Even adults dream of hiding away in a cool tree house. WebUrbanist has compiled a list with photos of "10 Amazing Tree Houses from around the World: Sustainable, Unique and Creative Designs." Check out these amazing photos.
I'm a big fan of simple designs that fit the surroundings, which may be why I find siding made of bark so interesting. This style was quite popular in Appalachian mountain resorts at the turn of the century until the chestnut blight hit in the 1940s and the bark was no longer commercially available. A shame, too, because the bark siding was thick, rugged and gave buildings a rustic look. Now Highland Craftsman has reinvented this look using poplar bark, which is actually more durable than the original chestnut. The sample they sent me embodies the word "TOUGH." When properly installed, bark siding can last over 75 years and resist some of the toughest weather conditions found in America, all without chemical additives. This is green building at its finest. The bark used in producing the siding is normally discarded in conventional timber harvesting but, in this case, is reclaimed for use. The bark siding is kiln dried, resists infestations and meets the most stringent building code standards for flammability. Another plus, with bark shingles, there is no need for paint. Yay! There is a limited season for harvesting and production of bark shingles so customers are encouraged to plan ahead. Contact information for Highland Craftsman can be found on their web site. You can also call 828-765-9010 to request a sample and brochure, pricing information or place an order.
So you think you're patio is ugly? Well, there's a contest designed just for you— Oldcastle Architectural, maker of ornamental concrete, pavers, patio stones, edgers, and walls, is calling for photos of the ugliest patio. They're offering two categories, one for patios up to 500 square feet and the second for large patios up to 1,000 square feet. Winners will receive an Oldcastle patio makeover. This makes sense given that hardscaping and exterior improvements can earn homeowners up to 15 percent in increased value. Besides, who wouldn't want a stylish exterior facelift. Your neighbors will thank you! So visit Oldcastle and get out your cameras. It's time to reward yourself for years of landscaping shame. See, ugly can actually pay off!
I write about this stuff all the time, but it's really cool to see how siding can transform a home. Last weekend, while visiting family, I just gasped when I saw how new red cedar siding had transformed this house. Clear grade, no knots, and a rich glow from the natural wood. Truly, this is stunning. The owner understands that the wood is naturally strong and insect resistant, so he's not messing with it. Just a light oil to seal and finish it. Wow, it's enough to make me do my own house...
I have a couple of friends with second-floor apartments who, due to small balcony space, find themselves bereft of a grill. This pretty much rules them out as hosts of a summer-time bash, because let’s face it—if you can’t grill, the party is going to be a little lame. For space-conscious people in want of a grill, the Del Mar Magma grill comes in diameters measuring 16.25 inches and 18.25 inches respectively. Del Mar Magma's polished stainless-steel unit stands 41” tall. They all come in natural gas or propane varieties, with the 1 lb. quick-change, disposable propane canisters fitting neatly inside the base. The natural gas version can be hooked up to your home’s supply. At $400 this item is not a bad investment—think of how many more friends you’ll have now that you can grill! The small tank might only allow for 3 hours of continuous grilling, but burgers and dogs only take minutes, so your guests shouldn’t go hungry. Available now.
How many times have you driven around a strange neighborhood at night, looking in vain for a house or apartment with no visible numbers? Wouldn’t it be great if all house numbers lit up like Christmas trees? These Solar LED Numbers from Matterinc use the sun’s energy to power two high-output white LED’s that illuminate for up to 10 hours. The numbers are cut out of aluminum plates that come in 6 1/8” x 3 ½” sizes. The LED's light up the cutouts from behind, giving the illusion that the numbers themselves are glowing. A pretty nifty effect, really, and one that will surely grab the attention of any due-to-arrive guests, not to mention emergency service people. Each number costs about $18, which is pretty cheap, even for those with a four-digit address.
Depending on your musical taste (that means you, Yanni-heads), Paradigm’s new Rock Monitor speakers may or may not be considered a home “improvement". I know, it’s not the first speaker to look like a rock, nor is it the prettiest, but Paradigm is a big name in high-end audio, so it may very well be the best sounding. Each of the faux fieldstones houses two 1-inch titanium offset dome tweeters and a 6 ½-inch woofer with dual voice coils. Geek to English, that means for most backyards you’ll only need a single rock to get stereo coverage. For bigger properties, you can arrange a veritable quarry of speakers to bathe every inch, if that’s your thing. They’re weatherproof (obviously), available in a variety of finishes, and include a security cable for those "can-I-borrow-that" type neighbors. Available very soon at $249 a pop.
