I got a new iPhone in December and I have been getting familiar with iPhone Apps. These applications or Apps (for short) are wonderful software programs that are installed directly on the screen of your iPhone - most are free to download, or have a nominally small fee.
These are the iPhone Apps that I have downloaded so far that are proving to be very helpful:
1. Flashlight iPhone App - This App fills the screen of your iPhone with bright white illuminating light. I used it on a job-site last week to look behind a wall to check the position of the gas line in a kitchen renovation. I will also have it handy next time I am in a dimly lit restaurant and can't read the menu!
2. iHandy Level iPhone App - very handy for leveling pictures on the wall, checking that a table is level, etc.
3. Digital Mag iPhone App - great for magnifying those hard to read dimensions on floor plans....also works great to read small print disclaimers, menus, etc.
4. Ben Color Capture iPhone App - I love this one. You take a picture with your iPhone and it matches it up with the exact Benjamin Moore paint color.
5. MacBox Units iPhone App - Units is a really useful app for the iPhone that lets you easily convert from various units into lots of others. Units can convert Area, Currency, Energy, Temperature, Time, Length, Weight, Speed, Pressure, Power, and Volume. As an added bonus Units also has a built in ruler, for doing small, quick measurements when the need arises.
*Best of all Flashlight, IHandy, Digital Mag, Ben Color Capture, and Units are all free iPhone Apps
Please let me know what iPhone Apps you have found helpful by leaving a comment here.
Patricia Gray is an award winning Interior Designer in Vancouver, Canada who blogs about WHAT'S HOT in the world of Design.
I recently returned from a road trip through the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. The Okanagan Valley is the home to a budding Wine Industry. I was pleasantly surprised with our stop in Osoyoss to visit The Nk'Mip Winery and Resort. NK’MIP Winery Resort is a four-season aboriginal tourism resort destination that features deluxe accommodation and visitor experiences including an award-winning winery, gourmet dining, desert golf, a cultural centre and full-service spa.
It was a feast for my eyes to view the walls of the Cultural Center from the parking lot at Nk'Mip Winery. I was struck by the beauty of this facade that looked like a giant slab of the most sumptuous marble. On closer inspection and inquiry I was informed it was built with "Rammed Earth Walls".
Rammed Earth Walls at Nk'Mip Winery and Resort also known as pisé de terre or simply pisé
(above left) Notice how thick these walls of rammed earth are - approximately 20% thicker than standard concrete walls. (above right) The rammed earth walls are formed in layers of approximately 6" thick , which gives the walls a beautiful horizontal variegation resembling quarried marble.
Rammed Earth, also known as pisé de terre or simply pisé, is a type of construction material. Pisé de terre (rammed earth) walls are an ancient building method that has seen a revival in recent years as people seek more sustainable building materials and more natural building methods. Traditionally, rammed earth walls or pisé de terre walls buildings are common in arid regions where wood is in scarce supply.
The basic recipe for rammed earth walls starts and ends with plain old dirt.
RECIPE FOR RAMMED EARTH WALLS - Soil about 5 litres Water - Water about half a litre - Cement 10 percent - Pigment 1 percent (about 1 tablespoon)
The mixture for rammed earth walls is compacted in layers between forms. Each layer of the rammed earth walls is approximately 6 inches deep. As each form is filled, another form is placed above it, and the process begins again. This is continued until the desired height of the rammed earth walls is achieved. Forms can be stripped off as soon as the form above is begun, as the compressed rammed earth walls are self-supporting immediately. Most builders of rammedearth walls use pneumatic rammers to compact the earth within the forms.
Deep inset Window detail in Rammed Earth Walls Nk'Mip Winery. My Dad and me.
Some interesting facts about Rammed Earth Walls and Rammed Earth Walls Construction:
Rammed earth walls are 20 percent thicker than most concrete walls so it is better insulating against heat and cold.
Rammed earth walls improve Indoor Air Quality because of the simple finish of exposed rammed earth walls have no toxic finishes.
Rammed earth walls are so solid that they boast superb acoustics and rank with the best in terms of fire resistance.
Because rammed earth walls don't rely on wood the structure will never rot, nor will it be host to carpenter ants or termites.
Rammed earth walls evolved in hot dry climates, where wood is too rare and precious to be used as a building material.
Rammed earth walls have been the standard in house construction in Southern Europe and the Middle East since biblical times.
None other than the Great Wall of China, or at least most of it was built of rammed earth wall construction.
Does anyone know why it is called Rammed Earth Walls?
Great Wall of China - Rammed Earth Walls construction
Rammed Earth Walls
Rammed Earth Walls Construction in Residential Bathroom with a Stump window made from base of tree that was growing on the house site.
