jnc ideas
The Basics Pros: Synthetic turf requires no mowing, trimming, watering, fertilizing or pesticides. It reduces your water bill, looks great year-round and is widely available for installation in most metropolitan areas. Very natural-looking types are available, making it almost impossible to tell fake grass from real grass unless it's closely inspected. Cons: Faux grass is expensive and takes skill to properly install. The least-expensive types can look cheap and unnatural, so it pays to install the highest quality you can afford. It heats up quickly, so it may not be a great option for Southern climates with intense sunlight, unless it's installed in a shaded area.
Where to use faux grass: •Home putting greens •Rooftop gardens that cannot support the weight of traditional lawns •Areas that have inhospitable conditions for growing real grass •Easily cleanable areas for small pets •Where you want the look of grass without the maintenance and water bills of real grass •Anywhere you want to reduce your carbon footprint
This nest-like bed is ideal for Oakland, California, homeowner Jody Brettkelly, who wanted her bedroom to be like a treehouse. From this room, she and her husband have views of San Francisco, the branches of the magnolia tree outside and the clouds. Made of woven rattan, the see-through bed is light and airy. They intentionally kept the room simple. "We have four kids ages 9 to 15, and we both work full time. It's important to have a sanctuary clear of clutter and the day's worries," says Brettkelly, who oversaw the design and runs the busy lifestyle blog About Last Weekend. Besides the bed from Kenneth Cobonpue, the room's only other pieces of furniture are Roche Bobois bedside tables. And that bed? Apparently, the same kind Brad Pitt sleeps in.
Speaking of dreams, this shower still is just that: a dream. This is a photorealistic 3-D rendering done to conceptualize the entire space before building. The designer has envisioned a wood floor that continues in a curbless fashion from the main bath to the shower. River rock outside the floor-to-ceiling windows is continued indoors around the shower platform. This is like showering out in the jungle without the bugs. Many designers are working with 3-D modeling programs to give a taste of what the room will really look like before the client commits to building the design. The more photorealistic the rendering, the more it costs to have it produced, but it sure beats the heck out of a floor plan in pencil on graph paper for visualization.
When I first saw this clear, totally tubular shower, my first thought was "Beam me up, Scotty." Then I realized Scotty couldn't really beam me anywhere much better than this. It has a motion sensing door that opens automatically, which is pretty space age. This also should appeal to wannabe go-go dancers; nothing like a little exhibitionism to start out the day. It's the Transtube 360 by Roca.
Roca W+W, which stands for "washbasin plus water closet," uses advanced technology to help the environment. The water appliance saves, filters and chemically treats the sink water you use to wash your hands and brush your teeth, then reuses that water for flushing the toilet. The net effect is that you use the same amount of water in the sink but zero extra water for the toilet. More: Dream Showers Let You Soap Up In Style | How to Replace a Toilet in an Hour
The leading super toilet maker in Japan is a company called Toto. And if you’ve ever visited a nice hotel in Japan with a Toto toilet, you know you’re not in Kansas anymore. Toto’s most advanced toilets are sold only in Japan, with controls labeled only in Japanese. The most advanced Toto toilet you can buy in the United States is the Washlet S300. It has a heated seat, a remote-controlled bidet feature with air drying and the option of an oscillating bidet stream of water.
The Kohler Numi’s squarish, angled shape, subtle buttons and strange automatic lid make it look like it's anything but a toilet. It has a motion-activated lid that automatically opens when anyone stands in front of it and what Kohler calls “advanced bidet functionality,” which is an integrated air dryer. The appliance, however, goes beyond the normal functions of a toilet and adds atmosphere. It has a heated seat and even a subtle air vent that warms the floor in front of the fixture. It even has an atmosphere light and a music player. A touch-panel remote, which attaches to the toilet with a magnetic docking station, lets you customize all the settings.
