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When purchasing an older home, there are many things of course to consider. Asbestos is certainly one of them.
Used for more than a century as a form of building insulation and piping, homes more than approximately 30 years old have the potential to harbor asbestos. Exposure to asbestos fibers becomes a health concern when high levels are inhaled over a long period of time.
This doesn’t have to scare you off the purchase, as with increasing awareness and technology there are numerous alternatives and building materials which easily replace the need for asbestos.
THE RISKS
Used in millions of homes, asbestos insulation can be a real problem for homeowners due to causing a variety of lung ailments, such as mesothelioma. Recent studies indicate that over 2,000 to 3,000 cases are diagnosed every year in the United States alone. With no mesothelioma cure, precautions are the best assurance.
Once the removal is complete, green insulation options should be given serious consideration, such as: Cellulose, Cotton Fiber and Lcynene. The United Nations Environmental Program states that the use of recycled building materials such as cotton fiber insulation can reduce energy use by 25 to 35 percent. The numbers continue to improve as more eco-friendly options become available. These asbestos alternatives allow for a clean, healthy home, free of health damaging materials.
The head of the German division of IKEA, the Swedish home products retailer, has stated that it is the company’s female customers that excel when it comes to assembling its furniture.
It won’t come as a surprise to many to learn that the reason for this is that the men rarely look at the assembly instructions, believing they can do it without help.
Women, on the other hand, study the instructions and are both patient and methodical when it comes to getting the job done. They typically lay out all the screws and fasteners neatly whereas men simply throw them in pile, causing them to use the wrong one or even lose one.
And what about the decision makers? Well here’s a few things IKEA have noticed:
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Approximately 70 per cent of the Swedish retailer’s customers are women;
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Important decisions are made together, but men come along to finalise a big purchase; and
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If a woman is against buying an item, then that puts an end to the matter for good.
The US Dollar is gaining strength, however, international real estate buyers are still important, even though their purchasing activity has decreased by 30-50 per cent since June 2008.
So where does the strength still reside? New developments. The W New York is a great example.
The W NY Downtown Hotel & Residence, the has seen 74 percent of buyers, thus far, come from overseas, 41% coming from Korea, 10% from the United Arab Emirates, and eight percent from Italy. This may come as a surprise if you’ve formed the opinion that the market is dominated by British and Russian buyers.
The 56-story building has 223 residential condominium residences, with prices ranging from $1.2 and $2.4 million. It’s hip, it’s dark, it’s cool, and there’s only a few remaining.
FYI: Read related articles on New York; or Luxury Homes; or Investors
Artist Finn Stone (notice the subtle name on the top of the box) has used former English telephone boxes as the basis of his latest collection.
The Lamp is eight feet tall and costs a cool $6,498 USD.
Here’s the chair:
Also to come is the sofa and the bath tub!
FYI: Read related articles on Lighting; or Designer Furniture; or Interior Design.
Encrusted with 220 carats of diamonds, the Gold & Diamond Chandelier has been created by London-based jewelry designer Solange Azagury-Partridge. It is made from delicate links suspended in arcs to form a pear shape that ends in a sharp point, reminiscent of the central medallions of ancient Persian rugs. The Chandelier is 18 caret white gold that has been blackened to create a smoky effect.
Whilst Solange Azagury-Partridge has had no formal training, this exquisite design be the self-confessed “diamond lover” will be the centerpiece of Sebastian + Barquet’s exhibit at Design Miami.
FYI: See related articles on Interior Design; Luxury furniture; and Lights
More information: Check out the featured sites: Solange Azagury-Partridge; Sebastian + Barquet; Design Miami.
Gruppo Treesse gives you a chance to order a custom bathtub. The default designs are simple and provide an excellent canvas that allows you to customize at your whim.
The Epoca, Epoca Egg, Nina, and New Classic Young designs allow touches such as Swarovski crystals, decorative designs, capitonne upholstery, all of which will seriously add an original and person touch.
FYI: Read more articles on Bathtubs; Luxury Furniture; Swarovski Crystals and Interior Design
Designer Philip Plein clearly has the Midas Touch. He has created a living room set using several forms of gold – such as gold-plating, solid gold, or simply a manufactured shade. Plein’s set comprises of a royal nest with a sofa, a coffee table, an arm chair, a side table, lampshades, and cushions.
Whether it spells class and taste I’m not quite sure, but it’s certainly dazzling.
FYI: Read more articles about Luxury Furniture, Interior Design, or Chairs
Japanese company Toyo has created D-Land, a kitchen-dining area that is sleek and sophisticated. Raised above the floor, the units have a stainless-glassy finish, with clean cut lines, and dazzling Swarovski crystals encrusted handles. The Marquette Turner Luxury Homes team has not encountered a kitchen quite like it – yet!
FYI: Read other articles featuring Swarovski crystals, Kitchen’s and Furniture
TThe Hover Chair could be something straight out of Star Wars.
In fact, Keith Dixon, the creator of this lounger states that his inspiration came from the anti-gravity Land Speeder vehicles in the Star Wars films. Using powerful magnets to float in the air floating is indeed possible, but maybe the $9620 price tag may bring some back to Earth.
FYI: See more articles on Luxury Furniture Ideas, Chairs, and Design
This futuristic bar, designed by architect Zaha Hadid, is not just any piece of furniture and definitely goes where no bar has gone before. Finished with a metallic surface, it’s sweeping lines certainly wouldn’t look out of place on the Starship Enterprise. Or, if that’s not such a possibility right now, you could no doubt find a place for it within your home.
