Looking to Make Your House Smarter? Take a Look at These Gadgets!

Technology is an amazing thing. It has the ability to make our lives easier but only if we know about what’s been developed. In order to help you out we found this article with 5 different gadgets to help improve your home. We hope they make your life easier!

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From the article:

There are so many neat little gizmos and gadgets emerging in the home automation market these days. Technology is moving at a breakneck speed, and each year that passes unveils lots of interesting toys. It won???t be long before things like turning the faucet on and off, adjusting water temperature manually, turning the lights on or off???or even worrying about whether or not you have enough milk in the refrigerator???become a thing of the past. In the future, all of these processes, and more, are going to be automated. Let???s take a sneak peek at some of the new home automation gadgets that are on the market.

Lockitron
With a name like Lockitron it must be cool, right? Of course it takes more than a cool name to make one of these gadgets worth purchasing, but this one looks very worth it. You place the Lockitron over your existing deadbolt, and it connects to your phone. So you can use your phone to lock or unlock the door from anywhere, and you can share the ability to operate the door with friends. Best of all, it fits on the inside of the door, so you don???t need to worry about somebody messing with it. Anytime the door opens, you get a message sent to your phone. Plus this device has Bluetooth; you can simply walk up to the door, and it automatically unlocks.

Nest
The makers of the iPod have created another beautifully designed and functional gift. It???s called Nest, the prototype thermostat of the future. Nest is like a little artificially intelligent robot that learns your living habits in about one week. This little thing is so smart that it can actually feel your presence and know you???re awake. The program is designed in such a way that, after answering a few set-up questions and tweaking, it will perform more or less on its own. As with all of these gadgets, you???ll get Wi-Fi-enabled device connectivity, and remote controllability, but you won???t need those things, because Nest will do all that thermostat stuff for you.

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Looking for more information on a smart thermostat? Then checkout this article about smart thermostat that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.bobvila.com/nation/post/5-gadgets-that-will-make-your-home-smarter

Love the Idea of a Mud Room? Take a Look at These Ideas!

Mud rooms are rooms that some people find a must have and other people don’t really give it a second thought. In order to either help open your eyes to what a mud room could do for your home or to give you ideas on what to include in your mudroom we’ve found this article for you. We hope it helps your design your perfect mud room!

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From the article:

When asked people to share their best mudrooms, we were surprised by the outpouring of love for a room whose most important function is storing and organizing boots, coats, gloves ??? basically, the things we shed as soon as we enter the house. Readers and design pros offered their ideas for making the room work harder by configuring it to suit everything from pets to gift wrapping.

Byron Haynes and Andrew Garthwaite of Haynes & Garthwaite Architects say that mudrooms are more than a luxury in New England ??? they are essential. In this one the clutter is hidden in a wall of cabinets. ???The owners are very active,??? says Haynes. ???They ski, climb, snowshoe ??? you name it. The cabinets allow them to stow all that stuff and still have a space that looks tidy.??? Their big idea was to outfit the doors with slatted windows, allowing air to circulate and dry damp gear.

The other life-bettering move was to install radiant heat under the tiled floor. Haynes says the heat not only feels good on the feet; it helps dry wet boots.

Designer Diane Gordon calls her new mudroom no less than a life changer. ???For 10 years we trekked across the patio from our garage to the house,??? she says. ???I have two teenagers, and there were wet boots and coats all over the place.??? The designer created an addition that bridged the space between garage and house ??? she describes it as a covered breezeway. ???On a day like today, when the temperature is 0, you really appreciate it,??? she says.

There is radiant heat under the terra-cotta tile floors, but the designer says it???s more for comfort than for drying. ???The space is a bit chilly,??? she says.

Right now, in the dead of winter, she puts out boot trays under the row of hooks. Old metal locker baskets in the cubbies are assigned to each family member.

The bench has drawers that hold regular shoes. One is for the designer and her husband; the other is for the kids.

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Looking for more ideas for your mudroom? Then checkout this article about mudroom ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/37283060/list/mudrooms-that-really-clean-up

Looking for an Idea for a Different Kind of Home? Take a Look at This Idea!

Homes come in all shapes and sizes. Some people love large homes. Some people love small homes. Others would love a different type of home. If you fall into the last category then this article is for you. It’s all about how a couple turned a school bus into their home. We hope you get some inspiration!

