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Saturday, May 12. 2007
You become a meticulous hunter the moment you realize a dream of a picture-perfect house. You don't just look for a perfect home and a perfect price; you also need to be satisfied with the overwhelming aura of your own neighborhood. But why? Because you'll spend half of your life wandering on those streets, dealing with common folks that will later on become your own big surrogate family. An effective house plan looks for what is inside the walls as well as what awaits outside your door. Always strive for a balance in life!
Friday, May 11. 2007
 Nobody wishes to live in a ghetto and mess with plummeting moral values and increasing crime rate! Of course, your child's welfare and safety will be first on mind. So before you move into a mysterious neighborhood, why don't you try to be Ace Ventura and be a detective for once? First, assess the value of your transportation to different community areas, such as the school and the workplace. Check for the quality of school and education provided. Normally, you can gather important data through community demographics, area type, and density. This will you give you a more elaborate idea what kind of neighborhood expects you.
Thursday, May 10. 2007
Choices are made to satisfy you. So, whether the choice is brought about by a whimful desire or a pressing need, if you don't feel comfortable, chances are, you've made the wrong choice. When hunting for a good neighborhood, ask yourself, do you like the overview of the whole community? Make sure that you'll have a good night sleep and will be free from noise pollution. Remember, without peace, there can be no progress at all. When you see people remodel their house and enhance their interiors, it's not time to be envious and proud. It's actually a sign of improvement, so you should be glad to be part of a neighborhood that transcends with time.
Wednesday, May 9. 2007
Ah, finally youve gotten your plan all together and you also walked out from your bank with a home mortgage plan! Good for you, though this is not the end of your nightmare. Aside from the blueprints, budget and interior design plans, there are too many considerations youll have to deal with before the actual house construction. You need to consult first with contractors and suppliers as well as schedule ocular inspection for securing health and homebuilding permits. If you want to scurry away from future hassles, be patient and have your place ready before you start building on your walls.
Tuesday, May 8. 2007
You have to get down to basics. What will your workers need? A portable toilet and temporary electric service will make things more convenient for them. Prepare for the excavation, utilities and temporary driveway too while you cut off some trees and bushes that clogs the home building site. After the excavation, dont just stand there to watch the digging. Check for the empty hole so you wont have to reconstruct to all over after the lay out of foundation. Oversee the necessary trenches. Youll need one for your septic system, your gas, electric and telephone arrangements. Go over the requirements smoothly. Its better to dig now while its rough tan later when all things are already polished. This will save you time, effort and money.
Monday, May 7. 2007
Youre successful in overseeing the initial plan, but there are things you still need to be reminded of. Always apply waterproofing to the exterior of the walls. Remember that the drilling should maintain a distance from the septic system. If in doubt, check the code requirements. After the rough plumbing, install heat ducts immediately. Go over the rough inspections before you proceed to the interior walls. Also make sure that you have a room for built-in cabinets, accessories and appliances. When youre already finished with the final landscaping, you can start cleaning just before you move in! It is important to get involve even with technical details so youll always maximize the full potential of your living space.
Sunday, May 6. 2007
 When the framework of your house is almost complete, the next crucial step is to fill the empty spaces with its righteous pieces. You can mix and match so long as it caters to your taste and need. But when it comes to your bathroom area, there's no such spot for toilet humor. Even minor details expect a lot of discretion and clever choices. Why not, when the first thing you'll visit as soon as you open your eyes is the toilet and the last thing you'll ever be-- to avoid bedwetting at night.
Saturday, May 5. 2007
What is a good toilet? A good toilet flushes the dirt and cleans the bowl in one push. For sure, you may want to avoid the stressful clogging, so I suggest that you choose a pressure-assisted flush system to use air pressure and force water into the bowl. However, this may generate some unnecessary noise and every once in a while, you'll need to check the system for maintenance. Other factors for the clogging mess are the trap size and the flush valve. Size normally does matter, and in this case the bigger the trap and flush valve, the better. And one more thing, select a toilet color that contrasts the shade of your bathroom tiles.
