in Tampa. Some of those bands had since gained worldwide recognition and fame (or infamy depending on how you look at it). The death metal scene there is still going strong to this day, so visitors to Tampa who like their music heavy might want to catch a band or two playing the said musical style there at night.
• Busch Gardens
For those seeking more family-friendly fare than the grotesque imagery of death metal, their reason for visiting Tampa might be to go to Busch Gardens. They won’t need to book a flight to Africa anymore as Busch Gardens had brought some of the various attractions and exotic creatures from the said continent to America. They can take a safari tour and interact with the animals living in the said theme park.
• Florida Aquarium
Some visitors to Tampa might prefer an aquatic experience instead of trekking in the jungle-like setting of Busch Gardens. They might want to head over to Florida Aquarium for that where they can get to see different kinds of marine life from fishes to corals and everything in between.
Regardless as to the kind of tourist that Tampa attracts every year, they’ll surely hunt for a place where they can stay either temporarily or on a long-term basis. But if they don’t feel like committing yet to living in Tampa, you can help them acclimatize to its weather and surroundings by investing in a rental property there and letting them become tenants in it.
You’ll only need to remember a couple of things before buying a rental home in Tampa:
• Register your rental property in the City of Tampa’s municipal office every year. You won’t have to pay for anything since they offer it for free.
• Set aside at least $218,000 to get yourself a rental property in Tampa, thus making it the most affordable option for you and one that you can consider pursuing as a beginner in real estate investment.
Conclusion
A record 65.5 million tourists visited Florida between January and June 2018, proof that the Sunshine State remains to be a viable attraction for anyone who wants to visit the southeastern portion of America. You should consider buying some rental properties for tourists. However, not every place in Florida will guarantee a return on your real estate investment. The options listed above can help you know better where to invest.

The Best Hair Loss Treatment: 5 Things To Consider Before Choosing

The hair is a person’s crowning glory and it’s a source of confidence and pride for most people. The most common causes of thinning hairline or hair loss include genetic predisposition, hormonal changes such as menopause or use of birth control pills, and medical conditions like scalp infection, thyroid disease.

You probably have tried several hair loss products, such as shampoo and prescribed medications, but you may not satisfied with the results. Now, you’re looking forward to trying hair loss treatment such as laser light therapy or hair replacement surgery. Before you try another method, here are some factors you need to consider before deciding on the best hair loss treatment:

1. Doctor’s Advice

It’s always sensible and imperative to see a doctor, someone who is specialized with hair loss treatments, such as a hair loss specialist from Vera Clinic. Your doctor can explain the different hair transplant options available, such as:
• Follicular Unit Transplantation or FUT. It is a traditional method of hair transplantation, wherein it involves removing a strip of skin that serves as a donor graft. This type of hair transplant is less used nowadays because of the invasiveness of the procedure.
• Follicular Unit Extraction or FUE. It involves individually removing donor grafts from the side or back of the scalp and replanted in the bald areas, with minimal scarring. This hair transplant method is very popular and widely practised because it is less invasive than FUT and the recovery period is faster.

Here are other pieces of advice you’ll get from a doctor:
• Benefits and side-effects of traditional hair loss medications like Minoxidil and Finasteride
• Get an in-depth explanation about available alternative treatments to hair loss
• Get an expert’s advice on hair transplantation aftercare or recovery tips

2. Your Needs and Preferences

With a nice looking hair, you always want to become the best version of yourself. While an expert doctor can present available options to treat your hair loss, the final decision is still in your hands.

That’s why you need to know your needs and wants by asking yourself the following questions:
• What is the stage of my hair loss?
• Do I have the means and time to commit to a prescribed regimen?
• What are my expectations from the prospective hair loss treatment?
• How much time do I need to set for the aftercare or recovery period?

3. Safety and Good Guarantee

The scalp tissue is very delicate with plenty of blood vessels involved. That is why scalp and hair treatments should be done right from the very first time to avoid damaging the underlying tissues that might jeopardize the growth of new healthy hair. It’s important to have a guarantee for the chances of success, otherwise, you might end up getting bald permanently than actually growing new strands of hairs.