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From the article:

Four years ago, when Mira and Jeremy Thompson bought a 1989 International school bus, you would never guess what kind of plans they had in store for it. At 37-feet long, it’s plenty spacious and the couple set out to make the big yellow school bus into their charmingly cozy cottage.

Douglas Fir flooring, cedar shingles, reclaimed wood for the ceiling and other reclaimed building materials make their tiny home even more environmentally friendly.

One of the huge wheel wells supports a love seat, the other supports a cast iron stove used to heat the home.

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Looking for home maintenance tips this summer? Then checkout this article about summer home maintenance that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.wimp.com/bushome/

Want to Be More Optimistic? Learn What Habits to Pick Up Here!

Being happier and optimistic about life comes naturally to some people. For others they are naturally more pessimistic or realistic. If you’re looking to become more optimistic we’re here to help you out. We found this article on what habits to adopt. We hope it helps change your outlook on life!

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From the article:

Ever notice how some people just seemingly have a bright outlook on life — even when everything isn’t exactly on the sunny side?

You know those people: They’re the friends who have spilled coffee on their white shirt and still manage to have a nonchalant smile on their face. They’re the co-workers who make a big faux pas during a morning presentation and are still in a good mood at lunch. They look at the upside of life but they still live in reality.

Here’s the secret: They don’t have some magical, unicorn-like powers that make them that way. They just engage in behaviors that reinforce their positive frame-of-mind without making it seem like their head is stuck in the clouds, says Melissa Blakeman, M.D., the regional medical director at Johns Hopkins University.

Below are a few of the habits these realistically positive people practice on a daily basis.

They rid themselves of toxic relationships.
Who you are is partly a reflection of who you choose to surround yourself with — that’s why a good support system is crucial to an optimistic outlook, Blakeman explained. Studies show emotions like stress and happiness are contagious — the more you’re around it, the more likely you are to reflect that attitude.

Armed with this knowledge, positive people build a strong social circle that helps reinforce their upbeat nature. “You’d be amazed by how much a good support group can influence a good attitude,” Blakeman said.

They celebrate the little victories.
Positive people hold big accomplishments and small victories with the same weight, Blakeman said. There’s power in acknowledging the little things.

Research shows that thankfulness can lead to increased optimism, and it’s a habit positive people make a point to practice. Gratitude for the little moments — getting to the subway before it leaves the platform, getting a complimentary email from your boss at work — provides more opportunities to be positive since you’re concentrating on multiple facets of your day.

They plan ahead.
One study conducted by psychology researcher Sophia Chou found that those who identified as realistic optimists believed they had more control over their relationships and circumstances. “Every time they face an issue or a challenge or a problem, they won’t say ‘I have no choice and this is the only thing I can do,'” Chou told LiveScience. They will be creative, they will have a plan A, plan B and plan C.”

However, it’s important to realize when your current situation or planning becomes too overwhelming. Positive thinking is best cultivated with a relaxed mind, so take a break when you feel like you’re getting “so bogged down with the details” that it’s clouding your attitude, Blakeman said.

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Looking to create a more peaceful home? Checkout this article about ways to create a more peaceful home that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/01/health/positive-people-habits/index.html

Want to Create a Knockout Kitchen? Try These Ideas!

The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where the family and company gather. It’s only natural that you’d want a kitchen that makes a statement but is also functional. In order to help you out we found this article from Houzz with 12 different knockout kitchen ideas. We hope you find some ideas to transform the look of your kitchen!

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From the article:

Bored with plain white subway tile and ???greige??? walls? Tired of making design choices based on what you think a future buyer might want? These 12 ideas prove that kitchens don???t need to be cookie cutter ??? in fact, they???re a lot more fun when you personalize your space exactly the way you want it. Let them satisfy your craving for color and creativity.

Wallpaper.

Wallpaper is so unexpected in the kitchen, and it???s a treat to see an interesting pattern on the walls instead of flat paint. Many wallpapers are not as delicate as you might think, but if you use one near the stove, it???s best to protect it with a sheet of Plexiglas or a specialty finish. Wallpaper is especially great in small kitchens ??? the pattern fools the eye into thinking the room extends farther than it actually does.

Zigzag linoleum.
What a fun way to use plain, supercheap linoleum tiles. Simply apply tiles in two colors you like together in a zigzag pattern rather than in straight lines.

