It's known as the PISA/TIMSS voyaging convoy. Every time worldwide tests results are discharged with association tables indicating champs and failures a gaggle of scientists, scholastics and grouped kindred explorers plummet on the most astounding performing nation or instruction framework to break down and write about "world's best practice". The objective continues evolving One issue with thusly of deduction is that nobody framework reliably beats the rest. In light of the 1995 and 1999 TIMSS (Trends in International Math and Science Study) results, Asian instruction frameworks in Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan overwhelmed. Accordingly, the emphasis was immovably on recognizing the reasons the Asian tigers were performing so well. In the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) 2000 results, Finland positioned first in education, fourth in arithmetic and third in science. Finland became the overwhelming focus and specialists and scholastics ran to Helsinki to find the reasons Finnish understudies performed at or close to the highest point of the table. By 2012, at the end of the day, an alternate training framework turned into the focal point of consideration. Finland descended the PISA rankings as another champ, Shanghai, rose as first in arithmetic, science and perusing. Apples aren't being contrasted with apples A second issue when making correlations is that the spots we've recognized as examples of overcoming adversity are distinctive to Australia. City-states like Singapore and instruction frameworks in profoundly performing spots like Hong Kong and Shanghai have remarkable qualities that separate them from nations like Australia, England and the USA. Contrasts in topography, the quantities of understudies and schools, the understudy cosmetics (as far as dialect, society and financial profile) and how schools, including educational modules and appraisal, are organized and oversaw significantly affect results. Singapore, when contrasted with Australia, is little topographically, more homogenous as far as dialect and culture and utilizes instructive practices that have long been out of support in Australia. These incorporate gushing kids in view of their abilities, and high-chance, focused tests and examinations. As noted in a paper titled How not to prevail upon PISA information: an unexpected examination, there are additionally social components clarifying solid execution that are troublesome, if not unimaginable, to exchange starting with one instruction framework then onto the next. Evident cases incorporate the effect of Confucian qualities and morals that stretch appreciation for power (particularly instructors), the conviction that achievement is conceivable with inspiration, fixation and diligent work, and the thought that training is focal if one is to accomplish a superior life. Confounding circumstances and end results Befuddling what has driven these nations to achievement speaks to the third trouble in expecting that what seems to prompt accomplishment in one nation can without much of a stretch be exchanged to another. To expect that everything we need to do in Australia to enhance test outcomes is to lessen the impact of the Australian Education Union, while being appealing to some, is both undemocratic and blameworthy of accepting circumstances and end results. There are a few advantages of abroad correlations PISA and TIMSS tests have been held for a long time. Thus, there is a decent arrangement of examination recognizing the attributes of more grounded performing instruction frameworks from which states and domains can learn. The early ethnographic work recording Japanese and American classes nitty gritty in Harvard distribution The Teaching Gap uncovers how the lessons in Asian classrooms are more unequivocal, obviously organized and sound and there is a desire that all understudies, with the essential offer and applications, some assistance with canning succeed. A later distribution by the Grattan Institute, Catching up: gaining from the best educational systems in East Asia, likewise distinguishes imperative lessons from fruitful Asian instruction frameworks. Positive variables incorporate giving instructors more opportunity to work cooperatively and to tutor each other, guaranteeing that educator training, course readings and the educational modules are commonly steady and concentrate on enhancing classroom rehearse. It ought to additionally be noticed that while Australian understudies don't perform in the top level in PISA and TIMSS tests, there is some reason for festivity. Understudies in the Australian Capital Territory perform well over the Australian normal and frequently coordinate the execution of top-performing abroad instruction frameworks. As far as lifting the execution of understudies from distraught foundations it is additionally critical to take note of that Catholic schools, in light of an investigation of the 2009 PISA results completed by the Australian Council for Educational Research, accomplish a value rating surpassing that of Finland. About the Author: Amy Parker writes too many academic papers for people who have troubles with it. She always gives needed advices, shows the examples of the papers and helps with writing at http://papersnetwork.net

This house sits along an array of lakes and canals which highlights the landscape of a golf course. A clear objective of the architecture is to focus on large openings to enjoy the view of the surrounding landscape. Serving the same purpose, the house has been set high on stilts, a clear reference to Thai traditional architecture. The house seems to float in the air. The large cantilevered openings are framed by the stone cladding. Another objective of the architecture is to blend itself seamlessly into the landscape. The two objectives of the stone work were to focus on the large framed openings and to blend into the landscape. The travertine chosen by the architect has a smooth and warm color which blends well with the wood cladding and landscape. It displays complex movements, crystalline veins, and color blends which accentuates its natural character. The challenge was to display this natural character, while ensuring a perfect continuity in the opening frames. The color and pattern of the stone had to continue seamlessly along the four sides of each frame, while still featuring the natural character of the stone. This required long drying times in our factory, and detailed piece-per-piece touch-up to smooth outstanding features of the stone.