the beds fold up and out of sight, leaving a blank wall in their place. You can also order it with a fold-out desk mounted to the back of the lower bunk, for even more utility. More: How Portability Can Make You Happier at Home
Steel Industrial elements like steel add a touch of rustic sophistication to any landscape. Steel, or more precisely Cor-Ten, is commonly used in landscape and construction projects, and comes in sheets that are 3/16 or ¼ inch thick. When it's installed, it starts out a natural steel color and then beautifully weathers to a stunning rusty patina. There are chemical processes that can create the rusty patina immediately, but care must be used in its application to avoid a rusty runoff into nearby plantings or patios. Pros: Steel is a newer material in today's gardens, so it creates it an up-to-date aesthetic. It also provides a slim profile where you want the beds to be defined but with a less bulky perimeter. It's naturally weather resistant, making it a long-term addition. Cons: This type of raised bed is best left to the pros, as installation can be difficult and the material is heavy. It's much more costly and may not be available in all areas. It's also not recommended for areas that receive salt spray from the ocean, as that can rapidly deteriorate the material. Steel can add to the heat of your soil, so it may not be the best choice for heat-sensitive plants. The material ...
Stock Tanks This may be one of the easiest options for raised garden beds. Stock tanks, which are typically round or rectangular with rounded ends, are generally used to feed farm animals, but they've been gaining popularity in recent years as a great way to add urban chic to the garden. The only real work you will have to do is add some drainage holes to the bottom of the tank, which is easily completed with a drill and a ¼- or ½-inch drill bit. Pros: Stock tanks are readily available at feed stores and are relatively inexpensive. There is no assembly required, and they will last indefinitely. They are also movable, which is handy if you redesign your garden layout. They come in a variety of sizes. Cons: You'll have to have a truck to transport stock tanks home or arrange for a delivery at an added cost. The sides of the tanks can heat up during the summer, but it's typically not a scorching heat that will burn skin. Cost: Stock tanks typically run $30 to $150, depending on the size.
Galvanized Culvert Galvanized culverts are typically used for drainage under roadways, but when sliced into sections, they can make wonderfully stylish planters for a contemporary garden. Many building supply stores carry culverts, but you can also look online for "free for pickup" culverts that are being disposed of. Pros: Culverts have a cool contemporary look, are fairly readily available, are easy to install (no assembly required) and can be a permanent feature in your garden. In addition, you will have more control over the height and overall size of your planter than you would if you used stock tanks. Cons: You might have to call around to locate exactly what you want, and when you find a length of pipe in the desired width, you will need to pay to have it cut into sections to use as planters. To transport the sections home, you will need a truck or you will have to arrange for delivery, usually at an additional cost. Culverts are more expensive than galvanized stock tanks. Cost: Culverts typically come in 20- to 30-foot lengths and a wide variety of widths. You could get 15 2-foot-tall, 36-inch-wide planters for about $900.
Rock Constructing raised beds from rock is a very easy DIY project for the average homeowner. Small boulders or large cobbles can be used, and they needn't be mortared in place, assuming your wall is fairly low (12 inches or less, still a respectable height for raised beds). The beds can be straight or curved, like the ones shown here, and larger rocks can simply be pushed up against one another, while smaller ones can nestle together to create a border. Pros: Rock can create a very casual, cottage-y look, and it's an easy DIY project for most homeowners. This type of construction requires no special equipment, and the materials are widely available. Cons: Stacked or nestled rocks do not work with every type of landscape style. This type of construction isn't permanent, but that can also be considered an asset if you decide to change the shape or location of your beds. Cost: If you already have rocks on your property, they're obviously free. If not, prepare to spend $85 a cubic yard and up. Rock is sold by the cubic yard, pound or ton, so inquire how the price is determined for the type of rock you'd like to use before you purchase it.
Cinderblock Raised beds made from cinderblock can be constructed in a number of different ways. Cinderblocks can simply be stacked to the desired height of the bed, or they can be mortared in place and then given a more elegant finish with a surface treatment and capped tops, as shown here. The former is much more rustic and inexpensive, while the latter is more elegant and pricier. Pros: Cinderblock is very inexpensive and widely available; you can purchase it at home improvement stores or building supply stores. It can fit a wide range of aesthetics, from rustic to urban to elegant, depending on the application. It's also fairly durable and will stay in place for many years. Cons: Individual pieces are fairly heavy, making this project difficult to do solo. Cost: There are a few different styles of cinderblock; materials alone cost about $9 to $15 per square foot. If you hire a professional and add a cap stone and a surface treatment like stucco, plan on triple that cost.
