We just get back from one of the biggest event in house building in China. Well as it is actually called the international home building exhibition. However, there is a problem with it.even though we do get notes that the core will cover almost all building aspect but the main theme that we sense is wallpaper, it is so massive that we thought the whole exhibition was about wallpaper only. Ranging from low end, into high end product with exhibition booth of a simple brochure to a gigantic structure of imagery room (complete with a girl model to promote them). The wallpaper assortment is fantastic. it goes pretty cheap as well, averaging 100 RMB = 6 USD per 5 sq meter for a good quality with imported printing material while for the fully local made product it is even only as low as 20% of that. Sparkling colors for european taste or specialized supplier for kids room wallpaper can even be found or even specific taste of oil paint art. There is even printing company on site ready to do your custom wallpaper solution. Also being a trend is the green gluing and applying chemicals.

The exhibition also seems to target the domestic industry of China too. Aside of its “international” tag. the whole theme is to sell these products to people involved in the business with large quantity in mind. We believe that the Chinese businessmen were more than eager to buy here as we saw a lot of buying activities happening right on the spot. The number of the sales people is overwhelming with those holding invoices in hand ready to send the product to the smaller interior design companies. In China, furniture and house (apartment) related materials are the leader in the amount of retail sector.

We do bump up with several smaller contractor that offer automatic scrolling door, motorized entrance gate with any kind of design that you could imagine. Most of the samples that we look seems strong enough however, we wonder about its precision and thus its reliability. even though we believe that those products can have long life time but with often repairs. one thing that we note is that the chinese love to have something shiny and all kinds of accessories for their entrance door.

See the pictures for further information….

http://www.bj-jbh.com/english.asp

Retail has developed into various forms along the with the change that a society have upon its city development and lifestyle change. In the greeks era and the romans era, style of a “modern” market does not seem to exist but only cover a traditional market. This is called with the name of agora, forum, bazaar, souk, etc. However, the battle for good product with haggling and barter cease to an end near the 19th century with the emergence of fixed price fixed place system. Here we can observe some trend in the retail design which might prove resourceful for our home.

It was in U.K. that the market take form into a fix price and fix place in the first time and get the title of “shopping mall” and department store. All of this made possible by the introduction of city management, cramped urbanization and efficient transportation system (of car for example). Thus, mall and shopping environment takes form and has grown nicely along the 20th century. Then comes the 21st century with its internet and online market which convenience began to take over the “real” shopping experience. Thus this call for further design for retail and shopping to hold its customer base.

As for now, we could refer to Apple shop, Louis Vuitton Shop or other famous brands shop which also put hefty attention toward store design. The shop is the imagery of the product, nothing less. Some other tried to create an atmosphere and themed environments to make for a “new experience”. You could try to grasp some of the ideas that they have into your house as most of them are exceptionally designed for robustness and showcasing.

In focus, We would like to talk about glass. It was the evolution of showing up the product in the glass showcase that change our precept on “window shopping”. Exquisite design of them becomes art to provoke the bypasser to just come and enjoy for a moment or two. Simon Donan even said that “A scampering rodent will make a window memorable.” This means that simply anything that fit could be put as a combination of interesting design. The thing inside the glass is the message and the information that reflect the store. In our home design, we could also play with glasses, perhaps something natural or antagonistic toward the home theme could provide an punchy antithesis.

Next, there is also the fitting room syndrome. Prada epicentre provide us with an interesting experience of being in an luxurious room complete with opaque changing wall on a click of a floor button. However, this might not be the case elsewhere where hooks are limited, lights is juts not appropriately styled or angled, mirrors which are too small and space so limited. The fashion retail need some smart makeover. Some digital ideas is to make a virtual model of ourselves to put in clothes, faster, more comfortable and cleaner as well. Two innovations that we can learn here is how to do a good closet and your wardrobe system. Remember the key is for space and arrangement.

Need an idea to revamp your bathroom? We have some idea in mind regarding different aspects of them that you could consider. Especially is for you who love to enjoy the bathroom for quite “some time”, some has even seen it as an escape sanctuary from the hectic day to relax and stretch. Here are some list that you could consider to make your new bathroom up-to-date. Don’t forget to take a look at the picture as well.

