Published on: 10 August 2020
Last Updated on: 12 September 2024
There are one thing movies and TVs all agree on – lofts are cool. If there is a loft in a TV show or a movie, you can bet it will be chic and stylish, furnished in the latest fashion, exuding both the minimalism of the upper class and the industrial design of the hipster movement.
Generally speaking, a loft can also be the small attic apartment directly under the roof of the building, but we will keep to the first definition of the loft. We asked real estate pros from Neuman & Neuman to tell us what advantages and disadvantages you may expect if you opt to live in a loft.
1. High Ceilings
As mentioned before, we will focus on the apartments on the top floor which have a lot of free space in which you can adapt to your liking, usually including the attic. That means that the height of the ceilings will be considerably higher than in other apartments, even in that same building.
Naturally, what you do with all that extra vertical space is up to you, some people enjoy having a completely open plan and admire the height of the ceiling, whereas other construct landings and floors within the apartment, creating smaller separate units with or without physical walls.
2. A Lot of Natural Light
Being on the top floor of a building comes with some perks, and having access to a lot more natural light than others is one of them. In cases when a building or the loft itself is adapted from a different purpose into a living unit, ceiling windows may exist already, or you may install them to give yourself that coveted sunlight.
In other cases, ceiling windows may not be an option, due to the building itself, but with the vertical dimension of your home a lot bigger than a regular apartment, you may have a lot more room for regular wall windows which a door interior designer will know how to incorporate in your home’s design.
3. An Amazing View
Finally, living on the top floor of a building means that your view of the surroundings promises to be spectacular. If you are fortunate enough to have a terrace or a balcony – all the better. If not, I’m sure that the view from your many large windows is just as spectacular as ever.
The view factor is particularly appealing in revitalized buildings in the city centers, like in San Diego’s Little Italy district, or Brooklyn in New York – which makes the prices of these loft properties go up in recent times, especially since they’re becoming more popular with the younger population.
4. Disadvantages of Lofts
Even though lofts look amazing and have a lot of advantages, there are some drawbacks as well. One of the biggest potential problems is that lofts tend to be, at least partly, repurposed old buildings. That means that they were not built for living and that the insulation is not great. And having so many large windows isn’t exactly helping, either.
This can potentially increase your heating and air conditioning bills. However, if you spend some money on adaptation and adding insulation, you can increase your home’s energy efficiency considerably.
Another problem may be the echo and the noise, especially if you opt for a completely open plan. The cavernous nature of lofts means that the sound will reverberate and there’s not much you can do about it. Having drapes and cushioned furniture may reduce this problem, but this is one thing you will have to learn to live with if you go for buying or renting a loft.
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Over the years, the perception of gardening has changed from the traditional method of tilling a patch in the backyard for fruits and vegetables to more sophisticated types of gardening. Front yard gardening is steadily taking root in the suburbs as homeowners strive to decorate their front yards with more than hydrangeas in the flower bed.
Needless to say, front yard gardening adds aesthetic value to the property and not just for you but your neighbors as well. In open-plan neighborhoods, exposed front yards call for constant admiration or scrutiny from neighbors who may get upset if they do not approve of what is in your yard.
If you are confused about which plants will be able to uplift the aesthetics of the garden you can always count on experts in the industry. Home and property owners can get a mix of plants selected by Tree Service Roseville that are not only pleasant to look at, but also require low maintenance. This will help you keep your garden in top shape and be appreciated by everyone that visits the same.
5 Essential Tips to Designing a Beautiful Front Yard Garden
An unsightly front yard is likely to hurt your neighbor's property as well. For instance, if he is trying to sell his home, open house visits with potential buyers will not go well if there are overgrown bushes right next door. Some neighborhood associations go as far as stipulating guidelines on what is allowed in the front yard. If you are contemplating starting a garden in your front yard, read on for useful tips.
1. Determine Size of the Garden
How much land you allocate for your front garden is dependent on the size of your front yard; you cannot extend your garden to the neighbor's property. Consider other activities that go on your front yard, for instance, parking vehicles, a playpen for young children, and so on.