FYI: Read more articles on Luxury Furniture or Architects
If you are looking to refurnish your house and don’t mind the price tag, you may want to hold off on making any purchases. Good news. Calvin Klein has announced the launching of two designer furniture lines. The two lines are called ‘Calvin Klein’ and ‘The Curator Collection by Calvin Klein Home.’
Calvin Klein spells class, so expect to see some tasteful furniture. The look is clean, subtle and modern. Nothing complicated, simply class! The full collection will be showcased in late October.
With both the United States’ Senate and House of Representatives having approved the $700 billion bailout of the US economy, and President George W Bush having signed the act into law quicker than you could blink, now begins the blame game to see how this crisis snuck up upon so many.
I, however, thought I’d first look at the scale of the figure and try to put it into perspective. From then on, you can judge for yourself this daunting amount.
Here we go:
If you were paid $1 per second, it would take you 22,197 years to amass $700 billion dollars in your piggy bank.
If you took 700 billion steps, you would stop walking in 10,318 years.
It is the combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Thailand and Belgium, according to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 2007 accounts.
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20 under-five year olds die every minute in the world from preventable diseases, which is 30,000 per day when the vaccinations to save them cost less than $1 (I invite you to read our article on Kiva to find out how you can help save lives, one loan at a time).
Apple has sold 150 million iPods: this is 550 million too few for 700 billion songs.
How many ways can you put the gravity of $700 billion in perspective?
FYI: You can also read this article as a press release
There is a wide difference between a Home Theatre and the Home Theatre System.
For $US300,000 First Impressions Themed Theatres Inc. will produce for you a custom-designed home theatre: the floor vibrates, there are concealed bass absorbers, crystal blue LED lighting, motorized, red velvet armchairs including granite drink holders and condiment trays.
Great for a rainy day inside, great company and never-ending movies!
From early on art has inspired everyone though paintings, body art, houses, and even rooms around the house. Furthermore, whilst the typical family size is shrinking, kitchens are becoming larger and an increasing focal point of the home.
As such, many people when renovating their home use many artistic influences, with designers currently trending towards the use of industrial appliances and heavy duty industrial materials for the bench-tops and cabinetry, and adding kitchen islands where space allows.
With the kitchen on average proving to be the second most expensive room in the household and the main decision making factor when purchasing a home, the kitchen is certainly the “focal point” of the household and the family.
Marquette Turner Luxury Homes frequently features hot and cool new trends for the kitchen and you can use our many articles as resources when renovating your home simply by clicking on the images below.
Simon Turner & Todd Hudson
On Sunday 21 September, Australian airline Qantas, will welcome to Australia the first of 20 of its luxurious A380 aircraft, having flown via Singapore from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France.
Affectionately referred to as the Super Jumbo, the aircraft will be welcomed into the Qantas fleet at a ceremony in Sydney which Simon Turner, founder of Marquette Turner Luxury Homes, has been invited to attend.
Marquette Turner Luxury Homes certainly recognizes the luxurious credentials of this amazing aircraft, and we are very excited at the prospect of viewing the best cabin design in the sky, which has been overseen throughout by world-renowned industrial designer
Marc Newson.
Simon will have the honour of being one of the first proud Australian’s to view first hand Marc’s stunning creative touch to all four classes on board the aircraft, First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy which will no doubt truly reflect ‘the Spirit of Australia’. To view the interiors and take a tour of the aircraft interactively from the comfort of your chair, simply click here
Qantas will operate its first A380 commercial passenger service from Melbourne to Los Angeles on 20 October 2008, and its first Sydney-Los Angeles service on 24 October. Two additional A380’s will be delivered by the end of 2008.
Simon will report back to you post ceremony on Sunday.
Italian designer Eduardo Carlino has developed the Hi-Can system, a technological masterpiece integrated within a luxurious canopy bed.
The Hi-Can has a high-fidelity sound system, supporting all media types, together with a video projector which can act as a television or computer screen. Whilst you may be ecstatic or horrified at the idea of never having to leave your bed to work, rest or play, you can take a breath: so far this is just a concept awaiting the production go-ahead.
A fireplace that can be taken anywhere, the ideal comforter, and suitable for pretty much every occasion and location, however, perhaps as a carry-on item for aircraft passengers is not the most practical or legal option, but you get the concept I’m sure.
Available from Radius Design this year’s hottest accessory (pun-intended) is available for the coolest people for €998,00.
Marketed by the amazing designers at Porsche Design as the kitchen for men, the Porsche Design Poggenpohl luxury kitchen sets new benchmarks (no pun intended) in every respect.
With a sleek, clean design matched with uncompromising, and unapologetic cutting-edge appliances from Miele this latest prestige from the sports car designers also features the very best quality materials.
The drawers and cupboards use electronic mechanisms that make opening them simply by the touch of the finger. Models vary to suit every clients needs, and I have no doubt that despite the marketing to men, this offering will appeal to an equal number of women.
Integrated appliances include convection, microwave and steam ovens, glass-top stove, and an automatic coffee and espresso machine. How much for such customized work? The starting price is a cool $US75,000.
‘The Cosmo’, is a hydro-bath that allows your mind and body to relax whilst jet’s massage you in front of your favourite television show.
Di Vapor has created this luxurious necessity with a 17″ touch-sensitive control panel that allows you to control both the spa and the TV. The nine bubble jets, seven hydro-jets, six back massage jets, underwater lights, and video input are amongst the many features of the Cosmo that can be yours for $US4500.
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