Landscape Painting, California, Tahoe, Birch Tree, Quality, Original Art, Palette Knife Painting. Large 30x30 Tree Artwork by Lisa Elley T I T L E: Birch Trees of Tahoe by Lisa Elley. I N S P I R E D* B Y: Birch Trees take me back to my childhood. Long walks in the crackling leaves, the smell of a wood fire burning, hot chocolate, exploring my grandpa's shed... This painting features a scene in amazing South Lake Tahoe, here in northern California. The Sierra Nevada mountains are magical all year round, and here they are in the fall blazing with color! S I Z E: 30 X 30 X 1.5 Inches. Y E A R: 2015 M A T E R I A L S: Artist quality oil paints, Gallery Wrapped, Back Stapled Canvas. Sides are painted with continued colors, no frame required. This painting features an extra wide wrap (sides) which makes for a beautiful, modern presentation. P A I N T I N G* S H I P S: Unframed, stretched and wired, ready to hang. Certificate of Authenticity Included. Painting is signed on front and signed & dated on the back. S H I P P I N G Domestic shipping is by Fedex or UPS Ground, which includes tracking. International shipping is by USPS Priority Mail International, also with tracking. Purchaser is responsible for customs fees in their own country. *Artist retains the rights to digital and print reproduction. M Y B A C K G R O U N D: All my paintings are oil on canvas, using mainly palette & painting knives, with thick application, bold strokes, painterly detail and rich colors. The palette knife gives my art a unique combination of contrast, fluidity, depth, texture and impact. I do not typically use a brush, as I prefer the way I can mix buttery paints and smear them on my canvas with a flexible metal blade. The amazing thick texture achieved with the knife reflects the light more than a regular brush painting and gives a beautiful sense of movement, with subtle highlights. I am originally from New Zealand, where the beauty of nature is unsurpassed. The luminescent beauty of our amazing world inspires me, and I feel it in every stroke. I try to reflect this in my work and invite you to enjoy it as I do. F O L L O W M E: http://www.pinterest.com/paintersknife https://www.facebook.com/paintersknife http://www.lisaelley.com

Landscape Painting, California, Tahoe, Birch Tree, Quality, Original Art, Palette Knife Painting. Large Tree Artwork by Lisa Elley T I T L E: Trees of Tahoe by Lisa Elley. I N S P I R E D* B Y: Pine Trees take me back to my childhood. Long walks in the crackling leaves, the smell of a wood fire burning, hot chocolate, exploring my grandpa's shed... This painting features a scene in amazing South Lake Tahoe, here in northern California. The Sierra Nevada mountains are magical all year round, and here they are in the winter. S I Z E: 36 X 12 X 1.5 Inches. Y E A R: 2015 M A T E R I A L S: Artist quality oil paints, Gallery Wrapped, Back Stapled Canvas. Sides are painted with continued colors, no frame required. This painting features an extra wide wrap (sides) which makes for a beautiful, modern presentation. P A I N T I N G* S H I P S: Unframed, stretched and wired, ready to hang. Certificate of Authenticity Included. Painting is signed on front and signed & dated on the back. S H I P P I N G Domestic shipping is by Fedex or UPS Ground, which includes tracking. International shipping is by USPS Priority Mail International, also with tracking. Purchaser is responsible for customs fees in their own country. *Artist retains the rights to digital and print reproduction. M Y B A C K G R O U N D: All my paintings are oil on canvas, using mainly palette & painting knives, with thick application, bold strokes, painterly detail and rich colors. The palette knife gives my art a unique combination of contrast, fluidity, depth, texture and impact. I do not typically use a brush, as I prefer the way I can mix buttery paints and smear them on my canvas with a flexible metal blade. The amazing thick texture achieved with the knife reflects the light more than a regular brush painting and gives a beautiful sense of movement, with subtle highlights. I am originally from New Zealand, where the beauty of nature is unsurpassed. The luminescent beauty of our amazing world inspires me, and I feel it in every stroke. I try to reflect this in my work and invite you to enjoy it as I do. F O L L O W M E: http://www.pinterest.com/paintersknife https://www.facebook.com/paintersknife http://www.lisaelley.com