Read also: 3 Amazing Flower Street Garden – How To Design
Planting beds can be horizontal, along with the width of the house, or vertical from the house to the sidewalk to the fence. Leave enough space for a walkway so that people can access the home with ease without the risk of stepping on plants or getting their shoes muddy from dirt.
2. Select Mix of Plants
Once you know how much land is available, identify a plant. Since front yard gardens are meant to enhance the look of your home, avoid monotony in one crop. Try a mix of different plants that will look great when they grow and plants that do not compete for nutrients.
You also need suitable methods of nourishing your plants to give them the best chance of survival. Applying fertilizer and compost will greatly boost the nutrient content of the soil. Whatever plants you settle for, they should not block the view of the street-facing windows as this will block natural sunlight from gracing your living room or kitchen.
Bushy plants with overgrown foliage look unsightly and are likely to mar the look of your front yard. Drop by your local garden store and find the best pole saw for trimming excess foliage to maintain the desired look and avoid harboring pests.
3. Establish Order
While growing a variety of plants in your front yard is encouraged, do not get carried away. Planting too many species affects the appearance of the landscape making looks like different patches of land with no cohesion. This type of mess is best moved to the backyard away from the prying eye of onlookers.
Read also: How to make a perfect summer retreat from your backyard
Gardening experts recommend five to ten species of perennials, three to five shrubs and if you like, add two varieties of trees. Before making a decision, investigate what types of plants thrive in the climatic conditions of your area.
4. Regular Maintenance
Having a front yard garden demands your full attention. You cannot afford to ignore drooping leaves, weak stems, or an insect infestation. Establish a maintenance routine that works well with your other responsibilities such as work or taking care of the family.
Regardless of your schedule, there are important activities that must be done on a regular basis and sometimes daily. For instance, watering, trimming bushes, weeding, etc. You can choose to do this in the evening after work or if you are too busy, enlist the services of a gardener during the day.
5. Year-Round Gardening
When starting a front garden, you want your plants to grow throughout as opposed to only a few months of the year. While not all plants can do well in the dead of winter or the sweltering heat of summer, you can count on evergreen trees and shrubs.
Planting trees in your garden provide a natural fence around your property and trees provide natural shade for smaller plants. A reasonable amount of shade helps to control evaporation in the hotter months of the year
A front yard garden may be the solution you have been looking for since you purchased your home. Gardening is an ideal alternative to mowing the lawn and running sprinklers all day. You do not have to do it all by yourself; involve the rest of the family for some added fun.
The global housing market is reportedly shifting. Now, some of the most luxurious homes around the world are being sold at a fraction of what they cost a few years ago.
While it may be the dawning of a worldwide seller's market, there are plenty of expensive homes exceeding the average buyer's price range.
Even if you can't fork over mega-millions for a mansion of your own, it's fun to imagine what it might be like to live in the world's most luxurious residences.
Amazing Abodes: 10 Stunning Homes Around the World
Read on for an inside peek at ten of the world's most stunning abodes!
1. Beverly House, Beverly Hills, California:
The Beverly House is within walking distance of the iconic Sunset Boulevard and has been in many major motion pictures. It appeared on-screen in major box-office hits, such as "The Godfather" and "The Bodyguard".
Designed by the famous architect, Gordon Kaufman, the Beverly House is on the market for a cool $135 million dollars. But, if you don't want to commit to a mortgage, you can rent the star-studded digs for a mere $600,000 dollars a month.
If you're looking to move out west, you could always sell your home to Otranto Real Estate. It won't get you $135 million, but it's a start, right?
2. Luxury Italian Villa, Otranto, Italy:
This luxury Italian villa has stood the test of time since its construction, which dates back to 1840. Perched on the coast, overlooking the sandy shores, and full of charming courtyards and gardens, this one-of-a-kind 16-room property is breathtaking, even in pictures.
It's currently for sale, but the price isn't open to the public. The price tag on this stunning display of Italian architecture is available by application only.
3. Buckingham Palace, London - One Of The Most Famous Homes Around The World:
It's easy to see why this royal beauty is fit for a queen.