While there’s no guarantee as claimed by many manufacturers and treatment centers, you can research on a particular hair loss treatment you are interested in to ensure safety and effectiveness such as:
• Checking the ‘before’ and ‘after’ results or portfolio of a surgeon
• Reading online reviews or customer testimonials
• Interviewing previous clients
• Comparing the products and services offered by different companies
• Asking a second opinion from a specialist
• Knowing the terms and conditions of a product or service

4. Doctor’s Reputation and Credibility

If you’re considering undergoing a surgical procedure to treat hair loss, you have to consider essential things to make it worthwhile in the long-term, such as the doctor’s reputation and credibility. Here are some of the ways how you can check:
• Check the surgeon’s affiliation with a professional organization like the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery
• Face-to-face consultation with your prospective doctor to discuss your desired hair coverage and expectations
• Know the best clinic facilities that observe the highest standards of cleanliness and care by visiting the clinic
• Ask your doctor about the chances of success and failure of the procedure
• Know the possible side effects or drawbacks of a hair loss treatment

5. Price

You’ll find some offered hair loss treatment options too good to be true. The cost of a procedure depends on several factors such as the extent of hair coverage, supplies, and equipment to be used, and the expertise and popularity of the doctor or treatment clinic. The price also involves whether the procedure is invasive or not, the innovativeness and advancement of the procedure and facility, and comprehensive aftercare. Here’s how to check if the price of the treatment is reasonable:
• Compare the costs of the most trusted and reputable hair loss treatment clinics
• Check the products and services included in a package
• Take note any additional fees or charges, as well as upfront fees

Conclusion

By considering the aforementioned factors, you’ll be able to come up with a smart and informed decision. You’ll be happy with the results and enjoy your new hair and a new look. By knowing what to expect in a hair loss procedure, it prevents false expectations which usually lead to mistrust, frustration or major disappointment. Now, you’re more confident and equipped with the right information to choose the best hair loss treatment for you.

A German Architect Designs a Wooden Art Pavilion for Tippet Rise

German architect Diébédo Francis Kéré has designed a wooden pavilion for Tippet Rise Art Center in Montana. Along with the pavilion, the Tippet Rise Fund of the Sidney E. Frank Foundation will also support Kéré’s job to Construct an environmentally sustainable secondary school in Burkina Faso called Naaba Belem Goumma. Kéré designed it from the Beartooth Mountains so visitors may experience a”rain of light” as sunlight filters via tent construction of vertically stacked logs.

The 1,900 sq ft wooden pavilion was designed to reimagine Kéré’s Serpentine Pavilion in London this past year. The structure will be created in cooperation with the Montana-based architect Laura Viklund of Gunstock Timber Frames and organize poetry readings, classical recitals, and other events. It’ll be created as a gathering place for contemplation from Ponderosa and Lodgepole pine, two sorts of local timber.

H/T archdaily

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Traveling Tips for Beginner Backpackers

If you like to transform yourself from a car camper and a day hiker to an overnight backpacker then this article is for you. However, you might be unsure of what to pack, how to prepare yourself for the tour, how to face any untoward situation, and so forth. If you have necessary willpower, endurance capacity, and motivation, then nothing can prevent you from enjoying a memorable backpacking trip. Here are the top 9 tips for beginner backpackers:

Plan beforehand

Do adequate research and select your destination after learning the pros and cons of that place. Make it a point to book your flight tickets and reserve your accommodation in advance to avoid the rush during the holiday season. In case you are planning to go to South Africa, book an SAA Flight at SA Airlines today to make your journey smooth and comfortable.

Give priority to your budget

It will be challenging for you to fulfill your ambition without starting to save cash from this point onwards. Before doing anything else, try to figure out a sensible budget since it is your money which will dictate where you can go and for how long. It is a fact that most of the travelers out there are in the habit of saving money for at least six months in advance. Work out how much money will be spent on traveling to your destination and also the cost of accommodation available there.

Join a defense class before venturing out

Defense courses are available everywhere at present and these will teach you how to protect yourself in case of any sudden assault on the road while traveling on foreign soil. Although it might be difficult to defend yourself against a well-trained criminal, it will help you protect yourself against any common mugger.

Make some concealed pockets into your trousers

Instead of going for a money belt, sew some hidden pockets into your trousers to carry important items in them. This should make it almost impossible for any mugger to track where you have kept your money. It is feasible to hide these pockets in the pant’s legs by sewing them. However, if you cannot do it yourself take the assistance of any local tailor to get it done for you. Otherwise, consider posting an ad to Craigslist where you will find somebody who can help your cause.

Get your travel medical kit updated

Is important to update your travel medical kit irrespective of where you are venturing out. For instance, if you are planning to go to Africa it will be a smart idea to bring along with you medications like mefloquine, doxycycline or atovaquone-proguanil which you might not come across in the foreign country. Make a research on your present health condition and you might also consult with a medical practitioner who can give you a better idea on this subject. Do not forget to pack stuff such as sunscreen lotion and hand sanitizer which you’ll find at your local medical outlet.