Bathtub. The old style is back! the classic renaissance model of stand alone bathtub which shows its whole shape is regaining its popularity once again. It seems that the shape and the bulkiness of the bathtub does not necessarily means it got to be boring. In the other hand, the big white shiny porcelain-marble could create a bold statement in the room, especially for those living in the bright weather. However, prepare yourself some room for easy clean ups and make your bathroom biggie.

Basins. Color and shape is the most aspect here. You want it to blend and support the atmosphere as it protrude out of the wall. For colors, neutral or delicate color such as cappuccino, stone grey could be a combination. For shape, you can try new styles such as a cylinder shape or the duck egg bottom. To finish it up, the brass ware, tiles-ceramics, woods and their color should be matched to make up the return to traditional monochrome.

Towels. Yes, it is the best thing that you could buy as it directly contact with your skin, be sure to select the most fluffiest one the water absorbing one the big one. Last but not least consider the size and the price as some really gets nasty bills these days.

Showers. for quickie clean up it can also be done in style as well. current trend suggest sublime design such as disappearing in the wood or ceramic finish, or a boxy shapes that goes in line with the corners of the bathroom. Others even stay in place and fixed to the granite wall creating a soft waterfall like water vent.

Storage. Instead of going with fixed storage which most like is made from wood and will sounds difficult to move, you could opt for modular, water resistant and water breathable material. It is clutter free, cheap and easy to change when you are bored with the color!

Tiles and flooring. If you like vintage look, yo could bring up the room with heritage colors and geometrical pattern, white color will definitely give some authenticity look. Another way is to use mosaic tiles in some part of the bathroom, or even most of them as they are versatile to create what ever creation of textures. Be sure to do it right so cleaning would be easy.

Taps. We foresaw the return of the retro boxy style, however with lesser sharp edges as it hurts. . be sure to select an aluminium anodized one or prepare to make sure on making it wiped dry after every use. soft filter or  even a waterway shape could be a water flowing style that you could choose.

]]> http://upbuildersassociation.com/current-definition-of-beautiful-bathroom/feed/ 0 http://upbuildersassociation.com/glamour-recipe/ http://upbuildersassociation.com/glamour-recipe/#comments Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:25:27 +0000 admin http://upbuildersassociation.com/?p=225 Some of you may have read what we have written about glamour home last time. Today, we are going to write some more on making your living spot becoming even desire-able. Some tips will be described here, but you ought … Continue reading →]]>

Some of you may have read what we have written about glamour home last time. Today, we are going to write some more on making your living spot becoming even desire-able. Some tips will be described here, but you ought to see the pictures we have! it complements our writing perfectly.

The right color combination. Some basic trinity of color such as black, grey and white can be played on different materials and sections to create the balanced feeling. In addition, the application on vintage furniture and house parts could give both the contemporary and the classical look.

Try the old formula of east meet west! as wrong as it might be, the old style creates a strong image and resemblance to the time of art’s best creation.  Red tone as the anchor color combined with several blacks instantly blend to reflect the different characteristic. Varying the shades of color, adding some antiques from both side of the world could be the finesse touch.

Strong personality of lines and a bit of complexities. Glamor need not to be eccentric but can be simplistic as well. The key is to provide a continually coherent design – layout. Strong theme has to be boldly chosen to create difference and this could come from traditional patterns such as baccarat chandelier, tea set or the coffee table, etc.

Wood flooring does not sound as simple as it is. There are different types of them which relate directly with the price, the way its look, its durability, its strength, its installation requirement, its physical characteristic (like insulation, etc.).

So, who uses them and for what? If you are living in the subtropical country, it is a need, if you are living in the hot country, you don’t really need it except for the look. With the characteristic of keeping the floor “warm” or at least not as cold as porcelain floor. The history begins from wooden house and was made from block of wood, however this is no the current case. While for the hot country, wood could give the “cool” feeling and the natural looks instead of the tiles.

Yes, in the past wood flooring is made of a block of wood (it is a wood log cut into shape and placed next to each other. It is called the solid wood flooring. Nowadays, we often heard about it being made from layers of panels and a surface layer which could include the plastic surface. Even further cost saving could be achieved by use cheap “wood” core or a panel. However, a good grade of this “engineering wood flooring” should be made with a good surface/veneer so the look could be beautiful and varied as much as possible. The current offering include teak, mahogany or other tropical forest wood or “soft” wood which is usually the maple or other north American, Russian wood. The good wood flooring would also use a strong production infrastructure so that it will not have the rolling or twisting nor unfit problem. The grades of these wood flooring will depend on the surface quality and the bottom layer quality, it will also have a good strong “core”.

