San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) January 28, 2014

The transformation of a dwelling into a home worthy of its occupants can take more time than most people plan on. Carefully examine the spaces key features to properly develop this house into a modern home. First, establish the use of each room in the home. An open, spacious room with a view, off of the entry way, has a public nature. This room will be useful as the meeting room for the family on game night, and can be the formal space for entertaining guests. Rooms deeper within the home have a more intimate nature and are suitable for relaxing and personal pastimes. Often the kitchen, den and bedrooms occupy this area of a home. The smaller rooms will need careful consideration for the arrangement of furniture. The movement in and around any smaller room must be carefully considered for the area to be functional. Applying the concept of asymmetry to the arrangement of furniture in small rooms can visually help the space feel more expansive. A completely balanced furniture layout can make a room looked cramped.

At the same time, it is important to consider how much light enters each room during the different times of a day. At what time of day will each room get the most use? These factors are important because additional overhead and tabletop lighting may be needed during shadowy daylight, as well as in the evenings. Also, the amount of available light will affect the chosen tints and shades of the colors that will be applied. If one knows the psychological effects that color can create in a room, what mood will best suit this use of space? One color should be selected to establish the main theme of a room design and this color will be modulated by various shades and tints found in the details of an upholstery or drapery fabric, a carpet, or a furniture design. The alternate colors that are introduced can soften the dominate color or they can brighten the background shade. There are endless color combinations and endless ways to influence, inspire, or soothe a homes occupants and its guests by the use of color.

Second, many new homes have an open floor plan style of construction and one sweep of the eye will capture the entire interior design. In addition to colors and furniture styles, there are other factors to consider when living in an open floor plan. The number one factor to consider should be the acoustics. An open lifestyle brings family members and their guests together, often while each party is engaged in different activities. Carpeting or area rugs that are laid down in the family room/living room/dining room will dampen the sound of voices, music, or games. Full length draperies along the window wall or glass doors will work together with the floor covering to further reduce the noise level. Upholstered furniture will take the acoustic level down even further. The second factor to consider in this style of living is the necessary lighting. Overhead pendant light fixtures or chandeliers can provide the central ambient light and will also define a separate room in the open plan. Floor or table lamps will provide the spot light needed for close at hand activities. Tract lights or ceiling light cans will also provide ambient light and a clean look in this style of home design.

Now, it is important to establish a focal point for each room, or area of an open floor plan. When the focal point of a room is an obvious architectural detail, such as a fireplace or a large picture window, the furniture layout may appear obvious. But many home dwellers must create the focal point with a design detail that is a lot more original. For some rooms, an effective visual focus is created by applying a sumptuous accent color to one wall. A dramatic accent color is perfect to offset the installation of a beloved oversized statue or other prominent sculptural wall decor. Additional accents can be created with a graphic art or painting collection artfully framed and grouped together on a long wall. A traditional room accent can be established by installing architectural ceiling trim, or by laying a hardwood floor with distinctive details. These design suggestions are just a few of the ways to get the most out of a rooms interior design.

As with any kind of decorating its important to incorporate a blend of textures into the home design. Choose bold-textured fabrics and furniture pieces to create an interesting interior design in a room with a plain construction style. Solid color fabrics such as leather, velvet, silk, or heavy cotton contribute to a rooms textural landscape. The sheen of silk gives the room a lighter feel. The textures of heavily fissured velvets and thick woven cottons add a bolder, more masculine design element. Texture is often overlooked in a room design, but the various fabric and furniture surfaces lend an important visual contribution. In a small room, the use of finely embellished decor elements will make this space appear larger. Intricate fabric designs covering a sofa and chairs will become the primary focal point. A different fabric design selected for full-length drapery will create a secondary design focus. Decor elements such as rugs or pillows, in a solid complimentary color, will accent the finely textured elements in the room. These accents will bolster the interior design over the rooms size. A visit to the home collection at Kindachic.com will help identify those dcor elements that will turn a house into a finely designed home.

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Kindachic.com Provides Tips for Transforming a House into a Well-Designed Home

Orlando-area hotels broke a record in 2013: highest-ever revenue per available room.

Called RevPAR, the figure is a way to measure the average revenue generated per day by each available guestroom in the market. In 2013, it hit $72.04, up 7.8 percent compared with a year ago, according to Smith Travel Research, which tracks hotel data.