 

Divide your cash

Do not take all your cash in just one place. Instead, divide it into multiple concealed places, for example, hidden pockets in your trousers or your backpack. This will ensure that all your cash will not get lost in case you get robbed.

 

Take notes on what you are packing

It is not surprising you might end up over packing on your first backpacking trip. That’s okay; however, make a note of what you are bringing along with you while discarding those items which you will never use during that trip. This step will help you understand whether anything is missing while traveling to any location on foreign soil.

Get ready to be tested physically as well as emotionally

Be prepared to endure hunger, exhaustion, soreness, and other such adversities during your trip. If you are traveling along with a partner, prepare yourself to get upset by his or her behavior at times. But, never feel hopeless and frustrated. Instead, try to appreciate the outstanding views which you can only reach by hiking and also acknowledge what you have just accomplished by traveling on your own feet.

 

Conclusion

It is important to enjoy yourself and have fun while backpacking for the first time. You never know, you might fall in love with this new activity and would like to repeat it from time to time. Whatever it might be, make it a point to enjoy yourself to the fullest and also take pride in what you have achieved.

 

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Things That Affect You After Psychic Tarot Reading

Psychic mediums are people who sometimes claim to be able to call upon extra sensory powers that are beyond the norm. Some claim to have telepathic abilities. Others state that they are able to talk to beloved friends and family members from beyond the grave. Some psychics conduct readings, sometimes using tarot cards, to determine information about a particular event or situation using their heightened abilities.

 

While such claims have not been scientifically proven, many people turn to the assistance of psychics every year. It’s an industry that has grown in popularity, as people seek answers and guidance for their future in an uncertain world. They are often looking for answers that they can’t get anywhere else.

 

People often turn to psychic mediums for assistance with their finances, their future and their personal relationships. Sheila Moon from Psychic2Tarot.com says that learning to speak someone’s love language is critical to building a long lasting relationship. You can find out more about psychic services at this and other websites online.

 

Here are a few things that can affect you after a psychic tarot reading:

1. It can make you evaluate the present.

Having a psychic reading can make you evaluate where you’re currently at in life. Some things may be good, while others could use some improvement. If you’re unhappy with your job or relationship, the psychic will usually pick up on that. They may give a reading that can provide you with some new insight or give you new ideas on how to fix some of the problems. Other times, a psychic tarot reading can reveal the source of your problems. This can be helpful, especially to those who have been dealing with stressful situations for a long period of time. These causes might not be what you want to hear, but are sometimes necessary to know so that you can move forward.

2. It can give you possibilities for the future.

If you’ve been dealing with a lot of anxiety or stress, a good psychic will usually ask probing questions to get to the root of these issues. They are very good at reading and interpreting both the verbal and nonverbal signals that we give. Often times, we worry about money, relationships or what the future will bring. If we’ve had a rough stretch, we sometimes wonder how long our bad luck will go on for. A psychic tarot reading can often give us insight into some possible paths that our future can take. This is by no means definite, but it can make us stop and think. If there’s a career that we’ve always wanted to pursue, now may be the time to take action. Other times, it may be time to end a toxic relationship. Sometimes, we just need another person to assure us that we are moving along the right path in life by doing just what we’re currently doing.

3. It can help you realize that the only person in charge of your future is you.

It may be good to have a psychic reading to gain some insight into what your future may bring, but please keep in mind that there is no guarantee that the things or events that a psychic foresees in a reading will actually happen. The psychic can present several possibilities of events and situations that could come to pass, but the only person who is really in charge of your future is you. This can be a good wake-up call for people who feel like they are stuck in a dead-end job or a dead-end relationship. It can give them encouragement and confidence in knowing that they have the power to make things better. It may not be easy and the future is always in motion, but it can at least give someone a sense of relief in knowing that they can play a large role in making things better and live a healthy, happy life.

4. It can help you trust your intuition.

Most of us are naturally intuitive. If something seems wrong, it usually is. A psychic reading can often confirm our own fears and suspicions about our worries. More often than not, the things we worry about are things that are within our control. If they’re not in our control, then we have the power to walk away from most of them.