As the home of Queen Elizabeth, there's no chance of buying this castle for yourself. But, you can visit and tour the castle's grounds. Buckingham Palace is open to the public during specific times throughout the year.
It's unlikely that you will get around to viewing all 775 rooms. But, many of the staterooms are available for viewing and they are every bit as glorious as you might imagine. In fact, every inch of Her Majesty's royal homestead is worth the price you will pay for admission to the royal grounds.
While you're there, make sure that you swing by Windsor Castle, which marks 900 years of royal architecture. If you want to see the actual home of the Queen, you will want to head to Edinburgh where you can visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Both are open to visitors all year.
4. Antilla, Mumbai, India:
The Antilla is a 27-story skyscraper that's owned by the fifth richest man in the world.
Mukesh Ambani, the world-famous billionaire, had the luxurious tower built for his own private use. His wife visited New York and fell in love with Asian interior design, causing him to design the tower for her.
Antilla is the world's largest and most extravagant residential property. The home cost the businessman around $2 billion dollars.
5. The Playboy Mansion, Beverly Hills, California:
It's not the original Playboy Mansion, which was in Chicago, but Hugh Hefner's final party house is bigger and better than the first.
Hefner, known for his partying lifestyle and hosting exclusive soirees, placed his mansion on the market for $200 million. However, the deal included a caveat that he would be able to use the address to party until he passed.
Eventually, the Playboy Mansion sold for half of the original asking price. The Greek millionaire who owns Hostess, the brand that makes Twinkies dessert cakes, bought the home.
6. Fleur de Lys Mansion, Los Angeles, California:
The former home of Mariah Carey recently sold for $102 million dollars, paid in cash by an anonymous buyer. Its spread includes 12 bedrooms and 15 bathrooms. There's also a 3,000 square foot wine cellar, tasting room, two-story library, expansive ballroom, swimming pool, tennis courts, and a spa.
The Fleur de Lys Mansion, built in 2002, modeled the French castle known as the Palace of Versaille, which had been the most decadent home of its time. The Palace of Versaille was the home of Marie Antoinette, who became famous for her narrow-minded extravagance.
Supposedly, a crowd of peasants once stood in arms outside of her palace complaining that they hadn't even a crumb of bread to eat. The wealthy Mademoiselle supposedly responded "Let them eat cake", even though we now know that isn't accurate.
The socialite's supposed response, absurd to those hearing it, has defined Antoinette as one of the most out of touch characters to ever grace the pages of history books.
The quote is still cited when referring to the overwhelming differences in thought between social classes.
7. Xanadu 2.0, Medina, Washington:
Owners Bill and Melinda Gates built their sprawling Washington home with many cutting-edge features. As the mastermind behind one of the century's most notable companies, Gates created the tucked away abode to match his tech-savvy image.
A few of the unique amenities of Xanadu 2.0 include an underwater music system, a separately-housed swimming pool, and a trampoline park with 20-foot ceilings.
The 66,000 square foot home has 24 bathrooms in all, 10 of which are full baths.
In addition, it also has 6 kitchens, male and female locker rooms, a sauna, and a 2,300 square foot reception hall. The reception hall has a wall-to-wall limestone fireplace and a massive video screen for entertaining. It can seat up to 150 people or accommodate up to 200 guests if standing.
Also interesting is the home's heating and light system. They are controllable using a pin-passcode that guests can set according to their personal preferences. The house's sheltered design aids in reducing energy usage and regulating temperatures.
Gates also houses his ancient Da Vinci manuscripts here, which he acquired in 1994 for over $30 million dollars at an auction. He can display additional artwork, stored on $150,000 worth of storage devices, via the $80,000 computer screens adorning the walls.
8. Acqua Liana, Florida:
This property's claim to fame is that it holds the title for the world's most luxurious eco-mansion.
The 15,000 square foot home boasts 7 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a waterfall spa that's lit with fire, floating sun terraces, and an arched aquarium wet bar. It's almost hard to believe that such extravagant details could also be eco-friendly.
Still, for any doubters, there are plenty of "green" qualities throughout the luxurious homestead. Acqua Linea has superior air quality, $120,000 worth of solar panels, ultra-efficient appliances, and extra LEED features. This helps the eco-mansion to maintain an energy-neutral setting most days.