Masonry Masonry raised beds are the chameleons of the garden world. They can easily fit into nearly any style of garden, depending upon the type of rock you use. If you are a handy DIYer, you may be able to complete a project like this on your own, but most homeowners will want to hire a masonry crew to install the beds properly. Pros: Masonry can be a permanent addition, and the supplies are available almost everywhere. Masonry raised beds are very attractive and can be built to blend in with or even match your home's exterior. Cons: Masonry can be fairly costly, depending on the type of rock. Cost: Most masons charge by the linear or square foot; for raised beds expect to pay $5 to $10 per square foot, or more if you choose a higher-priced rock.
Concrete The use of urban landscape elements like concrete has increased in recent years. What used to seem ordinary and humble can now be chic and even trendy, making concrete a very flexible and desired addition to most types of gardens. Pros: When properly installed, concrete walls can last indefinitely. They can also work well in traditional, contemporary or even global styles (think Spanish courtyard or Mexican stucco), and can be tinted to blend, match or contrast with your home and other structures. Cons: Concrete can be expensive and is not a project for the DIYer in most cases. Cost: The materials are fairly inexpensive, but the labor is more intensive, so the overall cost is not necessarily on the low end of the options. Expect to pay about $30 per square foot, but that cost could significantly increase if you have issues, like a sloping yard, that will make the prep work more difficult.
Wood This is probably the most common material for constructing raised beds, and perhaps one of the least expensive. Use naturally rot-resistant woods like cedar or redwood, and avoid woods preserved with toxins, such as creosote-soaked railroad ties. Pressure-treated wood is treated with alkaline copper quaternary, which the EPA considers safe for food crops, but you may still want to line your beds with weed barrier fabric to avoid the soil's coming into contact with the wood. Pros: Wood raised beds are easy to install, and the material is readily available in most areas. They work nicely for traditional as well as more contemporary gardens, depending upon the design and construction of the beds. Wooden raised beds are a perfect project for the avid DIYer. Wood is also one of the most cost-effective choices for constructing raised beds. Cons: Wood doesn't last forever, so at some point you will need to replace it. Still, untreated wood can last for a number of years (up to 10) without really noticeable rot, and treated wood will last even longer. Cost: Depending on the size of your bed, cedar or redwood could cost up to $150 per bed; pressure-treated wood costs $75 to $100.
Add to ideabook by YLiving.com Humanscale Zon Air Purifier - $299 » Product pick: Although the Zon air purifier from Humanscale has a CADR of only 115, I am including it because it is meant to be kept right beside you — not to clean the air in an entire room — and for that job, a lower CADR should still do the trick. Those suffering from allergies or asthma can place it on the nightstand while in bed, or on the desk at work to create a "bubble" of clean air. It is small, exceeds Energy Star requirements, creates no ozone and has recyclable filters.
Add to ideabook by Wayfair Lifetime HEPA Permanent Filter Air Purifier - $169.99 » Product pick: While not quite as sleek or powerful as some of the top-of-the-line models, this HEPA air purifier from Honeywell has a budget-friendly price tag and churns out a respectable 250 CADR rating for dust, smoke and pollen.
Add to ideabook by FRONTGATE Blueair Hepasilent Air Purifier 650E - Frontgate - $849 » Product pick: Another heavy-duty model, but much sleeker looking, this HEPA air purifier from Blueair has a high CADR of 400 for dust and 450 for pollen and smoke. It is Energy Star rated and produces no ozone.
Get to know the rating systems. For in-duct air filters, look for the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) to tell how efficiently they pull particles from the air. MERV ratings range from 1 to 20; a system rated 7 or higher is about as effective as a HEPA filter. When shopping for a room air purifier, look for a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of at least 250, but the higher, the better. This is a voluntary system, so not all appliances have a CADR. An Energy Star label on any air purifier indicates better energy efficiency but does not necessarily mean it is more effective — so be sure to also check the MERV or CADR rating.