 

These are just some ways that a psychic tarot reading can affect you. Take each reading with a grain of salt, and remember that these are just predictions. It’s no different than the weather forecast. Some of the things the psychic foretells may happen, some things may not. No one really knows what the future will bring. There’s always unexpected obstacles in life. However, by taking a proactive approach and having a positive mindset, we can tackle almost anything that life throws at us. Tarot readings can show us problems and roadblocks and allow us to find the best ways to solve problems and move past them as we make dreams and set goals for a long, fulfilling life.

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4 Essential Home Improvement Tools and Equipment

With the economy improving and disposable income up, home improvement reached new heights of popularity in 2018. Nearly six in 10 homeowners increased their home improvement budgets this year, with almost half of these planning to spend $5,000 or more, and twice as many homeowners planning to spend $35,000 and up, a LightStream annual survey found. Outdoor projects, bathroom remodels, home repairs, kitchen remodels and garage improvement lead the list of most popular projects.

To tackle any type of home improvement project, you first need the right set of tools. Here are four of the most basic tools you’ll want to have handy before you begin.

Ladders

One basic piece of equipment you will need for many home improvement projects is a good ladder. If you plan to do outdoor projects such as repairing your roof or painting, you will definitely need a ladder. They are also essential for indoor projects where you have to reach the ceiling or a place high on a wall, such as putting up drywall, driving a screw in or pounding a nail in. When choosing ladders, selections should be appropriately sized for their intended tasks, with appropriate weight load capacities. It’s extremely important to keep safety in mind, whether you’re on a step ladder or an extension ladder.

In order to safely use a step ladder, you should never stand higher than two steps from the top, meaning that if you have a vertical reach of 1 foot, you will be able to reach a point about 4 feet above the top of the ladder. Most step ladders only have rungs on one side, but twin step ladders have them on both sides. Platform ladders (podium ladders) have a standing surface on top with a rail extension for extra contact, stability and utility.

For reaching taller spots with an extension ladder, where the fourth rung from the top is the tallest safe point and sections must overlap 3 to 5 feet depending on the length of the ladder, get a ladder 7 to 10 feet higher than the point your ladder will rest against. If you want to use an extension ladder to step on your roof, you will need one at least 2 feet higher than your gutter. A step ladder can also be used for locations without a spot for resting an extension ladder, during tasks such as ceiling fan installation.

Tape Measures

Another essential tool in a home improvement toolbox is a tape measure, says This Old House. Tape measures are needed for most common projects, such as measuring wood width and length to finding the area for a paint job.

Tape measures vary by a number of factors. Lengths tend to range from 10 to 26 feet. Some tapes are thicker than others, ranging from three-quarters of an inch to an inch-and-a-quarter, which makes them easier to read, with tapes wider than an inch being easier to read. Tape hooks also vary in size, with larger tangs being easier to keep stable; some are magnetic. Tapes come in steel and fiberglass varieties, with fiberglass often used for longer tape measures.

Screwdrivers

Screwdrivers are another must-have for home improvement projects, and they come in two main varieties. Flat-head screwdrivers come with a single slot on top, while Philips screwdrivers have a cross-section in the middle. You typically will need multiple screwdrivers of each type in different sizes. A set of 10 is a good place to start, or you can use a multi-bit screwdriver to save space in your toolbox. Look for screwdrivers with a sturdy design and comfortable grip.

Hammer

Like screwdrivers, hammers are vital for home improvement projects. You need a hammer and nails when you need to fasten together two parts with more shear strength than a screw can handle. For example, decks that have to withstand strong winds need nails.

Fortunately, you can get most of your work done with a single all-purpose hammer, says Family Handyman. Look for a hammer with a medium weight, a smooth face, a rip claw and a handle made of something other than wood such as steel or fiberglass. A weight of 16 to 20 ounces is good for general purposes.

While they aren’t the only tools you’ll need, a ladder, a tape measure, a screwdriver set and a hammer will lay a foundation for a good working tool set. These items will come in handy on just about any home improvement project.

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An Illustrated Compendium Of TV Sofas

Sometimes a background is more than a background.

When you switch on your TV or iPad to binge-watch your favorite show you’re probably mostly focused on the characters and the plot. But the parts that get you really hooked are the little details. Elements such as the design that give subtle clues as to the deeper meaning of the show, or at the very least act as a kind of metaphor for the heroes and villains to whom they belong.

Creators like to say things like ‘good set design means design you don’t notice.’ In other words, it feels natural to the world of the show, so it doesn’t distract you from what’s important: the story. But audiences, especially at the geeky end of the scale, know that those details are what matters.