That tally was enough to narrowly beat the previous record of $71.79, which was set in 2007 at the pre-recession height of the local hotel market.

Still, there is a wide disparity in RevPAR among Orlando's various submarkets. Lake Buena Vista, which enjoys high occupancy and the area's highest average daily rates, recorded revenue per available room of $88.29. West Kissimmee, where rates are much cheaper and average occupancy is the lowest in the market, had RevPAR of $34.09.

Southwest 'on track' with AirTran

Fresh off a record annual profit announced Thursday, Southwest Airlines said it is on track to retire the AirTran brand by the end of the year.

The Dallas-based airline, which is the busiest carrier at Orlando International Airport, said it plans to convert AirTran's seven international markets and remaining domestic markets to the Southwest brand by the end of 2014.

AirTran is still operating flights out of Orlando International Airport, where it was the fourth-busiest carrier during fiscal year 2013. The airline flew 3.5 million passengers through OIA, or about 10 percent of the airport's passengers.

Southwest bought Orlando-based AirTran Airways in 2011. But as a domestic carrier, Southwest faced a key obstacle in integrating the two carriers because AirTran also flew international routes.

Gary Kelly, Southwest's chief executive officer, said in the company's earnings release that the integration of AirTran resulted in $400 million in annual net pre-tax synergies in 2013.

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Hotels set a record for revenue per room

Patio Enclosure and Room Addition Pictures
Straight and Gabled Patio Room Addition pictures and photos from RoomAddition.com.

By: RoomAddition.com

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Patio Enclosure and Room Addition Pictures - Video

A COUNTY Limerick mans request to use the dining room at the Mansion House as part of the Irish Republican Brotherhoods annual turning of the sovereign seal to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the constitution has been refused by the Lord Mayor of Dublin.

Cappagh native Billy McGuire, who is president of the once secret oath-bound fraternity, has carried out the tradition of his late father and grandfather since 1964. The sovereign seal, consisting of a harp with 12 strings, is an IRB emblem first used in 1919 to symbolise the transition of Ireland from a colony to an independent country.

The 1916 proclamation and the sovereign constitution are the foundation documents of the State and are owned by the Irish Republican Brotherhood, Mr McGuire declared.

On January 21 each year, Mr McGuire turns up at the Mansion House to carry out the ritualistic turning of the sovereign seal, which, he believes, gives validity to the Irish Republic.

In response to McGuires request to use the dining room of the Mansion House, the building where the sovereign seal was first unveiled, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Oisn Quinn decided to refuse permission.

In a letter to the IRB president, Mayor Quinn stated that in recent years Mr McGuire was granted permission to use the dining room of the Mansion House, subject to certain conditions and prior to that was facilitated in the entrance hall of the Mansion House.

However these conditions were not adhered to. Also, the Mansion House and the Lord Mayor of the day, were not treated with the respect they are entitled to, the Mayor explained.

In addition, I have been informed that you attended an event on April 26, 2013, which was part organised by Dublin City Council and insisted on being allowed entry, despite not having registered for the conference, and were abusive and threatening to Dublin City Council staff and conference organisers who tried to assist you.

Having considered all of the above, I have decided to refuse permission for the use of the Mansion House for your ceremony, Mayor Quinn replied.

Mr McGuire, who this week marks his 50th year involved in the tradition to re-assert the sovereignty of the Irish nation, told the Limerick Post that it would still go ahead, on the footpath outside the Mansion House on Dawson Street.

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No room at the Mansion House for Limerick man

MASON CITY | Electrical failure in the wiring above the ceiling in the banquet room caused the fire at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday, according toMark Christiansen, fire marshal with the Mason City Fire Department.

The fire, which was reported by an employee working inside the bowling alley at 3:12 a.m., involved the banquet room addition that was added to the original building in the 1980s.

The employee reported seeing fire in the banquet room prior to exiting the building, Christiansen said in a press release.

The fire originated above the suspended ceiling in the banquet room, according to Christiansen. It traveled throughout the wooden rafters before burning through the ceiling and igniting the room contents.

The east interior wall of the banquet room (former west exterior wall of the original building) was able to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading into the original building, Christiansen said.

Fire did enter the original building through a set of double doors that were open, causing some damage to the bar and kitchen area.