Nowaday offering is overwhelming, including nano anti scratch protection, different coloring, length, locking mechanism, edges (full fit or partial gaps) anti bacteria and some even include herbal smells. The choice is a lot, but you need to make them suitable to your overall home design, the colors (dark or bright), cost, who do the installation, brand, type of wood (you don’t want to be involved in the unsustainable options, right?).

For some people, simplicity is not enough. they want to have glamorous feel about their house. However, to do so sounds expensive. so, is there any way to do it easily and faster?

First tips, use loads of colors. To make a room wakes up, use more color. Its instantly  light up the atmosphere through bright colors. Add some combination of interesting and eye catching prints as well including artwork, pillows, lanterns, carpets, lamps or even plants. Colorful accessories fill up the unused spaces and create the much needed personality.

Second tips, use some bling bling. Bring them into a visible area or perhaps most safely the corner. This could be mirrored stainless steel or high polished aluminum. A chair, a coffee table or some accessories can add up the sleek, cool and masculine feel.

Third tips, some old school style. The old style of the right materials always conjures images of romance and glamor. Retro is the key. Selection of those classic shape home accessories always work in almost any room as long as it is simple enough too. Perhaps just find something that is a copycat design.

Fourth tips, repetitive geometric shape and prints are always stylish. especially with the right patterns and color. Just keep them at the same characteristic and balance, but at this time do not go with strong ones. It simply has the classical orderly feeling.

For those looking forward to furnish their new home with furnitures many options appear in mind, starting with styling of a classic majestic european or a simplicity boxy monotonous color one. We also need to consider cost with the money in hand, the materials, etc. One of which we would like to discuss with you is the rattan furniture.

Rattan furniture become a trend during the 1970s until early 1990s and it still in some country become a hot thing. What makes them different is their nature ingredient and how to make them. Rattan is actually a root of the rattan species which can have different diameters from , on average, half centimeter up to 5 centimeter. These plants are mostly found in the tropical rainforest of the southeast asian countries which are the current and has been the king for rattan sourcing, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Now to make them an individual worker must painstakingly crisscross them together, forces them into shape and tie them into some structure to make furniture. It is still in the business now, largely as there is update on the model and it could be made into simplistic style or a renaissance concept depending on the designer and the maker intention. This also makes rattan furniture a laborious work and therefore its production is mainly in Indonesia, Malaysia or China (which import many raw rattan and process them before exporting it again) which has low labor cost. strangely there is also some producer in british and Italy which has the superiority of design and tooling also making the furniture, making it not just a medium class choice but could also be used for the up scale.

Rattan is artistic and should be considered as a furniture. Once dried, it becomes really flexible, strong and durable. It means it can be shaped into almost imaginable things including eggs style or cubicle boxy things. It could also be made for everything but with the requirement of a good structure (wooden or metal). This also makes it perfect for outdoor furniture as it can withstand long exposure to sunlight and weather effect. The intricate work can adds up the natural look and sophistication of your outdoor area too. It also easy to maintain as you just need to wipe it and have the pads or the cushion changed. colors could also be selected as it is actually similar to a patchwork which mean you could have any color you wanted but black, brown, magenta are the main colors.

Last but not least, remember to choose the natural rattan instead of the plastic one. Even though some of the plastic material are very good, you need to be careful of those chinese copycats. we would like to have the look along with the properties aren’t we?

it is still fresh in our mind how there is a disaster of earthquake in haiti, the buildings collapsed kills many people. it is not actually the disaster that kill. it is the building that kills, the wrong design is. This is a disaster of engineering. so the speaker of this TED event inspected loads of buildings, such as schools, supermarkets, hospitals, ministries buildings, all of them are under examination for failure.

it is actually easy to spot the weaknesses of the building, low building material quality, not enough connection between the bars/columns with the roofs and the walls, symmetrical building that is not strongly cohesive, etc

So, what is the solution? it is actually already known in the building knowledge. however, interestingly the speaker points out a great comparison. the earthquake of chile, what happen there is a greater extend of earthquake 8.1 Richter but less casualties aside of the similar metropolitan density and the greater extend that it should have affected the area. so what makes them more resilient??? first, the building are nicely interconnected, they combine with each other and form a cohesive form of support (columns, flaps, roofs), confined wires column, the right compression of concrete, retie the wire bar, etc.