And so, the humble sofa. Hub of the television sitcom. Even the geekiest of fans would probably struggle to calculate just how long they’d spent staring at Sheldon’s neglected brown leather couch in The Big Bang Theory, or Will and Grace’s fabulous mauve piece from their original series.

A glance this illustrated compendium of sitcom sofas reveals that in fact, sitcom couches are perhaps even more diverse than the characters who sit on them. A ‘multi-sofa show’ (industry term) such as It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Seinfeld, or Frasier, requires its designers to push the differences between the sofas to their extreme, emphasizing the personality of the characters with whom each couch is most associated while ensuring that each sofa has its own distinct identity.

In short, sitcom characters are animals of the same breed: humans. But sitcom sofas become more like the realm of dogs, where different varieties are so unique as to dazzle you with the potential of the form.

Via A Visual Compendium of Sitcom Sofas

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Zac Hacmon’s AFTERLIFE series hints at the ‘in-between’ spaces

Artist Zac Hacmon is known for utilizing architectural design and ubiquitous materials to develop simultaneously recognizable and unrecognizable non-places: spaces without history or identity, yet are entirely familiar. His work elevates and bends traditional architecture and material usage, focusing on techniques and elements both from the old and the modern, creating “super-modern” architectural models for space-age, futuristic and imaginary worlds. He aims to challenge accepted notions of necessity, functionality, and memory.

Afterlife, a series of tile-based sculptures consisting of 4×4 inch white industrial tiles, encouraging viewers to consider  memory, time, displacement and altered states of ‘being’. The artist began to consider this portal-like concept with the recent loss of a loved one.

The tiles are representative of the artists’ everyday surroundings; subway stations and domestic areas. Public spaces relating to and reflecting the private, each influencing the other. One of the sculptures is equipped with 16 grab bars suggesting safety and security, yet defective.

Several forms are sealed with transparent glass acting like filters or triggers, capturing the space inside these structures, giving a false sense of depth and the notion of another dimension within the form. Viewers are momentarily disoriented by what seems familiar and logical, yet they eventually realize the opposite is true.

Hacmon describes the individual pieces as “devices”, operating with efficiency rather than as a passive object. These “devices’ can be considered, portals; a gate or gateway to somewhere unknown. Shown together, the series of sculptures can be seen as multidimensional or shrine-like.

“I’m interested in the ‘in-between’ spaces, like corridors, borders, transit hubs. There’s something fascinating that draws me to this, like the psychological shift that occurs between places, between a person’s role in one location to another. In my work there’s an attempt to catch the moment of the shift itself. The fragments in my work come from these places, like the ceramic tiles, reminding us of a subway station that is in-between destinations. These places, and alterations of role can offer a sense of freedom.” Zac Hacmon

Zac Hacmon (b. Holon, Israel) is an artist based in New York.  Hacmon uses architecture as a mediator and is interested in notions of the non-place: spaces without history or identity. His work operates with the efficiency of a device rather than as a passive object.

Check out his work at www.zachacmon.com

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An Artistic Duo Created a Sculopture ‘Absorbed by Light’ to Highlight an Obsession with Phones

The Amsterdam Light Festival is one of the largest light festivals in Europe, hosted yearly since 2012. During the winter season, artists from all around the world take part in the festival, producing unique light exhibitions that inspire and inspire both its customers and fellow artists.

Gali May Lucas is a British artist and among the participants of the festival.
Together with sculptor Karoline Hinz, they created a sculpture, featuring people focused on their phones with light illuminating their faces. Created a series of statues, featuring people focused on their phones with warm light illuminating their faces. The installation is titled ‘Absorbed by light’. The artist claims she wanted to create something that everybody could relate to.

“Cycling to work in the evenings, I see folks lost in the light of Their mobile phones. On park chairs, on the tram, in restaurants — nobody talks to each other. The white light and white noise is somewhat eerie if you take a look at it in a specific way — and you’ll see this come through strongly in the last work,” states Gali.

Check out the sculptures from the gallery below, and if you’re in Amsterdam right now, you can see it firsthand Before the Hermitage!

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Top 5 Luxury Villa Projects in Dubai

Dubai offers a range of exciting luxury villa projects with exquisite high-end finishing situated in sought-after destinations. They are ideal for families of any size and caters to every individuals need. Live in the lap of luxury at these top 5 luxury villa projects in Dubai.

 

Amalfi Villas

 

It’s where exclusivity meets extravagance at its best. Located at the centre of Jumeira Bay, Amalfi Villas by Meraas is the utmost luxurious destination that redefines the way residents experience the world.