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Looking for white kitchen ideas? Then checkout this article about white kitchen ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/23233269

Looking for a New Way to Power Your Home? See What Tesla Can Do!

When it comes to powering up your home there are few options. There is mainly the electric company or solar panels. There are a few other options but none as widely known. We found this article with a new idea for you to consider. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Tesla didn’t ship nearly as many cars this quarter as it had projected, but CEO Elon Musk remained upbeat during today’s earnings call as he let some details slip about a brand new product. According to Musk, the company is working on a consumer battery pack for the home. Design of the battery is apparently complete, and production could begin in six months. Tesla is still deciding on a date for unveiling the new unit, but Musk said he was pleased with the result, calling the pack “really great” and voicing his excitement for the project.

What would a Tesla home battery look like? The Toyota Mirai, which uses a hydrogen fuel cell, gives owners the option to remove the battery and use it to supply electrical power to their homes. That battery can reportedly power the average home for a week when fully charged. Employees at many big Silicon Valley tech companies already enjoy free charging stations at their office parking lot. Now imagine if they could use that juice to eliminate their home electric bill. A more practical application for your car would be a backup generator during emergencies, which is how Nissan pitches the battery in its Leaf.

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Looking for another idea to power your home? Then checkout this article about ideas to power house that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/11/8023443/tesla-home-consumer-battery-elon-musk

Looking for Home Design Ideas? Take a Look at These!

When designing a home there are all sorts of things to take into consideration. In order to help you figure out what you like and what you don’t like we found this article for you that has the 25 most popular homes on Houzz. We hope it helps you design your dream home!

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From the article:

There are all kinds of homes out there. But the ones that really grab people???s attention have a lot in common. If the following most popular homes featured on Houzz are any indication, standout features include small footprints, energy efficiency, clever storage solutions and enough charm to blow out the top of a chimney. In case you missed them, here are 25 of the most popular homes ever featured on Houzz.

From Shocker to Stunner in Houston

You???d be hard-pressed to find a more hardworking homeowner than Brie Kelman, who personally chose everything that went into the incredible revitalization of her family???s dilapidated home, from the plumbing fixtures to the dressers. The result is nothing short of spectacular.

Location: Houston
Size: 3,000 square feet (279 square meters); 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

Lively Color Animates a Traditional Aussie Home

Clever furniture arrangements and traditional charm fuel this modern, well-appointed family home.

Location: Southern Highlands, New South Wales, Australia
Size: About 3,660 square feet (340 square meters); 4 bedrooms, 2?? bathrooms

Lovingly Resurrecting a Historic Queen Anne

Carl Mattison and Rob Smith???s transformation of a neglected 1905 bungalow in Atlanta gives hope to homeowners facing the toughest remodeling projects out there.

Location: Grant Park neighborhood of Atlanta
Size: 2,650 square feet (246 square meters); 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

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Looking for interior and remodeling design trends? Then checkout this article about interior design trends that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/42260477/list/25-of-the-most-popular-homes-on-houzz

Looking to Make Your Home More Green but Don’t Want Solar Panels? Take a Look at This Idea!

With everyone wanting to go green and be more conscientious of the environment, even if only to save some money, it can be difficult to know what to focus on. Some people are totally sold on solar panels. Others not so much. If you’re in the not so much category then we’ve come up with an alternative for you. Take a look at this article we found. We hope it helps you save the environment and save some money!

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From the article:

SolTech Energy, a Swedish company selling solutions for clean solar power, has developed a unique home heating system contained within roofing tiles made out of ordinary transparent glass. The attractive house-warming tiles (somewhat ironically) give roofs a beautiful, icy appearance quite unlike anything else we???ve ever seen before.

So what makes the system so special and award worthy? For starters, the tiles are made from ordinary glass and have about the same weight as those made of clay. Secondly, the system doesn???t, like competitors??? versions, heat up water or vacuum pipes, but clean air. The tiles are installed on top of a black nylon canvas, under which air slots are mounted. The black colour absorbs heat from the sun and the air starts to circulate. The hot air is then used to heat up water, which is connected to the house???s heating system via an accumulator. The beauty of the system is that it cuts energy costs throughout the year, during dark winter days as well as night time, due to its capacity to store heat in the isolating layers of air under the canvas.