Forming a corner shower included framing partial walls on each side of the frameless shower door. The pivot shower door allows the user to open the door inward or outward. The jetted spa whirlpool tub by Jason International was set into a custom curved base, with patterned mosaic tiles applied. Wall tiles in 24"X24" complete the surrounding tub walls and are continued into the shower designed with a creative edgy style. The shower glass surround extends to the ceiling which gives a spacious feel. The granite wall caps match the granite tub deck, shower threshold, shower niche shelf, shower foot hold, vanity tops and vanity splashes. The jetted tub is fully loaded with jets, air masseurs, mood lights, jetted neck pillow and heater.

All rooms are oriented to the sea with sea view. The use of natural building materials such as wood and Green roofs brings the house close to nature. A natural pool reduces the impact on nature. ​ The plot has 5230,00m2 with a implanting area of 300m2, the existing edification is inserted in a rural space with view to the sea where olive, almond and orange trees predominate the landscape. Since the trees are centenaries the desire of keeping the them by the architect allowed the development of the house around the vegetation and facing the sea. The shape resulted from the bioclimatic study and the topographic survey, respecting the existing vegetation essencial to the good behavior of the built due to the solar and wind exposition imposes a compact construction on the north side, opening to the south. The villa layout was design so it respects the principles of Passive Haus such as insulation, ventilation and orientation of the building, so it enhances the passive solar gains as well. The dimension of the openings and the porches were thoroughly calculated to be exact to allow solar gain during winter and provide ideal shadow during summer. The use of green ecological extended roof give continuity to the vegetation that surrounds the house besides giving thermal balance to the interior, opening the space to natural light and allowing the gain through direct sun light. Controlled ventilation is a important strategy to passive cooling of the internal environment of the building, that helps keeping a healthy and comfortable environment for the occupants, without energetic costs. this strategy consists in the change between internal and external air. The electricity is provided by the installation of PhotoVoltaic panels and the domestic water and swimming pool will be made through thermal solar system. The construction is made with sustainable ecological materials providing a total integration of the building in the landscape.

Traditional Thai homes are usually built as a cluster of physically separated rooms arranged around a large central terrace. Interpreting the traditional typology of the Thai houses, the Residence Navathani consists in two parallel wings, separated by a large garden and a swimming pool. The objective of the stone architecture is to give a sense of unity and blend the building with trees, plants and other natural landscape. Trees are often allowed to grow in the central area of the traditional Thai house with plants always featured prominently to create a strong relationship with nature. The choice of Thai travertine as the main stone for the building stems from the following objectives: first, the stone must display a strong natural character with contrasting color hues and crystalline veins, which contribute to blending the architecture into the landscape. Second, the design of the stone provides a sense of unity to the building. The façade of each wing displays an array of columns of various widths and spacings and there is an alignment of the columns between the two wings. The texture is rough on the outside face of the columns and honed on the sides as it continues through the window to the inside of the house. The two wings are connected by a long screen wall that separates the drop-off area from the private areas. This wall is pierced with square openings which helps to show a relationship between the two areas. The façade facing the entrance features stone in contrasting but related ways: the right hand wing is clad with honed stone on top of a large window, while the opposite wing displays a chiseled stone wall on the bottom with a large window on top. The architecture extends to the outside of the right-hand wing with a private theater of a modern contemporary design. The stone featured on the façade changes to a minimalist grey basalt while continuing the column concept with the alternate textures grooved on the facing and honed on the sides.

All rooms are oriented to the sea with sea view. The use of natural building materials such as wood and Green roofs brings the house close to nature. A natural pool reduces the impact on nature. ​ The plot has 5230,00m2 with a implanting area of 300m2, the existing edification is inserted in a rural space with view to the sea where olive, almond and orange trees predominate the landscape. Since the trees are centenaries the desire of keeping the them by the architect allowed the development of the house around the vegetation and facing the sea. The shape resulted from the bioclimatic study and the topographic survey, respecting the existing vegetation essencial to the good behavior of the built due to the solar and wind exposition imposes a compact construction on the north side, opening to the south. The villa layout was design so it respects the principles of Passive Haus such as insulation, ventilation and orientation of the building, so it enhances the passive solar gains as well. The dimension of the openings and the porches were thoroughly calculated to be exact to allow solar gain during winter and provide ideal shadow during summer. The use of green ecological extended roof give continuity to the vegetation that surrounds the house besides giving thermal balance to the interior, opening the space to natural light and allowing the gain through direct sun light. Controlled ventilation is a important strategy to passive cooling of the internal environment of the building, that helps keeping a healthy and comfortable environment for the occupants, without energetic costs. this strategy consists in the change between internal and external air. The electricity is provided by the installation of PhotoVoltaic panels and the domestic water and swimming pool will be made through thermal solar system. The construction is made with sustainable ecological materials providing a total integration of the building in the landscape.