Video from the building's security system was recovered and analyzed with the help of the employees from Central Lock of Mason City. The video confirms the fire originated in the banquet room ceiling space, according to Christiansen.

Additional footage from an exterior camera shows the exterior lights flickering for several minutes before finally losing power, he said.

"Investigator Brian Schupe from the State Fire Marshals Office contacted our departmentand offered to assist in the investigation, and his help was greatly appreciated," Christiansen said.

Excerpt from:
Electrical failure ruled as cause of Rose Bowl fire

KU news More LJWorld KU News Coverage

Photo by Mike Yoder

At left, Alan Black, Professor Emeritus, Urban Planning at KU and 804 Studio student Christine Harwood, St. Louis, MO., visit during a celebration for the new addition to the School of Architecture's Marvin Hall. A model of the new addition, called The Forum, which is being built by Kansas University's Studio 804, will house the KU School for Architecture, Design and Planning's first-ever lecture room. Black and Harwood were at a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Lied Center Friday.

Photo by Mike Yoder

The construction site for the new addition to Marvin Hall is viewed outside the windows of the walkway between Marvin and the Fine Arts building on the Kansas University campus.

After clearing another set of bureaucratic hurdles, Kansas University's Studio 804 is ready to begin putting in place the first pieces of a new addition to Marvin Hall.

The addition will house the KU School for Architecture, Design and Planning's first-ever lecture room and commons area at its home in the 105-year-old Marvin.

Studio 804, a year-long workshop that takes students from the design of a building through construction, began the project last fall.

On Friday the school celebrated what architecture school dean John Gaunt described as a "symbolic groundbreaking" at the Lied Center Pavilion. The school hosted the Studio 804 students, faculty, alumni, KU administrators and potential donors to learn about Studio 804's work so far and the building soon to be.

It was good timing, too, Gaunt said. "They got the go ahead from Topeka. They're all clear on codes. The students are ready to dig in," he said.

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KU architecture school celebrates 'symbolic' groundbreaking for Marvin

Not only will visitors be able to sample superb wines, but they can now also indulge in the very best in fresh, artisan produce. Treat your senses to homemade breads, cakes and pastries, prepared daily, or freshly brewed coffee before stocking up on delicious homemade jams, chutneys, preserves and sauces.

Lanzerac Hotel & Spa Executive Chef, Stephen Fraser, ensures that guests are treated to a selection of delectable deli items, where diners can create their own sandwich or platter for lunch from the selection of charcuterie and cheeses on offer. Picnic baskets will also be available to be enjoyed in the Deli's garden overlooking the vineyards, affording you breathtaking views of the winelands.

The Lanzerac Deli services on offer include:

Adjoining the deli is the sophisticated and well-designed Lanzerac Tasting Room which stands proud as a true reflection of the high standard of wines produced on the Estate. Elegantly designed in oak, stone and muted fabrics, the Tasting Room shines as an example of the highest standards that Lanzerac prides itself in.

Overseeing the production of the superb quality of wines that Lanzerac has become well known for is winemaker Wynand Lategan, who together with his team, is passionate about the range of wines within the Lanzerac portfolio which includes the iconic Lanzerac Pinotage, the Alma Mater Ros, as well as the Heritage Reserve range, Pionier Pinotage, Le Gnral and Mrs English wines.

The Tasting Room and Deli is open to the public Monday to Saturday (9am to 5:30pm) and Sundays between 9am and 4:30pm. For any queries contact 021 886 5641.

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All prices are in ZAR Most prices are for 6 bottle cases Some prices are for 12 bottles Delivery in SA & VAT included

DEARBORN Advanced Smile Care patients will soon have some elbow room as they wait for their appointments.

The city Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 Thursday to allow the long and narrow waiting room to be expanded by 117 square feet. In addition, a new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant entrance ramp that will be covered with an awning and obscured by a stone wall will be added, architect Joseph Guido told the board.

Its definitely going to be a safety improvement, he said.

The issue had to go before the ZBA for a dimensional variance because after the expansion, the building would be 3,096 square feet, which is 32.9 percent of the lot. In a local business (BA) zoning, the maximum without a variance is 30 percent, or 2,712 square feet in this case.

The business already is compliant with its parking lot size, which will not be affected.