The majestic homes are set amidst a lush private park and features modern and high-end finishes for the best. Residents can take in the beautiful views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai Skyline through expansive windows.

Amalfi Villas is the epitome of relaxation and convenience. The location is in direct access from Jumeirah Beach Road, and in minutes away from Dubai International Airport Direct and Downtown Dubai.

Expo Golf Villas

 

 

Expo Golf Villas by Emaar consists of limited premium three and four bedroom villas, designed with contemporary style and distinct form that is tailored for all families.

Strategically situated at Emaar South, the luxury villa project is minutes away from the monumental Expo 2020 site, Championship golf course, and the Al Maktoum Airport, turning it into a great investment for investors.

It’s also just merely footsteps from parks, gardens and a community centre.

Palm Jumeirah

 

 

Palm Jumeirah is the largest man-made island in the world. It is a haven for travelers and residents. It is home to some of Dubai’s most luxurious resorts that includes Atlantis The Palm, the One&Only The Palm, FIVE Palm Jumeirah Hotel and Resort and many more.

 

The artificial archipelago is lined with luxury villas, water parks, wildlife encounters, five-star hotels, and wildlife encounters as well as yacht or speedboat rides that completes the ambiance of the community. Residents also has easy access to hotels, restaurants and Dubai’s breathtaking attractions.

 

Arabian Ranches

 

Arabian Ranches is a breathtaking desert-themed development located on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

Set on 6.67 million square metres, Arabian Ranches Villas is known to be a popular choice amongst expats, families and investors looking for high-branded lifestyle. The gated community consists of luxurious villas and townhouses with spacious rooms, distinct interiors, and top-quality facilities, spread in a tranquil landscape across Arabian Ranches I and II.

The residential area is filled with multicultural expats and is always in high demand because of its convenience and classy lifestyle that is the epitome of the Arabian Ranches. It’s also only a short distance from Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai.

The Villa Project   

 

 

 

A luxurious residential community in the centre of DubaiLand, The Villa Project offers distinct Spanish-styled villas with 4, 5 and 6 bedroom villas.

It’s beautifully designed and captures the authentic Spanish style in a tranquil and private environment, away from the hustle and the bustle of the city.

Inspiring a sense of Mediterranean living, The Villa Project Dubailand caters to families with its lush landscaped garden, tennis courts, community centre, a nursery and other hospitality, entertainment and dining options.

It’s in close proximity to Silicon Oasis and Academic City and residents can conveniently access Emirates Road and other major highways.

 

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How To Buy Freehold Property In Dubai

A lot of research prior to purchasing your own home in Dubai is essential especially when you are not accustomed to the procedure. Freehold areas are some specific areas stipulated by the UAE Government where anyone from literally anywhere in the world can own a property in Dubai.

On the other hand, leasehold areas depict that you can only lease property. These leases can range from 10 years up to 99 years. Therefore, when compared to its counterpart, freehold properties offer more control which allows you to essentially do whatever you want with your home – within reason.

Buying a property in UAE is now easier than ever. Due to the change in the law which took effect in 2002, non-nationals can now purchase and sell a property in Dubai without any special procedures or sanctions. There are many remarkable projects in terms of investment including  Madinat Jumeirah Living by Dubai Holding, Port de La Mer by Meraas , Bluewaters Residences Dubai, Emaar Beachfront and more. Therefore, if you’re looking to invest or are simply considering a move, team up with a qualified real estate agency.

There are a lot of Dubai real estate agencies who can assist you at every step of your real estate transaction. Your real estate agent is your best resource as they are full of limitless information and with many freehold areas to choose from, your agent will assist you in finding your perfect fit.

Freehold areas span over 23 neighbourhoods which include the infamous Palm Jumeirah along with the Dubai Marina, Emirates Hills and Al Barsha! Hence, it is imperative to conduct your own research.

If you’re buying it for personal usage, you should also factor in its location with regards to the amenities such as the supermarket, transportation, schools and so on.

Each neighborhood has certain attributes which make it stand out from others. For instance, the Dubai Marina offers a multicultural yet upscale flare and its proximity to the beach is quite appealing. On the other hand, Palm Jumeirah is a community offering the best of island living and features plush villas and villas.

Registration of your property is the next critical step. If you do not register with the Dubai Land Department then you would not receive full ownership. But as far as your status of residency is concerned, you are entitled to own a property and choose not to reside there. But developers are making it easy for investors and are presenting visas (six-month multiple entry visa) with their purchases too.