Royal's Factory and its review: The business that Royal now runs in Shanghai was originally established by his father in Hong Kong. The legacy of this workmanship lies with Royal's father. At age 20, he was apprenticed to a traditional Chinese carpenter in Shanghai and learnt the long-established customs of furniture manufacture and furniture upholstery. After moving to Hong Kong, he was fortunate to study and work with a master craftsman from France, who specialized in furnitures. This experience allowed him to integrate his knowledge of both Eastern and Western practices, catering to both local and international clients. When Royal and his family moved to Shanghai seven years ago, the family business came full circle, opening Little Dragon in the city where Royal's father had first learnt the craft of furniture making. Royal has a special affinity for furniture making, having studied classic and modern techniques under father's direction from the age of 16 years. He is genuinely passionate about furniture making (especially furnitures). Over the last 8 years, our business has grown significantly, due mainly to the glowing referrals we receive from our loyal customers, who enjoy our personalized service and attention to detail. "You can't get a better marketing strategy than word-of-mouth," says owner Royal Wong, who believes the success of our family business is based on the quality of the craftsmanship and service our staff provide. We also believe that detailed hand-finished work provides its own quality assurance and our confidence in this craftsmanship is reflected in our lifetime service guarantee. All tastes and styles are catered to, as the store offers more than 5,000 quality samples and fabric swatches. An enormous array of options await - smooth leather, luxurious velvet, magnificent satin tapestry designs and comfortable modern fabrics such as cotton-linen blends and ultra-suede. As upholstery support and padding is dictated by individual taste, customers can choose from a diverse range of filling materials, which are assembled by hand. Specialized workshop processes ensure the quality and quantity of these materials, as they are individually weighed then encased in a special lining fabric. Customers that choose a made-to-order furniture know just what they want, and that's usually a furniture that will retain its original size, shape and support over the years. Changes in style and taste are easily accommodated with interchangeable and replaceable furniture covers. Our custom-made furnitures and chairs, of unique design and style, are vivid reflections of the personality and taste of their owners. Like tailor-made clothing, the quality of the design and materials are specifically suited to the end user. Over the last seven years, we've collected an interesting range of anecdotes from our customers, some of whom will go to great lengths to get a Little Dragon furniture into their home. One client, whose custom-made furniture was too large to fit through his front door, hoisted it through a third floor window via a pulley. Another, having relocated his Little Dragon furniture from Shanghai, to the United States, to Singapore, visited China especially to pick up some soft furnishings from our store. Amongst our high profile customers over the years are some of Hong Kong's premier five-star hotel presidents, business titans, film stars and Shanghai's consul-generals. Perhaps one of our most faithful customers is the legendary Hong Kong actor, Andy Lau, who asked his interior decorator to work directly with us to complete the design of his entire mansion in Hong Kong. The repair and restoration of antique furniture is a unique skill that we offer our customers. Our European clients, in particular, have strong recollections of furniture handed down through the ages and appreciate the opportunity to put some life back into family heirlooms which hold such fond memories of those now departed. One French customer, referred by a friend, entrusted us with a armoire that had been in the family for three generations. Our company's objective is the same as its clients - to retain the integrity of the original craftsmanship and refresh the unique traits of an individual furniture piece. For this reason, Royal's customers can be considered a rather special community as they are willing to come from far and wide to benefit from his unique skill set. The company's integrity and heritage are much like that of the pieces they work on – handed down from father to son and continued throughout the generations. It is no wonder that the business has an international reputation which draws clients from all corners of the globe to Shanghai.