Rammed Earth Walls
Iron oxide layers have been added to these rammed earth walls in sedimentary layers with inset of abalone. Above 2 photos or rammed earth walls Terra Firma
Additional Resources on Rammed Earth Walls Construction Wikipedia Rammed Earth Walls Construction Terra Firma Rammed Earth Walls Builder / Why Rammed Earth Walls in Construction? Walls of Rammed Earth Rammed Earth Walls DIY Rammed Earth Walls Construction Nk'Mip Winery and Resort, Rammed Earth Walls Cultural Center Rammed Earth Walls Construction Diagram You Tube Rammed Earth Walls Video Images Rammed Earth Walls
Slipcovers are a fitted protective cover that may be slipped off and on a piece of upholstered furniture. Slipcovers are usually made of cloth. Slipcovers may be removed for seasonal change, cleaning, moving, or storage. Slipcovers are sometimes defined as "clothing for furniture." They are tailored just as clothing is, and are fitted loosely or snugly to the taste of the owner or tailor. Some people order furniture upholstered in plain muslin slipcovers with the intention of using only the slipcovers.
slip·cov·ers noun Date:1856
What a great way to update the look of upholstered leather chairs by using leather for slipcovers instead of the more traditional tight leather upholstery technique. It adds a whole new dimension to the "leather" look. Slipcovers are a great alternative and they give a more casual feel to furniture. You can change the look of your room by having an extra set of slipcoversand by changing these slipcovers seasonally you have a brand new decor. Leather slipcovers may be all that your existing chairs need to update them. The new faux leather on the market has the advantage of being easy to clean. And for higher end faux leather products, it is hard to tell the difference from real leather, unless you give it the leather 'sniff test'.
Slipcovers Lane Industries Leather Slipcovers left, John Saladino center & right Leather Slipcovers 'Harley Chair' center John Saladino Leather Slipcovers 'Cassandra Chair' right
Food for thought:John Saladino is the designer of the Harley and Cassandra Leather slipcovered chairs above. He has several meticulously designed and detailed chairs with leather slipcovers in his exclusive 'Saladino Style' line which he has carried for years. As a matter of fact, John Saladino is 'known' for leather slipcovers in the world of design by professional designers. Interior Designers/Decorators are usually the first to create a design that is fresh and new and then it eventually filters down to the mass market like the current "What's Hot" fad for Leather Slipcovers, which is now being seen in mass production in the example of the chair on the left above by Lane Furniture. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with mass produced furniture, but what I lament is that the original designer of the concept is often forgotten and not recognized in the wake of the new trend. In Italy they have an award that is given out each year called the Compasso d'Oro. It publicly acknowledges the contribution by designers of outstanding products made in Italy. Many of the designs that have won awards are now so fully encompassed into our every day lives that we take them for granted. Last year a Compasso d'Oro award in Italy was presented to the American designer Karim Rashid for a dresser he designed for an Italian Company. I admire the Italians for honoring their designers and giving them the acknowledgment that they deserve. Unfortunately we do not have a national award such as this in North America to foster pride in the great designers that contribute so much to the quality of our lives.
The Ice-Bag Wine Chiller is a new product that has just hit the North American Market. It is a clear plastic wine tote and chiller that is reusable. It is completely water tight and portable. With it's sleek design and trend-setting appeal the Ice Bag Wine Chiller is an alternative to the ice bucket. And talking about trend setting, this Ice-Bag Wine Cooler has been used at venues such as the Ascot Racetrack, to high profile concerts (Madonna, Elton John, George Michael). How fun to display your wine or champagne in this Ice Bag Wine Chiller. I think that it would be great to use for weddings, special events, or your next party. It is even customizable with your own logo.
For the coolest drinks in town, re-usable Ice-Bag Wine Chiller. My friend Joyce is distributing these. Please contact Joyce for ordering information for Canada, South America, and the Americas here.
A few weeks ago a package arrived in the mail, and to my surprise when I opened it, there was a box of chocolates in shiny brown wrapping tied with a red satin ribbon accompanied by this photo of the new Miele Limited Edition Chocolate Laundry.
This new "Limited Edition" Chocolate Laundry claims a patented honeycomb drum, which is engineered not only to clean clothes better, but also to make clothes last longer by reducing fabric strain and wear. The dryer uses moisture sensors rather than timers.
Luciteand acrylic (which is the generic name for this plastic),have become popular materials for furniture,tables, lamps, hardware, trays etc. It is important to clean and care for lucite properly from the start as it is a somewhat delicate material. Proper steps should be exercised in cleaning lucite.
Clean lucite with hot soapy water using a soft cloth. The type of polishing cloth you use will make a difference. The ideal cloth is nonabrasive, absorbent, and lint free. To eliminate any chance of scratching lucite , use only disposable cloths. Reusable cloths can retain abrasive particles, but you won't know for sure until the damage is done.