Friday, May 4. 2007
Just because it takes in a lot of your daily mess, it doesn't mean that toilets need to look trashy. There are one-piece and two-piece models for you to consider. The low profile or the one-piece toilet combines the bowl and tank into a single unit while the two-piece has separate sets. Tossing between your options, the two-piece model costs relatively cheaper although it's not as easy to clean like the one-piece alternative. Of course, you may wish to sit on your throne comfortably. Toilet bowls can be round or elongated, so take a pick. Just make sure that seats, which can be cushioned, heated, automatic or contoured will match your bowl and suit your preference.
Thursday, May 3. 2007
 Even if you've already signed a good deal with a home mortgage plan, it doesn't mean that you'll be free from stress. In looking for a place to live and raise your family, you have to make important decisions and plans. Your choice will affect you and your family in the long run. Better yet, acquaint yourself with options so you'll have the power to choose the best for your family. To start with, what are the different house styles that will accommodate a big family?
Wednesday, May 2. 2007
Victorian homes may just be the right choice for those who wish to have a lavish space with classic taste. A typical Victorian style is a made of two story steep roof pitches, dormers, and octagonal turrets. Its key element is a gingerbread detailing. If it reflects your style and suits your family's needs, and if you're budget will allow it, you can talk to your architect and contractor for a good construction lay-out and designs.
Tuesday, May 1. 2007
For typical American families, traditional homes may be more practical for you to have. It is a unique mix of various architectural styles aimed to meet your designs, preferences, and desires. It is a popular choice among real estate house buyers. Perhaps because of its simple yet comfortable space designs, people find it more appealing to modern family dwelling.
Monday, April 30. 2007
Have you ever played Lego or pick-up sticks? When I was young, I used to play these sort of pieces and them put them all together to build a house or a station for my action figures in their so-called miniature village of destruction. But when you grow up, funny how your village of destruction turns into lavish ideas of castles and paradise like those of Barbie. I'm not an aging gay man but when you've got family, you think of nothing but the best. Unlike the silly old games I used to play, it's not easy to put pieces all together into building a real house. There are lots of houses everywhere. You can lease or buy your own. But the big question is, what do you really want to see when you walk through a home?
Sunday, April 29. 2007
As Dionee Warwick used to say, "a house is not a home." And if I were to choose, I'd rather have a home minus the elegance and glamor so long as my family can grow old living in it. Now, that's a picture perfect example of loving and living with a happy bunch of people. Even when I make it sound so mushy and sweet, still this crappy guy is not making any sense vague ideas. How do I turn it into reality? Remember how we used to take tests to measure our aptitude, ability, and knowledge? Maybe we can do the same to come up with real criteria for a perfect home that's comfortable and is built to last and surpass all the trials and tragedies we will soon face as a family. So based on our needs and concerns, we made a so-called wish list of what we want our home to be.
Saturday, April 28. 2007
 What is a home? Well, our family defines it as something that is both functional and comfortable. We want every space and corner to speak of joy and memories. Just enough space so we'll be close together, but no too crampy that we'll suffocate from each other. So based on our needs, we came up with a wish list. We asked ourselves, is there enough room for today and the future? We are a growing family and we have to accommodate our needs. We also have to make sure that the house is structurally sound. Other concerns include the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, as well as the size of the yard. Of course, we would like to have an private working area of our own. More so, the floor plan has to accommodate the whole system, furniture, and storage place so we'll be able to fit in some of modern life's convenience. But the ultimate question is will we be happy in this house for all seasons? We want to make sure that it is as strong as our family. If there are things we need to replace, we have to start early when ideas are fresh and raw and while daddy hasn't taken much out of a home mortgage loan.
Friday, April 27. 2007
Ever been tired of your wall's old hues? Or your kitchen's paint that instead of delighting your appetite, it only makes you turn around and go back to the television show you are watching? A house to be called a home is full of life, ardor and most of all, style. If you happen to look at your house and see boredom or feel plainness, then your house is not a home. It is just a plain boring house.