Standard annual or mechanical Chimney cleaning for gas and wood burning fireplaces typically works to remove any type of buildup as well as checking for the structural integrity of the chimney. Maintaining an annual chimney cleaning will meet the national safety standard set by the NFPA, CSIA, IRC and NCSG, helping homeowners avoid chimney fires and blockages. Why does safety matter? Did you know that there was a chimney fire in Marengo in January? Or a chimney fire at a Peotone home at the end of March? Or a log cabin fire caused by the chimney in June? That’s just a few that happened in the past 7 months. Why Does a Chimney Cleaning Matter? Chimney sweeps also known as chimney cleanings, fireplace cleanings, or fireplace sweeps. Regardless of what you call it, it still means the same thing. Chimney cleaning for gas and wood burning fireplaces serve 3 key purposes: confirming structural integrity removing flammable deposits and obstruction-free assurance. Homeowners with gas or wood burning fireplaces benefit from each of these safeguards. The National Fire Protection Association addresses this directly through NFPA 211, a widely recognized fire safety code. The standard states that chimneys, fireplaces, and vents require inspection at least once a year for soundness, free from deposits, and correct clearances, with cleaning, maintenance, and repairs to be done whenever needed. This annual requirement applies equally to gas and wood burning fireplaces. Organizations including the Chimney Safety Institute of America, the National Chimney Sweep Guild, International Residential code and the National Fire Protection Association each reference this standard as the requirement for home fire safety. Free 14-Point Certified Written Inspection Every chimney sweep completed through Superior Chimney includes a complimentary 14-point certified written inspection along with photo documentation delivered to you by email. This documentation gives homeowners a clear visual record of their chimney system. The written report covers the condition of the flue liner, smoke chamber, smoke shelf, damper, firebox, chimney crown, and chimney cap, among other components examined during a standard visit. Photo documentation captures each area so homeowners can review the findings independently of the technician’s verbal summary. Written inspection reports allow families to track the condition of their fireplace chimney system over time. Chimney Cleaning and Structural Integrity A CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep technician, such as Superior Chimney technicians, visually examines the chimney from the top opening to the firebox below, gaining a full evaluation of the interior. When chimney rods and brushes pass through the chimney system, loose pieces of fire clay tile, damaged tile joints, or crumbling brick sometimes fall down into the fireplace. This debris can mean there is an integrity problem. By knowing this is a problem, will protect families and their homes. Now it’s time to take care of it and call in a certified chimney technician. Fireplace Cleaning and Creosote Removal Creosote, is the technical name for soot. Soot forms as a natural byproduct of burning wood. Smoke traveling upward through the chimney and leaves deposits of creosote along the interior walls. With every fire, a little more gets built up. The issue with creosote is that it is highly flammable and is the leading cause of chimney fires nationwide. Removing the buildup through regular chimney cleanings keeps a fireplace serviceable for continuous use throughout the spring, fall and winter seasons. Standard and mechanical chimney cleanings pay close attention to the flue liner, smoke chamber, smoke shelf, damper, and firebox in a single service visit. Superior Chimney performs each fireplace chimney inspection using a no-mess process that protects the home during service. This keeps soot contained within specialized equipment rather than the living room. An Obstruction Free Chimney Several conditions create blockages within a chimney system. Bird, squirrel, bat and raccoon nesting material, feces, and debris frequently accumulate inside an unprotected flue, especially during spring and summer months when the fireplace sits unused. Excessive creosote accumulation or a collapsed chimney liner can restrict proper airflow. Homeowners that address obstructions with a chimney inspection will be able to maintain proper draft and ventilation with their gas or wood burning fireplace. This will reduce the risk of smoke backing into the home. Gas Chimney Cleaning Compared to Wood burning Chimney Cleaning Gas and wood burning fireplaces share the same annual chimney inspection requirement. Whether you are burning wood, gas or a “pile of shirts” there is still heat and flame that requires worthy firewalls to protect the home from heat transfer. Fire worthiness and checking the firewall integrity is priority. Wood burning fireplaces generate creosote that builds along