the lesson of this is clear, it is about learning the proper technique of building, not just pouring out cement. it is about reaching out those builders, train the masons who build and you can have a building and the society that last. there is opportunity here to create and learn from the past for the future

http://www.ted.com/talks/peter_haas_haiti_s_disaster_of_engineering.html

Catherine Mohr has an interesting view on how to build a “green” house. in this TED video, she shared what we actually target with the environment conservation : the desire to save energy and resources. She started with simple example of comparing the use of cleaning cloth, sponge and a toilet paper to wipe a yoghurt splash. Now toilet paper seems evil as it use a lot of energy (imagine it is being cut from a tree in brazil and processed in mexico then send to states), but the cleaning cloth and sponge actually uses more energy of the water to wash them back to clean, the energy of the water pump, the energy to make them and the water flows needed to clean the cloth. Hmmm how complex it will be if we take house as a consideration!

 She then demonstrated to build a house using the greenest of the green possible. starting with an old house, she desconstructed it (uses some of the good old material, thus saving some energy), dig a big hole in the middle of the house as a water catch system (for the rain water on the house field), then uses a highconcretation flyash concrete for the bottom instead of the usual concrete (saves around 25% less energy). then continued wtih the use of new material and composites and old materials of panels to make the frame and the roofs (it saves some more energy).  right here the major form of the houses is completed. however, what is to continue will give more impact. starting on the doors and windows, aluminum ones will multiply the energy consumption by 7 fold, so we should opt for PVC or a wood one. Installation of electricity and water system is already basic so it mostly did not give any  more energy reservation. Here we can learn that most of the basic processes of materials is actually the major source of energy spending. Continued with insulation we know that sprayed one is a high energy spending, but she give idea on choosing cellulose spray rather than the soft cement. She even experimented with the use of haystacks as an insulator as it really cools off the house. Next, the use of eco-rock will save more than the drywall, even further on the choices of tiles  and interior finishers (the paints, etc). this is usually the focus on the media but it does not actually matters.

Conclusion, what we are looking at now is not about the future of the energy saving. but only a part of it. if we take the whole consideration of how we spend energy, house is only part. we spand more energy from cars that we are driving, or the plane. Still, this is one of the field that we really need to pay attention to.

We are living in an ever changing world, dynamic as it is we often need to have more and more stuffs in the house. Just remember not to be over consumerism, i suggest that we should stash our properties better — bicycle, toys, watches, books, cooking utensils, ingredients, toys and multimedia all ring the bells for clever storage. However, with the clutter of those often in one place at home and the limitation of space, how then to do it? First two important things : fill every possible spots and discard those that you no longer need!

First Idea : floor to ceiling shelves, with strong color, and proper sizes will create a strong divider and characteristic to the old monotonous look whilst adding up new spaces.

Second Idea : dedicated media unit that will store all your AV in a neat and hidden way. Electrics are cool but can destroy the whole atmosphere of colors and design that you might have designed. So prepare a closure or sliding structure that can hide it.

Third Idea : surrounding the entry and exit way. Surrounding the door with shelves of books and CDs collection could utilize those high empty spots. Provided that it is done neatly and with strong colors, the result will not give a crumped eerie feeling.

Fourth idea : if you have things of the same sizes, you can have something more exact in sizes to maximize spaces. Those are books and CDs or other collections. Otherwise, adjustable spaces is suggested.

Fifth idea : bespoke shelving creates an unlimited design ideas. irregular sizes here and there, overall shapes of a tree or an abstract look, open or closed storage, all of them  could combine with the snug of the dolls or other minuscules of your room. Be sure to dedicate a full wall to strengthen its contour

Sixth idea : use hidden spaces, such as ceiling high clothes storage or under bed rooms. Those are mostly hard to reach so be sure to only store things that you will access rarely. Seasonal bulky things such as winter clothing and long johns are among the possibilities.

Seventh idea : don’t hide the warddrobe, show them! if you have great collections and taste for clothing or shoes. it could be an artistic way to put your stuff in an interesting way that the couple or the kids could enjoy into. Not to forget that you remember which clothes you have not used for a long time.

Eigth idea : Dig into the depth. for hidden or precious goods such as winery and other temperature sensitive goods. The idea seems workable. Make sure that it is accesible and you will not be trapped inside!