Its' designer created the home, not only to be sustainable living quarters but also as a work of art. His visits to exotic tropical locations such as Bali and the South American rainforests inspired him.
9. Palazzo Di Amore, Beverly Hills, California:
Jeff Greene, an LA real-estate mogul, owns the Palazzo Di Amore, which is Italian for "Castle of Love". He listed the home for $195 million dollars but has since lowered the asking price by at least $66 million.
The sprawling compound is an entertainment mecca. It features a rotating dance floor, laser light system, and a high-tech DJ booth. There's also a bowling alley, game room, theater, and parking space that can accommodate up to 150 cars at a time. The hard part is getting your friends to come over, it's getting them to leave!
10. Kensington Palace, London:
Valued at $222 million dollars, Kensington Palace sits on one of Britain's most exclusive streets, which also known as London's "Billionaire Row".
When the homeowner, Laski Mittal of India, purchased the 55,000 square foot palace for $128 million dollars, it was the most expensive address on the market. In addition to owning the famous mansion, Mittal also owns the world's largest steel manufacturing company.
Kensington Palace was once home to the de Rothschild family. It's located near the current home of Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton.
Looking Into Buying a Mansion of Your Own?
If you're interested in purchasing one of the mansions above, you'll be happy to know that several of these properties are currently up for sale. But, there are also plenty of other homes around the world priced for much less in the event you aren't prepared to spend millions (or billions) of dollars.
But, before you invest in any type of real estate, there is some crucial information that you need to know.
Ready to start searching for your own dream home?
Check out this post for a list of essential things to know before buying a new house!
Read Also:
Top 5 Most Expensive Beachfront Homes
Different Types Of Conversions To Make The Most Of Spare Space In Your Homes
There are different kinds of wood used to make furniture. Each kind of wood offers different characteristics and is used for a variety of reasons. Different types of wood can be used to make the bed frame, the floors, and even the chairs that you sit on. These woods differ in appearance and quality, and if you are looking for furniture for your bedroom with the best quality wood, take a look at bedroom furniture at Luxo Living for some great design choices.
1. Oak
Oak is one of the most common types of wood used to make furniture, but it also tends to be the most expensive. The wood is sometimes used to make small pieces like tables and chairs, but it is also very strong and is commonly used to make floors, door frames, and decks. It is a smooth, rich, deep red and has a distinctive smell that is markedly different from other woods. There are some limitations to the use of oak, in that it can only be used outdoors in certain temperatures, and it is susceptible to mold and mildew.
2. Rubberwood
Rubberwood is a natural growth from a tropical hardwood tree that is mainly found in South America. It is an evergreen tree and comes in many different colors varying from white to yellow, and can even be found in shades of brown. It can also be used to make small pieces of furniture like coffee tables and writing tables but is commonly used to make furniture for rooms with a lot of humidity. The wood is very resistant to mold and mildew.
3. Birch
Birch is another type of wood that is commonly used to make small pieces of furniture. These small pieces can include tables, chairs, and desks. The wood is light-colored and has a distinct sawdust-like smell that is not unpleasant. It can be used to make anything that gets wet since it has waterproofing properties. The wood is easily shaped and can be used to make different types of wood furniture, including bookshelves or cabinets.
4. Walnut
Walnut is another type of wood frequently used to make furniture. It has a strong, hard texture that is very resistant to water and other conditions, which makes it a great choice for outdoor furniture and furniture that is put in humid conditions. Walnut is also very durable and makes a great material for everything from small to large pieces. This type of wood is often found in unfinished form since it is usually used in quite large pieces.
5. Cherry
Cherry is another wood that is commonly used to make furniture. This wood has a light color and is resistant to mold and mildew, which makes it a perfect choice for indoor and outdoor furniture. The wood is sometimes used to make walls or cabinets but is mostly found in small pieces of furniture. This piece of wood is a popular choice for a wide array of projects and can be used for a variety of reasons.
Read Also:
Six Main Reasons Why You Need to Care for Environment
How to start living off the grid
The Effect of Climate Change on Human Health