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4 Ways to Keep Yourself Entertained on Long-Haul Travel

 

 

If you want to venture across the world in order to experience a culture that is completely different to your own, you have to travel long-haul. There’s no getting around the fact that you can’t transport from point A to point B, which means you are going to have to journey there yourself.

 

Long-haul traveling can be a very tedious experience at the best of times, which is why you have to take it upon yourself to remain entertained. Whether it’s a flight, a train, or a boat that you catch, make sure to put the following advice into practice the next time you find yourself traveling over an extended period of time.

Play games

 

Games aren’t just for kids, you know. If you want to keep yourself truly entertained on your next bout of long-haul traveling, then you have to find the game that best suits you, and you have to play it. You could have a go at some of the classic casino games found on Unibet, you could try a game of Sudoku, or you could even bring a portable video game along for the ride with you. The point is, so long as you’re not in the driving seat, you can play whatever it is you like.

 

Organize the rest of your trip

 

If you’ve got anything left to organize about your trip, such as on-going travel, then you should use your time currently spent traveling to set up the rest of your adventure. You could think through a few ideas about what it is you plan to do, or you could go the whole hog and actually draw up a blueprint about what it is you want to do and when. By working wisely and proactively in this manner, you will give yourself a much better chance of seeing all the things that you want to see on your travels.

 

Learn the language

 

Another proactive way to spend your time while you travel long-haul is to learn the language of the destination you are traveling to. Of course, you might not be able to become fluent in the tongue, but even learning a little bit will prove beneficial to you in the long run. Learn all the important words and phrases, such as how to ask for food and drink. Fluent Forever has some pointers to guide you.

Chat with fellow travelers

 

For some reason, people just don’t like to talk to other people when they travel. If you want to keep yourself entertained on your long-haul traveling, then you should resolve to buck this trend. By taking the time to chat to those around you, as EF suggests, you could find yourself learning about the place that you are traveling to as your traveling companions may actually be residents there. At the very least, you’ll stop yourself from getting bored.

 

Long-haul traveling always has and always will be incredibly tedious. For this reason, you have to take it upon yourself to remain entertained whenever you find yourself on such an adventure.

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What Color Should Your Logo Be

One of the key aspects of establishing your brand identity, the color scheme you choose to represent your company can determine what your customers expect from your business. With this in mind, it’s important to design a logo reflective of your values and choose colors representative of the same to ensure you’re projecting the image you desire.

With that said, here’s how to determine what color your logo should be.

Know Your Customer First

Before you engage in any form of outward communication about your organization, you must get to know your ideal customer. How educated are they? Are they professionals or laborers? What is their income level? How do they perceive themselves? What problem are they coming to you to solve? This will help you determine which colors will be most attractive for your purposes.

 

What Different Colors Convey

Colors (both primary and secondary) have long been associated with certain concepts and mental states.

 

Here’s a brief overview:

 

Red: Strong emotion, passion and intensity, love and hate. The color is known to motivate people to take risks as it intensifies feelings of power, energy, and aggression. It’s evocative of activity, emotion, trust and intensity. Red also decreases analytical thought.

 

Yellow: Optimism, hope, cheerfulness and warmth are frequently symbolized with this tone. Yellow encourages communication, stimulates the nervous system and is indicative of clarity. The color also reflects youthfulness, personal power, free will and self-esteem. Yellow evokes sensations of joy, life, energy and freshness.

 

Blue: Coolness, the sea, the sky, calmness and tranquility. Rae often represented in blue. It stimulates trust, security, orderliness and cleanliness. Blue is also known to increase productivity in office spaces. Conducive to communication, truth and self-expression, blue tends to incite comfort, faith, conservation, understanding, and confidence.

 

Purple: Long considered a regal color, purple has been associated with wealth, success and wisdom. It can also soothe people. Purple has been used to represent creativity and imagination. Additionally, the hue is tied to glamour, power, nostalgia, romance and introspection.  

 

Green: Good luck; nature and health are associated with green. It symbolizes money and new growth, raises moods and promotes images of fertility. Known to relax people, it is also the color to which the human eye is most sensitive. Green evokes feelings of calmness, relaxation, trust, peace and hopefulness.

 

Orange: Happiness, sunshine and the tropics are frequently symbolized with this color. Reflective of excitement, enthusiasm and warmth, orange is also related to sexuality, creativity and pleasure. The color stimulates sensations of enthusiasm, determination and introspection. It also symbolizes good value.