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Looking for more ways to go green? Then checkout this article about green summer projects that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://awareness-time.com/award-winning-design-glass-roof-tiles-capture-solar-energy-to-heat-your-home-during-winter/

Designing a Home and Not Sure Where to Put the Laundry Room? Find Out Here!

A laundry room is important in every home. The placement of it is very important. If you’re lucky enough to build or redesign a house the placement of the laundry room should be given ample consideration. In order to help you out we found this article. We hope it helps you design your dream home!

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From the article:

Unlike the typical 10-foot by 10-foot kitchen or the 5-foot by 8-foot bathroom, laundry rooms have no standard size. That???s why many laundry rooms end up in awkward places or banished to a dark and dingy basement. ???They become afterthoughts,??? says designer Amber Linse.

But if you???re lucky enough to have space for a washer and dryer in your home, it makes a job that everyone hates a bit more manageable. So homeowners and designers are always looking for the best solutions for where to put the laundry room. Should it be near the bedrooms? Or should it be off the kitchen? What about in a bathroom?

The truth is, it depends on a variety of factors, including your lifestyle, how much laundry you do and whether you care if guests see your piles of dirty clothes come laundry day. ???There???s never one be-all, end-all best spot,??? says designer Joanne Padvaiskas.

With that in mind, we wanted to explore the pros and cons of putting the laundry room in the kitchen, bedroom, closet, bathroom and more. Here???s what to know to help you decide where you should put yours.

Off the Kitchen
Let???s start with what many designers say is the best location for a laundry room: off the kitchen in its own room.

Pros: The logic is that most people spend the bulk of their time in the kitchen, and kitchens tend to be on the main level of the house ??? also where most of our time is spent. So locating the washer and dryer near the kitchen makes sense. That way if you???re cooking, cleaning, watching TV or helping your kids do homework, you???re within earshot of that dryer buzzer and can quickly stay on top of the loads. ???You do it where people live, so you can actually use it,??? Padvaiskas says.

The laundry room shown here is right off a kitchen and includes a pantry, mudroom and powder room.

Cons: If your home has two or more stories, then putting your laundry room on the main floor off the kitchen means that you???re a flight of stairs away from the bedrooms and hampers. On a busy laundry day, that means a lot of trips up and down. A laundry chute could cut down on some of those trips. But you???ll still have to carry the clothes back up. (Why haven???t more people turned those laundry chutes into dumbwaiters?)

Also, washers and dryers make a lot of noise. If your kitchen is near a room where you enjoy quiet time, watching movies or entertaining with friends, you could have some noise issues. To get around that, you could install sound-insulation batting.

In a Bathroom
For this family home in Virginia, Stubb was tasked with finding space for a laundry room where there wasn???t any space before. The family had already added a second floor to their one-story home and didn???t have the budget to add a laundry room to the reconfigured space downstairs, where they really wanted the laundry to be located.

Stubb came up with the solution to tuck stacked units into a new guest bathroom off the kitchen. ???Being from Scandinavia, they were used to the European philosophy of utilizing more than one space for two different uses,??? the designer says.

Pros: A guest bathroom can be a really cost-effective option, because you already have water running to the space. If you???re doing a powder room, this option also puts the laundry on the main floor, where the bulk of activity happens.

Con: If you???re opting for a guest powder room or bathroom, you might not want to let laundry day fall on the same day that you???re entertaining. Also, if you???re thinking about this option for a main bathroom, consider what you???ll do when another family member is using the bathroom, or the shower in the bathroom. Waiting to switch loads could be frustrating.

Bathrooms also tend to get wet, so you???ll basically have to fold your laundry elsewhere. And some homeowners won???t be able to cope with having clean laundry in a space that also contains a toilet. ???There???s just that clean-dirty mix that creates more of a yuck factor,??? says Carter.

Finally, if you like your bathroom to be more of a calming, relaxing, spa-like experience, then you probably don???t want to be staring at a pile of laundry or hear the dryer going while you???re relaxing in the bathtub.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to where to put the laundry room. It all depends on your family size and lifestyle. In the end most people who have a washer and dryer in the home are just thankful. ???We will all just appreciate anything, because to have them in our home is a huge convenience,??? Linse says.

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Looking for bathroom design trends? Then checkout this article about bathroom design trends that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/35155424/list/where-should-you-put-the-laundry-room