the flue liner with every fire. Gas fireplace systems accumulate lighter deposits along with potential venting obstructions, since gas appliances rely heavily on venting for safe combustion byproduct release. Each system accumulates different residues that need attention. A CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep technician from Superior Chimney adjusts the specific cleaning approach based on fuel type. However, the same core safety elements apply: structural integrity, deposit removal, and clear airflow. What Happens During a Chimney Cleaning? A typical chimney inspection begins with a walkthrough of the fireplace and the chimney on top of the roof, allowing the technician to record any visible concerns the homeowner reported in advance as well as any new findings. The certified technician then covers the immediate hearth area with protective material before setting up specialized equipment designed to contain creosote throughout the cleaning and inspection. Chimney rods and brushes pass through the flue liner to loosen and remove creosote deposits along the smoke chamber, smoke shelf, and damper. The certified technician inspects each section closely for loose or crumbling firewall, cracked joints, or other signs of weak structural damage. A final walkthrough of the firebox and chimney completes the visual inspection. Photo documentation captures each component, and the certified written report is sent to the homeowner by email. This consistent process gives homeowners the documentation they need to compare year to year. Chimney Cleaning Safety Standards The table below summarizes the organizations that set national chimney safety standards, along with their specific requirements for fireplace chimney sweeps. NFPA211 National Fire Protection Association Annual inspection for soundness, deposit buildup, and correct clearances; cleaning and repairs completed as needed CSIA Chimney Safety Institute of America Certifies technicians through testing on chimney and venting system knowledge NCSG National Chimney Sweep Guild Establishes trade standards and best practices for chimney sweep professionals How Often Should You Schedule a Chimney Cleaning and Inspection? CSIA recommends scheduling chimney cleaning and inspection annually by CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps. This recommendation applies to gas and wood burning fireplaces, regardless of how frequently a household uses the fireplace and especially in freeze/thaw geographic areas. Regular chimney sweeps save lives, since a clean fireplace chimney rarely catches fire. CSIA encourages homeowners to rely on Certified Chimney Sweeps, as these technicians undergo regular testing on the complexities of chimney and venting systems throughout their careers. Frequently Asked Questions What is included in a chimney sweep? A chimney sweep includes the flue liner, smoke chamber, smoke shelf, damper, and firebox, removing creosote while checking for obstructions and structural concerns throughout the chimney system (NOT the ashpit). How often should gas and wood burning fireplaces receive chimney sweeps? CSIA, NFPA, IRC and NCSG guidelines each call for chimney sweeps at least once a year for gas and wood burning fireplace systems. Why does creosote removal matter for fireplace safety? Creosote is highly flammable and builds along the interior walls of a fireplace chimney with every fire, creating conditions that lead directly to chimney fires when left in place over time. Creosote is unburned particles from the combustion chamber. Who should perform a fireplace chimney sweep? CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep technicians complete fireplace chimney sweeps after passing regular testing on chimney and venting system knowledge, meeting the certification standard recognized across the industry. Does a fireplace chimney sweep remove animal nests and debris? No, a fireplace chimney sweep addresses soot and creosote, while significant nesting material, feces, or collapsed liner debris often calls for dedicated obstruction removal alongside the standard service. What does the free 14-point inspection include? The complimentary 14-point certified written inspection documents the flue liner, smoke chamber, smoke shelf, damper, firebox, crown, and cap through photo evidence delivered directly by email for homeowner records. Choose Superior Chimney for Your Certified Chimney Inspection All service technicians completing chimney sweeps through Superior Chimney hold National Certification through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), reflecting the training standard recommended by fire safety organizations nationwide. Scheduling regular chimney sweeps to clean gas and wood burning fireplace systems protects a home from fire risk, preserves the structural integrity of the chimney, and keeps airflow clear for proper, continuous use throughout the year. Contact us today to schedule a chimney inspection at 877-244-6349.