 

Black: This color evokes luxury, formality, power, strength and solidity. It is also associated with mystery, magic and the unknown. Black can incite sensations of boldness, seriousness and masculinity.

 

Colors Tied to Industries

Depending upon the industry in which you’re doing business, certain color trends may dominate your field. As an example, when you design a logo, tech tends to favor blue (think Microsoft), while retail goes with red (like Target) and agriculture (quite naturally—no pun intended) goes with green (such as John Deere).

 

Variances Among Cultures

You should also consider the brand values you want to convey and be aware that different cultures perceive certain colors in different ways.

 

While green symbolizes youth, fertility, and new life, it can also represent infidelity. Chinese men avoid green hats, because they indicate their wives have been adulterous.

 

As you can see, color plays a significant role in both branding and perception. It’s important to keep these concepts in mind when you’re deciding what color your logo should be.

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Guide to Decorating Your Home for Winter

6 Star Trek Captains’ Quarters Get 3D Floor Plans

If you’ve ever imagined what it would be like to be the captain of the USS Enterprise, you’ve now got the chance to see exactly where you’d be living. These floor plans bring those famous rooms to life so you can really picture yourself there, flying through the stars, boldly going where no-one has gone before.

Across all of the Star Trek TV shows, the captain’s quarters have always been an important location, giving the likes of James T. Kirk and Jean-Luc Picard somewhere to compose themselves, gather their thoughts and – in the case of the former at least – seduce alien babes.

Even when the shows have focused away from the Enterprise, the captains have still needed their own space, whether it’s Benjamin Sisko on Deep Space Nine or Kathryn Janeway, whose quarters offered some familiarity and stability after her ship was flung halfway across the universe.

Bringing us right up to date, Gabriel Lorca’s quarters on Netflix’s Star Trek Discovery may lack the monsters and weapons of his menagerie but the lack of personal touches maybe offer clues as to this most enigmatic of Starfleet captains.

So take a look at these 3D models and see which of the captain’s quarters would suit your style of leadership best, perhaps while sipping a ‘tea, Earl Grey, hot’?

Via The Captains’ Quarters: 6 Star Trek floor plans

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Eerie Sandpaper Paintings Make us Consider Destruction

Spanning both the symbolic and poetic space between drawing, sculpture, and installation, Turkish artist Civelek is interested in the concept of creation vs. destruction. The artist’s new new body of work on view at Istanbul‘s Pi Artworks employs the humble, ready-made, and contradictory material: sandpaper.

Raised in Istanbul, Turkey, during a time of heightened geopolitical instability, the artist often witnessed the precarity of daily life firsthand. Bombings at synagogues, consulates and banks, often close to his routes to school, a recurring memory. Tall buildings with their entrances blown out were a common scene, and the artist reflects upon how normalized this became. Surrounded by cyclic creation and destruction, he began to consider the act of elimination as a form of creative authorship itself.

As an adolescent consuming Western mass media, which was over-saturated with images of violence solely for the purpose of entertainment, these disparate and oppositional experiences provoked the artist to confront and synthesize certain dialectical relationships– between creation and destruction, author and audience. The experience instigated his exploratory research into the nature of materials.

Early in the development of his practice, Civelek opened a space called The Destruction Company, where visitors could come and destroy different items. Over time, these explorations matured, were simplified, and became more subtle and metaphorical, taking inspiration from Auto-destructive artistic practice of the early sixties and leading to the body of work presented in this exhibition.

Number 3: Grit contains three different groups of work in the same medium, all utilizing sandpaper. Sandpaper is a material imbued with conflict and juxtapositions: it is used in the process of creation, the thoughtful, slow, and superficial manipulation of surfaces and objects. When implemented as designed, it can create smoothness and polish, yet it remains abrasive and potentially destructive. The sandpaper series can be considered a study of material properties that expose how an object can be destroyed and how to destroy it–a combination of artistic intentions and chance operations.

Presented in the space will be a series of “paintings” comprised of a range of varying sandpaper grits in a variety of colors and textures, several sculptures, and a large-scale installation of an oversized roll of sandpaper, sweeping down from above and spreading across the entire gallery floor. Upon first glance the piece seems non-threatening, playful even. As the audience inhabits the exhibition space, interacting with the installation, the tactility of the sandpaper floor becomes apparent as it  wears down the soles of the shoes of those who walk across it, while simultaneously being destroyed itself.

Visitors are asked to sign a detailed waiver before interacting with the piece.

Grit: Number 3 will be on view at Pi Artworks through December 23

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