Thursday, April 26. 2007
Why don't you try transforming your house into a home where your family would never want to live? One way to do it is to overcome your fear of changing the colors of every nook and cranny of your house walls. If you dwell in pastel surrounding before, try a more vibrant color like a match of red, old rose, and terracotta. Add the color of white to highlight the colors' life.
Wednesday, April 25. 2007
Also change your curtains and match its color with your walls and furnitures. Don't forget your bedsheets and pillow covers. You don't need to travel and spend so much money just to live in a grand hotel environment. All you need to know is how to mix and match the colors in your house. Now is the right time to overcome your fear. Get those shouting colors you want for your new home and surprise your family with an amazing fresh design.
Tuesday, April 24. 2007
Lights out! Soon, kitchen predators will crawl out from the darkness, strolling on spotless tiles. They are looking for crumbs, for tiny pieces of food left behind. They are beggars searching and searching until they find a precious remnants of eternal joy. There's no harm in sharing, only these roaches may infect the clean surroundings of your home. You wouldn't want to share germs and diseases with them, the moment you do, they may push you out to check in a hospital nearby. Keeping your kitchen clean is one of the details you need to know. Others are the planning and construction stage of the kitchen.
Monday, April 23. 2007
 The kitchen is one of the special places in the house where the family will surely get together either for a snack or for mommy's gourmet cooking. It is the most visited nook not only by hideous roaches but by the family as well. So better yet, make sure that you make this spot a special corner of joy and convenience. When you're planning for the kitchen landscape, know what you need in the household. Specify a location and space in the house for your kitchen. Try to picture out what you like your food dome to be. Develop a plan out of these imaginations. Take note of the storage and work areas as well as consider the lighting, ventilation, plumbing, and wiring. It all has to do with your own expectations. So before you jump to the construction stage, get the necessary permits and actualize your kitchen dreams.
Sunday, April 22. 2007
Either you'll remodel or build a whole new kitchen area, you should be on firm stance to accept the blow of having extra expenses. Of course, there's no fix budget. There may be delays that disrupts time and the expenses. To avoid taking further sacrifices for your dream, plan ahead in pointing out the styles and materials for the construction. Work on the very foundation of the specific area. How would you like to cast or install your roof, walls, and floor framing? The doors and windows should also be in symmetry. Detail the type of floor covers, cabinets, subflooring, and dry walls. Make sure that the kitchen geography will blend well with your home appliances. Know how the plumbing, wiring, and duct work as well as installation of countertops and sinks. This way, you'll have a better chance to save on time, money, and effort when you have your plans smoothed out into a perfect kitchen getaway.
Saturday, April 21. 2007
"How much you've got? I can work within the budget and help you build the house in time!" You're such a dumb ass if you'll fall for this pick- up line. Try to think of it, no house contractor came from the heavens above. They all work for the money! They wouldn't even waste precious time to build on somebody else's' dream house for nothing. Be careful from their glib. If they know how to spin a woman in despair, don't let them get to you even at first base. Don't be such a wimp, think! You are nothing but a money chest for their insidious schemes.
Friday, April 20. 2007
 A professional contractor won't jump into details and bid a price like an auction. It takes a great deal of ocular inspection and assessment before he could come up with figures, and they definitely won't work for a low-ball price. Normally, they can give an estimate on a fixed unit price measured in square yards for driveways or floors. But other than that, there's no easy way to tell without digging up the dirt. The bluff is when they suddenly turn into a math wizard and blabber with numbers. When they say they can work within the budget, it's like telling you they have a 14 inch penis. There will always be the so-called extras that when you add it up, it will soar to a dramatic high. It's a scam and your contractor is a professional scumbag. Learn to scrutinize the people you hire to see if they're bogus or real.
Monday, April 16. 2007
We all have our own mantras like Spiderman. We value different things in life and there's no single pattern to follow. This is the so-called diversity of this new age. All things spring out of nowhere and we are toiled to making that final choice.
I'm an architect and I always find myself in constant battle with the big boss of a construction firm. I always stick to functionality than style and glam, and that seems to be the problem. They say, we should always heed to our market. I even lost a deal once but it doesn't really make me feel incompetent. I know my own treasures and its my family.