Do not use sprays such as Windex or Fantastic on lucite.
This kit from from Novus Polish is great to have on hand.
1. Cleans all plastics(lucite) without scratching. Leaves a lustrous shine that resists fogging, repels dust, and eliminates static. 2. Removes fine scratches, haziness and abrasions from most plastics(lucite). Repeated use restores faded and discolored plastics. 3. Removes heavy scratches and abrasions from most acrylic(lucite) surfaces.
This is on of the prettiest faucets I have ever seen. I would love to use it in a Powder Room or Guest Bathroom. It is made completely from glass with lucite handles. When opened, the water gushes out from the bottom and fills the vase up to the rim. A limited edition to bring an air of poetry to the bathroom. Design Davide Vercelli for Hego Water Design Italy
Barbie debuted on March 9, 1959 and I can still remember buying my very first 'Barbie'. I was 10 years old and I saved my quarter weekly allowance until I had enough to buy her. I remember looking at the rows of available 'models' until I finally chose one, that I think was to resemble Diana Ross of the Supremes. She had a black Afro haircut and was wearing a long strapless black sequin gown with a fringe of black tulle on the bottom. I still have her packed away somewhere. I spent hours making houses for her from the sleeves of my paper cut-out dolls. That is probably where my passion for Interior Design started.
Barbie's living room (left) Barbie's shoe closet (right)
Interior Designer, Jonathan Adler has decked out a real-life 3,500-square-foot pad overlooking the Pacific Ocean to look like the blond doll's outrageous home to celebrate her 50th birthday. He was commissioned by Mattel Inc. to decorate the house for today's party. The installation took six months of planning and a few weeks to install.
I love what Adler said about having Barbie as a client: "Barbie was a dream client because she doesn't exist as a person, she exists as fantasy and is the perfect client because she's always happy and fun and loves everything."
He lined Barbie's bedroom with wall-to-wall pink carpeting emblazoned with her initial. Her closet is filled with 50 pairs of pink peep-toe heels while her kitchen is stocked with cupcake-making ingredients. An in-house museum features 25 vintage Barbie dolls on display. In the garage? A pink Volkswagen New Beetle with a motorized pop-up vanity in the trunk.
So where's Ken? "Ken's around, but does she need Ken?" said Adler. "No."
WOULD I LIKE TO BE AT THAT PARTY TONIGHT!! The Jonathan Adler edition Barbie
The frame of the mattress is on a suspension system that lifts easily -- just hit the release button and it pops up with a light tug-- very ingeniously designed. The frame is separate from the head-board. Also, the enclosed space stays clean, unlike underneath a bed. Made in Italy by Flou
Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, "What's HOT" in the world of Design, as well as sneak peaks of her work.
I am excited about this new product that I have just been shown by The Vancouver based Dragonfly Surfaces. The color and graining in this line of fumed wood veneer is amazingly beautiful. The trees used are from sustainable-managed forest. Some of the fumed wood veneers that have captivated my attention are: Fumed Red Gum, Fumed Olive Ash, Fumed Acacia, Fumed Sweet Chestnut, Fumed Wild Cherry, Fumed White Ebony, and Fumed Indian Apple
What is Fumed Veneer?
Dark woods and stains are in high demand these days. The process used in creating fumed wood veneer turns light colours into warm rich chocolate browns. The wood is placed in a special chamber where it goes through a “fumigation process”. There are only certain types of wood that are suitable for this process; they are tannic acid containing woods such as oak and larch. The reaction of the acid in the wood with ammonia is what is responsible for the darkening of colour. The light and shadow effects creating a patina in the wood veneer are due to different levels of tannic acid in the wood giving the veneer a truly unique look.
When woods that are not fully hearted are fumigated the result is a light splint zone. This gives the Smoked Wood Veneer its distinctive look that is not attainable through other processes.
The colour that the fumed wood takes on due to the fumigation process is to a large degree non-aging and is far more stable to light compared to many other coloured wood types. The fumed wood veneer is also more elastic and less brittle.
Environmental Story During the fumigation process of the wood there are no waste products produced. The ammonia that is required for the manufacturing process is routed by the fumigation chambers directly into a washer and is neutralized. The resulting nitrogenous solution is then used in farming as fertilizer.
Fumed Wood Veneer - Macassar
Fumed Wood Veneer - Smoked Oak
White Ebony
Patricia Gray is an award winning Interior Designer in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada who blogs about "WHAT'S HOT" in the world of Interior Design: New and Emerging Trends, Contemporary Design, Modern Architecture and Travel, as well as how your surroundings can enhance the world around you.