Large walk in doorless shower. 3 feet x 6 1/2 feet with a sloped ceiling. Creamy white tiles on walls, backsplash and floor. 3cm granite countertop with a chiseled edge & undermount sink. Countertop continuous into shower and creates shelf. Espresso cabinet. Interesting wall tile pattern with alternating 12" x 12" & 12" x 24" tiles and alternating the directional printed pattern on the porcelain tile. Complete bathroom renovation. Large mirror with internal lights mounted over random mosaic backsplash

As a manager of a building or property, you quickly learn the art of mediation. One minute you may be working with a vendor to keep the building’s operating system running efficient and smooth; the next moment you may be calming a tenant down after finding the change in the system disrupted his office’s workflow. Give and take; it’s the only way to make sure every day runs perfectly. Overall, you have two goals to strive for in everything you do. 1. Keep the building running properly, upgrading systems as appropriate, and striving to do all you can on a pre-established budget. 2. Keep the building occupants happy, with as little disruption as possible. While some changes are minor, barely registering on a building occupant’s mind, with HVAC challenges, that’s rarely the case. If a HVAC contractor is replacing an air handler, for instance, and disconnects one and moves to the next unit, it may cause major disruptions to sensitive areas of a building. And if the occupant wasn’t prepared for the disruption, you can have a mighty unhappy customer on your hand. Anytime you are working on HVAC projects throughout your building, there are strategies you can put into place to keep things running smooth. Communicate with occupants Communication is key to any good relationship, and as a property manager, this rule is a great place to start. If you will be working with the HVAC equipment, block out the timeframe for work to be done, and understand the potential consequences of the process. Then communicate this process with every point of contact you have throughout the building. The more detail you can provide, the less surprises you’ll have throughout the process. You can also work with your building’s occupants before the process begins, finding out if there are better timeframes than others. Establish a realistic schedule As a property manager, its easy to provide your expectations for the HVAC project at hand, and request that the proposal be written in such a way that work is completed on your timeframe. Unfortunately, many contractors want your business and will agree to anything upfront in order to win the bid, knowing full well the work will take longer than specified. Instead of projecting your timeframes into the proposal process, ask for HVAC project bids to establish realistic schedules of how long the process will take, and what areas of your property will be most effected throughout the schedule. This will help you avoid crises between you and the contractor, and you and your tenants. Plan for the whole system If one small piece of your HVAC system is weak, its easy to fix that one small piece. But how will that impact your overall system? Will it cause weak spots in different parts of the building – maybe a corner office will have reduced air flow, and therefore be colder in the winter and warmer in the summer? When retrofitting new pieces with older existing systems, its easy to reduce the efficiency of your entire system. Before agreeing to certain repairs, make sure you understand how it will impact your entire system overall. An easy way of handling this problem is by working with the same HVAC contractor again and again, He will understand your system’s potential, and know when to make repairs, and when to replace. Have points of contact available for immediate assistance In many cases, problems arise because connections can’t be made. Can the HVAC contractor get a hold or you or another person that can make decisions at a moments notice if a problem arises? Do you have access to decision makers throughout the building that may be impacted by this change? Many projects have been put on hold simply because a person in authority can’t be found to give the go-ahead to move forward. If you have access to these people during the time of the project, you’ll be able to complete the project in record time. Test Finally, if you can test things in stages, or test when the potential for problems is the smallest, you reduce the chances of bigger emergency issues falling into your lap. If you’ll be installing a new terminal unit, can you make the switch on a Saturday morning when the building is largely unoccupied? If you’re replacing a large system, can you replace and test in phases so the entire project isn’t released at once? Most issues can be avoided with just a little strategy from the beginning. If you’ve never had a HVAC maintenance team to help you stay on track with your building’s heating and cooling, now may be the time to find out how easy a team approach makes the process.

Royal's Factory and its review: The business that Royal now runs in Shanghai was originally established by his father in Hong Kong. The legacy of this workmanship lies with Royal's father. At age 20, he was apprenticed to a traditional Chinese carpenter in Shanghai and learnt the long-established customs of furniture manufacture and furniture upholstery. After moving to Hong Kong, he was fortunate to study and work with a master craftsman from France, who specialized in furnitures. This experience allowed him to integrate his knowledge of both Eastern and Western practices, catering to both local and international clients. When Royal and his family moved to Shanghai seven years ago, the family business came full circle, opening Little Dragon in the city where Royal's father had first learnt the craft of furniture making. Royal has a special affinity for furniture making, having studied classic and modern techniques under father's direction from the age of 16 years. He is genuinely passionate about furniture making (especially furnitures). Over the last 8 years, our business has grown significantly, due mainly to the glowing referrals we receive from our loyal customers, who enjoy our personalized service and attention to detail. "You can't get a better marketing strategy than word-of-mouth," says owner Royal Wong, who believes the success of our family business is based on the quality of the craftsmanship and service our staff provide. We also believe that detailed hand-finished work provides its own quality assurance and our confidence in this craftsmanship is reflected in our lifetime service guarantee. All tastes and styles are catered to, as the store offers more than 5,000 quality samples and fabric swatches. An enormous array of options await - smooth leather, luxurious velvet, magnificent satin tapestry designs and comfortable modern fabrics such as cotton-linen blends and ultra-suede. As upholstery support and padding is dictated by individual taste, customers can choose from a diverse range of filling materials, which are assembled by hand. Specialized workshop processes ensure the quality and quantity of these materials, as they are individually weighed then encased in a special lining fabric. Customers that choose a made-to-order furniture know just what they want, and that's usually a furniture that will retain its original size, shape and support over the years. Changes in style and taste are easily accommodated with interchangeable and replaceable furniture covers. Our custom-made furnitures and chairs, of unique design and style, are vivid reflections of the personality and taste of their owners. Like tailor-made clothing, the quality of the design and materials are specifically suited to the end user. Over the last seven years, we've collected an interesting range of anecdotes from our customers, some of whom will go to great lengths to get a Little Dragon furniture into their home. One client, whose custom-made furniture was too large to fit through his front door, hoisted it through a third floor window via a pulley. Another, having relocated his Little Dragon furniture from Shanghai, to the United States, to Singapore, visited China especially to pick up some soft furnishings from our store. Amongst our high profile customers over the years are some of Hong Kong's premier five-star hotel presidents, business titans, film stars and Shanghai's consul-generals. Perhaps one of our most faithful customers is the legendary Hong Kong actor, Andy Lau, who asked his interior decorator to work directly with us to complete the design of his entire mansion in Hong Kong. The repair and restoration of antique furniture is a unique skill that we offer our customers. Our European clients, in particular, have strong recollections of furniture handed down through the ages and appreciate the opportunity to put some life back into family heirlooms which hold such fond memories of those now departed. One French customer, referred by a friend, entrusted us with a armoire that had been in the family for three generations. Our company's objective is the same as its clients - to retain the integrity of the original craftsmanship and refresh the unique traits of an individual furniture piece. For this reason, Royal's customers can be considered a rather special community as they are willing to come from far and wide to benefit from his unique skill set. The company's integrity and heritage are much like that of the pieces they work on – handed down from father to son and continued throughout the generations. It is no wonder that the business has an international reputation which draws clients from all corners of the globe to Shanghai.

