Displaying posts labeled "Sponsored"

Have you entered the prestigious A’ Design Award and Competition yet? Once again we are sharing some of our favourite winners from previous years and more importantly how you can enter your own designs. With over 100 categories the A’ Design Award and Competition is the world’s largest design competition. But it is not just an award. It is an indicator of quality and perfection in design that is recognized worldwide, and your design front and centre before design companies and professionals. Entries will be judged by an international jury panel of scholars, professionals and media members (you can check out the methodology here) and the benefits to the winners are inspiring. The trophy, of course, an invitation to the gala night, a certificate of quality, free sales listing at SaloneDelDesigner, inclusion in the prestigious A’ Design Award and Competition exhibition and World Design Rankings and the yearly ResultBook but even more importantly press, PR, introduction to industry professionals and companies and international exposure.

From the Good Industrial Design Award, to the Good Architecture Design Award. The Good Product Design Award to the Good Communication Design Award. The Good Service Design Award to the Good Fashion Design Award and so many more (check out more categories here). Excited? Inspired? Ready to take on the best of the best design from around the world? The deadline for regular submission is September 30 (yes that soon!) and results will be published on May 1. Of course we will be bringing you the results as well. You can find out exactly what the A’ Design Award and Competition is here and register here. Now on to some past winners…

Tie Chair by Shigeki Matsuoka

Ring Bookshelf by Rama Akel

Oleg Multifunctional Furniture by Andrea Cingoli

Elytra Space Saver Coffee Table by Radhika Dhumal

Aura Minimalist Standing Fan by Marco Gallegos

Transparent Chair by Xuanang Gao

Living The Noom Housing by Sanzpont Arquitectura

Mountain House in Mist Book Villa by Lin Chen

Aurora Lodge Chalet by Snorre Stinessen

Time Holiday Mobile Home by Chester Goh

The Bridge House Private Residential by Soheil Afshar Mohammadian

Slope House Residence by Kyungsik Kim

Peloponnese Rural Residential House by Ivana Lukovic

House On The Cliff Residential Building by Shamsudin Kerimov

Weed Lamp by Jinying Cheng

Bellda Lampshade by Mehdi Atashfaraz

Stoccolma Flexible Lamp by Giulia Liverani – Olivelab

Adamas Floor Lamp by Francesca Schiavello

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This post is in collaboration with A’ Design Award & Competition

Owning a rental unit can be profitable if you can draw in the right occupants. An unattractive apartment unit can make it difficult to find tenants, and the longer it stays empty, the less money you will make. To heighten interest, landlords need to make more of an effort than just slapping a new coat of paint on the apartment walls.

New tenants want to settle in a unit that is move-in ready with modern touches. Paying attention to the little things in your unit and updating any features that are broken, old, or out of style can make a real impact on potential tenants.

There is no need to spend a fortune on expensive and extensive renovations to freshen up your rental unit. Let’s take a look at a few ways that you can renovate your rental unit.

New Fixtures

You may not consider your fixtures to be important, but old faucets, light switch covers, and toilet seats can make your home appear lackluster. One of the simplest ways to bring some modern style to your rental is to add new fixtures. New kitchen and bathroom faucets or a new rainforest showerhead can make an impact on the overall feel of your rental unit.

Update Lighting

A simple way to give your rental a new softer look is to update the lighting. Invest in new and more modern pendant light, or switch it out for a stylish track system. Eliminate the harsh glare of overhead lighting by adding a few lamps to your main rooms. Using soft LED lights can bring warmth to your rental. Fashion lamps can be bright, colorful, and unique to add an individual decor touch that will intrigue your potential tenants.

Add a Backsplash

Rental kitchens are generally pretty generic and bland. If you want to give the kitchen a makeover, it can be done easily by installing a unique backsplash. Adding a backsplash is less complicated than you may think, and can usually be done in just an afternoon. You can choose chic subway tile, ceramic, or even stainless steel tiles to give the kitchen a polished new look. If you aren’t experienced with tiling and putting in mortar, you can choose a peel-and-stick backsplash pattern that goes on just as quickly as wallpaper.

Replace Hardware

An easy and affordable way to update your apartment is to switch out all of your hardware. Door handles, cabinet pulls, hinges and vent covers can be coordinated in a style of your choice.

Fresh Paint

Most rental units are updated with a fresh coat of paint between tenants, but going a bit further could help to give your unit a new and dramatic look. If you want to give your unit a unique style, a new coat of paint can make a powerful impact. You can get dramatic with a bright and cheery accent wall, or use a warm color palette to make it feel cozier for tenants. As a landlord, you want to renovate your unit to help you draw in interest from tenants.  Once you’ve refurbished your unit, you can use a rental estimate tool to set a competitive rate and gain interest from tenants in the area. Follow some of these tips to help you renovate your rental and make it your own.

Top 20 A’ Design Award Winners

Posted on Mon, 16 Aug 2021 by midcenturyjo

With over 100 categories the A’ Design Award & Competition is the world’s largest design competition. But it is not just an award. It is an indicator of quality and perfection in design, recognized worldwide, your design front and centre before design companies and professionals. Entries are be judged by an international jury panel of scholars, professionals and media members (you can check out the methodology here) and the benefits to the winners are inspiring. The trophy, of course, an invitation to the gala night, a certificate of quality, inclusion in the prestigious A’ Design Award and Competition exhibition and the yearly ResultBook but even more importantly press, PR, introduction to industry professionals and companies and international exposure. Now it’s time to get your own enteries in.