Add to ideabook by www.amazon.com IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier » Product pick: The HealthPro Plus from IQAir, a favorite in hospitals, has what the company calls a HyperHEPA filter as well as activated carbon to clean the air. It does not produce ozone, and no CADR rate is listed. The price is high, but if you are looking for a really heavy-duty air purifier, this is the one.
“Water feature + desert landscape for the side walk” “water fountain with nice background” “water feature for deck” “Water feature and plants” “Water feature against fence” “contemporary water fall” “wonder water fountain from?” “Water fountain...Nice water feature...Water idea...water feature...The water fountain...water feature”
structure a watering system or tubular structure for polythene tunnel for winter protection?” “beds with watering structure and winter protection.” “This is a clever idea to water the plants.” “Watering solutions raised beds easy covers” “Cool idea for watering the garden.” “Whole new way of watering. Can it also be covered”
Zen water Feature - deer slayer” “sends water to stream and pond” “low stone edging, gravel, natural water feature ( not bamboo part?)” “Water feature & pagoda” “bamboo water fountain” “Bamboo water feature” “lantern and water feature” “WATER FEATURE & LANTERN” “Zen water feature...Water Thing...water and rocks...water feature...simple water...Nice water feature...Bamboo water spigot...water fixture” “Japanese Water feature fountain idea” — Rodd
“the way the water flows off the tile.” “from an "extra" floor tile to a garden water fall !” “Cool use of concrete, steel, and stone. The corner edge of the steel plate makes for an interesting flow of water.” “water feature treatment” “concrete and steel water cascade” “detail of water feature” “Pretty water feature” “Pool. WatEr featUre in corner?” “Metal & water...Water feature...water feature. :)...water fall...Modern water...water feature”
Can you tell me what materials were used to construct the water feature?” “Love the water feature. Consider this yet another plea for you to Please share DIY instructions with those of us in awe of your talented work!” “make the water feature i would love to do this for my wife as a anniversary present. dmc582@gmail.com” “Hi there! The water feature is plate steel.” “Rock base and cool water feature” “kind of water feature in back with steel. Love the pave stones and gravel too.” “water feature on lower level outlines in same boarder as plants” “formal water feature hold the design together.” “A courtyard garden is another classic Japanese garden. This one has the standard design elements — gravel, water, accent tree — but
“Rain water is channeled through a perforated pipe to create a waterfall. The water then is channeled into rain water reserve tanks under ground. Photo: Aaron Leitz” “water fixture for the back courtyard” “The water feature doesn't have any standing water for mosquito control,etc but would have a nice sound to it.” “rain water channeled into perforated pipe and then underground reservoir”
added a water feature and created a raised dining terrace with privacy screens in an otherwise exposed back yard.” “Water feature with rock at base” “water feature for my front porch” “Water Feature with Japanese maples” “Like this water feature” “water feature alternative” “Water feature and fence” “water feature acquascape” “water feature...Water fountain...Wall water feature...Water treatment....Nice water feature...water feature” ...
Love the water feature. Hopefully we can get something similar in Perth?” “The water feature comes from Water Features Direct in Clifton Hill Melbourne. They may ship out to you but i have seen other websites of Perth based suppliers doing similar products.” “The water feature comes from Water Features Direct and they can cost you for this which is around the $2000 area.” “The water feature and the grey timber” “trellis to add to top of our fence; also use upright water feature”
Water falls over the edge. Simple look.” “simple, small scale contemporary water wall” “like this water monument” “bottom of water feature” “water design - lo added” “Shimmering water feature” “Raised bronze water feature” “Beautiful custom water feature” “water fall steel...water wall...water feature...water wall ?...water element...Water wall Pebbles...Slim wall water...cool water feature...water feature” “water” — susangreif
“what do you call the lighted water exit on the wall? where can i purchase one?” “find this water fall by Atlantic water gardens, called Color Falls” “square fire pit with water fall in background” “Water feature and square” “fire water front yard” “Water and fire features” “ghted water exit...Fire and water...The water feature...water fall...Water and fire...Water feature...Water & Fire...Water pouring out...water feature?...Water feature idea...water feature” ... “All” — jasmburns
kit fountain from Stone Forest
This little shelter was inspired by a garden shed on Houzz, and it even has its own dog weather vane. "I made this doghouse for my mom's two pups and painted it to match the house," says Houzz user Feels Like Home. The house also serves as a pass-through with a doggie door to the inside on one end. Inside is a carpet to wipe wet paws on, and the structure gives the pooches shelter on rainy Seattle days. Houzzers, please keep sharing your pet projects in the Comments below! More: 50 Dog Photos Worth a Wag
"To help our dogs, we built 'windows' into our privacy fence," says Houzzer Amanda Naughton. It has stopped one dog from trying to dig underneath the fence, and the other just enjoys checking out what's going on beyond the yard. "To help them with the neighbors' dogs, we put a window from our yard to their yard. Now our two dogs and their two dogs can sniff and see each other, so there is a lot less barking." The two windows in the fence gates were such a success, Naughton built the dogs a raised and covered corner area, called "the fort."