Traditional Thai homes are usually built as a cluster of physically separated rooms arranged around a large central terrace. Interpreting the traditional typology of the Thai houses, the Residence Navathani consists in two parallel wings, separated by a large garden and a swimming pool. The objective of the stone architecture is to give a sense of unity and blend the building with trees, plants and other natural landscape. Trees are often allowed to grow in the central area of the traditional Thai house with plants always featured prominently to create a strong relationship with nature. The choice of Thai travertine as the main stone for the building stems from the following objectives: first, the stone must display a strong natural character with contrasting color hues and crystalline veins, which contribute to blending the architecture into the landscape. Second, the design of the stone provides a sense of unity to the building. The façade of each wing displays an array of columns of various widths and spacings and there is an alignment of the columns between the two wings. The texture is rough on the outside face of the columns and honed on the sides as it continues through the window to the inside of the house. The two wings are connected by a long screen wall that separates the drop-off area from the private areas. This wall is pierced with square openings which helps to show a relationship between the two areas. The façade facing the entrance features stone in contrasting but related ways: the right hand wing is clad with honed stone on top of a large window, while the opposite wing displays a chiseled stone wall on the bottom with a large window on top. The architecture extends to the outside of the right-hand wing with a private theater of a modern contemporary design. The stone featured on the façade changes to a minimalist grey basalt while continuing the column concept with the alternate textures grooved on the facing and honed on the sides.

Lead designer and owner Lance Griffith has been with CHD Interiors for 44 years, earning a reputation for providing quality service with an uncommon design approach. Since 1977, Lance has served clients both nationally and internationally with his interior design projects landing in the pages of some of the most well-recognized home publications in the Southeast. Over the years, Lance’s key relationships with vendors across the U.S. and around the world have helped him continuously curate one-of-a-kind designs for his clients. Originally from Winston-Salem, NC via Florence, SC, Lance has always had a passion for art and creative projects. He studied business, advertising and marketing with a minor in art at the University of South Carolina. Before CHD Interiors, Lance also held a position as the creative art director at an esteemed advertising and public relations firm in Greenville, SC. When he’s not busy designing and planning international buying trips, Lance enjoys spending time with his family, biking, and traveling.

Historical meets traditional in this Lexington inn's 22 room update/remodel. Robin oversaw the project entirely, from interior architecture to choosing the butter knives in the Inn’s restaurant. Named twice to Travel + Leisure’s “Top 100 Hotels in the World”, the project’s standout interior design continue to help earn the Inn and its upscale restaurant international accolades. Photo credit: Michael J. Lee Photography

Example of a galley light wood floor and beige floor wet bar design in Kansas City with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, metal backsplash and white countertops

Historical meets traditional in this Lexington inn's 22 room update/remodel. Robin oversaw the project entirely, from interior architecture to choosing the butter knives in the Inn’s restaurant. Named twice to Travel + Leisure’s “Top 100 Hotels in the World”, the project’s standout interior design continue to help earn the Inn and its upscale restaurant international accolades. Photo credit: Michael J. Lee Photography

Photo of a small modern partial sun backyard landscaping in San Diego with a fire pit.