From the Good Industrial Design Award, to the Good Architecture Design Award. The Good Product Design Award to the Good Communication Design Award. The Good Service Design Award to the Good Fashion Design Award and so many more.

So much reach. So much influenece. A truly global competition. The numbers are staggering. 138,932,825 Pageviews 156,647 Registrations 35,237 Project Submissions 20,681 Eliminated Projects 14,556 Award Winners 1,800 Network Sites 750 Gala-Night Guests 180 Nationalities 212 Judges 122 Categories 108 Languages 100 Press Partners 40 Languages 12 Years 6 Award Levels. Wow!

Today I wanted to share my Top 20 winners from previous years … OK, OK actually just 20 of my hundreds of favourites over the years.

It’s time to submit your entries! The competition is now open for 2021/2022. Details can be found here. Registration information is available here. At the end of the competition we’ll be featuring some of our favourite winners. It could be your winning design!

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This post is in collaboration with A’ Design Award & Competition

If you want to sell your property, there are several adjustments you can make which will instantly boost the appeal of your home. Some of these suggestions are quick and almost instant. Getting the best price for your home or achieving a quick sale can sometimes be down to a few minor aesthetic improvements.

1.     Transform the Garden

When people arrive outside your home, the garden is the first thing they will see. Even those who are driving or walking by your property will notice your garden – especially if it’s tidy, clean, and attractive.

If your garden is messy and full of clutter, it will instantly put off some potential buyers and make it more difficult to get a sale.

2.     A Fresh Coat of Paint

Not every home improvement needs to take weeks and cost thousands of dollars. A fresh coat of paint internally and externally can improve your home almost instantly and at a low cost. You can either repaint the house yourself or choose a professional decorator to do the job for you. There are benefits to both options and it will depend on personalized factors such as cost and time.

3.     Replace the Windows

If the windows around your home are getting worn or tired, it may be time to replace them to boost the curb appeal of your property.

Windows are a feature of the house which are visible from both inside and outside. They decide how much light the home gets, and can make a huge difference to any building.

To get some window inspiration, have a look at other homes in your neighborhood or check out these eight eye-catching home window options. Choose something which suits the overall look of your home and will be hard-wearing and long-lasting for the new owners.

4.     Deep Clean the Home

This is particularly important if you’re trying to sell a property which hasn’t been well looked after. Even if the home has many other advantages and selling points, potential buyers will be turned off if the house is unclean and messy.

Deep cleaning the home should include cleaning of all fixed appliances, floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture items. You should ensure the bathroom and kitchen are given special attention and cleaned thoroughly before any viewings.

5.     Refresh Any External Gates and Fences

External gates and entrance points to the property should be inspected for any damage. If they are in good condition but looking a little worn, consider a fresh coat of paint.

All fences and gates around the perimeter of the property should also be given some attention to boost the overall appearance of the home.

6.     Clean the Gutters

Gutters are important features on the exterior of any property, and unclean or broken gutters can reduce the appeal of your home. It can also encourage weather-related problems which will not be desirable to anyone viewing the house.

Regular cleaning of the gutters, as well as the replacement of any damaged pipes, are essential to maintaining a home and boosting its curb appeal.

New summer books

Posted on Sun, 11 Jul 2021 by KiM

This first book is frankly the BEST book for summer you will get your hands on. I adore both of these books Vendome Press sent over but The Maine House is about cottage, summer living in all its casual splendour and that really speaks to me right now. Photographer Maura McEvoy and art director Basha Burwell traveled the length and breadth of Maine in search of houses that capture the state’s singular character. These are not designer houses; they are homes created by the people who live in them, from artists to writers to fishermen, distinctive for their ingenuity, originality, and fierce individuality. Many are unchanged, inhabited by generations of the same family; some are ingenious conversions. I read it last weekend and its so good I’m exciting to go through it again this weekend, while lounging in my greenhouse, with a drink in hand and a cat in my lap.

Next up is Provence Style: Decorating with French Country Flair by Shauna Varvel. This book is about living the dream – in a 200 year old chateau/farmhouse (among others). Sign me up! I’m so incredibly intrigued by homes in Europe from this era so this book is eye candy that immediately reeled me in.
The era of colorful rusticity and shabby chic has since been replaced by a far more nuanced approach in line with contemporary tastes and needs. Provence Style showcases this new direction, featuring Shauna Varvel’s eighteenth-century Rhône valley farmhouse—Le Mas des Poiriers—as an exemplar. Named for the working pear orchard on the grounds, the property was reimagined by Varvel and noted local architect Alexandre Lafourcade, who transformed an outdated structure into a luxurious and contemporary expression of Provençal style. Alexandre’s mother, renowned landscaper Dominique Lafourcade, designed the extensive gardens. With her exquisite home serving as an archetypal starting point, Varvel goes on to explore the architectural and interior elements that are part of the reinvented Provençal aesthetic. Featuring a selection of homes created by noted interior designers, Provence Style beautifully illustrates the textures, furnishings, fabrics, color pairings, motifs, and accents that define each area, from kitchens, living spaces, bedrooms, and bathrooms to garden terraces and courtyards.