"After my two large dogs starting drinking out of my neighbors' birdbath on a regular basis, and seeing some great ideas on this site for dog-friendly backyards, I decided that I would make my own water fountain for them," says Houzz user katiek78. "I wanted something that I could afford and would circulate the water to try and keep things from growing in it." She fashioned the doggy fountain from a planter and a garden pond pump, and the dogs can't get enough.
Simple pegboards and shelves store tools and art materials for the owners' projects. The deep countertop has plenty of room for working on art, garden and fixer-upper projects. "I wanted my wife to be able to be messy and creative without me coming behind her with a broom and dustpan … even though I still kind of do this," says Sewell.
The couple saved money on the horizontal window in the back, found at the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore for about $30. Wyndham turned the narrow window sideways to frame a mountain view. "Every time I'm in this space, I think to myself how genius of an idea on his part this was," Sewell says, "and what a shame it would have been to work in the shed while looking at a wall instead of the beautiful mountain."
A patio Wyndham built at the back of the shed makes the little building feel larger and gives the couple a shady spot for enjoying their backyard view. Salvaged windows swing out to welcome cool breezes inside.
The couple uses the shed to dabble in everything from painting to wrapping presents to potting plants. A glass wall in the main house inspired the shed's Plexiglas roof and wall. The corrugated, ecofriendly plastic's blue tint neutralizes the Santa Barbara sun; the filtered light makes the shed feel like a greenhouse. Despite the plentiful Southern California sunshine, Wyndham knew that the north-facing, shaded site wouldn't get too hot or uncomfortable.
If you want easier cleaning, make sure your ledgestone is sealed well and grouted after installation to fill in any voids between the stones. You can also look for a flat tile design like this one, which has a similar depth and illusion of texture to ledgestone, but is much easier to keep clean.
Maintenance: If you're a clean freak, a ledgestone wall probably isn't your best option. The different levels, cracks and textures can take time to keep clean. You'll want to get in the habit of washing down the walls with water after every shower. Personally, I think this tile is best left to guest rooms or on focal points outside the shower, as in this photo.
Disadvantages: Since it's made of natural stone, most ledgestone is very heavy and can damage finished pieces (mirrors, sinks, fixtures) in your bathroom during installation. Butting up ledgestone against a mirror is risky, since there's no easy fix if the mirror is damaged. Safety should be considered too, especially in families with children or seniors. Falling against these rough surfaces in a shower will certainly hurt more than with a smooth wall.
Advantages: Ledgestone has great texture, and works well in a variety of styles. Most bathrooms with ledgestone use it on a single feature wall, although occasionally it's installed throughout the space. Many homeowners choose to add downlighting and wash these walls with light to highlight the texture and shadows that the ledgestone creates.
Cost: Faux grass is expensive, but in time you will recoup your investment with a lower water bill, fewer chemicals and less maintenance. Faux grass installed by a professional can cost up to $20 per square foot or more. The turf alone can cost anywhere from about $2 to $3 per square foot, but the total cost is much higher because of the extensive prep work. Consider using faux grass in smaller areas to achieve the best look. Considerations: Synthetic grass comes in a wide range of quality — and in general, you get what you pay for. Look for a grass that has some brown blades blended in to make it look more natural, and always ask for recommendations from your installer. Homeowners who have strong DIY experience can take on a project like this in smaller spaces, but others should consider hiring a professional.
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