Our house is a picture of a happy family. I grew up with 7 naughty boys and we all have our share of mayhem. Although we live in a crampy space, we never felt that some thing's actually missing. Each corner, every space has its own use, its own value. I even shared a room with 3 of my brothers. Our kitchen's just enough for all of us. But even with house not built for glam, it is always filled with friends and constant visitors.
So before you build that house, make sure that every space will account for memories that will last. Make it simple but conventional. Don't watch MTV Cribs because those houses are not made for you. Instead, picture a happy family and you'll be able to detail that haven into a concrete blue print.
Saturday, April 14. 2007
Decision-making doesn't end as soon as you tie the knot. It ain't easy sealing a deal. You'll find yourself always on a roll of dice for there's no fixed plan or solution, and the only saving glory is to compromise. So if you don't respect and love your bride enough, good luck, but I'm not sure if you'll work it out.
Alice and John are childhood sweethearts. After eight years, the couple decided to get married and welcome the newest member of their family, Deniese. While marriage is sweet, John had to make that push in his career. He accepted the irresistible offer of a marketing firm in Los Angeles, of course with a complete housing package. Alice took it harder than John expected. All her life, Alice have been accustomed to the southern living. She knew nothing about the city, she doesn't even know how to cope with the fast-paced metro life.
Then John asked for my help. He's torn between his wife and the future of his daughter. If he stays, he knew that things will work out for Alice but how about the future of Deniese? We have to come up with a win-win solution!
Working on that blueprint, I asked John to give it a southern feel, something that will remind Alice of their home sweet home. I asked John to adopt styles and comfort of their house back in Texas. I knew Alice would love the garden. She needs to feel that she's closer to nature than the filth of the city.
Alice took over the plan as part of their compromise. She even fixed the furniture while they settled for a smaller but decent abode. She wanted the rooms to have just enough space; the living room to have wooden furnitures; and a spacious kitchen for a good old Texan cooking prowess. In building a house, plans should be flexible and sensitive to each other's needs.
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House Building Comments
Thu, 12.10.2006 09:17
I'd settle with a traditional house plan. The style meets the need of my family.
Sun, 08.10.2006 09:05
All we need is a simple house. That's what we can afford and that's all we need.
Sun, 08.10.2006 09:04
There must be enough rooms even for guests. And you should be able to see through your need.
Sat, 07.10.2006 12:44
The first time I heard the term "polyuria", I wasn't scared. I felt that it was a little too tame a name for something [...]
Fri, 06.10.2006 06:53
I had my first LinkPlayer ethernet converter set up by a geeky buddy who works for Dell. Not that it has anything to do [...]
Wed, 04.10.2006 11:23
When it comes to kitchen plans, I leave it to my wife. She'll know what she needs and as a fair share, I let her [...]
Wed, 04.10.2006 11:22
It doesn't really matter if you have a huge or elaborate kitchen. What's important is that it works for you.
Sun, 24.09.2006 12:18
They are not delivered by storks, but instead a product of excruciating hours before the mother, gasping for breath and [...]
Fri, 22.09.2006 14:36
Women should take over the house, so in little details, let them have the last say. Besides they'll be the one to take [...]
Fri, 22.09.2006 14:35
I'm not sure how southern will work out in the city but I'd say that's a tough deal.
Wed, 20.09.2006 16:59
Your folks are wild and funny. But I bet that it's a special place for them to even last that long and stand each other [...]
Wed, 20.09.2006 16:58
That's sweet. I think that's should always be a part of the plan, a part of the blue print to make things work for the [...]
Sat, 16.09.2006 15:55
You must be hunk for her to even fawn at your type. Man you're crazy. But good luck!
Sat, 16.09.2006 15:55
I just hope you didn't mess things up. She doesn't deserve to live in a zoo!
Fri, 15.09.2006 07:53
I don't actually believe in Feng Shui, but hey, there's no harm in trying as long as it won't empty my pocket.