Zoning Administrator Tom Paison recommended the change because it still would conform with nearby commercial buildings, some of which are at 40 percent or slightly higher coverage, and Advanced Smile Care is on an unusual triangle-shaped parcel at 22100 Outer Drive, just east of the Pelham Road-Carlysle intersection. The triangle was created because Outer Drive runs at an angle.

Paison also told the board that the property has been well maintained and has not received code violations.

Board Chairman Stephen Gedert said the addition will enhance the building and be a nice improvement.

The practice is run by Dr. Gary Veraghen, who has been a dentist for 33 years. Hes practiced in Dearborn for nearly 30, and has been in his current office for 10.

Contact Staff Writer Joe Slezak at 1-734-246-0835 or jslezak@heritage.com. Follow him on Twitter @ JoeSlezak1.

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DEARBORN: Dental office to expand

Come spring B Cellars will begin planting a new vineyard in Oakville and in the summer it will vacate its Calistoga location and move into the new winery on Oakville Cross Road.

We are well under way with construction, said Duffy Keys, co-founder and principal. We are about 70 percent complete on the cave excavation. We are targeting mid-June of this year to be operational.

In addition to the existing vines there, B Cellars is adding about six acres of vineyard and will end up with seven to eight of the almost 12 acres planted to predominantly cabernet sauvignon, some cabernet franc and possibly some merlot, Keys said. Continuing to oversee the winemaking is Kirk Venge.

The new location includes a hospitality house that will bring to fruition the vision B Cellars planned for all along, Keys said.

The intent for B Cellars has always been to present our wines in a food-centric manner, he said.

The uncertainty of the winerys current location on the Silver Rose property, along with permitting complications, prohibited B Cellars from accomplishing its food and wine pairings dream.

The look and feel of the project will blend in with the other wineries and buildings on Oakville Cross Road; agrarian with a contemporary twist. The exterior will include rippled steel with a finish made to look like rust, so that the building looks like its been there. There will be a fair bit of glass and a corner of the winemaking facility that reveals the wine tanks inside.

We want to give people a chance to see what goes on behind closed doors, he said.

The hospitality house will include a demonstration kitchen where B Bites of amuse bouche and flatbreads will be prepared to complement the wines being poured that day. The open-concept room is intended to be relaxing, encouraging guests to linger.

The room will have a living room/kitchen environment because, as Keys said, Where do we always end up when we go into somebodys home? The kitchen.

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B Cellars new Oakville location almost ready

Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) January 22, 2014

The Strata iPad mini Wall Mount is a versatile addition to ArmorActives conference room product line. Its clear acrylic body displays the beauty of the iPad mini and complements almost any surface its mounted to, especially glass. The backplate features a channel for routing the charging cable around the outside edge without being seen, making portrait and landscape mounting possible. Also, similar to all of ArmorActive's iPad enclosures, the faceplate of the Strata iPad mini Wall Mount can be custom branded.

We've had a lot of companies request drywall or glass mounted solutions for the office, hotel, and university spaces. The Strata iPad mini Wall Mount is our answer to this demand, said Benton Paul, VP of Business Development at ArmorActive.

Each Strata iPad mini Wall Mount includes a professional grade drywall mounting kit to securely fasten the enclosure to drywall without needing to mount to wall studs. Tamper proof screws are included to enable the enclosure to be safely mounted in a public area. ArmorActive also includes a clear 3M VHB adhesive backing for maintaining a clean look on glass or mounting to just about any surface.

Many organizations are pairing this solution with ArmorActives Power over Ethernet (PoE) adapter. This adapter makes it possible to power an iPad kiosk through an Ethernet cable. PoE is currently the most energy efficient way to power iPad kiosks and gives IT professionals the freedom to install the enclosure in any location regardless of power outlet boxes.

One of the best conference room scheduling apps to use with the Strata iPad mini Wall Mount is EventBoard Pro. This app is compatible with most calendar platforms, has a simple interface, and can even be imaged with company branding. Aside from conference room scheduling, use cases for the iPad mini Wall Mount also include digital menus in restaurants and digital signage in retail environments.

About ArmorActive ArmorActive specializes in purpose-built solutions for deploying tablet computers into any business landscape. Our goal is to provide the highest quality of service to every customer with our team of account managers who understand every phase of a tablet deployment, no matter how large or small the scale of the project.

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New iPad mini Enclosure Expands ArmorActive’s Conference Room Product Line